Railing covering device

Abstract

An apparatus and method for covering a railing wherein the apparatus comprises a padding member defined between an interior surface sized to extend around the railing and an exterior surface spaced radially apart therefrom, the padding member having a gap extending between the interior and exterior surfaces and a cover extending between first and second ends and having a circumference corresponding substantially to a total radial surface length of the padding member. The method comprises surrounding the padding member with the cover, locating the cover and padding member around the railing with the cover surrounding the padding member and being located between the padding member and the railing and a securing fasteners at each of the first and second ends of the cover to surround the railing.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally padding and in particular to a method and apparatus for covering a railing with a protective padding.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] In many sporting arenas and other locations railings are provided around the playing surface for the protection of spectators from falls off of elevated positions such as around ledges and stairs. Such railings are frequently preferred locations for spectators to stand and watch the sporting activity. Disadvantageously, such railings are by their design requirements formed of hard materials. Accordingly, such surfaces may be uncomfortable for spectators to lean on.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus for covering a railing comprising a padding member defined between an interior surface sized to extend around the railing and an exterior surface spaced radially apart therefrom, the padding member having a gap extending between the interior and exterior surfaces and a cover extending between first and second ends and having a circumference corresponding substantially to a total radial surface length of the padding member.

[0004] The gap extend may between opposed first and second edges of the padding member. The interior of the padding member may have an interior circumference, wherein the exterior surface of the padding member has an exterior circumference and wherein the first and second edges of the padding member have a width, wherein circumference of the cover is selected to correspond substantially to cumulative total of the interior and exterior surfaces and width of each of the first and second edges.

[0005] The exterior surface of the padding member may have a substantially circular cross section. The interior surface of the padding member may have a substantially circular cross section. The padding member may have a substantially constant thickness between the interior and exterior surface. The width of the first and second edges may correspond to the thickness of the padding member.

[0006] The cover may be formed of a flexible material. The cover may include flexible members extending through passages at each end thereof for securing the cover and padding member to the railing. The flexible members may be selected from the group consisting of strings and ropes. The flexible members may be adapted to be tied to each other. The flexible members may include clips for fixing a length thereof out of the passage.

[0007] The passage may include openings at each end thereof. The openings may be positioned to align with each other when the cover is applied to the railing the railing passing between the cover and the padding member. The openings may be formed with eyelets through the cover into the passage. The openings may be formed by adhering the cover to itself to form the passage at each end of the cover. The cover may include fasteners positioned to engage each other across the gap in the padded member around the railing.

[0008] The cover may have a length selected to be longer than a length of the padding member so as to position the passages beyond the padding member. The cover may have a length selected to be between ⅛ and 9 inches longer than the padding member.

[0009] According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a method for covering a railing comprising providing a tubular padding member having an interior and an exterior surface and a gap extending therebetween, surrounding the padding member with a cover extending between first and second ends and having a circumference corresponding substantially to a total of the interior circumference, exterior circumference and gap thickness of the padding member, locating the cover and padding member around the railing with the cover surrounding the padding member and being located between the padding member and the railing and a securing fasteners at each of the first and second ends of the cover to surround the railing.

[0010] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for covering a railing as applied to a railing according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as taken along the line 4-4.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus being applied to a bar.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus being secured around a bar.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an end view of the sleeve of the apparatus of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary apparatus for covering a railing according to a first embodiment is shown generally at 10 applied to a railing segment 8. The apparatus 10 comprises a padding member 12 (as shown in FIGS. 3-4) surrounded by a cover 40 and secured to the railing 8.

