TWI779866B - Protective coverings and related methods for entangling projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

A grappling assembly (18) is provided for use with an entangling projectile (12). The grappling assembly includes at least one hook (19) including an apex portion (22) and a sharpened prong (20) extending distally from the apex portion. A protective cover (26) is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook. The protective cover includes at least one substantially planar surface (28). The protective cover is positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharpened prong of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed while the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook.

Description

Protective cover and related method for wrapping projectiles

The present invention generally relates to protective devices to minimize or eliminate unintended damage to subjects targeted by non-lethal, ranged detainment weapons.

It has been recognized for some time that police and military personnel could benefit from using weapons and devices other than fire and gas to deal with some harsh situations. To address this need, the inventors developed a commercially successful product called Bolawrap. This device and others developed by the applicant have allowed law enforcement personnel to address potentially dangerous situations without resorting to the use of firearms and without engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

Launch systems of this type typically utilize a projectile comprising a tether and a pair of projectiles carried at the end of the tether. The projectile is directed towards the object and once the tether touches the object, the projectile flies around the object and causes the projectile to wrap around the object. This causes the subject's movement to be sufficiently restricted to allow authorities to safely access the subject. Although these systems have enjoyed phenomenal success, the present inventors continue to develop techniques to even further improve the security of such devices.

According to one aspect of the invention, a grapple assembly for use with wrapping projectiles is provided. The grapple assembly may comprise at least one hook comprising an apex portion and an apex portion Sharp tip extending distally. A protective cover may be carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover comprising at least one substantially planar surface. The protective cover may be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharp tip of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed when the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook.

According to another aspect of the technology, a grapple assembly for use with wrapping projectiles is provided. The grapple assembly may include at least one hook including an apex portion and a sharp tip extending distally from the apex portion. The protective cover may be carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover comprising at least one substantially planar surface. The protective cover may be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharp tip of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed when the protective cover is carried by the apex portion of the at least one hook. The projectile may be coupled to the tether with at least one hook coupled to the projectile.

According to another aspect, a method of applying a protective cover to a grapple assembly is provided. The grapple assembly may include a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharp tip extending distally from the apex portion. The method may include placing a protective cover relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks. The protective cover can comprise at least one substantially continuous surface. The protective cover may be positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharp tip of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed when the protective cover is carried by the plurality of hooks. The protective cover may be secured in place relative to the plurality of hooks.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention.

12: Entangling Projectiles

12a: Coil Projectiles

12c: Grapple hook assembly

12d: Grapple hook assembly

14: projectile

15: Shank part

16: Tether

16-16: Section

17: opposite end

18: Grapple hook assembly

19: hook

19b: hook

19c: hook

20: sharp tip

21: Shank part

22: Vertex part

22b: Vertex part

23: storage chamber

24: Plane

26: Protective cover

26b: Protective cover

26c: Protective cover

26d: Protective cover

28: Flat surface

28b: Planar surfaces

28c: Planar surfaces

30: handle

32: storage slot

32d: storage slot

34: Hold clip

36: opening

38: Slot

40: shoulder

100: object

D _P : diameter

L _O : full length

L _P : Length

The following figures illustrate exemplary embodiments for carrying out the invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments of the invention.

[FIG. 1] is a top view, bottom view, front view or rear view of a generally wound projectile extending substantially to its full length according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 2A] is a side view of a part of the general projectile and tether of the projectile in Fig. 1; [Fig. 2B] is an end view of the projectile in Fig. 2A; [Fig. Shown immediately before wrapping the projectile to engage the object; [Fig. 3B] is a top view of the object and projectile of Fig. 3A, shown shortly after wrapping the projectile to engage the object; [Fig. 4] is a portion of the object according to an embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 5] is a front view of a portion of a wrapping projectile according to another embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 6A] is another embodiment of the present invention [FIG. [Fig. 6B] is an exploded perspective view of the projectile and the grapple assembly of Fig. 6A; [Fig. 7] is a top end view of the assembly of Fig. 6A; [Fig. 8] is a top end view of the assembly of FIG. 7, with the protective cover removed to enable viewing of the individual hooks; [FIG. 9] is a bottom end view of the assembly of FIG. 6A; [FIG. 10] is a bottom end view of the assembly of FIG. 6A The side view of the assembly; [Fig. 11] is a side view of the protective cover of the assembly of Fig. 6A; [Fig. 12] is a side view of the grapple assembly with a protective cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; [ Fig. 13] is a top view of the assembly of Fig. 12; [Fig. 14] is a bottom view of the assembly of Fig. 12; [Fig. 15] is a bottom perspective view of the protective cover of Fig. 12; [Fig. 16] is a general view of Fig. 12 A cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 taken along section 16-16 of FIG. 13 .

