CA2669701C - Self-fitting slip cover for seat cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-fitting slip cover configured to fit various sized seat cushions having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces. The self-fitting slip cover comprises a resilient fabric pouch comprising an expandable, opening adapted for receiving the seat cushion, and an elastic band extending along the peripheral edge of the opening of the resilient fabric pouch; said elastic band having an unstretched state and a stretched state. The resilient fabric pouch is sized and configured to tautly cover the top surface, opposed side surface and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion and a portion of said bottom surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is received in the slip cover and the elastic band is in the stretched state.

Description

TITLE:
[0001] Self-fitting Slip Cover for Seat Cushion FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the covering of upholstered seat cushions and more particularly it concerns novel self-fitting coverings for seat cushions for upholstered chairs, loveseats and sofas.

BACKG ROU N D

[0003] A particular problem involved in providing slipcovers to accommodate upholstered seat cushions of different sizes and configurations results from the fact that the seat cushions of such furniture are made with widely different shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Prior attempts to handle this problem have involved cushion covers that are pulled tight by a drawstring or the excess material is shoved under the cushion (U.S. Patent No. 7,210,739). However, these lack versatility, and they are not suited for use with multiple cushions such as in sofas. Also there is no assurance that the cushion covers will remain taut after someone has sat on the furniture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a self-fitting slip cover configured to fit various sized seat cushions, said seat cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces, said self-fitting slip cover comprising: a resilient fabric pouch comprising an expandable opening adapted for receiving the seat cushion, and an elastic band extending along the peripheral edge of the opening of the resilient fabric pouch; said elastic band having an unstretched state and a stretched state; wherein said resilient fabric pouch is sized and configured to tautly cover the top surface, opposed side surface and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion and a portion of said bottom surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is received in the slip cover and the elastic band is in the unstretched state.

[0005] In an embodiment, the resilient fabric pouch comprises a channel formed by a hem along the peripheral edge of the opening for receiving the elastic band.

[0006] In an embodiment, the resilient fabric pouch is formed from a single sheet of fabric having a top edge portion which is folded and sewn to form said channel.

[0007] In an embodiment, the resilient fabric pouch is formed of a body portion and an outwardly extended skirt portion attached to the peripheral edge of said body portion, wherein said body portion is sized and configured to cover the top surface of the seat cushion and said skirt portion is sized and configured to cover the opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the seat cushion.

[0008] In an embodiment, the slip cover is sized and configured to fit a box style seat cushion.

[0009] In an embodiment, the slip cover is sized and configured to fit a T-shaped seat cushion.

[00010] In an embodiment, the slip cover is sized and configured to fit one or more seat cushions.

[00011] In an embodiment, the slip cover is sized and configured to fit a combination of box style seat cushions and T-shaped cushions.

[00012] In an embodiment, the slip cover is foldable to accommodate a box style seat cushion or a T-shaped seat cushion.

[00013] In an embodiment, the slip cover is invertible to cover cushions with a first side exposed or an opposite side exposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[00014] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a self-fitting cushion cover according to invention configured for covering a box-style seat cushion as shown in outline;

[00015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention configured for covering a left sided T-style seat cushion as shown in outline;

[00016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a self fitting cushion cover according to the invention configured for covering a right sided T-style seat cushion as shown in outline;

[00017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention configured for covering a left sided T-style seat cushion, box-style seat cushion, and a right sided T-style seat cushion, the cushions being as shown in outline;

[00018] Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a box-style seat cushion covered with the self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention;

[00019] Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of a left sided T-style seat cushion covered with the self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention;

[00020] Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of a right sided T-style seat cushion covered with the self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention;

[00021] Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a left sided T-style seat cushion, box-style seat cushion, and a right sided T-style seat cushion covered with the self-fitting cushion cover according to the invention; and

[00022] Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the seat cushion illustrated in Fig.8 configured for use with a three box-style seat cushions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00023] As used herein, the term "seat cushion" refers to a cushion from any piece of furniture that is designed to provide a place for a person to sit, and includes without limitation chairs, sofas, couches, love seats, lounges, etc.
Slipcovers can be used over a seat cushion to protect the seat cushion from dirt and damage and to improve its appearance. As seat cushions come in widely different shapes, sizes and thicknesses, it is often necessary to obtain custom made slip covers which are made in accordance with the exact measurements of the seat cushion to be covered in order to ensure a proper fit on the seat cushion and a neat appearance. Because custom slip covers are made to measure, they are typically expensive and are not useful with seat cushions of differing dimensions.

