GB2549476A

GB2549476A - Bedding apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2549476A
Application number: GB1606703.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mitford Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-18
Filing date: 2016-04-18
Publication date: 2017-10-25

Abstract

A bedding apparatus including a cover, a lower structure and a cover extender device 20. At least a portion of the cover is securable to the lower structure by the extender device and securement mechanism. The extender device includes an attachment portion 6 to engage the cover along an edge (4, fig 2a). The structure may be a bed 1 with a bedsheet and mattress 3, and the cover may be a duvet 2. The securement mechanism may incorporate the weight of the lower structure, and may further include buttons, poppers (7, 8, fig 9) or hook and eye mechanisms. More than one device may be provided. The device may further include a divider and perforations (11, fig 2c). An advantage of the invention is that the bed user is protected from draughts, as the bedcover is prevented from coming loose.

Description

BEDDING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bedding apparatus, in particular apparatus for loose bedcovering such as duvet covers; more particularly but not exclusively apparatus for removing draughty conditions from use of loose bedcoverings.

Background

Increasing prevalence of loose bedcoverings in many societies is a reflection of the ease of bedmaking with such bedcovers.

However where in the past bedcoverings were based on multiple layers of sheets and blankets, these were predominantly tucked in beneath the mattress in bedmaking. This in turn ensured that the bed was made snug and contained.

In contrast the use of loose bedcoverings means that the bed can become draughty as bedcoverings get dislodged. This can make for unpleasant bed conditions, particularly for example in a shared bed where one partner or user prefers more draughty conditions and another less draughty.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted United States patent US 8 566 983 (MONACO) discloses an improved bed covering comprising: (a) a generally rectangular cover piece comprising (i) a first end and a second end, said second end opposite the first end, (ii) a first side and a second side, said second side opposite the first side, (iii) a top side and a bottom side, said top side opposite the bottom side and connected to the bottom side at the first and second end and the first and second side; and (b) an elastic member; said member having a width and of sufficient length to extend under a mattress; said member attached to the bottom side of the cover piece at a first edge of the member at (i) a first position at a point proximate to the first side and the second end and at a second edge of the member at (ii) a second position proximate to the second side and the second end such that the member extends under the mattress but is not visible while the covering is positioned on the bed; said member comprising an adjusting means.

Granted United States patent US 8 015 636 (BOLISH et al) discloses a bed sheet comprising: a flat one piece top sheet having a top panel, at least three side panels, and at least three bottom panels; the flat one piece top sheet having the two portions removed to eliminates the extra overage at the corner of the bed; a male element of a releasable corner fastener being placed on the edge of at least one side panel; a female element of a releasable corner fastener being placed on the edge of at least one side panel; the male element and female element forming a corner when the male element is placed on the edge of side panel which corresponds to the female element placed on a corresponding edge of a side panel are joined together; the at least three bottom panels having 90 degree edges.

Granted United States patent US 6 854 139 (LAMY) discloses a bed covering fastening system, comprising: i) a bed covering; ii) an item to be attached to the bed covering; and iii) a fastener for removably attaching the item to the bed covering, the fastener including a bed covering fastener part integral with the bed covering and a item fastener part integral with the item, the bed covering fastener part and the item fastener part being cooperating to permit releasable interconnection.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bedding apparatus comprising a cover, a lower structure, a cover extender device, and a securement mechanism, wherein in use at least a portion of the cover is secureable to the lower structure by a cover extender device and securement mechanism; and wherein the extender device comprises an attachment means arranged in use to engage the footprint of the cover along an edge.

In some embodiments the cover may comprise a duvet cover or slip.

The structure may comprise a mattress or fitted sheet.

The extender device may comprise material or fabric analogous to the material or fabric of the cover or sheet.

The cover and mattress may describe a rectangular footprint, and the edge may comprise the bottom edge of said rectangle wherein a user’s head is at the top edge in usage and feet typically at the bottom edge.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a bespoke attachment means, wherein the extender device and cover include corresponding male and female attachment parts, so as to allow the attachment means to be formed in use or before use.

For example it may be necessary to purchase the extender device and cover together or with reference to each other.

In some embodiments said attachment means may be added to the cover and/or extender device before use. For example the attachment means may comprise separate attachment parts, which parts may be added onto the cover and/or extender. For example in some embodiments the attachment parts may comprise ferromagnetic parts, or clips, which parts may be clipped onto or placed around the attachment between the cover edge and the extender device.

In some embodiments the attachment means may comprise the cover’s attachment means over the duvet, or closure means. For example the attachment means of the device may comprise perforation for the cover attachment means to pass and attach around the device so as to attach the device in place. In some embodiments the extender device may comprise analogous securement means and/or may comprise a tillable pocket such as a duvet, in this way comprising an extension to the duvet. For example the extender device may comprise a pocket tillable from a side access.

In some embodiments when the extender device is available independently, the device may be arranged with standard or known attachment means parts so as to attach to the cover, wherein the attachment means comprises an attachment means which is complementary to or analogous with a known button duvet cover securement means.

In some embodiments the extender device is provided as an extension to the cover or duvet cover, for example comprising an extending flap or flaps from the edge of the cover or duvet cover. In such embodiments the attachment means may be permanent.

In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise more than one extender device so as to accommodate different user preference with reference to comfort or draughts.

In some other embodiments the extender device is subdivided into more than one extender. For example in some embodiments of the apparatus in use an extender may be enabled to extend to a different extent to other areas of the edge in use, for example extending to different lengths from the cover’s edge, according to user preference or manufacturer disposal.

