Patent Publication Number: US-7594695-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for covering outdoor patio furniture

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/938,378 filed May 16, 2007. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD 
   The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods for covering outdoor patio furniture. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Outdoor patio furniture is regularly used in backyards, on decks, and patios. Because this furniture must withstand harsh weather conditions (e.g., excessive rain or sunlight, etc.), plastic materials are commonly used to form the furniture. Unfortunately, plastic furniture is normally not very comfortable to the user. Accordingly, padding and cushions are commonly provided to make the furniture more comfortable. But this padding and cushion may be susceptible to damage and saturation from rain and other weather conditions such that special measures must be taken in order to keep the padding and cushions dry for use. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus for covering furniture. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for covering a piece of furniture generally includes a base, a spool rotatably supported by the base, and a cover coupled to the spool. The apparatus may also include an attachment device for removably attaching a portion of the cover to the furniture piece for helping retain the cover&#39;s position relative to the furniture piece. The spool may be rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool. The spool may also be rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool, to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for covering a piece of furniture generally includes a spool mount, a spool rotatably supported by the spool mount, and a cover coupled to the spool. The apparatus may also include a retention device for retaining the position of the apparatus relative to the furniture piece. The spool may be rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool. The spool may be rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece. 
   Other exemplary aspects of the present disclosure include methods relating to covering a piece of furniture. In one exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes unrolling a cover from a spool rotatably supported by a base. The method may also include positioning the unrolled cover generally over the piece of furniture. The method may further include removably attaching at least a portion of the cover to the furniture piece to thereby help retain the cover&#39;s position relative to the furniture piece. 
   Further aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a furniture covering device according to one exemplary embodiment being used in conjunction with an exemplary piece of outdoor furniture; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the furniture covering device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is another view of the furniture covering device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a furniture covering device according to another exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a base for a furniture covering device according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another furniture covering device according to another exemplary embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or uses. 
   According to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of apparatus for covering furniture. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for covering a piece of furniture generally includes a base, a spool rotatably supported by the base, and a cover coupled to the spool. The apparatus may also include an attachment device for removably attaching a portion of the cover to the furniture piece for helping retain the cover&#39;s position relative to the furniture piece. The spool may be rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding or rolling the cover onto the spool. The spool may also be rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding or unrolling the cover from the spool, to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for covering a piece of furniture generally includes a spool mount, a spool rotatably supported by the spool mount, and a cover coupled to the spool. The apparatus may also include a retention device for retaining the position of the apparatus relative to the furniture piece. The spool may be rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding or rolling the cover onto the spool. The spool may be rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding or unrolling the cover from the spool to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece. 
   In various embodiments, at least one foot pad may be coupled to the base for positioning between a support member (e.g., leg, etc.) of the furniture piece and a support surface to thereby retain the base&#39;s position relative to the furniture piece. For example, the foot pads may be positioned under a chair&#39;s feet. This may advantageously help keep the base from being lifted or moved as the cover is being pulled and unwound from the spool. This may also help keep the base from being lifted off the support surface (e.g., ground, outdoor patio deck, etc.) or pulled out of place by wind. 
   Other exemplary aspects of the present disclosure include methods relating to covering a piece of furniture. In one exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes unrolling a cover from a spool rotatably supported by a base. The method may also include positioning the unrolled cover generally over the piece of furniture. The method may further include removably attaching at least a portion of the cover to the furniture piece to thereby help retain the cover&#39;s position relative to the furniture piece. In some embodiments, uncovering the furniture by rolling the cover back onto the spool and storing the cover within an enclosure cooperatively defined by a housing member and a base in some embodiments. The method may also include positioning at least foot pad (coupled to a base) between a support member (e.g., leg, foot, etc.) of the furniture piece and a support surface. 
   The various aspects of the present disclosure may be used individually or in combination with any one or more of the other aspects of the present disclosure. 
     FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a furniture covering apparatus  100  according to one exemplary embodiment being used for substantially covering a furniture piece  101 . As used herein, the term “furniture” shall include a wide range of furniture whether that furniture is intended for indoor use or outdoor use. Exemplary furniture pieces include chairs, tables, recliners, couches, dressers, among others. Accordingly, the specific references to outdoor patio furniture should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to any specific form/type of furniture. 
   With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the apparatus  100  includes a base, support, or spool mount  102 . The apparatus  100  also includes a spool  104  of covering material  108 . The spool  104  is rotatably coupled to the base  102  such that the cover  108  may be wound onto and unwound from the spool  104 . 
   In this particular embodiment, the spool&#39;s end portions  105 A and  105 B are respectively received within corresponding first and second openings  107 A,  107 B of the base&#39;s end portions  106 A,  106 B, to thereby rotatably support the spool  104  by the base  102 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spool&#39;s end portion  105 A is disposed within a thru-hole  107 A (e.g., circular hole, etc.) of the base&#39;s end portion  106 A. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the spool&#39;s other end portion  105 B is disposed within a generally L-shaped slot  107 B of the base&#39;s end portion  106 B. The L-shaped slot  107 B includes a lower generally horizontal portion with an open end, and an upper generally vertical portion with a closed end. Accordingly, the spool  104  may be added to the base  102  by positioning the spool&#39;s end portion  105 A into the thru-hole  107 A, and then sliding the spool&#39;s other end portion  105 B into the L-shaped slot  107 B via the open end of the L-shaped slot&#39;s lower generally horizontal portion. At which point, the thru-hole  107 A and closed end of the L-shaped slot&#39;s upper generally vertical portion cooperatively retain the spool  104  from dislodging from the base  102 , such as when the cover  108  is being unwound from the spool  104 . This particular mounting arrangement of the spool  104  to the base  102  may also allow for ready removal and replacement of the spool  104 , such as when an existing spool or the covering material wound thereon is worn out, and/or when a different color of covering material is desired. Alternative methods may also be employed for rotatably supporting the spool from the base  102 , including differently configured openings in other shapes (e.g., T-shaped, etc.), sizes, locations, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, a spool may be rotatably supported by brackets that are integral to a base or attached to a base, for example, by screws or other suitable fasteners (e.g., nails, adhesives, etc.). In yet another exemplary embodiment, a spool may be rotatably supported by positioning the spool&#39;s end portions into respective L-shaped slots of the base. A further embodiment may include the spool&#39;s end portions being positioned within respective generally C-shaped or U-shaped openings of a base (e.g., horizontally opening C-shape, upwardly opening U-shape, etc.). In embodiments in which a spool&#39;s end portions are positioned within respective generally upwardly opening U-shaped openings of a base, one or more other components (e.g., housing member  410  ( FIG. 6 ), etc.) may be disposed adjacent or within the top portion of the U-shaped openings to help ensure that the spool resists being pulled loose or dislodging from the base. 
   Accordingly, the cover  108  may be wound back onto the spool  104  when the cover  108  is not being used. In various embodiments, the apparatus  100  may also include a housing member (e.g., housing member  410  in  FIG. 6 , etc.) configured to be positioned generally over the spool  104  and coupled to the base  102 . In such exemplary embodiments, the spool  104  may thus be stored and housed within the space cooperatively defined by the housing member and the base  102 . For example, and as described below,  FIG. 6  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a furniture covering device  400  in which a spool may be housed or stored within the enclosed area cooperatively defined by the housing member  410  and the base  402 . 
   With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a wide range of materials may be used for the cover  108 . In exemplary embodiments, the cover  108  may be formed from plastic materials (e.g., rollable plastic sheet material, etc.), transparent materials, (e.g., cover  108  is transparent in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , etc.), translucent materials, opaque materials, colored materials, waterproof materials, ultraviolet-resistant materials, mildew-resistant materials, nylon fabrics, UV-protected rip stop nylons, vinyl materials (e.g., vinyl flat cover material, etc.), combinations thereof, etc. 
