either side of slot 46 with entry member 58 extending from base portion 62a and entry member 60 extending from base portion 62b entry members 58 and 60 are identically formed members provided to extend into trough 17 of channel 14 when pipe cushion 10 is supported thereon each entry member 58 60 includes a pair of side walls 64 66 and a backwall 68 which define an interior region 70 sidewalls 64 and 66 include tapered edges 65 and 67 respectively tapered edges 65 and 67 may be coplanar with the tapered lead into slot 46 as defined by surfaces 48 and 50 the actual alignment between tapered edges 65 67 and surfaces 48 50 should allow tapered edges 65 and 67 to make initial contact with pipe 12 being inserted into passageway 44 furthermore it is preferred that tapered edges make contact with pipe 12 prior to any portion of the pipe entering slot 46 the further from crest 53 that pipe 12 makes initial contact with tapered edges 65 and 67 the lower the insertion force required to open slot 46 to allow pipe 12 therethrough entry members 58 and 60 therefore allow for easier installation of pipe cushion 10 about pipe 12 by moving the points of initial engagement of the pipe with the cushion away from the deflection location within interior region 70 entry members 58 and 60 enclose arcuate portions 62a and 62b of bottom surface 62 as more clearly shown in fig7.