In this paper we generalize the folding process initiated by Stallings for graphs to a class of generalized covering spaces. These spaces are called pinched coverings or pinched cores, depending on the particular situation. We then apply our generalized folding process to manipulate these spaces into actual coverings. By using elementary homotopy arguments, we can calculate the fundamental groups of these spaces. As a corollary to our main result we obtain a generalization of a result due to Gersten concerning monomorphisms between free products of groups.