Sidewall protector for a steel coil

Abstract

A sidewall protector for a steel coil having a generally sheet-shaped and easily foldable structure, configured to accommodate and generally conform to the surfaces of the steel coils. The sidewall protector includes a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and an integrally-formed hinge. The top surface guard and sidewall surface guard are positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the integral hinge. The integral hinge extends longitudinally at least partially through the protective sheet. The top surface guard is configured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil and the sidewall surface guard is configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steel coil. The integral hinge is configured so that said top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steel coil.

1 . A device for protecting a steel coil comprising: 
 a generally sheet-shaped structure having a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and a means for folding said structure;    said top surface guard and said sidewall surface guard positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of said means for folding;    said top surface guard configured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil;    said sidewall surface guard configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steel coil; and    said means for folding configured so that said top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steel coil.    
   
   
       2 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface guard includes a middle portion that integrally connects to said means for folding and two outer flanges that protrude in opposite lateral directions from said middle portion.  
   
   
       3 . The device as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said outer flanges are configured to generally conform to the generally radial top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       4 . The device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said outer flanges each include at least one means for bending on the front surfaces of the outer flanges, whereby said outer flanges can bend to generally conform and accommodate the generally radial shape of the top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       5 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall surface guard is flat and rigid to generally conform to the generally flat sidewall surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       6 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall surface guard includes curved upper edges on opposite sides of said means for folding, whereby said curved upper edges are configured to generally conform to the generally radial front edge of the top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       7 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said means for folding has relief fillets on opposite lateral sides.  
   
   
       8 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall protector is made from a cardboard, fiberboard, or plastic material.  
   
   
       9 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall protector is made out of a single piece of material.  
   
   
       10 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall protector is made out of multiple pieces of material.  
   
   
       11 . A device for protecting a steel coil in combination with a steel coil comprising: 
 a generally sheet-shaped structure having a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and a means for folding said structure;    said top surface guard and said sidewall surface guard positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of said means for folding;    said top surface guard configured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil;    said sidewall surface guard configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steel coil; and    said means for folding configured so that said top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steel coil.    
   
   
       12 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said top surface guard includes a middle portion that integrally connects to said means for folding and two outer flanges that protrude in opposite lateral directions from said middle portion.  
   
   
       13 . The device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said outer flanges are configured to generally conform to the generally radial top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       14 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said outer flanges each include at least one means for bending on the front surfaces of the outer flanges, whereby said outer flanges can bend to generally conform and accommodate the generally radial shape of the top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       15 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said sidewall surface guard is flat and rigid to generally conform to the generally flat sidewall surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       16 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said sidewall surface guard includes curved upper edges on opposite sides of said means for folding, whereby said curved upper edges are configured to generally conform to the generally radial front edge of the top surface of the steel coil.  
   
   
       17 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said means for folding has relief fillets on opposite lateral sides.  
   
   
       18 . The device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said sidewall protector is made from a cardboard, fiberboard, or plastic material.  
   
   
       19 . A device for protecting a steel coil comprising: 
 a generally sheet-shaped structure having a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and a means for folding said structure;    said top surface guard and said sidewall surface guard positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of said means for folding;    said top surface guard configured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil;    said sidewall surface guard configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steel coil;    said means for folding configured so that said top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steel coil;    said top surface guard including a middle portion that integrally connects to said means for folding and two outer flanges that protrude in opposite lateral directions from said middle portion;    said outer flanges configured to generally conform to the generally radial top surface of the steel coil;    said outer flanges each including at least one means for bending on the front surfaces of the outer flanges, whereby said outer flanges can bend to generally conform and accommodate the generally radial shape of the top surface of the steel coil;    said sidewall surface guard that is flat and rigid to generally conform to the generally flat sidewall surface of the steel coil;    said sidewall surface guard including curved upper edges on opposite sides of said means for folding, whereby said curved upper edges are configured to generally conform to the generally radial front edge of the top surface of the steel coil;    said means for folding having relief fillets on opposite lateral sides; and    said sidewall protector being made from a cardboard, fiberboard, or plastic material.