Low friction rope guard and edge protector with radius protection and guide rails

Abstract

An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope according to embodiments of the present invention includes an inner surface having a rope guide, the rope guide including a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction, and an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with respect to the edge.

1 . An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope, the edge protector comprising:
 an inner surface comprising a rope guide, the rope guide comprising a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction; and   an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with respect to the edge.   
     
     
         2 . The edge protector of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the rope guide is formed with polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated and coated fiberglass material. 
     
     
         3 . The edge protector of  claim 1 , wherein the rope guide comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene material. 
     
     
         4 . The edge protector of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more edge engagement bands is at least two edge engagement bands. 
     
     
         5 . The edge protector of  claim 4 , wherein the at least two engagement bands is at least four edge engagement bands. 
     
     
         6 . The edge protector of  claim 5 , wherein the at least four edge engagement bands is at least six edge engagement bands. 
     
     
         7 . The edge protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a flap configured to releasably secure over the rope guide. 
     
     
         8 . The edge protector of  claim 7 , wherein the flap comprises one of a hook material and a loop material, wherein the inner surface comprises the other of the hook material and the loop material, and wherein the flap releasably secures over the rope guide by attachment of the hook material to the loop material. 
     
     
         9 . The edge protector of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment loop. 
     
     
         10 . The edge protector of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment loop is a first attachment loop coupled to a first side of the edge protector between the first and second guide rails. 
     
     
         11 . The edge protector of  claim 10 , further comprising a second attachment loop coupled to a second side of the edge protector, opposite the first side, between the first and second guide rails.