Abstract:
An exemplary system, method of making, of use, for providing a hard shell cover for covering objects, boats, and like. Hard shell cover is disclosed as comprising, inter alia, a material layer  202 , a material layer  204 , and a material layer  206 , and a transition region. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, configured, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to further improve or otherwise optimize material and design performance or other material characteristics. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention representatively provide for hard cover components, methods of making and use that may be readily incorporated with existing technologies for the improvement of covers, packaging of objects, form factors, weights and/or other manufacturing, device or material performance metrics.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to covers that can be formed to fit or be part of an enclosure system; and more particularly, to hard covers and hard cover systems that can form and/or be part of an enclose system for products and devices and other semi-open products and devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    in today&#39;s world, enclosure of products and devices is becoming more important then ever before for a variety of reasons such as, security, a product or products protection from the environmental elements, safety in the handling and/or resistance to damage in the transport of the product or products, ease of moving product or products, energy efficiency in the transport of the products or devices, and the like In one instance, the need to form an enclosure is particularly important when there is a cavity that needs to be enclosed on the product or device and when that cavity can or could store valuables, fragile equipment, or devices. In another instance, the need to form an enclosure is necessitated by covering fragile or sensitive devices. 
         [0003]    At present, conventional technology used to cover or enclose products and devices can not be achieved. Conventional enclosure of cavities and formation of a cover is typically achieved by using tarps and cloth like materials. For example, in the case of transporting a reasonably large device such as an engine, turbine, or the like. The device would be mounted on a transport device such as, but not limited to, a buck, a flat bed of a truck, or the like. A tarp or a plurality of tarps would be draped over the device and secured. However, conventional handling of this kind of device has several disadvantages and problems. For instance, use of a tarp or a plurality of tarps does not secure the device from the puncturing or cutting of the tarps by sharp objects which can damage the product which is being covered. The cutting or puncturing of the tarp can be accidental or on purpose as with the case of vandalism. 
         [0004]    By way of example, an accidental cutting or puncturing of tarps is illustrated by accidents with fork-lift trucks where the fork punctures the tarp(s). Tarps or even a plurality of tarps, offer little or no protection from misjudgments in the insertion or movement of the forks of a fork-lift. This kind of misjudgment can also occur with the stacking of merchandise. By way of another example, in the case of vandalism or theft, where a person wants to gain access to an object or just to destroy the object, conventional methods and techniques are very ill-equipped to protect against this kind of harm. Thus, using conventional methods and technology does not protect the product or device from harm. 
         [0005]    Another disadvantage in using convention technology is that by simply wrapping or draping the device or product with a tarp does not allow for any aerodynamic advantage in transporting of the device. Typically, the excess tarp is blowing in the wind which can have at least to effects. First, the wind flapping of the tarps can cause excessive damage to the product or article that is being covered. This occurs most often when the conventional cover is rubbed against a surface or the object or product. Also, often rain is driven into the seams or gaps of the conventional tarp covering, allowing the interior of the cavity to become wet, moist, and if extended over long periods of time the product and tarp can become moldy. Second, a tarpping system can partially or totally fall off and potentially become a hazard to other drivers. Moreover, another problem and disadvantage of using conventional enclosing technology is that conventional technology does not protect the device from the environmental elements such as rain, hail, or snow from storms, rocks thrown up from the road, and the like. 
         [0006]    In yet another example of conventional technology having problems and disadvantages, in the case of having a semi-open cavity such as a boat or the like where a cavity is formed from the perimeter outline of the boat and the inside of the boat. Conventional technology covers this cavity or semi-open cavity by using tarps or cloth like materials. Typically, in the case of a boat, the enclosing of the cavity or semi-open cavity consists of cutting and fitting a canvas material and attaching the canvas material to the perimeter of the boat and having the canvas material stretch across the cavity. Also, once the canvas material is attached to the perimeter typically a restraining device such as a rope, or bungee cord, or the like is wrapped around the canvas material. However, use of this conventional technology has several problems and disadvantages as enumerated previously, as well as others. For instance, even though the canvas material is fitted and secured, over time and use the canvas material becomes loose and flaps and eventually is torn free of at securing points. Also, in the instance of securing your boat at a dock for a short period of time, it is impossible to achieve because of the rapid ability of being able to cut though canvas and tarp materials. 
         [0007]    It can be readily seen that conventional covers have several disadvantages and problems. These problems and disadvantages are fundamental in the design and materials use and can not solve the present problems. Therefore a new and enclosure system, materials, and design would be highly desirable. 
         [0008]    The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In various representative aspects, the present invention provides a substantially rigid hard shell cover having a first foot region, a transition region, a middle region, and a second foot region. A first material layer is formed extending from the first foot region across the middle region to the second foot region. A second material layer disposed on at the first material layer. The second material layer having a first transition region, where the second material layer is thicker in the foot region and thins though the transition region. A third material layer is disposed on at least a portion of the second material layer extending though the transition portion where the thickness of the third material layer is inversely proportion to the thickness of the second material layer. 
         [0010]    An exemplary method for fabricating such a device is disclosed as comprising the steps of inter alia: Providing a mold with a working surface and edges. Disposing a first material layer comprising a fiber material and resin material over at least a portion of working surface of the mold. The first material layer decreasing in thickness from the edges through a transition region. Applying a second material layer to at least a portion of the first material layer. The second material layer comprising a foam material over at least a portion of the transition region. The second material layer increasing in thickness though the transition region. The second material layer can be manufactured with reinforcement materials being set in the second material layer. 
         [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is to provide a hard shell cover that is rigid and that is light weight. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a hard shell cover that is light weight that can cover a large object. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a hard shell cover that is rigid and resilient so that when the hard shell cover is placed over an object and/or product the object and/or product is physically protected. 
         [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a hard shell cover for securing cabin and hold cavities of a boat. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the hard shell covers can me made in modular pieces. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the hard cover can manipulated by either a single person or a small number of people. 
