US20060090824A1

US20060090824A1 - Reusable weather protective cover

Info

Publication number: US20060090824A1
Application number: US10/976,711
Authority: US
Inventors: Wade Kreft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-29
Filing date: 2004-10-29
Publication date: 2006-05-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a reusable weather protective cover comprising a sleeve, a fastener, and a storage pouch. The sleeve is formed from a single sheet of weather resistant material. Edges of the sleeve are gathered by an elastic cord to form a gathered opening. The fastener is attached to the sleeve such that the fastener extends across the gathered opening. The storage pouch extends from the sleeve and has a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a reusable weather protective cover and, more particularly, to a reusable weather protective cover including a sleeve with a gathered opening that is integrally formed with a storage pouch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to cover an object that is used outdoors when the object is not in use to protect the object from exposure to weather and/or hide the object from view. Many conventional covers, however, are not designed to withstand severe weather conditions. For example, some conventional covers are not made from a sufficiently weather resistant material and easily become ripped or mildewed. Other conventional covers are not designed so that they can be adequately secured to the object they are meant to hide and/or protect. For example, some conventional covers merely slip over the object or are only provided with tie strings for securing the cover to the object. When these covers are exposed to wind or other inclement weather, the covers either shift or become completely loose from the object.
It is also desirable to protectively store the cover when the cover is not in use. Many conventional covers, however, either do not come with a storage pouch or the storage pouch is separate from the cover. Because most covers are used for extended periods of time, such as, an entire season, the storage pouch often becomes displaced while the cover is in use. Without a storage pouch, it is difficult to protectively store the cover, especially since most covers are bulky and difficult to handle. Additionally, the covers that come with a storage pouch do not indicate the size or type of cover that is stored inside. If a user has multiple covers that are each contained in separate storage pouches, it is therefore necessary to remove every cover from their respective storage pouch to determine which cover you need for a particular use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a reusable weather resistant cover that can be securely attached to an object and can easily be stored and identified.
This and other objects are achieved by a reusable weather protective cover comprising a sleeve, a fastener, and a storage pouch. The sleeve is formed from a single sheet of weather resistant material. Edges of the sheet are gathered by an elastic cord to form a gathered opening. The fastener is attached to the sleeve such that the fastener extends across the gathered opening. The storage pouch extends from the sleeve and has a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.
This and other objects are further achieved by a reusable weather protective cover comprising a sleeve and a cord adjustment device. The sleeve is formed from a sheet of weather resistant material. Edges of the sheet are gathered by an elastic cord to form a gathered opening. The cord adjustment device is arranged on ends of the elastic cord. The elastic cord advances through the cord adjustment device to adjust the size or elasticity of the gathered opening. The reusable weather protective cover may also include at least one fastener that extends across the gathered opening and/or a storage pouch integrally formed with the sleeve that has a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.
This and other objects are still further achieved by a reusable weather protective cover comprising a sleeve and a storage pouch. The sleeve is formed from a sheet of weather resistant material. The sleeve has a handle extending from a first side thereof. A storage pouch extends from the sleeve. The storage pouch has a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first side view of a first embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover;
FIG. 2 is a second side view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a first side view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 1 in a stored state.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 1 applied to a conventional traffic signal.
FIG. 5 is a first side view of a second embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover;
FIG. 6 is a second side view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a first side view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 5 in a stored state;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 5 applied to a conventional pedestrian crossing signal;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 6 applied to a conventional grill;
FIG. 10 is a first side view of a third embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover;
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 10 applied to a conventional pedestrian crossing signal interface;
FIG. 12 is a first side view of a fourth embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover;
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 12 applied to a conventional animal kennel; and
