U.S. patent application number 10/889218 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for headboard for a bed.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spin Master Toys Far East Limited. Invention is credited to Birchenough, Simon.
Application Number | 20050050634 10/889218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27742027 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050050634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Birchenough, Simon |
March 10, 2005 |
Headboard for a bed
Abstract
The invention relates to a headboard for use with a bed. The
headboard is provided with one or more characters, images, text,
symbols and/or pictures on an outer surface thereof. The outer
shape of the headboard relates to the characters, images, text,
symbols and/or pictures depicted on the outer surface.
Inventors: |
Birchenough, Simon; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Spin Master Toys Far East
Limited
|
Family ID: |
27742027 |
Appl. No.: |
10/889218 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/53.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 19/022 20130101;
A47C 27/081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/053.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2003 |
GB |
0316299.7 |
Claims
1. A headboard for attachment to a bed, said headboard provided
with one or more characters, images, text, symbols and/or pictures
on an outer surface thereof, and wherein an outer shape of the
headboard relates to said characters, images, text, symbols and/or
pictures.
2. A headboard according to claim 1 wherein the one or more
characters, images, text, symbols and/or pictures protrude
outwardly from the outer surface of said headboard.
3. A headboard according to claim 1 wherein the outer surface of
the headboard is formed from a first material layer and the one or
more characters, images, text, symbols and/or pictures are formed,
at least in part, from at least one further material layer.
4. A headboard according to claim 1 wherein the headboard is
inflatable.
5. A headboard according to claim 4 wherein an air inlet device is
provided on said headboard to allow inflation and a closure device
is provided in association with said air inlet device to close
and/or open said air inlet device.
6. A headboard according to claim 1 wherein said headboard includes
an outer portion forming the outer surface of the headboard, and an
inner portion located at least partly within said outer
portion.
7. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein said outer portion is a
different shape to said inner portion.
8. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein said outer portion is
removably located with respect to said inner portion.
9. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein said outer portion is
in the form of a cover which is located with or over the whole or a
substantial part of said inner portion.
10. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein the outer portion is
provided with an attachment device for removable location with said
inner portion.
11. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein said outer portion has
an opening with a closure device provided therewith, said inner
portion being placed through said opening and located in a cavity
defined within the outer portion.
12. A headboard according to claim 11 wherein the closure device is
in the form of any or any combination of one or more of zips, hook
and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, press studs or ties.
13. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein the inner portion is,
includes, or houses an inflatable member.
14. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein the inner portion
includes at least one layer of substantially resilient
material.
15. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein the inner portion
includes a housing in which resilient material is located.
16. A headboard according to claim 6 wherein the inner portion
includes at least a first layer and at least one further layer
formed of foam material.
17. A headboard according to claim 16 wherein the inner portion
includes a substantially rigid material layer to provide support
for the headboard structure.
18. A headboard according to claim 1 wherein the headboard is
provided with an attachment device to allow the engagement of the
headboard to an existing headboard attached to a bed.
19. A headboard according claim 18 wherein the headboard configured
to be positioned to the front of the existing headboard to mask the
existing headboard from view, in at lest one viewing direction.
20. A bed assembly comprising: a bed having an existing headboard
located therewith; and a second headboard that is attached to the
existing headboard, said second headboard comprising one or more
characters, images, text, symbols, and/or pictures on an outer
surface thereof, and wherein the outer shape of the headboard
relates to said characters, images, text symbols, and/or pictures.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from United
Kingdom Patent Application No. 0316297.1, filed Jul. 14, 2003, the
entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to a headboard, and particularly
although not necessarily exclusively to a headboard for use with a
bed.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is well known to provide headboards for connection with a
bed to increase the comfort of a user when sitting up in the bed
and to prevent the user's head or pillow from falling off the top
of the bed during sleep. Conventional headboards typically include
a substantially rigid board with fabric material fixedly connected
thereto by adhesive, staples or some other form of permanent fixing
means. Cushioning material is typically provided between the fabric
material and the rigid board to provide a cushioned surface for a
user to lean against. In addition, the headboard is typically
fixedly connected to the bed. Thus, once the fabric material
becomes soiled or worn, the headboard is useless and needs to be
replaced in its entirety. In addition, the headboard is not easily
changed if the user's bed is changed.