[0020] The padding member 12 comprises an elongate member extending between first and second ends, 14 and 16, respectively. As illustrated, the padding member 12 may be formed of a substantially cylindrical member having an inner surface 18 defining an interior void 20 and an outer surface 22. As illustrated, the inner and outer surface 18 and 22 may be substantially cylindrical although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well including square irregular or planar and formed into a curved profile. In embodiments having a cylindrical shape, the padding member 12 may include a slot 24 along the length thereof between the inner and outer surfaces 18 and 22 so as to provide an entrance into the void 20. The slot 24 may be formed between first and second side edges, 26 and 28, respectively wherein the first and second side edges 26 may be substantially parallel to each other and having a width corresponding to the thickness of the padding member between the inner and outer surfaces 18 and 22. In embodiments having a non-cylindrical cross section, the padding member 12 may be optionally formed of any shape and curved or otherwise deformed into a shape with the first and second side edges proximate to each other. The padding member may be selected to be of any length as desired by a user to provide a surface on which a user can rest.

[0021] The padding member 12 may be formed of any suitable material operable to provide padding, impact protection, compression or cushioning. In particular, the padding member may be formed of any suitable material, including, without limitation, closed and open cell foams, expanded polyethylene, expanded polystyrene, down, feathers, or any other suitable padding or cushioning material as are known.

[0022] The sleeve 40 comprises an elongate tubular member formed of any suitable fabric or flexible material that is sized to fit over the padding member 12 in the manner as further set out below. The sleeve 40 extends between first and second ends, 42 and 44, respectively defining a central passage 46 therethrough. The first and second ends 42 and 44 may include a fastener for securing the cover and a contained padding member 12 to a bar or railing 8. In particular, the sleeve 40 defines a circumference selected to be sufficiently large so as to surround the outer surface 22 and the railing 8 within the void 20 such that a portion of the sleeve 40 is captured between the padding member 12 and the railing and a portion of the sleeve 40 surrounds the padding member 12. In practice, it has been found that a circumference of the sleeve having a dimension substantially equal to a sum of the circumference of the outer surface 22, the circumference of the inner surface 18 and the width of each of the first and second edges 26 and 28 will adequately permit such an arrangement. The length of the sleeve 40 between the first and second ends 42 and 44 is selected to be greater than the length of the padding member so as to permit the sleeve 40 to surround the padding member 12. The sleeve 40 may be formed of any suitable flexible material, including canvas, natural or synthetic fabrics or plastics or rubbers. The sleeve 40 may be formed into a tubular member by any known means including without limitation, being rolled and formed from a flat sheet of material at a seam 54 into a tubular shape as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0023] The first and second ends 42 and 44 of the sleeve include a transverse passage 46 around a portion thereof between first and second entrance passage 48 thereinto. Optionally, the entrance passages may be defined by an eyelet 62 or other structure incorporated into the fabric of the sleeve 40 so as to protect and maintain the shape and location of the entrance passage. Other entrances into and the transverse passage 46 through the sleeve may also be provided including, without limitation, sewn eyelets, holes, grommets, or the like. The transverse passage 46 may also be formed by folding a free end of the sleeve material over and sewing or otherwise adhering it to the main portion of the sleeve leaving an opening into the transverse passage 46 at each end thereof. The sleeve 40 may have a length selected to be longer than the padding member 12 such that the transverse passage 46 are located to each end of the padding member 12. By way of non-limiting example it has been found that providing a sleeve with a length of between ⅛ and 9 inches (3 and 229 mm) longer than the padding member has been useful although other dimensions may be utilized as well.

[0024] The entrance passages 48 are located around the periphery of the sleeve so as to form a first section 50 in one direction therebetween and a second section in a second direction therebetween. The entrance passages are located around the periphery such that the first section 50 corresponds to a distance around the circumference of the outer surface 22. The second section 52 corresponds to the distance around the inner surface 18 of the padding member 12. The first section 50 includes a string 60, rope or other flexible member extending therethrough including out of each of the entrance passages 48. It will be appreciated that although a sting is illustrated for tightening the ends of the sleeve, other devices may also be utilized including zip ties, hook and loop fastener straps, wires, adhesive, magnets, zippers or the like. The strings may optionally utilize a string clamp or cord lock device as are known for tightening around the railing. Optionally, the closure mechanism selected may be extended along the length of the sleeve 40 at a position corresponding to the entrance passages 48 such that the closure mechanism will enclose or cover the gap 24.

