Cushion with integral protective covering

Abstract

Camping gear has a storage bag permanently attached thereto which provides an internal storage chamber for receiving and storing the camping gear therein when the gear is in a collapsed position. A pocket is secured to a surface of the gear and the storage bag is secured at one end within the pocket and stored therein when not in use. Prior to placing the camping gear in the collapsed position, the storage bag is pulled from the pocket and is either rolled over the collapsed gear for placing the gear within the storage chamber or the collapsed gear is inserted into the storage chamber of the bag through an elongated opening formed in the bag. An opening can be formed in one end of the bag for inserting the gear into the storage chamber and is closed by a drawstring. A handle or strap is attached to the storage bag for carrying the camping gear after being placed in the storage bag. Alternatively, the invention is a cushion having an integral waterproof protective covering permanently attached to the cushion. The protective covering includes and opening communicating with a storage chamber formed within the protective covering, and wherein the cushion is insertable through the opening and into the storage chamber.

1 . A cushion with an integral protective covering comprising:
 a cushion; and   a protective covering permanently attached to the cushion, wherein the protective covering includes an opening communicating with a storage chamber formed within the protective covering, and wherein the cushion is insertable through the opening and into the storage chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The cushion defined in  claim 1  wherein the protective covering includes a closure for closing the opening of the protective covering after the cushion is inserted into the storage chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The cushion defined in  claim 2  wherein a pocket is affixed to the cushion, and wherein the protective covering is securely attached within the pocket and is expandable therefrom for receiving the cushion. 
   
   
       4 . The cushion defined in  claim 3  wherein the protective covering has an elongated configuration with first and second opposed ends, wherein the first end is secured within the pocket and wherein the opening is formed in the second end of the protective covering. 
   
   
       5 . The cushion defined in  claim 3  wherein the cushion is formed of a non-waterproof material, and the protective covering is formed of a waterproof material. 
   
   
       6 . The cushion defined in  claim 1  further comprising a carrying strap attached to the protective covering. 
   
   
       7 . The cushion defined in  claim 1  wherein the opening is an elongated opening extending along the protective covering, and wherein a closure extends along at least a portion of the opening. 
   
   
       8 . The cushion defined in  claim 7  wherein the closure is one of a drawstring and Velcro® extending about the opening of the protective covering for closing the opening when the cushion is in the storage chamber. 
   
   
       9 . A combination seat cushion and protective covering, wherein the seat cushion comprises:
 a padding; and   a case surrounding the padding, wherein the case is formed of a non-waterproof material; and   the protective covering is formed of a waterproof material and permanently attached to the case, wherein the protective covering includes an opening communicating with a storage chamber formed within the protective covering, and wherein the seat cushion is insertable through the opening and into the storage chamber.   
   
   
       10 . The article defined in  claim 9  wherein the protective covering includes a closure for closing the opening after the seat cushion has been inserted into the storage chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The combination defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a pocket affixed to the case, whereby the protective covering is securely attached within the pocket, and wherein the protective covering is expandable therefrom for receiving the seat cushion. 
   
   
       12 . The combination defined in  claim 9 , further comprising a carrying strap attached to the protective covering for carrying the seat cushion when the seat cushion is in the storage chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The combination defined in  claim 9  wherein the protective covering has an elongated configuration with a length greater than a length of the seat cushion, and whereby the seat cushion is completely enclosed within the protective covering. 
   
   
       14 . A method of removably encasing a cushion within a protective covering comprising the steps of:
 providing a protective covering securely attached to the cushion and forming an internal storage chamber;   expanding the protective covering to an elongated configuration;   inverting the expanded protective covering and pulling the protective covering over the cushion to place the cushion in the storage chamber.   
   
   
       15 . The method defined in  claim 14  including the steps of providing an end opening in a free end of the expanded protective covering; and closing said end opening by a drawstring after the cushion has been placed in the storage chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The method defined in  claim 14  including the steps of providing the cushion with a pocket secured to an external surface of the cushion; securing a first end of the protective covering to the cushion; and storing the protective covering within the pocket until the protective covering is expanded into the elongated configuration and pulled over the cushion. 
   
   
       17 . The method defined in  claim 16  including the step of providing a carrying strap on the protective covering. 
   
   
       18 . The method defined in  claim 16  including the step of forming the protective covering of a waterproof material.