Edge protector assembly

Abstract

An edge protector in which the edge protector is configured to encircle an edge of an electro-deposition cathode. The edge protector has an internal channel, and, in the preferred embodiment, a pair of lips which engage opposing faces of the cathode. In the preferred embodiment, the internal channel is shaped so that the portion of the internal channel closest to or proximate to the lips has a width substantially greater than a width of said cathode and which tapers so that the other side of the channel approximates the width of the cathode. A key is provided which is secured to the cathode and which is configured to substantially fill a void between the cathode and walls of the internal channel. In the preferred embodiment, the edge protector further includes an externally accessible slot into which an expansion pin is inserted to force the edge protector to fully engage both the key and the faces of the cathode.

1 . An edge protector assembly comprising: 
 a) an edge protector configured to encircle an edge of a cathode and having, 
 1) a pair of lips configured to engage opposing faces of the cathode, and,  
 2) an internal channel adapted to receive the edge of said cathode, 
 A) a portion of said internal channel proximate to said pair of lips having a width substantially greater than a width of said cathode, and,  
 B) a portion of said channel distal to said pair of lips having a width approximating the width of said cathode; and,  
 
   b) a key mechanism securable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a void between the cathode and walls of said internal channel when the edge of said cathode is placed within said internal channel.    
   
   
       2 . The edge protector according to  claim 1 , 
 a) wherein said edge protector further includes, an externally accessible slot located on a side of said edge protector opposite a location of said lips; and,    b) further including an expansion pin configured to be inserted into said externally accessible slot, a diameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width of said externally accessible slot.    
   
   
       3 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said key mechanism has a first component and a second component, said first component being securable to a first face of said cathode and said second component being securable to a second face of said cathode.  
   
   
       4 . The edge protector assembly according  claim 3 , 
 a) wherein said first component of said key mechanism includes at least two pins configured to be inserted through holes proximate to an edge of said cathode; and,    b) wherein said second component of said key mechanism includes means for engaging said at least two pins of said first component of said key mechanism.    
   
   
       5 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein, when said edge protector is positioned around an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is contained within the internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertion of said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, the walls of said internal channel engage said key mechanism.  
   
   
       6 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said key mechanism is securable to a first face of said cathode.  
   
   
       7 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein, when said edge protector is applied to the edge of said cathode, a wall of said internal channel is proximate to a second face of said cathode.  
   
   
       8 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein, when said edge protector is positioned around an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is contained within said internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertion of said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, one of said walls of said internal channel engages said key mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . An edge protector combination for a cathode having a first face and a second face, said combination comprising: 
 a) an edge protector configured to encircle an edge of the cathode and engage opposing faces of said cathode with a pair of lips, said edge protector further having an internal channel therein and wherein, 
 1) a first portion of said internal channel has a width substantially greater than a width of said cathode, and,  
 2) a second portion of said internal channel has a width approximating the width of said cathode; and,  
   b) a key mechanism securable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a void between the cathode and walls of said internal channel when said edge protector is placed enclose the edge of said cathode.    
   
   
       10 . The edge protector according to  claim 9 , 
 a) wherein said first portion of said internal channel is distal from said lips; and    b) wherein said second portion of said internal channel is proximal to said lips.    
   
   
       11 . The edge protector according to  claim 9 , 
 a) wherein said first portion of said internal channel is proximal to said lips; and    b) wherein said second portion of said internal channel is distal from said lips.    
   
   
       12 . The combination according to  claim 11 , 
 a) wherein said edge protector further includes, an externally accessible slot located on a side of said edge protector; and,    b) further including an expansion pin configured to be inserted into said externally accessible slot, a diameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width of said externally accessible slot.    
   
   
       13 . The combination according to  claim 12 , wherein, when said edge protector is positioned around an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is contained within said internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertion of said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, the walls of said internal channel engage said key mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said key mechanism has a first component and a second component, said first component being securable to the first face of said cathode and said second component being securable to the second face of said cathode.  
   
   
       15 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said key mechanism is securable to the first face of said cathode.  
   
   
       16 . An edge protector assembly comprising: 
 a) an edge protector configured to encircle an edge of a cathode and having, 
 1) lips configured to engage opposing surfaces of the cathode, and,  
 2) an internal channel configured to receive the edge of the cathode, 
 A) a portion of said channel having a width substantially greater than a width of said cathode, and,  
 B) a portion of said channel having a width approximating the width of said cathode, and,  
 
 3) an externally accessible slot located on a side of said edge protector opposite a location of said lips;  
   b) a key mechanism securable to said cathode and configured to substantially fill a void between the cathode and walls of said internal channel when an edge of said cathode is placed within said internal channel; and,    c) an expansion pin configured to be inserted into said externally accessible slot, a diameter of said expansion pin being greater than a width of said externally accessible slot.    
   
   
       17 . The edge protector assembly according to  claim 16  wherein, when said edge protector is positioned around an edge of said cathode and said key mechanism is contained within said internal channel of said edge protector, and upon insertion of said expansion pin into said externally accessible slot, the walls of said internal channel engage said key mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The edge protector according to  claim 17 , 
 a) wherein said first portion of said internal channel is distal from said lips; and    b) wherein said second portion of said internal channel is proximal to said lips.    
   
   
       19 . The edge protector according to  claim 17 , 
 a) wherein said first portion of said internal channel is proximal to said lips; and    b) wherein said second portion of said internal channel is distal from said lips.