FIG. 14 is a first side view of the reusable weather protective cover shown in FIG. 12 in a stored state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover 1. FIG. 1 shows a first side 4 of the reusable weather protective cover 1, and FIG. 2 shows a second side 5 of the reusable weather protective cover 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the reusable weather protective cover 1 includes a sleeve 2 and a storage pouch 3. The sleeve 2 may be formed, for example, from a single sheet 6 of a weather resistant material, such as nylon, or any other weather and/or mildew resistant material. Alternatively, the sheet 6 may be formed from multiple pieces of the weather resistant material, which are sewn or otherwise attached to form the sleeve 2. The sheet 6 has a size and dimension corresponding to its desired use. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 2 is illustrated as having a substantially oval shape, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 2 may be any desired shape, for example, the sleeve may be triangular, rectangular, square, round, etc. A pocket (not shown) is formed around edges 7 of the sheet 6. The pocket (not shown) receives an elastic cord 8. The edges 7 are gathered by the elastic cord 8 to form a gathered opening 9. A cord adjustment device 10 is attached to ends 11 of the elastic cord 8. The ends 11 are drawn through the cord adjustment device 10 to change the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 9. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the type of adjustment device is not limited to the adjustment device 10 shown in the illustrated embodiment and that other conventional types of adjustment devices may be used.
As shown in FIG. 1, fasteners 12 extend across the gathered opening 9. Each of the fasteners 12 consists of a male fastening member 13 corresponding to a female fastening member 14. The male and female fastening members 13, 14 are each attached to a strap 15. The straps 15 of the male and female fastening members 13, 14 are attached to opposing sides of the sleeve 2 adjacent to the gathered opening 9. At least one of the straps 15 has a strap adjustment mechanism 16 for adjusting the length of the strap 15. Although the sleeve 2 is shown as having two of the fasteners 12 in the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of the fasteners 12 may be used. Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the type of fastener is not limited to the fastener 12 shown in the illustrated embodiment and that other conventional types of fasteners may be used.
A series of apertures 17 are formed in a longitudinal direction is an approximate center of the sleeve 2. Although in the illustrated embodiment the sleeve 2 has a series of apertures 17 that correspond to lamps 24 of a traffic signal 25, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 2 may be formed with any number and/or arrangement of apertures. The apertures 17 may, for example, provide visible or physical access to certain elements of an object arranged within the sleeve 2 or accommodate elements projecting from the object arranged within the sleeve 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the storage pouch 3 extends from an inside of the sleeve 2 at an attachment point 18 at the edge 7 of the sheet 6 and is integrally formed therewith. The storage pouch 3 may be formed, for example, from a weather resistant material, such as nylon, or any other weather and/or mildew resistant material. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage pouch 3 has a front side 19 and a back side 20. The front side 19 and the back side 20 form a sleeve receiving space 21 for receiving the sleeve 2. A portion of the back side 20 is folded downward adjacent to an outside surface of the back side 20 to form a flap 22. The flap 22 is attached at sides 23 thereof to the outside surface of the back side 20. The front side 19, the back side 20, or the flap 22 may include indicia (not shown) that is silk screened or otherwise provided thereon to identify the size and/or type of sleeve 2 contained therein.
As shown in FIG. 4, to assemble the reusable weather protective cover 1 to an object in need of covering and/or weather protection, such as, a conventional traffic signal 25 shown in the illustrated example, the cord adjustment device 10 is manipulated to adjust the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 9 so that the traffic signal 25 can be received in the gathered opening 9. The storage pouch 3 is rotated about the attachment point 18 so that it is positioned inside the gathered opening 9. Once inside the gathered opening 9, the traffic signal 25 is substantially covered by the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is adjusted so that the apertures 17 are substantially aligned with the lamps 24 of the traffic signal 25. The gathered opening 9 is tightened about the traffic signal 25 by pulling the ends 11 of the elastic cord 8 through the cord adjustment device 10. The male fastening member 13 and the female fastening member 14 of each of the fasteners 12 are mated. The strap 15 having the strap adjustment mechanism 16 is then manipulated to tighten the fastener 12 by pulling on the strap 15 to further secure the traffic signal 25 in the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is thereby securely fixed to the traffic signal 25 by the gathered opening 9 and the fasteners 12. Because the storage pouch 3 is arranged inside the gathered opening 9, the storage pouch 3 is not susceptible to damage while the sleeve 2 is positioned on the traffic signal 25. Additionally, the apertures 17 enable the condition of the lamps 24 of the traffic signal 25 to be checked while the sleeve 2 is securely fastened to the traffic signal 25.