         [0017]    Description which follows and may be obvious from the Detailed Description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still other advantages of the invention may be realized by means of any of the instrumentalities, methods or combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]    Representative elements, operational features, applications and/or advantages of the present invention reside inter alia in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereafter depicted, described and claimed—reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Other elements, operational features, applications and/or advantages will become apparent to skilled artisans in light of certain exemplary embodiments recited in the Detailed Description, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a simplified isometric illustration of a hard cover; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a simplified sectional and isometric illustration of hard cover taken along arrows  2 - 2  as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a simplified partial sectional illustration view of hard cover taken along arrow  3 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a simplified isometric view of an open boat with a hard cover exploded from the open boat and with the hard cover having three sections being interconnected and installed thereon with a first and second portions broken away and removed showing a cavity of hard cover and a cavity of the boat; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a simplified isometric view of the open boat with the hard cover setting in place on a surface of the open boat and with the hard cover having sections with portions broken away and removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a partial sectional illustration taken along arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  of hard cover showing an embodiment of a junction of sections of the hard covers; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view taken along arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  of hard cover showing another embodiment of junction of two sections; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a simplified isometric illustration of a boat having a cabin and a compartment with hard covers exploded therefrom showing the interior of the cabin and an interior of the compartment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  a simplified isometric illustration of boat having hard covers mounted in place on the cabin and the compartment with arrows  10 - 10  indicating a partial sectional view as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a partial sectional illustration of the boat and hard cover taken though arrows  10 - 10  as shown in  FIG. 9  with hard cover being set in place on boat; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a simplified isometric illustration of a boat having hard covers exploded from the boat exposing a cabin; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a simplified isometric illustration of the boat as shown in  FIG. 9  having hard covers set in place over the cabin; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a simplified partial sectional illustration shown hard cover exploded from windscreen; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a simplified sectional illustration of an example of a mold and an object that is being formed by the mold. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like herein, if any, are used inter alia for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, the terms front, back, top, bottom, over, under, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims, if any, are generally employed for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for comprehensively describing exclusive relative position. Skilled artisans will therefore understand that any of the preceding terms so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that various embodiments of the invention described herein, for example, are capable of operation in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like herein, if any, are used inter alia for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, the terms front, back, top, bottom, over, under, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims, if any, are generally employed for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for comprehensively describing exclusive relative position. Skilled artisans will therefore understand that any of the preceding terms so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that various embodiments of the invention described herein, for example, are capable of operation in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the invention and the inventors&#39; conceptions of the best mode and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following Description is intended to provide convenient illustrations for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the function and/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosed exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0035]    A detailed description of an exemplary application, namely an article, system and method for providing a hard shell covering device suitably adapted for use cover various objects such as, but not limited to, a variety of objects, boats, engines, and the like applications is presented as a specific enabling disclosure that may be readily generalized by skilled artisans to any application of the disclosed system and method in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0036]    Before addressing details of embodiments described below, for the purposes of clarity, some terms are described and defined hereinbelow. 
         [0037]    As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted by those skilled in the art to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 
         [0038]    The term “junction” is intended to mean the meeting of any section with another section. 
         [0039]    The term “trailered” is intended to mean any suitable method or technique where a hard cover is place on a periphery of an object or over an object in making ready object for transport. 
         [0040]    The term “gel coat” is intended to mean a layer or layers of resinous material that provides an outside coating on a product. It should be understood that other layers of material can be applied to the gel coat layer such as but not limited to sealants, waxes, and the like. In the context of an “open mold” the gel coat layer is the first material layer formed on the mold. It should be understood that a mold release materials are sometime applied to the “open mold” prior to the gel coat layer. 
         [0041]    The term “Fiber Reinforced Plastic” is intended to mean any fiber reinforced material combined with a resin to make that is strong, resilient, and durable material. 
         [0042]    The term “Fiber Reinforced Material(s)” is intended to mean any suitable material or combination of materials that are combined with a resin or resins to make the fiber reinforced plastic. Fiber reinforced material can be made of any suitable material that can be physically embedded, chemically combined reacted with, or any combination thereof, with the resin. Generally, any suitable fiber reinforced material can be used such as, but not limited to, glass, carbon, aramid, cotton, wool, metal, or the like. 
         [0043]    The term “Resin Transfer Molding”(RTM) is intended to mean any resin transfer process such as, but not limited to, Vacuum Infusion, Seaman Composites Resin Infusion, Shell Laminate RTM (Light RTM), Closed Cavity Bag Molding, Multiple Insert Tooling RTM, Zero Injection Pressure RTM, or the like. 