[00024] An alternative to custom slip covers are less expensive, mass produced, ready-made slip covers which are designed to fit over a variety of different sized seat cushions. To accommodate varying sized seat cushions, ready-made slip covers are designed to loosely fit over a seat cushion and include a drawstring or elastic fasteners to gather the slip cover tightly over the seat cushion.
While the use of drawstrings or elastic fasteners allow the slip cover to be adjusted to better conform to the shape of the seat cushion, because the slip cover is not sized specifically for the seat cushion being covered, excess material must be carefully folded, draped or tucked under the seat cushion to ensure a neat appearance. However, one of the problems associated with prior art ready made slipcovers is that they may pull away from the seat they are covering when a person sits on the seat. Such pulling may cause the cover to fall off the seat, to gather, or to become misaligned, thereby degrading the effectiveness of the cover as well as the aesthetic appearance and comfort of the seat. Accordingly, it is often necessary to reposition the ready-made slip cover on the seat cushion after each time a person sits on the seat.

[00025] The present invention provides a ready-made self-fitting slip cover which can be used with seat cushions of varying size and shape. As used herein, the term "self-fitting slip covers" means slip covers which do not require the use of manually adjusted drawstrings, elastic fasteners or other similar fasteners, in order for the slip cover to conform to the size and shape of the seat cushion and in order for the slip cover to have a neat appearance on the seat cushion. In use, the self-fitting slip cover is resistant to misalignment with the seat cushion and does not require readjustment each time a person sits on the covered seat cushion.

[00026] In one embodiment, provided is a self-fitting slip cover configured to fit various sized seat cushions, said seat cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces, said self-fitting slip cover comprising: a resilient fabric pouch comprising an expandable, opening adapted for receiving the seat cushion, and an elastic band extending along the peripheral edge of the opening of the resilient fabric pouch; said elastic band having an unstretched state and a stretched state; wherein said resilient fabric pouch is sized and configured to tautly cover the top surface, opposed side surface and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion and a portion of said bottom surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is received in the slip cover and the elastic band is in the stretched state.

[00027] In use, the expandable opening of self-fitting slip cover is expanded by stretching the elastic band and the slip cover fitted over the seat cushion such that the top surfaces, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion is covered by the slip cover. Once the slip cover is positioned over the seat cushion, the elasticized hem extends over a portion of the bottom surface of the seat cover and will hold the slip cover in tautly in place. Once the slip cover is stretched over the seat cushion, no further manual manipulation such as but not limited to folding, draping or tucking excess material, is required in order to obtain a neat, taut appearance.

[00028] The self-fitting slip cover of the present invention is intended to be used with seat cushions of varying shapes and sizes.

[00029] In one embodiment, the self-fitting slip cover may be sized and configured for use with individual seat cushions.

[00030] Fig.1 shows a self-fitting slip cover 10 for use with a box style seat cushion 18a as shown in the dashed lines. Fig. 5 shows the underside of box style seat cushion 18a and the self-fitting slip cover 10.

[00031] Fig. 2 shows a self-fitting slip cover 12 for use with a left sided T-style seat cushion 18b as shown in the dashed lines. Fig. 6 shows the underside of the T- style seat cushion 18b and the self-fitting slip cover 12.

[00032] Fig. 3 shows a self-fitting slip cover 14 for use with a right sided T-style seat cushion 18c as shown in the dashed lines. Fig. 7 shows the underside of the T- style seat cushion 18c and the self-fitting slip cover 14.

[00033] In another embodiment, the self-fitting slip cover may be sized and configured for use with one or a plurality of seat cushions. For example, the self-fitting slip cover may be sized and configured for use with seat cushions typical of a three cushion sofa. Fig. 4 shows a self-fitting slip cover 16 for use with a combination of a left sided T-style seat cushion 18b, a box style seat cushion 18a and a right sided T-style seat cushion 18c (cushions shown in the dashed lines).
Fig. 8 shows the underside of the left sided T- style seat cushion 18b, box style seat cushion 18a, right sided T-style seat cushion 18c and the self-fitting slip cover 16.
It will be appreciated that the self-fitting slip cover is configured for use for T-style seat cushions and can also be rotated and used with shaped cushions, such as box style seat cushions. Each outward facing surface of the self-fitting slip cover 16 is inverted and/or rotated (i.e. no backing material, hems, etc. showing) allowing the slip cover to be rotated to suit any style of seat cushion. This is in contrast, to prior art slip covers which generally can only be used in a single orientation as they have only one finished outward facing side. As shown in Fig.9, the T-extensions 22 of the slip cover 16 can be tucked under the seat cushion when not in use.

[00034] It will be appreciated that the exact dimensions of the slip cover will depend on the range of sizes and shapes of the seat cushions to be covered. It will be appreciated that the slip cover will be sized such that the fabric pouch is sufficiently large enough to cover at least a portion of a bottom surface of a seat cushion at the top end of the range of sizes and that the fabric pouch will have an expandable opening capable of contracting to retain a seat cushion at the bottom end of the range of sizes.

