Cover device and system for locking assembly

Abstract

Cover devices and systems for locking assemblies are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the cover device include a cover component having an interior and at least one opening, where the interior is configured to house a locking assembly therein and the opening(s) are configured to receive the locking assembly and/or a flexible strand (such as a lace) therethrough. The locking assembly cover systems include the previously described cover component, a locking assembly operable to releasably secure a portion of a flexible strand and slidably disposed within the interior of the cover device, and at least one flexible strand releasably secured by the locking assembly and threaded through at least one of the openings of the cover component. Furthermore, locking assembly cover kits are described, which include an assembly of the components of the system packaged together.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a cover component defining an interior therein and further defining at least one opening in communication with the interior;   wherein the interior is configured to house a locking assembly therein, the locking assembly configured to secure a portion a flexible strand therein; and   wherein at least one of the at least one openings is configured to receive the locking assembly therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a compressible material and a non-compressible material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component further defines a first end, a second end, a front surface, and a back surface, and wherein at least the first end and the second end are comprised of a compressible material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component comprises a sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component comprises a portion that is phosphorescent. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more lights. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one openings is configured to receive the flexible strand therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly is at least substantially housed within the interior of the cover component. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises at least two openings, wherein at least one of the at least two openings comprises a lace opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component further defines at least one lace opening configured to receive the flexible strand therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component is configured with a design selected from the group consisting of a cartoon character, a flower, a sports-related image, a mythical being image, a transportation-related image, a construction-related image, an agriculture-related image, a racing image, an animal image, a reptile image, an insect image, a dinosaur image, a food image, a geography-related image, a business image, a business logo, a trademark, a party supply image, a number, a letter, a holiday-related image, a seasonal image, a religious image, a patriotic image, a music-related image, a celebrity likeness, a political figure image, a firearm image, an apparel image, a footwear image, a pet-related image, and an appliance. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a control and a battery, wherein at least one of the control and/or the battery is coupled to the one or more lights. 
     
     
         13 . A system for covering a locking assembly, the system comprising:
 a cover component defining an interior therein and further defining at least one opening in communication with the interior; and   a locking assembly operable to releasably secure a portion of a flexible strand, the locking assembly slidably disposed within the interior of the cover component; and   at least one flexible strand comprising a first portion releasably secured by the locking assembly, a second portion traversing one of the at least one openings of the cover component, and a third portion traversing one of the at least one openings of the cover component   wherein at least one of the at least one openings is configured to receive the locking assembly therethrough.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a fourth portion of the at least one flexible strand is affixed on or to an article. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the cover component is coupled with the article. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of apparel, footwear, luggage, a backpack, a bag, a purse, a boxing glove, a punching bag, and athletic shoulder pads. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the locking assembly is configured to move between a locked position and a released position and the cover component is at least partially comprised of a compressible material such that a user can move the locking assembly between the locked position and the released position when the locking assembly is disposed within the interior of the cover component. 
     
     
         18 . A locking assembly cover kit including an assembly of components packaged together, the locking assembly cover kit comprising:
 a cover component defining an interior therein and further defining at least one opening in communication with the interior; and   a locking assembly operable to releasably secure a portion of a flexible strand, the locking assembly slidably disposed within the interior of the cover component;   wherein the interior of the cover component is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the locking assembly therein through the at least one opening.   
     
     
         19 . The locking assembly cover kit of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more flexible strands. 
     
     
         20 . The locking assembly cover kit of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more flexible strands comprise elastic bands configured to traverse the at least one opening of the cover component.