Multi layer weather resistant cover

Abstract

A cover for protecting patio furniture or other objects from adverse weather includes a UV resistant outer layer that may include a top and side panels, an inner layer that may include a top and side panels, and contact sites by which the two layers are fixedly attached to one another. Releasable fasteners for attaching to the furniture or object to be protected are attached to the inner layer. The contact sites are minimal relative to the size of the inner layer, such that the sum of the areas of contact sites or contact areas is substantially less than an unbonded area of the inner layer. Area and perimeter limits apply to the unbonded area between the layers to ensure the two layers can move relatively independent of each other.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A removable cover for protecting an object from exposure to weather comprising: 
 an outer layer defining an exterior surface;    at least one inner layer defining an interior surface for contacting the object, wherein said inner layer is attached to said outer layer by at least one contact site such that said inner and outer layers are movable independently of each other except at the contact site; and    means for removably securing said cover to the object, said means attached to said inner layer.    
     
     
         2 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein said means for removably securing is attached only to said inner layer.  
     
     
         3 . The removable cover of  claim 2  wherein said means for removably securing is selected from the group consisting of drawstring, belt, buckle, tie, hook-and-loop fastener, snap, button, grommet, and hook.  
     
     
         4 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein an area of the interior surface is less than an area of the exterior surface.  
     
     
         5 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein said inner layer comprises a plurality of patches, each patch being fixedly secured to said outer layer and positioned at a stress point defined by the object.  
     
     
         6 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein the at least one contact site is along an edge of the inner layer.  
     
     
         7 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein the at least one contact site is a plurality of contact sites spaced from one another.  
     
     
         8 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein said outer layer is UV resistant.  
     
     
         9 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein said inner layer is made from a polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . The removable cover of  claim 1  wherein the at least one contact site defines at least one contact area, the sum of the contact areas being substantially less than an area defined by the interior surface.  
     
     
         11 . The removable cover of  claim 10  wherein the at least one inner layer is a durable single layer.  
     
     
         12 . A removable cover for shielding an object from exposure to weather, comprising: 
 a UV resistant outer layer defining a top outer panel and at least one side outer panel fixedly attached to one another;    at least one inner layer defining a top inner panel having a minor span x and at least one side inner panel, said inner layer attached to said outer layer by at least one contact site defining at least one contact area; wherein 
 the top inner panel includes an unbonded area free of any contact area, said unbonded area defining an area of at least  
           2   9        π                   x   2                     
 and bounded by a perimeter defined by at least one line whose total length is no more than 7.21 πx.  
   
     
     
         13 . The removable cover of  claim 12  wherein the top outer panel and the at least one side outer panel are fixedly attached to one another at a seam; and 
 said at least one inner layer is fixedly attached to said outer layer by at least one contact site at the seam.  
 
     
     
         14 . The removable cover of  claim 13  wherein said at least one inner layer is attached to the at least one side outer panel at a contact site.  
     
     
         15 . The removable cover of  claim 12  further comprising means for removably securing said inner layer to the object, said means being fixedly attached only to the inner layer.  
     
     
         16 . The removable cover of  claim 12  wherein the unbonded area defines an area of at least  
       
         
           
             
               
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         17 . The removable cover of  claim 12  wherein the perimeter of the unbonded area is defined by a single line having a length no more than 10.0 πx.  
     
     
         18 . The removable cover of  claim 12  wherein the perimeter of the unbonded area is defined by at least one line whose total length is no more than 5.0 πx.  
     
     
         19 . The removable cover of  claim 12  wherein the perimeter of the unbonded area is defined by at least one line whose total length is no more than 2.5 πx.  
     
     
         20 . An outdoor furniture cover comprising: 
 an outer UV resistant layer including a top outer panel and at least one side outer panel fixedly attached to one another at an outer seam;    at least one inner layer including a top inner panel and at least one side inner panel fixedly attached to each other at an inner seam;    a plurality of discrete contact sites connecting said outer seam to said inner seam, said inner layer and said outer layer fixedly attached to one another only at said plurality of contact sites; and    means for removably securing said cover to said outdoor furniture, wherein said means are attached to said inner layer.    
     
     
         21 . A method of covering at least one article of furniture comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cover comprising an outer layer defining an exterior surface, at least one inner layer defining an interior surface for contacting the object, wherein said inner layer is fixedly attached to said outer layer by at least one contact site such that said inner and outer layers are movable independently of each other except at the contact site; and means for removably securing said cover to the object, said means attached to said inner layer;    positioning the cover on at least one article of furniture;    securing the cover to the at least one article of furniture via the means for removably securing that is attached to said inner layer.