SUMMARY
[0004] It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to
provide a headboard which overcomes the abovementioned
problems.
[0005] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a
headboard which increases the aesthetic appeal of the same to a
user, such as a child.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a headboard for attachment to a bed, said headboard
provided with one or more characters, images, text, symbols and/or
pictures on an outer surface thereof, and wherein the outer shape
of the headboard relates to said characters, images, text, symbols
and/or pictures.
[0007] The outer shape of the headboard is typically directly
associated with the characters, images, text, symbols, pictures
and/or the like shown on the headboard. For example, the outer edge
of the headboard can be in the shape of the outer profile of a
particular character, image and/or the like.
[0008] The characters, images, text, symbols, pictures and/or the
like typically protrude outwardly from a surface of the headboard,
such as from a front face of the headboard and/or from one or more
edges or sides of the headboard.
[0009] Preferably the outer surface of the headboard is formed from
a first material layer and the one or more characters, images,
text, symbols, pictures and/or the like are formed, at least in
part from a further material layer, which can be the same or
different material to the first material layer.
[0010] In one embodiment the headboard is inflatable and can be
provided with an air inflation device for inflating the same. An
air inlet device is typically provided on the headboard to allow
inflation of the same. A closure device, such as a valve
arrangement, can be provided in association with the air inlet
device to close and/or open said air inlet device as required.
[0011] In one embodiment the headboard includes an outer portion
and at least one inner portion, the outer portion being removably
located with said inner portion.
[0012] Preferably an outer portion is provided which forms the
outer surface of the headboard and an inner portion is located at
least partly within said outer portion.
[0013] Preferably said outer portion is in the form of a cover
which is located with or over a whole or substantial part of said
inner portion.
[0014] Preferably the inner portion is, includes or houses at least
one inflatable member.
[0015] In one embodiment said cover is provided with an attachment
device for location with said inner portion.
[0016] In an alternative embodiment said cover has an opening with
a closure device, provided therewith, the inner portion being
located through said opening in a cavity defined by the walls of
said cover.
[0017] Preferably the closure device is in the form or any or any
combination of one or more zips, Velcro, buttons, clips, press
studs, ties and/or the like.
[0018] In one embodiment the outer portion is a different shape
and/or size to the inner portion. Thus, portions of the outer
portion protrude beyond the outer edge of the inner portion.
[0019] Preferably the outer portion is formed from substantially
flexible material.
[0020] Preferably the inner portion includes at least one layer of
substantially resilient or soft material.
[0021] In one embodiment the inner portion includes a housing in
which resilient and/or soft material is located. The housing in one
example is in the form of a bag made from a textile material.
[0022] Preferably the substantially resilient and/or soft material
contained in the housing includes any or any combination of fabric,
foam, feathers and/or the like.
[0023] The inner portion housing can include at least one opening
which is provided with a closure device, thereby allowing user
access to the contents of said housing for replacement and/or to
add to the same.
[0024] In one embodiment the inner portion housing constitutes at
least a first resilient layer and at least one further resilient
layer provided therein.
[0025] Preferably the at least one further resilient layer is
formed from foam material.
[0026] In one embodiment the inner portion includes a substantially
rigid material layer to provide support for the headboard
structure.
[0027] In one embodiment the headboard is provided with an
attachment device for attachment of the headboard to an existing
headboard or wall surface. In this embodiment the attachment device
includes any or any combination of adhesive, strap and buckle,
ties, nuts and bolts, one or more clips and/or the like.
[0028] The advantage of the present invention is that the headboard
can be provided in association with any type of bed and can be
removably located therewith, thereby allowing the headboard to be
transported easily between locations. The headboard has particular
appeal to children due to the variety of different characters, toys
and/or scenes that can be depicted thereon. In addition, the cover
of the headboard can easily be removed for cleaning, repair and/or
replacement.
[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a bed having a headboard located therewith.
[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a headboard for attachment to a bed, said headboard
including an inflatable device.
[0031] Preferably the headboard includes at least one inflatable
member. The inflatable member typically includes an air inlet
device and a closure device associated therewith for allowing said
air inlet device to be moved between open and closed
conditions.
