Slot guard for slotted rail terminal

Abstract

Slot guards for a slotted rail terminals are described having a central section and a pair of wing portions that are angularly disposed with respect to the central portion. The wing portions are folded away from the plane of the central section along lines that are angularly oriented with respect to one another so that the wing portions are wider at one end of the slot guard than at the other end. As a result, the slot guard provides a greater height at one of its ends than at the other end. Apertures for connectors are disposed through each of the wing portions, but not through the central portion. The slot guard preferably provides an asymmetrical aperture pattern and/or conspicuous markings so that the slot guard is not inadvertently installed in a reversed configuration on a guardrail. Methods for forming the slot guard are also described wherein a blank for a slot guard is cut or stamped out of a sheet of metal. Apertures for the receipt of connectors are cut into the blank, preferably in an asymmetrical pattern. Longitudinal sides of the blank are then bent along non-parallel lines to provide the wing portions.