Flexible Cushion Wrap

Abstract

A flexible cushion wrap configured to at least partially surround an elongate member. The flexible cushion wrap can include a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface. The flexible cushion wrap can include at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel, and at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end. When the flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connector can attach to the at least one upper connector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/458,025, filed Jun. 14, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flexible cushion wrap.

BACKGROUND

Wraps can be placed around an elongate member, such as a handle, to improve grippability and user comfort. Wraps also have connection mechanisms to help secure the wrap in place on the elongate member. Certain wraps are designed for specific applications and may not be suitable for wide variety elongate member shapes. For instance, a wrap designed for the handle of a small piece of luggage may not be suitable for a handle of an infant carrier. When a wrap design for one specific application is used in manner that it was not designed for, the wrap may not improve grippability and user comfort.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a flexible cushion wrap configured to at least partially surround an elongate member. The flexible cushion wrap can include a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface. The flexible cushion wrap can include at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel, and at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end. When the flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connector can attach to the at least one upper connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of flexible cushion wrap of the present disclosure, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise schematics and arrangements shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a flexible cushion wrap disposed on the handle of a load transport device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a flexible cushion wrap disposed on the handle of a load transport device, illustrating a user removing the flexible cushion wrap from the handle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the flexible cushion wrap shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the flexible cushion wrap taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of flexible cushion wrap in a coiled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a flexible cushion wrap 10 or simply “wrap” 10 is configured to wrap around an elongate member 4 or handle 4 of a load transport device 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The wrap 10 is configured such that a user can place the wrap 10 around the handle 4 as shown in FIG. 1A, and can easily grab the wrap 10 to pull the wrap 10 off the handle 4 as shown in FIG. 1B. The wrap 10 includes an attachment mechanism that allows a user to easily secure the wrap 10 to the handle 4, while also allowing the user to easily remove the wrap 10 from the handle 4 when needed (FIG. 1B). Further, the wrap 10 is flexible in multiple planes so that the wrap 10 can surround a wide range of handle designs and shapes, as will be further detailed below. In addition, because some load transport devices 2 can be difficult to grab and carry for a prolonged time, the wrap 10 can cushion the user's hand and/or arm during use. While the load transport device 2 is illustrated as an infant carrier system 3 with a support member 6 for holding an infant (not shown), the load transport device 2 can be any object with a handle connected to a support member 3. For instance, the load transport device 2 can be luggage, bags, carts, baskets. Further, an elongate member can be a rod or any other elongate structure or plurality of elongate structures. For instance, an elongate member can be a chair armrest, bed rail, or sporting equipment. Accordingly, the wrap 10 is configured to cushion armrests for chairs, wheel chairs, and/or bed rails, and can partially encase sporting gear equipment, such as skis, ski poles, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wrap 10 includes a panel 12 with a first tapered end 14 and a second end 16 spaced from the first tapered end 14 along a longitudinal direction L. The panel 12 also defines a longitudinal central axis 1 that extends through the first 14 and second ends 16 of the panel 12 and is aligned with the longitudinal direction L. First and second panel sides 18 and 20 extend from the second end 16 of the panel 12 toward the first tapered end 14 along the longitudinal direction L. The opposed sides 18 and 20 are spaced apart along a lateral direction A that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The panel 12 also includes an upper surface 30 and lower surface 32 opposed to the upper surface 30 spaced apart along the vertical direction V (FIG. 5). The vertical direction V is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal L and lateral A directions described above. The panel 12 includes a tapered panel portion 22 and a base panel portion 24 spaced from the tapered panel portion 22 along the longitudinal direction L. At least a portion of the first and second panel sides 18 and 20 for instance, the tapered side portion 19a and tapered side portion 21a, extend along respective first and second directions 26 and 28 that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction L toward the first tapered end 14 so as to define the tapered panel portion 22. The tapered side portion 19a and tapered side portion 21a can define an angle θ, wherein angle θ can be less than about 180°. The tapered side portions 19a and 21a are shown extending linearly along directions 26 and 28. It should be appreciated that the tapered side portions 19a and 21a can be curvilinear. Side portions 19b and 21b that extend along the base panel portion 24 are parallel with respect to each other.

