Coil protector, method and kit therewith

Abstract

The present invention provides a protector for protecting a steel coil having an outer curved surface, an inner core surface and a sidewall located there between, the protector comprising a first member adapted for engagement with a coil core; and a second member adapted for engagement with a coil outer surface. The invention further provides a protector for protecting a steel coil having an outer curved surface, an inner core surface and a sidewall located there between, the protector comprising a first member having a coil core guard; and a second member having a coil belly guard, wherein, in use, the coil core guard is located adjacent the coil core and the coil belly guard is located adjacent the coil outer surface, both the first and second members being adjacent the coil sidewall. Also provided is a method of protecting a steel coil from damage, the steel coil comprising the steps of providing a protector according to an aspect of the present invention; locating the first member adjacent a coil core; and locating the second member adjacent a coil outer surface.

1 . A coil guard for protecting a steel coil having a belly, a bore and a face located therebetween, the coil guard comprising a first member adapted for engagement with the surface of a coil bore; and a second member adapted for engagement with the surface of a coil belly. 
     
     
         2 . A coil guard according to  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises a coil bore guard for engagement with a coil bore and a coil face guard for engagement with a coil face. 
     
     
         3 . A coil guard according to  claim 1 , wherein the second member comprises a coil belly guard for engagement with the surface of a coil belly and a coil face guard for engagement with the surface of a coil face. 
     
     
         4 . A coil guard according to  claim 1 , wherein the coil guard further comprises inter-engagement means adapted to engage both the first and second members. 
     
     
         5 . A coil guard according to  claim 4 , wherein the inter-engagement means comprises a first portion located adjacent the first member and a second portion located adjacent the second member, the first and second portions being adapted for complementary inter-engagement with each other to secure the first member to the second member. 
     
     
         6 . A coil guard according to  claim 5 , wherein the complementary inter-engagement portions are adapted for reversible inter-engagement with one another. 
     
     
         7 . A coil guard according to  claim 5 , wherein the inter-engagement means comprises inter-engaging hooks and loops. 
     
     
         8 . A coil guard according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second portions of the inter-engagement means are adhered to the first and second members respectively. 
     
     
         9 . A method of protecting a steel coil from damage, the steel coil comprising the steps of:
 a. Providing a coil guard according to  claim 1 ;   b. Locating the second member adjacent the surface of a coil belly; and   c. Locating the first member adjacent the surface of a coil bore.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 10  further comprising the steps of:
 d. Providing inter-engagement means adapted to engage both the first and second members; and 
 e. Connecting the first and second members to one another using the inter-engagement means. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the inter-engagement means comprises a first portion located adjacent the first member and a second portion located adjacent the second member such that locating the first member adjacent the surface of a coil bore brings the first and second portions of the inter-engagement means into engagement with one another. 
     
     
         12 . A coil guard kit comprising a coil guard according to  claim 1 , wherein the coil face guard of the second member extends from the coil belly guard for a distance X, and wherein the coil guard kit further comprises an additional second member having a coil face guard that extends from the coil belly guard for a distance X′, wherein the distance X′ is greater than the distance X.