Apparatus and methods for covering outdoor patio furniture

1. An apparatus for covering a piece of furniture, the apparatus comprising:

a base;

a spool rotatably supported by the base;

a cover coupled to the spool;

an attachment device for removably attaching a portion of the cover to the furniture piece for helping retain the cover's position relative to the furniture piece;

a plurality of foot pads mounted to the base such that each foot pad is adjustably movable relative to the base for selectively positioning each foot pad between a different support member of the furniture piece and a support surface to thereby help retain the position of the base relative to the furniture piece, wherein the plurality of foot pads includes a first foot pad rotatable relative to the base and a second foot pad slidably adjustable relative to the base;

whereby the spool is rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool, and

whereby the spool is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second foot pads each includes a protruding portion engaged within a corresponding slot of the base to thereby allow the corresponding movement of the first an second foot pads relative to the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is coupled to the cover at a leading edge portion of the cover, and wherein the attachment device comprises at least one or more of a magnet, a hook, and a rod.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a housing member coupled to the base such that at least a portion of the spool is disposed within an enclosure cooperatively defined by the base and the housing member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one or more batons coupled to the cover.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising means for retaining the position of the apparatus relative to the furniture piece.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spool includes first and second end portions respectively received within corresponding first and second openings of the base, to thereby rotatably support the spool by the base.

8. A furniture piece including the apparatus of claim 1 .

9. An apparatus for covering a piece of furniture. the apparatus comprising:

a spool mount;

a spool rotatably supported by the spool mount;

a cover coupled to the spool;

a retention device for retaining the position of the apparatus relative to the furniture piece, wherein the retention device comprises a plurality of foot pads mounted to the spool mount such that each foot pad is adjustably movable relative to the spool mount for selectively positioning each foot pad between a different support member of the furniture piece and a support surface to thereby help retain the position of the spool mount relative to the furniture piece, the plurality of foot pads including a foot pad mounted to the spool mount such that the foot pad is slidably adjustable relative to the spool mount for positioning between a support member of the furniture piece and a support surface to thereby help retain the position of the spool mount relative to the furniture piece;

whereby the spool is rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool; and

whereby the spool is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the foot pad comprises a protruding portion slidably engaged within a slot of the spool mount, the sliding engagement of the protruding portion within the slot enabling the sliding movement of the foot pad relative to the spool mount.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a housing member coupled to the spool mount such that at least a portion of the spool is disposed within an enclosure cooperatively defined by the base and the housing member.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising one or more batons coupled to the cover.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the spool includes first and second end portions respectively received within corresponding first and second openings of the spool mount, to thereby rotatably support the spool by the spool mount.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising an attachment device for removably attaching a portion of the cover to the furniture piece for helping retain the cover's position relative to the furniture piece.

15. A furniture piece including the apparatus of claim 9 .

16. An apparatus for covering a piece of furniture, the apparatus comprising:

a spool mount;

a spool rotatably supported by the spool mount;

a cover coupled to the spool; and

a retention device for retaining the position of the apparatus relative to the furniture piece, the retention device comprising a foot pad mounted to the spool mount such that the foot pad is rotatable relative to the spool mount for positioning between a support member of the furniture piece and a support surface to thereby help retain the position of the spool mount relative to the furniture piece, wherein the foot pad comprises a protruding portion engaged within a slot of the base, the engagement of the protruding portion within the slot enabling the rotation of the foot pad relative to the base;

whereby the spool is rotatable in a first rotational direction relative to the spool mount for winding the cover onto the spool; and

whereby the spool is rotatable in a second rotational direction opposite that of the first rotational direction for unwinding the cover from the spool to thereby allow the unwound cover to be placed generally over the furniture piece.