The panel 12 can have a length B (FIG. 2) defined as the dimension that extends from the first tapered end 14 to the second end 16 along the longitudinal direction L. The panel 12 has a width C that is defined as the dimension that extends from the first side 18 to the second side 20 at the base panel portion 24. The length B and width C can vary with the specific end use. The length B can range between about 4.00 in (10.16 cm) and about 30 in (76.2 cm) and the width C can range between about 3 in. (7.62 cm) and about 20 in (50.8 cm). The relative size of the panel 12 can be selected as needed for the application. For instance, for a wrap 10 configured for an infant carrier system, the length B can range about 6.00 in (15.24 cm) and about 15 in (38.1 cm), and the width C can range between about 3 in. (7.62 cm) and about 12 in (30.48 cm). For other end use applications, the length B. In the illustrated embodiment, the length B is about 8.5 in (21.59 cm) and the width C is about 11.5 in (29.21 cm). The size of each wrap is not limited to the specific sizes and dimensions described herein.

The panel 12 can be formed of one or more layers of a substrate. For instance, the panel can be formed of a single layer of a substrate or two layers of a substrate that are bound together. It should be appreciated that the panel can be formed of more than two layers of a substrate. The substrate can be a textile fabric, polymeric film, or an open or closed cell foam. The substrate can be selected to provide cushioning properties to the flexible wrap 10. For instance, the substrates can be compressible through the thickness thereof so as to absorb a load applied along a direction that is normal to a longitudinally extending plane of the substrate. The textile fabric can be a woven fabric, knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. Further, one or more textile fabrics can be combined with the polymer film and/or a foam layer to define the panel 12. The textile fabric can be formed of synthetic textile fibers and yarns comprising polyester, nylon, polypropylene, elastomers (e.g., neoprene) and/or other polymeric textile fibers. Further, the textile fabric can be formed of natural fibers and yarns comprising cotton, organic cotton, rayon, silk. In alternative embodiments, the textile fabrics can be formed of blends of the synthetic and natural fibers. Further, a natural textile fabric may form one layer of the substrate and a synthetic fiber-based textile fabric can form another layer of the substrate. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 12 is formed of a knitted textile fabric comprising neoprene fibers. The textile fabrics and/or yarns and fibers that form the textile fabrics may include one or more coatings and finishes. For instance, the textile fabrics can be treated with a wicking agent that will improve moisture transport. The textile fabrics can also include antimicrobial agents.

The panel 12 includes a binding, or edge trim 42 that extends around a perimeter of the panel 12. The binding 42 can be used to minimize unraveling and provide a clean edge for the panel 12 and can be formed of a textile material that is similar to the textile material used to form the panel 12 or the binding 42 can be a different material. The binding 12 is secured to panel 12 by stitching, adhesives, thermal or ultrasonic welding mechanisms. The binding 12 can be a neoprene material, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the panel 12 may not include a binding 42. For instance, the panel 12 can be formed of material that is configured to have a clean edge, for instance a nonwoven material. The panel 12 can also include a pleat or dart to form curved corners. The corners can be curved with respect to vertical direction V.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface 32 of the flexible panel 12. For instance, the upper connectors includes a first upper connector 34 on the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and a second upper connector 36 that is spaced from the first upper connector 34 along the longitudinal direction L. The lower connectors can include a first lower connector 38 carried by the lower surface 32 of the panel 12 and a second lower 40 spaced from the first lower connector 38 along the longitudinal direction L. As used herein, the first upper connector may be referred to as a first connector and the second upper connector may be referred to as a third connector. Further, the first lower connector may be referred to as the second connector and the second lower connector may be referred to as a fourth connector.

The arrangement of the upper and lower connectors can facilitate wrapping and securing the wrap 10 the elongate member 4. For instance, to attach the panel 12 to the elongate member (not shown) in a wrapped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tapered panel portion 22 of the panel 12 overlies the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12 such that the respective connectors can be secured to each other. Accordingly, the upper connectors 34 and 36 are arranged on the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 so as to mate with and attach to the corresponding lower connectors arranged on the lower surface 32 of the panel 12. For instance, when the flexible wrap is in the wrapped configuration shown in FIG. 7 (or positioned around the handle 4 as shown in FIG. 1A) at least one of the first and second lower connectors 38 and 40 can attach to at least one of the first and second upper connectors 34 and 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the first upper connector 34 is removably attached to the first lower connector 38 and the second upper connector 36 is removably attached to the second lower connector 40.