         [0044]    The term “buck” is intended to mean any supporting rack or frame with or without wheels that the hard cover can be mounted to. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ,  FIG. 1  is a simplified isometric illustration of a hard cover  100  shaped as a half cylinder, wherein the cylinder (not shown) was cut longitudinally, with edges  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126 , and  128  with edges  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  resting on a surface  132  of substrate  130 . It should be understood that hard cover  100  can have any suitable shape such as, but not limited to, spherical, half spherical, cubical, or the like. Additionally, hard cover  100  can be free formed as is demonstrated, but not limited to, to hard cover boat coverings. Clearly, this could be expanded to any shape and size of any object that needs to be covered. Hard cover  100  includes surfaces  102 ,  103 , and  105 , a length  104 , a height  106 , a width  108 , center portion  113 , end portions  112  and  114 , an arc  116 , with arrows  2 - 2  indicating a sectional view as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  FIG. 2  is a simplified sectional representative illustration of hard cover  100  taken along arrows  2 - 2  as shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  FIG. 3  is a simplified partial sectional view illustrating hard cover  100  taken along arrow  3 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    Substrate  130  can be any suitable surface or device that provides surface  132 , such as, but not limited to, a bed of a truck, a buck of a trailer, peripheral surfaces of an opening, peripheral surfaces around an opening of a boat such as, but not limited to, a compartment, an engine compartment, or the like. It should also be understood that substrate  130  can be made of any suitable material, materials, or combinations thereof such as organic materials, metal materials, alloyed materials, or any combination thereof. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , center portion  113  of hard cover  100  forms a convex structure extending from edge  118  to edge  120  with end portions  112  and  114  being integrated into center portion  113  to seal and generate a cavity  208  as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, it should be understood that in some applications only one end portion needs to be used. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , width  108 , length  104 , height  106 , and arc  116  having a height  106  describe the outside physical parameters of hard cover  100 . However, it should be understood that hardcover  100  is only an example of several variations which are contemplated by this application. Width  108  extending between edges  118  and  120  can be made to any suitable dimension depending upon the application. It should be understood that applications for hard cover  100  are quite variable in size, thereby producing large variations in range. Width  108  for hard cover  100  can range from 2.0 inch (5.08 centimeters) to 60.0 feet (18.29 meters), with a preferred range from 3.0 feet (0.91 meter) to 21.0 feet (6.40 meters); length  108  for hard cover  100  can range from 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) to 60.0 feet (18.29 meters), with preferred range from 3.0 feet (0.91 meter) to 26.0 feet (7.92 meters); and height  106  for hard cover  100  can range from 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) to 15.0 feet (4.57 meters), with a preferred range from 1.0 feet (0.30 meter) to 10.0 feet (3.048 meters). 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , hard cover  100  is made of several material layers such as, but not limited to, material layers  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  207  that are formed into hard cover  100 . Generally, material layers  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  207  of hard cover  100  can be made by any suitable method or technique such as, but not limited to, open molding, closed molding, vacuum molding, resin transfer molding RTM, e.g., but not limited to, light RTM, closed cavity bag molding, or the like. Additionally, it should be understood that methods and techniques taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,796,263, 6,881,370, and 7,160,494 can be used and which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 14  is a simplified sectional illustration of an open mold  956  including, but not limited to, a shape  958 , a working surface  960 , support structure  964 , and braces  966 . It should be understood that any system that can generate any desirable shape  958  can be used. Generally, working surface  960  is the surface on which material layers are disposed to generate the work piece  968 . Briefly and by way of example, open mold  956  is generated to any desired shape  958 . Typically, shape  958  is made by a form  970  having a working surface  960  of open mold  956  is a negative surface image of the desired shape  958  that is being generated. Once the negative surface image of the open mold has been properly prepared, material layers are applied sequentially to the negative surface image and are built up to make a composite material layer  970  having material layers. It should be understood that by selecting the individual materials, the application, processes, and specifications of those materials, a unique composite material can be made having unique performance, strength, weight, and other characteristics. Thus, it should be understood that the composite material may have entirely different qualities and performance levels than that of any of the individual materials alone. 
         [0051]    Material layer  202  can be made of any suitable resin used for making a gel coat layer such as, but not limited to, an epoxy resin system, poly ester resin system, e.g., a vinyl ester system or the like. Typically, material layer  202  can be applied by any suitable method or technique such as, but not limited to, hand bushing, rolling, spraying, or the like. As shown in  FIG. 2 , material layer  202  is the outer most layer of hard cover  100  and provides a first protective layer and esthetic inter-phase between the environment and hard cover  100  and object  220 . 
         [0052]    While material layer  202  is applied in a reasonably uniform manner, it should be understood that material layer  202  can have some thickness variations. Moreover, it should be understood that by adjusting a thickness  228  characteristics such as, but not limited to, smoothness, pigment uniformity, and like can be altered. Generally, material layer  202  can be made to have any suitable thickness  228 . Typically, thickness  228  can range from 13 mills to 27 mills and with a preferred range ranging from 18 mills to 22 mills. 
         [0053]    Material layer  204  can be made of any suitable material system such as a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) system, a carbon fiber material (CFM) system, or the like. Typically, FRP is made of a combination of fiber reinforcement material(s) and a resin. The fiber reinforcement materials can be made of any suitable materials such as, but not limited to, fibers, glass, wool, carbon fiber, or the like. Moreover, core materials such as, but not limited to, balsa wood, divinycel, nida-core, or the like can be sandwich in-between layers of the fiber reinforcement material to add additional strength and stiffness. 
         [0054]    Any suitable resin such as, but not limited to, an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, a vinylester resin, a hybrid resin, orthothalic resin, isothalic resin, or the like that will combine with the fiber reinforcement material(s) and make a strong resilient material. The combination of fiber reinforcement material(s) and resin makes material layer  204  a hard, resilient, layer that is difficult to penetrate, break, or shear. Thickness of material layer  204  is achieved and/or adjusted by layering the fiber reinforcement materials and the resin until the desired thickness is achieved. Material layer  204  can be applied to material layer  202  by any suitable method or technique, such as, but not limited to, a hand lay up method, a spray lay up method, or the like. 
         [0055]    By way of example only, when using the hand lay-up method, layers of fiber reinforcement material such as, but not limited to, glass matting, glass cut fiber, or the like are applied to a pre-resin coated material layer  202  by hand with a subsequent application of the resin that is also applied by hand. The process is continued until the desired thickness is obtained and allowed to cure. Alternatively, in the spray lay up method, chopped fiber glass fibers and resin are simultaneously applied to material layer  202  via a spray gun to the desired thickness and allowed to cure. It should be understood that subsequent applications of fiber reinforcement material and resin are fully contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0056]    Material layer  206  can be made of any suitable foam material system such as, but not limited to, polystyrene (PS), polyurethane, polyethylene, polyisocyanurate, or the like. Typically, material layer  206  is made of an expanding foam material having a density that ranges from about 0.5 pound to about 20.0 pounds per cubic foot, with a preferred density from 4.0 pounds to 7.0 pounds per cubic foot. Material layer  206  can be applied to material layer  204  by any suitable method or technique such as, but not limited to, rolling, painting, spraying, injecting, filling, or the like. 