The extenders may be separated by a divider so as to form two extenders in use. The divider may comprise a divider attachment means, to attach the extenders to each other and prevent or limit draughts between them when secured, which may be analogous or similar to the attachment means.

For example in some embodiments of the apparatus the edge may have no extension in one area of the cover’s edge, and an edge extension that may used to lay underneath the mattress and/or secure the extended edge or extender in another. In this way the apparatus may accommodate two persons with varying desires and needs with reference to draught conditions.

In some embodiments the attachment means may comprise means to interact with a duvet’s closure means by comprising a loopable attachment means or series of loops which may be passed around the duvet’s closure means.

In some further embodiments the attachment means may be arranged to an uppermost face of the cover, for example wherein the attachment means may be placed above both layers of the cover in use. Advantageously this may enable the cover to be more fully held down, and/or ensure that the cover’s material thermal effectiveness is available to the user rather than simply providing draught-resistance.

In some further embodiments the attachment means may be arranged to a lowermost face of the cover. Advantageously this may provide a more aesthetically pleasing view, wherein the cover may comprise the main view of the edge, and in particular where the attachment means may be aftermarket.

In some embodiments the extenders comprise a fastening mechanism arranged to fasten the extender when not in use, unextended, retracted or minimised, which mechanism is used to fasten the extender device or part thereof. The fastening mechanism may comprise a reliable, foldable or otherwise collapsible extender or part thereof, and a fastening means such as ties.

The apparatus may comprise a securement mechanism comprising a mechanism to secure the extender to, on or by the structure.

In some embodiments the securement mechanism may comprise the weight of or contact between the structure and another surface, for example bed frame.

In some embodiments the sheet may comprise the structure, and may comprise the securement mechanism, wherein the extender device is secured in use to or by the sheet.

In some embodiments said securement mechanism may be analogous to the attachment means and may be comprised on, at or by the sheet.

In contrast to securement beneath the mattress this arrangement may advantageously allow for the possibility of a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, and a closer or tighter bed end.

In some embodiments, for example where the securement mechanism comprises securement of the extender to the topmost face of the sheet and/or the lowermost face of the cover, the extender or extender device may comprise sides, so as to describe a three-sided pocket for the user’s or users’ feet.

The attachment means or securement mechanism may comprise adjustability, so as to allow for the cover to be pulled closer to the structure, for example wherein the securement may be accomplished on multiple positions of the sheet or cover.

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 shows an isometric views of an embodiment of the apparatus with device secured:

Figures 2 shows isometric views of the apparatus in use;

Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows an end view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1, with the corner removed for diagrammatic purposes;

Figure 7 shows an end view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figures 8 show isometric views of the apparatus as shown in Figure 6;

And

Figure 9 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the device for use with the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising in use a bed 1, a mattress 3, a cover 2, and an extender device 20.

The device comprises an attachment means 6 for attachment of the device to the cover along the cover’s lowermost or foot edge 4.

In the pictured embodiment the attachment means comprises perforation of eyelets 11 of 15mm diameter (as shown in Figure 2c) arranged along the width of the extender device, through which the cover’s attachment means passes.

The cover’s attachment means comprises button holes 9 and buttons 10, on the top face and bottom of the cover respectively.

This allows the device to attach in between the faces of a duvet cover, utilising the duvet cover’s attachment means as the opposing attachment parts.

Once the device is attached to the cover it is then tucked between the mattress and the bed frame or subordinate surface to secure. This forms the securement mechanism.

The device has a divider defined by a vertically arranged split 22, situated centrally on the bed, which is seamed to form two self-contained extenders 5.

The extenders have a divider attachment means contained within this seamed split, which comprises an overlap of the extenders, and the divider attachment means comprises runs of poppers 7 and 8, or may be analogous to the attachment means for the device to the cover. In further embodiments the extenders could be joined together via hook and loop, toggles or similar along the divider.

This extender arrangement allows for only half, or one extender, to be secured depending on users’ preference.

The extenders further comprise a fastening mechanism comprising two sets of two ties 23, which ties comprise fabric ties sewn into the seam of the extender, along the attachment with the cover edge. These ties are used to fasten the rolled, folded or bunched extender when required. Further embodiments may comprise hook and loop material or other temporary fastening.

The main fabric is strong yet mimics a thin or summer duvet. The attachment means and divider attachment means are comprise in seamed runs 24, 25 respectively.

The depth of the fabric may be 50cm.

In Figure 2a one extender is secured and the other is fastened and the device is attached;

In Figure 2b one extender is down and unsecured to reduce drafts but not overly tighten the bed end, and the other is rolling for fastening, the attachment means is not attached;

In Figure 2c both extenders are down but unsecured and the attachment means is in place for attachment; and

In Figure 2d the device is inserted below the edge of the cover and the extenders reversed with respect to the divider attachment means.

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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A bedding apparatus comprising a cover, a lower structure, a cover extender device, and a securement mechanism, wherein in use at least a portion of the cover is secureable to the lower structure by a cover extender device and securement mechanism; and wherein the extender device comprises an attachment means arranged in use to engage the footprint of the cover along an edge.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the structure comprises a bed.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the structure comprises a bedsheet.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the securement mechanism comprises the weight of the structure.

5. Apparatus according to any claim 4 wherein the securement mechanism comprises buttons, poppers, or hook and eye mechanism.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises more than one device.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim 1 to 5 wherein the device comprises more than one extender.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the device comprises a divider and divider attachment means to attach the extenders together.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a fastening mechanism to fasten an unextended extender.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the cover comprises a duvet cover.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises the cover’s attachment means and perforations in the device.

12. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.

13. A device for use with apparatus according to any preceding claims.