Support chord protector

Abstract

The preferred embodiments pertain to a device for protecting or isolating an object and/or a supporting chord that is used to retain or support the object. The device can include, e.g., an extruded plastic member having a flexible base portion that extends around an object and a channel portion that fixedly receives the support chord (e.g., via a snap-fit engagement). In some preferred embodiments, the channel portion is substantial rigid and the base portion is more flexible. In some preferred embodiments, the channel portion includes slits to separate it into a plurality of segments so as to facilitate bending of the device.

1 . A support chord protector assembly, comprising:
 a generally flat and flexible base portion configured to bend around a corner of an object to be supported,   a chord holder extending along the base portion and having a higher rigidity than said base portion to retain a support chord, and   said chord holder having a channel portion with an opening in said channel portion configured to receive said support chord.   
   
   
       2 . A support chord protector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said base is made from a flexible PVC material and said chord holder is made from a generally rigid PVC material. 
   
   
       3 . A support chord protector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said chord holder has slits extending generally perpendicular to a length of the support chord protector so as to facilitate bending around a corner of an object. 
   
   
       4 . The support chord protector assembly of  claim 1 , further including a support chord and said chord holder being configured to fixedly receive said support chord. 
   
   
       5 . The support chord protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said chord holder is configured to fixedly retain a support chord. 
   
   
       6 . The support chord protector assembly of  claim 1 , further including a support chord and said chord holder being configured to fixedly snap-fit to said support chord. 
   
   
       7 . The support chord protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support chord is made with metal. 
   
   
       8 . A method of using at least one support chord protector, comprising:
 providing at least one protective strip having a flexible base portion and a engagement channel portion along said base;   aligning said engagement channel portion with a support chord such that said support chord extends generally parallel to said engagement channel portion;   laterally moving said support chord into said engagement channel portion such that said engagement channel portion fixedly retains said support chord; and   supporting an object via said support chord with said protective strip situated between said object and said support chord.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including having said protective strip distribute a load to or from said object. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further including having said protective strip isolate vibration, heat or electric flow to or from said object. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step of providing at least one protective strip having a flexible base portion and an engagement channel portion includes providing said flexible base portion with a more flexible material than said engagement channel portion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing said at least one protective strip by extruding elastomeric material. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing said at least one protective strip by co-extrusion a more flexible base portion and a more rigid channel portion. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further including said supporting an object including supporting a ventilation duct or pipe. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , further including said supporting an object including supporting an item on a truck or other vehicle. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 8 , further including that said supporting an object including supporting a packaging item. 
   
   
       17 . A method of making an elastomeric support chord protector having a base portion and a chord holder portion, comprising the steps of:
 co-extruding a unitary elastomeric support chord strip having a generally flat base portion and a chord holder portion extending along said base portion, with said base portion having a higher flexibility than said chord holder portion.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including cutting the unitary elastomeric support chord strip into individual support chord protectors. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further including cutting slits into said chord holder portion with said slits being generally perpendicular to an extrusion direction of said support chord protector. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including forming said chord holder portion with a channel that is configured to fixedly receive a support chord therein.