GB2278274A - Fastener device for resisting movement of a bed cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener device for use in resisting movement of a bed cover e.g. a duvet 30 in relation to a bed or mattress support has a gripping portion (see figures 2, 3E and 15 - 17), a supporting portion cooperable with the bed for securing the device (see figures 6D, 7 - 9 and 13) and means for connecting the two portions. For example the device may have a fasten or 26 connected by a strap 28 to a support 29 engageable with the mattress support 21. The strap 28 can be elastic and include a buckle for length adjustment. The support 29 can be a wedge movable into engagement with a lower edge of the bed base 21. The fastener 26 can be a flexible tongue 36 carried by a support 35 and movable from one side of the support 35 to the other to grip an edge portion of the cover 30. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BEDS AND FASENERS THIS INVENTION relates to beds and fasteners. The term bed is intended to include articles which provide support for a mattress.

Domestic duvets rely on frictional forces to resist slippage which can lead to partial or complete uncovering of the bed occupant/s during sleep probably resulting in sleep disturbance.

According to one aspect of this invention a fastener for cooperating with a bed and a bed cover to restrain movement of the bed cover comprises means for gripping the bed cover, support means cooperable with the bed, and means connecting the gripping means and the support means.

The connecting means may be elongate.

The bed cover may for example be a duvet or quilt.

The duvet or quilt may include a cover.

There may be means for adjusting the length of the elongate means. The elongate means may be resilient.

The fastener may comprise a support member and a flexible member supported by the support member and having a gripping portion cooperable with the support member, the flexible member being movable from a position in which the gripping portion of the flexible member is on one side of the support member to a position in which the gripping portion is on the other side of the support member.

The support member may have an aperture between two spaced elements and an operating end, and the flexible member may be flat and mounted on the support member adjacent one end and at the other end extending beyond the aperture, so that said other end can be moved from the one side to the other side between the spaced elements through the aperture.

The flexible member at one end may be located in a slot in the support member.

In one arrangement the support means is adapted to be brought into cooperable position with respect to the bed by movement towards the bed e.g. solely by such movement.

The support means may comprise a structure wedge shaped in use for engaging an edge of an underface of a bed. The structure may comprise a V-section member comprising a hinge portion.

The support means may comprise a loop for engaging depending structure of the bed. The support means may comprise a hook. The support means may comprise a bracket for embracing an edge of a bed base. The bracket may be adjustable in height.

The invention provides a bed having a foot end, a head end and sides, one or both sides having associated therewith a fastener as above.

There may be such a fastener associated with the foot end of the bed for cooperating with the bed cover at the foot end.

There may be means connecting the fasteners at the two sides. The connecting means may comprise extensible elongate means.

According to another aspect of the invention, a bed cover includes means attached to sides of the cover for cooperating with holding means for resisting slippage of the bed cover in use.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a fastener comprising a support member, and a flexible member supported by the support member and having a gripping portion cooperable with the support member, the flexible member being movable from a position in which the gripping portion of the flexible member is on one side of the support member to a position in which the gripping portion is on the other side of the support member.

The invention may be performed in various ways and some specific embodiments with possible modifications will no be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying solsewhat diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bed; Fig. 2 is 2 perspective view of a clip; Fig. 3A is a front view of a clip; Figs.33, C, D are side vies of the clip in different positions; Fig. 3E is a perspective vie of the clip; Fig. 4 is a section of 2 strap support; Fig. 5 is a side view of a strap support; Fig. 6A is a perspective vie of a bed; Figs.63, 6D are views of restraints;; Fig. 6C is a perspective view of part of a support; Figs.7 to 9 show strap supports; Fig. 10 shows another arrangement; Figs.ll, 12 are side vies of modifications; Fig. 13 is a perspective vie of a clip and support; Fig. 14 is a side view of part of rig. 13; Ri. 15 is 2 perspective view. of par of a clip; Fig. 16 is a front view of a flexible tongue; and Fig. 17 is a section through a clip assembly.

rig. 1 shows a typical bed asse.-bly 20 including a flat base 21 typically on legs 22, a mattress 25 on the base 21, and a duvet or quilt bed cover 24 on the mattress 23. Sheets could be used and the duvet 24 can include a removable cover 24a.