   The cover  108  may be provided in one or more various colors. The cover  108  may be opaque, translucent, transparent, reflective, combinations thereof, etc. In various embodiments, the cover  108  may be provided in a color that substantially matches the color of the furniture piece (e.g., color of the padded cushions thereof) being covered. In other embodiments, the cover  108  may be provided in a color that substantially matches the color of the deck surface supporting the furniture piece. In one exemplary embodiment, the cover  108  is at least substantially transparent in order to provide a favorable aesthetic appearance from a distance because at a distance the cover  108  will be substantially unnoticeable or invisible. Alternatively, other suitable materials having one or more of the above properties may also be used. 
   The cover  108  may have one end portion attached to the spool  104 , which, in turn, may comprise a tubular member or rod. In various embodiments, the spool  104  comprises a plastic rod or tube about which the cover  108  may be wound or spooled. Alternatively, other sufficiently stiff materials and/or other various shapes (e.g., cylindrical shapes, flat bars, rectangular, triangular, etc.) may be used for the spool  104 . 
   As further described below, the other end portion or free end portion  109  of the cover  108  may include or be provided with at least one attachment device (e.g., one or more magnets, hooks, Velcro, etc.) for removably attaching the free end portion  109  of the cover  108  to the furniture piece  101  to thereby help retain the cover&#39;s positioning relative to the furniture piece  101 . This may be especially important, for example, during high winds to help keep the cover  108  from retracting or blowing off the furniture piece  101 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a rod  115  of sufficiently stiff material (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) is attached to the free end portion  109  of the cover  108 . By way of example only the rod  115  may be disposed within a pocket or sleeve defined by folding and stitching along the free end portion  109  of the cover  108 . Alternatively, other suitably heavy objects in other shapes may be attached via other suitable ways to the free end portion  109  of the cover  108  to help retain the relative positioning of the cover  108  over the furniture piece  101 . 
   The ends of the rod  115  may extend outwardly beyond the cover  108  so as to create handles for the user to grasp and thereby facilitate unwinding the cover  108  from the spool  104 . By way of example only, various exemplary embodiments have the ends of the rod  115  extending outwardly beyond the sides of the cover  108  by about three inches in one embodiment, about six inches in another embodiment, and between about three inches to about six inches in yet another embodiment. In these embodiments, the rod&#39;s end portions may thus provide handles for the user to grasp and thereby facilitate unwinding the cover  108  from the spool  104 . A relatively soft material (e.g., foam, etc.) may be disposed over the handle portions for user comfort. For example,  FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate end caps  118  disposed at the end portions of the rod  115 . In addition to providing user comfort, the end caps  118  may also help to conceal the rod  115  within the cover  108  for aesthetic purposes. In embodiments in which the rod  115  is tubular or hollow, the end caps  118  may also help keep water from getting into the hollow interior of the rod  115 . Other embodiments may include a solid rod and optional end caps for use comfort and/or aesthetic purposes. 
   With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the illustrated cover  108  may also include a cutout or removed portion  120 . This cutout portion  120  may be configured to help a user to unwind the cover  108  from the spool  104 , for example, when using only one hand. 
   A hook  122  (or other suitable device) may also be attached to the cover  108 . The hook  122  may also help a user to unwind the cover  108  from the spool  104 , for example, when using only one hand. The hook  122  may also be used for helping removably attach the free end portion  109  of the cover  108  to the furniture piece  101  to thereby help retain the cover&#39;s positioning relative to the furniture piece  101 . For example, after unwinding the cover  108  and extending it over the furniture piece  101 , the hook  122  may then be hooked onto a portion (e.g., frame, etc.) of the furniture piece  101 . 
   The cover  108  may also include one or more magnets (e.g., magnets  424  in  FIG. 6 , etc.) for removably attaching the free end portion  109  of the cover  108  to the furniture piece  101 . In such embodiments, the cover  108  may thus be magnetically attached, for example, to furniture piece having a frame made of steel, wrought iron, other magnetically responsive material (e.g., iron, etc.), and/or permanent magnetic material (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron (Nd—Fe—B), etc.), etc. 
