U.S. patent application number 09/918842 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-30 for bedding for an airbed.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Coleman Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hardee, Howard, Metzger, Andrew, Michaelis, Susan.
Application Number | 20030019037 09/918842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25441048 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030019037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michaelis, Susan ; et
al. |
January 30, 2003 |
Bedding for an airbed
Abstract
Airbed bedding that fits multiple sizes of airbeds. The airbed
bedding includes first and second layers having drawstrings that
extend around each corner of the respective layer. The drawstrings
include barrel locks, which permit the drawstrings to be cinched
and locked into position. The two layers may be used as a fitted
cover for the airbed, and a top sheet or cover. To attach the lower
layer to the airbed, a user cinches the four drawstrings. The upper
layer is then usable as a top cover. For additional security, the
drawstrings at the corners of the foot of the top layer may also be
tightened around the airbed. The first layer and the second layer
may be attached, for example by a zipper, along one edge, usually
at the foot of the bedding.
Inventors: |
Michaelis, Susan; (Wichita,
KS) ; Hardee, Howard; (Wichita, KS) ; Metzger,
Andrew; (Belle Plaine, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG, VOIT & MAYER, LTD.
(SEATTLE OFFICE)
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA
SUITE 4900
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6780
US
|
Assignee: |
The Coleman Company, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25441048 |
Appl. No.: |
09/918842 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/497 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/497 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Airbed bedding, comprising: a first layer comprising at least
one cinching mechanism for cinching the first layer to the corners
of an airbed; and a second layer for extending against the first
layer and attached to the first layer.
2. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises
four cinching mechanisms, each one for cinching the first layer to
a different corner of an airbed.
3. The airbed bedding of claim 2, wherein each cinching mechanism
comprises a drawstring.
4. The airbed bedding of claim 3, wherein each cinching mechanism
comprises a lock on the drawstring.
5. The airbed bedding of claim 4, wherein each lock comprises a
barrel lock.
6. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the second layer
comprises at least one second cinching mechanism for cinching a
portion of second layer to the foot corners of an airbed.
7. The airbed bedding of claim 6, wherein the second cinching
mechanism comprises a drawstring.
8. The airbed bedding of claim 7, wherein the second cinching
mechanism comprises a lock on the drawstring.
9. The airbed bedding of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises a
barrel lock.
10. The airbed bedding of claim 6, wherein the second layer
comprises two second cinching mechanisms, each one for cinching the
second layer to a separate corner of a foot of an airbed.
11. The airbed bedding of claim 6, further comprising at least one
third cinching mechanism for cinching a portion of the second layer
to a head of an airbed.
12. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the third cinching
mechanism comprises a drawstring.
13. The airbed bedding of claim 12, wherein the third cinching
mechanism comprises a lock on the drawstring.
14. The airbed bedding of claim 13, wherein the lock comprises a
barrel lock.
15. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer.
16. The airbed bedding of claim 15, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer by a zipper.
17. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the
second layer comprise different materials.
18. The airbed bedding of claim 1, wherein the first layer
comprises a fabric material, and the second layer comprises an
insulated material.
19. Airbed bedding, comprising: a first layer comprising at least
one first cinching mechanism for cinching the first layer to
corners of an airbed; and a second layer comprising at least one
second cinching mechanism for cinching a portion of the second
layer to corners of an airbed.
20. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the first layer
comprises four first cinching mechanisms, each one for cinching the
first layer to a different corner of an airbed.
21. The airbed bedding of claim 20, wherein each of the first
cinching mechanisms comprises a drawstring.
22. The airbed bedding of claim 21, wherein each of the first
cinching mechanisms comprises a lock on the drawstring.
23. The airbed bedding of claim 22, wherein each of the locks
comprises a barrel lock.
24. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the second cinching
mechanism comprises a drawstring.
25. The airbed bedding of claim 24, wherein the second cinching
mechanism comprises a lock on the drawstring.
26. The airbed bedding of claim 25, wherein the lock comprises a
barrel lock.
27. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the second layer
comprises two second cinching mechanisms, one for each second layer
foot corner.
28. The airbed bedding of claim 19, further comprising at least one
third cinching mechanism for cinching the second layer head corners
on an airbed.
29. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the cinching mechanism
comprises a drawstring.
30. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer.
31. The airbed bedding of claim 30, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer by a zipper.
32. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the first layer and the
second layer comprise different materials.
33. The airbed bedding of claim 19, wherein the first layer
comprises a fabric material, and the second layer comprises an
insulated material.
34. Airbed bedding, comprising: a first layer having four first
layer corners, and comprising a cinching mechanism for each of the
four first layer corners, each of the cinching mechanisms for
cinching the respective corner to a corner of an airbed; and a
second layer having four second layer corners, and comprising a
cinching mechanism for each of the four second layer corners, each
of the cinching mechanisms for cinching the respective corner to a
corner of an airbed.
35. The airbed bedding of claim 34, wherein each of the cinching
mechanisms comprises a drawstring.
36. The airbed bedding of claim 35, wherein each of the cinching
mechanisms comprises a lock on the drawstring.
37. The airbed bedding of claim 36, wherein each of the locks
comprises a barrel lock.
38. The airbed bedding of claim 34, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer.
39. The airbed bedding of claim 38, wherein the first layer is
detachably attached to the second layer by a zipper.
40. The airbed bedding of claim 34, wherein the first layer and the
second layer comprise different materials.
41. The airbed bedding of claim 40, wherein the first layer
comprises a fabric material, and the second layer comprises an
insulated material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to bedding, and more
particularly to bedding for air mattresses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An air mattress, or airbed, is a large, rectangular rubber
or plastic sack that is filled with air so that a person may use it
as a bed. Airbeds are comfortable and portable when deflated, and
many contemporary airbeds are sold with pumps so that they may be
inflated in a short period of time. As such, airbeds are often used
for camping or as readily-available guest beds.
[0003] Airbeds come in many different sizes, but for the most part,
are sized to match conventional king, queen, double, and twin-sized
mattresses. The depth of airbeds varies, but typically is four to
eight inches.
[0004] Although air mattresses work well for their intended
purpose, one problem associated with their use is the availability
of suitable bedding. Conventional bedding materials are sized for
non-inflatable mattresses and do not properly fit airbeds, because
regular mattresses are typically deeper than airbeds. The depth
difference is especially a problem for fitted sheets. Most of the
presently-available fitted sheets cannot accommodate mattresses
having a thickness or shape different from a thickness or shape for
which the sheet is designed. Thus, for example, fitted sheets are
generally designed to accommodate standard mattresses, however, if
a mattress has a non-standard thickness, the sheet may not even fit
over that non-standard mattress, or may be so loosely attached to
that mattress that it loses nearly all of the advantages generally
associated with fitted sheets.
[0005] Some users utilize connected sleeping bags with airbeds, but
this solution is inadequate because it does not offer much
temperature adjustability, i.e., a person is either in a sleeping
bag or not. In addition, because the sleeping bag or bags are not
attached to the airbed, the person or persons sleeping on the
airbed may find the use of the sleeping bags to be far inferior to
the use of fitted bedding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves many of the problems of the
prior art by providing airbed bedding that fits multiple sizes of
airbeds. To this end, the airbed bedding includes a first layer
having drawstrings that extend around each corner of the layer. The
drawstrings may include locks, such as barrel locks, which permit
the drawstrings to be cinched and locked into a position. To attach
the first layer to the airbed, a user simply places the bedding on
top of the airbed, with the four corners of the bedding hanging
below the four corners of the airbed, and tightens (e.g., by
cinching up with the barrel lock) the four drawstrings on the first
layer of the bedding until a desired fit is achieved. The
drawstrings may be cinched more or less depending upon the size of
the airbed. To this end, the first layer is adjustable to fit
multiple aiftbed thicknesses and sizes. For example, the same first
layer may fit a double and a queen-sized airbed.
[0007] Although described in one embodiment as having four corners
and a drawstring for each corner, the airbed bedding of the present
invention may include any number of corners and/or drawstrings or
other cinching mechanisms. For example, the airbed bedding may
include multiple corners, which may or may not match the corners of
an airbed, and may include a single drawstring that cinches the
bedding to all corners of the airbed, or may include two or more
drawstrings that cinch the bedding to a single corning of an
airbed. Many variations are possible.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the airbed bedding includes a second layer. The second layer also
includes drawstrings at each of its corners. The first layer and
the second layer may be attached, for example by a zipper, along
one edge, usually at the foot of the bedding. The use of a zipper
to attach these two layers makes the bedding function more like
conventional bedding, and permits detachment of the two layers for
easier laundering of the two layers.
