Tension held cover
AssigneeDowco, Inc.
InventorJon Alexander
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover for a vehicle, such as a boat, including a ratchet and straps. The straps are connected to a plate for evenly distributing the load placed on the straps when the straps are tightened by the ratchet. The straps, when tightened, provide form to the cover such that water will run off the cover.
Claims19
A covering for a vehicle with an elevated structure, the covering comprising:
- a fabric sized to cover at least a portion of the vehicle;
- a securing means coupled to the fabric and configured to be attached to the vehicle for securing the fabric to the vehicle;
- and
- a tensioning means coupled to the fabric, the tensioning means further comprising a tightening mechanism, the tightening mechanism located on an underside of the fabric for creating a generally taut fabric;
- wherein, when the fabric is taut, the fabric forms generally inclined surfaces with low points where the fabric is secured to the vehicle and at least one high point at the elevated structure such that water will run off the fabric and at least one side of the vehicle.
A vehicle covering comprising:
- a cover material;
- a plate attached to the cover material;
- a first rope connected to the plate and configured to be attached to a vehicle at a first location such that at least a portion of the first rope extends over at least a portion of a top of the vehicle;
- a second rope connected to the plate and configured to be attached to the vehicle at a second location such that at least a portion of the second rope extends over at least a portion of the top of the vehicle;
- a third rope connected to the plate and configured to be attached to the vehicle at a third location such that at least a portion of the third rope extends over at least a portion of the top of the vehicle;
- and
- a ratchet directly engaged with one of the first, second and third ropes to tighten the first, second and third ropes to give form to the cover material such that water will run off the cover material.
The vehicle covering of claim 14, wherein the cover material has a pocket and the plate is located in the pocket.
The vehicle covering of claim 14, wherein the cover material has a vent.
The vehicle covering of claim 14, wherein the cover material has a number of sleeves and at least one of the first, second and third ropes extends through some of the number of sleeves.
The vehicle covering of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first, second and third ropes is configured to be connected to the vehicle by a fastener and wherein least one of the number of sleeves is sized such that the fastener cannot fit though the least one of the number of sleeves.
The vehicle covering of claim 14, wherein the first location is a nose of a boat, the second location is a stern starboard corner of the boat and the third location is a stern port corner of the boat.
The vehicle covering of claim 19, wherein the cover material has a flap on at least one side and at least one closure attached to the flap for securing the cover material to the boat.
A covering for a boat with a windshield, the covering comprising:
- a fabric sized to cover at least a portion of the boat;
- a series of straps coupled to the fabric for securing the fabric to the boat;
- and
- a tightening device coupled to at least one of the series straps;
- wherein, when the at least one of the series straps is taut, the fabric forms generally inclined surfaces with low points where the fabric is secured to the boat and at least one high point at the windshield such that water will run off the fabric and at least one side of the boat;
- and
- wherein the covering is configured to remain secured to the boat when the boat is removed from a trailer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.