Strap edge guard

An edge guard to provide a barrier between a strap and a load comprising an angled plate, where the angled plate includes a first portion and a second portion that meet at a corner; tabs attached to the first portion of the angled plate, where the tabs receive the strap, and where the strap is positioned between tabs and the angled plate; and bolts to secure tabs to the angled plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a guard that protects a strap from fraying or cutting when passing over the edge of a load.

2. Description of Related Art

Those in the trucking, moving and other transporting fields continuously move heavy loads on their vehicles. Depending on the size and weight of the load, bungee cords, twine or nylon straps are used to tie-down the load and prevent it from sliding during transport. For especially heavy loads, nylon straps are used with a ratchet to tighten the strap beyond what a person can manually pull. Because of the tension and requirement for a taut strap, the straps are often prone to fraying, wearing and tearing after repeatedly rubbing against sharp objects or abrasive surfaces. The edge of the load, container or box scrapes against the strap which may lead to a dangerous situation if the strap loosens or breaks.

On the market there are a few products that may help a user to prevent strap wear during transport. These items fit against the corner of the container as a shield between the load and the strap. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,467 by Ronald Bruce Roberts discloses a product protection guard. The guard is a device that includes multiple holes and is placed on the corner of a portable platform. A cord or strap is laced through the holes to secure the load on the platform. While these products provide some assistance, they often are made from plastic or cardboard so over time they themselves become worn, thereby defeating their purpose and eventually damaging the strap.

Therefore it would be beneficial in the art to provide a device that protects a strap when tying-down a load. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a device that is able to withstand heavy duty tension without deforming or breaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an edge guard to provide a barrier between a strap and a load, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a strap edge guard to protect a strap when tying-down a load.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strap edge guard with two tabs that secure the strap upon the guard thereby preventing shifting or fraying during use.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, an edge guard is described comprising an angled plate, where the angled plate includes a first portion and a second portion that meet at a corner; a pair of tabs attached to the first portion of the angled plate, where the tabs receive the strap, and where the strap is positioned between pair of tabs and the angled plate; and a pair of means to secure the pair of tabs to the angled plate, where the pair of means to secure are positioned at a lateral edge of the pair of tabs to prevent the strap from escaping the pair of tabs.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a guard that protects a strap from fraying or cutting when passing over the edge of a load. The present invention provides a strap edge guard to preserve the integrity of loading straps. The strap edge guard is an L-shaped plate that fits to the corner of a structure or load. The plate includes a pair of tabs that receive the strap. The tabs keep the strap coupled against the guard to prevent sliding and removal during use. With the strap edge guard the user is afforded a product that protects the strap thereby preventing costly damage while transporting a load.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring toFIG. 1, a strap edge guard100is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The strap edge guard100comprises an angled plate102that comprises a first portion104and a second portion106that join together at a corner108. The angled plate102may be L-shaped where the first portion104and the second portion106create a 90 degree angle. More obtuse or acute angles may be created depending on the structure of the load or items that may be transported. The angled plate102may be made from metal like aluminum or steel use in industrial transport. Alternatively, plastic, wood or cardboard may be used to create the angled plate102to provide a lightweight guard useful when transporting lightweight loads.

On the first portion104may be a pair of tabs110which are secured at a lateral edge with a pair of securing means112. The tabs110face each other to receive a strap10which passes beneath them and over the corner108. The tabs110may have beveled edges and a smooth underside to prevent fraying or damage to the strap, and to enable easy sliding of the strap beneath the tabs110. The strap10may be a nylon or fabric securing strap, a plastic tie-down strap, string, twine, bungee cord or another similar strap used to tie-down a structure. The securing means112may be bolts, pins or welding joints to provide a strong and permanent attachment of the tabs110against the plate102.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a bottom view of the strap edge guard100is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The securing means112as a bolt or pin passes all the way through the tabs110and the angled plate102to the underside of the first portion104for a strong, secure coupling.

Referring toFIG. 3a side view of the strap edge guard100is shown as the angled plate102passes over an edge22of a structure20. The strap edge guard100provides a barrier between the strap and the edge22of the structure20to prevent damage to the strap10. With the strap edge guard100the user is provided a tool that protects the strap10when tying against a load. This is especially useful for very tight tie-down fastening like with use with a ratchet strap where the ratchet secures the strap very taut but the tension may cause damage to the strap over time. The strap edge guard100fastens to the strap10and then may be positioned on the load before tightening. The guard100allows the strap10to easily pass over the corner of the load to ensure a taut, strong fit during transport.