Framed Cover

Abstract

A flexible cover with a framed opening is disclosed. A rigid frame that is built into the cover's opening makes it possible to find the opening, lift the cover evenly, place the cover over the item, rotate the cover to the proper position and drop the cover in an even manner and without snagging. In addition, the frame can be made to fold so that the cover can be stowed away for storage in a controlled manner, and by folding the frame on a larger size cover it makes it easier for the user to control the covers weight because its center of gravity is held closer to the user's body until it is properly positioned and opened on top of the item to be covered.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A framed cover comprising:
 a flexible cover; and   a substantially planar frame, when in use, constructed from a plurality of members which enclose an area, the frame being rigid and operably coupled to a bottom portion of the flexible cover.   
     
     
         2 . The framed cover of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a first longitudinal section, having at least one member, opposite a second longitudinal section, having at least one member, and a first transverse section, having at least one member, opposite a second transverse section, having at least one member, the first and second longitudinal sections coupled together at respective opposing ends with the first and second transverse sections. 
     
     
         3 . The framed cover of  claim 2 , wherein each longitudinal section has at least two longitudinal members pivotably coupled to each. 
     
     
         4 . The framed cover of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal portions of each longitudinal section are pivotable upward relative to the pivoting member. 
     
     
         5 . The framed cover of  claim 4 , wherein the pivoting member includes a locking member such that the longitudinal portions are locked in an engaged state and unlocked in a non-engaged state. 
     
     
         6 . The framed cover of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal members of each longitudinal section are pivotable. 
     
     
         7 . The framed cover of  claim 6 , wherein the pivoting member includes a locking member such that the longitudinal portions are locked in an engaged state and unlocked in a non-engaged state. 
     
     
         8 . The framed cover of  claim 2 , wherein each of the longitudinal sections and transverse sections comprises detachable portions. 
     
     
         9 . A framed cover comprising:
 a flexible cover; and   a substantially planar frame, the frame having a plurality of sections coupled together, enclosing an area.   
     
     
         10 . The framed cover of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sections are pivotably coupled together. 
     
     
         11 . The framed cover of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sections are substantially overlapped in a folded state. 
     
     
         12 . The framed cover of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sections are pivotably coupled together with a first pivoting member and a second pivoting member, the first and second pivoting members pivotable in different directions. 
     
     
         13 . There framed cover of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sections includes a plurality of portions pivotably coupled to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The framed cover of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is coupled to a bottom portion of the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The framed cover of  claim 9 , wherein the frame is coupled to a top portion of the cover. 
     
     
         16 . A framed cover comprising:
 a cover; and   a substantially planar frame, enclosing an area and operably coupled to the cover.   
     
     
         17 . The framed cover of  claim 16 , wherein the frame includes a plurality of sections coupled together. 
     
     
         18 . The framed cover of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of sections are pivotably coupled together. 
     
     
         19 . The framed cover of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of sections are pivotable from an engaged state wherein the plurality of sections are not overlapped, and a disengaged state wherein the plurality of sections are overlapped. 
     
     
         20 . The framed cover of  claim 19 , wherein the frame is coupled to a bottom portion of the cover.