To remove the sleeve 2 from the traffic signal 25, the male fastening member 13 and the female fastening member 14 of each of the fasteners 12 are unmated. The ends 11 of the cord 8 are advanced through the cord adjustment device 10 to increase the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 9. The traffic signal 25 is removed from the sleeve 2 through the gathered opening 9.
After use, the sleeve 2 may be stored in the storage pouch 3, as shown in FIG. 3. To store the sleeve 2 in the storage pouch 3, the sleeve 2 is folded about the attachment point 18 and pushed into the sleeve receiving space 21 formed between the front side 19 and the back side 20 of the storage pouch 3. Once the sleeve 2 is entirely received in the sleeve receiving space 21, an outside surface of the flap 22 is folded over the sleeve receiving space 21 until the outside surface of the flap 22 is positioned adjacent to the front side 19 of the storage pouch 3. The flap 22 thereby secures the sleeve 2 in the storage pouch 3. The storage pouch 3 thereby easily stores and protects the sleeve 2, when the sleeve 2 is not in use. To remove the sleeve 2 from the storage pouch 3, the flap 22 is returned to its original position shown in FIG. 2 so that the sleeve 2 can be removed from the sleeve receiving space 21.
FIGS. 5-9 show a second embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reusable weather protective cover 30 differs from the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment in that the reusable weather protective cover 30 has a storage pouch 31 with first and second attachment members 32, 33. The elements of the sleeve 2 of the reusable weather protective cover 30 are identical to the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment even though the sleeve 2 is shown as having a possible variation of the number of the fasteners 12 and the apertures 17 that can be arranged on the sleeve 2. Elements of the reusable weather protective cover 30 that are identical to elements of the first embodiment of the reusable weather protective cover 1 will be referenced using the same reference numerals and will not be explained in further detail hereafter.
As shown in FIG. 5, the storage pouch 31 extends from an inside of the sleeve 2 at the attachment point 18 at the edge 7 of the sheet 6 and is integrally formed therewith. The storage pouch 31 may be formed, for example, from a weather resistant material, such as nylon, or any other weather and/or mildew resistant material. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage pouch 31 has a front side 34 and a back side 35. The front side 34 and the back side 35 form a sleeve receiving space 36 for receiving the sleeve 2. The front side has the first attachment member 32. A portion of the back side 35 is folded downward adjacent to an outside surface of the back side 35 to form a flap 37. The second attachment member 33 is arranged in the flap 37 and corresponds to the first attachment member 32 arranged on the front side 34. Although in the illustrated embodiment the first and second attachment members are shown as corresponding strips of nylon consisting of hooks and uncut pile, such as VELCRO, the first and second attachment members 32, 33 may be any conventional type of attachment members. The front side 34, the back side 35, or the flap 37 may include indicia (not shown) that is silk screened or otherwise provided thereon to identify the size and/or type of sleeve 2 contained therein.
The reusable weather protective cover 30 is used in the same manner and can be used on the same objects as the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, the reusable weather protective cover 30 is illustrated as being used on a conventional pedestrian crossing signal 38. In FIG. 9, the reusable weather protective cover 30 is illustrated as being used on a conventional grill 39.
After use, the sleeve 2 may be stored in the storage pouch 31, as shown in FIG. 7. To store the sleeve 2 in the storage pouch 31, the sleeve 2 is folded about the attachment point 18 and pushed into the sleeve receiving space 36 formed between the front side 34 and the back side 35 of the storage pouch 31. Once the sleeve 2 is entirely received in the sleeve receiving space 36, an outside surface of the flap 37 having the second attachment member 33 is folded over the sleeve receiving space 36 until the second attachment member 33 of the flap 37 is positioned adjacent to the first attachment member 32 of the front side 34 of the storage pouch 31. The second attachment member 33 is then secured with the first attachment member 32 to secure the sleeve 2 in the storage pouch 31. The storage pouch 31 thereby easily stores and protects the sleeve 2, when the sleeve 2 is not in use. To remove the sleeve 2 from the storage pouch 31, the second attachment member 33 is unsecured from the first attachment member 32, and the flap 37 is returned to its original position shown in FIG. 6. The sleeve 2 can then be removed from the sleeve receiving space 36.
FIGS. 10-11 show a third embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover 50. As shown in FIG. 10, the reusable weather protective cover 50 includes a sleeve 51. The sleeve 51 may be formed, for example, from a single sheet 52 of a weather resistant material, such as nylon, or any other weather and/or mildew resistant material. Alternatively, the sheet 52 may be formed from multiple pieces of the weather resistant material, which are sewn or otherwise attached to form the sleeve 51. The sheet 52 has a size and dimension corresponding to its desired use. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 51 is illustrated as having a substantially oval shape, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 51 may be any desired shape, for example, the sleeve may be triangular, rectangular, square, round, etc. A pocket (not shown) is formed around edges 53 of the sheet 52. The pocket (not shown) receives an elastic cord 54. The edges 53 are gathered by the elastic cord 54 to form a gathered opening 55. A cord adjustment device 56 is attached to ends 57 of the elastic cord 54. The ends 57 are drawn through the cord adjustment device 56 to change the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 55. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the type of cord adjustment device is not limited to the cord adjustment device 56 shown in the illustrated embodiment and that other conventional types of cord adjustment devices may be used.
