U.S. patent application number 10/591130 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for bed covering.
Invention is credited to Janice Ann Spicer, Michael Llewellyn Spicer.
Application Number | 20070169264 10/591130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34918862 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070169264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spicer; Michael Llewellyn ;
et al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Bed covering
Abstract
A bed covering (10) which includes an air permeable section (13)
that can be selectively covered by a cover section (20). The cover
section (20) can be rolled up (in whole or in part) to allow
ventilation to take place through the air permeable section (13).
The cover section (20) forms a warmth retention section. This
section (20) and another warmth retention section (19) can be a
blanket, duvet or similar. A flap section (14) can be included to
tuck under a mattress.
Inventors: |
Spicer; Michael Llewellyn;
(Wanganui, NZ) ; Spicer; Janice Ann; (Wanganui,
NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET
2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
34918862 |
Appl. No.: |
10/591130 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 2, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ05/00033 |
371 Date: |
August 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/486 ;
5/482 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0207 20130101;
A47G 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/486 ;
005/482 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/04 20060101
A47G009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2004 |
NZ |
531500 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A bed covering characterised in that it includes an air
permeable part, a first warmth retention section coupled to the air
permeable part and a cover section at least part of which is
detachable to enable ventilation to occur through said air
permeable part.
20. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the air permeable
part is a perforated, mesh or similar panel.
21. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the air permeable
part is coupled to a tuck in panel or flap.
22. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first warmth
retention section is coupled to the air permeable part by a sheet
of fabric.
23. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first warmth
retention part is coupled directly to the air permeable part by
being sewn or otherwise fastened thereto.
24. A bed covering as claimed in claim 23 wherein the first warmth
retention part is a duvet.
25. A bed covering as claimed in claim 23 wherein the duvet is
within a duvet cover, the duvet cover being coupled directly to the
air permeable part.
26. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the cover section
is in the form of a second warmth retention part which is coupled
by a coupling arrangement to the bed covering and incorporates a
releasable fastening whereby the second warmth retention part is
releasably fastenable to over-lie the air permeable part.
27. A bed covering as claimed in claim 26 wherein the coupling
arrangement is a releasable coupling.
28. A bed covering as claimed in claim 26 wherein the second warmth
retention part is arranged so that it can be rolled up when the
coupling arrangement has been released.
29. A bed covering as claimed 28 wherein a retention device is
provided to retain the second warmth retention part in the rolled
up state.
30. A bed covering as claimed in claim 26 wherein the first and
second warmth retention parts are blankets.
31. A bed covering as claimed in claim 26 wherein the second warmth
retention part is a duvet.
32. A bed covering as claimed in claim 19 wherein the cover section
is formed in two parts.
33. A bed covering as claimed in claim 32 wherein the two parts are
releasably joined together.
34. A bed covering as claimed in claim 33 wherein the two parts are
joined along adjacent edges by a zipper fastener.
35. A bed covering as claimed in claim 20 wherein the cover section
is in the form of a second warmth retention part which is coupled
by a coupling to the bed covering and incorporates a releasable
fastening whereby the second warmth part is releasably fastenable
to over-lie the air permeable part.
36. A bed covering as claimed in claim 35 wherein the first and
second warmth retention parts are blankets.
37. A bed covering as claimed in claim 35 wherein the first and
second warmth retention parts are duvets.
38. A bed covering as claimed in claim 35 wherein the cover section
is formed in two parts.
39. A bed covering as claimed in claim 38 wherein the two parts are
releasably joined together.
40. A bed covering as claimed in claim 37 wherein each duvet is
within a duvet cover.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a bed covering.
[0002] Bed coverings are generally used to enable a person resting
in bed to remain at a constant comfortable temperature. Bed
coverings are generally well known, and consist of individual items
such washable sheets of cloth material, and blanket(s) and/or a
duvet (generally in a cover) laid over the top of the sheets to
provide a means of warmth retention to the resting person.
[0003] Blankets and duvets are generally of an oblong shape and
sized to cover the entire bed in use. Blankets are generally
manufactured from natural or synthetic materials woven to provide a
fabric of uniform thickness. There are numerous types and
thicknesses of blanket commercially available.
[0004] A duvet generally consists of two layers of fabric material
that have their perimeter edges joined, the inside of which is
filled with a material such as synthetic material, wool, down, or
feather.
[0005] It is common for manufacturers to supply duvets suitable for
use in differing seasons such as summer or winter. Thus, duvets are
categorised by the weight/density and/or volume of the filling
material. Therefore, each individual duvet is filled exclusively
with a single or mixture of types of material.
