Covering system

Abstract

The covering system includes a plurality of cover members having releasable fasteners disposed on the periphery of the cover members for forming a case or cover for a pillow, cushion, or other article, such as a laptop computer. The releasable fastener may be a zipper fastener in which each cover member has a stringer attached about its periphery and a slider that is not permanently attached to a cover member, but which is temporarily locked to the teeth assemblies of two cover members so that the cover members can be zipped to form a case for the article. The two cover members may have different designs, and a single cover member may have different decorative designs on opposite sides to form a reversible cover member. The covering system permits panels to be interchanged or reversed to provide the case with any desired decorative appearance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/129,018, filed May 30, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cases and coverings for various articles, and particularly to a covering system that permits interchangeability and/or reversibility of the cover members in order to permit customization of the decorative appearance of the cover.

2. Description of the Related Art

Removable panels and covers for various cushions, pillows, mattresses, etc. are well known to provide for periodic cleaning, replacement of the interior cushion or outer covers due to wear and tear or to change the decor, etc. Similar covers are often provided for laptop computers, book bags, etc., as well. Such removable covers are generally attached by zippers, with the panels having mating edges with mating rows of zipper teeth installed thereon. However, the arrangement of the panel or cover attachment is limited in such installations due to the limited mating orientations of the zipper tapes and their teeth when being joined to form a completed or assembled zipper chain. An example of such a conventional zippered cover or case is shown in Belgian Patent Publication No. 555,821, which shows a mattress having a cover with a zippered closure.

It may be possible to turn such panels or covers over to reverse their inner and outer surfaces, but when one such panel is reversed, the other must be reversed as well, as they are joined at at least one point even when the zipper is opened to its maximum extent. At that, reversal of both the inner and outer surfaces of such covers or panels would require that the non-removable zipper slider be reversed as well, i.e., turned so the top of the slider and its pull tab are positioned to the inside of the cover or panel assembly. This makes operation of the zipper quite cumbersome, to say the least. While covers, panels, and the like for various articles have been developed using other fasteners, e.g., snaps, mating hook and loop fabric material (e.g., Velcro®), etc., the present inventors are unaware of any such panels or covers in which the peripheral attachment means provides for complete reversibility and interchangeability of the panels with one another.

Thus, a covering system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The covering system includes a first cover member, at least one opposing second cover member, and mating releasable fasteners attached to the opposing cover members so that the cover members may be attached to each other to form a case or cover for an article, and so that the second cover member may be completely detached from the first. The second cover member may have different ornamental designs on opposing faces, and can be reversed and reattached to form a case with a different ornamental design. Alternatively, the second cover member may be replaced by a third cover member having a different ornamental design, which can be attached to the first cover member to change the decorative appearance of the case. The releasable fasteners may be a zipper fastener in which each cover member has a stringer attached about its periphery and a slider that is not permanently attached to a cover member, but which is temporarily locked to the teeth assemblies of two cover members so that the cover members can be zipped to form a case. The cover system may be used to cover a pillow, cushion, or a laptop computer.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a covering system according to the present invention, showing a cover for a cushion, pillow or the like.

FIG. 2 is a partial elevation view in section of the covering system of FIG. 1, showing details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view in section of a second embodiment of the covering system according to the present invention, showing details thereof.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view in section of a third embodiment of a covering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a covering system according to the present invention, adapted to serve as a cover or case for a laptop computer.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cover member in a fifth embodiment of a covering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the cover member of FIG. 6A, showing the opposite surface from that shown in FIG. 6A.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a covering system for various articles, such as throw pillows, cushions, laptop computers, etc. The system includes cover members having releasable fasteners disposed on the periphery of the panels. The releasable fasteners permit the cover members to be interchangeably fastened together around the article to form a case or cover. Since the cover members are interchangeable, the system permits the decorative appearance of the article to be changed with ease. Both cover members may have the same decorative appearance, or the cover members may have different decorative appearances so that the case has a different decorative appearance on opposite sides. An individual cover member may have different decorative appearances on opposite sides so that the cover member is reversible. Moreover, a cover member may be interchanged with another cover member having a different decorative appearance to change the appearance of the case.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the covering system in which the releasable fastener is a zipper fastener. FIG. 2 provides a detailed elevation view in section through the zipper assembly of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a first cover member 10 has a first surface 12, opposite second surface 14, and periphery 16, with a first stringer 18 comprising an essentially continuous row of zipper teeth extending about the periphery of the cover member 10. A similar but opposite second cover member 20 includes opposite first and second surfaces 22 and 24, a periphery 26, and a second stringer 28 of zipper teeth extending about the periphery of the second panel 20. The two cover members 10 and 20 are removably installed about a pillow, cushion core 30 or the like to complete a cushion assembly incorporating the panels.

