Abstract:
A cover is for a furniture item defining a recess at an upper end. The cover may include a cover layer extending over the furniture item and over the recess and having an inner surface adjacent the recess, and a bladder coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer adjacent the recess and configured to inflate. The bladder is for preventing depressions on an upper surface of the cover layer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 12/800,983, from which priority is claimed, the contents of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to covers intended to protect outdoor furniture, particularly to protect furniture placed outdoors in all kinds of weather. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Furniture such as chairs, tables and lounges, are commonly placed outside in gardens and recreational areas in all parts of the country. The furniture is exposed to all kinds of weather—rain, snow, bleaching sun,—for long periods of time, even in periods of time when the furniture is not in use. Such periods include winter, stormy weather, night-time etc. During these periods of non-use, the typical home owner typically covers his furniture with covers which are made specifically to cover furniture. The traditional approach to eliminating collection pockets is to provide form fitting covers intended to shield the furniture from weather elements and debris. 
         [0004]    A particular problem presented to home owners is that design and shape of the furniture draped with a cover forms pockets that become collectors of water and debris (particularly leaves). The collection of water and debris grows and becomes particularly objectionable over long periods of time such as during the winter, or when the owner is absent on a vacation trip. The job of removing a cover holding heavy large pockets of watery debris becomes overwhelming and difficult as the size and weight of the collection of debris increases. 
         [0005]    The traditional approach to eliminate collection pockets has been to provide form fitting covers intended to shield the furniture from weather elements and debris. This solution has not been satisfactory from the standpoint that furniture comes in a range of sizes, etc., and no one size of cover fits all sizes and designs of furniture. Additionally, the form-fitted cover approach does not prevent collection cavities to occur even when the covers are closely form fitted. 
         [0006]    Numerous disclosures have appeared in the patent literature related to the design of covers intended to overcome the debris collection problem for outdoor furniture. 
         [0007]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0117001 discloses a weatherproof covering of flexible material fitted for a variety of furniture designs. A flexible harness of strap members is secured permanently by sewing or removably by velcro to the flexible material. A bar with hook ends is attachable to an edge of the material that performs as a weight intended to maintain the material in its position. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0016484 discloses a cover having a UV resistant outer layer. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,055 discloses a cover to which flexible straps are sewn. The flexibility of the straps and design of the cover permits that the cover may be used to cover furniture having any one of a number of designs. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,866 discloses a cover for an umbrella table wherein the umbrella pole extends through an opening in the center of the cover. The cover is releasably secured to the pole. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,530 discloses a cover for an umbrella table in which the umbrella extends through the cover draped over the table. Inclined drain channels are formed by the cover draped over the table with the umbrella pole extending through the center of the table and cover and supporting the cover in an inclined position to facilitate drainage over the edges of the covered table. None of the disclosures have adequately resolved the problem of eliminating the formation of debris laden pools of water from outdoor furniture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    It is an object of this invention to provide an all-weather cover for protecting an article of outdoor furniture. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of this invention to prevent the accumulation of (rain) water and (leaf, sticks, paper) debris on exposed surfaces such as table tops. 
         [0014]    This invention is directed toward a cover for protecting tables and outdoor furniture, in general, from accumulation of rain water such as typically occurs on table tops. The outside edge of the cover has a shape and size which permit draping the cover completely over an item of furniture. 
         [0015]    Means are provided, according to the invention, to prevent the cover from sagging against the covered furniture (table top) and forming depressions where rain water would otherwise collect. The rainwater will therefore drain off the covered furniture. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, that is particularly adapted to covering a table, a plurality of elastic cords (bungee cords) is provided. Each bungee cord has one end attached to the top end of a vertical center pole extending from the center of the table and opposite ends of the cords fastened to an edge of the table. The cover is supported like a circus tent over the table so that rainwater runs off the sloping surface of the cover (tent). 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, a plurality of panels are positioned over the table. The panels are supported by the center pole and fan out from one another and rest against the outer edges of the table. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1 . shows a cover supported over a table top. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows the cover of  FIG. 1  removed revealing an array of bungee cords fanned out from a center pole and arranged for supporting a cover over the table. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows details of means for attaching the bungee cords to the periphery of the table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment, being a plurality of panels (in place of bungee cords) positioned over the table and under the cover. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows an array of panels being six sections arranged to cover an oblong table. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows the un-sewn cover of this invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a chair that is to be covered by the cover in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a cover draped over the chair of  FIG. 7  wherein a depression is formed by the cover in cooperation with the arms and seat of the chair. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  shows a chair covered by the composite cover  10  of this invention in which an inflated bladder is positioned between the cover and seat so that a swelling of the bladder removes the depression in the cover. Bladder  16  is obscured in  FIG. 9A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a sectional view of the chair  14 , bladder  16 , cover  10  and valve  18 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an embodiment including the cover, bladder, and bag containing the bladder. The bag is secured to the inside surface of the cover such as by stitching or welding. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows inflexible ribs/stakes or flexible battens positioned in the area of a depression and supporting the cover to form a swelling of the cover to prevent collection of water. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows the air bladder  16  (cutaway) attached to the inside surface of the cover  10  by hook and eye material  23  well known in the art under the name VELCRO™. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Turning now to a discussion of the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows the composite cover of this invention that comprises a sheet  10  positioned over a support. The support is concealed under sheet  10  in  FIG. 1 . The support is adapted to supporting the sheet  10  like a tent over a table  25  and provides that accumulation of water is prevented in depressions formed in the sheet  10  over the table top. 