In the present case, means 25 are provided for restraining the duvet 24 against nanted slippage during use. The restraining means are preferably such that slippage of the duvet laterally fro a normal central position produces forces in the restraining means which resist the slippage.

In the arrangement of Fig. 1, restraining means 25 are provided respectively on opposite sides of the bed about half way along the length of the bed. Each restraining means comprises a fastener 26 for releasably gripping a side edge 27 of the cover 24a connected to one end of a strap 28 which at its other end is attached to a device 29 for engaging the bed.

The strap 28 is preferably elastic or resilient. The device 29 may be arranged to remain supported by te bed when tension in the strap 28 is removed. 7hen the duvet 24 tries to move sideways away fo the fastener 26, tension is produced in the strap 28 which resists unwanted duvet movement.

A restraining means 25a can also be ap?lied to the foot end 30a of the bed to prevent uncovering of the bed occupant/s at this end. however, the lateral restraints 25 will also prevent any significant length ise slipze of the duvet in the absence of an additional foot end restraint thus making the latter unnecessary except for localised duvet disturbance at the foot end of the bed. It will be noted that a foot end restraint will not have an opposite restraint at the head end to provide stability and it must be adjusted to be tension free under normal conditions, tension only being generated as a result of a tendency for foot end duvet movement.

It is desirable that te duvet fasteners 26 remain both secure and cause no significant damage to the duvet or duvet cover.

Fig. 2 shows an example of fastener 26 in the form of a clamp having jaws 31 which can be opened bg messing parts 31a, 0. The clamping faces or jaws 31 have secured to the high friction cladding 32. This may be of a rubber matting type with a regular impressed, typically triangular, linear cross sectional pattern orientated parallel to the jaw's opening or closing movement. The clad faces are phased such that they mesh on contact.This creates high frictional forces when these modified clips are used for duvet fasteners thus toroviåin; a secure fixing for the tension s straps 28.

Apart from the efficiency of these fasteners tey are easily attached to the edge of a duvet cover.

Another suitable fastener 26 is shown in Fig. 3. It is easy to apply and also efficient and avoids damaging stresses to the duvet cover fabric. The fastener has 2 partially flattened substantially rigid hoop 32 curved at one end 33 and straight at the other end 3 the sides 35 being parallel. A flexible strip 36 is pivoted or supported towards the lower end of the hoop for example on a cross bar 37. The unsupported end 38 of the strip which is curved and smooth extends beyond the curved end 33 of the hoop 32 bg, for example1 - few millimetres.

The straight end 34 of the hoop supports the tension strap 28. If fabric e.g. a duvet cover 30 is placed between the hoop 32 and flexible strip 36 and the curved end 38 of the strip 36 pushed through by deflecting it approximately in the middle 40 the fabric 30 Will also be forced through the hoop. On reroval of the above deflecting force the flexible strip 36 will tend to straighten and relax against the upper curved end 33 of the hoop and the fabric 30 will be trapped, the flexible strip and fabric being prevented from returning to their original uneormed positions on the outside of the hoop.If a separating tension T is generated in the fabric and the tension strap 28, then a corresponding increase in contact pressure between the flexible strip, the fabric and supporting hoop will result, producing a corresponding increase in the forces securing the fastener to the fabric.

The portion 33 could be straight.

The tongue 36 need not be pivotable on bar 37 but can be supported on bar 37.

Fig. SE is a perspective view of Fig. 3D and illustrates that the gripping action results from the fabric 30 being wrapped around the free end of the tongue 36 and secured b the curved end 53 of the member 32. hen no tension exists in the strap 28 contact pressures between the tongue 36 and the fabric 30 which is wrapped around the tongue are snall, although the fabric 30 will be trapped and the fabric and tongue will not return to the Fig. 3B position without force being applied. When tension increases in the strap 28 e.g. downwards, the hoop 32 is pulled dovrnw2rds in z wedge fashion forcing the upper end of the tongue 36, and thus the fabric 30, against the hoop 32; and this force increases the tension in the region of the fabric which is wrapped around the tongue 36 causing corresponding increases in contact pressures and a resultant high resistance to slippage of the fabric 30 in relation to the member 32.

