U.S. patent application number 11/816276 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for bed skirt support.
Invention is credited to Sherry Lynn Hart.
Application Number | 20080222806 11/816276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36917097 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080222806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hart; Sherry Lynn |
September 18, 2008 |
Bed Skirt Support
Abstract
A bed skirt support (10) comprising a relatively flat, central
portion or decking (14) having at least on side support section
(16,18,20) removably or fixedly attached thereto is disclosed.
Inventors: |
Hart; Sherry Lynn; (Aurora,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David A. Greenlee
PO Box 340557
Columbus
OH
43234
US
|
Family ID: |
36917097 |
Appl. No.: |
11/816276 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 15, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/05679 |
371 Date: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60653343 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0292
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/493 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/06 20060101
A47C021/06 |
Claims
1. A configurable bed skirt support comprising a decking adapted to
lie upon a box spring, wherein said decking has a perimeter; at
least one bed skirt support section attached along said perimeter
of said decking and adapted to loftingly support a decorative bed
skirt.
2. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 1, wherein said
decking comprises a substantially rectangular piece of material
defining said perimeter, and wherein said perimeter has a first
edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge; and wherein
said at least one bed skirt support section further comprises a
first side support section removably attached to said first edge of
said decking; a second side support section removably attached to
said second edge of said decking; and a third side support section
removably attached to said third edge of said decking.
3. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 2 further comprising
a fourth side support section attached along said fourth edge of
said decking perimeter.
4. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 2, wherein said
decking material is selected from the group consisting of cotton,
muslin, and a polyester blend.
5. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 1, wherein said at
least one bed skirt support section further comprises at least one
decorative surface.
6. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 1, wherein said at
least one bed skirt support section comprises a plurality of layers
of lofting material.
7. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 6, wherein said
lofting material comprises petticoat netting.
8. A configurable bed skirt support comprising a decking comprising
a substantially rectangular portion defining a perimeter having a
first edge, a second edge, and a third edge; a first side support
section fixedly attached to said first edge of said decking; a
second side support section fixedly attached to said second edge of
said decking; and a third side support section fixedly attached to
said third edge of said decking.
9. A configurable bed skirt support comprising a decking comprising
a substantially rectangular portion defining a perimeter having a
first edge, a second edge, and a third edge; a first side support
section removably attached to said first edge of said decking; a
second side support section removably attached to said second edge
of said decking; and a third side support section removably
attached to said third edge of said decking.
10. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 9, wherein said
first side support section is removably attached to said first edge
of said decking by a first attachment means; said second side
support section is removably attached to said second edge of said
decking by a second attachment means; and said third side support
section is removably attached to said third edge of said decking by
a third attachment means.
11. The configurable bed skirt support of claim 10, wherein each of
said first attachment means, said second attachment means, and said
third attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a
zipper, a hook, hook-and-loop material, a snap, and a pin.
12. A bed skirt support comprising a decking having a left edge, a
front edge, and a right edge; a removable left side support section
attached along said left edge of said decking; a removable front
support section attached along said front edge of said decking; a
removable right side support section attached along said right edge
of said decking; and a U-shaped zipper having an inner one-half
connected to said left edge of said decking, to said front edge of
said decking, and to said right edge of said decking; an outer
one-half connected to said left side support section; said front
support section; and said right side support section, whereby said
U-shaped zipper thereby removably attaches said left side support
section, said front support section, and said right side support
section to said decking.
13. The bed skirt support of claim 12, wherein said U-shaped zipper
is a coil zipper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application no. 60/653,343, filed 15 Feb. 2005 (the '343
application). This application is also related to U.S. design
patent application Ser. No. 29/223,625, filed 15 Feb. 2005 (the
'625 application), now pending. The '343 application and the '625
application are both hereby incorporated by reference as though
fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] a. Field of the Invention
[0003] The instant invention relates to decorative bedding. In
particular, the instant invention relates to a bed skirt support
for supporting a bed skirt or dust ruffle.
