Abstract:
The present invention provides a removable sheathing apparatus comprising a covering member with a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is removably attached to the second edge by a connector. The apparatus also comprises a first shape retaining member which is attached to a third edge of the covering member. Further included is at least one support member movably extending away from the third edge of the covering member. Also provided is a corresponding method of sheathing a pole utilizing the removable sheathing apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a decorative pole, post, column cover, or wind sock and a method for decorating a pole, post or column. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Providing decorative means for enhancing the appearance of a pole, post or column is often desirable in both the commercial and personal setting. For example, businesses today are under pressure to increase sales at an accelerating pace. Achieving success often depends on imaginative indoor and outdoor advertising. Eye-catching decorations can have a positive impact in increasing the awareness of a retail location, thereby increasing sales. In the personal context, decorations are often used to enhance the appearance of one&#39;s property. Additionally, people often enjoy publicizing the aspects of their individual identity that are important to them though patriotic, holiday or other decorations. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a wrap-around decorative pole, post or column cover, and a method for decorating a pole, post, column or wind sock that is aesthetically pleasing, an efficient use of space, and easy to install and remove. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A first aspect of the present invention is a removable sheathing apparatus comprising: a covering member having a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is removably attached to said second edge by a connector; a first shape retaining member, attached to a third edge of said covering member; and at least one support member movably extending away from the third edge of said covering member. 
         [0007]    A second aspect of the present invention is a removable sheathing apparatus comprising: a covering member of a length, configured to a generally geometric shape; a first shape retaining member configured to associate to a first edge of said covering member; and at least one support member movably extending away from said first edge of said covering member. 
         [0008]    A third aspect of the present invention is a method of sheathing a pole comprising: providing a pole; providing a removable sheathing apparatus including: a covering member, having a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge; a connector, configured to removably attach said first edge with said second edge; at least one support member, configured to attach to the third edge of said covering member; at least one securing member, configured to associate said at least one support member to said pole; and a first shape retaining member, configured to associate to the third edge of said covering member; surrounding said pole with the removable sheathing apparatus, such that the removable sheathing apparatus surrounds at least a portion of the pole; securing the removable sheathing apparatus to the pole with the at least one securing member; and attaching the first edge of said covering member to the second edge of said covering member with said connector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the present invention in operation; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows an enlarged partial section view of assembling the shape retaining member in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of one of the embodiments of the present invention attached to a pole; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a front plan view of one of the embodiments of the present invention in operation; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded perspective view of one of the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a removable sheathing apparatus  100  is shown having a covering member  10 . A covering member  10  may have a first edge  21 , a second edge  22 , a third edge  23 , and a fourth edge  24 . A covering member  10  may be continuous or may have one or more openings there through. A covering member  10  may comprise a single member or a plurality of members. For example, a plurality of members may be several pieces of fabric, each of a different color, sewn together to form a covering member  10 . A further example may be multiple sheets in an overlay or overlap. A covering member  10  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, polymer, metal, composite, paper, textile, cardboard, ceramic, or any other like material. A covering member  10  may have a display  11 . A display  11  may be patriotic designs, holiday designs, advertisements, patterns, artwork, colorful prints, static images, dynamic images, movies, videos, electronic display, projection display, plasma display, liquid crystal display, or any other display or imaging device. A display may be of any size, shape, texture, or color, and may take up any portion of a covering member  10 . The covering member may be used as a windsock in addition to a pole covering. 
         [0017]    A first edge  21  may be removably attached to second edge  22  by connector  40 . A connector  40  may be a zipper, buttons, an adhesive, tie-cords, or any other attachment means. A removable sheathing apparatus may be removably attached to a pole  110 . Pole  110  may be a column, post, tree, planting stand, table leg, flag pole, tent pole, gazebo member or anything with a length and a perimeter or circumference that may accommodate a sheathing apparatus  100 . Connecting first edge  21  with second edge  22  with connector  40  may occur after pole  110  has been surrounded by covering member  10 . Alternately, the connection may occur before pole  110  has been encircled by covering member  10 . In this case, covering member  10  may be slid over the top of pole  110 , thereby surrounding pole  110 . 