[Fig. 17] is a side view of a grapple assembly with a protective cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 18] is a top view of the assembly of Fig. 17; [FIG. 19] is a perspective view of a grapple assembly with a protective cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [FIG. 20] is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 19.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the illustrated exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features described herein are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, and additional additions to the principles of the invention as described herein which would occur to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art and to which the invention is entitled. application.

definition

As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a hook" may include one or more of such hooks, where the context so dictates.

As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or almost complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, article or result. As an arbitrary example, a "substantially" enclosed article is an article that is completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The permissible degree of deviation from absolute accuracy may in some cases depend on the particular context. In general, however, near completion will have the same overall result as absolute and complete completion. The use of "substantially" applies equally when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or almost complete lack of an action, characteristic, quality, state, structure, item, or result. As another arbitrary example, a composition that is "substantially free" of an ingredient or element may still actually contain such items so long as there is no measurable effect thereof.

As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide flexibility to the endpoints of a numerical range by providing that a given value may be "a little above" or "a little below" the endpoint.

Relatively directional terms are sometimes used herein to describe and claim various components of the invention pieces. Such terms include, but are not limited to, "upwardly," "downwardly," "horizontally," "vertically," and the like. These terms are generally not intended to be limiting, but are used to most clearly describe and claim various features of the invention. Where such terms necessarily carry certain limitations, they are intended to be limited to uses commonly known and understood in the context of the present invention by those having ordinary skill in the art.

When terms such as "vertical" or "upward" or "downward" are specifically referred to herein, the reference is generally held in the orientation shown, for example, in FIGS. 5, 12 and 17 as the projectile or hook assembly. In this case, the bottom or base or "head" of the projectile and/or hook assembly is placed at the lowest level, with the hook or point or "tail" of the assembly oriented at a higher level. Thus, in this case the base of the assembly is generally vertically lower than the sharp portion of the individual hooks.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, composite elements and/or materials may be presented in a common listing for convenience. However, such listings should be read as if each component of the listing is individually identified as a separate and unique component. Thus, no individual element of this listing should be construed as de facto equivalent to any other element of the same listing solely based on its presentation in a common group in the absence of an indication to the contrary.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It should be understood that this range format is used for convenience and brevity only, and should therefore be construed in a flexible manner to encompass not only the values as expressly recited by the boundaries of the range, but also all individual values or subgroups encompassed within the range. ranges, as if each value and subrange were expressly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 to about 5" should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited value of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and subranges within the indicated range. Thus, included within this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4, and subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 2 to 4, and from 3 to 5, etc., as well as individually 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 .

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Moreover, this interpretation should apply without regard to the breadth or specificity of the range being described.

invention

The present technology broadly pertains to components used in non-lethal weapon systems, sometimes referred to as trapping or entanglement systems, which can be effectively used as an aid in moving or detaining objects to hinder aggressive or fleeing objects. Devices in accordance with the technology of the present invention may be advantageously used to temporarily impede a subject's walking, running, or Use the power of his or her arm. The technique provides a means by which a subject's arms or legs can be temporarily tethered or restrained to such an extent that the subject finds it difficult to continue moving in a normal manner.

While the present techniques may be directed to any part of a subject's body, the following discussion will primarily focus on using techniques to temporarily tether or restrain a subject's legs. However, it should be understood that the inventive technology is not limited to this application. In some cases, multiple parts of a subject's body may be targeted, such as both arms and legs.

As generally shown in FIGS. 1-5 , the present technique provides a wrapping projectile 12 that can be deployed toward a subject's leg such that the projectile wraps around the subject's leg. The projectile includes at least one flexible tether 16 and at least two projectiles 14 (sometimes referred to as anchors) coupled together by the tether. By engaging the subject with the entanglement projectile, the subject is temporarily partially manifested or completely incapacitated and thereby limits his or her ability to flee or attack. The wrapping projectiles of the present technology are launched by the emitter towards the object (100 in Figures 3A-4). In addition to the transmitters discussed herein, numerous examples of suitable activators are provided by way of example in the above-mentioned parent case (US Patent Application No. 15/081,440 filed March 25, 2016 ), which case is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such launchers may include energy sources such as compressed gas, explosives/combustibles, mechanical springs, electrical and/or magnetic systems, and the like.