         [0057]    By way of example only, with material layer  206  being made of polyurethane foam system using the brand name of Durafoam manufactured or blended by UCSC. In this particular polyurethane foam system, at least two components are used such as, but not limited to, a polyol resin component and an isocyanate component. The polyol component and the isocyanate component are typically mixed in a spray handle and applied to material layer  202  and allowed to cure and expand to a desired thickness. It should be understood that in some cases, reinforcement materials such as, but not limited to, fibers, metal wire, and the like can be embedded into material layer  206  to provide addition strength and support. It should be understood that the reinforcement materials  256  can be configured in any geometric pattern desired. By way of example only, with the reinforcement material  256  being metal wire, the metal wire can be configured into any geometric pattern desired such as, but not limited to, a square, a hexagon (commonly known as chicken wire), triangles, or straight wire. 
         [0058]    Material layer  207  can be disposed on or in part on material layers  204  and  206 . Generally, material layer  207  is disposed for both aesthetic and performance reasons. First, material layer  207  is disposed to provide uniform color coating which is more pleasing to the eye. Additionally, material layer  207  can be made to provide protection from Ultra Violet light. Generally, material layer is made of any suitable covering material or paint material, such as, but not limited to, electrometric coating materials, poly urethane coating materials, or an acrylic coating materials, or the like. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , hard cover  100  includes foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312 , transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308 , and center regions  218  and  302 . While it should be understood that foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  are illustrative of foot regions on hard cover  100 , it should also be understood that any and all foot regions can be modified to allow any specific application. 
         [0060]    Thickness of material layer  204  in center regions  218  and  302  can be any suitable thickness illustrated by thickness  246  and  306 . By way of example, thicknesses  246  and  306  in center regions  218  and  302  can range from, but are not limited to, about 0.0 inch (0.0 centimeter) to about ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), with a preferred range from about 1/32 inch (0.08 centimeter) to about ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter). Thickness of material layer  206  in center regions  218  and  302  can be any suitable thickness  244  and  316 , respectively. By way of example, thickness  244  and  316  can range from, but is not limited to, about ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter) to 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters), with a preferred range of about ⅜ inch (0.95 centimeter) to about ¾ inch (1.90 centimeters). However, it should be understood that in some applications material layer  206  can vary because of the application method or technique used in applying material layer  206  to hard cover  100 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , edge  128  joins end portion  112  and center region  218  of center portion  113  together. While any suitable method or technique can be employed to join end portion  112  and center region  218  of center portion  113  together, typically, in the present invention end portions  112  and  114 , and center portion are molded together. Thus, enabling each material layer  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  207  when used or partially used to provide some structural support. By way of example only, structural support of end portion  112  and center portion  112  is produced by the contiguous nature of material layer  204 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , at corner  254  of material layer  206  can be built with a round corner and binds end portions  112  to center region  218  or center portion. However, it should be understood that in some instances material layer  204  at a corner  254  where center portion  113  and either end portion  112  or  114  join at edge  128  can either be join contiguously or be not joined. That is, end portions  112  and  114  could be made separately and physically attached to center portion  113 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  illustrate a variable thickness of material layers  204  and  206 . Generally, material layer  204  thins diminishes as material layer  204  moves away from foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  toward center regions  218  and  302 , respectively. Conversely, material layer  206  thickens increases as material layer  206  moves away from foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  302  toward center regions  218  and  302 , respectively. 
         [0063]    By way of example only, thicknesses  230  and  304  of material layer  204  in transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  can range from, but are not limited to, 1/32 inch (0.08 centimeter) to ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), with a preferred range from 1/16 inch (0.16 centimeter) to ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter). Generally, material layer  204  thicknesses  230  and  304  taper and diminish into thickness  246  and  306  of central regions  218  and  302 . It should be understood that in some instances, thickness  246  and  306  of material layer  204  can diminish to zero. 
         [0064]    Conversely, by way of example only, thicknesses  250  and  252 , and  318  and  320 , of material layer  206  in transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  can range from, but not limited to, 0.0 inch (0.0 centimeter) to 2.0 inches (5.08 centimeters), with a preferred range from 0.0 inch (0.0 centimeters) to ¼ inch (0.64 centimeter). Generally, material layer  206  increases in thickness from thickness  250  to  252  to thickness  244  of central region  218 . Likewise, material layer  206  increases in thickness from  318  to thickness  320  to thickness  316  of center region  302 . It should be understood that in some instances, thickness  250  and  318  of material layer  204  can taper down and have a zero thickness. It should be further understood that in some instances material layer  206  extends into center region  218  and that material layer  206  can be diminished to zero. 
         [0065]    Distances  232  and  310  illustrate lengths of transition regions,  214 ,  216 , and  308 . Generally, while any suitable distance  232  and  310  can be used depending upon the application, distances  232  and  310  typically can range from, but is not limited to, about 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) to about 30.0 inches (76.20 centimeters), with a preferred range from about 12.0 inches (30.48 centimeters) to about 24 inches (60.96 centimeters). 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  allow hard cover  100  to be set in place on surface  132  of substrate  130 . Since foot regions  212  and  312  are built similarly, the discussion of foot region  212  will be inclusive of foot region  312 . Foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  and feet  221  can be made with any suitable configuration or combination of configurations. Typically, ends  233  of layer  204  are formed into foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  and feet  221 . By way of example only and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , foot region  210  and  312  extends from material layer  204  and terminates with a foot  221  having a flat portion  222  that rests on surface  132  of substrate  130 . It should be noted that material layer  202  can be included in foot region  210  and  312  either in whole or in part, e.g., material layer  202  can be wrapped around foot  221 , thereby integrating material layer  202  into foot region  210  and  312 , including feet  221  designs. It should be further noted that material layer  207  can also be included in foot region  210  and  312  either in whole or in part, e.g., material layer  207  can be wrapped around foot  221  as well as, flat portion  222 , when desired, thereby integrating material layer  207  into foot region  210  and  312  design. Further, it should be understood that foot regions  210  and  312  can be formed into any desirable configuration. 