This deflecting strip is easily applied and provides an effective means for supporting a duvet fastener on to the edge of a duvet or duvet cover without inducing damaging stresses on the duvet cover fabric since relatively large contact areas may be employed between strap, fabric and hoop.

Tn order to generate duvet stabilising forces in the tension straps it is necessary to provide secure anchor points at their lower end. This is most appropriately carried out by supporting a suitable fastener on the lower end of the tension strap directly or indirectly from the underside edge of the bed. It is desirable that this lower sup port reins stable under the range of operating strap tensions even including zero tension.

The optimum ciesign cf fastener and support may differ fro one bed type to another and arrangements appropriate to the main types of bed will be described below.

For the purpose of duvet restraints, it is convenient to categorise beds into two main types. The first is the divan type which has a deep base with a firm continuous upper surface to support a bed mattress. This type of construction has no exposed longitudinal support members which could serve as anchor points for tension strap fasteners. The second type of bed is the iron frame exposed sprung base and wooden frame type, the latter often having transverse wooden slats to support the mattress. This second category of bed has substantial longitudinal support members which provide suitable supports for the tension strap fasteners.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 has a wedge 40 with a maximum height H larger than the clearance h between the underside of the bed support and the floor. The wedge 40 is inserted under the edge 41 of the bed until it makes contact with the bed at 41 and the floor 42. The tension strap 2S is hooked onto or permanently secured to the outer upper edge 43 of the wedge 40. Any tension generated in the strap 28 by duvet movement is maintained by a stabilising reaction moment of the wedge about the contact point 41, the reaction force being provided by the floor 42. To prevent any possible slippage of the wedge 40 due to tension forces in the strap 28, the underface 44 of the wedge can be clad with high friction rubber matting 44a.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but uses a hinge 45 instead of a wedge. The hinge 45 has plates 46, 47 hinged at 48. The hinge is inherently more stable since an upper plate 46 of the hinge will remain in contact with the bed at 41 even if a base place 47 slips so long as # defined by the hinge plates, does not increase dramatically and tension exists in the tension strap 28.

If tension is removed from the tension strap, the upper plate 46 will ccase to make contact with the underside edge 41 of the bed and simply rest on the base plate 47. Contact with the edge 41 will be re-established when tension in the strap 28 returns due to duvet disturbance. As with the wedge method, stability can be further increased if a high friction rubber cladding 44a is secured to the base of the lower plate. The hinge is more convenient and compact than the wedge since the two hinge plates will close together for either storage under the bed or elsewhere. Tension strap attachments are similar to those for the wedge and can be made at the outer edge 49 of the upper hinge plate 46.

For divan beds with a high floor clearance, a wedge or hinge tension strap support may prove to be inconveniently large. In this case an alternative arrangement may be employed which avoids the necessity for reaction forces from the floor to maintain tension in the tension straps 28. The device of Fig.6B has a thin metal rod bent through 90 at each end forming a flattened U-shaped bracket 50 with the side limbs 52, 53 for example, approximately 100mm long and a central limb 59 larger than the maximum divan base depth likely to be encountered. Attached to one end of the central limb 54 is a fastener 55a to secure the lower end of the tension strap 28.

With the support bracket orientated with its side limbs 52,53 normal to the bed sides, the upper limb 53 is inserted between the mattress 23 and the upper surface of the base 21 the lower limb 52 typically resting on the floor under the edge of the bed. The central limb 54 rests against the side 55 of the base making an angle (t to the vertical which decreases with divan base depth. If tension is generated in the tension strap 28, this will lift the lower limb 52 off the floor 42 and force the limb 52 against the underside of the base where the limb will remain stable for any finite tension in the strap.In order to ensure that the lower side limb 52 always rests against the underside of the base irrespective of whether tension exists in the tension strap or not, the upper side limb 53 may be inserted in a sleeve 56 Fig. 6,c (preferably flattened) with sufficient friction between limb and sleeve to prevent free rotation of the limb in the sleeve. The sleeve in use is trapped under the mattress and allows the lower limb 52 to be pushed against the underside of the base where it will remain in position until re-adjusted.