Continuing with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the first upper connector 34 is carried by the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12 and is disposed proximate the tapered panel portion 22. For instance, the first upper connector 34 is spaced from the first tapered end 14, the second end 16, and the opposed sides 18 and 20 of the panel 12. Arranged on the panel 12 in this manner, the first upper connector overlies the longitudinal central axis 1. The first upper connector 34 defines a base end 34b and a tapered end 34a that is spaced from the base end 34b along the longitudinal direction L toward the first tapered end 14. The tapered end 34a has a smaller width (width being perpendicular to axis 1) than the width of the base end 34b such that the first upper connector defines a trapezoidal shape. Other shapes can be used, such as circular, square, rectangular, and triangular shapes. The first upper connector 34 also defines a first lateral connector axis E1 that extends through opposed sides (not shown) of the first upper connector 34 and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinal central axis A and the first lateral connector axis E1 define a connector center F1.

The second upper connector 36 is carried by the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12. The second upper connector can be disposed adjacent to the second end 16 of the panel 12, for instance, adjacent to the binding 42 that extends along the second end 16 of the panel 12. It should be appreciated that the second upper connector 36 need not be adjacent to the second end 16 as illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the second upper connector 36 extends from the first side portion 19b to the second side portion 21b along the lateral direction A such that the second upper connector 36 overlies the longitudinal central axis 1. The second upper connector 36 defines an elongated shape that extends along the lateral direction A. The second upper connector 36 has opposed ends 36a and 36b spaced apart along the longitudinal direction L and opposed sides (not shown) spaced apart along the lateral direction A. While the second upper connector 36 is illustrated with an elongated rectangular shape, the connector can have other shapes, such as circular, square, rectangular, and triangular. Further, the second upper connector 36 can include multiple connectors disposed on the base panel portion 24 of the panel 12. The second upper connector 36 defines a second lateral connector axis E2 that extends through opposed sides (not shown) of the second upper connector 36 and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinal central axis A and the second lateral connector axis E2 define a connector center F2.

The first lower connector 38 is disposed proximate to the first tapered end 14 and is carried by the tapered panel portion 22 of the panel 12. The first lower connector 38 also defines a base end 38b and a tapered end 38a that is spaced from the base end 38b along the longitudinal direction L. Further, the first lower connector 38 can extend from the first tapered side portion 19a to the second tapered side portion 21a. Thus, the first lower connector 38 can have a shape defined at least partially by the first tapered end 14 and the first and second tapered side portions 19a and 21a. The first upper connector 34 and the first lower connector 38 can have similar shapes. The first lower connector 38 defines a third lateral connector axis E3 that extends through opposed sides (not shown) of the first lower connector 38 and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The first lower connector 38 is disposed on the lower surface 32 so as to overly the longitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinal central axis 1 and the third lateral connector axis E3 define a connector center F3.

The second lower connector 40 is spaced from the first lower connector 38 and the second end 16 of the panel 12 along the longitudinal direction L. For instance, the second lower connector 40 is carried by the lower surface of the panel 12 at a location where the tapered panel portion 22 and the base panel portion 24 meet. It should be appreciated that the second lower connector 40 can be carried entirely by the tapered panel portion 22 or entirely by the base panel portion 24. The second lower connector 40 can have opposed ends 40a and 40b spaced apart along the longitudinal direction L and opposed sides (not shown) spaced apart along the lateral direction A. Similar to the second upper connector 36, the second lower connector 40 (FIG. 4) defines an elongate shape that also extends along the lateral direction A from the first side 18 to the second side 20. The second lower connector 40 defines a fourth lateral connector axis E4 that extends through opposed sides (not shown) of the second upper connector 40 and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 1. The second upper connector 40 is disposed on the upper surface 30 so as to overly the longitudinal central axis 1. The intersection of the longitudinal central axis 1 and the fourth lateral connector axis E4 define a connector center F4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first upper connector is spaced from the second upper connector a first distance D1, wherein the first distance D1 is the distance between the first and second lateral connector axes E1 and E2. Further, the first lower connector 38 is spaced from the second lower connector 40 a second distance D2, wherein the second distance D2 is the distance between the third and fourth lateral connector axes E3 and E4. In an embodiment the second distance is less than or equal to the first distance D1. However, it should be appreciated that the second distance D2 can be greater than the first distance D1. The first distance D1 can range between about 2.0 in (5.08 cm) and about 8.0 in (20.32 cm), and the second distance D2 can range between about 2.0 in (5.08 cm) and about 8.0 in (20.32 cm). In the illustrated embodiment, first distance D1 is about 3.5 in (8.89 cm) and the second distance D2 is about 4.0 in (10.16 cm).

