GB2400030A

GB2400030A - A quilt restraining assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2400030A
Application number: GB0407112A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Charles Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-02
Filing date: 2004-03-30
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-30
Also published as: GB0407112D0; DE102004015598A1; GB2400029A; GB2400030B; GB0307587D0

Abstract

A bed cover restraining assembly for restraining a bed cover 12 in relation to a bed 10 comprises one or more bed cover supports 20 adapted to be coupled to the bed and releasably attached to one or more corresponding points on the bed cover such that the horizontal position of the bed cover relative to the bed is subject to restraint, without restricting the freedom of an occupant or occupants of the bed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

A QUILT RESTRAINING ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a restraining assembly for use with bed covers and quilts, particularly those of the type known as "continental quilts" or "duvets".

Quilts are a known type of bed cover, being an alternative to multiple layers of sheets, blankets and spreads. Quilt edges can hang freely over the sides and/or loot of a mattress, thereby providing a greater degree of freedom of movement for the user. In particular, the movement of feet and legs of the user between the quilt and mattress and even over the edges of the mattress is permitted by the use of a quilt.

However, quilts can move during use due for example to natural movement or restlessness of the user. This can lead to parts of the user, especially the feet, being exposed to the air or, if the quilt is shared by more than one user, one user may become uncovered. Attempts have been made to design assemblies that hold the quilt in place but these usually restrict the freedom of movement of the user(s).

One object of this invention is to provide an assembly which restricts the movement of a bed cover such as a quilt without restricting the freedom of movement of the user(s).

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a bed cover assembly for restraining a bed cover in relation to a bed, comprising one or more bed cover supports adapted to be coupled to the bed and releasably attached to one or more corresponding points on the bed cover such that the horizontal position of the bed cover relative to the bed is subject to restraint without restricting the freedom of movement of an occupant or occupants of the bed.

Each said support preferably includes a structure which, when the support is coupled to a bed, extends upwardly in relation to the base or frame of the bed to provide a location for said releasable attachment to the bed cover.

Advantageously, the or each support is connectable to the bed cover by a respective securing means comprising a link connected to, or connectable to, the bed cover and adapted to fit over part of said support structure such as to be capable of sliding therealong.

Preterably, the support structure which extends upwardly when the support is coupled to a bed comprises an elongate arm which is connected at one end to a base portion of the support.

It is also preferred that the elongate arm is connected to said base portion of the support such that, when the support is coupled to a bed, the arm is inclined at an angle to the vertical.

Although the invention is not limited to the arm being at any particular angle and indeed in some cases the arm could be vertical, the angle to the vertical will usually lie within the range of about 5 - 60 . The connection of the arm to the base is such that, in use, the arm is normally inclined away from the bed at said angle to the verticle.

Preferably, the link includes a ring of rigid or flexible material which slidingly embraces the corresponding arm when the bed cover is coupled to the support.

Advantageously, the ring is connected to the bed cover by means of a strip of material forming part of, or coupled to, the bed cover. The material strip can extend through the ring and is releasably fastened to itself to allow selective removal of the ring from its connection to the bed cover.

In some embodiments, the arm can include a catchment means for preventing the ring from being detached from that arm in normal usage of the assembly.

Preferably, the catchment means comprises a removable top cap of external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the ring whereby the ring can only be applied to or removed from the arm when the top cap is separated from the arm.

In some embodiments, the or each arm is rotatable on its associated base portion so as to lie flat against the bed if subjected to a sufficient impact.

To enable it to be coupled to a bed, the or each said support can comprise a base portion which is adapted to be trapped, in use, between the bed frame and the floor such as to be held rigidly relative to said bed frame.

For use with a divan-type bed, the base portion can include a slot which is dimensioned to snugly engage a downwardly facing edge of said bed frame.

