Abstract:
A retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook is provided. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The protection device includes a first and second member. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. A second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end there between.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation in part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,590 filed on Feb. 10, 2009 having the same title “Retrofittable Hook Device,” which is herein incorporated in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A lanyard is commonly used by a worker to interconnect a support structure and a safety harness donned by the worker. The lanyard is commonly connected to the support structure with a hook operatively connected to an end of the lanyard. The hook is commonly directly connected to an anchorage member operatively connected to the support structure or the lanyard is wrapped about the support structure and the hook engages the lanyard (commonly referred to as a “tie-back” lanyard). The lanyard could also include a shock absorber to reduce the amount of force exerted upon the worker should a fall occur. 
         [0003]    “Roll-out” may occur when the lanyard or the shock absorber contacts or engages an activator of the hook thereby inadvertently applying pressure to the activator causing the hook&#39;s locking gate to open. In a roll-out situation this action allows the anchorage member or the tied-back portion of the lanyard to be released from the hook. Should roll-out occur, the worker is no longer connected to the support structure and should a fall occur, the consequences could be life-threatening. Another life-threatening situation could occur if one worker unintentionally disconnects another worker&#39;s lanyard. 
         [0004]    For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a hook protection device to reduce the risk of roll-out. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook is provided. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The protection device includes a first and second member. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. A second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end there between. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hook protection device operatively connected to a lanyard with a hook; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the hook protection device and a perspective view of the lanyard with the hook shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first portion of the hook protection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the first portion shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the first portion taken along the lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a section of the first portion from  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second portion of the hook protection device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the second portion shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross section view of the second portion taken along the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a section of the second portion from  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the first portion shown in  FIG. 3  showing an inner surface; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the second portion shown in  FIG. 7  showing an inner surface; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a worker connected to a support structure with both legs of a twin leg lanyard; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates a worker connected to a support structure with one leg of a twin leg lanyard. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a hook protection device operatively connected to a lanyard with a hook of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the hook protection device and a perspective view of a lanyard with the hook shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view illustrating an inner surface of a hook protection portion of the hook protection device of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a top view illustrating an outer surface of the portion hook protection portion of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is an end view of the portion of the hook protection portion of  FIG. 17 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view illustrating the outside surface of the hook protection portion of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
       [0028]    In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a retrofittable hook protection device that helps prevent roll-out situations and unintentional lifeline disconnects. One embodiment hook protection device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is designated by the numeral  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The hook protection device  100  is retrofittable for use with a variety of different lanyards including hooks. The word “lanyard” could mean a lanyard or other suitable type of lifeline made of webbing or other suitable type of material such as, but not limited to, rope, wires, cables etc. One example of a suitable hook that could be used with the present invention is also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The hook  150  includes an intermediate portion  157  interconnecting a hook portion  151  and an end  154 . A gate  152  is pivotally connected to the hook body proximate the intermediate portion  157  and the end  154 , and the gate  152  pivots to open and close the opening of the hook portion  151 . An actuator  153  is pivotally connected to a lock  158  and the hook body proximate the intermediate portion  157  and the hook portion  151 . The lock  158  extends outward from the actuator  153  and reinforces the gate  152  in the locked position. In this hook  150 , the actuator  153  is pivoted, which pivots the lock  158  and allows the gate to be pivoted from the locked position to an unlocked position. The gate  152  and the lock  158  are spring biased in the locked position. The end  154  includes an aperture or eye  155  through which an end of a lanyard  156  made of webbing is inserted, folded back onto itself, and secured with stitching. A shock absorber (not shown) could be operatively connected to the webbing proximate the end  154  of the hook  150 . 
         [0031]    Although any suitable type of hook could be used, examples of suitable hooks that could be used are hooks manufactured by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn., hooks disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,647; U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,308; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0062014, and other suitable types of hooks. 
         [0032]    The hook protection device  100  includes a first portion  101  and a second portion  121  that are releasably connectable proximate where the lanyard connects to the hook to protect the gate from being inadvertently opened. 