   In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  may include one or more biasing devices (e.g., coil spring, etc.) to provide a biasing force for causing the spool  104  to rotate in the direction (e.g., clockwise in  FIG. 3 , etc.) for winding the cover  108  onto the spool  104 . Other suitable biasing devices may also be employed in other embodiments. In some embodiments, there may be provided the ability to adjust the tension of the spring recoil action. Other embodiments may include a spring biasing device without any device though for specifically adjusting the tension of the spring recoil action. Still further embodiments do not include any spring biasing device. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cover  108  may be preferably sized so as to extend completely over and beyond the lateral side edges of the furniture piece. When positioned over the furniture piece, the cover  108  would thus overhang the furniture. Accordingly, the cover  108  may help prevent (or at least reduce the extent of) the furniture (and its cushions and/or padding) from getting wet. For example, positioning the exemplary cover  108  over a piece of furniture should help prevent (or at least inhibit) the entire furniture piece from getting soaked or saturated. Even if the ends of the furniture piece may get a little wet, the cover  108  may also help prevent (or at least inhibit) the cushions of a furniture piece from getting wet, if at all, as well prevent (or at least inhibit) water from soaking deeply into or saturating the cushions. Even when it is raining during very high winds, the cover  108  may provide at least some protection (or at least reduce the amount of) rain to which the cushions would otherwise be exposed. As shown in the figures, the illustrated cover  108  is functionally designed and intended to cover a three-dimensional object, like furniture. 
   The base  102  may be configured (e.g., sized, made of sufficiently heavy materials, etc.) such that the apparatus  100  is sufficiently heavy enough to retain its position relative to the furniture piece, for example, during relatively high winds. Alternatively, other systems and methods may be used to help retain the relative positioning of the apparatus  100  to the furniture piece  101 . For example,  FIG. 3  illustrates foot pads  132 , which may be slidably positioned underneath the corresponding feet of the furniture piece. Other embodiments may include differently configured foot pads, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, combinations thereof, etc. For example, one embodiment may include a base, support, or spool mount having one or more magnets for magnetic attachment to a magnetically responsive portion of a furniture piece (e.g., chair leg, under a table, etc.) formed of a magnetically responsive material, such as a magnetically permeable material (e.g., iron, etc.) and/or permanent magnetic material (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron (Nd—Fe—B), etc.). 
   The base  102  may be formed from a wide range of materials. In one exemplary embodiment, the base  102  is formed from wood. In another embodiment, the base  102  may be formed from a moldable plastic material or materials, such as materials that do not rust or are treated to be rust proof (e.g., non-rusting metals or coated metals, etc.). In some embodiments, the base  102  may be formed from a sufficiently heavy enough material such that the weight of the base  102  alone is heavy enough to retain its position without any positioning of foot pads  132  (e.g.,  FIG. 3 , etc.) under the furniture support member. Accordingly, some embodiments do not include any such foot pads. 
   In  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the end portions  106  are illustrated as separate components that may be coupled to a middle base portion  134 . In other exemplary embodiments, the end portions  106  and middle base portion  134  may be molded from plastic or other material such that the middle base portions  134  and end portions  106  have an integral or single monolithic component construction. Alternatively, other methods may be employed for integrally forming the end portions  106  with the middle base portion  134 , such that the end portions  106  would not be separately coupled to the medial base portion  134 . In yet other embodiments, the middle base portion  134  may be formed (e.g., molded, etc.) so as to have a solid interior (e.g., middle base portion  334  shown in  FIG. 5 , etc.). As a further example, the middle base portion  134  may be formed (e.g., extruded, etc.) so as to be tubular and have a hollow interior, for example, to decrease the weight and material needed for the middle base portion  134 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a furniture covering apparatus  200 . As shown, the apparatus  200  includes a base, support, or spool mount  202 . The apparatus  100  also includes a spool  204  of covering material  208 . The apparatus  200  further includes foot pads  232 , a rod  215  at the cover&#39;s free end portion  209 , end caps  218 , a cutout or removed portion  220 , and a hook  222 . Accordingly, this embodiment of the apparatus  200  and some of its components may be generally similar to the apparatus  100  and the corresponding components thereof previously described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  200  further includes stays, ribbing, or batons  238  that are configured to help keep the cover  208  remain laterally extended or “tented” generally over the edges of the furniture piece. This “tenting” feature provided by the stays, ribbing, or batons  238  may help improve the ability of the cover  208  to deflect and divert rain off the cover  208 . This “tenting” feature may also help inhibit the cover  208  from being blown backwardly along the cover&#39;s edges, which might otherwise allow rain to ingress along the edges of the cover  208 . 
