AU2017100908A4 - A Multi Size Cushion Cover Wrap - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-size cover wrap made from fabric or material that can quickly and easily cover a range of cushion inners varying in lengths, widths and depths therefore can be described as multi size functional - or 1 size fits many. The wrap may contain a combination or pre-installed, strategically placed fasteners to aid in the cushion wrapping process, requiring no additional resources, or specific knowledge, skills or expertise or specialised equipment or machinery in order to apply to the cushion inner or item that is to be covered. The wrap can be easily removed, washed/cleaned and reused many times and is a ready-made device saving time. Cover wraps can come in a number of shapes and sizes to fit different shaped and sized items such as prisms and pyramids. Cover wraps may include embellishments such as piping, fringes, or trim or other to increase fashionable desirability and to emulate a 'custom-made' look and feel.

Description

A MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP FIELD: [1] The present invention relates to the field of homewares, in particular, the ability to cover and wrap a range of different sized cushion inners with a flexible material (such as outdoor fabric) for the main purpose of protecting the cushion inner (among other purposes), and being able to do so by fastening quickly and easily, without the need for any additional resource, equipment, machinery or any specific knowledge, skills or expertise to complete the covering process.

[2] This innovation allows for multi-size use, is a ready-made, cost effective alternative to traditional cushion covers to complete the objective stated above.

BACKGROUND

[2] For many pieces of furniture eg chairs, seats, benches, daybeds and lounges and the like, (for inside and outside), there are seat cushions. These cushions generally consist of 2 sections: - a cushion 'inner' - the purpose of which is to add cushioning and comfort usually consisting of soft material eg. polyester insert, styrofoam beans, cut foam, rubber or mattress. and - an 'outer' / 'cushion cover' - the purpose of which is to protect the inner and perform a decorative function.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

[3] If a cushion does not have an outer cover or if the existing cover needs to be replaced eg. is not suitable for purpose, faded, ripped, mouldy or otherwise deteriorated, the objective of finding or replacing the 'cover' can pose a number of problems for the owner, 4 of which this invention is specifically devised to overcome.

Problem 1: [4] No ready-made options available

Through market research it can be determined that there is no set / 'standard' size seat cushions and therefore very few (if any) READY-MADE cushion coverings.

[5] Further Explanation of problem 1: Due to the fact here are many different suppliers and custom makers of furniture in Australia, there is a natural variation between all the possible dimensions (length, width and depth) of the seating cushions required for this furniture. It seems to be a common oversight of the suppliers to not specifically supply replacement cushion covers for their own furniture seat cushions, therefor eventual owners of this furniture will in a majority of the times require new covers for their cushions but have no way of purchasing a ready-made option.

Problem 2: [6] No 'Multi-sized' options available

There are currently no specifically devised cushion coverings available which are versatile enough to cover a range of different sized lounge, seat and chair cushions, ie MULTI-SIZE

[7] Each MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP is specifically devised to fit a range of different sized cushion 'inners', so the consumer doesn't need to know or have specific measurements with them to purchase the right size cover wrap. They only need to have an approximate idea. (ie a range of different widths, lengths and depths can be accommodated using the same MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP) [8] This device can also be successfully used to cover some unusual shaped / sized cushions. The notion that a cushion cover needs to be a specific length, width and depth to fit the same size cushion inner, is a notion challenged and even proven untrue by the development of this invention.

Problem 3: [9] Making their own

Due to problems 1 and 2, (no ready-made options or multi-sized options available), said owners may consider making their own cover, however as this process would require significant resources such as time, specific knowledge and expertise, specific tools, equipment or machinery to complete a satisfactory job which said owners may not have, this option may be either not possible or may result in a substandard outcome.

Problem 4: [10] Custom made option

Alternatively, the owner could employ an expert such as a seamstress or an upholsterer (with the necessary knowledge, skills, expertise, equipment or machinery required) to make the cover for them. However, market research shows us that this option is often not chosen due to the effort, cost and long wait times of days, weeks or months for the final product.

