WO2006017225A2

WO2006017225A2 - Edge cushion

Info

Publication number: WO2006017225A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/024540
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Manley
Original assignee: James Manley
Priority date: 2004-07-13
Filing date: 2005-07-12
Publication date: 2006-02-16
Also published as: WO2006017225A3

Abstract

The edge cushion (10) is a supportive pad that mounts on an edge of a surface such as a bathroom counter or a kitchen counter (C). The cushion (10) has an outer surface, an inner surface, a top wall having a front end and a back end and a sidewall depending from the back end of the top wall. The top wall and the sidewall are joined in a generally L-shaped configuration that is suited for placement against most countertop edges. The top wall and the sidewall may be straight to fit most right angled countertop edges. Alternatively, the top wall and the sidewall may be curved to fit counters having curved edges, e.g. a pedestal sink. The front end of the top wall is scalloped with the top outer surface being echeloned and gradually sloping down and away from the sidewall of the cushion (C).

Description

EDGE CUSHION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to cushions, and more particularly to a cushion designed for use on an edge of a countertop or an edge of a pedestal sink.

BACKGROUND ART

Activities such as washing dishes in the kitchen, brushing teeth or applying makeup normally require a person to stand in one position for a long period of time. Individuals performing these tasks tend to lean on the countertop for support due to fatigue, hi these cases, the hard countertop eventually becomes uncomfortable to lean against, causing some to reach for something soft to place between their body and the countertop, e.g. a folded towel. Other inventions have been designed to allow individuals to cushion one's hand while seated at a desk or support the upper body against a corner or an edge. These inventions however are not useful in areas where water is present and can possibly allow water to leak onto the ground. A device is needed that can cushion one's body against a hard countertop as well as prevent water from rolling over the invention onto the ground.

U.S. Patent Application 2003/0141427, published on July 31, 2003, discloses an upper body support device for use when leaving over an edge. A weight is inserted within its cavity to maintain the device in position. The support can also be fastened to a person with a belt or harness. This device is distinguishable for using weights to maintain its position on an edge and for being able to be fastened to a person.

U.S. Patent Number 5,170,971, issued to Schaffer et al. on December 15, 1992, describes a tabletop mountable wrist supporter. The supporter is polyhedron in shape with an L-shaped cross section having a top and a side. Hook and pile fasteners are used to removably fasten the supporter to the tabletop. This supporter is distinguishable for being polyhedron in shape and using hook and pile fasteners.

U.S. Patent Number 5,208,084, issued to Rutz on May 4, 1993, describes an edge pad that uses adhesive strips to attach the pad to the top of a desk. The pad is a cushion having a top and a side having a cover disposed over the top and side of the pad. The top is longer than the side. The edge pad is distinguishable for using adhesive strips, having a cover disposed over the pad and having the top be longer than the side. U.S. Patent Number 5,508,078, issued to Stalnaker on April 16, 1996, describes an edge and corner guard. The guard has a central core sandwiched between two soft resilient padding sheets. A cover then envelops the entire guard. The guard is distinguishable for utilizing layers and having a cover disposed over the guard. U.S. Patent Number 6,019,336, issued to Havens on February 1, 2000, describes a corner cushion. The cushion is circular in shape with an L-shaped cross section. The cushion uses double sided adhesive tape to attach to an edge of a work surface. The cushion is distinguishable for utilizing adhesive tape to mount the device on the work surface and for having a circular shape. U.S. Patent Number 6,116,162, issued to Santa Cruz et al. on September 12, 2000, describes a combination protective bumper and placemat. The bumper can removably be attached to any furniture edge using inserts that are positioned within the bumper. The bumper is distinguishable for having an elongated top portion that serves as a placemat.