[0025] In operation, the padding member 12 may be located within the sleeve with the second portion 52 adjacent to the slot 24 as illustrated inFIG. 5. Thereafter, the bar may be passed through the slot 24 pushing the second portion 52 into the interior of the void 20 such that the second portion 52 is between the railing 8 and the padding member 12 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In such an arrangement the first portion 50 is located around the periphery of padding member 12. Thereafter the free ends of the string 60 may be tied together on one side of the railing 8 opposite to the direction around which the first portion 50 extends thereby securing the apparatus 10 on the railing 8. Such tightening will draw closer the first portion 50 of the transverse passage thereby reducing the diameter thereof and securing the padding member between the two transverse passage 46. As illustrated in cross section in FIG. 4, such an arrangement, the sleeve 40 forms a double c-shaped cross section with the padding member between the two c-shaped cross sections and the railing within the interior of the inside c-shape cross section.

[0026] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the exterior surface 70 of the sleeve 40 may include markings including advertisements 72 or other desired indications as illustrated in FIG. 2. Optional, the exterior surface may include a strap 74 or other connector adapted to hold a drink, sign, or any other object as desired by a user. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the strap 74 may be used to secure and suspend a drink holder 76 or another article from the sleeve. Optionally, the exterior surface 74 of the sleeve may include a fastener 74 positioned to be proximate to the first and second side edges 26 and 28 of the slot 24 such that they may be coupled together to secure the apparatus around a railing. The fastener may be selected to be of any type including, without limitation, clasps, buckles, buttons, straps, hook and loop, snaps or the like.

[0027] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosure as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for covering a railing comprising:a padding member defined between an interior surface sized to extend around the railing and an exterior surface spaced radially apart therefrom, the padding member having a gap extending between the interior and exterior surfaces; anda cover extending between first and second ends and having a circumference corresponding substantially to a total radial surface length of the padding member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gap extends between opposed first and second edges of the padding member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said interior of the padding member has an interior circumference, wherein the exterior surface of the padding member has an exterior circumference and wherein the first and second edges of the padding member have a width, wherein circumference of the cover is selected to correspond substantially to cumulative total of the interior and exterior surfaces and width of each of the first and second edges.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said exterior surface of the padding member has a substantially circular cross section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said interior surface of the padding member has a substantially circular cross section.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said padding member has a substantially constant thickness between the interior and exterior surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the width of the first and second edges corresponds to the thickness of the padding member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is formed of a flexible material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover includes flexible members extending through passages at each end thereof for securing the cover and padding member to the railing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flexible members are selected from the group consisting of strings and ropes.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flexible members are adapted to be tied to each other.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flexible members include clips for fixing a length thereof out of the passage.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the passage includes openings at each end thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the openings are positioned to align with each other when the cover is applied to the railing the railing passing between the cover and the padding member.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the openings are formed with eyelets through the cover into the passage.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the openings are formed by adhering the cover to itself to form the passage at each end of the cover.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover includes fasteners positioned to engage each other across the gap in the padded member around the railing.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover has a length selected to be longer than a length of the padding member so as to position the passages beyond the padding member.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the cover has a length selected to be between ⅛ and 9 inches longer than the padding member.

20. A method for covering a railing comprising:providing a tubular padding member having an interior and an exterior surface and a gap extending therebetween;surrounding the padding member with a cover extending between first and second ends and having a circumference corresponding substantially to a total of the interior circumference, exterior circumference and gap thickness of the padding member;locating the cover and padding member around the railing with the cover surrounding the padding member and being located between the padding member and the railing; anda securing fasteners at each of the first and second ends of the cover to surround the railing.

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