As shown in FIG. 11, to assemble the reusable weather protective cover 50 to an object in need of covering and/or weather protection, such as, a conventional pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 shown in the illustrated example, the cord adjustment device 56 is manipulated to adjust the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 55 so that the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 can be received in the gathered opening 55. Once inside the gathered opening 55, the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 is substantially covered by the sleeve 51. The gathered opening 55 is tightened about the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 by pulling the ends 57 of the elastic cord 54 through the cord adjustment device 56 to secure the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 in the sleeve 51. The sleeve 51 is thereby securely fixed to the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 by the gathered opening 55, and the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 is thus protected from exposure to the weather.
To remove the sleeve 51 from the pedestrian crossing signal interface 58, the ends 57 of the cord 54 are advanced through the cord adjustment device 56 to increase the elasticity and/or the size of the gathered opening 55. The pedestrian crossing signal interface 58 is removed from the sleeve 51 through the gathered opening 55. After use, the sleeve 51 may be stored in a separate storage container (not shown), such as a duffle bag.
FIGS. 12-14 show a fourth embodiment of a reusable weather protective cover 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the reusable weather protective cover 30 differs from the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment in that the reusable weather protective cover 70 has a sleeve 71 with a handle 73. The elements of the sealable pouch 3 of the reusable weather protective cover 70 are identical to the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment. Elements of the reusable weather protective cover 30 that are identical to elements of the first embodiment of the reusable weather protective cover 1 will be referenced using the same reference numerals and will not be explained in further detail hereafter.
As shown in FIG. 12, the reusable weather protective cover 70 includes the sleeve 71 and the storage pouch 3. The sleeve 71 may be formed, for example, from a single sheet 72 of a weather resistant material, such as nylon, or any other weather and/or mildew resistant material. Alternatively, the sheet 72 may be formed from multiple pieces of the weather resistant material, which are sewn or otherwise attached to form the sleeve 71. The sheet 72 has a size and dimension corresponding to its desired use. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 71 is illustrated as having a substantially oval shape, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 71 may be any desired shape, for example, the sleeve may be triangular, rectangular, square, round, etc. The sleeve 71 has a first side 74 and a second side 75, as shown in FIG. 13. The handle 73 is formed on the first side 74 of the sleeve 71 in an approximate center thereof. The sealable pouch 3 extends from an end 78 of the second side 75 of the sleeve 71 at attachment point 77 and is integrally formed therewith. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the reusable weather protective cover 70 is shown in the illustrated embodiment as having the sealable pouch 3, which is illustrated in the first embodiment, that alternatively the sealable pouch 31 shown in the second embodiment may be used.
As shown in FIG. 13, to assemble the reusable weather protective cover 70 to an object in need of covering and/or weather protection, such as, a conventional animal kennel 76 shown in the illustrated example, the second side 75 of the sleeve 71 is positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the animal kennel 76 so that the sleeve substantially covers the animal kennel 76. The storage pouch 3 is rotated about the attachment point 77 so that it is positioned inside the sleeve 71. Because the storage pouch 3 is arranged inside the sleeve 71, the storage pouch 3 is not susceptible to damage while the sleeve 71 is positioned on the animal kennel 76. To remove the sleeve 71 from the animal kennel 76, the handle 73 is pulled away from the animal kennel 76. The handle 73 thereby facilitates removal of the sleeve 71 from the animal kennel 76. The sleeve 76 can be stored in the sealable pouch 3 in the same manner as the reusable weather protective cover 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14.
The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the uses of the reusable weather protective covers 1, 30, 50, 70 are not limited to those described herein. The weather protective covers 1, 30, 50, 70 may be used on any objects in need of covering and/or weather protection, including but not limited to, conventional road signs, conventional work zone and construction signs, outdoor equipment, personal belongs, etc. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.