Other corner protectors, furniture protectors or covers are disclosed in: U.S. Patent Number 6,261,668, issued to Nagy on July 17, 2001; U.S. Patent Number 5,322,257, issued to Venderose et al. on June 21, 1994, (furniture cover); U.S. Patent Number 3,922,408, issued to Smith on November 25, 1975 (corner and edge protective cover); U.S. Patent Number 3,725,188, issued to KaIt on April 3, 1973 (protective pad for furniture); U.S. Patent Number 3,041,775, issued to Brown et al. on July 3, 1962, (a table corner guard); U.S. Patent Number 3,173,826, issued to Campbell et al. on March 16, 1965; French Patent Number 2,602,653, published on February 19, 1988; and French Patent Number 2,627,819, published on September 1, 1989.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus an edge cushion solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure is directed to an edge cushion that has a top wall and a side wall. The top wall has a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The sidewall has a top end, a bottom end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The top end of the side wall is joined to the second end of the top wall so that the edge cushion has an L-shaped configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an edge cushion according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the edge cushion according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a section view drawn along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the edge cushion according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the edge cushion according to the present invention with suction cups attached to the inner surface of the edge cushion.

Fig. 6 is a first alternative embodiment of the edge cushion.

Fig. 7 is a second alternative embodiment of the edge cushion.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BESTMODESFORCARRYINGOUTTHEINVENTION

The edge cushion is a supportive pad that mounts on an edge of a surface such as a bathroom counter or a kitchen counter. The cushion has an outer surface, an inner surface, a top wall having a front end and a back end and a sidewall depending from the back end of the top wall. The top wall and the sidewall are joined in a generally L-shaped configuration that is suited for placement against most countertop edges. The top wall and the sidewall may be straight to fit most right angled countertop edges. Alternatively, the top wall and the sidewall may be curved to fit counters having curved edges, e.g. a pedestal sink. The front end of the top wall is scalloped with the top outer surface being and offset in an echelon that gradually slopes down, away from the sidewall of the cushion. The cushion is injection molded from foam and has a particular thickness. The outer surface is smooth, without cracks, to allow a user to wipe the cushion clean and reduce opportunities for bacteria to accumulate and proliferate. The echelon design disposed at the front end of the top wall further helps water or dirt that falls on the cushion to be channeled down off the cushion. The inner surface of the cushion is the side of the cushion that comes in contact with the edge of the counter. The inner surface is a non-slip backing made of PVC vinyl in a ribbed or waffled texture. The ribbed or waffled texture is similar to the type of material used to line shelves currently sold in the market. The inner surface is made of tacky or other non-slip material to provide the cushion with a grip to remain on the countertop. As an option, suction cups may be attached to the inner surface to removably mount the cushion to the edge of the countertop and provide an extra way to grip the countertop. The present invention is an edge cushion, generally shown as 10 in the figures. As shown in Fig. 1, the cushion 10 is a device that mounts on an edge of a surface such as a bathroom counter C or a kitchen counter. The cushion 10 is soft allowing a user U to lean against the cushion 10 to apply makeup, put on contacts, brush one's teeth or wash dishes in a kitchen. Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the cushion 10 has a top wall 20 and a sidewall 30.

The top wall 20 has a front end 22 and a back end 24. The sidewall 30 depends from the back end 24 of the top wall 20 thereby providing the cushion 10 with a generally L-shaped configuration, see Fig. 3. The generally L-shaped configuration is suited to fit most counter edges. The front end 22 of the top wall 20 is scalloped and offset in an echelon 26. A dip 23 defines the scalloped edge 22 creating two arcs 21, 28. The dip 23 helps accommodate for a sink when the cushion 10 is placed on the bathroom counter C. The echelon 26 comprises three steps that gradually recede from the front end 22. The number of steps disposed on the front end 22 does not matter and could be more or less than three. The cushion 10 may be used in dry or wet areas. If the cushion 10 is used wet areas such as near a sink on the bathroom counter C, then the echelon 26 will help to drain the water down, away from the user U resting against the cushion 10. The echelon 26, therefore, serves a functional purpose. The echelon 26, however, besides having an aesthetic purpose, also provides an aesthetic function by imparting an "art deco" look to the cushion 10. Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the cushion 10 has an outer surface 40 and an inner surface 42. The outer surface 40 is generally smooth. The inner surface 42 is textured, made of non-slip material to provide the cushion 10 with grip strength when placed on the edge of the counter C. The inner surface 42 is characterized by a padded or cushioned, waffle- textured material 44. The waffle-textured material 44 is either a separate piece attached to the inner surface 42 or is made as a single unit by injection molding. If the cushion 10 is made by injection molding then both the cushion 10 and the waffle-textured material 44 will most likely be made of the same material. The waffle-textured material 44 is made up of a plastic type substance that has a non-slip or sticky quality. The waffle-textured material 44 is similar to the type of substance used in making shelf liners having weaved and waffled textures e.g. where a scrim is coated or impregnated with PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). The inner surface 42 is a non-slip backing made of PVC vinyl in a ribbed or waffled texture.