The angle support bracket described can be used for all depths of divan base up to the length of the central limb. Although designed for high floor clearance divans it is equally applicable to low floor clearance designs and could be used instead of wedge or hinge tension strap supports.

The tension strap support device described above can provide duvet restraint at any position along the length of the bed according to the requirements of the occupant/s. However, for beds with six legs (one usually being positioned midway along each side) the mid point legs can be used as lower supports, Fig.7. In this case the tension strap 28 could possess a loop 60 at one end and a duvet fastener 26 at the other. The fastener end of the strap can be wrapped around a leg 61 pass through the strap loop and emerge under the edge of the duvet cover where it can be attached with the duvet fastener 26.

The loop 60 could be a buckle which could be adjustable along the strap.

Both iron and wooden frame beds have substantial longitudinal side support members which can be used as effective anchor points for a tension strap lower support. One arrangement Fig. 8 has a hook 63 attached to the lower end of the tension strap 28 and hooked under the underside of a support member 64. Tension on the strap 28 will force the hook against the underside 65 of the support member 64 creating an equal stabilising reaction force at the point of contact. To prevent the hook swinging away from its anchorage when tension is removed from the strap 28 the centre of gravity of the hook 63 can be arranged to cause the hook to remain under the support member when not making contact.Alternatively the hook may possess a deep U shape with flexible or slidable side (vertical) limbs which clamp up and secure it onto the support members where the cross sectional geometry of this member permits.

An alternative to a hook type of tension strap support is shown in Fig. 9 and employs an elasticated strap 65 with a loop 66 at one end and a duvet fastener 26 at the other. The fastener end of the strap is wrapped under the support member rather than around a bed leg as described in Fig. 7 discussed earlier. This passes through the loop at the other end and is attached via the duvet fasteners to the side edge of the duvet.

In order to adjust tlic tension in the tension strap to provide optimum comfort to tlie beci occupant/s, tlie length of the strap may be changed using a standard Buckle arrangement indicated schematically at 28a Fig. 4. This applies to all the arrangements described.

The devices described above for tension strap support involve separate unconnected devices one for each side of the bed.

An alternative arrangement has two broad hooks 70 connected by an adjustable and lightly elasticated strap 71 or tape (Fig. 10). The strap 71 is passed under the bed mattress 23 in a direction normal to the length of the bed with the two connected hooks emerging with cqual length from either side. The unstretched length of the strap 71 is adjusted such that the hooks 70 dangle frecly above the corresponding underside edges t1 of the bed. When hooked under these edges they will remain securely in position under a light contact pressure with the underside of the edge of the base due to the elastic tension forces generated in the connecting strap 71. Each hook will have structure 72 e.g. slots to enable easy attachment of the tension straps 28. In practice the strap 71 could continue beyond the hooks 70 with duvet fasteners 26 connected to their ends thus providing a complete duvet restraint system in one unit without the need to connect additional tension straps. The device can be used with all bed types and widths (with suitable connecting strap adjustment).

Fitting the device to the bed involves placing it between the mattress and base at either the foot or head end of the bed and sliding it lengthwise to the desired position for duvet cover attachment.

Instead of using removable lower supports for tension straps, beds could be provided with permanent supports during manufacture. Such supports could include two sets of loops or slots 80 Fig. 11 inconspicuously secured to the underside side edges 81 of the base. Tension straps 28 could be positioned at any of the slot locations, the optimum position probably lying close to the middle. Alternatively, a bar or rod 82 Fig. 12 could be employed at each underside edge 83 of the bed sides. These would be supported at each end 84 and possibly in the middle S5 and would provide a variable choice in position for the tension straps.

