Anti-chew guard for spa covers

Abstract

An Anti-chew Guard for Spa Covers is disclosed. The cover is made from a durable material that is attachable to the edges of a conventional spa cover to prevent an animal from chewing the edges. The guard is available as a retrofit add-on to existing spa covers, as well as being incorporated between the core and sheath of a new cover (i.e. integrated into the cover). If additional protection is desired, the guard might also be electrified with a low-voltage current to startle an animal attempting to chew the cover.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A guard for spa covers having at least one panel, each panel being defined by a perimeter, comprising: 
 a plurality of edge strips attachable to said cover substantially around said perimeter.    
     
     
         2 . The guard of  claim 1 , wherein said edge strip comprises durable, chew-preventive material.  
     
     
         3 . The guard of  claim 2 , wherein said edge strip detachably attaches to said perimeter with a plurality of fastener devices.  
     
     
         4 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said fastener devices comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.  
     
     
         5 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said fastener devices comprise snaps.  
     
     
         6 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said fastener devices comprise buttons.  
     
     
         7 . The guard of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 one or more of said edge strips comprise electrical contacts disbursed across the face of said edge strip, said electrical contact in electrical communication with a power supply.    
     
     
         8 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said edge strips comprise metal.  
     
     
         9 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said edge strips further comprise a chemical coating, said chemical one of a group of animal repellant chemicals.  
     
     
         10 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said edge strips comprise durable plastic material.  
     
     
         11 . The guard of  claim 3 , wherein said edge strips comprise durable fabric material.  
     
     
         12 . An anti-chew guard for the perimeters of hot tub covers, comprising: 
 an edge strip comprising a durable, chew-preventive material attached to said perimeter; and    wherein said edge strip detachably attaches to said perimeter with a plurality of fastener devices    
     
     
         13 . The guard of  claim 12 , wherein said fastener devices comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.  
     
     
         14 . The guard of  claim 13 , wherein said edge strips further comprise a chemical coating, said chemical one of a group of animal-repellant chemicals.  
     
     
         15 . The guard of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 one or more of said edge strips comprise electrical contacts disbursed across the face of said edge strip, said electrical contact in electrical communication with a power supply.    
     
     
         16 . A method for preventing chewing damage to the perimeter edges of hot tub covers comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a strip of chew-preventive material to the perimeter edges of said hot tub covers.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said attaching step comprises attaching an edge strip comprising durable, chew-preventive material to said perimeter.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 an electrifying step, said electrifying step comprising applying a power source to said edge strips, said edge strips further defined by electrical contacts disbursed across their faces.