[0006] For decorative appearances, cleanliness, and practicality of
use, the duvet is generally contained within a cover. These covers
may have flaps along their edges for tucking under the mattress,
thereby holding the duvet in place whilst in use.
[0007] Individual people have differing warmth requirements while
resting in bed. However, in the hotter or summer months it is
generally the case that the torso requires a bed covering that is
able to provide greater warmth retention than that required for the
lower legs and feet. Therefore, in bed, it is common for the lower
legs and feet of a resting person to be uncomfortably hot whilst
the remainder of their body is at a comfortable temperature.
[0008] Traditional bed coverings have a number of disadvantages.
One disadvantage is that they are of a single weight/thickness
construction covering the entire bed, and therefore the resting
person. In the case of a double bed where there are two persons, a
bed covering may be adequate for one of the persons but not the
other leading to an imbalance of coverings required on each side of
the bed, and over each of the resting persons.
[0009] A second disadvantage is that in the case of the lower legs
and feet of a person resting in bed being uncomfortably hot in
relation to the rest of their body, there is a tendency for the
legs to be removed from under the bed coverings, which gives rise
to the possibility of the person becoming entangled in the bed
covering, resulting in an uncomfortable rest. Where the bed
covering is removed, the torso may be unintentionally exposed
thereby the resting person may become uncomfortably cold, again
resulting in an uncomfortable rest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
improved bed covering which enables a person resting in bed to
adjust the covering such that the temperature of parts of his/her
body can be maintained at a comfortable resting temperature.
[0011] Broadly according to one aspect of the invention there is
provided a bed covering characterised in that it includes an air
permeable part and cover section at least part of which is
detachable to enable ventilation to occur through said air
permeable part.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention the bed
covering is such that it allows a person resting in bed to maintain
a constant comfortable temperature of their upper and lower
sections independently by being able to reconfigure the warmth
retention means to suit their personal requirements thereby
ensuring a comfortable rest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the following more detailed description of the invention
according to preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bed covering with a part
thereof rolled up,
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet section of the bed
covering,
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the overlapping warmth
retention section of the bed covering,
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the bed covering assembled for
use,
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the bed covering with the
warmth retention section rolled up on the bottom end of the bed
covering,
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
for use on a double or larger sized bed,
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment,
and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 7.
[0022] As is disclosed herein, the bed covering is described in an
orientation as if being fitted onto a bed. The bed covering thus
has an upper-side which is outwardly visible, a top end and a
bottom end, the top end being adjacent a persons head as resting in
bed.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the bed covering for
use on a single bed, or bed designed for one resting person. The
bed covering 10 is of generally an oblong shape, designed to
conform to, and comfortably fit over a bed. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
illustrates the two main components or sections of bed covering 10
which are coupled together in use.
[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there
are differing means by which fabric may be joined. The method of
sewing as described herein is but one method.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, sheet component 11 comprises at least
two individual oblong sections or panels 12/13 (sewn) together to
form a generally rectangular shaped sheet. Preferably there is a
third panel 14 as will hereinafter be described.
[0026] Top 12 panel is of fabric type material. Bottom panel 13 is
made from an air permeable/breathable material eg. a perforated
mesh or similar fabric type material. A base panel 14 is preferably
incorporated and preferably is of the same material as panel 12,
although it can be of the same material as panel 13.
[0027] The corresponding edges of top panel 12 and bottom panel 13
are sewn together, forming seam 15. Accordingly the corresponding
edges of bottom panel 13 and base panel 14 are sewn together,
forming seam 16.
[0028] As is illustrated by FIG. 4, base panel or flap 14 is
provided is provided so that the bed covering has a section which
tucks around the end of, and under, mattress M. This thereby holds
sheet 11 in place and prevents the bottom of sheet 11 from pulling
away from mattress M.
[0029] Sheet 11 is sized dimensionally the same width as the warmth
retention sections 19 and 20, although preferably and as
illustrated by FIG. 4, a flap of sheet F protrudes beyond the head
of warmth retention section 19. This is to enable flap F to be
folded back over the top of warmth retention section 19 to provide
the bed with a conventional appearance when made. This is
illustrated by FIG. 1.
[0030] At least two warmth retention sections 19 and 20, are
provided. The warmth retention sections 19 and 20 are illustrated
by FIG. 3. These are of generally rectangular shape, and in the
preferred form dimensionally the same width as sheet 11.
[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there
are different fastening means by which fabric objects may be
temporarily connected to each other. The methods of using domes and
sections of hook and loop fasteners are but two methods.
[0032] At least two rows of a plurality of spaced apart male dome
fastenings 17 and 18, are attached to the upper-side of sheet 11.