[0004] b. Background Art
[0005] It is well known to use bed skirts or dust ruffles to make a
bedroom more aesthetically pleasing and functional. Typically, a
bed skirt or dust ruffle is used to cover an otherwise exposed box
spring or lower mattress of a bed. For example, a decorative bed
skirt may be attached to the bed so as to hang over and hide the
sides of the box spring from plain view. In the past, the lower
edge of such a decorative bed skirt hangs vertically along the
vertical sides of the box spring, and extends straight down towards
the floor (see, for example, FIG. 19). If not carefully installed,
these drooping bed skirts can end up extending onto the floor
adjacent to the bed and may end up being soiled or damaged by
vacuums or people stepping on the bed skirts when getting into or
out of the bed, or while making the bed.
[0006] Thus, there remains a need for a better system for hiding
box springs in an aesthetically pleasing and function manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It remains desirable to have a system for hiding the box
spring or lower mattress of a bed using a decorative bed skirt or
dust ruffle. Preferably, the system allows someone to use an
exiting decorative bed skirt or dust ruffle, and the system
facilitates the desired hiding of the box spring in a manner that
mitigates potential damage to the typically expensive decorative
bed skirt or dust ruffle. In a first form, the present invention
comprises a bed skirt support that underlies and supports a bed
skirt by lifting the bed skirt away from the vertical sides of the
box spring, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance while
also lifting the lower longitudinal edges of the bed skirt off the
floor, thereby mitigating potential damage to the decorative bed
skirt by individuals moving around the perimeter of the bed. In one
aspect, the bed skirt support preferably makes it possible to
change the overall appearance of the bed skirt by physically
changing how the bed skirt hangs relative to the vertical sides of
the box spring.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, a bed skirt support
comprises a flat central portion adapted to lie on a box spring of
a bed, and one or more side support sections that extend from the
flat central portion. In one configuration, for example, each side
support section may comprise one or more gathers or ruffles that
extend at an angle from the side edge of the box spring toward the
floor. When a bed skirt is placed over the bed skirt support, the
side support sections loft the bed skirt sides away from the side
edges of the box spring.
[0009] In a further configuration, the side support sections of the
bed skirt support may be removable from the decking or central
portion of the bed skirt support, such as via a zipper, hook and
loop fasteners, snaps, or the like. In this configuration, a
plurality of side support sections may be provided to support a bed
skirt at a different angle or to create a different appearance of
the bed skirt hanging from the box spring. In this configuration,
for example, a user may select one or more of the side support
sections and attach it to the central portion of the bed skirt
support to provide varying support surfaces for a decorative bed
skirt.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, a bed skirt is
provided with an integrated bed skirt support. In this embodiment,
a side support section is provided on a lower or upper side of a
skirt section of the decorative bed skirt. The side support
section, for example, may support the skirt section of the
decorative bed skirt from below or may support the skirt section
from above. However, a typical decorative bed skirt may still be
used in combination with this embodiment to provide a user with an
unlimited number of design options.
[0011] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a decorative bed
skirt may be provided in which a decorative skirt side section of
the decorative bed skirt extends from one or more sides of a
generally flat central portion. In this embodiment, the bed skirt
section of the bed skirt support is decorative and can be used to
decorate a bed without requiring the use of a separate decorative
bed skirt. Again, a typical decorative bed skirt may be used in
combination with this embodiment to provide a user with an
unlimited number of design options.
[0012] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details,
utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent
from reading the following description and claims, and from
reviewing the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a bed skirt support
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bed skirt support depicted
in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic, cross-sectional view taken along line
3-3 of FIG. 2, clearly showing the three-layered configuration of a
support section according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4A is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic view showing
a first option for connecting the layers comprising a support
section of a bed skirt support according to the present invention
to one-half of a zipper.
[0017] FIG. 4B is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic view, with a
portion of material broken away, showing a second option for
connecting the layers comprising a support section of a bed skirt
support according to the present invention to one-half of a
zipper.
[0018] FIG. 4C is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic view showing
one possible way of connecting the decking of a bed skirt support
according to the present invention to one-half of a zipper.