[0009] The two layers may be used as a fitted cover for the airbed,
and a top sheet or cover. For example, if the first layer is used
as the bottom layer, it may be fitted to the airbed by cinching all
corners. The upper layer is then usable as a top cover. For
additional security, the drawstrings at the corners of the foot of
the top layer may also be tightened around the airbed.
[0010] The two layers may be formed of two different bedding
materials. For example, the first layer may be made of sheeting
material, and the second layer may be an insulated bedding
material, similar to a comforter. If two different materials are
used, either of the materials may be used as the fitted cover, and
the other layer may be used at the top sheet. Thus, a user may want
to use the comforter layer as the fitted cover, and the sheet layer
as a top cover. Alternatively, the sheet may be used as the fitted
cover, with the comforter as the top cover. In this manner, the
airbed bedding provides flexibility in temperature and/or
comfort.
[0011] Other advantages will become apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings,
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of airbed bedding formed in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention, with the
bedding fitted onto an airbed;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of one corner of the airbed
bedding of FIG. 1, showing attachment of a bottom layer of the
airbed bedding to a large airbed, with a drawstring for the corner
of the bedding fully extended;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of one corner of the bottom
layer of the airbed bedding of FIG. 1, similar to FIG. 2, with the
drawstring cinched;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway, bottom view of the airbed
bedding of FIG. 1, with the airbed bedding on a smaller airbed than
the airbed in FIG. 2, and showing a first, bottom layer attached to
the airbed and a second, top layer partially attached to the
airbed;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the airbed bedding of
FIG. 1, with the top layer of the bedding in FIG. 1 serving as the
bottom layer in FIG. 5, and the bottom layer in FIG. 1 serving as
the top layer in FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view of an alternate embodiment
of airbed bedding made in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, where the airbed bedding includes two drawstrings for
cinching to a corner of an airbed; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway view of the airbed bedding of
FIG. 6, shown cinched onto a corner of an airbed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In the following description, various aspects of the present
invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific
configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will
also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details. In
addition, to the extent directional references are used, such as
top, bottom, forward, rearward, or the like, the references are for
ease of illustration, and a person of skill in the art may reorient
the elements of the invention as necessary. Furthermore, well-known
features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the
present invention.
[0020] Briefly described, with reference to FIG. 1, the present
invention is directed to airbed bedding 20 for fitting on an airbed
A (shown in phantom in FIG. 1). The airbed bedding 20 includes a
first layer 22 and a second layer 24. In FIG. 1, the first layer 22
is fitted to the airbed A and serves as a bottom layer. The second
layer 24 is fitted over the first layer 22, and serves as a top
cover for a user sleeping on the airbed A.
[0021] The first layer 22 is substantially rectangular in shape,
and may be sized, for example, to fit a queen-sized bed. The sizing
of the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 is described further
below. Although sized to fit a particular bed, as described below,
the first layer 22 and the airbed bedding 20 is adjustable to fit
onto several different sizes of airbeds. The airbeds onto which the
airbed bedding 20 may fit may, for example, have different depths
and/or widths and lengths.
[0022] The first layer 22 includes four sleeves 26, located at each
of the four corners of the first layer (two of which are shown in
FIG. 4, and one of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The sleeves 26
are sewn into, or otherwise attached to the corners of the first
layer 22, so that they extend around the corners and up the
adjacent sides of the first layer. The sleeves 26 may be sized as
desired, but in one embodiment are forty-six (46) inches in length.
In this embodiment, the sleeves 26 run twenty-three inches along
each of the adjacent sides, but the length along the adjacent sides
need not be equal.