The cushion 10 is meant to be temporarily used on the edge of the counter C and remain on the counter C with the help of the non-slip waffle textured material 44. As an option, suction cups 50 may be attached to the inner surface 42 of the cushion 10 to provide added strength and keep the cushion 10 on the counter. The suction cups 50 will allow the cushion 10 to be reusable and removably attached to any counter top, see Fig. 5.

The cushion 10 is preferably injection molded from environmentally safe, and recyclable foam. The cushion 10 and the waffle-textured material 44 may be made from the same material or from different materials. A slight skin may form on the outer surface 40 of the cushion 10 when the cushion 10 injection molded. Generally the cushion 10 is smooth so it can be wiped clean and used repeatedly.

The sidewall 30 of the cushion 10 is generally about 14" wide and about 2.8" tall; the top wall 20 is about 14" wide and about 3.5" long. The cited dimensions are merely preferred proportions, the cushion 10 can be made to have other dimensions and shapes. The top wall 20 should generally possess more foam than the sidewall 30 thereby shifting the center of gravity forward and providing the cushion 10 with extra force to remain on the edge of any counter, with or without the suction cups 50. The sidewall 30 is generally about 1.4" thick and the top wall 20 is about 1.3" thick. Again, the aforementioned measurements are preferred embodiments and can vary and still remain within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 6, a curved cushion 100 is shown mounted on a curved edge of a pedestal sink PS. The curved cushion 100 has a curved top wall 120 and a curved sidewall depending from the curved top wall 120 to form a rounded, generally L-shaped configuration. Like cushion 10, the top wall 120 of the curved cushion 100 may have steps 126 and may be scalloped (not shown). The sidewall of the cushion 100 will be curved so more of the inner surface will grip the pedestal sink PS. Again, as with the preferred embodiment, cushion 10, the curved top wall 120 will be made to possess more foam than the sidewall 130 and will possess a textured inner surface to maintain the cushion 100 on the curved edge of the pedestal sink PS. Suction cups are an optional add-on feature to cushion 100. A third embodiment 200 is shown in Fig. 7, cushion 200 takes the shape of a train but can take any shape, may display cartoon characters, images or 3-D figures that would be pleasing to children. Cushion 200 has a top wall 220 and a sidewall 230. As an added feature, a musical chip may be incorporated into the cushion 200 under a soft push button 210 to provide a sound clip. The sound clip may instruct children to brush their teeth or may play a song that is soothing to children as they brush their teeth. Cushion 200 may be useful in entertaining or occupying a child while a parent brushes the child's teeth. The cushion 200 could possibly give the child an incentive to brush their teeth on their own and will provide a comfortable support as the child leans against the bathroom counter C.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A edge cushion, comprising:

a top wall having a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an inner surface; and

a sidewall having a top end, a bottom end, an outer surface and an inner surface, said top end of the side wall being joined to the second end of the top wall in an L- shaped configuration.

2. The edge cushion according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the cushion is textured.

3. The edge cushion of claim 1, wherein the first edge of the top wall is scalloped.