All terrain edge protector

Disclosed herein is a device for protecting rope from abrasion as it is drawn over building parapets, rock edges and irregular terrain. The device comprises a series of chain-like links having large side plates to retain the rope upon rods interconnecting the side plates. The side plates have both radial and axial free play upon the rods, so that the chain can twist substantially to adapt to the terrain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention pertains to the art of mountain climbing and rescue 
equipment, particularly to devices for protecting climbing and hauling 
ropes from abrasion. 
Pulling ropes over rocky terrain, the edges of buildings and other sharp 
corners naturally subjects the ropes to abrasion and eventual failure. 
Besides the safety implications, the not inconsiderable cost of quality 
climbing and rescue rope makes it desirable to develop some means to 
protect the rope from contact with such sharp and abrasive edges. In the 
past, simple rollers with concave surfaces have been placed near the edge 
to be avoided. However, these rollers are heavy, cumbersome and must be 
attached firmly to the surface in some way so as not to move about in use. 
No device of which I an aware has been presented that is both light enough 
to be conveniently carried by mounting climbers and sufficiently adaptable 
to irregular surfaces that it can follow them and thus need not be so 
accurately placed. 
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a rope protector for 
rocky terrain and the like that can be simply placed on the terrain with 
little or no securement and will protect the rope from contacting the 
surface. 
A further object is to provide a rope protector that will flex and twist 
about its axis so as to follow irregular terrain contours. 
Another object is to provide an apparatus that will resist side loads from 
the rope and will protect the rope from escaping laterally off the device. 
A related object is to create such a device with great lateral stability 
so that it will not tip under lateral loads. 
Yet another object is to develop an edge protector that can be folded to a 
compact size for easy stowage. 
These and other objects are achieved by the instant invention, which is 
embodied in a rope protector having a series of links, each link including 
a pair of side plates and a pair of rods interconnecting the side plates, 
each rod having a standoff thereon of sufficient length to allow free play 
between adjacent side plates, and means for securing the side plates upon 
the standoff.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a rope protector embodying the invention includes a 
plurality of pivotally connected links A, B, etc., each comprising a pair 
of side plates 10, 12 (for link A the corresponding side plates are 10A 
and 12A; for link B, they are identified as 10B and 12B etc.). 
Each side plate, for example 10B and FIG. 3, is substantially 
dogbone-shaped and includes opposed lobular ends 14 and 16, each having a 
hole 18 centrally drilled therethrough, this hole having a diameter D. The 
central portion 22 of each plate has an aperture in the form of an 
elongated through-slot 24 therein which may conveniently receive tiedown 
fasteners, as described further below. 
Preferably, all edges of the side plates are rounded to prevent them from 
damaging any tie-down ropes or materials stowed next to the protector. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the four side plates 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B of 
adjacent links A and B, are interconnected by a rod designated generally 
30, having a main central portion 34, the ends of which are reduced in 
size to a diameter d so as to form standoffs 36 and 38 at either end 
thereof. The extreme ends of the rod are provided with threads 42 and 44, 
upon which locknuts 44 and 46 are installed to retain the side plates. 
Between adjacent side plates, for example 10A and 10B, there is an annular 
spacer or washer 48. The washer prevents adjacent side plates from 
interfering with one another when the device is torsionally flexed, as 
shown in FIG. 2. 
The diameter D of the hole 18 is substantially greater than the diameter d 
of the corresponding standoffs 36 and 38. This feature, in conjunction 
with the spacers 48, permits the unit to twist or flex substantially along 
its length, as shown in FIG. 2. For the device to flex freely, it is also 
important that the length of the standoffs 36 and 38 be greater than the 
sum of the thicknesses of the two side plates and the spacer 48 
therebetween. 
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the invention wherein the rod now designated 
130, has a sleeve 134 with some radial clearance therebetween so that the 
sleeve 134 acts as a free roller. It would also be possible to provide 
this assembly with bushings or anti-friction bearings, if desired. 
FIG. 5 shows a modified side plate which may advantageously be used in this 
invention at one or more links thereof. In this embodiment, the side plate 
212 is provided with spikes 250 and 252 on one side thereof, the spikes 
being designed to dig into the terrain over which the device is placed. 
FIG. 6 shows a third modification intended primarily for building parapets 
or other structures having perpendicular edges. In this case, at least one 
of the links 312 has fastened thereto a hook plate 354 on one side; the 
hook protrudes a substantial distance below the chain, and includes a 
surface 356 generally perpendicular to the length of the link for engaging 
a building parapet. 
FIG. 7 shows the inventive device being used to lift a litter L in a rescue 
effort. As shown, the rope protector has been attached to the terrain at 
at least one point by means of a suitable spike, or other means of 
attachment, conveniently engaged within the slot 24 of at least one link. 
A rope R has been placed over the device, riding on the rods 30 as shown 
in FIG. 1. The rope is retained on the rods by the side plates 10 and 12, 
whose substantial height prevents the rope from sliding off laterally. 
Also, the great width of the chain helps to prevent it from tipping when 
substantial lateral loads are developed between the rope and the side 
plates. 
An additional advantage of my rope protector is that it can conveniently be 
folded and stowed in a small space, as shown in FIG. 8. 
Inasmuch as the invention is subject to various changes and modifications, 
it is intended that the foregoing shall be regarded as only illustrative 
of the invention whose full scope is set out in the following claims.