As an alterna-ive e to using an angled tension strap support with limb 5 of fixed length Fig. 6D shows an arrangement in which limb 54a is adjustable and including means 56a for releasably locking the limb in adjusted length e.g. equal to the depth of base 55. In this case the li:n-b 54a is orientated vertically while resting against the side of the base with upper limb 53a trapped between the base and the underside of the mattress and the lower limb 52a resting against the underside of the bed. Tension strap 28 connections may be similar to those for the angled bracket.

The duvet cover may have permanent tension straps or fasteners. Straps can be sern or secured to the edge of the cover 24a, or the duvet, probably midway along the sides or alternatively a lightweight buckle or equivalent can be sewn directly to the edge of the cover to provide means to which a tension strap can be secured. A separate fastener would then not be necessary.

As an alternative to the rigid central limb 54a in Fig.

6D the upper portion of this limb could be replaced by a non rigid extendible material such as elastic in order to accommodate the range of commercially available divan base depths. In this case both the upper limb 53a and the lower limb 52a would be employed.

Figs. 13, 14 show another strap support 90. This has an open base triangular configuration fabricated from e.g. plastics, or metal, resiliently bent at 91 forming, in effect, a sprung hinge. This is inserted under the bed such that the bounding faces 92 and 93 are lightly sprung against the underside edge 41 of the bed and floor 42 respectively ensuring the support remains in position. The outer edge 94 of the upper face has a facility e.g. a slot 95 to secure one end of a tension strap. This edge may be bent upwards to form a lip which in operation would normally be pushed against the side 55 of the bed base to facilitate stable positioning.

The underside of the lower face may be smooth but greater stability will result if it is fabricated with a roughened surface or vaith a regular pattern of transverse grooves. Alternatively it may possess high friction rubber 44a bonded to its underside.

The strap 28 incorporates a buckle or other device 96 to enable the length of the strap to be adjusted.

In the example of Figs. 15 to 17, the member 32 in Fig. 3 has the form of a plastics moulding 100 which is generally flat with a central aperture 101 which has parallel sides 102, 103, is square at one end 104 and outwardly convex curved at the other end 105. The Inner surface 106 of end 105 is bevelled cr rounded.

A flat flange 107 extends from moulding 100 near the end 104 and has an elongate aperture 108.

A generally flat flexible tongue 109 e.g. of rubber has an end 110 which extends through the aperture 108 and has notches 111 in its sides which receive the flange parts 112, 113 at the ends of the aperture 108 to prevent the tongue frow slipping through the aperture 108 and to hold the tongue generally against the member 100 (Fig. 15). The notches 111 are preferably blunted to avoid high stresses. The free end 114 of the tongue 109 extends beyond the end 105.

The tongue 109 can be pushed through the aperture 101 as in Figs. 3B to 3D to hold the fabric 30 and may exert a significant grip in the absence of tension in strap 28. The end of the strap 28 may be placed through and secured by means of aperture 108 with additional grip exerted by the tongue 109, or the strap 28 may be placed through and secured by means of a slot 106 in the member 100.

In a modification the tongue 109 is fixed near one end to the support 32 or 100 and an outer portion of the tongue 109 is flexible and movable relative to the support.

The fasteners of Figs. 3E and 17 are:a) Compact b) Single action operation c) No rigid moving parts which could damage delicate fabrics d) Distributed fabric gripping forces to maximise efficiency and minimise stresses in fabric enabling use with lightweight delicate fabrics.

e) High efficiency/size ratio.

f) Fabric gripping forces increase with increasing separating forces and are negligible for zero separating forces.

The cover securing arrangements apart from Figs. 11, 12 do not require additions to the bed and are designed to provide low level anchorage with cover stabilising reaction forces derived directly from under the bed edge by non-permanent conveniently positioned anchorage members. The arrangements provide for divan beds, straightforward and rapid positioning of the wedge under the side edges of the bed or at the base edge also if required. Access to the underneath of the bed is not required. The support means 29, 40; 45; 50; 63, 65; 90 are movable into cooperation with the part of the bed which provides support for a mattress either by movement towards the bed or by positioning adjacent the bed and pulling on strap 28 or equivalent.