[00035] The self-fitting slip cover can be made of any suitable resilient fabric such as woven or knit fabrics. The resilient fabric pouch may be formed from a single piece of fabric having a channel formed by a hem along the peripheral edge of the fabric. The channel may be formed by folding down the outer peripheral edge of the fabric for form the hem which is sewn in place. In this embodiment, the elastic band contained in the channel in the unstretched state will cause the outer peripheral edge of the piece of fabric to be gathered together to define an expandable opening through which the seat cushion is inserted and a cavity for receiving the seat cushion.

[00036] Typically, a 1-inch wide elastic band is encased in the channel and is not sewn to the hem. The length of the elastic band used will depend on the dimensions of the seat cushion to be covered. For slip covers intended to cover a single seat cushion, elastic band length is generally about 36-inches. For slip covers intended to cover multiple seat cushions, such as for a sofa, the elastic band is generally about 82-inches in length.

[00037] In another embodiment, the fabric pouch may be formed from multiple pieces of fabric to provide appearance more similar to custom fitted slip covers.
The fabric pouch may comprise a body portion and an attached skirt portion.
The body portion will be sized and configured cover at least the top surface of the seat cushion to be covered. The skirt portion which extends outwardly from the body portion is sized and configured to cover the opposing side and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion and further extends under the seat cushion to cover at least a portion of the bottom surface of the seat cushion. In this embodiment, the skirt portion may comprise a channel formed by a hem along the peripheral edge of the opening for receiving the elastic band. The use of multiple pieces of fabric to form the pouch is especially useful for cushions having an irregular shape such as T-styled seat cushions.

[00038] Although the invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art. All such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed in the appended claims.

Claims (7)

Claims:

1. A self-fitting slip cover configured to fit various sized seat cushions, each said seat cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces, said self-fitting slip cover comprising:
a resilient fabric pouch made up of:
a resilient fabric top panel sized and configured to tautly cover the top surface of the seat cushion;
a resilient skirt portion seamed to depend from the top panel and sized and configured to tautly cover the opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces of the seat cushion; and a resilient bottom portion seamed to the skirt portion and having an opening, the bottom portion being sized and configured to extend over at least a portion of the bottom surface, the opening having at least one elastic edge and being stretchable to permit insertion of the seat cushion into the fabric pouch;
the top panel, skirt portion, and bottom portion together forming opposed extensions proximate to one or the other of the end surfaces to form a T shape to fit a T shaped seat cushion, the extensions being tuckable within the pouch to convert the T
shape into a box shape to fit a box shaped seat cushion;
wherein the resilient fabric and elastic edge cooperate to provide a taut fit across all surfaces of the seat cushion whether the cushion is a T shaped seat cushion or a box shaped seat cushion.

2. The slip cover according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion includes two fabric pieces, and the elastic edge is disposed in a channel on one or the other fabric piece.

3. The slip cover according to claim 1, wherein the extensions are securable within the pouch.

4. The slip cover according to claim 1, wherein the extensions are retained within the pouch when the pouch is installed on a seat cushion of a box shape.

5. A kit for covering a seat cushion of either a box shape or a T shape with a universal self-fitting slip cover, the seat cushion having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposed side surfaces, and opposed end surfaces, the kit comprising:
a resilient fabric pouch having:
a resilient fabric top panel;
a resilient skirt portion seamed to depend from the top panel around a perimeter thereof; and a resilient bottom portion seamed to the skirt portion and having an opening, the opening having at least one elastic edge and being stretchable to permit insertion of the seat cushion into the fabric pouch;
the top panel, skirt portion, and bottom portion together forming opposed extensions proximate to one or the other of the end surfaces; and wherein the fabric pouch is adaptable to the shape of either a T shape seat cushion or a box shape seat cushion by:
determining whether the seat cushion to be slip covered is of a T shape or a box shape; and if the seat cushion is a T shape cushion, inserting the seat cushion into the opening of the fabric pouch and aligning the seat cushion within the pouch such that the top surface fits tautly across the top surface of the cushion, the skirt portion fits tautly around the cushion to cover the opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces, and the extensions cover corresponding T extensions of the cushion; and positioning the cushion on the furniture item such that the opening on the bottom surface is turned down; and if the seat cushion is a box shape cushion, inserting the seat cushion into the opening of the fabric pouch and aligning the seat cushion within the pouch such that the top surface fits tautly across the top surface of the cushion, the skirt portion fits tautly around the cushion to cover the opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces, and before, after or during the insertion step, tucking the extensions into the furniture pouch to conceal them; and positioning the cushion on the furniture item such that the opening on the bottom surface is turned down.

6. The kit according to claim 5, wherein the tucking includes securing the extensions into the furniture pouch.

7. The kit according to claim 5, further comprising, if the seat cushion is a box shape cushion, positioning the cushion on the furniture item such that the tucked extensions are toward the back.