The specialized zipper assembly that enables the separation and reversibility of the two cover members 10 and 20 comprises a stringer 18 disposed about the periphery of the first cover member 10 and a second stringer 28 along the periphery of the second cover member 20, as noted above. Each of the stringers 18 and 28 includes a first end pin and a second end pin at the opposite end of the tooth row from the first end pin, i.e., first and second end pins 32, 34 for the stringer 18 of the first cover member 10 and first and second end pins 36, 38 for the stringer 28 of the second cover member 20. These end pins 32 through 38 are essentially identical to one another and are similar to the end pin conventionally installed at the lower end of one of the tooth rows in the separable zipper of a jacket or the like, with the lower end of the opposite tooth row of the jacket having a retainer box into which the end pin of the first tooth row is inserted to initiate the assembly of the two rows of zipper teeth into a closed zipper chain.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the two end pins or each zipper tooth row overlap one another, i.e., the first and second end pins 32 and 34 of the first tooth row 18 overlie and underlie one another, with the end pins 36, 38 of the second tooth row 28 overlying and underlying one another as well. At least one of the ends of each stringer 18 and 28 remains free of attachment to the adjacent periphery of its cover member 10, 20 in order to allow that end of the stringer 18, 28 to be placed either over or under the adjacent end of the stringer 18, 28.

FIG. 2 provides a detailed cross sectional view of the first and second cover members 10 and 20 installed upon the cushion 30, with FIG. 2 also showing the basic configuration of the special zipper slider 40 used with the covering system. The slider 40 is not fixed to either stringer 18, 28, but includes laterally opposed first and second tooth row passages 42 and 44 extending therethrough. The slider 40 also has laterally opposed first and second end pin receptacles 46 and 48 disposed above the tooth row passages 42 and 44, i.e., away from the cushion 30 as shown in FIG. 2.

The provision of end pins 32 through 38 at the ends of the two zipper tooth rows 18 and 28 allows the slider 40 to be removed from either end of the interlocked or separated tooth rows, as desired. The slider 40 may be installed generally as shown in FIG. 1, by inserting the first end pin 32 and 36 of the first and second tooth rows 18 and 28 into the conventional first and second tooth row passages 42 and 44, and moving the slider 40 along the tooth rows to merge them into a single interlocked zipper chain. However, once the slider reaches the opposite ends of the two tooth rows comprising the zipper chain, it may be moved past the second end pins 34 and 38 and completely removed from the zipper, if so desired.

Alternatively, when the path about the peripheral zipper has been completed and the first end pins 32 and 34 are again reached, those end pins 32 and 34 may be inserted into the first and second end pin receptacles 46 and 48 of the slider 40, thereby securing all four end pins 32 through 38 within the zipper slider 40. Separation of the zipper teeth is accomplished by reversing the direction of travel of the slider 40 or, alternatively, removing the slider, turning it around, and moving it in the original direction to separate the teeth.

As the only connection between the teeth is by means of the removable slider 40, it will be seen that the two cover members 10 and 20 may be completely separated from one another. This allows either or both of the cover members to be reversed, i.e., with their second surfaces facing outwardly relative to the other cover members, if so desired. Moreover, a third cover member having a compatible peripheral fastener system may be installed with either the first or second cover member 10 or 20, if so desired. By providing cover members having different patterns on their opposite first and second surfaces, e.g., as shown with cover members 10 and 20 and their differently patterned first and second surfaces 12, 14 and 22, 24 in FIG. 1, reversing the cover members and reinstalling them on the cushion 30 provides a completely different appearance for the completed case and cushion assembly. Thus, the cover members 10 and 20, or others, may be provided with, e.g., a Christmas theme upon one of their two surfaces and a summer theme (flowers, etc.) on their opposite surfaces, and rearranged to expose the appropriate or desired surface outwardly according to the season or preference of the user. Moreover, as the cover members may be completely separated from one another, a third cover member having yet another theme or appearance may be installed with either of the first two panels 10 or 20, as desired.

