Patent ID: 7152364

Claim:
A hook protector system, comprising: a hook protector apparatus, comprising: straight side walls, each having an upper end and a lower end, arranged generally parallel to one another, connected by an integral hinge at first ends of the side walls and arranged parallel to a central axis, the integral hinge having a resiliency inherent to the integral hinge, the side walls and the hinge forming a continuous surface; fins connected to the side walls at a curvature having an apex that defines the integral hinge, the fins flanking and adjacent the integral hinge, and further flaring outwardly from the central axis; a winged wall connected to each of the side walls, the winged walls flaring outwardly from the central axis, the outward flaring direction being opposite the outward flaring direction of the fins; a bottom plate connected to the lower end of one of the side walls and disconnected from the other of the side walls, thereby forming a gap between the bottom plate and the other of the side walls and generally perpendicular to the side walls; a central clasp connected to one of the side walls and disconnected from the other of the side walls, thereby forming a gap between the central clasp and the other of the side walls, adjacent the upper end and generally perpendicular to the side walls and the bottom plate; and a treble hook having a central shaft, a first, second and third hook arranged about the central shaft, wherein the central shaft is adjacent the central clasp and perpendicular to the central axis and generally parallel to the integral hinge, the first hook is located between the side walls, the second hook is located adjacent one of the winged walls and the third hook is located adjacent the other of the winged walls, wherein the gap between the central clasp and the other of the side walls is smaller than a diameter of the central shaft of the treble hook, thereby preventing the central shaft from passing through the gap.