         [0032]    The support is concealed by the sheet  10  in  FIG. 1 . The sloping surface of the sheet  10  prevents rain water from collecting on the top of table  25 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the support for the sheet  10 . The sheet  10  is removed in  FIG. 2 . The support comprises a plurality of elastic cords  26  (bungee cords). Each cord  26  has one end attached to the top  28  of a center pole  30  extending vertically through a hole  32  in the center of the table  25  to the ground. An opposite end of each bungee cord  26  is attached to the periphery of the top of table  25 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows, to best advantage, attachment of one end of the bungee cord  26  to the top end  28  of center pole  30 . An opposite end of each cord  26  is fastened to an edge of the table  25  by a C clamp  34 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover  10  is supported like a tent over the table  25  so that rainwater runs off the sloping surface of the cover thereby preventing accumulation of rainwater on the top of table  25 . 
         [0036]    The sheet is preferably a fabric being any one of a water proof canvas and a plastic. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the support being an array of panels  36   a,b,c,d , overlying the top of a table  25  to be protected from weather elements. Legs  38  of the protected table  25  are shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the array of panels of  FIG. 4  illustrating the shape of the individual panels selected to accommodate the dimensions of the table top. Six panels are shown in  FIG. 5  to cover a table that is oblong. Each panel has a substantially triangular shape and an opening  40  in one corner. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the panels are arranged “fanned” around the table  25  with a center pole  28  of the table extending through the hole  40  in each panel. Each individual panel extends out to the adjacent section of edge of the table  25 . 
         [0039]    In one manner of use, where the table top to be protected is small, the “panel shield” of FIG,  4  is used as shown with no additional sheet over the panel shield. In another manner of use, where the table is large, a fabric cover is positioned over the array of panels as shown in  FIG. 1 . There has been described an invention that shields outdoor furniture from collection of debris generated by in inclement weather. 
         [0040]    It is an object of this invention to provide an all-weather cover for protecting an article of outdoor furniture. It is a further object of this invention to prevent the formation of depressions formed by covers laid over furniture wherein said depression would become regions where pools of water (rain and snow) and debris (leaves, sticks, etc.) would accumulate. 
         [0041]    It is a further object that the prevention of a depression formation be applicable to a variety of furniture articles that differ in size within an acceptable size range. It is a further object that the positioning of the cover over the furniture and its subsequent removal is well within the physical capability of the typical furniture owner. 
         [0042]    This invention is directed toward an outer cover of material. The material is preferably waterproof or water-resistant and aids in shedding rainwater and melting snow and ice. The outside edge of the cover deforms a sheet having a shape and size to permit draping the cover completely over an item of furniture (chair, lounge, table, etc.). The item of furniture is in a size and shape range that would include many such similar items on the market. 
         [0043]    The cover is provided with a means for attaching an inflatable bladder against the inside surface of the cover. Various means of attaching the bag are contemplated according to several embodiments of the invention such that a broad area of the inside surface of the cover is against a broad area of the surface of the bladder. 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the means for attaching the bladder is a material bag having an outside surface that is attachable against the inside surface of the cover, with the bladder positioned inside the material bag. The bladder communicates with one end of an air valve that extends from the bladder through the cover to a detachable source of pressurized air. 