         [0018]    Connector  40  may be applied to attach first edge  21  and second edge  22  so that covering member  10  surrounds at least a portion of pole  110  when removable sheathing apparatus  100  is attached to pole  110 . Alternately, when connector  40  attaches first edge  21  and second edge  22 , pole  110  may still be outside the enclosed, covering member. In this embodiment, when removable sheathing apparatus  100  is attached to pole  110 , it may hang to the side of pole  110 , resembling a windsock. 
         [0019]    Connector  40  may be connected after covering member  10  surrounds pole  110 . Alternately, connector  40  may be connected before covering member  10  surrounds pole  110 , and then covering member  10  may be pulled over the top of pole  110  in order to then cover pole  110 . 
         [0020]    A shape retaining member  30 ,  31  may be configured to associate to a third or fourth edge  23 ,  24  of a covering member  10 . Association may be facilitated by a feature  60 ,  61  such as a hemmed fold, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, a first shape retaining member  30  may be inserted into a hemmed fold  60  in a third edge  23  of a covering member  10 . Likewise, in this embodiment, a second shape retaining member  31  may be inserted into a hemmed fold  61  in a fourth edge  24  of a covering member  10 . A shape retaining member  30 ,  31  may be circular in shape, or it may be any other polygonal, curved, or freeform shape. A shape retaining member  30 ,  31  need not be a completely enclosed shape, but instead may be opened, for example, like a semi circle. After being attached to a third or fourth edge  23 ,  24 , a shape retaining member  30 ,  31  may allow covering member  10  to take the shape of a shape retaining member  30 ,  31 . A first shape retaining member  30  need not be the same size or shape as a second shape retaining member  31 . 
         [0021]    The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  illustrates that a removable sheathing apparatus  100  may be generally cylindrical in shape when connector  40  attaches first edge  21  to second edge  22 . Additionally, the circumference of the generally cylindrical shape may be greater than the circumference of pole  110  so that connector  40  may be applied to attach first edge  21  and second edge  22  when covering member  10  surrounds pole  110 . This difference in circumference may allow a removable sheathing apparatus  100  to stand out from pole  110  which may catch the eye of a passerby and be generally aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0022]    A covering member  10  may include a feature  60 ,  61  at an edge  23 ,  24 , which may be configured to facilitate an association with a shape retaining member  30 ,  31 . A feature  60 ,  61  may be hemmed folds, brackets, clips, clamps, bolts, screws, or any other like feature. In one embodiment, a first shape retaining member  30  may be attached to a third edge  23  of covering member  10  by, for example, being inserted into a first hemmed fold  60  in third edge  23 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . First shape retaining member  30  may be generally circular in shape, but may also be any other polygonal or curved shape. First shape retaining member  30  need not be a completely enclosed shape, but may be opened like, for example, a semi circle or a circle with a small missing section. First shape retaining member  30  may also be an un-curved pole before being inserted into first hemmed fold  60  and may instead be bent and then held in a circular, curved or polygonal shape when connected with a connector  40 . First hemmed fold  60  may be sewn, stapled, or adhered in any other feasible way to covering member  10 . First shape retaining member  30  may allow covering member  10  to retain a fully expanded cylindrical shape, keeping covering member  10  open, when connector  40  attaches first edge  21  to second edge  22 . First shape retaining member  30  may be a pole, rod, shaft, strip, strap, or hoop, and may be made of plastic, metal, a composite, wood, cardboard, canvas, stiff fabric, or any other material that would allow a covering member  10  to maintain its shape when connector  40  connects first edge  21  and second edge  22 . Further, the first shape retaining member  30  may be an integral member, a plurality of members, or a collapsible member. 
