AU2017101094A4 - Bed Cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A bed cover comprising an upper portion to be located adjacent an upper 5 surface of a mattress in use and an edge portion extending from around a portion of the periphery of the upper portion. The edge portion is to be located in used adjacent edge surfaces of the mattress. Vents extend between the upper portion and the edge portion at one or more locations around the periphery of the upper portion, the vents provided to allow airflow.

Description

2017101094 10 Aug 2017

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

For an Innovation Patent

Invention title: “Bed Cover”

Applicant:

Sara Ann Pattullo

Associated provisional applications:

Number 2016903178 filed on 12 August 2016

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 “Bed Cover”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a bed cover.

Background to the Invention [002] While bed covers are generally secured under the edges of a mattress when a bed is made, it is common for the edges of the bed cover to be pulled loose during the night by movement of the person sleeping in the bed. This is particularly so with small children, who will often move around regularly during the night. Various arrangements have been proposed for sheets, doonas and other types of bed coverings where the edges of the coverings are secured by some additional means around the edge of the mattress.

[003] While options are available to secure bed covers in place, a further issue can be created by such fixed coverings. As mentioned, small children will often move around on the mattress during the night. In many instances, the child will turn around completely so that their head is facing towards the foot of the bed. In the case where the bed cover is secured around the foot of the bed, the child’s head may end up under the bed covering, thereby posing a potential suffocation risk.

[004] The present invention comprises a bed covering aimed at overcoming, at least in part, the abovementioned problem.

Summary of the Invention [005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bed cover comprising: an upper portion to be located adjacent an upper surface of a mattress in use; 3 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 an edge portion extending from around a portion of the periphery of the upper portion, the edge portion to be located in used adjacent edge surfaces of the mattress; and one or more vents; wherein the vents extend between the upper portion and the edge portion at one or more locations around the periphery of the upper portion, the vents provided to allow airflow.

[006] Preferably the vents comprise a portion of mesh material.

[007] Preferably, the vents are expandable such that the upper portion of the bed cover may move away from the edge portion of the bed cover when an upward force is applied to the upper portion adjacent the vent.

[008] Preferably the edge portion of the bed cover comprises an end portion to be secured adjacent an end wall of the mattress and first and second side portions to extend adjacent opposed first and second side walls of the mattress.

[009] Preferably each of the first and second side portions, the end portion and the upper portion comprises a generally rectangular section of a suitable sheet material, wherein the end portion is secured along a first end of the upper portion and the first and second side portions are securable to the upper portion along opposed longitudinal sides thereof.

[010] In one embodiment, two vents are provided, each one extending between the upper portion of the bed cover, the end portion and one of the side portions such that the vents are located adjacent the corners of the mattress in use.

[011] In a preferred embodiment, the bed cover includes securing members provided on inner surfaces of the edge portions such that the edge portions are connectable to the edge wall of the mattress.

[012] In a preferred embodiment, the securing members comprise gripping members provided on inner surfaces of the first and second side portions of 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 4 the bed cover, the gripping members comprising portions of hook material provided to grip onto a fitted cover sheet of the mattress.

[013] Preferably the fitted cover sheet includes side walls made from a material to which the hook material will grip. In one embodiment, the side walls of the fitted cover sheet are formed of microfiber.

[014] Preferably the upper portion of the bed cover is releasably securable to the side portions along at least a portion of the length thereof by connectors provided adjacent the edge of the upper portion and the upper edges of the first and second side portions.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the connectors comprise a zip such that a part of the upper portion adjacent the second end thereof may be released from the side portions.