[0032] Preferably the headboard is removably located with respect
to said bed. The bed can include any type of mattress which a user
would typically sleep on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the following figures wherein:
[0034] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate front and rear views of a head
board according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the head board in one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a three
dimensional headboard 2 for use with a bed (not shown). The
headboard 2 includes a front face 4, rear face 6, side walls 8, top
10 and base 12.
[0037] At least the front face 4 of headboard 2 is provided with an
aesthetic design thereon, which in this example is in the form of a
baseball glove and ball. The peripheral edge 14 of the front and
rear faces 4, 6 are shaped according to the outer shape of a
baseball glove. The design within the peripheral edge 14 of front
face 4 includes additional three dimensional shaped items, such as
base ball 16 and finger portions 18. These additional items are
typically in the form of one or more compartments provided on front
face 4, the outer edges of the compartments being defined by
stitching 20. Padding in the form of foam can be contained in the
compartments. Alternatively, padding can be provided on the
opposite surface of said front face (i.e. located internally of the
headboard). In either embodiment, the additional items, such as the
base ball 6 typically protrude to a small degree from the front
face 4, thereby providing increased realism of the items they are
depicting. Printed matter or further additional fabric portions can
be provided on front face 4 to add realism to the design. Thus, for
example, stitching of the base ball glove can be depicted using
fabric strips 22 which are stitched or adhered onto front face
4.
[0038] Piping or trimming can be provided around the peripheral
edges of the front or rear faces and/or the additional items if
required.
[0039] The rear face 6 of the headboard 2 is provided with an
attachment device in the form of two ties 24, 24' connected via a
buckle 26. The ties can be located around an existing headboard or
part of an existing headboard structure to attach headboard 2
thereto. The buckle can be adjusted with respect to the two ties
24, 24' to secure headboard 2 to the existing
headboard/structure.
[0040] In addition, adhesive pads 28 can be provided on rear face 6
with release paper attached thereto. A user can remove the release
paper when required and adhere the headboard 2 to a required
surface. The adhesive pads can be attached to the rear face 6 by
adhesive or via some other form of attachment device, such as
VELCRO, thereby allowing the adhesive pads to be detachably
attached to rear face 6. Thus, the user can then choose whether
they wish to secure the headboard in a required position using the
adhesive pads or using the ties/straps 24, 24' and buckle 26.
[0041] The headboard 2 typically includes an outer portion in the
form of a cover 30, the external surfaces of which are shown in
FIGS. 1a and 1b and the cross section of which is shown in FIG. 2.
The walls of the cover form front face 4, rear face 6, side walls
8, top 10 and base 12 and typically define an interior cavity. A
closure device in the form of a zip can be provided along one wall
of the cover, thereby allowing access to the interior cavity for
repair and/or replacement of the contents therein and to allow the
cover to be removed for washing purposes or repair.
[0042] The cushioning of headboard 2 is typically provided by an
inner portion including a first cushioning layer 32 and a second
cushioning layer 34. The thickness of these layers can vary as
required but is typically of sufficient flexibility and
softness/cushioning to allow a user to rest their head against
headboard 2 without discomfort.
[0043] In the embodiment described, first cushioning layer 32
comprises a foam material of a required thickness. This layer can
be provided in association with the interior surface of the front
face 4, such as for example, to provide cushioning and/or shape to
base ball 20 and/or other additional items depicted on front face
4. Alternatively, the foam material can be freely located in the
cover to allow the cover to be easily removed from the inner
portion.
[0044] Second cushioning layer 34 includes a bag type of housing in
which cushioning material is provided, such as foam or lengths of
fabric. Layer 34 can also be provided with a closure device if
required to allow a user to gain access thereto. Further layers can
be provided as required.
[0045] It will be appreciated that a range of different designs can
be provided by changing the two dimensional or three dimensional
articles/ designs defined on the outer surfaces of the headboard
and/or by changing the shape of one or more outer edges of the
headboard. The size of the headboard can also be changed to allow
the same to fit to a camp bed, single bed, double bed, king size
bed and/or the like.
[0046] The headboard can be formed from at least one inflatable
member or one or more inflatable members can be provided within an
outer cover of the headboard if required.
[0047] Although the above description refers almost exclusively to
a headboard for location at the head of a bed, it will be
appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the headboard could
be located in any required position, such as the foot of a bed, and
can be used independently of a bed (i.e., attached to a wall
surface for a user to lean on).
* * * * *