초록 ▼

A protective hook cover configured for use in association with a hook member having a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween. The protective hook cover comprises a base region cover portion, a leg region cover portion and a connecting cove

A protective hook cover configured for use in association with a hook member having a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween. The protective hook cover comprises a base region cover portion, a leg region cover portion and a connecting cover portion therebetween. The connecting cover portion including a plurality of nub bumper members extending outwardly from the outer base surface. A combination protective hook cover and hook member is also disclosed, as is the inclusion of a strap member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A protective hook cover slidably positionable over a hook member having a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween, the protective hook cover comprising: a base region cover portion extendable over a base of a hook member, the base region

1. A protective hook cover slidably positionable over a hook member having a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween, the protective hook cover comprising: a base region cover portion extendable over a base of a hook member, the base region cover portion including an outer portion and an inner portion, a first side portion and a second side portion opposite the first side portion, the outer portion, inner portion, first and second side portions defining an outward opening at an end thereof, and the inner portion defining an inward edge;a leg region cover portion extendable over a leg of a hook member, the leg region cover portion including an outer portion, an inner portion, a cap portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the cap portion covering a second end edge of a leg of a hook member, with the outer portion, the inner portion, the cap portion, the first and second side portions defining a cavity for receipt of at least a portion of a leg of a hook member, the inner portion defining an inward edge; anda connecting cover portion extending between the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion, the connecting cover portion including an outer base surface coupling the outer portion of the base region cover portion with the outer portion of the leg region cover portion, a first side surface coupling the first side portion of the base region cover portion with the first side portion of the leg region cover portion, a second side surface coupling the second side portion of the base region cover portion with the second side portion of the leg region cover portion, and a plurality of nub bumper members extending outwardly from the outer base surface, the cover portion spacing apart the inward edge of the base region cover portion from the inward edge of the leg region cover portion, so as to define an opening of sufficient size so as to insert the base therethrough to position the base region cover portion thereover, and to insert the leg region therethrough to position the leg region cover portion thereover, and upon installation, wherein the bend region is visible through the opening defined by the inward edge of the base region cover portion and the inward edge of the leg region cover portion. 2. The protective hook cover of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nub bumper member comprise a first end nub member positioned proximate the first side surface of the connecting cover portion and a second end nub member positioned proximate the second side surface of the connecting cover portion, and at least one central nub member positioned therebetween. 3. The protective hook cover of claim 2 wherein the first end nub member includes a first surface which is inclined outwardly toward the fist side surface from an outer surface of the first end nub toward the outer base surface, and the second end nub member includes a fist surface which is inclined outwardly toward the second side surface from an outer surface of the second end nub toward the outer base surface. 4. The protective hook cover of claim 3 wherein the at least one central nub member comprises a plurality of central nub members spaced apart from each other extending from the outer base surface and extending between the first end nub member and the second nub member. 5. The protective hook cover of claim 4 wherein each of the central nub members are substantially identical and each include a first side and a second side with an outer surface spanning therebetween, the first and second sides being substantially parallel to each other. 6. The protective hook cover of claim 5 wherein each of the central nub members are substantially parallel to each other. 7. The protective hook cover of claim 5 wherein the plurality of nub members comprise one of the group selected by cylindrical nub members, cylindrical nub members with a concave upper surface, hemispherical nub members, and nub members that extend from side to side along the base outer surface. 8. The protective hook cover of claim 3 wherein the first and second nub bumper members and the at least one central nub member each have a substantially semicircular outer surface corresponding to a bend region of the hook member. 9. The protective hook cover of claim 1 wherein the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion are angled relative to each other when in an unstressed orientation. 10. The protective hook cover of claim 9 wherein the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion are angled relative to each other at an angle that is greater than an angle between a base and a leg of a hook member, such that the shape of the protective hook cover in an installed orientation is different than the shape of the protective hook cover in an unstressed orientation. 11. The protective hook cover of claim 9 wherein the outer surface of the nub bumper members are stretched when in an installed orientation. 12. The protective hook cover of claim 1 wherein the inward edge of the inner portion of the base region cover portion and the inward edge of the inner portion of the leg region cover portion are on opposing sides of a retention channel in the installed orientation. 13. The protective hook cover of claim 12 wherein the polymer material comprises a: thermoplastic elastomer. 14. A combination hook member and protective hook cover wherein: the hook member further comprises:a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween,the protective hook cover slidably overlayingly positioned over the hook member and further comprises comprising:a base region cover portion extendable over the base of the hook member, the base region cover portion including an outer portion and an inner portion, a first side portion and a second side portion opposite the first side portion, the outer portion, inner portion, first and second side portions defining an outward opening at an end thereof, and the inner portion defining an inward edge;a leg region cover portion extendable over the leg of a hook member, the leg region cover portion including an outer portion, an inner portion, a cap portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the cap portion covering a second end edge of the leg of the hook member, with the outer portion, the inner portion, the cap portion, the first and second side portions defining a cavity for receipt of at least a portion of a leg of a hook member, the inner portion defining an inward edge; anda connecting cover portion extending between the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion, the connecting cover portion including an outer base surface coupling the outer portion of the base region cover portion with the outer portion of the leg region cover portion, a first side surface coupling the first side portion of the base region cover portion with the first side portion of the leg region cover portion, a second side surface coupling the second side portion of the base region cover portion with the second side portion of the leg region cover portion, and a plurality of nub bumper members extending outwardly from the outer base surface,wherein, the cover portion spacing apart the inward edge of the base region cover portion from the inward edge of the leg region cover portion, so as to define an opening of sufficient size so as to insert the base therethrough to position the base region cover portion thereover, and to insert the leg region therethrough to position the leg region cover portion thereover, and upon installation, wherein the bend region is visible through the opening defined by the inward edge of the base region cover portion and the inward edge of the leg region cover portion. 15. The protective hook cover of claim 14 wherein the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion are angled relative to each other when in an unstressed orientation. 16. The protective hook cover of claim 15 wherein the base region cover portion and the leg region cover portion are angled relative to each other at an angle that is greater than an angle between a base and a leg of a hook member, such that the shape of the protective hook cover in an installed orientation is different than the shape of the protective hook cover in an unstressed orientation. 17. The protective hook cover of claim 14 wherein the outer surface of the nub bumper members are stretched when in an installed orientation. 18. The protective hook cover of claim 14 wherein the inward edge of the inner portion of the base region cover portion and the inward edge of the inner portion of the leg region cover portion are on opposing sides of a retention channel in the installed orientation.