Boulder covering
An easily interchangeable cover to be used with objects such as rocks, boulders, or other items. The cover allows for airflow between the cover and the object to provide a uniform shape of the cover regardless of the object's deformities and contours. The cover also has a securing means which helps to secure the cover to the object to prevent it from blowing or otherwise being removed from the object.
A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatus for covers. More specifically, this invention relates to covers for large outdoor objects, including rocks, stones, boulders, or other formations. The cover is capable of remaining in position over the object regardless of weather conditions. The decorative cover is also capable of altering the appearance of the outdoor object enhancing the object's aesthetic appeal.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art to provide covers for outdoor devices including automobiles, motorcycles, boats, barbeque grills, outdoor furniture, air conditioner compressors, and pools. Use of these covers protects the devices from the weather and eliminates the need of keeping these devices indoors; this is especially useful where there is not adequate indoor storage space.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for providing a cover for objects such as rocks, stones and boulders, other natural and unnatural formations, or piles of objects. The cover is easily interchangeable to allow the user to alter the appearance of the covered object as desired. In addition, the cover provides a uniform shape to the covered object, enhancing the object's aesthetic appeal. The cover also eliminates the need of painting the object to give it a more pleasing appearance, which saves money, time, and frustration.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one advantage of the present invention, a new and improved decorative cover is provided which allows for covering of an object for aesthetic reasons.
Another advantage of the present invention is a cover that allows for easy interchangeability.
According to yet another advantage of the present invention is a cover securely fastened to the object.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a cover that has a closure means to secure the cover to the object.
Another advantage of the present invention is a cover made of durable material.
Still another advantage of the present invention is a cover made of nylon, vinyl, leather, or any other material that is waterproof or resistant to various weather conditions.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a cover that provides coverage of a variety of objects, regardless of the object's size.
Still another advantage of the present invention is at least a first opening that allows air to flow between the object and the cover.
Another advantage of the present invention is at least a first opening to allow air to flow between the object and the cover giving the object a uniform shape and regardless of the contours of the object underneath.
Still another advantage of the present invention is a cover that allows for easy interchangeability.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a cover that allows the user to frequently and easily change the appearance of the object.
Another advantage of the present invention is a cover that provides an easy method of changing the appearance of an object without the necessity of using paints or other camouflage type products.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a first forming means for use in gathering the material the top of an associated object;
Still another advantage of the present invention is a closure means for use in securing said cover to said associated object.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
With continuing reference to
Referring now to
With continuing reference to
With continued reference to
With reference now to all the FIGURES, the cover 2 has a second portion 14. The second portion 14 may have apertures or openings 36 around the circumference of the cover 2. Although openings 36 are shown the entire circumference of the cover 2, the number and arrangement of the openings 36 may vary as chosen with sound judgment. The opening 36 may be made from grommets, rivets, eyelets, metal rings, plastic rings, or through a series of stitches as is commonly used for button holes on articles of clothing. The openings 36 allow air to flow into or enter the cover 2. The airflow is shown by Arrows A, B, and C of
In another embodiment, there may be an air compressor or air pump (not shown) attached to the opening 36 via a hose or tube. The use of an air compressor or air pump would provide constant airflow into the opening 36. The constant airflow would be present regardless of the weather conditions and despite the fact that there may be a lack of air movement. In this way the cover 2 would continuously serve its intended purpose while the air compress or air pump remain energized.
With continuing reference to
With continuing reference to
The use of a drawstring 44 is an adjustable way to secure or tighten the cover 2 to various size objects 4. The tightening and securing of the drawstring 44 also helps prevent air from escaping. The drawstring may be a rope, string, or other material that has enough strength to keep the cover 2 secure to the object 4, as chosen with sound judgment.
In an alternate embodiment, an elastic band 45 may be included with the subject invention wherein the elastic band 45 is received by the hem 42 in a similar manner to that of the drawstring 44. The elastic band would allow the hem 42 to be expanded and automatically retracted via the memory of the elastic band 45. It is noted that any type of resiliently elastic material may be used to construct the elastic band 45 as chosen with sound engineering judgment. In this way, the cover 2 may be stretched, widening the opening of the cover 2, and either removed from or installed onto the boulder as described above. When installation or removal is complete the elastic band 45 would automatically return to it original shape, thus for example, automatically securing the cover 2 to the boulder.
In another embodiment, rather than having a hem 42 and drawstring 44, the material would be longer in length at the third portion 16 to allow the material to extend outward beyond the perimeter of the boulder's base 18. The provided extra length of material would allow the user to lay that extra material flat along the ground around the boulder. In this way, weights, soil, or decorative elements, such as pumpkins, may be placed on top of that extra length of material to keep the material in place on the border and to prevent any airflow from escaping from the bottom of the cover.
Referring now to
With continuing reference to
It is contemplated that the covers 2 will be provided in not only different designs, but also various shapes and sizes to enable the cover 2 to fit on many different sizes of objects 5. The user, desiring a cover 2, would measure the object 4 and provide that information so that the appropriate cover may be manufactured and purchased.
The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
Claims
1. A decorative cover for an associated outdoor object, comprising:
- a piece of material having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein at least a first pleat is fashioned within the first portion of the piece of material;
- at least a first aperture fashioned within the second portion of the piece of material for use in allowing air to flow within the decorative cover; and,
- securing means operatively received within the third portion of the piece of material for use in tightening the decorative cover around the associated outdoor object.
2. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein the securing means is a drawstring.
3. The decorative cover of claim 2, wherein the third portion of the piece of material includes:
- a hem operatively holding the drawstring to the piece of material.
4. The decorative cover of claim 3, wherein the drawstring is selectively adjustable between a first untightened position and a second tightened position.
5. A method for covering an associated outdoor object, comprising the steps of:
- providing: a piece of material having at least a first pleat fashioned in the top portion of the piece of material and a drawstring operatively received within an end portion of the piece of material;
- placing the piece of material over the associated outdoor object; and,
- tightening the drawstring thereby securing the piece of material to the associated outdoor object.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of:
- providing a piece of material having at least a first pleat fashioned in the top portion of the piece of material and a drawstring operatively received within an end portion of the piece of material, comprises the step of:
- providing a piece of material having at least a first pleat fashioned in the top portion of the piece of material, a drawstring operatively received within an end portion of the piece of material and at least a first aperture fashioned within the piece of material; and,
- automatically allowing air to flow into the at least a first aperture;
- automatically expanding the cover around the associated object.
7. A method of decorating of an associated boulder, comprising the steps of:
- providing a piece of durable material;
- decorating at least a first side the piece of material;
- placing the piece of material over an associated boulder wherein the at least a first side of the decorated material is facing outward;
- operatively tightening an end portion of the piece of material for use in securing the piece of material to the associated boulder.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:
- fashioning at least a first pleat in a top portion of the piece of material;
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:
- forming a hem in an end portion of the piece of material;
- inserting a draw string into the hem; and,
- wherein the step of operatively tightening an end portion of the piece of material, comprises the step of:
- tightening the drawstring thereby tightening an end portion of the piece of material for use in securing the piece of material to the associated boulder.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
- decorating a second side of the piece of material;
- selecting either the first decorated side or the second decorated side of the piece of material; and,
- wherein the step of placing the piece of material over an associated boulder wherein the at least a first side of the decorated material is facing outward, comprises the step of:
- placing the piece of material over an associated boulder wherein the selected either the first decorated side or the second decorated side of the decorated material is facing outward.
11. The decorative cover of claim 1, wherein the securing means is an elastic band.
Type: Application
Filed: May 25, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2005
Inventor: Steven Connolly (Copley, OH)
Application Number: 10/852,853