         [0033]    The first portion  101  includes an outer surface  102 , shown in  FIG. 3 , and an inner surface  103 , shown in  FIG. 11 . The inner surface  103  faces the lanyard and the hook. The first portion  101  also includes a top  104 , a bottom  108 , a first side  109 , and a second side  113 . Extending outward from the inner surface  103  proximate the top  104  and the sides  109  and  113  is an extension portion  105  through which a bore  106  extends to the outer surface  102 . The bore  106  includes a countersunk portion  107  proximate the outer surface  102 . 
         [0034]    Proximate the bottom  108 , the first side  109  includes a first side extension portion  111  extending outward from the inner surface  103 . The first side  109  includes a notch  110  between the first side extension portion  111  and the extension portion  105 . The first side extension portion  111  includes a receiving notch  112 . 
         [0035]    Proximate the bottom  108 , the second side  113  includes a second side extension portion  115  extending outward from the inner surface  103 . The second side  113  includes a notch  114  between the second side extension portion  115  and the extension portion  105 . The second side extension portion  115  includes a protrusion  116  extending outward therefrom. 
         [0036]    The second portion  121  includes an outer surface  122 , shown in  FIG. 7 , and an inner surface  123 , shown in  FIG. 12 . The inner surface  123  faces the lanyard and the hook. The second portion  121  also includes a top  124 , a bottom  128 , a first side  129 , and a second side  133 . Extending outward from the inner surface  123  proximate the top  124  and the sides  129  and  133  is an extension portion  125  through which a bore  126  extends. The bore  126  includes a countersunk portion  127  proximate the outer surface  122 . The countersunk portion  127  is hexagonal-shaped. 
         [0037]    Proximate the bottom  128 , the first side  129  includes a first side extension portion  131  extending outward from the inner surface  123 . The first side  129  includes a notch  130  between the first side extension portion  131  and the extension portion  125 . The first side extension portion  131  includes a protrusion  132  extending outward therefrom. 
         [0038]    Proximate the bottom  128 , the second side  133  includes a second side extension portion  135  extending outward from the inner surface  123 . The second side  133  includes a notch  134  between the second side extension portion  135  and the extension portion  125 . The second side extension portion  135  includes a receiving notch  136 . 
         [0039]    When the inner surfaces  103  and  123  are facing one another and the first and second portions  101  and  121  are put together, the bores  106  and  126  of the first portion  101  and the second portion  121  align and the protrusions  116  and  132  mate with the receiving notches  136  and  112 , respectively. The inner surface  103  of the first portion  101  includes a cavity  117  between the extension portions  105 ,  111 , and  115 ; and the inner surface  123  of the second portion  121  includes a cavity  137  between the extension portions  125 ,  131 , and  135 . The notches  110  and  130 , the notches  114  and  134 , and the bottoms  108  and  128  form openings providing access to the cavities  117  and  137 , which form a single cavity between the portions  101  and  121 . 
         [0040]    A fastener is inserted through the bores  106  and  126  to interconnect the first portion  101  and the second portion  121 . An example of a suitable fastener is a two-piece fastener  140 . The first portion  141  includes a head  142  operatively connected to a threaded shaft  143 . The second portion  144  includes a head  145 , which is preferably hexagonal, operatively connected to a shaft  146  with a threaded bore  147  extending longitudinally therethrough. The threaded bore  147  is configured and arranged to mate with the threaded shaft  143  and connect the first and second portions  141  and  144 . Thus, the hexagonal head  145  fits within the countersunk portion  127  of the second portion  121 , which prevents the fastener&#39;s second portion  144  from rotating, and the shaft  146  extends through the bore  126 . The threaded shaft  143  is inserted through the bore  106  of the first portion  101 , and a screwdriver is used to rotate the fastener&#39;s first portion  141  to mate the threaded shaft  143  with the threaded bore  147 . The fastener  140  keeps the first and second portions  101  and  121  together and the mating protrusions  116  and  132  and receiving notches  136  and  112 , respectively, prevent the first and second portions  101  and  121  from rotating about the fastener  140 . The fastener could also be a screw, a rivet, a bolt and a nut, mating snaps, and other suitable types of fasteners. 