For use with a bed having a relatively high frame, on the other hand, the base portion can carry a pillar at the top end of which is formed a slot dimensioned to snugly engage a downwardly facing edge of said bed frame.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a bed cover on a bed, attached by two rings to two supports in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bed cover on a bed attached by a single ring to a single support; Fig. 4 shows a ring attached to a connecting flap of a bed cover; Fig. 5 shows a ring attached to one embodiment of a clip; Fig. 6 shows a ring attached to a second embodiment of a clip; Fig. 7 is a side view of a first embodiment of a support that is suitable for use with a divan bed; Fig. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment support that is suitable for use with a divan bed; Fig 9 is a side view of a support that is suitable for use with a divan bed and which includes a fixed collar for restricting the movement of a ring on the support; Fig. 10 is a side view of a support similar to that shown in Fig 9 but where the collar is displaceable; Figs] I a and I I b are side and underside plan views, respectively, of a support suitable for use with a divan bed, wherein the arm of the support is rotatable with respect to the body of the support and there is provided a means to restrict the rotation of the arm; Figs 1 2a and 1 2b are side and end perspective views, respectively, of a further support suitable for use with a divan bed, wherein the arm of the support is rotatable with respect to the body of the support there is also provided a means to restrict the rotation of the arm; Fig. 13 is a side view of a support that is suitable for use with a bedstead; Fig. 14 is a side view of another support that is suitable for use with a bedstead; and Fig. 15 is a side view of a still further support that is suitable for use with a bedstead.

Referring first to Figs. I and 2, there is shown a typical divan-type bed 10 fitted with a quilt (not visible) contained within a quilt cover 12. The quilt cover 10 in this particular embodiment has been fitted with two side flaps 14 carrying respective rings 16 which, in use, are engaged over upwardly extending arms 18 of supports 2() that are coupled firmly in relation to a base or frame 22 of the bed 10. The side flaps 14 can be fitted to the cover during manufacture or by special adaption.

The number of and position of the supports 20 around the bed is the choice of the user but two particular arrangements are currently preferred. The first preferred arrangement has the two supports 20 of Figs. I and 2, one either side of the bed, approximately 40-50cm from the foot of the bed in a typical case. A second preferred arrangement has a single support 20 at the loot of the bed as shown in Fig. 3. Further embodiments could, for example, combine the latter arrangements so as to have one or more supports 20 on each side of the bed and, if desired, a further support 20 at the foot of the bed.

The quilt cover 12 can be fixed to the rings 16 in a multitude of ways. One such way is shown in Fig. 4 where a flap or strip 14 of material is folded over a part of a ring 16 through the aperture and fastened to itself by snap fasteners 26 or others suitable means to allow removal of the ring 16 for laundering or other purposes.

In some embodiments, crocodile clips 28, 30 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be used to couple the rings 16 to a quilt cover 12 in an easily releasable manner. In this case the quilt cover 12 can be an ordinary unmodified cover, ie. one without flaps 14 or the equivalent. (he crocodile clips can be fastened to the rings by any suitable means, for example by flexible ties 29.

It has been found by experimentation that the arms 18 of the supports 20 are preferably inclined to the vertical, becoming farther away from the bed the farther away from the floor. By this means, at least for the embodiment of Figs. l and 2, should the quilt be raised, it becomes held more securely in place as the distance between the connections to the arms 18 is increased.

Furthermore, it is important that the support or supports 20 be located securely relative to the bed if they are to provide their intended function efficiently.

However, there is no standard bed build and hence supports are required to fit numerous differently shaped, sized and constructed beds.

The supports 20 used in the embodiments of Figs. I and 2 and of Fig. 3 are shown in more detail in Fig. 7 and comprise a base 32 from which the arm 18 extends upwardly at an angle to the verticle of about 5 - 50 in a typical case. The top end of the arm 18 carries a removable head 34 for maintaining a ring 16 on the arm in normal use. The base 32 of the support defines a means of coupling the support to the type of bed with which it is to be sued.