These are used for the purpose of attachment of sheet 11 to first
and second warmth retention sections 19 and 20. A first row of
fastenings 17 are located adjacent seam 15 on top 12 of sheet 11,
and a second row of fastenings 18 are located adjacent seam 16 on
base 13 of sheet 11.
[0033] A first warmth retention section 19 has at least one row of
a plurality of spaced apart female dome fastenings 21 attached to
its underside adjacent its edge E1. The positioning of the spaced
apart female dome fastenings 21 must correspond to those spaced
apart male dome fastenings 17 on top 12 of sheet 11, so that when
female dome fastenings 17 and male dome fastenings 21 are mated
together, the perimeter edges of warmth retention section 19 and
sheet 11 align.
[0034] A second warmth retention section 20 has at least one row of
a plurality of spaced apart female dome fastenings 22 attached to
its underside adjacent its edge E2. The positioning of the spaced
apart female dome fastenings 22 must correspond to those spaced
apart male dome fastenings 18 on base 14 of sheet 11, so that when
female dome fastenings 18 and male dome fastenings 22 are mated
together, the perimeter edges of warmth retention section 20 and
sheet 11 align.
[0035] Edge E3 of warmth retention section 20 overlaps edge E1 of
warmth retention section 19 as shown in FIG. 4. To hold edge E3 of
warmth retention section 20 in position on top of warmth retention
section 19, a length of hook and loop fastening is used. This
comprises hook section 23 and loop section 24. Hook section 23 is
located on the upper-side of warmth retention section 19, centrally
located along, and adjacent to edge E1. Loop section 24 is located
on the underside of warmth retention section 20, centrally located
and adjacent to edge E3.
[0036] Thus when warmth retention sections 19 and 20 are attached
to sheet 11 and laid flat on the sheet, hook section 23 mates with
loop section 24.
[0037] On the side of warmth retention section 20 directly opposing
hook section 23 is a length of woven fabric type tape material.
This is used to fasten around warmth retention section 20 when this
is in the rolled position, to thereby hold it in the rolled
position (as illustrated by FIG. 1).
[0038] In use the bed covering 10 is laid over the top of a bottom
sheet on a mattress M. The person resting in bed, and thereby
covered by the bed covering, may change the configuration of the
warmth retention section until they are at a comfortable
temperature. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the warmth retention section
may be removed from the users feet where these are at an
uncomfortably hot temperature, whilst the users torso remains
covered and at a comfortable temperature.
[0039] The sheet is such that it may be uncoupled from the warmth
retention section in order for it to be cleaned. This has the
advantage that the user may have in store a number of sheets
available, which may be of different colour, pattern, or seasonal
weight.
[0040] The invention is open to modifications as will be apparent
by the skilled addressee.
[0041] According to an alternative embodiment the bed covering may
be adapted for use on a double or larger size bed, which is
designed for more than one resting person. FIG. 6 illustrates this
embodiment. To achieve this embodiment, the first embodiment is
effectively duplicated, laid side by side, and joined lengthwise.
This enables each of the resting persons to be covered by at least
two warmth retention sections.
[0042] According to a further embodiment the bed covering may be
shortened in length making it suitable for children, or those
persons who are less than the average height, to use.
[0043] In yet another embodiment the sheet may be manufactured from
either a summer or winter weight fabric type material.
[0044] In a further embodiment, warmth retention sections of
differing weights may be mixed on the same sheet.
[0045] In another embodiment, the warmth retention sections may be
contained within a washable and decorative cover.
[0046] A further embodiments can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.
According to this embodiment, no sheet section is included. As
illustrated, the top section 12 and first warmth retention section
is formed as a duvet 26 or a cover 26 into which a duvet inner (of
appropriate dimensions) can be inserted. The embodiment will,
however, be described as being a duvet 26 that is filled to a
desired weight. Preferably it is stitched down the centre (for
double, queen, king bed application) as shown at 27.
[0047] The air permeable or perforated material section 13 is
fastened (sewn) direct to the duvet.
[0048] The second warmth retention section(s) 20 is/are sewn or
detachably fastened to the perforated material section 13 or bare
section 14. When there are two sections 20 they are preferably
joined together at their adjacent edges by suitable fastening means
such as a zipper fastener 28. The second warmth retention means can
also be of a duvet construction.
[0049] The present invention provides a bed covering which enables
the user to reconfigure the warmth retention sections in order for
their individual warmth requirements to be met. It enables a user
to provide more or less warmth to that part of the body which is
not at a comfortable temperature.
[0050] By having an air permeable/breathable section, a person
resting in bed can provide more warmth to that section of the body
requiring it most, without unduly overheating another section of
the body that has a lesser warmth requirement.
* * * * *