   A wide range of materials (e.g., fiberglass, plastic, etc.) may be used to provide the cover  208  with one or more stays, ribs, or batons  238 . Plus, various methods may be used to provide or attach the stays, ribs, or batons  238  to the cover  208 , such as adhesive bonding, via a sewn or stitched pocket or slot into which is slidably received a stay member, etc. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary base, support, or spool mount  302  that may be used for a furniture covering device, such as with apparatus  100  ( FIGS. 1 through 3 ),  200  ( FIG. 4 ),  400  ( FIG. 6 ), etc. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  302  includes end portions  306  that may be slidably coupled to a middle base portion  334 . In other exemplary embodiments, the end portions  306  and middle base portion  334  may be formed (e.g., molded, etc.) so as to have integral or single monolithic component construction. By way of example only, the middle base portion  334  may be formed (e.g., molded, etc.) so as to have a solid interior as shown in  FIG. 5 . As a further example, the middle base portion  134  may alternatively be formed (e.g., extruded, etc.) so as to be tubular and have a hollow interior, for example, to decrease the weight and material needed for the middle base portion  334 . 
   The various components of the base  302  may be formed from a wide range of materials. The various components of the base  302  may be formed from the same material or a different material as the other components of the base  302 . In one exemplary embodiment, the base  302  is formed from wood. In another embodiment, the base  302  may be formed from a moldable plastic material or materials, such as materials that do not rust or are treated to be rust proof (e.g., non-rusting metals or coated metals, etc.). In some embodiments, the base  302  may be formed from a sufficiently heavy enough material such that the weight of the base  302  alone is heavy enough to retain its position without any positioning of foot pads  332  (e.g.,  FIG. 3 , etc.) under the furniture support member. 
   The end portions  306  may include openings  307 A,  307 B configured for receiving therein end portions of a spool (e.g.,  104 ,  204 ,  404 , etc.). In this illustrated embodiment, the base  302  includes a thru-hole  307 A (e.g., circular hole, etc.) and a generally L-shaped slot  307 B. The L-shaped slot  307 B includes a lower generally horizontal portion with an open end, and an upper generally vertical portion with a closed end. Accordingly, a spool may be added to the base  302  by positioning one end of the spool into the thru-hole  307 A, and then sliding the spool&#39;s other end portion into the L-shaped slot  307 B via the open end of the L-shaped slot&#39;s lower generally horizontal portion. At which point, the thru-hole  107 A and closed end of the L-shaped slot&#39;s upper generally vertical portion cooperate so as help retain the spool from dislodging from the base  302 , such as when a cover is being unwound from the spool. This particular mounting arrangement of the spool to the base  302  may also allow for ready removal and replacement of the spool, such as when an existing spool or the covering material wound thereon is worn out, and/or when a different color of covering material is desired. Alternatively, the base  302  may include differently configured openings or other means for rotatably supporting a spool of covering material and for helping ensure that the spool resists being pulled loose or dislodging from the base  302 . 