The various cover members preferably include some form of concealing cover flap or flaps for the peripheral fastener. As the various cover members of the case and cushion assembly may be reversed and interchanged with one another, such a cover flap is preferably provided extending from the periphery and from each surface of each cover member. In other words, the fastener row along the periphery of each cover member is concealed between two fastener cover flaps, enabling the cover member to be oriented with either its first or second surface disposed outwardly while still having a fastener cover flap extending over and concealing the fastener row from the outside of the assembly.

The detailed elevation view in section of FIG. 2 clearly shows this arrangement. The first cover member 10 includes a first fastener cover flap 50 extending peripherally from the first surface 12 of the cover member, and an opposite second fastener cover flap 52 extending from the second surface 14. It will be seen that the first fastener cover flap 50 is actually an extension of the cover member material itself, but it may be formed as a separate component and attached thereto, as in the case of the second flap 52. Alternatively, the second cover flap 52 extending from the first cover member 10 and its counterpart second cover flap 56 extending from the second cover member 20 may extend completely across the entire second surfaces 14 and 24 of the first and second cover members 10 and 20, as shown in broken lines, in order to avoid the appearance of the unfinished edges shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. In such an alternative, the finish or appearance of the second surfaces 14 and 24 of the first and second cover members 10 and 20 are not critical, but the exposed surface of the extended cover flaps and covers could be made to provide a different appearance from the first surfaces 12 and 22, as desired.

These two cover flaps 50 and 52 extend to opposite sides of the fastener row, i.e., the stringer 18 of the first cover member 10, and completely conceal the assembled zipper chain and slider 40 when the two panels 10 and 20 are installed upon the cushion 30 in order to provide concealment for the fastener row regardless of the surface orientation of the cover members. In a similar manner, the second cover member 20 has opposite first and second fastener cover flaps 54 and 56 extending to each side of the stringer 28, with the stringer 28 disposed therebetween.

It will be seen in the example of FIG. 2 that the first cover member 10, i.e., the cover member to the top of the assembly as oriented in FIG. 2, has its two cover flaps 50 and 52 disposed outwardly relative to the two cover flaps 54, 56 of the second cover member, i.e., the second cover member cover flaps 54, 56 are captured between the respective first panel cover flaps 50, 52 and the zipper mechanism. It will be seen that the outwardly disposed first cover flap 54 of the second panel 20 may be repositioned to the outside of the first cover flap 50 of the first cover member 10, if so desired. When the case and cushion assembly is inverted from the orientation shown in FIG. 2, i.e., with the second cover member 20 on top, this would provide an unbroken appearance for the upper cover member (cover member 20, in this case) extending to the distal edge of the second cover member cover flap 54 below the zipper or fastener mechanism.

If the two cover members 10 and 20 are reversed, i.e., with their second surfaces 14 and 24 disposed outwardly, then the second fastener cover flaps 52 and 56 will be oriented outwardly. It will be seen that they can be arranged with either cover flap 54 or 56 positioned to the outside of the other as desired, depending upon the orientation of the case and cushion assembly.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover members 10 and 20 may be flexible cloth panels that form a pillowcase or cushion cover when joined together. The zipper fastener may extend around all four sides of the cover members 10 and 20, or may extend around only three sides of the cover members 10 and 20 to form, e.g., an open pillowcase.

FIG. 3 is an illustration similar to the sectional view of FIG. 2, but showing a different fastener configuration joining the two cover members 110 and 120 to one another around the cushion 30. The cushion assembly of FIG. 3 includes a first cover or cover member 110 having opposite first and second surfaces 112 and 114 and a periphery 116. The second cover member 120 is similarly configured, having opposite first and second surfaces 122, 124 and a periphery 126. However, rather than having a row of zipper teeth forming the fastener row of each cover member, mating hook and loop fabric material (e.g., Velcro®) is installed in a continuous application along each periphery 116 and 126. The first cover member 110 includes two opposed peripheral areas of such hook and loop material, comprising a first surface hook and loop fastener material 118a and opposite second surface fastener material 118b. The second cover member 120 is similarly configured, with opposite peripherally disposed first and second surface hook and loop material 128a and 128b.

