Equipment protection sleeves

Abstract

Protective polymer covers for metal equipment are disclosed. The metal equipment is generally used with wire ropes, and the protective polymer covers provide a smooth protrusion free surface which is suitable for contact with a synthetic line. The protective polymer covers are shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the metal equipment, and include at least one cover section having at least one means for connection at each of a first end portion and a second end portion. The protective polymer covers are composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A releasably attachable durable polymer cover for a metal structure which is used for rope contact, the cover comprising:
 at least one cover section composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85, the at least one cover section comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, a first axial end, and a second axial end; and   a means for releasable attachment of the at least one cover section around the metal structure, wherein the means for releasable attachment is positioned at or proximal to the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section,   wherein the durable polymer cover is shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the metal structure such that a space between any portion of an inner surface of the durable polymer cover and the outer peripheral surface of the metal structure is not greater than 0.2 inches when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure, and   wherein the durable polymer cover provides a smooth outer surface around the metal structure which lacks protrusions and is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.   
     
     
         2 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the space between any portion of the inner surface of the durable polymer cover and the outer peripheral surface of the metal structure is not greater than 0.1 inches when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure. 
     
     
         3 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cover section comprises at least one recessed channel at each of the first end portion and the second end portion which is configured and sized to receive the means for releasable attachment. 
     
     
         4 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one recessed channel at each of the first end portion and the second end portion comprises:
 a top recessed channel positioned at or proximal to the top axial end of each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section; and   a bottom recessed channel positioned at or proximal to the bottom axial end of each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section.   
     
     
         5 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 3 , wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises a nut and bolt set, a screw, a tap-in pin, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises a ladder clip system, a ball and socket system, a cam lock system, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a secondary attachment means comprising a hook and loop closure, an adhesive tape, an adhesive, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof,   wherein the secondary attachment means is positioned at or proximal to the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section, on the inner surface of the durable polymer cover, or both.   
     
     
         8 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosetting cast polyurethane is formed by reaction of a polytetramethylene ether glycol with an isocyanate. 
     
     
         9 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cover section comprises at least one row of inset teeth at each of the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises contact between the at least one row of inset teeth on the first end portion and the at least one row of inset teeth on the second end portion, wherein the second end portion is on a same cover section as the first end portion or on an adjacent cover section. 
     
     
         10 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion has at least one projection configured to fit within at least one indent on the second end portion, wherein the second end portion is on a same cover section as the first end portion or on an adjacent cover section. 
     
     
         11 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein the metal structure is selected from the group comprising bollards, chocks, roller chocks, cleats, kevels, capstans, winches, sheaves, buttons, bits, double bits, H-bits, side bits, fairleads, fairlead rollers, pilings, dauphins, mooring rings, deck perimeters and dock perimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first axial end and the second axial end comprises a lip that restricts rotational movement of the durable polymer cover about the metal structure when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure. 
     
     
         13 . A releasably attachable durable polymer cover for a metal structure on a marine deck or dock, the cover comprising:
 two cover sections composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85, the at least one cover section comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, a first axial end, a second axial end, and at least one countersunk channel; and   at least one means for releasable attachment of each of the two cover sections directly to the metal structure through the at least one countersunk channel,   wherein the durable polymer cover is shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the metal structure such that a space between any portion of an inner surface of the durable polymer cover and the outer peripheral surface of the metal structure is not greater than 0.1 inches when the durable polymer cover is installed on the metal structure, and   wherein the durable polymer cover provides a smooth outer surface around the metal structure which lacks protrusions and is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.   
     
     
         14 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 13 , wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises a screw, a tap-in pin, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a secondary attachment means comprising a hook and loop closure, an adhesive tape, an adhesive, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof,   wherein the secondary attachment means is positioned at or proximal to the first end portion and the second end portion of the at least one cover section, on the inner surface of the durable polymer cover, or both.   
     
     
         16 . A device for rope contact on a marine deck or dock, the device comprising a metal structure attachable to the marine deck or dock which is configured to hold or secure a wire rope, and the durable polymer cover of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the durable polymer cover provides a smooth outer surface around the metal structure which lacks protrusions and is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.   
     
     
         17 . A protective cover for a cleat or kevel, the cover comprising:
 two sections shaped to conform to an outer peripheral surface of the cleat or kevel such that a space between any portion of an inner surface of the protective cover and the outer peripheral surface of the cleat or kevel is not greater than 0.2 inches, wherein each section is composed of a thermosetting cast polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of greater than about 60 or a Shore A hardness of greater than about 85, wherein each section comprises:
 a base portion, 
 a top portion, 
 at least one center column portion connecting the base portion and the top portion, and 
 a lateral edge; and 
   means for releasable attachment of the two sections in face-to-face relation, wherein the means for releasable attachment is positioned at or proximal to the lateral edge of each section,   wherein the protective cover provides a smooth outer surface lacking protrusions which is suitable for contact with a synthetic line.   
     
     
         18 . The protective cover of  claim 17 , wherein the space between any portion of the inner surface of the durable polymer cover and the outer peripheral surface of the metal structure is not greater than 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The protective cover of  claim 17 , wherein the means for releasable attachment comprises a nut and bolt set, a screw, a tap-in pin, a ladder clip system, a ball and socket system, a cam lock system, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The durable polymer cover of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a secondary attachment means comprising a hook and loop closure, an adhesive tape, an adhesive, at least one set of internally positioned high strength magnets, or a combination thereof,   wherein the secondary attachment means is positioned at or proximal to lateral edge of one or both of the two cover sections, on the inner surface of the durable polymer cover, or both.