         [0067]    Also, as shown in  FIG. 2  and by way of example only, foot region  212  of hard cover  100  is made of material layer  204  that is made into the shape of an “L”  238 . Generally, “L”  238  includes a surface  224  having a width  234 , a surface  238  having a thickness  230 , and a surface  240  having a width  242 . It should be noted and as shown in  FIG. 2 , that material layer  202  can also be incorporated into “L”  238  configuration. Incorporation of material layer  202  in “L”  238  provides surface  224  with a smoother and a more finished surface. By using “L”  238  configuration, hard cover  100  is more stable and has better weight distribution though surface  224  that runs around edges  118 ,  120 ,  122 , and  124  of hard cover  100 . 
         [0068]    Generally, it should be understood that as widths  234  and  242 , and thickness  231  increase, stability and stiffness of foot region  212  as well as the overall stability of hard cover  100  increases. Thus, stability and stiffness can be adjusted, in part, by adjusting parameters and dimensions of foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  304 . Widths  234  and  242 , and thickness  231  can be made to any suitable dimension desirable. Typically, widths  234  and  242  can range, but are not limited to, from ½ inch (2.54 centimeter) to 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) with a preferred width ranging from 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 4.0 inches (10.16 centimeters). Thickness  231  can range with any suitable thickness, such as, but not limited to, ranging from 1/16 inch (0.16 centimeter) to 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters), with a preferred thickness ranging from ¼ inch (0.63 centimeter) to ¾ inch (1.90 centimeters). 
         [0069]    It should be understood that configuration of foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  can be configure to any suitable shape and size. For instance, surface  224  could be configured as a groove. The groove then could fit onto a tongue on surface  132 , thereby helping securing hard cover  100  to surface  132 . It should be understood that the configurations of the tongue and groove can be reversed. It should be further understood that there are many other configurations that could be used, such as, but not limited to, a clipping device, a snapping devices, or the like. By way of the former example only, the tongue and groove could be made so that the tongue holds onto the groove, thereby providing additional and positive support for holding hard cover  100 . 
         [0070]    Material layers  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  207  each provide certain unique and useful characteristics for building hard covers  100 ,  402 , and  806  and when positioned and used together provide superior performance then when used singly. Therefore, material layers  202 ,  204 , and  206  are uniquely selected, combined, and processed to achieve high performance levels and characteristics such as, but not limited to, structural strength, weight, integrity, ease of manufacturing, penetration resistance, and Ultra Violet light protection. 
         [0071]    Material layer  204  provides characteristics such as, but not limited to, rigidity, strength, impact resistance, and ease of use with which to fabricate hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 . However, while the material strength of material layer  204  is excellent, weight of material layer  204  can be excessive. Thus, fabricating hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806  solely out of material layer  204  would make larger hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806  heavy and difficult to work with especially when width  122 , length  104 , and height  106  of hard cover  100  are large. 
         [0072]    Material layer  206  provides characteristics such as, but not limited to, strength, light weight, impact resistance with which to fabricate hard covers  100 ,  402 , and  806 . However, while material layer  206  is strong, light weight and impact resistance, material  206  is a brittle material that cracks and breaks when bent or flexed too far. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , material layer  206  can be made with reinforcement portions  256  being imbedded into material layer  206 . Reinforcement portions can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, or the like. Additionally, reinforcement portions can have any suitable shape, but not limited to, straight, geometric designs, e.g., octagons, rectangles, triangles, circles, and the like. 
         [0073]    However, by combining the properties and certain thicknesses of material layers  204  and layer  206 , a strong, rigid, and impact resistant set of material layers are made that are light weight, resistant to penetration, and capable of being manufactured in a cost effective manner. 
         [0074]    Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and by way of example only, making the foot regions  210 ,  212 , and  312  from material layer  204  and having material layer  204  gradually get thinner in transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  and by disposing material layer  206  on at least a portion of transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  with material layer  206  increasing in thickness in transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  to a substantially certain thickness that is reasonably uniform layer into center regions  218  and  302 . By combining layers  204  and  206  in transition regions  214 ,  216 , and  308  and having layer  206  extend into central regions  218  and  302 , allows hard shell covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  to provide robust structural strength, resistance to shearing, and penetration while having a greatly reduced weight for the specific size of hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908 . Thus, because of the greatly reduced weight hard cover  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  can typically be placed into position by either one or two people. 
         [0075]    Material layer  202  provides several characteristics such as, but not limited to, Ultra Violet protection, ease of use, color selection, and impact and scratch resistance, with which to fabricate hard covers  100 ,  402 , and  806 . It should be understood that while layer  202  is important, layer  202  does not provide structural strength to hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908 . However, layer  202  can provided increased life time due to reduction of UV damage during use of hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908 . Also, it should be appreciated that layer  202  can add to the esthetic beauty of to hard covers  100 ,  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908 , by providing a smooth esthetically deep exterior finish that can match the article that is being covered. 
         [0076]    Referring now to both  FIGS. 4 and 5 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates a simplified isometric view of an open boat  400  with a hard cover  402  exploded from open boat  400  and with hard cover  402  having three sections  404 ,  406 , and  408  being interconnected and installed thereon, having portions  410  and  412  thereof removed showing a cavity  414  of hard cover  402  and a cavity  416  of boat  400 ; and  FIG. 5  illustrates a simplified isometric view of open boat  400  with hard cover  402  setting in place on surface  499  and with hard cover  402  having sections  404 ,  406 , and  408  with portions  410  and  412  broken away and removed. 
