US20200093265A1

US20200093265A1 - Furniture Leg Cover

Info

Publication number: US20200093265A1
Application number: US16/592,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Catherine Becker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-20
Filing date: 2019-10-03
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Also published as: USD942254S1

Abstract

Disclosed is a furniture leg cover with an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is cuboidal in shape and features a flexible polygonal opening on its superior surface through which to receive furniture legs of varying sizes. The outer sleeve may likewise be cuboidal in shape and encompasses the inner sleeve on its anterior and lateral surfaces. The bottom surface of the outer sleeve features an arch such that only the outer edges of the bottom surface make contact with the flooring. The furniture leg provides protection to flooring and furniture legs while providing decorative aesthetics.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Prov. App. Ser. No. 62/740,595 (filed Oct. 3, 2018) and this document is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Des. App. Ser. No. 29/633,979 (filed Sep. 20, 2018) and this document is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Reserved for a later date, if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter is in the field of floor protection and home decor.

Background of the Invention

Well-preserved flooring in the home contributes greatly to the aesthetic appearance of the interior of the home. An entire industry thrives on producing products to repair, preserve, and revive indoor floorings. Traditional floor preservation techniques consist of methods utilizing direct applications to the flooring; however, the heavy, yet movable, nature of furniture requires additional protective measures that cannot be achieved by treatment to the flooring directly. Heavy furniture frequently damages floors by denting, gouging, and scratching the surface of the underlying floor, and, thus requires a protection method that provides a necessary barrier between the damaging furniture contact points and the floor which supports it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose a furniture leg cover. In a typical embodiment, the furniture leg cover is cuboidal in shape and provides a two-layer barrier that comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve features a square opening on its superior surface. The square opening receives the leg of a piece of furniture and secures it within the furniture leg cover.
In another embodiment, the furniture leg cover, features an outer sleeve, wherein an inner sleeve is inserted into the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve comprises the second layer of the two-layer barrier and makes contact with the flooring when the furniture leg is inserted into the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve features a slight arch on the bottom of its bottom surface, decreasing the surface area that is in contact with the floor and allowing for less resistance when moving furniture along the floor. The arch further perm its the unimpeded passage of debris underneath the furniture leg cover such that debris particles are not caught and drug along the surface of the flooring by the furniture when it is in motion.
In one embodiment, the inner anterior surface of the outer sleeve is lined with gum foam or felt.
In yet another embodiment, the outer surface of the outer sleeve may feature a decorative or ornamental design to increase the aesthetic appeal of the furniture leg cover.
Further the outer surface of the outer sleeve may decorated through in mold decorating. This involves placing a film to be inserted into the plastic injection mold. The film may be held in place by vacuum ports or an electrostatic charge. Then the work material is injected into the mold. The decoration is permanently printed on the surface of the injection mold part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the furniture leg cover;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the furniture leg cover;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the furniture leg cover;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the furniture leg cover;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the furniture leg cover; and,