The panel 12 is formed of a flexible material so that the panel 12 can flex or bend as needed to wrap around an elongate member. Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the load transport device Z can define three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates having a Y-axis or direction Y, X-axis or direction X and a Z-axis or direction Z. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 4 includes an upper cross bar 5 and a pair of support arms 7a and 7b. The upper cross bar 5 intersect the support arms 7a and 7b and corner sections 8a and 8b respectively. The handle 4 can be curved with respect to direction X. In addition, the support arms 7a and 7b can be curved with respect to direction Y. The corners 8a and 8b can be curved with respect to the direction Y and direction X. The flexible wrap 10 is configured such that the wrap can be secured to any portion of the handle 4 regardless of the curvatures of the handle. The panel 12 is extendable along the longitudinal direction L, as well as any number of directions that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, when the wrap 10 is disposed around the corner 8b as shown, the first tapered end 14 can be oriented along a direction that is angularly offset with respect to the length of the panel 12. Further, the first and second lower connectors 38 and 40 have a size, shape, and position so that lower connectors 38 and 40 overly at least a portion of the respective first and second upper connectors 34 and 36 regardless of flexing required to accommodate a handle 4 with complex curvatures, for instance with two or more directions of curvature. For instance, the flexible wrap 10 is configured so that the first lower connector 38 can be removably attached to the first upper connector 34 when the first tapered end 14 is oriented along a direction (not shown) that is offset with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

Each connector 34, 36, 38, and 40 can be a hook and loop panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the first upper connector 34 is a hook-type panel and the first lower connector is a loop-type panel that is configured to receive and attach to the hook-type panel of the first upper connector 34. Accordingly, the second upper connector 36 is a hook-type panel and the second lower connector 40 is a loop-type panel that is configured to receive and attach to the hook-type panel of the second upper connector 36. While hook and loop panels are illustrated, other types of connectors can be used. For instance, the connector can be snap fasteners, claps, clips, rivets, or any other structure or device that can connect two objects together. Further, the substrate can be configured to define the connectors. For instance, the substrate can be a textile fabric with a plurality of hook structures formed thereon that define one or more of the connectors on the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 described above. The corresponding connector on the lower surface 32 of the panel 12 can include a plurality of loop structures that are configured to attach to the plurality of the hook structures. In alternative embodiments, the attachment mechanism can include any combination of the connectors as described herein and/or pressure sensitive adhesives.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method for applying a cushion wrap to an elongate member. The method can include positioning a flexible wrap as described herein to surround the elongate member. For instance, the wrap 10 can be coiled around the elongate member such that the first lower connector 38 is removably attached to the first upper connector 34. Further, the wrap 10 can be coiled around the elongate member such the second lower connector 40 is removably attached to the second upper connector 36. The wrap 10 is reversible. Thus, it should be appreciated that while the wrap 10 is configured to wrap around the handle 4 of the load transport device 2 such that the upper surface 30 faces outwardly from the handle 4 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the wrap 10 can be placed on the handle 4 such that the lower surface 32 of the wrap 10 faces outwardly from the handle 4. IN addition, one or more wrap 10 can be placed on the elongate member or handle 4 as needed. Further, the wrap 10 can be placed on any portion of the handle 4 as needed.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method for manufacturing the wrap 10 described above. The method can include forming one or more substrates. Forming substrates can include, for instance, weaving a textile fabric, knitting a textile fabric, forming a nonwoven fabric, forming a polymeric film, and/or forming a foam. The forming step can include combining one or more substrates to form an assembly or laminate of layered substrates. The method can also include shaping, subsequent to the forming step, the substrates into a shape that defines the panel 12, or alternatively, into a shape for subsequent assembly. The shaping step can include cutting the one or more substrates into the shape of the panel 12 as described above, e.g. such that panel 12 includes the first tapered end 14 and the second end 16. Shaping can alternatively include folding a portion of the substrate to include one or more folds or darts to allow the substrate to be formed into a panel 12 with curved corners as discussed above. Further, the shaping step can include cutting the substrate with a cutting machine or device having a cutting blade or laser, or any other device or process for defining a shape of a material. In an alternative embodiment, for instance for textile materials, the forming step can include fabric formation and shaping using a single piece knitting machine. The method can also include the step attaching at least one upper connector, such as a hook and loop panel, to the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 at a location between an opposed first la and second lb ends thereof. The method can further include attaching at least one lower connector, such as a hook and loop panel, to the lower surface 32 of the panel 12 and adjacent to the first tapered end 14 such that the at least one lower connector is carried by the tapered panel portion 22. It should be appreciated that the method can also include attaching a pair of spaced apart connectors to the upper surface 30 of the panel 12 and attaching a pair of spaced apart connectors to the lower surface 32 of the panel 12. The step of attaching the connectors to the panel 12 can include stitching the connectors to the panel 12, bonding the connectors to the panel 12 and/or sealing the connectors to the panel 12 (e.g. ultrasonic and/or heat sealing).

