EP0516591A1

EP0516591A1 - A divan and armchair cover

Info

Publication number: EP0516591A1
Application number: EP92830056A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ilde Vaia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-05-31
Filing date: 1992-02-07
Publication date: 1992-12-02
Also published as: ITPR910009U1; ITPR910009V0; IT225557Y1

Abstract

The invention relates to a divan and armchair cover (1) comprising a cloth (2) predisposed to be applied from above by means of an opening (3) to cover a divan or an armchair. The cloth (2), made of non-elasticated material, exhibits at least one tape made of elasticated material arranged with a first end (9a) in proximity to a first arm (6) and with its other end (9b) in proximity to a second arm (7) of the divan. The tape comprises, in a substantially median position, a closing element (8) predisposed to unit and regulate two portions of the said rape. The cloth (2) is further equipped with a plurality of pleats (11) positioned according to pre-established directions and providing the cloth (2) with holding lines.

Description

The invention relates to a divan and armchair cover.
It is usual practice to cover divans and armchairs with cloths to protect them and to offer the possibility of aesthetic change by using covers of different colours and with different patterns.
Such covers are generally made in elasticated materials and comprise a cover pre-disposed to be applied from above by means of an opening, then to cover the divan or armchair by being brought downwards.
In particular, covers made in elasticated material are very adherent to the underlying structure and thus evidence any sagging and/or projections or other small defects in the said underlaying structure. Also, the application of the said covers is not at all easy to perform.
The above-described divan or armchair covers have proved to be dissatisfying inasmuch as they cannot be used with different models of divans or armchairs. This is due to the fact that the elasticated materials used have limited lengthening and stretching capacities. Consequently, a large range of different forms and sizes has to be made.
Furthermore, each time that the cover is changed, it has to be washed. Experience has taught that the covers tend to lose elasticity and thus lose their clinging capacities, so that after a certain number of washes, they no longer adhere closely to the underlying structure. Thus undesired folds become apparent which are aesthetically unattractive.
In addition to the above, after a certain period of time the cover responds to the dragging of the person sitting on it, and is pulled out of position and has to be repositioned.
An aim of the present invention is to realise a divan or armchair cover which is simple to make and permits of easy application to and removal from the underlying structure.
A further aim of the present invention is to realise a divan and armchair cover which can be applied to various models and types of divan and armchair.
These aims and others besides, which will better emerge from the detailed description which follows, are all attained by the divan and armchair cover comprising a cover predisposed to be mounted from above by means of an opening to cover the said divan or the said armchair, characterised by the fact that the said cover, made of non-elasticated material, comprises means for holding the cover in place arranged with a first end in proximity to a first arm and with the other end in proximity to a second arm of the divan, said holding means comprising, in substantially median position, a closing element predisposed to unite and regulate two portions of the said holding means, said cover being further equipped with a plurality of pleats positioned according to pre-established directions and predisposed to provide the said cover with holding lines.
Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of a divan and armchair cover, according to the present invention, with the accompanying drawings provided as a non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a divan and armchair cover according to the present invention during the mounting operation;
Figure 2 shows, again in schematic perspective view, the divan and armchair cover of figure 1 after completion of the mounting operation;

With reference to the drawings, 1 denotes a divan or armchair cover, according to the present invention.
The divan or armchair cover 1 comprises conventionally a cloth 2 predisposed to be slid on to the underlying structure 4 (that is, a divan or an armchair) from above by means of an opening 3.
Originally, the cloth 2 comprises holding means 5 arranged with a first end 5a in proximity to a first arm 6 and a second end 5b in proximity to a second arm 7 of the divan 4. Furthermore, the holding means 5 comprise, in a substantially median position, a closing element 8 predisposed to unite and regulate the two portions 9a and 9b of the said holding means 5.
Advantageously, the holding means 5 are arranged internally to the cloth 2 and extend from the first arm 6, said holding means being positioned underneath at least one cushion 10 of the divan 4, up to the second arm 7, as is clearly visible in the figure.
The holding means 5 comprise at least one tape made of elasticated material, but two tapes can be used, arranged respectively in proximity to the backrest of the said divan 4 and in proximity to the front part of the cushion 10.
More particularly, the closing element 8 can be obtained by means of a knot uniting the two free ends of the said tape 9a and 9b in median position or by meams of a hook and eye made in plastic or other usual material.
According to the present invention, the cloth 2 is also equipped with a plurality of pleats 11 positioned according to pre-established directions and predisposed to give holding lines to the cloth with respect to the underlying structure 4. The pleats 11 are respectively arranged at the front and back of an upper portion 12, a median portion 13 and a lower portion 14 of the backrest 4a of the divan 4. The cloth 2 further presents a pleat 15, perimetrically distributed, in proximity to a lower border of the said cloth 2. Originally, each pleat 15 is elastically extendable in a longitudinal direction.
The functioning of the invention is as follows.
To apply the divan and armchair cover 1 the operator should position himself behind the divan and begin to apply the cloth 2 to the backrest 4a. Once the cloth 2 is covering the backrest 4a, the cushions of the divan are slightly lifted upwards and the tape is passed over the lateral edges of the said cushions, the free ends 9a and 9b of the said tape then being tied in a knot or bow, or hooked if the tape is equipped with one, after first being regulated. Following this, the cloth 2 is arranged on the arms of the divan and on the cushions by allowing the perimetral edge to fall over them. Finally, if necessary, the excess cloth can be stowed in the space between the cushions and the backrest 4a.
To remove the cloth it is sufficient to perform the above-described operations in reverse order.
The present invention thus attains its stated aims. Indeed, the divan and armchair cover can be applied to different types and models of divans and armchairs since the pleats permit of considerable adaptability of the cloth 2 with regard to the dimensions of the underlying structure 4.
Advantageously, thanks to its adaptability and ease of application, the invention permits of obtaining rapid and easy mounting and dismounting operations on and off the underlying structure.
Furthermore, the invention remains in place after movements of the user thanks to the elasticated cloth tape which holds the cloth in position on the cushions.
Worthy of note is the fact that the divan or armchair cover, being of non-elasticated material, permits a considerable reduction in production costs.

Claims

A divan and armchair cover (1) comprising a cloth (2) predisposed to be applied from above by means of an opening (3) to cover said divan or armchair, characterised by the fact that the said cloth, made of non-elasticated material, comprises holding means (5) arranged with a first end (5a) in proximity to a first arm (6) and a second end (5b) in proximity to a second arm (7) of the divan, said holding means (5) comprising, in a substantially median position, a closing element (8) predisposed to unite and regulate two portions (9a and 9b) of the said holding means (5), said cloth (2) being further equipped with a plurality of pleats (11) positioned according to pre-established directions and predisposed to provide the said cloth (2) with holding lines.
A divan and armchair cover (1) according to claim 1, where said holding means (5) are arranged internally to the said cloth (2) and extend from the said first arm (6), travelling underneath at least one cushion of the said divan, up to the second said arm (7).
A divan and armchair cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein said holding means (5) comprise at least one tape made of elasticated cloth.
A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, wherein the said cloth (2) exhibits said pleats (11) arranged respectively anteriorly and posteriorly to an upper portion, a median portion and a lower portion of the backrest, said cloth further exhibiting a pleat (15), perimetrically distributed in proximity to a lower edge of the said cloth (2).
A divan and armchair cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the said pleats (11) is elastically extendable in a longitudinal direction.
A divan and armchair cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the said closing element (8) is a knot realised by uniting the two free ends in the median position.
A divan and armchair cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the said closing element (8) is a hook and eye made of plastic material.