         [0023]    Additionally, a second shape retaining member  31  may be attached to a fourth edge  24  of covering member  10 . In one embodiment, a second shape retaining member  31  may be attached to fourth edge  24  by being inserted into a second hemmed fold  61  in fourth edge  24 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Second hemmed fold  61  may be sewn, stapled, glued, snapped, buttoned, or adhered in any other feasible way to covering member  10 . Second shape retaining member  31  may be generally circular in shape, but may also be any other polygonal or curved shape that is appropriate. Second shape retaining member  31  may not be a completely enclosed shape, but instead may be opened, for example, like a semi circle or a circle with a small missing section. Second shape retaining member  31  need not be a circular, curved or polygonal shape before being inserted into second hemmed fold  61  and may instead be an un-curved pole that is bent and then held in a circular, curved or polygonal shape when connector  40  is attached. Second shape retaining member  31  may also help to allow covering member  10  to retain a fully expanded shape, keeping covering member  10  open, when connector  40  attaches first edge  21  to second edge  22 . Second shape retaining member  31  may be a pole, rod, shaft, strip, strap, or hoop, and may be made of plastic, metal, a composite, wood, cardboard, canvas, stiff fabric, or any other material that would allow a covering member  10  to maintain its shape when connector  40  connects first edge  21  and second edge  22 . Further, the second shape retaining member  31  may be an integral member, a plurality of members, or a collapsible member. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, third edge  23  may have a substantially similar length as fourth edge  24 . In this embodiment, covering member  10  may be substantially cylindrical, after first edge  21  and second edge  22  are attached by connector  40 . Alternately, third edge  23  may have a greater or lesser length than fourth edge  24 . In this embodiment, covering member  10  may have a tapered shape after first edge  21  and second edge  22  is attached by connector  40 . 
         [0025]    A support member  51 ,  52  may extend away from a third edge  23  of a covering member  10 . A support member  51 ,  52  may be a strap, string, bar, hook, chain, cable, plate, beam, or any other type of support. A support member  51 ,  52  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, metal, or any other material that may function in supporting a sheathing apparatus  100 . Additionally, support members  51 ,  52  may be colored or decorated to compliment a display  11  on a covering member  10 . A support member may be a single component or a plurality of components. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrates that a plurality of support members  51 ,  52  may be straps extending from a third edge  23  of covering member  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , both ends of each support member  51 ,  52  may be attached to a third edge  23  on or around a hemmed fold  60  thereby forming a loop. Alternatively, each support member  51 ,  52  may extend through an opening beneath a third edge  23  in a covering member  10 . Furthermore, only one end of each support member  51 ,  52  may be attached to third edge  23 . In this embodiment, support members  51 ,  52  may be folded back on themselves and attached, thereby forming loops. Support members  51 ,  52  may be attached by a stitching, staples, glue, weld, bolt, screw, crimp, tie, button, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, thread, adhesive, or any other attachment means. 
         [0026]    At least one support member  51 ,  52  may be secured to pole  110  by a securing member  70 . A securing member  70  may be configured to secure a support member  51 ,  52  to a pole  110 . A securing member  70  may be a strap, cord, bolt, screw, hook, clamp, or any other securing means. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrates that a securing member  70  may be a tie cord such as a plastic strap, hook-and-loop strap, string, adjustable cord, or any other type of strap or cord. In this embodiment, a securing member  70  may be inserted through each support member  51 ,  52  and then tied to pole  110 . In another example, a first end of at least one support member  51 ,  52  may be first attached to third edge  23  by stitching, staples, button or another adhesive. At least one support member  51 ,  52  may then be wrapped around or tied to pole  110 . Then, a second end of at least one support member  51 ,  52  may be then attached by stitching, staples, button or another adhesive, to hemmed fold  60  across from where first end is attached. Furthermore, removable sheathing apparatus  100  may also include a securing member  70  attached to the at least one support member  51 ,  52 . A securing member  70  may secure removable sheathing apparatus  100  to pole  110 . A securing member  70  may be inserted through the loop formed by each of at least one support member  51 ,  52  and then tied to pole  110  in order to secure removable sheathing apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , and with continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a removable sheathing apparatus  200  is shown. In one embodiment, removable sheathing apparatus  200  may have a generally cylindrical covering member  210  having a length  211  and a circumference  212 . Circumference  212  may be greater than perimeter  111  of pole  110 . This difference in lengths may allow a removable sheathing apparatus  200  to stand out from pole  110 , catch the eye of a passerby, and be aesthetically pleasing. Covering member  210  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, or any other bendable or elastic material. Covering member  210  may be decorated with patriotic designs, holiday designs, advertisements, or any other aesthetically desirable displays. Pole  110  may be a column, post, tree, or anything with a length and a perimeter or circumference that may accommodate a removable sheathing apparatus  200 . 