Although the disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the processes, machines, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein that may be utilized according to the present disclosure

Claims

1. A flexible cushion wrap configured to at least partially surround a handle of a load transport device, the flexible wrap comprising:

a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface;

at least one upper connector carried by the upper surface between the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel; and

at least one lower connector carried by the lower surface and adjacent to the first tapered end;

wherein when flexible cushion wrap is positioned around the handle the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one lower connector can attach to the at least one upper connector.

2. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel has a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the first and second sides extend along respective first and second directions that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction toward the first tapered end so as to define a tapered panel portion.

3. The flexible wrap of claim 2, wherein the at least one lower connector is a first lower connector that is carried by the tapered panel portion, and the flexible panel includes and a second lower connector, the second lower connector being spaced from the first lower connector and the second end of the panel along the longitudinal direction.

4. The flexible wrap of claim 3, wherein the at least one upper connector is a first upper connector, and the flexible panel includes and a second upper connector, the second upper connector being spaced from the first upper connector and adjacent to the second end of the flexible panel.

5. The flexible wrap of claim 4, wherein when the flexible wrap is positioned on the handle, the first upper connector is removably secured to the first lower connector and the second upper connector is removably secured to the second lower connector.

6. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel is formed of one or more layers of a cushioning substrate.

7. The flexible wrap of claim 6, wherein the cushioning substrate is a textile fabric.

8. The flexible wrap of claim 7, wherein the textile fabric is formed at least partially of neoprene fibers.

9. The flexible wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one lower connector and the at least one upper connector each include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.

10. A flexible wrap configured to at least partially surround an elongate member, the flexible wrap comprising:

a flexible panel having a first tapered end, a second end spaced from the first tapered end along the longitudinal direction, an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface;

a first upper connector carried by the upper surface of the flexible panel;

a second upper connector carried by the upper surface of the flexible panel, the second upper connector being spaced from the first upper connector and adjacent to the second end of the flexible panel;

a first lower connector carried by the lower surface of the flexible panel;

a second lower connector spaced from the first lower connector and the second end of the panel along the longitudinal direction,

wherein when flexible wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the flexible panel is configured such that the at least one of the first and second lower connectors can attach to at least one of the first and second upper connectors.

11. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein when the flexible wrap is positioned around the elongate member, the first upper connector is removably attached to the first lower connector and the second upper connector is removably attached to the second lower connector.

12. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein the flexible panel has a first side, and a second side spaced from the first side along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the first and second sides extend along respective first and second directions that are angularly offset with respect to the longitudinal direction toward the first tapered end.

13. The flexible wrap of claim 12, wherein the at least a portion of the first and second sides converge toward a longitudinal central axis that is aligned with the longitudinal direction, and extends through the first tapered end, the longitudinal central axis being equidistant from the first and second sides.

14. The flexible wrap of claim 13, wherein the flexible wrap is configured the first lower connector can be removably attached to the first upper connector when the first tapered end is oriented along a direction that is offset with respect to the longitudinal direction.

15. The flexible wrap of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the first and second lower connectors include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.

16. The flexible wrap of claim 14, wherein the at least one of the first and upper lower connectors include either a hook fastener panel or a loop fastener panel.

17. A method for manufacturing a flexible wrap, the method comprising the steps of

forming a flexible panel to have a first tapered end and second end that is spaced from the first tapered end along a longitudinal direction, the flexible panel having a upper surface and an opposed lower surface;

attaching a first connector to an upper surface at a location space apart from the first tapered end and the second end of the flexible panel;

attaching a second connector to a lower surface of the flexible panel and adjacent to the first end such that the second fastener is carried by the tapered portion;

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of attaching a third connector to the upper surface of the flexible panel adjacent the second end of the panel; and attaching a fourth connector to the lower surface of the flexible panel at a location that is spaced from the second connector and the second end of the flexible panel.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of shaping the flexible panel such that the first tapered end define a tapered portion, and the second connector is carried by the tapered portion.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of shaping the flexible panel comprises the step of cutting one or more layers of a textile fabric so as to form a flexible panel with the tapered portion.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the steps of attaching the first and second connector comprise at least one of the following steps:

stitching the connector to the flexible panel;

bonding the connector to the flexible panel; and

sealing the connector to the flexible panel.