         [0041]    The device  100  is retrofittable and reusable, and the device  100  could be added to a variety of different webbing lanyards with hooks. For example, the device  100  could be used with lanyards made of webbing of varying widths such as 25 millimeters, 45 millimeters, and 50 millimeters. The pattern of the stitching on the lanyard&#39;s webbing should not affect the operation of the device  100 . The device  100  could also be used with rope, wire, cable, or other types of lanyards. Depending upon the type of lanyard, it is recognized that some modification may be needed to accommodate the lanyard. 
         [0042]    To connect the device  100  to a lanyard with a hook, the first and second portions  101  and  102  are positioned so that their inner surfaces  103  and  123  face each other and the top extension portions  105  and  125  are inserted into the hook&#39;s aperture  155  from opposing sides of the hook with the bottoms of the top extension portions  105  and  125  positioned proximate the lanyard. The top extension portions  105  and  125  preferably fill-in a majority of the aperture  155 . The respective mating protrusions  116  and  132  and receiving notches  136  and  112  are positioned on opposing sides of the lanyard and connected and the bores  106  and  126  of the top extension portions  105  and  125  are aligned. The portions of the lanyard and the end of the hook are sandwiched between the first and second portions  101  and  121 , and the lanyard extends through the opening between the bottoms  108  and  128 . At least one of the fastener&#39;s portions is inserted through the bores  106  and  126  to secure the first and second portions  101  and  121  together. The second portion  144  of the fastener  140  could be glued or otherwise connected to the second portion  121 . Thus, only the first portion  141  may need to be inserted through the bores  106  and  126 . 
         [0043]    Generally, the device  100  assists in preventing the webbing from moving on the hook&#39;s end, contacting the hook&#39;s actuator, and allowing the gate to open inadvertently, which reduces the risk of roll-out. More specifically, the device  100  prevents the webbing from contacting the hook&#39;s actuator by substantially filling-in the remaining space in the hook&#39;s aperture with the top extension portions  105  and  125  and by forming a tight fit against the webbing and the hook&#39;s end to which the webbing is connected. The two portions  101  and  121  clamp down and place pressure on the webbing and the hook&#39;s end to hold the webbing firmly against the hook&#39;s end and so doing limits the movement of the webbing on the hook&#39;s end, which assists in preventing the webbing from contacting the hook&#39;s actuator. The fastener  140  assists in securing the two portions  101  and  121  together to form the tight fit against the webbing and the hook&#39;s end. Without the device  100 , should the webbing rotate on the hook&#39;s eye and contact the actuator of the hook, the gate could then be opened and allow for roll-out, which is the unintentional disengagement of the hook from the connecting point. 
         [0044]    The device  100  is could be made of a clear, high impact plastic to enable inspection of the webbing without removing the device  100 . The device  100  also preferably includes a UV protective coating. The first and second portions  101  and  121  are releasably connectable and reusable. 
         [0045]    Another embodiment hook device  200  could be made of various colors to color-code hooks connected to lanyards, in which case the device  200  could be similarly constructed as device  100 , but device  200  would not need to substantially fill-in the remaining space in the hook&#39;s aperture with the top extension portions or form a tight fit against the lanyard and the hook&#39;s end to which the lanyard is connected. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the device  200  could be connected to the hooks  250   a  and  250   b  operatively connected to first and second legs  301  and  302 , respectively, of a twin leg lanyard  300  as a color-coded indicator. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a worker is using the twin leg lanyard  300  to “leapfrog” from one support structure to another. An example of a suitable twin leg lanyard is the SHOCKWAVE™  2  twin leg lanyard by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn. The device  200  could also be connected to the hooks of a self-retracting lifeline such as the TALON™ twin leg self-retracting lifeline by DBI/SALA of Red Wing, Minn. Other example uses include, but are not limited to, single tail lanyards, pole straps, inertia reel blocks and the like. 
         [0046]    One possible situation in which using color-coding is helpful is when two or more workers are performing tasks in relatively close proximity and there is a risk one worker could unintentionally disconnect the other worker&#39;s lanyard. In such a situation, one worker could use one color and the other worker could use another color to avoid any possible confusion. 
         [0047]    Another example embodiment of a hook protection device  400  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The hook protection device  400  is retrofittable for use with a variety of different lanyards including hooks. This embodiment is suitable for use with a lanyard or other suitable type of lifeline made of rope, wire, cable or the like. An example of a suitable hook  450  that could be used with the present invention is also shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Similar to hook  150  described above, hook  450  includes an intermediate portion  457  interconnecting a hook portion  451  and an end portion  454 . A gate  452  is pivotally connected proximate the intermediate portion  457  and the end portion  454  of the hook  450 . The gate  452  pivots to open and close the opening of the hook portion  451 . An actuator  453  (locking gate) is pivotally connected to the hook body proximate the intermediate portion  457  and the hook portion  451 . The lock  458  reinforces the gate  452  in the locked position. The lock is selectively disengaged by the actuator  453 . In this particular embodiment, when the actuator  453  is pivoted it disengages the lock  458 . This allows the gate  452  to be pivoted from the locked position to an unlocked position. The gate  452  and the Lock  458  are spring biased in the locked position. The end portion  454  includes an aperture or eye  455  through which an end  444  of a lanyard  440  made of rope, or the like, is inserted, looped and secured with stitching  442 . A shock absorber (not shown) could be operatively connected to the rope proximate the end  454  of the hook  450 . 
         [0048]    The hook protection device  400  includes a first hook protection portion  402 A and a second hook protection portion  402 B (first and second members). The first hook protection portion  402 A and the second hook protection portion  402 B are releasably connected proximate where the lanyard  440  connects to the hook  450  as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . Each portion  402 A and  402 B includes an outer surface  401  and an inner surface  403 . The inner surface  403  of each portion  402 A and  402 B faces the lanyard  440  and the hook  450 . The first portion  401  also includes a first end  405 , a second end  407 , a first side  409 , and a second side  411 . The portions  402 A and  402 B are releasably coupled to each other by fasteners such as fasteners  505  and  507  as further described below. The arrangement of the hook protection device  400  on the end  444  of a lanyard  440  prevents gate  452  from being inadvertently opened by movement of the lanyard  440  thereby preventing roll-out. 
         [0049]    The hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B in this embodiment are substantially identical. In other embodiments (not shown) they are not substantially identical. An example hook protection portion is illustrated in detail in  FIG. 17  through  FIG. 20 . In  FIGS. 17 through 20 , the hook protection portion is identified generally as hook protection portion  402 . Referring to  FIG. 17  a perspective view illustrating the inner surface of a hook protection portion  402  is generally shown. The hook protection portion  402  includes a mid channel  416  (lanyard channel) that extends from the second end  407  of the hook protection portion  402  a given length to proximate the first end  405  of the hook protection portion  402 . The mid channel  416  extends generally midway between the first and second sides  409  and  411  of the hook protection portion  402 . When two hook protection portions  402  are mated, the mid channels  416  in respective hook protection devices (i.e.  402 A and  402 B of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) align thereby providing a path or cavity for the lanyard  440  that in one embodiment is made from rope. Although the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 15 through 20  have a mid channel  416  that has generally a cross-sectional C-shape (to accommodate a lanyard  440  made of rope), any shape can be used. The cross-sectional shape of the mid channel  416  is determined by the shape of the lanyard  440 . In one embodiment a small lanyard engaging protrusion  415  (protrusion) extends outward from an inner surface of the mid channel  416  proximate the second end of the hook protection portion  407 . The protrusion  415  helps secure a lanyard  440  in place in the mid channel  416  when the two hook protections portions (i.e.  402 A and  402 B of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) are mated together by pressing the lanyard  440  (rope portions) together in the path or cavity formed by the two hook protection portions  402 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the hook protection portion  402  further includes first and second flanges  421  and  423  that flare out from the mid channel  416  generally proximate the first end  405  of the hook protection portion  402 . The first flange  421  extends from the mid channel  416  to define the first side  409  of the hook protection portion  402 . The second flange  423  extends from the mid channel  416  to define the second side  411  of the hook protection portion  402 . The inner surface  403  of the first flange  421  includes a first side curved channel  412 A (first hook channel) that runs from the mid channel  416  to proximate the first end of the hook protection portion  402 . The second flange  423  has a similar second side curved channel  412 B (second hook channel) that extends from the mid channel  416  to proximate the first end of the hook protection portion  402 . The cross-sectional shape of the first and second side channels  412 A and  412 B as illustrated in  FIG. 4  are generally U-shaped. However, the cross-sectional shape of the first and second side channels  412 A and  412 B can be any shape that will accommodate the shape of an end of a hook. 