The support of Fig. 7 is designed for use with a divan-type bed and its base 32 contains a rectangular slot 36 on an upper surface 38 which, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is sized to receive the edge of the bed when the base is placed in the small gap between the bed and the floor. By this means, the base 32 is trapped firmly between the bed and the floor and held in place securely by virtue of the weight of the bed. The slot 36 may contain a layer of a flexible material, such as rubber, to ensure a snug fit (see Fig. 1 la).

To couple the quilt cover 12 to a support 20, the head 34 is removed and a ring 16 is placed over the arm. The head 34 is then replaced. The ring or rings are then free to slide along the associated arms 18, thereby allowing the edges of the quilt to rise and fall while keeping the quilt generally in position over the bed. In place of removable heads 34, the arms can have "soft" or flexible tops which can simply be deformed to allow the rings to be passed over them. This provide added protection against banging shins and the like.

Fig. 8 shows an arm 18' having a hooked end 40 as an alternative to a removable or flexible head.

In other embodiments, the displacement range of the rings 16 can be restricted by the provision of a shoulder 42 on the arm as shown in Fig. 9. In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the position of a shoulder 44 on the arm can be adjusted and fixed by means of a grub screw 44.

Fig. 13 shows a modified support 20a for use with a bed whose frame is higher from the ground than in the case of the divan of Figs. 1 to 3. The support 20a carries a vertical post 46 having an enlarged head 48 with a slot 50 in its upper surface. The slot 50 engages under the bed frame in a similar manner to the slot 36 of the Fig. 7 embodiment whereby it firmly traps the support between the bed frame and the floor.

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 13 but where the post 46a is not fixed rigidly to the base but can be removed so as to be selectively shortened to suit the measured height of a bed frame from the floor. A rubber or sponge material may be placed in the slot 50 at the top of the post. Any other method of adjusting the height of the post can be used in order to ensure that the support is held rigidly between the bed and the floor.

Fig. 15 shows a still further version where a support 20b is suspended over a frame member 52 of a bed by means of an angled suspension plate 54. Whereas the weight of the mattress may provide some assistance in holding the support in place in this instance, it is preferred that a means be included for positively clamping the plate 54 to the plate 54 and the frame. The plate 54 may also need to be adjustable to suit different frame dimensions.

In order to reduce problems of users hurting themselves and/or damaging the arms by physical contact, for example in the dark, or simply to be able to move the arms to a more convenient position during daytime, the arms 18 can be arranged to be rotatably mounted on the bases but with means for normally resisting such rotary movement. For example, in the embodiment of Figs. 12a and 12b, the arm can rotate by any suitable means about a vertical axis whilst maintaining its angle to the vertical. For this purpose the arm 1 8a can for example be rigidly fixed to a circular insert 56 that can rotate within a corresponding circular recess 58 in the base. Flexible stops 60a, 60b are disposed adjacent each side of the arm 1 8a in its normal operational position to hold it in place. However should the arm be engaged by a sufficient strong impact therewith, for example from a user of the bed, the arm can overcome the action of the relevant flexible stop and be rotated out of the way, for example into a position flat against the bedside or end of the bed thereby reducing risk of injury to the person or indeed to itself.

Whereas the embodiment of Figs. 12a and 1 2b uses two flexible stops and would normally be used in the single support version of Fig. 3, the embodiment of Figs. I I a and I I b uses just one stop and would be more suitable for use with the embodiment of Figs I and 2. The embodiment of Figs. I la and I lb also includes adjustable feet 62 to enable the height of the base from the floor to be adjusted so as to achieve a firm fit under the bed.

A

The flexible stops can be movable in some embodiments so that different arrangements of stops can be selected, for example in response to the positioning of the supports on different sides of the bed. Whereas flexible stops have been described as one possible means for selectively restricting rotation of the arms, any other suitable means can be employed.

Whereas the embodiments of Figs. I to 3 described above show the flaps 14 sewn to the quilt cover, the flaps 14 can equally well be integral parts of the quilt cover or can be attached by any other suitable means to an ordinary quilt cover. In other embodiments flaps may not be needed at all and the rings, or equivalent loops of material, can be connected to the quilt cover either directly or indirectly, such as by means of the crocodile clips shown in Figs. 5 and 6 described hereinbefore.