Brief Description of the Drawings [016] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings: [017] Figure 1a is an upper perspective view of a bed cover in accordance with the present invention fitted to a mattress; [018] Figure 1b is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1a showing a side of the upper portion disconnected from the edge portion; [019] Figure 2a is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1; [020] Figure 2b is a lower perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1; [021] Figure 3a is an end view of the bed cover of Figure 1; [022] Figure 3b is a side view of the bed cover of Figure 1; [023] Figure 3c is a top view of the bed cover of Figure 1; [024] Figure 4a is a lower perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 without the mattress; 5 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 [025] Figure 4b is a lower perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 without the mattress, showing an side of the upper portion disconnected from the edge portion; [026] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 showing one of the vents expanded; [027] Figure 6a is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 on the mattress; [028] Figure 6b is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 showing an end of the upper portion in a folded configuration; [029] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 in use on a mattress within a cot; [030] Figure 8a is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 on the mattress; [031] Figure 8b is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 1 showing an end of the upper portion in a folded configuration; [032] Figure 8c is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a bed cover on the mattress; [033] Figure 8d is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 8c showing an end of the upper portion in a folded configuration; [034] Figure 8e is an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a bed cover on the mattress; and [035] Figure 8f is an upper perspective view of the bed cover of Figure 8c showing an end of the upper portion in a folded configuration.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [036] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a bed cover 10 for use on a mattress 11. The bed cover 10 comprises generally an upper portion 12 and an edge portion 14. The upper portion 12 is provided to be located in use on top of an upper surface 13 of the mattress 11. The edge portion 14 is provided to be located in use adjacent an edge wall 15 of the mattress 11. 6 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 [037] The edge portion 14 of the bed cover 10 comprises an end portion 16 and first and second side portions 18 and 19. The end portion 16 is provided to be secured adjacent an end wall of the mattress 11 and the first and second side portions 18 and 19 are provided to extend adjacent opposed first and second side walls of the mattress 11. Each of the first and second side portions 18 and 19, the end portion 16 and the upper portion 12 comprises a generally rectangular section of a suitable sheet material. The end portion 16 is secured along a first end 30 of the upper portion 12 and the first and second side portions 18 and 19 are securable to the upper portion 12 along opposed longitudinal sides of the upper portion 12. The upper portion 12 may include insulation to provide additional warmth.

[038] The bed cover 10 is provided to be secured relative to the mattress 11 such that the bed cover 10 is held in place in use. The bed cover 10 includes securing members provided on an inner surface of the edge portion 14 such that the edge portion 14 is connectable to the edge wall 15 of the mattress 11.

[039] The securing members comprises gripping members 20 provided on inner surfaces of the first and second side portions 18 and 19 of the bed cover 10 (as best seen in Figure 4b). The gripping members 20 comprise portions of hook material, provided to grip onto a fitted cover sheet 22 provided on the mattress 11. The fitted cover sheet 22 includes side walls made from a material, such as microfiber, to which the hook material will grip. The side walls of the fitted cover sheet 22 and the gripping members 20 thereby act as a hook and loop fastener. The top portion of the fitted cover sheet 22 may be formed of a different material, such as cotton.

[040] The upper portion 12 of the bed cover 10 is releasably securable to the side portions 18 and 19 along at least a portion of the length thereof. The upper portion 12 is releasably securable to the side portions 18 and 19 along a portion of the length extending from a second end 31 of the upper portion 12 towards the first end 30 of the upper portion 12.

[041] The releasable connection between the upper portion 12 and the side portions 18 and 19 is provided by connectors provided adjacent the edge of 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 7 the upper portion 12 and the upper edges of the first and second side portions 18 and 19. The connectors in the embodiment shown comprise a zip 24 such that the upper member 12 may be secured to the side portions 18 and 19 (as shown in Figure 1a), or a part of the upper portion 12 adjacent the second end 31 thereof may be released from the side portions 18 and 19 (as shown in Figure 1b).

[042] The bed cover 10 is provided also with vents 26. The vents 26 comprise sections of mesh material secured between the upper portion 12 and the edge portion 14 at one or more locations around the periphery of the upper portion 12. In the embodiment shown, there is provided two vents 26, each one extending between the upper portion 12 of the bed cover 10, the end portion 16 and one of the side portions 18 or 19. The vents 26 are therefore located adjacent the corners of the mattress 11 in use.

[043] The vents 26 comprise a mesh material such that increased air flow is provided through the vents 26. The vents 26 are also expandable such that when no upward force is applied to the upper portion 12 of the bed cover 10 adjacent the vents 26, the upper portion 12 will sit flat adjacent the edge portion 14 of the bed cover 10, but when an upward force is applied, the upper portion 12 moves upwardly away from the edge portion 14 (as shown in Figure 5). When the upper portion 12 moves upwardly as shown, the vents 26 are expanded and air may flow through the vents 26 under the bed cover 10.