[11 ] For all these reasons, many owners of furniture with seat cushions simply do not have a satisfactory option for covering / recovering seat cushions.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS

[12] A Ready-Made, Multi-sized Cushion Cover Wrap eliminates the need for extra resources such as time, knowledge and expertise (in sewing or upholstery), specific tools (such as sewing needles, pins or clips) and /or machinery (such as sewing and upholstering machines, etc) because fastening the cushion wrap includes easy to use, strategically placed fasteners such as hook and loop, touch fasteners, that are preinstalled on the cover wrap. The cushion covering process can be completed in just a few seconds or minutes, eliminating the long wait times associated with custom-make alternatives. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION: [13] • Ready-made, ready to use • Multi-size versatility - '1 -size-fits-many' design • Simple application and removal of product. • Saves time due to faster application and no need to wait for custom made alternative. • More cost effective than most comparable custom-made alternatives because they are not 'one-offs', they can be manufactured which is a more efficient process. • Eliminates the need for specific knowledge, skills or expertise in sewing, upholstery. • Eliminates the need for specialised tools, machines or equipment such as sewing machines, scissors, sewing needles, pins etc • Functions just like other cushion covers in protecting the cushion inner and performing a decorative function. • Wraps can come in different shapes to cover any shaped item, (ie square, rectangle, circle, semi-circle, trapezium, triangle, pentagon, octagon) prism (cube, square prism, rectangular prism, triangular prism, pentagonal prism, octagonal prism) or pyramid (triangular pyramid, square pyramid, rectangular pyramid, pentagonal pyramid, hexagonal pyramid, octagonal pyramid) • Can be made out of any fabric or material and applied to indoor or outdoor cushions and lounges etc as well as bed mattresses and any other 3-D objects which require a cover. • Applications for use is not limited to cushions but any 3D object requiring a cover. BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS: [14] Figure 1: "Underside" • Shows the under side of an example shape of a MULTI SIZE COVER WRAP, the preferred embodiment. • Figure 1 also shows an example of the strategic placement of fasteners ie on flaps 1,2, 3 and 4 where 'a' depicts the underside therefore 1 a is the underside of flap 1,2a is the underside of flap 2, 3a is the underside of flap 3 and 4a is the underside of flap 4. • The underside is the side that directly touches the cushion to be covered, therefor the covering process begins with the underside facing up. • The cushion to be covered can be placed in the centre Position A. • Position A can accommodate a range of sizes, but the dotted line shows an example of a suitable dimension cushion inner for this particular size and shape cover wrap.

[15] Figure 2: "Top side" • Figure 1 shows the top side of an example of a MULTI SIZE COVER WRAP. • Figure 2 also shows the strategic placement of fasteners on flaps 1,2, 3 and 4 where 'b' depicts the topside therefore 1 b is the topside of flap 1,2b is thetopside of flap 2, 3b is the topside of flap 3 and 4b is the topside of flap 4. • The Top side includes the flat surface that would eventually be on the outside (ie directly sat on) when the cushion is covered and put in place for use.

[16] Figure 3 i) - vi) shows a preferred method of wrapping and fastening flaps 1, 2, 3 and 4 (based on placement of fasteners as shown) to complete the cushion covering process, (see paragraphs [20] - [29] for a detailed description of the cushion wrapping process) [17] Figure 4 shows a side view of an example of a completely wrapped item, (complete cover wrap) [18] Figure 5 shows an example of an extension flap, used for extending the capability of a single cushion cover wrap to cover a larger size cushion. This flap has double sided fasteners which attach to and extends the length of flaps 1 and 2 if required for larger cushions.

[19] Figure 6 shows the attachment of an extension flap to flap 2 of a MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP.

[20] Figure 1 and 2 depicts the MULTI SIZE COVER WRAP generally made of fabric specific to its use (ie indoor or outdoor use), which is able to wrap around and cover an item.

[21] Figure 1 and 2 depicts the shape and placement of fasteners on the preferred embodiment. It is to be noted that this is the preferred embodiment however this device can take many shapes and be made according to the type of shape and size of the inner it is covering. For example any pyramids or prisms eg cube, cuboid, cone, Tetrahedron, sphere, cylinder, square prism, rectangular prism, triangular prism, pentagonal prism, octagonal prism, triangular pyramid, square pyramid, rectangular pyramid, pentagonal pyramid, hexagonal pyramid, octagonal pyramid and the like and is not limited to what is shown or mentioned.