In general, a launcher for use with the present wrapping projectile will fire the projectile toward object 100 at a relatively high velocity. Typically, projectiles can be deployed toward a subject from a distance of between about 6 feet and about 30 feet (1.8 to 9.1 meters), and within about 0.0075 to 0.0375 seconds (traveling at about 800 ft/sec (243.8 m/s)) Join objects. After deployment from the dispenser, the wrapping projectile wraps around the subject's legs two or three times or more, rendering the subject temporarily unable to effectively move. Dangling While the projectile can be fired some distance away, law enforcement officers can maintain a safe distance from the subject and still be effective and safe in temporarily restraining, incapacitating or obstructing the subject.

The operation of wrapping the projectile is shown generally in FIG. 4 : after being released by the emitter, the projectile 12 travels towards the object 100 . As the projectile travels toward the object, the projectiles 14 travel away from each other causing the tether 16 to essentially pull between the two. Once the projectile engages the subject (engages the subject's legs in the example shown in Figure 4), the projectile and tether wrap around the subject and thereby temporarily entangle and/or incapacitate the subject.

Various projectile and tether combinations can be utilized in the present technology. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the projectile 12 is shown with two general projectiles or anchors 14 connected by a single tether 16 . Although more than two projectiles may be utilized, the examples shown herein include only two. In some embodiments, the invention is limited to two and only two projectiles connected by a single tether. In one aspect, the invention consists of two projectiles and a single tether. In one aspect, the invention consists essentially of two projectiles and a single tether. It has been found that limiting the number of projectiles to two results in a more efficient deployment system: the risk of entanglement of the tether 16 is reduced and the projectiles deploy more cleanly and quickly from each other after deployment from the launcher. This results in a more consistent trajectory after unrolling. This configuration may also allow for more accurate guidance of projectiles towards objects with proper emitter configuration.

Figure 1 illustrates projectile 12 extending to its full length " _LO ". In one embodiment, the overall length of the tether is much longer than the size of the projectile (L _P ). The total length can be about seven feet (2.14 meters) or more. The projectile may have a length " _LP " of about one inch (2.54 cm), and a diameter "DP" of about _3/8 inch (0.95 cm). While different embodiments of the technology may vary, it is generally desirable to maintain the projectile at a relatively small size, thereby limiting the overall size requirements of the projectile case containing the projectile prior to deployment and reducing the impact of the projectile when it hits an object. In this way, the technology can be provided in a lightweight handheld device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of an exemplary wrapping projectile 12a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, providing projectile 14 includes various features that assist in engaging the object more accurately and efficiently. sign. For example, a hook or grapple assembly 18 may be attached to the top of the handle 15 of the projectile, and may be secured to the handle in various suitable ways. The hook assembly may comprise one or more individual hook components 19 . In the example shown, a plurality of individual hook assemblies are provided, with four assemblies being the most commonly employed configuration. However, it should be understood that the present technology may employ hook assemblies having from one to several individual hook components. To simplify the discussion herein, the end of the projectile to which the hook assembly is attached will be referred to as the "tail" end of the projectile, with the opposite end 17 being considered the "head" end of the projectile.

The hook assembly 18 is shown to enhance the ability of the projectile to successfully wrap around the subject. The separate hook assembly does not directly engage the subject, but instead engages a portion of the subject's clothing after the projectile and tether have been wrapped around the subject. This limits the projectile's tendency to "uncover" as the subject struggles to cover. As inherent in the design of the present invention, the projectile and/or hook assembly is not intended to be fired directly at the subject. It must travel beyond the object by design to enable successful wrapping. If the projectile is in direct contact with the user, the object's engagement will not be successful. Therefore, it is never the case that the projectile is intended to be aimed directly at the object.

While this design works great when the projectile deploys as designed, there remains a slight risk that something might go wrong during the projectile's deployment. For example, an external party could suddenly come into the line of fire when the launcher unfurls a projectile toward an object, or the bearer of the launcher could cause his or her target to be adversely affected by external forces. In this situation, it is possible that the projectile will directly contact the object. If this occurs, there is a risk that the upper portion of the hook assembly may penetrate the subject's skin and cause damage to the subject. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, although these upper or apex portions 20 of the individual hook components (discussed in further detail below) are not sharp, they present, as the term is commonly used, sufficiently small surface area that the projectile Forces as it travels from the launcher may cause these upper parts to become embedded in objects or unintended targets.

The present technology addresses this potential problem by providing a protective cover or cap that better distributes the impact forces created by the hook assembly inadvertently contacting an object. This is done without interfering with the normal operation of the hook assembly at all. Illustrative embodiments of this aspect of the technology are shown in Figures 6A-18. As best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B , in one aspect, the grapple assembly 18 can provide a Projectile 12a of portion 17 carries one or more individual hook assemblies 19 . One or more individual hooks may include an apex portion 22 and a sharp tip 20 extending distally from the apex portion.

Apex portions 22 of a plurality of individual hooks 19 may collectively define an apex portion contact profile defined as the portion of the hook that first contacts a plane, such as plane 24 in FIG. 5 . As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the smaller the common cross-section of the apex portions, the easier the hook assembly will penetrate the subject's skin if the apex portion contact profile impacts the subject at a greater speed. The apex part contact profile may also contain curvature. If the apex portion of the individual hooks were less curved than in the example shown, the hooks would be less likely to penetrate the subject's skin on contact. If the hook were bent more sharply, the apex portion would be more likely to penetrate the subject's skin. By increasing the surface area of this contact profile of the assembly as a whole, or by reducing the curvature of this contact profile, the grapple assembly is less likely to penetrate the subject's skin, and thus less likely to cause significant damage to the subject.

One way the present technology accomplishes this is by providing a protective cover or top cover 26 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 9, 10 and 11 (note that the protective cover is omitted from FIG. apex part). The protective cover may be carried adjacent to (over the top of) the apex portion of one or more hooks and may include at least one substantially continuous or planar surface 28 . By increasing either or both the cross-sectional area of surface 28 or by reducing the curvature of the surface relative to the apex portion of the individual hooks, the tendency of the grapple hook assembly to penetrate the skin of a subject is greatly reduced. In the example shown, the substantially continuous surface 28 comprises a generally flat plane. However, it should be understood that a slightly curved plane could also be provided. The surface can be a substantially continuous unit of material, or can include openings, perforations, and various geometric features, such as fingers, webbing, and the like.

A protective cover 26 or cap may be positioned relative to one or more hooks 19 such that the sharp tips 20 of the hooks extend distally from the protective cover. In this way, the sharp point remains exposed for normal operation when the protective cover is carried by the apex portion of at least one hook. Thus, even with the shield in place, the sharp point will be used to engage the subject's clothing to aid in maintaining the projectile wrapped around the subject as designed.

The protective cover 26 can be supported in several ways by the hook 19, the projectile 12a and/or the grapple assembly 18, etc. load. For example, the protective cover can be attachable or coupleable to the projectile or hook using various permanent or removable attachment mechanisms. As best seen in FIG. 6B , each of the plurality of hooks 19 can include a handle portion 21 that can extend distally from an apex portion 22 . The handle portion of the hook can be accommodated in the hollow section of the handle portion 15 of the projectile. In some embodiments, the plurality of handle portions may jointly define a receiving chamber, and the handle portion of the protective cover may be received in the receiving chamber formed by the handle portion.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 , the hollow section of the handle portion 21 of the hook 19 and the handle portion 15 of the projectile may together define a series of housings in which the handle 30 of the protective cover ( FIG. 11 ) may be received. Chamber 23. The handle may be removably held within the receiving chamber by a friction fit, or may be permanently attached therein with adhesive, weld, or the like. As shown in FIG. 11 , the protective cover 26 may include two or more handles 30 having similar or different lengths, cross-sectional areas, and the like. The guard cover may also include grooves or grooves 38 (Fig. 11) to prevent relative movement between the guard cover and the hook.

Figures 12 to 16 illustrate an embodiment of the technique in which the protective cover 26b is fastened atop the apex portion 22b of the hook 19b via a series of receiving slots 32 formed in the central protective cover. Each of the receiving grooves can receive therein the apex portion (22b in FIG. 16) of one of the plurality of hooks. One or more retention clips 34 (FIG. 15) may be associated with the receiving slot. The retaining clip is operable to removably secure the apex portion within the receiving slot. In this way, the protective cap 26b can snap over the apex portion of the hook to provide a protective surface thereon. An opening 36 (FIG. 13) may be formed through the protective cover to provide visual or physical access to the apex portion of the hook once the protective cover is in its upper position.

In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, a grapple assembly 12c is shown with a protective cover 26c mated with one or more hooks 19c. The protective cover may include a substantially planar surface 28c. In this example, the hook 19c may extend distally away from the protective cover in the same manner as discussed in the previous embodiments. However, in this example, the hook 19c does not include a shank portion, or a curved upper apex portion. In fact, hooks can be mated with protective covers to provide a uniform assembly. The protective cover and hooks may be formed as a continuous, solid piece, or the hooks may be welded, bonded, etc. secured to the protective cover. The diameter of the protective cover can vary, and in some embodiments (eg, FIGS. 17 and 18 ) The center is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the hook assembly 18, or may be a smaller diameter, as shown in FIGS. 6A-16.

19 and 20 illustrate another embodiment of the technique in which the grapple assembly 12d includes a protective cover 26d. The protective cover may include a plurality of shoulders 40 extending from the substantially planar surface 28b. The shoulder can define one or more receiving slots 32d in which the hooks 19 can be received. This configuration can advantageously reduce any tendency that the protective cover and hook assembly may have to rotate relative to each other. The extended length of the receiving slot may also more securely engage the hook to eliminate or reduce the need for adhesive or other attachment mechanisms between the hook and the protective cover.

The protective cover of the present technology can be formed from various materials, including but not limited to polymers, metals, composite materials, and the like. By forming the cover from a lightweight material such as a polymer, the ballistic properties of the projectile assembly are not significantly affected. In those cases where the protective cover is removably attached to the grapple assembly, an operator or manufacturer can readily adapt a known grapple assembly to incorporate the safety features of the present technology therein.

In addition to the structure outlined above, the present technology also provides a method of providing a protective cover to the grapple assembly. The grapple assembly may include a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharp tip extending distally from the apex portion. The method may include positioning the protective cover relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks. The protective cover can comprise at least one substantially continuous surface. The method may comprise positioning the protective cover relative to the at least one hook such that the sharp tip of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed when the protective cover is carried by the plurality of hooks. The method may include securing the protective cover in place relative to the plurality of hooks.

Securing the protective cover in place may include removably attaching the protective cover in place relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks.

Each of the plurality of hooks may include a handle portion extending distally from the apex portion, the handle portions collectively defining a receiving cavity. The protective cover may include a handle portion. Securing the protective cover in place may include positioning the handle portion of the protective cover within a receiving cavity formed by the handle portion.

It should be appreciated that the above-mentioned configurations illustrate the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which has been shown In the drawings and described above in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of this invention as set forth in the Examples.

12a: Coil Projectiles

15: Shank part

16: Tether

17: opposite end

18: Grapple hook assembly

19: hook

20: sharp tip

22: Vertex part

24: Plane

Claims (15)

A grapple assembly for use with a wrapped projectile, the grapple assembly comprising: at least one hook comprising an apex portion and a sharp point extending distally from the apex portion; and a protective cover carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook, the protective cover comprising at least one substantially planar surface; The protective cover is positioned relative to the at least one hook such that the sharp tip of the at least one hook extends distally from the protective cover and thereby remains exposed when the protective cover is carried adjacent the apex portion of the at least one hook . The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is attachable to, coupleable to, or integrally formed with the at least one hook. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the protective cover is removably attached to the at least one hook. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks has an apex portion, and the plurality of apex portions jointly carry the protective cover. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of hooks includes a handle portion extending distally from the apex portion, the handle portions collectively define at least one receiving chamber, and wherein the protective cover A handle portion is included, and the handle portion of the protective cover can be received in the at least one receiving chamber formed by the handle portions. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the protective cover includes a plurality of receiving grooves formed therein, each receiving groove being operable to receive therein an apex portion of one of the plurality of hooks. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the receiving slots include associated therewith one or more retaining clips operable to removably secure the apex portion within the receiving slot . The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook has a cross-sectional area at the apex portion, and wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover comprises the cross-section greater than the apex portion of the at least one hook area of a cross-section. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook has a hook curvature, and wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover includes a cover curvature different from the hook curvature. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially planar section of the protective cover is a flat plane. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a projectile coupled to a tether, the at least one hook coupled to the projectile. A method of providing a protective cover to a grapple assembly comprising a plurality of hooks, each of the plurality of hooks having an apex portion and a sharp point extending distally from the apex portion , the method includes: obtaining a protective cover comprising at least one substantially continuous surface; positioning the protective cover relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks such that the sharp tips of the plurality of hooks extend distally from the protective cover and thereby retain the protective cover when carried by the plurality of hooks exposure; and The protective cover is secured in place relative to the plurality of hooks. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the protective cover in place comprises removably attaching the protective cover in place relative to the apex portions of the plurality of hooks. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of hooks collectively exhibit a cross-sectional area at the apex portion, and wherein the substantially continuous surface of the protective cover comprises a common cross-section greater than the apex portions of the hooks area of a cross-section. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantially continuous surface of the protective cover comprises a substantially planar flat surface.

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