[044] The upper portion 12 of the bed cover 10 is also provided with fixing means 28 located adjacent the second end 31 thereof. The fixing means 28 are provided such that the second end 31 of the upper portion 12 may be connected to the upper portion 12 at a position offset away from the second end 31 towards the first end 30 thereof. That is, the second end 31 of the upper portion 12 can be folded down (as shown in Figure 6b) and secured to the upper surface of the upper portion 12 to shorten the upper portion 12. The fixing means 28 may comprise press studs such that the upper portion 12 may be secured in the folded configuration. 2017101094 10 Aug 2017 8 [045] In use, the bed cover 10 may be secured in place relative to the mattress 11 by the gripping members 20 securing to the edge portion 14 of the fitted cover sheet 22. This will retain the bed cover 10 generally in place during use. When a child needs to enter or exit the bed, the upper portion 12 may be partially released from the side portions 18 or 19 via the zipper. The upper portion 12 may then be secured again in place relative to the side portions 18 or 19 for sleeping. If the child moves their head under the upper portion 12 of the bed cover 10 adjacent the lower end of the mattress 11, their head will create an upward force on the upper portion 12, which will move the upper portion 12 upwardly, expanding the vents 26 and allowing air to flow through the vents 26 to the head of the child.

[046] The bed cover 10 may be produced in a range of sizes for different mattresses and different requirements. Figure 8 shows three embodiments of a bed cover 10 in accordance with the present invention. The second and third embodiments comprise bed covers where the upper portions 12 and side portions 18 and 19 are shorter so that the bed cover 10 may be used in the case of younger children where the full length is not required.

[047] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A bed cover comprising: an upper portion to be located adjacent an upper surface of a mattress in use; an edge portion extending from around a portion of the periphery of the upper portion, the edge portion to be located in used adjacent edge surfaces of the mattress; and one or more vents; wherein the vents extend between the upper portion and the edge portion at one or more locations around the periphery of the upper portion, the vents provided to allow airflow.
2. 2. A bed cover in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vents comprise a portion of mesh material.
3. 3. A bed cover in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the vents are expandable such that the upper portion of the bed cover may move away from the edge portion of the bed cover when an upward force is applied to the upper portion adjacent the vent.
4. 4. A bed cover in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the edge portion of the bed cover comprises an end portion to be secured adjacent an end wall of the mattress and first and second side portions to extend adjacent opposed first and second side walls of the mattress.
5. 5. A bed cover in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of the first and second side portions, the end portion and the upper portion comprises a generally rectangular section of a suitable sheet material, wherein the end portion is secured along a first end of the upper portion and the first and second side portions are securable to the upper portion along opposed longitudinal sides thereof.
6. 6. A bed cover in accordance with claim 5, wherein two vents are provided, each one extending between the upper portion of the bed cover, the end portion and one of the side portions such that the vents are located adjacent the corners of the mattress in use.
7. 7. A bed cover in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bed cover includes securing members provided on inner surfaces of the edge portions such that the edge portions are connectable to the edge wall of the mattress.
8. 8. A bed cover in accordance with claim 7, wherein the securing members comprise gripping members provided on inner surfaces of the first and second side portions of the bed cover, the gripping members comprising portions of hook material provided to grip onto a fitted cover sheet of the mattress.
9. 9. A bed cover in accordance with claim 8, wherein the fitted cover sheet includes side walls made from a material to which the hook material will grip. In one embodiment, the side walls of the fitted cover sheet are formed of microfiber.
10. 10. A bed cover in accordance with claim 9, wherein the upper portion of the bed cover is releasably securable to the side portions along at least a portion of the length thereof by connectors provided adjacent the edge of the upper portion and the upper edges of the first and second side portions.
11. 11. A bed cover in accordance with claim 10, wherein the connectors comprise a zip such that a part of the upper portion adjacent the second end thereof may be released from the side portions.