         [0045]    When the cover is in position over the furniture, the location of the bladder (secured to the inside surface of the cover), is in a location where a depression or flat spot would otherwise form (without the bladder). When the item to be covered is a chair, the preferred location of the bladder is the seat of the chair so that the inflated bladder forms a “bulge” where a depression would otherwise form in the absence of the inflated bladder. When the item to be covered is a table, the preferred location of the bladder is the top of the table so that the inflated bladder forms a bulge on the table top causing rainwater, melting snow and ice, and debris to drain off the covered table top. In practice, the cover with bladder attached is laid over the chair with the bladder positioned in the seat of the chair. The bladder is inflated through the air valve extending through the opening in the cover. 
         [0046]    Turning now to a discussion of the drawings,  FIG. 6  shows a cover  10  with “un-sewn” seams  12 . The cover  10  is shown laid flat to illustrate the shape of the cover  10  before the seams  12  are sewn together.  FIG. 7  shows a chair  14  BEFORE the chair  14  is covered by the finished (sewn) cover  10  of this invention. (Cover  10  is NOT shown in  FIG. 7 ). The chair  14  has four legs  14 A, a seat  14 B, and a back  14 C. Typical chairs include two arms  13  (although some do not have arms), one arm on each side of the chair  14 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , when a cover  10  is laid over the chair  14 , a “depression”  9  is formed in the area of the seat  14 B of the chair  14 . Chair  14  is concealed by the cover  10  in  FIG. 8 . The depression  9  is formed in the seat  14 B of the chair  14  (when the chair is covered) by the cover  10  in combination with the arms  14 A, seat  14 B, and back  14 C of the chair  14 . 
         [0048]    During inclement weather, rainwater and debris collect in the depression  9 . It is an object of this invention to remove the depression formed by the cover  10  over the covered chair  14  to prevent collection of rainwater. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of chair  14  covered by the cover  10  of this invention in which a depression  9  of the cover shown in  FIG. 8  is replaced by a swelling  15  illustrated in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9B  is a sectional view of the cover  10  over chair  14  taken along line of sight  9 B- 9 B shown in  FIG. 9A . 
         [0050]      FIG. 9B  shows an inflated bladder  16  positioned between cover  10  and chair  14 . The inflated bladder  16  has effectively “filled in” the depression  9  so that rainwater can no longer collect in the depression  9  over the seat  14 C. The bladder  16  is secured to the inside surface of the cover  10  between the cover  10  and seat  14 B of the chair  14  so that a depression of cover  10  is NOT formed which would otherwise catch rainwater and debris in the absence of the air bladder  16 . 
         [0051]    The bladder  16  is inflated through an air valve  18  connected to pressurized air that communicates with the bladder  16  through an opening  13  in the cover  10 . The depression  9  is replaced by a swelling  15 . The swelling  15  of cover  10  due to the inflated air bladder  16  in the seat area  14 B of covered chair  14  is shown in  FIG. 9  indicating the obscured presence of the inflated bladder  16 . The swelling  15  prevents collection of rainwater in the seat area  14 B. An air valve  18  is shown in  FIG. 9B  extending through an opening  13  in cover  10 . 
         [0052]    Modifications (not shown) of the cover  10  are made to accommodate various designs and sizes of the furniture. There has been described a cover which prevents the collection of water depressions formed by a cover laid over outside furniture. Various means may be applied, according to the invention, to attach the bladder  16  to the inside surface of the cover  10  in order to retain the position of the bladder between seat area  14 B and the cover  10 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway sectional view showing one embodiment in which the bladder  16  is secured in position within the cover  10  by inserting the bladder  16  into a bag  21  that is secured to the inside surface of the cover  10 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  shows another means of replacing depression with swellings by positioning a plurality of inflexible ribs/stakes or flexible battens  22  inside the cover  10 . A rib  22  is shown at a location selected to overcome formation of a depression  9  in the cover draped over the furniture. The cover is preferably a sheet of material being any one of a waterproof or water-resistant and aids in shedding rainwater and melting snow and ice. 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  shows another embodiment, the air bladder  16  (cutaway) is attached to the inside surface of the cover  10  by hook and eye material  23  well known in the art under the name VELCRO™ It will be understood that the invention is illustrated in this specification by its application to a chair with arms as discussed in connection with  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 . It is apparent that the invention is also adaptable to other items of furniture such as a table, lounge, etc., which would clearly require different shape and design of the cover  10  and bladder  16  to prevent the formation of depressions. 
         [0056]    Variations and modifications of this invention may be contemplated after reading the specification and studying the drawings which are within the scope of the invention. In view of these and other modifications that may be contemplated after reading the specification, it is wished to define the scope of the invention by the appended claims.