[0023] Drawstrings 28 extend through the sleeves 26. The
drawstrings 28 may be cords, rope, or other suitable material. Each
sleeve 26 has its own drawstring 28, which is attached at one end
of the respective sleeve (e.g., by sewing), and extends slightly
out of the other end of the sleeve. A lock, such as a barrel lock
30 is provided on the ends of the drawstrings 28. The barrel locks
30 are preferably sized so that they cannot be pulled into the
sleeves 26. The drawstrings 28 are slightly longer than the sleeves
26, for example an inch longer, to permit the free end of the
drawstrings to thread through the respective barrel lock 30 on the
outside of the sleeve.
[0024] Other cinching mechanisms (i.e., mechanisms that a user uses
to cinch fabric together) and locks may be used. As an example,
FIG. 6 shows a layer 122 for airbed bedding having two drawstrings
128, 138 for cinching a corner of the layer to a single corner of
an airbed. The drawstrings 128, 138 are attached by bar tacks 124,
134 to the distal ends of sleeves 126, 136. The opposite ends of
the two drawstrings 128, 138 extend out of the sleeves 126, 136,
and through a barrel lock 140. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the barrel
lock 140 and the two drawstrings 128, 138 align with a corner of an
airbed to which the layer 122 is to be attached, and the two
drawstrings 128, 138 may be cinched to connect the layer 122 to the
corner of the airbed. Other cinching mechanisms may be used.
[0025] In any event, returning now to FIG. 1, the second layer 24
is preferably sized the same as the first layer 22, and includes
similar sleeves 32, drawstrings 34, and barrel locks 36 at each of
the four corners of the second layer. The second layer 24 is
attached along a foot end to the foot end of the first layer 22.
This attachment is preferably something that may be disconnected,
such as a zipper 38. The zipper may be, for example, a #5 nylon
coil zipper, attached (e.g., by sewing) at the foot of each layer,
half of the zipper attached to the first layer 22 and the mating
half of the zipper attached to the second layer 24. A zipper pull
40 is provided for attaching or disconnecting the two zipper
halves. The use of a zipper 38 to attach the two layers 22, 24
allows the airbed bedding to function more like conventional
bedding, and permits detachment of the two layers for easier
laundering of the two layers.
[0026] To provide versatility for the airbed bedding 20, the first
layer 22 and the second layer 24 are preferably formed of different
materials. The first layer 22, for example, may be a sheet, such as
a 180-count 65/35 polyester/cotton sheeting material. If a sheet is
used as the first layer 22, the second layer 24 may be an insulated
comforter layer, for example with a 180-count 65/35
polyester/cotton sheeting cover and a 240-g knitted polyester
fleece liner. This cover and liner form a shell that enclose
insulation, such as forty-eight (48) ounces of solid-core, 100%
polyester insulation for bedding to fit a queen-sized airbed. Other
materials may be used. As non-limiting examples, either the first
layer 22 or the second layer 24 may be constructed of cotton
flannel, cotton twill, poly-cotton, a rubber sheet, or the like.
One, both, or none of the layers may be insulated. For example, the
two layers 22, 24 may both be sheets, or one of the layers may be a
sheet and the other a fleece blanket.
[0027] To attach the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 to an
airbed, the two layers are connected (e.g., by the zipper 38) along
their foot. One of the layers is chosen as the bottom layer, and
the other layer is the top layer. For ease of illustration, to
describe the attachment of the airbed bedding 20, in the following
example the first layer 22 is the bottom layer, and the second
layer 24 is the top layer.
[0028] The first layer 22 and the second layer 24 are stacked on
top of one another, so that the edges align. The first layer 22 is
centered over the airbed, and the corners are allowed to hang below
the corners of the airbed (FIG. 2). The loose end of each of the
drawstrings 28 is pulled until tight, and the barrel locks 30 are
cinched to hold the corners in place (FIG. 3). In this manner, the
corners of the first layer 22 are pulled around and beneath the
corners of the airbed. This arrangement holds the first layer 22 in
place on the airbed.
[0029] The amount that the sides and corners of the first layer 22
extend under the airbed when attached depends on the size of the
airbed and the size of the first layer. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the corners of the first layer 22 may extend only
slightly below the corners of a larger airbed, such as a
queen-sized airbed. However, as shown in FIG. 4, on a smaller
airbed D, such as a double-sized airbed, the corners and the sides
of the first layer may extend under the airbed a substantial
amount, such as a few inches. In either case, the first layer 22 is
securely attached to the airbed. This feature permits the airbed
bedding 20 to fit on multiple sizes of airbeds. For example, a
single airbed bedding 20 may be sized to fit unto double-sized
airbeds and a queen-sized airbeds, despite the thickness of the
airbeds.