         [0051]    The first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B are generally symmetrical about the mid channel  416  in this embodiment. In the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , the mid channel  416  and the first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B form a generally v-shaped channel in the inner surface  403 . However, the shape of the channels in the inner surface  403  is dependant on the shape of the end portion  454  of the hook  450  and the lanyard  440 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 17 , a termination end of the mid channel  416  and inner radius of the first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B form a hook retaining portion  414  (top extension portion). The hook retaining portion  414  in this embodiment is crescent shaped. When two hook protection portions ( 402 A and  402 B of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) are mated to form a hook protection device  400 , the first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B of a first hook protection portion  402 A align with respective first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B of a second hook protection portion  402 B to form paths or cavities that encase portions of an end of the a hook  450 . Abutting hook retaining portions  414  of mated hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B, positioned in the eye  455  of the hook  450 , retain the hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B to the end portion  454  of the hook  450 . 
         [0052]    Referring back to inner surface  403  of the hook protection portion of  FIG. 4 , the first flange  421  includes a generally circular recess  418  that is located between the first side curved channel  412 A and the second end  407  of the hook protection portion  402 . A bore  404  extends through recess  418 . Bore  404  extends all the way through the hook protection portion  402 . The second flange  423  includes a generally circular protrusion  408  that extends outward from the inner surface  403  of the first flange  423 . Protrusion  408  is located between the second side curved channel  412 B and the second end  407  of the hook protection portion  402 . A threaded bore  410  extends into protrusion  408 . Threaded bore  410  does not pass all the way through the hook protection portion  402 . When two hook protection portions ( 402 A and  402 B of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) are mated, the protrusion  408  on the second flange  423  of the first hook protection portion  402 A is received in the recess  418  in the first flange  421  of the second hook protection portion  402 B and the protrusion  408  on the second flange  423  of the second hook protection portion  402 B is received in the recess  418  in the first flange  421  of the first hook protection portion  402 A. This arrangement causes the mid channels  416 , the first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B, the hook retaining portions  414  as well as the protrusion  415  in the respective mid channels  416  of the mated first and second hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B to align. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  the outer surface  401  of the hook protection portion  402  is illustrated. As illustrated, the outer surface  401  of the first flange  421  include a first cap portion  424 . The first cap portion  424  extends from the outer surface  401  of the first flange  421 . Bore  404  in the first flange  409  extends through the first cap portion  424 . A countersink  420  in the outer surface  401  is located around bore  404 . Also illustrated is a cap portion  426  that extends over bore  410  from the outer surface of the second flange  423 . Cap portion  426  of the second flange  423  houses threaded bore  410 . In the embodiment shown, when two hook protection portions are mated ( 402 A and  402 B of  FIGS. 15 and 16 ), a fastener, such as bolts  505  and  507  in  FIG. 16 , are inserted in countersink  420  in the respective first cap portion  424  of the respective hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B and through the respective bores  404 . The threads  431  of the bolts  505  and  507  threadably engage threaded bores  410  in the respective second flanges  423  of the respective first and second hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B while the head  433  of the bolts  505  and  507  are received in countersink  420 . This couples the hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B together to form the hook protection device  400  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Other types of fasteners are contemplated for connecting the hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B including, but not limited to, screws, rivets, bolts and nuts, mating snaps, and other suitable types of fasteners. For example, in an embodiment, bolts  505  and  507  are self tapping screws that form their own threads in bores  410  in the respective second flanges  423  to couple the hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B together. 
