Piling Wrap

Abstract

An apparatus and method for protecting a piling and protecting items that would impact the piling includes a plastic sheet of substantial durability and fluid impermeability having flexibility to be wrapped around a piling and be in close conformance with its exterior surface. Mounting hardware would affix the wrap to the piling at various places along the overlapping portions of the wrap.

1 . A piling wrap comprising: 
 a. a sheet of high density polyethylene plastic having a thickness of at least around one-half inch, an outer surface, an inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposite side edges, the outer surface including at least one of ornamentation, raised portions, or texture;    b. the sheet being elongated between top and bottom edges at least several feet;    c. the sheet being flexible enough to form essentially a cylinder with overlapping opposite side edges;    d. attachment hardware adapted to pass through the overlapping side edges and extend from the outer surface and through the inner surface of the sheet for attachment to a piling, the attachment hardware comprising marine grade screws or nails but without sealing top and bottom edges of the plastic:    
     
     
         2 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  wherein the plastic is water impermeable, marine environment resistant, and UV resistant and has some impact-absorbing characteristics.  
     
     
         3 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         4 . The piling wrap of  claim 2  wherein the plastic is vinyl.  
     
     
         5 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is rectangular in shape having a width of several feet, a length of several feet, and a thickness of on the order of an inch or less.  
     
     
         6 . The piling wrap of  claim 5  wherein the length is approximately 2-8 feet.  
     
     
         7 . The piling wrap of  claim 5  wherein the width is approximately 20-50 inches.  
     
     
         8 - 9 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         10 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of alternating slots and ribs extending longitudinally of the wrap.  
     
     
         11 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  further comprising a texture on the outer surface of the sheet.  
     
     
         12 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  further comprising a cross-sectional profile created during manufacturing of the sheet.  
     
     
         13 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  wherein the overlapping opposite side edges overlap for at least approximately several inches when installed on a piling.  
     
     
         14 . The piling wrap of  claim 1  in combination with a piling wherein the wrap surrounds a portion of the longitudinal length of the piling.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the piling is wood.  
     
     
         16 . A method of protecting a piling comprising: 
 a. wrapping a high density polyethylene plastic sheet of at least one-half inch thickness around the piling, the outer surface including at least one or more ornamentation, raised portions, or texture;    b. overlapping the edges of plastic sheet;    c. screwing or nailing the sheet in place to the piling at a plurality of positions along the overlapping edges but without sealing the edges of the plastic sheet relative the piling.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the plastic sheet is dimensionally predesigned for wrapping a piling of eight to twelve inches in diameter.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the plastic sheet is formed by molding or extrusion.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the plastic sheet is made from high density polyethylene or vinyl.  
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising: 
 a. one or more sheets of high density polyethylene plastic having a thickness of at least around one-half inch, a length of at least several feet, and a width of at least several feet, made of a material that allows flexible bending around the exterior of a piling, the outer surface including at least one or more ornamentation, raised portions, or texture;    b. attachment hardware for fixing each sheet at a plurality of locations to a piling, the attachment hardware comprising marine grade screws or nails but without any sealing members for sealing edges of the sheet relative the piling.