   The base  302  is also show with two foot pads  332 . The foot pads  332  may be configured to be flush with the ground or floor with the feet of the furniture piece placed directly on them, thus holding down the base  302 , for example, while the cover is being pulled out from the spool and/or during high winds. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 5 , the foot pad  332 A may include an upwardly protruding portion  342  (e.g., pin, etc.) that is configured to be received in a corresponding slot  344  of the end portion  406 . The other foot pad  332 B may include a downwardly protruding portion  346  configured to be slidably received within a corresponding slot  348  of the middle base portion  334 . Accordingly, when the base  302  is assembled, the upwardly protruding portion  342  of the foot pad  332 A may be received within the slot  344 , and the downwardly protruding portion  346  of the foot pad  332 B may be receiving within the slot  348 . With this mounting arrangement, the foot pad  332 A may thus be rotated (as indicated by the arrows) relative to the base  302 , for example, to rotatably adjust the positioning of the foot pad  332 A for placement under a foot of a chair, couch, table, etc. This mounting arrangement may also allow the foot pad  332 B to be slid relative to the base  302 , for example, to slidably adjust the positioning of the foot pad  332 B for placement under a foot of a chair, couch, table, etc. In this exemplary manner, the foot pads  332  may thus be adjusted for a variety of feet configurations of a wide range of furniture pieces. This may be advantageous because different types and brands of furniture may have feet in different sizes and with different spacing. Alternatively, the base  302  may include differently configured foot pads (e.g., different shapes, sizes, locations, mounting arrangement, more than two, less than two, etc.). For example, the base  302  may include a different mounting arrangement for the foot pads  332  than that shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Alternatively, other systems and methods may be used to retain the positioning of the base, support, or spool mount  302  relative to the furniture piece, such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, hooks, etc. For example, one exemplary embodiment may include one or more magnets that allow the base to be removably coupled to a particular magnetically responsive portion of a furniture piece (e.g., chair leg, under a table, etc.) formed of a magnetically responsive material, such as a magnetically permeable material (iron, etc.) and/or permanent magnetic material (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron (Nd—Fe—B), etc.). 
     FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a furniture covering apparatus  400 . As shown, the apparatus  400  includes a base, support, or spool mount  402 . The apparatus  400  also includes a spool (only the end portion  405  of which is visible  FIG. 6 ) of covering material  408 . The apparatus  400  further includes foot pads  432 , a rod  415  at the cover&#39;s free end portion  409 , end caps  418 , a cutout or removed portion  420 , a hook  422 . Stays, ribbing, or batons  438  are also provided to help keep the cover  408  remain laterally extended or “tented” generally over the edges of the furniture piece. Accordingly, this embodiment of the apparatus  400  and some of its components may be generally similar to the apparatus  100  and the corresponding components thereof previously described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   With further reference to  FIG. 6 , magnets  424  may be attached (e.g., bonded, embedded, etc.) to the cover  408 . The magnets  424  may be used for magnetically attaching the cover  408 , for example, to a furniture piece having a frame made of steel, wrought iron, other magnetically responsive material (e.g., iron, etc.), and/or permanent magnetic material (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron (Nd—Fe—B), etc.), etc. 
   By way of example, one or more magnets  424  may be secured in the sleeve or pocket of the cover  408  in which the rod  415  is positioned. As another example, one or more magnets  424  may be positioned within preexisting openings (e.g., slots, holes, etc.) at about the leading edge of the cover  408  (or other suitable location). In such exemplary embodiments, the openings and/or magnets may be configured such that a friction or interference fit may is formed between the magnets  424  and the cover  408 , which, in turn, may help reduce manufacturing costs to build the apparatus. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 6 , the apparatus  400  further includes a housing or cover member  410  that is positioned generally over the spool and coupled to the base  402 . Accordingly, this exemplary embodiment allows the spool of covering material  408  to be stored and housed within the space or enclosed area cooperatively defined by the housing member  410  and the base  402 . 