         [0077]    It should be understood that the basic construction of hard covers  402 ,  806 ,  808 ,  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  is the same as previously described hereinabove. Hard cover  402  includes a bow portion  418 , a stern portion  420 , side sections  428  and  430  having ends  454  and  460 , and ends  456  and  458 , respectively, a center portion  432 , a length  422 , a width  424 , a height  426 , and a rim  438  which extends around a perimeter  434  of hard cover  402 . Stern portion  420  further includes a stern section  436  having ends  440  and  442  having an exterior surface  444  and an interior surface  446 . Sides sections  428  and  430  include external surfaces  448  and  450 , internal surfaces  452  and  455 , and a plurality of securing devices  462  exemplified by securing devices  464  and  466 . Generally, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , ends  454  and  456  of sides  428  and  430  are formed to meet at the bow portion  418  of hard cover  402  while ends  424  and  426  are connected and spaced apart by stern section  436 . Center portion  432  extends and spans from side section  428  to  430  and from bow portion  418  to stern portion  420 . 
         [0078]    Boat  400  includes a bow portion  468 , a stern portion  470 , cavity  416 , sides sections  472  and  474  having end portions  490  and  492 , and  494  and  496 , respectively, internal surfaces  476  and  478 , and external surfaces  480  and  482 , with a bottom section  484  having an external surface  488  (not shown) and an internal surface  486 . Generally, in this particular illustration, boat  400  is formed by having ends  490  and  494  join at bow portion  468 , while ends  492  and  496  are joined to a stern section  498  that spaces apart ends  492  and  496 . A bottom section  484  is joined to sides section  472  and  474  to provide a water tight seal between side section  472  and  474 , stern section  498  and bottom section  484 . Also, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and in this particular illustration, side sections  472  and  474  are formed to provide a peripheral surface  499  of cavity  416  (sometimes referred to as a gunwale) upon which hard cover  402  can rest upon. 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , rim  438  of hard cover  402  is made to mate with peripheral surface  499  of boat  400 . Mating of peripheral surface  499  and rim  438  can be achieved by any suitable method or technique that provides rim  438  of hard cover to meet surface  200  such as, but not limited to, mating of two flat surfaces, mating using a tongue and a groove configuration, mating using a press fitting that snaps together, Velcro, or the like. In many circumstances, the mating of rim  438  and peripheral surface  499  is sufficient for security and safety. However, in other circumstances, once hard cover  402  is positioned in place, the plurality of locking devices  462  can be engaged to secure hard cover  402  to boat  400  providing additional security and protection. 
         [0080]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view taken along arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  of hard cover  402  showing junction  602  of sections  404  and  406 . Junction  602  can be form into any suitable shape such as, overlapping ends, groove and tongues forms, or the like. As shown in  FIG. 6 , junction  602  is made of ends  604  and  606  having a length  616  of section  404  and  406 , respectively. End  604  of section  404  and end  606  of section  406  can be made of material layers  202 ,  204 , and  206  previously discussed in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , ends  604  and  606  are made to overlap over each other. More specifically, end  604  is made so that bend  608  displaces material layers  202  and  204  and provides an indented region  612 ; and end  606  is made so that bend  610  is made in the opposite direction and displaces material layers layer  204  and  202  and provides an indented region  614 . Ends  604  and  606  are mated by having indented regions  612  and  614  over lap each other. Distance  616  can be any suitable length such as, but not limited to, distance  616  ranging from 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) with a preferred range from 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) to 3.0 inches (7.62 centimeters). By having the capability of ends  604  and  606  overlap each other, sections  404  and  406  can sized to manageable dimensions and not sacrifice the integrity of having a sole hard cover. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view taken along arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  of hard cover  402  showing junction  602  of section  404  and  406  using a different embodiment. Junction  602  can be formed into any suitable shape such as, overlapping ends, groove and tongues forms, or the like. As shown in  FIG. 7 , junction  602  is made with ends  604  and  606 . End  606  is made with arms  702  and  704  shaped into a “Y” to form a pocket  706 , and  604  is made into the shape of a spade that can be inserted into pocket  706  of end  606 . Arms  702  and  704  can be made to have any suitable distances  708  and  710  depending upon the specific application. Typically, distances  708  and  710  can range, but are not limited too, from about 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) with a preferred range from about 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) to 3.0 inches (7.62 centimeters). Additionally, end  604  having a distance  712  can be made to any suitable distance  712  so as to fit into pocket  706 . However, typically, distance  712  can range, but is not limited to, from about 1.0 inch (2.5 centimeters) to 6.0 inches (15.24 centimeters) with a preferred range from about 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) to 3.0 inches (7.62 centimeters). Width  714  can be any suitable width depending upon the specific application. By way of example only, width  714  can range, but is not limited to, from about 1/16 inch (0.16 centimeter) to 1.0 inch (2.54 centimeters), with a preferred range of about 3/16 inch (0.47 centimeters) to ⅞ inch (2.22 centimeters). By fitting end  604  into pocket  706 , sections  404  and  406  can be sized to manageable dimensions without sacrificing the integrity of having a single hard cover. 
         [0082]    Use of hard covers exemplified by referring to hard cover  402 , during a day of boating there are occasions that mooring boat  400  at the yacht club for picking up additional provisions would be convenient and advantageous; however, during the boating day many personal items such as fishing equipment, water ski equipment, identification, wallets, cushions, and the like are left in cavity  416  unsecured. Thus, when boat  400  is moored at the yacht club, the contents of boat  400  are open, exposed, and vulnerable to theft. However, having hard cover  402  secured in place over cavity  416 , significantly improves the security of the contents left in cavity  416  from theft. 