[22] Figure 1 and 2 depicts the MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP having multiple flaps numbered 1,2, 3 and 4 however the number of flaps and numbering and folding/wrapping process can be altered depending on the strategic placement of fasteners and is not limited to that shown.

[23] Figure 1 and 2 depicts pre-installed strategically placed fasteners which may include mechanical fasteners such as hook and loop, touch fasteners, clips, push studs, or chemical fasteners such as adhesives as well as non-mechanical or non-chemical fasteners such as magnets or other, however the size, shape, placement and type of fasteners used are not limited to that shown in the preferred embodiment.

[24] To begin the cushion wrapping process of the preferred embodiment, the MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP is laid out flat on a clean, smooth, flat surface with TOP side down (UNDER side up).

[25] The cushion inner, foam or mattress or item to be covered is laid in the center of the wrap as depicted by position A in Figure 2.

[26] Figure 3i) Start with folding flap 1 to the centre of the cushion, followed by flap 2 (Figure 3ii) and firmly secure the flaps together using the fasteners provided.

[27] Figure 3iii) Fold in corners of flap 3 and Figure iv) lift and fold flap 3 towards the centre and firmly secure it to the middle fasteners.

[28] Figure v) Fold in corners of flap 4 and lift and fold flap 4 towards the centre and firmly secure it to the middle fasteners.

[29] Figure vi) The wrapping is now complete and the cushion is ready to be flipped 180 degrees upright and placed into position for use.

[30] To remove the MULTI SIZE COVER WRAP from the cushion inner, simply reverse the procedure explained in paragraphs [21] - [27] [31 ] For a slightly larger and / or rectangular cushion within the recommended dimension range for each cover wrap, an extension flap may be used to complete the wrapping process as depicted in figure 5 and 6.

[32] Note, the size of this extension flap and placement of fasteners and types of fasteners on this flap can take many forms and is not limited to that shown in the diagrams.

[33] Embellishments such as piping, fringe or trim can enhance the fashion statement of the MULTI SIZE COVER WRAP and may be applied to the devices bringing a desirable 'custom-made' look and feel to the product. These embellishments are not limited to placement or type and may take many forms and not limited to what is shown or mentioned.

Claims (8)

1. A MULTI SIZE CUSHION COVER WRAP Innovation Patent Application CLAIMS

   1. A cushion cover wrap is a device used to cover and wrap around a cushion inner or any other 3-D item
2. 2. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 that is designed to be multi size functional -1 size fits many.
3. 3. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 further comprising of combinations of pre-installed strategically placed mechanical and / or chemical fasteners and / or non-mechanical and / or non-chemical fasteners to securely wrap a 3-D item such as a cushion inner. 4 A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 is not limited to the specific placement of fasteners in positions as described or depicted nor is the process of wrapping limited to a specific number of flaps or the specific method of wrapping described or depicted.
4. 5. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 completes the covering / wrapping process requiring no additional resources such as specific knowledge, expertise or skill, specialised equipment or machines in order to apply to the cushion or 3-D item that is to be covered.
5. 6. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 is formed using fabrics or materials suited to purpose ie indoor or outdoor use or other.
6. 7. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 that may include additional stylish embellishments such as piping, fringes, flanges or trims or other which can have a practical or decorative purpose.
7. 8. A cushion cover wrap as claimed in 1 is not limited to the shapes and sizes described and depicted but can take many forms to cover any 3-D item such as a prism or pyramid eg cube, cuboid, cone, Tetrahedron, sphere, cylinder, square prism, rectangular prism, triangular prism, pentagonal prism, octagonal prism, triangular pyramid, square pyramid, rectangular pyramid, pentagonal pyramid, hexagonal pyramid, octagonal pyramid or other.
8. 9. An extension flap comprised of pre-installed strategically placed mechanical and / or chemical fasteners and / or non-mechanical and / or non-chemical fasteners for the purpose of assisting the wrapping process.