   The housing member  410  includes an opening or slot  450  through which the cover  408  passes as it is being wound onto or unwound from the spool. The housing member  410  is shown in  FIG. 6  with a generally inverted U-shaped or C-shaped profile. Other configurations (e.g., different shapes, etc.) may also be used for the housing member  410  than that shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   In this particular embodiment, the end portions  405  of the spool may be rotatably supported within openings  407  of the base&#39;s end portions  406 . When the housing member  410  is coupled (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, friction or interference fit, etc.), the housing member  410  may help retain the spool&#39;s end portions  405  within the openings  407 , such as when the cover  408  is being unwound from the spool. Alternative methods may also be employed for rotatably supporting the spool, including differently configured openings in other shapes, sizes, locations, etc. In another exemplary embodiment, a spool may be rotatably supported by brackets that are integral to a base or attached to a base, for example, by screws or other suitable fasteners (e.g., nails, adhesives, etc.). In yet another exemplary embodiment, a spool may be rotatably supported from a base via a thru-hole and L-shaped slot as described above for embodiment  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
   With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the housing member  410  may be formed from a wide range of materials. In one exemplary embodiment, the housing member  410  may be formed from ABS (Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer) plastic having a thickness between about three-sixteenths inches and one-fourth inches. In another exemplary embodiment, the housing member  410  may be formed from another moldable plastic material having a thickness of between about three-sixteenths inches and one-fourth inches. The housing member  410  may be provided in any of a wide range of colors. In various exemplary embodiments, the housing member  410  may be provided in a color that substantially matches the color of the furniture piece being covered and/or the color of the support surface or patio material (e.g., deck, brick, stone, etc.). In other embodiments, the housing member  410  may be provided in a color that substantially matches the color of the deck surface supporting the furniture piece. In such embodiments where the color of the housing member  410  matches the deck or other support surface, the cover  408  might be provided in a color that matches the cushions of the furniture piece. 
   In some alternative exemplary embodiments, either or both of the spool&#39;s end portions may extend outwardly beyond the housing end walls so as to create a handle for the user to grasp and thereby facilitate unwinding the cover from the spool and/or winding and retracting the cover back onto the spool. A relatively soft material (e.g., foam, etc.) may be disposed over the handle portions for user comfort. Further, a crank may also be attached or integral with either or both spool end portions to further facilitate winding and unwinding of the cover and/or for adjusting the retraction spring tension in some embodiments. 
   Alternative embodiments may include one or more foot pads slidably coupled to a rod, which in turn, is coupled to a base, support, or spool mount and/or to a housing member. In such embodiments, the foot pads may be slid (e.g., moved from side to side) along the rod, which thus allows the foot pads to be adjustably aligned and placed under the chair, couch, or table feet. In this exemplary manner, the foot pads may thus be slidably adjusted for a variety of feet configurations of a wide range of furniture pieces having differently configured (e.g., shape, spacing, etc.) feet. Other embodiments may include one or more foot pads removably attachable to a base and/or housing member, such as with magnets, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro, etc.), combinations thereof, etc. In these embodiments, the foot pads may be removed, repositioned, and then reattached to the base and/or housing member at the particular locations corresponding with the feet of the furniture piece to enable the reattached foot pads to be more properly positioned under the feet of the furniture piece. Alternative embodiments may include one or more foot pads that are tethered so as to allow adjustment to the foot pad positioning relative to the legs of the furniture piece. Other exemplary embodiments may include one or more foot pads coupled to a housing member and/or base in other exemplary manners. Further exemplary embodiments may include one or more foot pads fixedly attached to a base and/or housing member such that the foot pads are not adjustable by sliding or rotation. Various embodiments include one or more foot pads coupled at different locations so as to match up with the feet of a furniture piece that will be covered by the cover. 
   Some embodiments also include a housing member having one or more lips or overhangs. In such embodiments, the lip may help reduce rain, dew, or other water from entering the housing member. In an exemplary embodiment, the lip may be curved generally downwardly to form a drip edge to facilitate, for example, the flow of liquid (e.g., water from rain or from cleaning the furniture piece, etc.) off the top surface of the housing member. Alternatively, the lip may have a generally hemispherically-shaped profile. In yet another embodiment, the lip may be generally straight and extend generally diagonally in a downwardly direction from the front edge of the housing&#39;s top surface. 
