Portable generator cover

• US 9,124,148 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller Wood Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Miller Wood Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Wood, David G, Miller, Mark H
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette E
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUCKLE JR, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US13/625,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20130074421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 52/3, 52/64, 52/66, 52/69, 52/70, 52/71, 52/901, 52/911, 135/87, 135/143, 310/84, 310/89, 290/1.A, 246/14, 246/15
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 7/08 Equipment for securing luggage on carriers
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/48 foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means E04H15/405 and E04H15/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/047 Movable engine-generator combinations on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/10 with arrangements for protection from ingress, e.g. water or fingers

Abstract

A lightweight, foldable cover adapted for attachment to a portable electric generator permits the generator to be operated while covered and shielded from weather. The cover includes rigid or semi-rigid sides hingeably joined and held in position with flexible straps. The cover allows unimpeded exhaust and airflow underneath the cover, and unimpeded access to controls and outlets. The flexible straps attach to the cover and the frame of the generator. The straps are adjustable to accommodate different generator frame sizes, and include quick release devices to allow rapid attachment to, or detachment from the generator frame for refueling or storage. When removed the cover folds nearly flat for storage.

Claims

1. A portable generator cover, comprising:

a roof portion configured and arranged to sit on top of a frame of a portable generator, and cover the top of the portable generator completely; and

a single strap to secure the roof portion to the frame of the portable generator, the single strap further being made from a flexible, woven material, the single strap further being vertically secured to an apex of the roof portion and a portion of the frame of the portable generator, the single strap further configured and arranged to apply downward tension between the roof portion and the frame of the portable generator.

2. The portable generator cover of claim 1, wherein the roof portion further comprises having a left side and a right, the left side and right side hinged about a centerline forming an inverted V-shape with an apex.

3. The portable generator cover of claim 1, wherein the single strap is secured horizontally between a left side and a right side of the roof portion, and further configured and arranged to pass under a portion of the frame of the portable generator, the single strap further configured and arranged to apply inward tension to the left side and right side of the roof portion.

4. A portable generator cover, comprising:

a roof portion having a left side and a right, the left side and right side hinged about a centerline forming an inverted V-shape with an apex;

a horizontal strap connected to the left side and the right side of the roof portion, the horizontal strap applying inward tension to the left side and right side of the roof portion, the horizontal strap further being made from a flexible, woven material; and

a vertical strap having one end connected near the apex of the roof portion and having the other end configured and arranged to attach to a frame of a generator, the vertical strap further configured and arranged to apply downward tension between the roof portion and the frame of the portable generator, the vertical strap further being made from a flexible woven material.

5. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein the horizontal strap and vertical strap are connected together.

6. The portable generator cover of claim 5, wherein the vertical strap passes through a loop of material formed in the horizontal strap.

7. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein one end of the horizontal strap passes through a slot on the left side of the roof portion and is secured thereto, and the other end of the horizontal strap passes through a slot on the right side of the roof portion and is secured thereto.

8. The portable generator cover of claim 7, wherein each end of the horizontal strap further includes a slider directly connected to the left side and right side of the roof portion, respectively, preventing the horizontal strap from releasing from the right side and left side of the roof portion, respectively.

9. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein the vertical strap comprises a side release buckle having a female portion and a male portion.

10. The portable generator cover of claim 9, wherein the female portion of the side release buckle is connected to the generator and the male portion of the side release buckle is attached to the vertical strap.

11. The portable generator cover of claim 9, wherein the female portion of the side release buckle is connected to the generator with a zip tie.

12. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein the vertical strap is looped through a slot on the left side, over the apex, and through a slot on the right side and is secured to itself.

13. The portable generator cover of claim 12, wherein the vertical strap is secured to itself with a slider.

14. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein there are two horizontal straps spaced laterally apart.

15. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein there are two vertical straps spaced laterally apart.

16. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein the horizontal strap further comprises a slider configured to tension the horizontal strap.

17. The portable generator cover of claim 16, wherein the horizontal strap comprises two spaced-apart sliders configured to tension the horizontal strap.

18. The portable generator cover of claim 4, wherein the roof portion is semi-rigid.