Pontoon protective cover device and method

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting a floatation device includes an elongate body, the elongate body including a closed front end and an open back end, a securing mechanism removably attached to the open back end of the elongate body wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a floatation device in the elongate body. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device is useful for protecting a floatation device such as a pontoon on a watercraft. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device slides over the front end of the pontoon and is secured by a securing mechanism at the rear end of the pontoon to prevent the pontoon from coming into direct contact with rocky shores and docks.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising:
 an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end; and   a securing mechanism, said securing mechanism having;
 a first end and a second end, and 
   wherein said securing mechanism is removably attached to said open back end of said elongate body, and   wherein said securing mechanism is configured to secure said floatation device in said elongate body; and   wherein said apparatus is configured to protect said floatation device from damage.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is a protective cover. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said floatation device is a pontoon. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said damage includes fading from prolonged sun exposure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said protective cover is configured to prevent said floatation device from direct contact with rocky shores and docks. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is configured to slide over said floatation device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate body is made of hard plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an elongate-body-diameter is greater in length than a floatation-device-diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said open back end of said elongate body is U-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said U-shaped open back end includes two portions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said two portions of said U-shaped open back end includes a left portion and a right portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said securing mechanism is a strap. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said strap is positioned between said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said right portion of said U-shaped open back end. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a left-portion-uppermost-end. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a right-portion-uppermost-end. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said securing mechanism is positioned below said uppermost end of said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said uppermost end of said right portion of said U-shaped open back end. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said closed front end of said elongate body is substantially tapered. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said protective cover is configured to be personalized for ease of making ready identification. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising:
 an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end;   a securing mechanism, said securing mechanism having,
 a first end and a second end, and 
 wherein said securing mechanism is removably attached to said open back end of said elongate body and, 
 wherein said securing mechanism is configured to secure said floatation device in said elongate body; 
   wherein said apparatus is configured to protect said floatation device from damage;   wherein said apparatus is a protective cover;   wherein said floatation device is a pontoon;   wherein said damage includes fading from prolonged sun exposure;   wherein said protective cover is configured to prevent said floatation device from direct contact with rocky shores and docks;   wherein said apparatus is configured to slide over said floatation device;   wherein said elongate body is made of hard plastic;   wherein an elongate-body-diameter is greater in length than a floatation-device-diameter;   wherein said open back end of said elongate body is U-shaped;   wherein said U-shaped open back end includes two portions;   wherein said two portions of said U-shaped open back end includes a left portion and a right portion;   wherein said securing mechanism is a strap;   wherein said strap is positioned between said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said right portion of said U-shaped open back end;   wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a left-portion-uppermost-end;   wherein said U-shaped open back end includes a right-portion-uppermost-end;   wherein said securing mechanism is positioned below said uppermost end of said left portion of said U-shaped open back end and said uppermost end of said right portion of said U-shaped open back end;   wherein said closed front end of said elongate body is substantially tapered; and   wherein said protective cover is configured to be personalized for ease of making ready identification.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus for protecting a floatation device, said apparatus comprising an elongate body having a closed front end and an open back end and a securing mechanism;   depositing a pontoon of a watercraft into said open back end of said elongate body until said pontoon is captured by said closed front end of said elongate body;   locking said securing mechanism in a closed position; and   releasing said securing means to remove said apparatus for protecting a floatation device for cleaning.