In some embodiments, the quilt cover can be connected permanently to the rings.

Any suitable means of fixing the rings to the quilt cover can be used. The rings themselves can be rigid or flexible and can in some cases be formed of fabric material. In still further embodiments, the rings can be replaced by simple loops or ties either attached to or forming part of the quilt cover, and going directly over the arms. All that is needed in those cases is some way of attaching the or each support to the cover in such a way that the cover can slide up and down relative to the support arm 18.

Although the support arm 18, 20 are intended normally to be formed separately from the bed and to be applied to the bed in the home situation, it would of course be possible for the supports and arms to be fitted directly to the bed during manufacture.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A bed cover restraining assembly for restraining a bed cover in relation to a bed, comprising one or more bed cover supports adapted to be coupled to the bed and releasably secured to one or more corresponding points on the bed cover such that, in use, the horizontal position of the bed cover relative to the bed is subject to restraint, without restricting the freedom of movement of an occupant or occupants of the bed.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said support includes a structure which, when the support is coupled to a bed, extends upwardly in relation to the base or frame of the bed to provide a location for said releasable attachment to the bed cover.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the or each support is connectable to the bed cover by a respective securing means comprising a link connected to, or connectable to the bed cover and adapted to fit over part of said support structure such as to be capable of sliding therealong.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support structure which extends upwardly when the support is coupled to a bed comprises an elongate arm which is connected at one end to a base portion of the support.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate arm is connected to said base portion of the support such that, when the support is coupled to a bed, the arm is inclined at an angle to the vertical.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said angle to the vertical lies in the range 5 - 6 to the vertical.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection of the arm to the base is such that, in use, the arm is normally inclined away from the bed at said angle to the vertical

8. An assembly as claimed in any oi claims 4 to 7, wherein the link includes a ring or loop of rigid or flexible material which slidingly embraces the corresponding arm when the bed cover is coupled to the support.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ring is connected to the bed cover by means of a strip of material forming part of or coupled to the bed cover.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the material strip extends through the ring and is releasably fastened to itself to allow selective removal of the ring from its connection to the bed cover.

1] . An assembly as claimed in any of claims 4 to 1 O. wherein the arm includes a catchment means for preventing the ring from being detached from that arm in normal usage of the assembly.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the catchment means comprises a removable top cap of external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the ring whereby the ring can only be applied to or removed from the arm when the top cap is separated from the arm.

13. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the arm includes a catchment means for preventing the ring from being easily removed from the arm.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arm is hooked or has a flexible top end.

15. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 4 to 14 wherein the arm carries a stop for restricting downward displacement of the ring thereon.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the position of the stop on the arm can be selectively adjusted.

17. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 4 to 16, wherein the or each arm is rotatable on its associated base position so as to lie flat against the bed if subjected to a sufficient impact.

18. An assembly as claimed in any of claims I to 17, wherein, to enable it to be coupled to a bed, the or each said support comprises a base portion which is adapted to be trapped, in use, between the bed frame and the floor such as to be held rigidly relative to said bed frame.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, for use with a divan-type bed, said base portion includes a slot which is dimensioned to snugly engage a downwardly facing edge of said bed frame.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein, for use with a bed having a relatively high frame, said base portion carries a pillar at the top end of which is formed a slot dimensioned to snugly engage a downwardly facing edge of said bed frame.

21. An assembly as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the slot is of l rectangular section.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the slot contains a resilient material to assist a snug engagement within the bed frame.

23. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the base portion has adjustable feet to enable slack between the underside of the base portion and the floor to be taken up.

24. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the height of said pillar is adjustable to accommodate different bed frame heights.

25. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein, to enable it to be coupled to a bed, the or each said support comprises a base portion which carries an angled hook portion adapted to be applied over a horizontally suspended frame member of the bed.

26. A bed cover adapted for use with a bed cover restraining assembly as claimed in any of claims I to 25.

27. A bed cover restraining assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.