Rapid connection of the 'loop' anchorage around a frame for frame beds or around a central foot for divan beds as appropriate.

Avoidance of the need to run fastener support straps completely across the underside of the bed or between a bed base and mattress.

Because of convenience and speed of implementation provides readily for repositioning of fasteners and anchorages around the bed or interchanging with another bed as desired.

Claims (27)

1. A fastener for cooperating with a bed and a bed cover to restrain movement of the bed cover comprising means for gripping the bed cover, support means cooperable with the bed, and means connecting the gripping means and the support means.

2. A fastener as claimed in Claim 1, in which the elongate means is elongate.

3. A fastener as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including means for adjusting the length of the elongate means.

4. A fastener as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the elongate means is resilient.

5. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a support member, and a flexible member supported by the support member and having a gripping portion cooperable with the support member, the flexible member being movable from a position in which the gripping portion of the flexible member is on one side of the support member to a position in which the gripping portion is on the other side of the support member.

6. A fastener as claimed in Claim 5, in which the support member has an aperture between two spaced elements and an operating end, and the flexible member is flat and mounted on the support member adjacent one end and at the other end extending beyond the aperture, so that said other end can be moved from the one side to the other side between the spaced elements through the aperture.

7. A fastener as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the flexible member at one end is located in a slot in the support member.

8. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the flexible member is pivotally supported by the support member.

9. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means is adapted to be brought into cooperable position with respect to the bed by movement towards the bed.

10. A fastener as claimed in Claim 9, in which the support means is brought into cooperable position solely by such movement.

11. A fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means comprises a structure wedge-shaped in use for engaging an edge of an underface of a bed.

12. A fastener as claimed in Claim 11, in which the structure comprises a V-section member comprising a hinge pOrtiOn.

13. A fastener as claimed in Claim 11, in which the structure comprises upper and lower elements sprung hinged together, the elongate means being connected to the upper member.

14. A fastener as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 in which the support means comprises a loop for engaging depending structure of the bed.

15. A fastener as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, in which the support means comprises a hook.

16. A fastener as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 10, in which the support means comprises a bracket for embracing an edge of a bed base.

17. A fastener as claimed in Claim 16, in which the bracket is adjustable in height.

18. A bed having a foot end, a head end and sides, one or both sides having associated therewith a fastener as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 for cooperation with a bed cover.

19. A bed as claimed in Claim 18, the foot end of which has associated therewith a fastener as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14.

20. A bed as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, including a said fastener for each side, and means connecting the fasteners.

21. A bed as claimed in Claim 20, in which the connecting means comprises extensible elongate means.

22. A fastener comprising a support member and a flexible member supported by the support member and having a gripping portion cooperable with the support member, the flexible member being movable from a position in which the gripping portion of the flexible member is on one side of the support member to a position in which the gripping portion is on the other side of the support member.

23. A fastener as claimed in Claim 22, in which the support member has an aperture between two spaced elements and an operating end, and the flexible member is flat and mounted on the support member adjacent one end and at the other end extending beyond the aperture, so that said other end can be moved from the one side to the other side between the spaced elements through the aperture.

24. A fastener as claimed in Claim 22 or Claim 23, in which the flexible member at one end is located in a slot in the support member.

25. A fastener as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 24, in which the flexible member is pivotally supported by the support member.

26. A bed cover including means attached to sides of the cover for cooperating with holding means for resisting slippage of the bed cover in use.

27. A fastener for cooperating with a bed and a bed cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 1, or Fig. 2, or Figs. 3A to 3E, or Fig. 4, or Fig. 5, or Figs 6A and 6B, or Fig. 6C, or Fig. 6D, or Fig. 7, or Fig. 8, or Fig. 9, or Fig. 10, or Figs. 13, 14, or Figs. 15 to 17, of the accompanying drawings.