         [0083]    In yet another example, in many cases, boats are trailered to and from a waterway or a water body, thereby requiring boat  400  to be transportable by any suitable means such as, but not limited to a pull-along trailier, a big rig trailer, or the like. Typically, rim  438  of hard cover  402  as a whole is placed so that rim  438  mates with surface  499 . Once rim  438  and peripheral surface  499  are in place, hard cover  402  is secured in place. Securing hard cover  402  can be achieved by any suitable method or technique such as, but not limited to, strapping hard cover  402  to boat  400 , using the plurality of securing devices  462 , or the like. Use of hard cover  402  during transportation of boat  400  offers several benefits and advantages such as, but not limited to, making boat  400  more aerodynamic during transportation, increasing fuel efficiency because of better aerodynamics, avoiding the risk of having a soft cover fly off and blinding following driver, and the like. It should be clear that the present examples can be applied to all hard covers. 
         [0084]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ,  FIG. 8  illustrates a simplified isometric view of a boat  800  having a bow  828  and a stern  830 , a cabin  802  and compartment  804  with hard covers  806  and  808  having rims  832  and  834 , respectively, pulled away therefrom, showing an interior  810  of cabin  802  and an interior  812  of compartment  804 ; and  FIG. 9  illustrates a simplified isometric view of a boat  800  having hard covers  806  and  808  mounted in place over cabin  802  and compartment  804  with arrows  10 - 10  indicating a partial sectional view as shown in  FIG. 10 . Hard covers  806  and  808  are made of hard composite materials, discussed previously in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , that are light in weight, but rigid and strong so as to allow hard covers  806  and  808  to span across interiors  810  and  812 , respectively, on peripheral surface  816 . Additionally, hard covers  806  and  808  can fastened and/or secured by any suitable method or technique, such as, but not limited to a plurality of fastening and/or locking devices  836 , illustrated by devices  838  and  850 , as well as cleats  878 ,  880 , and strapping device  884 . Generally, hard covers  806  and  808  can be made to any suitable size, shape, and height. Typically, shape and sizing is dependant upon a periphery of surface(s)  816  around the interior  810  and interior  812  and the object or objects that are being protected by hard covers  806  and  808 . 
         [0085]    Windscreen  818  can be made to any suitable or desirable shape, such as, but not limited to, flat, a curve, a plurality of curves, or any combination thereof. By way of example only and using boat  800  as an example, wind screen  818  has a curved shape that partially surrounds interior  810 . It should be understood that curvature of wind screen  818  can be to any desirable shape, such as two arcs joined together, or the like. Typically, wind screen  818  has a height  820  with a diminishing height  822  that can go to zero as trailing edges  824  of wind screen  818  moves to stern  830  of boat  800 . It should be understood that the diminishing height  822  doest not necessarily have to decrease to 0.0, but can be set at any desirable height  822 . Typically, heights  820  and  822  can range from 4.0 inches (10.16 centimeters) to 3.0 feet (91.44 centimeters) and 0.0 inches (0.0 centimeters) to 3.0 feet (91.44 centimeters), respectively. 
         [0086]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , hard cover  806  is made to cover wind screen  818  having height  820  and with rim  832  resting on peripheral surfaces  816  of cabin  802  of boat  800  and with of hard cover  808  to rest on peripheral surfaces  826  that surround interior compartment  812 . Thus, when hard covers  806  and  808  are set in place, wind screen  818 , interior  810  including whatever is in interior  810 , interior  812  and including whatever is in interior  812  is secured and protected by hard covers  806  and  808 . Also, it should be understood that hard cover  806  and  808  can be made to any shape to cover any unusual protuberances such as, but not limited to, a mast, a mega horn, a radar antenna, or the like. Hard covers  806  and  808  can be fastened or secured to boat  800  by any suitable method or technique. 
         [0087]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  shows a partial sectional view of boat  800  and hard cover  806  being taken though arrows  10 - 10  as shown in  FIG. 9  with hard cover  806  being set in place on boat  800 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , hard cover  806  having an end portion  840  and transition portion  842  conforms, in part, to peripheral surfaces  816  of boat  800 . It should be understood that hard cover  806  can be made to conform, in total or in part to peripheral surfaces  816  on the periphery of a cavity or opening, thereby making an exceptional seal between hard cover  806  and peripheral surface(s)  816 . Cushion devices  844 , shown in  FIG. 10  as pads  846 , can be used to create a space  848  between hard cover  806  and surface  816 , thereby protecting surface  816  of boat  800 . It should be understood that cushion devices  844  could be any suitable cushioning device desired, such as, but not limited to, a coating of rubberized material, a fibrous material, or the like. Pads  846  can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, rubberized or rubber material, a silicone material, a fibrous material, or the like. So as to further seal hard covers  806  and  808  to peripheral surfaces  818  trim-lock can be disposed along rims  832  and  834 , thereby further sealing hard covers  806  and  808  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0088]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a fastening device  840  can be use to further fasten and/or lock hard cover  806  to boat  800 . Typically, fastening device  840  can be made of any suitable fastening device, such as, but not limited to, a hinging device, a clasping device, a cleat device, a strapping device, or the like. It should be understood that fastening device  840  can be a lockable or an un-lockable device. 
         [0089]    By way of example only, fastening device  850  includes a body  852 , a body  858 , hinge  854 , opening  855 , and an eyelet  856 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , body  852  is affixed to end portion  840  and joined to body  858  though axial  854 . Arrow  860  indicates the motion of body  858 . Eyelet  856  can be attached to boat  800  by any suitable method or technology. As shown, eyelet  856  passes though body  858  allowing hard cover  806  to be secured and/or locked though eyelet  856 . 
         [0090]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , cleats  878  and  880  having openings and  886  are mounted on boat  800 . Openings  874  and  876  are made in hard cover  806  so when hard cover  806  is placed on edges  816  of boat  800  openings  884  and  886  of cleats  878  and  880  are exposed, thereby fastening hard cover  806  to boat  800 . Typically, openings  884  and  886  and cleats  878  and  880  are made to any suitable dimension that allows cleats  878  and  880  to pass though openings  874  and  876  and exposes openings  884  and  886 . When hard cover  806  is positioned on boat  800 , a strapping device  884  can be use to secure hard cover  806  to boat  800 . Typically, strapping device  882  can be configured to be lockable or not be lockable. Strapping device  882  can be made of any suitable material that can be used such as, but not limited to, straps, elastic cords, webbing, or the like. 