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the furniture leg cover.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is a furniture leg cover. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the furniture leg cover. Referring to FIG. 1, the furniture leg covers comprises an inner sleeve 100 and an outer sleeve 200. The inner sleeve 100 is preferably cuboidal is shape and features a square opening on its superior surface. The square opening is of a size smaller than the cuboidal surface and receives the leg of a piece of furniture. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve features slits 110 on the top of the inner sleeve 100. These slits 110 allow for different sized furniture legs to be secured into the inner sleeve 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the slits 110 in the superior surface radiate from each of the four corners of the square opening, creating flexible flaps on the superior surface that permit the square opening to receive furniture legs of varying sizes. The flexible flaps bend downward in response to the insertion of a furniture leg larger than the square opening, enlarging the square opening. The flexible flaps apply a resistance force to the furniture leg as is inserted into the inner sleeve and bends the flaps downwards, thus resisting the release of the furniture and holding the leg in place within the furniture leg cover. In essence, the inner sleeve 100 provides a resistance fit to furniture legging. Further, the flexible nature of the inner sleeve 100 prevents damage to the furniture leg by providing a flexible frictional surface that will not scratch the furniture leg material. The inner sleeve 100 may be constructed of a rubber or similar synthetic material of differing colors to add to the aesthetic appeal of the furniture leg cover. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve 100 is not enclosed on the bottom (i.e., the inner sleeve 100 only has 5 sides). Accordingly, when a furniture leg is placed into the inner sleeve 100, the furniture leg is standing on the bottom of the inside of the outer sleeve 200. It should be noted, the inner and outer sleeves 100, 200 could be various polygonal or rounded shapes.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the furniture leg cover. Referring to FIG. 2, the bottom anterior surface of the outer sleeve 200 features an arched surface 210, such that, when the furniture leg cover is in use, only the outer edges of the anterior surface make contact with the flooring. The outer sleeve may be constructed of a variety of plastic (i.e., polyurethane, epoxies, resins, etc.) and wood materials. The arched surface 210 decreases the surface area of the furniture leg cover that is in contact with the floor, which allows for less resistance when moving furniture along the floor. The arched surface 210 further permits the unimpeded passage of debris underneath the furniture leg cover such that debris particles are not caught and/or drug along the surface of the floor by the furniture leg when it is in motion.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the furniture leg cover. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer sleeve 200 may feature a crown molding element or an emblem, which provide aesthetically pleasing and decorative elements to the furniture leg cover. These designs can vary for individual tastes. Other versions of the leg cover may include in-mold decorations. In particular, photo-real images may be incorporated with the mold so that the images are presented on the outer surfaces of the leg cover. In one mode of production, the in-mold decoration process involves placing a film, photograph, or like medium for an image into the plastic injection mold. The film or other item may be held in place by vacuum ports or an electrostatic charge. Once in position, the work material for constructing the leg cover is injected into the mold. The decoration is permanently printed on the surface of the injection mold part. Lacquer or other laminate may then be placed on the outer surface of the leg cover for preservative of the medium.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the furniture leg cover. In a preferred embodiment, the top of the inner sleeve 100 features a square opening with slits 110 that allow for various leg sizes to fit into the furniture leg cover. In another embodiment, the top of the inner sleeve 100 may feature a round opening with radiating slits from the opening. The opening of the top of the inner sleeve 100 may be a variety of shapes and sizes with a variety of slits 110 protruding from the opening.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the furniture leg cover. In one embodiment, the inside of the bottom of the outer sleeve 200 may feature a felt adhesive that allows the furniture leg to sit on felt. This prevents damage to the bottom of a furniture leg when standing on the base of the outer sleeve 200. In an alternative embodiment, the inside of the bottom of the outer sleeve 200 may feature a natural gum foam, wherein the furniture leg sits in the foam.
FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the furniture leg cover with the inner sleeve 100 sitting within the outer sleeve 200.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, an outer sleeve 200 encompasses the inner sleeve 100 and creates a barrier between a furniture leg and the flooring. In a preferred embodiment, the outer sleeve 200 is a cuboidal shape, but the superior surface is absent, leaving an opening through which inner sleeve 100 may be inserted. The outer sleeve 200 fully encompasses the anterior and lateral surfaces of the inner sleeve 100, while leaving the inner sleeve's 100 superior surface uncovered such that furniture legs may be inserted through the square opening.
In an alternative embodiment, the inner sleeve 100 may be designed to match the aesthetic colors and designs of the outer sleeve 200. Accordingly, the inner sleeve 100 may be interchangeable and swapped out with other inner sleeves 100.
Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
Applicant incorporates by reference the claims submitted herein.

Claims

I claim:

1. A furniture leg cover comprising:

an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve features an opening on the top of the sleeve; and,

an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve receives the inner sleeve, and wherein the inner sleeve is operationally configured to receive a leg of furniture, whereby furniture legs and floors are protected.

2. The furniture leg cover of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the outer sleeve features an arched surface.

3. The furniture leg of cover claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve and outer sleeve are polygonal.

4. A method of protecting coloring comprising the steps of:

obtaining a furniture leg cover comprising an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve features an opening on the top of the sleeve, and an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve receives the inner sleeve, and wherein the inner sleeve is operationally configured to receive a leg of furniture, whereby furniture legs and floors are protected; and,

inserting a furniture leg into the opening on top of the inner sleeve, whereby the furniture leg cover rests on the flooring.

5. A furniture leg cover comprising:

An inner sleeve and;

An outer sleeve.

6. The furniture leg cover of claim 5 wherein the sleeves are a similar shape.

7. The furniture leg cover of claim 6 wherein said inner sleeve is sized to fit inside said outer sleeve.

8. The inner sleeve of claim 7 wherein said sleeve has an orifice on said sleeves superior face.

9. The orifice of claim 8 wherein said orifice has radial slits protruding from it.

10. The furniture leg cover of claim 7 wherein said similar shapes are cuboidal.

11. The furniture leg cover of claim 10 wherein said outer sleeve is made of a wood, thermoplastic or epoxy.

12. The furniture leg cover of claim 11 wherein said outer sleeve has a bottom configured so that not its entire face is mated with the floor.

13. The furniture leg cover of claim 12 wherein said outer sleeve bottom face is configured to be an arch.

14. The arch of claim 13 wherein said arch is covered with felt.

15. The furniture leg cover of claim 13 wherein said inner sleeve has an inside lined with a gum foam.

16. The furniture leg cover of claim 15 where the outer sleeve features ornamental markings on a side.

17. The inner sleeve of claim 8 wherein said inner sleeve is made of rubber.

18. The orifice of claim 9 wherein said orifice is flexible.

19. The furniture leg cover of claim 17 wherein said inner and outer sleeve is custom colored.

20. The furniture leg cover of claim 19 wherein the inner sleeve orifice is a square.