Claims

1. A reusable weather protective cover, comprising:

a sleeve formed from a single sheet of weather resistant material, the single sheet having edges gathered by an elastic cord to form a gathered opening;

at least one fastener attached to the sleeve that extends across the gathered opening; and

a storage pouch extending from the sleeve, the storage pouch having a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.

2. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the edges of the sheet have a pocket that receives the elastic cord.

3. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, further comprising a cord adjustment device arranged on ends of the elastic cord through which the elastic cord advances to adjust the size or elasticity of the gathered opening.

4. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the storage pouch includes a flap positioned across the sleeve receiving space when the sleeve is stored therein.

5. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 4, wherein the storage pouch includes attachment members that secure the flap across the sleeve receiving space.

6. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a series of apertures formed opposite from the gathered opening.

7. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener includes a strap, the strap having a strap adjustment mechanism for tightening the fastener.

8. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of a conventional traffic signal.

9. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the weather resistant material is nylon.

10. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 1, wherein the storage pouch is positioned inside the gathered opening.

11. A reusable weather protective cover, comprising:

a sleeve formed from a sheet of weather resistant material, the sheet having edges gathered by an elastic cord to form a gathered opening; and

a cord adjustment device arranged on ends of the elastic cord through which the elastic cord advances to adjust the size or elasticity of the gathered opening.

12. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, wherein the edges of the sheet have a pocket that receives the elastic cord.

13. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, further comprising a storage pouch extending from the sleeve, the storage pouch having a sleeve receiving space for storing the sleeve.

14. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 13, wherein the storage pouch is positioned inside the gathered opening.

15. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 13, wherein the storage pouch includes a flap positioned across the sleeve receiving space when the sleeve is stored therein.

16. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 15, wherein the storage pouch includes attachment members that secure the flap across the sleeve receiving space.

17. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, wherein the sleeve includes a series of apertures formed opposite from the gathered opening.

18. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, further comprising at least one fastener attached to the sleeve that extends across the gathered opening.

19. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 18, wherein the at least one fastener includes a strap, the strap having a strap adjustment mechanism for tightening the fastener.

20. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, wherein the sheet is a single piece of the weather resistant material.

21. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 11, wherein the weather resistant material is nylon.

22. A reusable weather protective cover, comprising:

a sleeve formed from a sheet of weather resistant material, the sleeve having a handle extending from a first side thereof; and

23. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 22, wherein the storage pouch includes a flap positioned across the sleeve receiving space when the sleeve is stored therein.

24. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 23, wherein the storage pouch includes attachment members that secure the flap across the sleeve receiving space.

25. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 22, wherein the sheet is a single piece of the weather resistant material.

26. The reusable weather protective cover of claim 25, wherein the weather resistant material is nylon.