         [0091]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 13  is a simplified partial exploded sectional illustration of hard cover  806  fitted on wind screen  818 . As can been seen, hard cover can includes, but is not limited to, material layers  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  207 , transition region  214 , and foot region  210 . Material layers  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  207 , transition region  214 , and foot region  210  have been discussed previously and need not be described in detail. It should be understood that foot region  210  has been modified to accept wind screen  818 . Wind screen includes, but is not limited to, a molding  851  having a groove  854  with a surface  856 , side surfaces  858  and  860 , a top surface  862 , a grommet  864  with a channel  866 , and pane  868 . 
         [0092]    Molding  851  can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel plastic, or the like and can be made in any suitable configuration. Generally, molding  851  surrounds pane  868  and provides several features, such as, but not limited to, additional structural strength wind screen  818  as a whole, protection to pane  868 , a mounting capability for attaching wind screen  818  to boat  800  (not shown), and a mounting capability for attaching fastening hard cover  806  to wind screen  818 . However, it should be understood that while  FIG. 13  shows molding  851  as an attachment point, in some instances molding  851  is not necessary for the fastening of hard cover  806  to boat  800 . 
         [0093]    Generally and as shown in  FIG. 13 , grommet  864  is disposed into groove  854  of molding  858  with pane  868  being disposed into channel  866 . Grommet  864  can be made of any suitable material well known in the art such as, but not limited to, rubber, synthetic rubber, silicon, or the like. Typically, grommet  864  stabilizes pane  868  and cushions the pane from stresses that occur in usage. 
         [0094]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , foot region  210  of hard cover  806  has been made to couple with top surface  862  of molding  851  of wind screen  818 , thereby allowing hard cover  806  to couple with wind screen  818 . Generally, foot region  210  has been made with groove  870  having surface  872  shaped inversely to the shape of molding  858 . In this particular case, surface  872  is shaped in the form of a “U” so that groove  870  can slide over at least a portion of molding  851 . 
         [0095]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , with hard covers  806  and  808  fastened and/or secured in place, hard covers  806  and  808  provide superior security performance. Also, in transporting boat  800  on a trailer (not shown) and since hard covers  806  and  808  are conformal and generally fit to the peripheral surface around cabin  802  and compartment  804 , cabin  802  and compartment  804  are more secure against vandalism, weather damage, and the like. Further, in a trailering with hard covers  806  and  808  interior  810  of cabin  802  and interior  812  of compartment  804  are free to provide additional storage area. Generally, rims  832  and  834  of hard covers  806  and  808 , respectively, reach from peripheral surface  816  and peripheral surfaces  826  to cover and seal underlying cabin  802  and compartment  804  from the environment. 
         [0096]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 ,  FIG. 11  illustrates a simplified isometric view of a boat  900  having hard covers  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  pulled away from boat  900  exposing cabin  910  and  FIG. 12  illustrates a simplified isometric view of a boat  900  having hard cover  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  set in place over cabin  910 . 
         [0097]    Boat  900  includes wind screen  912  having peripheral edge  914 , a tower  916  having peripheral edge  918  that extends around perimeter of tower  916  and is joined by peripheral edge  914  of wind screen  912 , peripheral edge  920  that extends around perimeter of tower  916  and is joined by peripheral edges  922  and  924  along sides of tower  916 , with a peripheral edge  926  of a stern section  928  that joins peripheral edges  922  and  924 . Hard cover  902  and  904  include edges  930 ,  932 ,  934 , and  936 ,  938 , and  940 ; and  942 ,  944 ,  946 ,  948 ,  950 , and  952 , respectively. Hard covers  906  and  908  include edges  954 ,  956 ,  958 , and  960 ,  962 , and  964 ; and  966 ,  968 ,  970 ,  972 ,  974 , and  976 , respectively. Hard covers  902  and  904  are mounted along peripheral edges  920 ,  922 , and  924  of tower  916  and along peripheral edge  926  of stern portion  954 . Hard covers  906  and  908  are mounted along edges  918  of tower  916  and along peripheral edge  914  of wind screen  912 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , hard covers  902  and  904 , and  906  and  908  are individual separate hard covers that are detachably attached at edges  932  and  942 , and  956  and  966 , respectively. However, it should be understood that if practicable a single hard cover can be used. In this particular example and with boat  900  being large, spans across peripheral edges  914  and across peripheral edge  918  to peripheral edge  914  at the forward portion of wind screen  912 ; and from peripheral edge  926  to peripheral edge  920  and from peripheral edge  922  to  924 , can be large, thereby making it difficult to manage and mount hard covers  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  by a single person. 
         [0098]    Mounting of hard covers  902  and  904 ,  906  and  908  to peripherally edges  920 ,  922 , and  924  of tower  916  and along peripheral edge  926  of stern portion  954 , and  918  of tower  916  and along peripheral edge  914  of wind screen  912 , respectively, can be achieve by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, mating of two reasonably flat surfaces, mating using a tongue and a groove configuration, mating using a press fitting that snaps together, Velcro, or the like. 
         [0099]    Also, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , hard covers  902  are  904 ; and hard covers  906  and  908  are attachably detachably joined at edges  932 ,  936 , and  940 ; edges  942 ,  946 , and  950 , respectively and edges  956 ,  960 , and  964  and edges  966 ,  970 , and  974 , respectively. Joining and mating of hard covers  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  can be achieved by any suitable method or technique. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  provide examples of several methods of how to join or mated to hard covers. 
         [0100]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , with hard covers  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  are secured in place on boat  900 , hard covers  902 ,  904 ,  906 , and  908  provide superior environmental isolation and security performance. 
         [0101]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments; however, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present invention and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims. 
         [0102]    Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.