In the example of FIG. 3, the periphery 116 of the first cover member 110 has a first type 118a of hook and loop material (e.g., hook material) installed along the first surface 112 thereof, and a mating second type 118b of hook and loop material (e.g., loop material) along the opposite second surface 114 thereof. The periphery 126 of the second cover member is similarly configured, having a first type 128a of hook and loop material installed along the peripheral first surface 122 and a mating second type 128b of such material along the periphery of the second surface 124.

It will be seen in FIG. 3 that the mating types of hook and loop material 118a, 118b and 128a, 128b will engage one another if the first cover member periphery 116 is positioned outwardly from the second cover member periphery 126, as shown, or if the second cover member periphery is to the outside of the first cover member periphery 116. However, in the event that only a single cover member is reversed, continuous lengths or runs of a given material type (i.e., either hook or loop material) along any given peripheral surface will contact identical material if such material is applied in a continuous run or peripheral band. This problem is solved by applying relatively narrow strips of alternating hook material and loop material along the peripheries of the first and second surfaces 112, 114, 122, and 124 of the two cover members 110 and 120. In this manner, the fit of the peripheries 116, 126 of the two cover members 110 and 120 need only be adjusted slightly to provide engagement of opposite types of hook and loop material, regardless of the relative orientation of either cover member relative to the other. Such alternating hook and loop material strips may be applied horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or in some other non-random or random pattern to assure engagement with a mating type of material.

The hook and loop fastener material 118a, 118b, 128a, and 128b is concealed by opposite first and second fastener cover flaps 150 and 152 extending to each side of the first panel periphery 116 and its fastener material, and opposite first and second fastener cover flaps 154 and 156 extending to each side of the second panel periphery 126 and its fastener material, in essentially the same manner as provided for the zippered first embodiment panel and cushion assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The operation of these cover flaps 150 through 156 is essentially the same as that described further above for the cover flaps 50 through 56 of the first and second panels 10 and 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As in the case of the zippered covers 10 and 20 of FIG. 2, the second cover flap 152 extending from the first cover member 110 and its counterpart second cover flap 156 extending from the second cover member 120 may extend completely across the entire second surfaces 114 and 124 of the first and second panels 110 and 120, as shown in broken lines, in order to avoid the appearance of the unfinished edges as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. The exposed surfaces of the extended cover flaps and covers could be made to provide a different appearance from the first surfaces 112 and 122, as desired.

FIG. 4 is an illustration similar to the sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3, but showing a different fastener configuration joining the two cover members 210 and 220 to one another around the cushion 30. The cushion assembly of FIG. 4 includes a first cover member 210 having opposite first and second surfaces 212 and 214 and a periphery 216. The second cover member 220 is similarly configured, having opposite first and second surfaces 222, 224 and a periphery 226. However, rather than having a row of zipper teeth or Velcro® type material forming the fastener row of each cover member, mating male and female snap fasteners, respectively 218a, 218b and 228a, 228b are installed in a continuous pattern along each periphery 216 and 226.

The peripheral first surface 212 of the first cover member 210 includes a male snap fastener 218a and a female snap fastener 218b immediately above, while the opposite peripheral second surface 214 respectively has a female snap 218b and male snap 218a installed thereon directly opposite the corresponding male and female snaps 218a and 218b of the first peripheral surface. The peripheral second surface 222 of the first panel 210 includes a female snap fastener 228b directly opposite and engaging the male snap 218a of the second surface 214 of the first cover member, and a male snap fastener 228a immediately below and engaging the lower female snap 218b of the second surface 214 of the first cover member. The opposite peripheral second surface 224 of the second cover member 220 respectively has a female snap 228b and male snap 228a installed thereon directly opposite the corresponding male and female snaps 228a and 228b of the first peripheral surface 222. Thus, the snap fasteners of the two peripheries 216 and 226 of the two cover members 210 and 220 are arranged identically, when the two cover members are assembled about a cushion 30 as shown in FIG. 4. This permits the periphery 216 of the upper cover member 210 to be installed to the outside of the periphery 226 of the lower cover member 220, as shown, or alternatively to the inside of the second cover member periphery 226 as desired.

The double rows of alternating types of snap fasteners permits the reversal of either of the cover members 210 and 220 relative to its counterpart cover member. In the event that the first or upper cover member 210 is reversed relative to the second or lower cover member 220, i.e., with its second surface 214 disposed outwardly, it will be seen that identically configured snap fasteners will face one another if the two rows are aligned as shown in FIG. 2. This is easily overcome by offsetting the two cover members so that only a single row of snaps are engaged along each periphery, rather than having an upper and a lower row engaged as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the snap fastener attached cover members 210 and 220 of FIG. 4 may be completely separated from one another, either or both cover members reversed relative to the other, and/or another cover member having mating snap fastener attachment means may be attached to either of the cover members 210 or 220 as desired to change the appearance or decor of the completed case and cushion assembly.

The various snap fasteners 218a, 218b, 228a, and 228b are concealed by opposite first and second fastener cover flaps 250 and 252 extending to each side of the first cover member periphery 216 and its fasteners, and opposite first and second fastener cover flaps 254 and 256 extending to each side of the second cover member periphery 226 and its fasteners, in essentially the same manner as provided for the zippered first embodiment case and cushion assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the Velcro® fastener embodiment case and cushion assembly of FIG. 3. The operation of these cover flaps 250 through 256 is essentially the same as that described further above for the cover flaps 50 through 56 of the first and second cover members 10 and 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As in the cases of the zippered covers 10 and 20 of FIG. 2 and 110, 120 of FIG. 3, the second cover flap 252 extending from the first cover member 210 and its counterpart second cover flap 256 extending from the second cover member 220 may extend completely across the entire second surfaces 214 and 224 of the first and second cover members 210 and 220, as shown in broken lines, in order to avoid the appearance of the unfinished edges as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. The exposed surfaces of the extended cover flaps and covers could be made to provide a different appearance from the first surfaces 212 and 222, as desired.

FIGS. 5 through 6B illustrate further embodiments of the covering system, in which the covers are adapted for use as a cover or case for a laptop computer or the like. In FIG. 5, first and second covers 310 and 320 are used to enclose and cover a laptop computer C or the like. Each of the covers 310, 320 is configured much like the first embodiment covers 10 and 20, i.e., having respective first surfaces 312, 322 and opposite second surfaces 314, 324, but each of the cover members has a side panel, respectively 358 and 360, extending from the main panel. The side panels and 360 provide a depth or thickness for each of the cover members and 320, defining an interior volume therein when the cover members are secured together. Each of the side panel extensions 358 and 360 has a periphery, respectively 316 and 326.

A first zipper stringer 318 extends about the periphery of the first cover member 310, with a second zipper stringer 328 extending about the periphery of the second cover member 320. Each of the stringers 318 and 328 includes a first end pin and a second end pin at the opposite end of the stringer from the first end pin, i.e., first and second end pins 332, 334 for the stringer 318 of the first cover member 310 and first and second end pins 336, 338 for the stringer 328 of the second cover member 320, as in the case of the cushion covers 10 and 20 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The first cover member end pins 332, 334 overlap one another, as do the second cover member end pins 336, 338, to allow the removable attachment of a special zipper slider 340 thereto. It will be seen that the above described zipper slider and end pin configuration is essentially the same as that described further above for the cushion cover members of FIGS. 1 and 2, and accordingly the special zipper slider 340 used with the cover members 310 and 320 is essentially the same as the zipper slider 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

As in the case of the first embodiment cover of FIGS. 1 and 2, mutually opposed first and second cover flaps, respectively 350 and 352, may be provided extending peripherally from the first and second surfaces 312 and 314 of the first cover member 310, containing the first zipper stringer 318 therebetween. Similarly, mutually opposed first and second cover flaps, respectively 354 and 356, may be provided extending peripherally from the first and second surfaces 322 and 324 of the second cover panel 320, containing the second zipper stringer 328 therebetween. These cover flaps 350 through 356 serve to completely conceal the zipper stringers 318, 328 when the two cover members 310, 320 are assembled to one another to enclose an article therein. When the two cover members 310, 320 are zipped together according to their orientation in FIG. 5, i.e., with their first surfaces oriented outwardly, the first cover flap 350 of the first cover member 310 and the second cover flap 356 of the second cover member 320 would be oriented outwardly to conceal the assembled zipper stringers 318 and 328. If the two cover members 310, 320 are reversed with their second surfaces 314, 324 facing outwardly, the respective second cover flaps 352 and 354 will be oriented outwardly to conceal the assembled zipper.

