Cover with integrated, external stowage pocket for a towable water recreation vehicle

Abstract

A cover for a towable water recreation vehicle has top and bottom flat members attached together to form an enclosure for the towable water recreation vehicle. The outer surface of the cover further includes an external pocket for storage of a carrying container. A water recreation vehicle is placed between the top and bottom members of the cover and is then inflated for use. During use, the carrying container is stored in the external, closable pocket. After use, the vehicle is at least partially deflated and the cover and vehicle are folded as a single unit, with the vehicle remaining inside the cover, and stored in the carrying container. The vehicle and cover can then be removed from the carrying container and easily prepared for use again without any need for construction or for locating each separate element.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cover for an inflatable water recreation vehicle, the cover comprising: 
 a bottom member having an upper surface and a lower surface;    a top member, having an upper surface and a lower surface, overlying the upper surface of the bottom member, the bottom and top members being connected to form an enclosure for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle, the enclosure conforming in shape to an outer sidewall of the inflatable water recreation vehicle;    the cover further including an opening for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle; and    the outer surface of the cover further comprising a closable pocket for a carrying container.    
     
     
         2 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cover is made from a material which is resistant to water damage.  
     
     
         3 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cover is made from a material which is resistant to tearing.  
     
     
         4 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the opening for receiving the inflatable water recreation is a central opening in the top member of the cover.  
     
     
         5 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the opening for receiving the inflatable water recreation is a closable opening.  
     
     
         6 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the upper surface of the top member of the cover includes an attachment means for a towrope.  
     
     
         7 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the upper surface of the top member includes grip handles.  
     
     
         8 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closable pocket is located on the lower surface of the bottom member.  
     
     
         9 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the carrying container is attached to the closable pocket.  
     
     
         10 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closable pocket is closed using a zipper.  
     
     
         11 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closable pocket is closed using hook and loop fastener material.  
     
     
         12 . The cover as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the closable pocket is closed using two closing means.  
     
     
         13 . The cover as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the closable pocket is closed using a zipper and hook and loop fastener material.  
     
     
         14 . A cover for an inflatable water recreation vehicle, the cover comprising: 
 a top member and a bottom member made from a material which is resistant to water damage and each having an upper surface and a lower surface;    the top member overlying the upper surface of the bottom member, the bottom and top members being connected together along mutual peripheral edges to form an enclosure for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle, the enclosure conforming in shape to an outer sidewall of the inflatable water recreation vehicle;    the top member further having an attachment means for a tow rope;    the cover including an opening for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle; and    the cover further including a closable pocket for a carrying container, wherein the closable pocket is closed using a zipper and hook and loop fastener material and the carrying container is attached to the closable pocket.    
     
     
         15 . A cover for an inflatable water recreation vehicle, the cover comprising: 
 a top member and a bottom member made from a material which is resistant to water damage and each having an upper surface and a lower surface;    the top member overlying the upper surface of the bottom member and having a central opening for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle, the bottom and top members being connected together along mutual peripheral edges to form an enclosure for receiving the inflatable water recreation vehicle, the enclosure conforming in shape to an outer sidewall of the inflatable water recreation vehicle;    the top member further having an attachment means for a tow rope; and    the lower surface of the bottom member further comprising a closable pocket for a carrying container, wherein the closable pocket is closed using a zipper and hook and loop fastener material and the carrying container is attached to the closable pocket.    
     
     
         16 . A method for covering an inflatable water recreation vehicle, the method comprising: 
 providing an at least partially deflated inflatable water recreation vehicle;    providing a cover for the inflatable water recreation vehicle which has a top member and a bottom member attached to each other at mutual peripheral edges;    placing the at least partially deflated inflatable water recreation vehicle inside the cover through a central opening in the top member of the cover;    storing a carrying container for the cover and water recreation vehicle in a closable storage pocket located on a lower surface of the bottom member of the cover; and    inflating the inflatable water recreation vehicle such that the cover fits snugly against the inflated water recreation vehicle.    
     
     
         17 . A method for covering an inflatable water recreation vehicle, the method comprising: 
 providing an inflatable water recreation vehicle which is at least partially deflated;    providing a cover for the inflatable water recreation vehicle which has a top member and a bottom member attached to each other at mutual peripheral edges;    placing the at least partially deflated inflatable water recreation vehicle inside the cover through a central opening in the top member of the cover;    storing a carrying container for the cover and water recreation vehicle in a closable storage pocket located on a lower surface of the bottom member of the cover;    inflating the inflatable water recreation vehicle such that the cover fits snugly against the inflated water recreation vehicle;    substantially deflating the inflated water recreation vehicle upon completion of use;    removing the carrying container for the cover and water recreation vehicle from the closable storage pocket; and    placing the cover and water recreation vehicle inside the carrying container.