Patent ID: 8985672
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. Inflatable covering apparatus comprising: a double-layer shroud having a length and a width, the double-layer shroud configured for encompassing an object, the double-layer shroud having an inner layer and an outer layer connected at their peripheries and wherein the outer layer is larger in area than the inner layer thereby defining an inflatable chamber there between, at least one of the outer layer and the inner layer having a plurality of spaced apart elongated stretchable members with each of the plurality of stretchable members traversing the width of the double-layer shroud such that at least one of the plurality of stretchable members extends from one side of the object to a second side of the object and over the top of the object when the double-layer shroud is placed over the object and further for drawing the shroud inward toward the covered object; a drawstring assembly encircling the periphery of the shroud such that the periphery of the shroud may be selectably drawn from an extended state to a constricted state and released from a constricted state to an extended state; at least one blower port integrated into the shroud, the blower port(s) providing fluid communication between the inflatable chamber and the outside world; at least one blower assembly removably attachable to a blower port, the blower assembly having at least one blower for communicating air from the outside world to the inflatable chamber when attached to the blower port; and a control module operably coupled to one or more blower assembly and having an activation circuit for activating one or more blower, the control module further comprising a communication circuit for receiving an external signal issued by a weather alerting service, wherein the activation circuit activates the one or more blowers in response to the receipt of the external signal issued by the weather alerting service.