         [0028]    A covering member  210  may include a feature  260 ,  261  at an edge  23 ,  24 , which may be configured to facilitate an association with a shape retaining member  230 ,  231 . A feature  260 ,  261  may be hemmed folds, brackets, clips, clamps, bolts, screws, or any other like feature. A first shape retaining member  230  may be connected to a third edge  221  of covering member  210 . First shape retaining member  230  may be attached to third edge  221  by being inserted into a first hemmed fold  260  in third edge  221 . First hemmed fold  260  may be sewn, stapled, or adhered in any other feasible way to covering member  210 . First shape retaining member  230  may be generally circular in shape, but may also be any other polygonal or curved shape that is appropriate. First shape retaining member  230  may not be a completely enclosed shape, but instead may be opened, for example, like a semi circle, or a circle with a small missing section. First shape retaining member  230  need not be a circular, curved or polygonal shape before being inserted into first hemmed fold  260  and may instead be bent and then held in a circular, curved or polygonal shape when connector  240  is attached. First shape retaining member  230  may maintain covering member  210  in its fully expanded shape by keeping covering member  210  opened. Additionally, first shape retaining member  230  may be a pole, rod, shaft or hoop, and may be made of plastic, metal, a composite material, or any other material with enough rigidity for covering member  210  to maintain its shape. 
         [0029]    A support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may extend away from a third edge  221  of a covering member  210 . A support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be a strap, string, bar, hook, chain, cable, plate, beam, or any other type of support. A support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, metal, or any other material that may function in supporting a sheathing apparatus  200 . Additionally, support members  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be colored or decorated to compliment a display  11  on a covering member  210 . A support member may be a single component or a plurality of components. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  illustrates that a plurality of support members  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be straps extending from a third edge  221  of covering member  210 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , both ends of each support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be attached to a third edge  221  on or around a hemmed fold  260  thereby forming a loop. Alternatively, each support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may extend through an opening beneath a third edge  221  in a covering member  210 . Furthermore, only one end of each support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be attached to third edge  221 . In this embodiment, support members  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be folded back on themselves and attached, thereby forming loops. Support members  251 ,  252 ,  253  may be attached by a stitching, staples, glue, weld, bolt, screw, crimp, tie, button, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, thread, adhesive, or any other attachment means. 
         [0030]    A second shape retaining member  231  may be connected to a fourth edge  222  of covering member  210 . Second shape retaining member  231  may be attached to a fourth edge  222  by being inserted into a second hemmed fold  261  in a fourth edge  222 . Second hemmed fold  261  may be sewn, stapled, or adhered in any other feasible way to covering member  210 . Second shape retaining member  231  may be generally circular in shape, but may also be any other polygonal or curved shape that is appropriate. Second shape retaining member  231  may not be a completely enclosed shape, but instead may be opened, for example, like a semi circle, or a circle with a small missing section. Second shape retaining member  231  may help keep covering member  210  fully expanded in its shape by keeping covering member  210  opened. Additionally, second shape retaining member  231  may be a pole, rod, shaft or hoop, and may be made of plastic, metal, a composite material, or any other material with enough rigidity for covering member  210  to maintain a its desired shape. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, third edge  221  may have a substantially similar length as fourth edge  222 . In this embodiment, covering member  210  may be substantially cylindrical. Alternately, third edge  221  may have a greater or lesser length than fourth edge  222 . In this embodiment, covering member  210  may have a tapered shape. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, removable sheathing apparatus  200  may further comprise a connector  240  to fasten together lengthwise covering member  210 . Connector  240  may work in conjunction with first and second shape retaining members  230 ,  231  in order to define the shape of removable sheathing apparatus  200  with a length  211  and a circumference  212 . Connector  240  may be a zipper, buttons, an adhesive, a tie-cord, or any other similar attachment means. The zipper may run the length  211  of covering member  210 . Buttons or a tie cord may also be applied intermittently across length  211  to fasten removable sheathing apparatus  200  into its shape. Connector  240  may run lengthwise along covering member  210  and may be applied to attach first edge  223  and second edge  224 . When connector  240  attaches first edge  223  and second edge  224 , covering member  210  may be configured to surround at least a portion of pole  110 . 