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide illustrations of yet another embodiment of the cover configuration shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate only a single cover member 410, but with FIG. 6A showing the first surface 412 oriented upwardly and FIG. 6B showing the cover member 410 inverted with its second surface 414 oriented upwardly. As in the case of the cover members 310 and 320 of FIG. 5, the cover member 410 includes a depending side panel 458, with the outer edge of the side panel 458 forming the periphery 416 to which the zipper stringer is attached.

It will be noted that the first surface 412 of the cover member includes a handle 462 extending therefrom and one or more pockets installed on the first surface. This configuration can prove handy for a computer cover or container configuration, i.e., the first surfaces of two similarly equipped cover panels may be oriented outwardly to expose the handles and pockets, thus allowing the user of the cover assembly to carry the assembled cover (and any articles contained therein) by the handles 462. The pocket(s) 464 are also oriented externally in this configuration, permitting the user to place articles therein that he or she wishes to be readily accessible without opening the cover members.

In FIG. 6B, the cover member 410 is inverted relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 6A, thereby concealing the pocket(s) 464 within the closed cover assembly when the second surfaces of the two cover members are oriented outwardly. The handle may be folded inwardly to lie against the first surface of the cover member, thereby allowing two such cover members to be zipped together to contain the handles (and any other practicable articles) inside the two cover members.

The various cover members of FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B may be formed of fabric, nylon, plastic, leather, or any practicable material as desired, and may incorporate peripheral decoration such as fringe, tassels or other embellishment(s) in lieu of or in addition to the fastener cover flaps disclosed herein. Thus, the owner of a series of such cover members may update and revise the appearance of cushions incorporating such panels for covering in accordance with the seasons and/or other decorating motifs as desired. It will be understood that although the covering system has been described as forming a cover or case for a pillow, cushioned article, or laptop computer, the principles of the covering system may be extended to form a cover or case for other types of articles. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A covering system, comprising:

a first cover member;

at least one opposing second cover member, the first and second cover members each defining a periphery; and

mating releasable fasteners disposed on the periphery of the cover members, a pair of the cover members defining a case adapted for enclosing an article when the fasteners are mated.

2. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein said mating releasable fasteners comprise zipper stringers attached to the cover members and a slider releasably attached to the stringers on opposing cover members forming the case.

3. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein said mating releasable fasteners comprise portions of hook and loop fabric material attached to the cover members.

4. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein said mating releasable fasteners comprise snap fasteners attached to the cover members.

5. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein each of the cover members has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the system further comprising:

a first fastener cover flap extending from the first surface of each of the cover members along the periphery thereof; and

a second fastener cover flap extending from the second surface of each of the cover members along the periphery thereof.

6. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein each of the cover members has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and mutually distinct patterns disposed upon the first surface and second surface of each of the cover members.

7. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a cushion.

8. The covering system for an article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a laptop computer.

9. The covering system according to claim 8, wherein each of the cover members has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the system further comprising a flexible handle extending from the first surface of each of the cover members.

10. The covering system according to claim 1, wherein each of the cover members has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the system further comprising at least one pocket disposed upon the first surface of each of the cover members.

11. A cushion, comprising:

a cushion core; and

a plurality of cushion cover members, each of the cover members having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a periphery, and a fastener row extending about the entire periphery, the fastener row of each of the cover members selectively attaching interchangeably and reversibly with the fastener row of each other of the cover members about the cushion core.

12. The cushion according to claim 11, wherein the fastener row of each of the cover members comprises:

a zipper tooth row having a first end pin and a second end pin overlapping the first end pin; and

a removably and reversibly disposed zipper slider having first and second tooth row passages and first and second end pin receptacles disposed therein.

13. The cushion according to claim 11, wherein the fastener row of each of the cover members comprises mating portions of hook and loop fabric material disposed continuously along the periphery upon the first surface and second surface thereof.

14. The cushion according to claim 11, wherein the fastener row of each of the cover members comprises mutually mating snap fasteners disposed along the periphery upon the first surface and second surface thereof.

15. The cushion according to claim 11, further including:

a first fastener cover flap extending from the first surface of each of the cover members along the periphery thereof; and

a second fastener cover flap extending from the second surface of each of the cover members along the periphery thereof.

16. The cushion according to claim 11, further including mutually distinct patterns disposed upon the first surface and second surface of each of the cover members.