Patent ID: 8141309

Claim:
A protective cover apparatus for attachment to an end of a rod to absorb impact energy from an object impacting the end of the rod, the apparatus comprising: an impact member having opposite first and second surfaces, a perimeter edge that surrounds and separates the first and second surfaces, the impact member first surface having a convex configuration and the impact member second surface having a concave configuration; a base having opposite first and second ends, the base first end being constructed to attach to the end of a rod and support the base on the end of a rod, and the base second end engaging with the impact member and supporting the impact member on the base with the impact member first surface facing towards the base second end and the impact member second surface facing away from the base; a band having opposite interior and exterior surfaces, wherein the base second end engages with and supports the band with the band interior surface capable of surrounding the end of a rod received by the base first end and the band is positioned between the base and the impact member; and a cap having opposite first and second surfaces, the cap first surface engaging with the impact member second surface and the cap second surface being an exterior surface of the protective cover apparatus.