         [0033]    Removable sheathing apparatus  200  may further comprise a securing member  270  attached to the support member  251 ,  252 ,  253 . Securing member  270  may secure removable sheathing apparatus  200  to pole  110 . A securing member  270  may be a strap, cord, bolt, screw, hook, clamp, or any other securing means. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  illustrates that a securing member  270  may be a tie cord such as a plastic strap, hook-and-loop strap, string, adjustable cord, or any other type of strap or cord. In this embodiment, a securing member  270  may be inserted through the loop of each of support member  251 ,  252 ,  253  and then tied to pole  110  in order to secure removable sheathing apparatus  200  to pole  110 . Alternatively, securing member  270  may be strapped, fastened, buttoned, or adhered to pole  110 . 
         [0034]    A method of sheathing a pole is now described with reference to  FIG. 5  and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 . One methodological step of sheathing a pole may be to provide a pole  110 . A provided pole  110  may comprise a pole length dimension  112  and a pole perimeter dimension  111 . A pole  110  may be a column, post, tree, or anything with a pole length dimension  112  and a pole perimeter dimension  111 . 
         [0035]    An additional methodological step of sheathing a pole may be to provide a removable sheathing apparatus  300 . A provided removable sheathing apparatus  300  may include a covering member  310 , a connector  340 , at least one support member  351 ,  352 ,  353 , at least one securing member  370 , and a first shape retaining member  330 . 
         [0036]    A covering member  310  may have a first edge  323 , a second edge  324 , a third edge  321 , and a fourth edge  322 . A covering member  310  may have a dimension  312  provided by the shortest distance along an interior surface of a covering member  310  between a first edge  323  and a second edge  324 . A covering member  310 , may also have a length  311  provided by the distance along a covering member  310  between a third edge  321  and a fourth edge  322 . A width dimension  312  may be greater than pole perimeter dimension  111 . This may allow a covering member  310  to wrap around a pole  110 . A covering member  310  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, polymer, metal, composite, paper, textile, cardboard, ceramic, or any other like material. A covering member  310  may include a feature  360 ,  361  at an edge  321 ,  322 , which may be configured to facilitate an association with a shape retaining member  330 ,  331 . A feature  360 ,  361  may be hemmed folds, brackets, clips, clamps, bolts, screws, or any other like feature. A connector  340  may be configured to removably attach a first edge  323  with a second edge  324  of a covering member  310 . A covering member  310  may have a display  11 . A display  11  may be patriotic designs, holiday designs, advertisements, patterns, artwork, colorful prints, static images, dynamic images, movies, videos, electronic display, projection display, plasma display, liquid crystal display, or any other display or imaging device. Additionally, width dimension  312  may be wider than pole perimeter dimension  111  so that a covering member  310  may be entirely spaced apart from a pole  110 . Such spacing may provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, allowing covering member  310  to appear larger than a pole  110  rather than wrapped tightly around it. This may also enhance the visibility of a covering member  310 , and may, therefore, increase attention to a display  11 , or it may provide sufficient area to accommodate a display  11 . 
