Protective cover for marine mooring bumper

Abstract

A protective cover for a cylindrically-shaped marine mooring bumper, such as a scrap tire, includes a band having a pair of opposing edges, and a circular panel connected at or near its circumference to one of the edges of the band. At least one—and preferably both—of the band and the panel include a marine-grade material.

1 . A protective cover for a cylindrically-shaped marine bumper, comprising: 
 a band having a pair of opposing edges; and    a circular panel connected at or near its circumference to one of the edges of the band;    at least one of the band and the panel comprising a marine-grade material.    
   
   
       2 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein both the band and the panel comprise a marine-grade material.  
   
   
       3 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the marine-grade material comprises a fabric that is water resistant.  
   
   
       4 . The protective cover of  claim 3 , wherein the fabric is treated to provide the water resistance.  
   
   
       5 . The protective cover of  claim 1  wherein the marine-grade material comprises a fabric that is mildew resistant.  
   
   
       6 . The protective cover of  claim 5 , wherein the fabric is treated to provide the mildew resistance.  
   
   
       7 . The protective cover of  claim 1  wherein the marine-grade material comprises a fabric that is fade resistant.  
   
   
       8 . The protective cover of  claim 7 , wherein the fabric is treated to provide the fade resistance.  
   
   
       9 . The protective cover of  claim 1  wherein the marine-grade material comprises a fabric that is wear resistant.  
   
   
       10 . The protective cover of  claim 9 , wherein the fabric is treated to provide the wear resistance.  
   
   
       11 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable fastener carried at or near the other edge of the band.  
   
   
       12 . The protective cover of  claim 11 , wherein the releasable fastener comprises a draw string.  
   
   
       13 . The protective cover of  claim 11 , wherein the releasable fastener comprises a narrow elastic band.  
   
   
       14 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable fastener comprises VELCRO fasteners.  
   
   
       15 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the band is equipped with one or more orifices therein to permit water to drain therethrough.  
   
   
       16 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the band and the panel are integrally formed from a single piece of marine-grade material.  
   
   
       17 . A marine mooring bumper comprising: 
 a cylindrically-shaped bumper for attaching to a marine mooring structure; and    a protective cover for the cylindrical bumper, the protective cover comprising: 
 a band having a pair of opposing edges; and  
 a circular panel connected at or near its circumference to one of the edges of the band;  
 at least one of the band and the panel comprising a marine-grade material.  
   
   
   
       18 . The marine mooring bumper of  claim 17 , wherein the bumper comprises a tire.  
   
   
       19 . The marine mooring bumper of  claim 17 , wherein the marine-grade material comprises a fabric that is resistant to water, mildew, mold, wear, rot, fade, stain, scuff, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The marine mooring bumper of  claim 19 , wherein the fabric is treated to provide its resistance to water, mildew, mold, wear, rot, fade, stain, scuff, or a combination thereof.