         [0054]    The hook protection device  400  is retrofittable and reusable, and the device  400  could be added to a variety of different rope lanyards with hooks. The pattern of the stitching  442  on the lanyard&#39;s rope  440  should not affect the operation of the device  400 . The device  400  could also be used with wire, cable, or other types of lanyards. Depending upon the type of lanyard, it is recognized that some modification may be needed to accommodate the lanyard. 
         [0055]    To connect the hook protection device  400  to a lanyard with a hook  450 , the first and second portions  402 A and  402 B are positioned so that their inner surfaces  403  face each other. Then the hook retaining portions  414  are inserted into the hook&#39;s aperture  455  from opposing sides of the hook  450 . In one embodiment, the hook retaining portions  414  fill in a majority of the aperture  455 . As discussed above, respective protrusions  408  from the inner surfaces are received in respective recess  418  to align the mid channels  416 , the first and second side curved channels  412 A and  412 B and the hook retaining portions  414  of the mated first and second hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B. The portion of the lanyard  440  and the end of the hook  454  are sandwiched between the first and second portions  402 A and  402 B, and the lanyard  440  extends through an opening to the channel proximate the second end  407  formed by the mid channels  416  of the respective first and second hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B. The fasteners  505  or  507  are respectfully inserted through the bore  404  in one of the hook protection portions  402 A or  402 B and threadably engaged with the thread bore  410  in the other of the hook protection portions  402 A or  402 B to secure the first and second portions  402 A and  402 B together. In some embodiments, the first and second portions  402 A and  402 B are releasably connectable and reusable. 
         [0056]    Generally, the device  400  assists in preventing the lanyard  440  from moving on the hook&#39;s end  454 , contacting the hook&#39;s actuator  453 , and allowing the gate  452  to open inadvertently, which reduces the risk of roll-out. More specifically, in one embodiment the device  400  prevents the lanyard  440  from contacting the hook&#39;s actuator  453  by substantially filling in a remaining space in the hook&#39;s aperture  455  with the hook retaining portions  414  of the respective first and second hook protection portions  402 A and  402 B and by forming a tight fit against the lanyard  404  and the hook&#39;s end  454  to which the lanyard  404  is connected. The two portions  402 A and  402 B of the hook protection device  400  clamp down and place pressure on the lanyard  440  and the hook&#39;s end  454  to hold the lanyard  440  firmly against the hook&#39;s end  454  and so doing limits the movement of the lanyard  440  on the hook&#39;s end  454 . This assists in preventing the lanyard  440  from contacting the hook&#39;s actuator  453 . The fasteners  505  and  507  assists in securing the two portions  402 A and  402 B together to form the tight fit against the lanyard  440  and the hook&#39;s end  454 . Without the device  400 , should the lanyard  440  rotate on the hook&#39;s eye  455  and contact the actuator  453  of the hook  450 , the gate  452  could then be opened and allow for roll-out, which is the unintentional disengagement of the hook  450  from a connecting point. 
         [0057]    The device  400  in one embodiment is made of a clear, high impact plastic to enable inspection of the lanyard therein under without removing the device  400 . In some embodiments, the device  400  includes a UV protective coating. In other embodiments the hook protection device is made of various colors to color-code hooks  450  connected to lanyards  440  similar to that described above. 
         [0058]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.