         [0037]    Connector  340  may be a zipper, buttons, an adhesive, tie-cords, or any other attachment means. In the case of a zipper, the two sides may be attached to first edge  323  and second edge  324  along length  311 . Buttons or a tie cord may also be applied intermittently across length  311  to attach a covering member first edge  323  with a covering member second edge  324 . Connecting first edge  323  with second edge  324  with connector  340  may occur after pole  110  has been surrounded by covering member  310 . Alternately, the connection may occur before pole  110  has been encircled by covering member  310 . In this case, covering member  310  may be slid over the top  115  of pole  110 , thereby surrounding pole  110 . 
         [0038]    A support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be configured to attach to a third edge  321  of a covering member  310 . A support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be a strap, string, bar, hook, chain, cable, plate, beam, or any other type of support. A support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be made of fabric, nylon, plastic, metal, or any other material that may function in supporting a sheathing apparatus  300 . Additionally, support members  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be colored or decorated to compliment a display  11  on a covering member  310 . A support member may be a single component or a plurality of components. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  illustrates that a plurality of support members  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be straps extending from a third edge  321  of covering member  310 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , both ends of each support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be attached to a third edge  321  on or around a feature  360  thereby forming a loop. Alternatively, each support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may extend through an opening beneath a third edge  321  in a covering member  310 . Furthermore, only one end of each support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be attached to third edge  321 . In this embodiment, support members  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be folded and attached to mid-points on themselves, thereby forming loops. Support members  351 ,  352 ,  353  may be attached by a stitching, staples, glue, weld, bolt, screw, crimp, tie, button, hook-and-loop fastener, zipper, thread, adhesive, or any other attachment means. 
         [0039]    A securing member  370  may be configured to associate a sheathing apparatus  300  to a pole  110 . A securing member  370  may be a strap, cord, bolt, screw, hook, clamp, or any other securing means. For example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  illustrates that a securing member  370  may be a tie cord such as a plastic strap, hook-and-loop strap, string, adjustable cord, or any other type of strap or cord. In this embodiment, a securing member  370  may be inserted through each support member  351 ,  352 ,  353  and then tied to pole  110 . 
         [0040]    A shape retaining member  330 ,  331  may be configured to associate to a third or fourth edge  321 ,  322  of a covering member  310 . Association may be facilitated by a feature  360 ,  361  such as a hemmed fold, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, a first shape retaining member  330  may be inserted into a hemmed fold  360  in a third edge  321  of a covering member  310 . Likewise, in this embodiment, a second shape retaining member  331  may be inserted into a hemmed fold  361  in a fourth edge  322  of a covering member  310 . A shape retaining member  330 ,  331  may be circular in shape, or it may be any other polygonal, curved, or freeform shape. A shape retaining member  330 ,  331  need not be a completely enclosed shape, but instead may be opened, for example, like a semi circle. A shape retaining member  330 ,  331  may be a pole, rod, shaft, strip, strap, or hoop, and may be made of plastic, metal, a composite, wood, cardboard, canvas, stiff fabric, or any other material that would allow a covering member  310  to maintain its shape when connector  340  connects first edge  323  and second edge  324 . Further, a shape retaining member  330 ,  331  may be an integral member, a plurality of members, or a collapsible member. After being attached to a third or fourth edge  321 ,  322 , a shape retaining member  330 ,  331  may allow covering member  310  to take the shape of a shape retaining member  330 ,  331 . A first shape retaining member  330  need not be the same size or shape as a second shape retaining member  331 . 
         [0041]    Yet another methodological step of sheathing a pole may be to surround a pole  110  with a removable sheathing apparatus  300 , such that the removable sheathing apparatus  300  surrounds at least a portion of the pole  110 . An additional methodological step may be to secure a removable sheathing apparatus  300  to a pole  110  with at least one securing member  370 . Still further, another methodological step may be to attach a first edge  323  of a covering member to a second edge  324  of a covering member with a connector  340 . 
         [0042]    Various modifications and variations of the described apparatus and methods of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, outlined above, it should be understood that the invention should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.