   In other embodiments, the cover may retract in a manner or direction that directs any excess water off the outside of the cover as it spools. For example, the cover may be oriented relative to the spool such that a portion of the cover is disposed generally over the top portion of the spool. In such embodiments, when the cover is unwound and positioned over a furniture piece, the cover may have a generally concave curvature or generally downward slope relative to the ground such that excess water flows or drains off the upper surface of the cover. In some of these embodiments, an opening or slot may be provided in the top of the housing member through which the cover passes as it is being wound onto or unwound from the spool. 
   Additionally, or alternatively, a device or other means (e.g., rubber materials, brushes, etc.) may be provided, for example, within or outside the housing, for squeezing or squeegeeing excess water off the cover as the cover is being spooled back onto the spool. 
   Some embodiments include a housing member with a top surface, a back surface, and side surfaces. The housing member may also include a front surface. In addition, the bottom portion of the housing member may be substantially open or completely open to help prevent or reduce the amount of water accumulation within the housing member. Alternative embodiments may include a housing having a solid bottom surface, which, in turn, may include one or more openings therethrough to allow water to drain out from the housing bottom. 
   Alternative embodiments may include a housing member with side surfaces defined by removable end caps. These removable end caps may facilitate the removal and replacement of a spool. A user may remove the end caps, replace the spool with a different spool, and then reattach the end caps. By way of example, a user may replace a spool when that spool or the covering material wound thereon is worn out, and/or when a different color of covering material is desired. 
   Some embodiments may include a housing member having one or more surfaces that may include one or more openings (e.g., circular through holes, etc.) therethrough to allow moisture to vent out of the housing member, thereby reducing water and moisture accumulation within the housing. 
   Some embodiments include a spool having a spindle or rod that is attached to an end portion of the cover. In various embodiments, this rod is substantially solid. Alternatively, other materials and/or other various shapes (e.g., cylindrical shapes, rectangular, triangular, tubular shapes, hollow shapes, etc.) may be used for the spool. 
   One particular embodiment includes a housing member may be sized dimensionally such that the width W (from front to back) is about three one-half inches and its height H (from top to bottom) is also about three one-half inches (or smaller in some embodiments). Note that all embodiments do not include housing members. The housing member may also be provided in various lengths L (such as forty-eight inches, sixty-four inches, eighty-four inches, etc.) depending on the length of the particular furniture piece being covered, such as a two-person couch, a three-person couch, etc. For a chair, the housing&#39;s length L may be less than forty-eight inches. The dimensions provided in this paragraph (as are all dimensions provided herein) are for purposes of illustration only as the particular dimensions of a furniture covering device and components thereof may vary depending on the requirements of the particular application (e.g., particular piece of furniture, etc.) in which the furniture covering device will be used. 
   Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure provide relatively quick and easy ways to cover outdoor patio furniture to thereby help keep the furniture dry and protect it from weather conditions without having to place specially-fitted and expensive covers over each piece of furniture, without having to bring the cushions out of the weather, and/or without having to store such specially-fitted covers after uncovering the furniture. By using an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may avoid the expenses, inconveniences, and time associated with these cumbersome methods. 
   Aspects of the present disclosure also include furniture pieces that include one or more of the covering apparatus described herein. For example, an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a furniture piece (e.g., outdoor patio chair, etc.) that has attached thereto or built therein a covering apparatus of the present disclosure. As another example, a furniture piece may include a back surface (e.g., back surface of a couch, etc.) to which is attached a covering apparatus of the present disclosure. As a further example, a furniture piece may have two or more legs to which is attached (e.g., fixedly attached, removably attached, etc.) a covering apparatus of the present disclosure. 
   Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a wide range of furniture pieces including furniture intended for indoor use and/or outdoor use, such as chairs, tables, recliners, couches, dressers, among others. Accordingly, the specific references to outdoor furniture should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to any specific form/type of furniture. Further, various embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to outdoor equipment as well. 
   The dimensions provided herein are for purposes of illustration only as the particular dimensions may vary depending on the particular application (e.g., particular furniture piece, etc.) in which the apparatus will be used. 
   Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “back”, “rear”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. 
   When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. 
   The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.