[0030] Preferably, at least a portion of the sides of the first
layer 22 extends under the airbed when attached to the airbed. This
feature additionally secures the airbed bedding 20 to the airbed,
because at least a part of the airbed is resting on the overlapped
corners and sides, and the overlapped corners and sides, because
they extend under the airbed, are harder to dislodge. To this end,
the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 are preferably sized so
that their sides and ends may extend under the largest bed that is
contemplated for the airbed bedding 20 to fit. For example, for an
airbed bedding 20 that is sized for both double-sized airbeds and a
queen-sized airbeds, the maximum dimensions of a queen-sized airbed
are taken into account when sizing the airbed bedding 20. For this
example, if a manufacturer wants at least 6 inches of the sides to
extend under the airbed, the first layer 22 and the second layer 24
are made, for example, 7 feet, 4 inches wide. This dimension
assumes that the maximum thickness of an airbed is 8 inches, and
the width of a queen-sized bed is 5 feet. Thus, the width is
calculated by: 5 feet (width), plus (8 inches) .times.2 (height,
both sides), plus (6 inches) .times.2 (overlap, both sides) equals
7 feet, 4 inches. If a bed is smaller than these dimensions, then
the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 extend more under the
airbed. The measurements for the length may similarly be
calculated. King-sized and twin-sized airbed beddings may be
calculated in a similar way.
[0031] In any event, after the first layer 22 is attached, for
additional security, the drawstrings 34 at the corners of the foot
of the top, second layer 24 may also be tightened around the
airbed. This feature helps to keep the foot of the bed tucked, so
that a person sleeping on the airbed is more likely to remain
covered.
[0032] If two different materials are used for the first layer 22
and the second layer 24, either of the layers may be used as the
fitted cover, and the other layer may be used as the top sheet. If,
for example, the first layer 22 is a sheet, and the second layer 24
is an insulated comforter, the user may place the first (sheet)
layer 22 on the bottom and cover up with the second (insulated
comforter) layer 24 when the temperature is cooler (shown in FIG.
1), or reverse this configuration and sleep on the more comfortable
second (insulated comforter) layer 24, and cover up with the first
(sheet) layer 22 (shown in FIG. 5) when the ambient temperature is
warmer. In this manner, the airbed bedding 20 provides flexibility
in temperature and/or comfort.
[0033] Variations are within the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the layers of the airbed bedding may be formed without
distinct corners, or may have multiple corners. In either event, at
least one of the layers preferably includes at least one cinching
mechanism for attaching the layer to all four corners of an airbed.
In addition, another layer may be included that preferably has at
least one cinching mechanism for cinching the layer to the foot of
an airbed. In this manner, the two layers may be used as mattress
cover and top bedding layer.
[0034] Alternatives also exist for the arrangement and selection of
the cinching mechanisms. A single drawstring may be provided for
cinching a portion of the first layer 22 (e.g., the two corners at
the foot of the first layer) around the foot of an airbed so that
cinching of the drawstring draws both corners of the foot of the
first layer under the airbed and tightens the first layer to the
airbed. A similar drawstring may be used for cinching a portion of
the first layer (e.g., the two head corners of the first layer) to
the head of an airbed, and/or for the foot and head of the second
layer. In addition, a single drawstring may be used to cinch the
bottom layer of the two layers of the airbed bedding 20 to all four
corners of an airbed. This feature allows the layer to be cinched
to all four corners by pulling on the single drawstring. A similar
drawstring may be used on the other layer, but doing so makes it
difficult to cinch only the foot of the upper layer.
[0035] In addition, the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 may
be attached at locations other than the foot, such as along one
side. The additional or replacement attachment of the first layer
22 and the second layer 24 may be by a zipper or other closure
mechanism, or may be permanent, such as by sewing.
[0036] If desired, the first layer 22 and the second layer 24 may
be different sizes. This feature may permit, for example, the lower
layer to barely extend under the airbed, and the upper layer to
have large overlaps at the side, head and/or foot of the
airbed.
[0037] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *