GB2529418A - A bed store - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage apparatus for use with beds that includes a displaceable means for hanging under gravity onto a structure, and a space for storage of items. The apparatus comprises a box 1 providing the storage space. The box 1 is attached to hooks 2 which via protrusions 3 which are inserted through holes 4. The hooks 2 preferably have textured padding 5.

Description

A BED STORE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bed store, more particularly for storing items on or at a bed.

Background

Increasing proliferation of electronic gadgets and appliances, due to lowering of costs and general ubiquity, means that many people or users have such electronic gadgets and appliances available to them at all times, and feel this to be necessary.

For example many of such users will feel it necessary to have their mobile telephones, Smartphone or phones with them even in bed, with a significant proportion of users checking social media whilst in bed, even before rising.

Many users also utilise their phones as alarm clocks, especially when travelling.

In addition many users will feel it necessary to have television remotes close to their bed in order to activate televisions and choose channels without leaving their bed, as well as more traditional items such as spectacles, medicines or books.

Products which store items near the bed such as cabinets or shelves are widely available but these complete items of furniture serve other purposes primarily and take up much space, and are not ideally suited to storing small items casually and for easy access and use, and may not easily be transferred to other beds.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applicallons have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: European patent application EP 2 183 995 (O'NEILL) discloses a table device comprising: a substantially vertical support member adapted to be attachable to, or positionable adjacent to, an item of furniture; and a table platform movably coupled to the support member such that the table device is movable from a first position in which the table platform is substantially parallel and adjacent to a vertical portion of the item of furniture to a second deployed position in which the table platform is substantially horizontal and extends over a horizontal portion of the item of furniture, wherein the table platform is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the support member when the table platform is at the second deployed position.

Granted United States patent US 7 181 784 (GEILEAR) discloses a bedding storage system for storing pillows and bedding, the system comprising: a headboard being positioned adjacent to a head of a bed, said headboard including a peripheral wall defining an interior space of said headboard, said peripheral wall including a pair of side edges, each of said side edges defining one of a pair of side open ends of said headboard to permit the pillows and the bedding to be inserted into said interior space; a medial wall being attached to said peripheral wall and positioned in said interior space to divide said interior space into an upper portion and a lower portion; and a plurality of shelf assemblies being positioned in said interior space, said shelf assemblies receiving the bedding and the pillows to facilitate storage of the pillows and the bedding, each of said shelf assemblies being extendable from one of said side open ends of said headboard to facilitate access to the pillows and the bedding, one of said shelf assemblies being attached to said medial wall and one of said shelf assemblies being coupled to peripheral wall of said headboard.

Granted United States patent US 6 986 176 (LIN) discloses a combination headboard and stowable tray comprising a bed headboard having a vertically extending front surface and vertically extending back surface said vertically extending front and back surfaces being spaced apart from one another to create a tray stowing compartment, a tray pivotally appended to said bed headboard, said tray being oriented substantially in a vertical orientation when stowed within said headboard and between said vertically extending front and back surfaces, said tray being rotatable about a first pivot to extend said tray outwardly from between said vertically extending front and back surfaces while maintaining its vertically orientation and a second pivot for rotating said tray to a substantially horizontal orientation for its deployment as a table top.

United States patent application US 5651152 (RITCHIE et al) discloses a removably attachable storage organizer for hanging on a top most surface of a hospital bed rail, comprising: a substantially rectangular inner panel terminating at a top edge thereof in an integral hinged portion which is attached to a side of a planar rigid spine positioned at 90 degrees to said inner panel, said inner panel having opposite ends, said spine having opposite ends; a second hinged portion attached to an opposite side of said spine to which an outer pane! is attached at 90 degrees to said spine, said outer panel being parallel to said inner panel, said outer panel having opposite ends; a pair of removably attachable straps located at said opposite ends of said outer panel and said inner panel for fastening said storage organizer to the hospital bed; said inner panel having a plurality of inner pockets for holding small personal items, said outer panel having two outer pockets, one of said outer pockets for holding reading material, another one of said outer pockets for holding a lockable storage box for holding valuable personal items; said spine having a pair of tabs at said opposite ends thereof; and a carry handle connected between said tabs, said carry handle being parallel to and spaced several inches above said spine.

United States patent application US 5 370 246 (TRAYNOR) discloses an improved article storage caddy of the type which is suspended from a patient support apparatus to provide convenient storage of miscellaneous articles, wherein the improvement comprises: a continuous, non-woven fabric panel having a front and a back, a top edge, a bottom edge and side edges, and face and folded portions; at least two pockets having pleated sides attached to the front of the face portion; a pair of elastic loops, spaced apart and in alignment with each other, attached to the front of the face portion in a position adjacent to the pockets; a textile fastening strip attached along the top edge of the folded portion and extending beyond one side edge to form a strap, wherein the strap is releasably secured to the face portion of the non-woven fabric panel.

In contrast the present invention provides a portable means for a user to ensure that his or her items are always readily available and accessible to them when in bed, in whatever bed and which whichever location on that bed that the user prefers.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bed store that includes a displaceable means for hanging under gravity onto a structure, and a space for storage of items.

Typically this structure is a bed side, bed headboard or bed foot plate.

In preferred embodiments the store may be easily moved and hung or rehung in positions as required wherein there is no requirement for tools in this operation and the store is envisaged as being able to be hung from: bed sides, headboards and/or footboards. The store is therefore well-suited to flexible or travel use.

Ideally a main use of the store is to provide a portable storage area for items such as: jewellery, watches, pairs of glasses, contact lens cases, small torches, mobile phones, toothbrushes, pair of slippers, children's toys/playthings, pens and pencils, books, combs, artist brushes, flowers, pegs, cooking implements, tools, baby monitors, false teeth, condoms and snacks.

Typically these are small household articles which are often used immediately prior sleeping, first thing in the moming or need to be located during the night.

As these items are usually small in size they can be easily mislaid, resulting in wasted time spent searching for them, especially if it is the middle of the night.

The store is ideally able to hang onto a variety of areas of a bed in a manner which ensure that a user will always have the desired items to hand, by hanging the store on the bed's headboard, sides or end, close to where the user wishes.

In preferred embodiments the store. is an open-topped storage box or basket with detachable, adjustable hooks placed on one side.

Preferably more than one hook is used, being spaced apart in order that, for example, an arcuate headboard may be accommodated.

These hooks may be attached to the box by means of a cleat or slidable part, in order that the hooks may be removed for transport or storage.

In preferred embodiments two hooks are attached to the box or basket via plastic moulded resiliently deformable protrusions or parts which may be squeezed together to release a catch when attaching to or removing the hooks from the store.

For example along one side of the box/basket section there may be two parallel, vertical series of holes into which the hooks can be attached and removed via the moulded protrusions.

Preferably said parts may allow hooks to be replaced or moved to a different height, to adjust the disposition of the store according to the structure and preference, however, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in preferred embodiments the hooks may be detached in order that the hooks may be placed within the store for transport or storage.

In further embodiments the hooks may be folded and/or displaced into or onto the box, for transport or storage.

Yet further embodiments may have straps or lanyard attachment points for facilitation of carrying during transport.

Preferred embodiments have at least one hook, that is permanently attached to the store.

In all preferred embodiments the hook or hook is sufficient to prevent the store moving, rocking, swivelling or sliding on the structure, being wide enough to ensure that the store is not able to pivot about it.

Some embodiments may have hooks that may be resiliently deformable, in order that the user may deform the hook to enable it to be placed over the structure and wherein it will reform in order to clasp the structure.

The hooks are ideally made from plastic, in some embodiments having metal cores to provide sufficient strength where in use with larger stores; or may be metal powder coated or painted to match or compliment the basket design.

Rubber pads may be utilised at either end of the hooks. Such pads may be texturised or corrugated in order to provide a face that will add grip to the hooks, for example on glossy surfaces, and will additionally or in the alternative protect the surface of any corresponding contact area on the bed, preferably without a possibility of the pads sticking to the surface over time.

Other embodiments may use suckers or suction pads which are able to stick to either the headboard or wall.

Further embodiments may include lids, wherein such lids are hinged or loosely used to cover the store's contents and/or interior.

Yet further embodiments may include locks and/or catches on such lid, for example magnetic catches.

The box or basket is ideally of dimensions that are able to accommodate varying amounts or types of items, and ideally the store may be sold in a plurality of sizes.

The space of the store is envisaged to be constructed from one or a combination of the following materials: plastic, plywood, cotton, veneers, rubber, wicker, bamboo or laminated card.

Some embodiments may include electrical provision, and or integrated electronics, for example having a timer or alarm clock integrated. It may be envisaged therefore, for such a purpose or for alternate purposes such as charging a telephone, provision of electrical power is included.

Further embodiments may have battery power provision.

Yet further embodiments may include a means by which a device may be docked into the store, for example including speakers and/or controls.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief DescriDtion of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the store with means detached; Figure 2 shows the preferred embodiment with means attached; Figures 3 show a reverse and front view of the preferred embodiment; Figures 4 show side views of the preferred embodiment; And Figures 5 show a top and bottom view of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of FiQures

The pictured and preferred embodiment provides a convenient, small storage solution for a bedroom and allows small items, such as remote controls, glasses and slippers to be kept neatly to hand.

These items are stored in use in the space (1) which is formed by a box.

The pictured and preferred embodiments use hooks (2) for hanging onto a bed.

Instead of having an extra fitting, the pictured embodiment used a method wherein a hook has a split protrusion (3) moulded into it which can be pushed into a hole (4) in the store's box (1) to provide a suitable hook length.

This method requires fewer parts and can be removed by squeezing the protrusion 3 and its two halves together to move the hooks 2 to the required height which best suits the user's bed or crib.

Varying colours, styles and sizes mean that the store can be manufactured to suit any bedroom or user.

The store can be for children's bedrooms to solid wood bedroom furniture.

Some embodiments of the store can be used to hang off a baby's crib, containing anything needed such as milk bottles, baby monitors and even teddy bears.

The store is typically produced primarily from moulded plastic. However, other materials could also be used, such as wood, stainless steel and wicker, in the development of a product range The pictured embodiment also has textured pads (5) for prevention of damage to the bed and to magnify the hanging grip.

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1. A bed store that includes a displaceable means for hanging under gravity onto a structure, and a space for storage of items.
2. 2. A store according to claim I wherein the means comprises two hooks.
3. 3. A store according to claim 2 wherein the hooks may be displaced in order that the hooks may be placed within the store for transport or storage.
4. 4. A store according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the hooks are resiliently deformable and include textured pads.
5. 5. A store according to any of preceding claims 2 to 4 wherein the hooks attach by split pins to the space.