[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically depict a possible manual
technique for gathering the material comprising the layers of each
support section before attaching that material to the decking.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bed skirt support
depicted in FIG. 1, showing the three layers comprising each
support section in this particular configuration.
[0021] FIG. 8 is an elevation looking directly toward the front
support section of the bed skirt support depicted in FIG. 1, which
would be at the foot-of-the-bed end of a box spring when the bed
skirt support is installed on a bed.
[0022] FIG. 9 is an elevation looking toward the optional rear
support section of a bed skirt support, which would be at the
head-of-the-bed end of a box spring when the bed skirt support is
installed on a bed.
[0023] FIG. 10 is an elevation looking directly toward the right
side of the bed skirt support depicted in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 11 is an elevation looking directly toward the left
side of the bed skirt support depicted in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, isometric view looking downward
toward the left side and front of the bed skirt support depicted in
FIG. 1, showing how the bed skirt support might be positioned
relative to the top mattress (shown in phantom with a portion
broken away for clarity) and the box spring.
[0026] FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 2, but is a top plan view of a
bed skirt support according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 7, but is a bottom plan view of a
bed skirt support according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, showing the three-layers comprising each support section
in this particular configuration.
[0028] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 8, but depicts the bed skirt
support according to the second embodiment.
[0029] FIGS. 16 and 17 are fragmentary, isometric views of a woman
removing the right side support section of a bed skirt support
according to the present invention by unzipping it from the
decking.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, isometric view showing how a
decorative bed skirt or a decorative dust ruffle may look when
mounted over a bed skirt support according to the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 19 depicts the decorative bed skirt or decorative dust
ruffle shown in FIG. 18 in an unsupported, prior art
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention comprises a configurable bed skirt
support 10 constructed to support a decorative bed skirt or
decorative dust ruffle 12 (see FIGS. 18 and 19) in an aesthetically
pleasing manner that also provides various functional benefits that
will be described further below. FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric
view of a bed skirt support 10 according to a first embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in this figure, the bed skirt
support 10 comprises a deck or decking 14 that supports at least
one bed skirt support section. In the particular embodiment
depicted in FIG. 1, the decking supports three support sections,
including a left side support section 16, a front support section
18, and a right side support section 20 around an outer perimeter
of the decking. These support sections 16, 18, 20, may be fixedly
attached to the decking 14; or, as explained further below, these
support sections may be removably or separably attached or
connected to the decking by a connection means including, for
example, one or more zippers, hooks, hook-and-loop material, snaps,
tape, adhesives, pins, or any other type of anchors or
fasteners.
[0033] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the decking 14 may be
constructed from, for example, cotton, muslin, a polyester blend,
or a variety of other materials. The decking is generally
rectangular and sized to fit between a box spring 24 and a mattress
26 as shown to good advantage in, for example, FIG. 12. Since the
decking 14 will generally be sandwiched between the top mattress 26
and the box spring 24 when the bed skirt support 10 is installed on
a bed, the decking is designed such that its outer perimeter 22
will essentially match the outer perimeter of, for example, the box
spring 24 on which it will be placed during use. The decking
includes a top surface 28, an under side 30 (not visible in FIG. 1,
but visible in, for example, FIGS. 3, 4B, 4C, and 7), a front edge
32, a left edge 34, a right edge 36, and a rear edge 38. In the
particular embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the inner one-half 40 of
a U-shaped zipper (which may be, for example, a molded zipper or a
coil zipper) is attached along the left edge 34, the front edge 32,
and the right edge 36 of the decking 14. The outer one-half 42 of
the zipper is connected to the support sections 16, 18, 20 so that
they can be draped from the decking 14 when it is sandwiched
between the top mattress 26 and the box spring 24. As explained
further below, the U-shaped zipper makes it possible in this
embodiment to completely separate the support sections from the
decking. The U-shaped zipper depicted in FIG. 1, could be replaced
by, for example, three straight zippers, one for the left side
support section 16, one for the front support section 18, and one
for the right side support section 20.
[0034] As mentioned above and as shown in FIG. 1, the bed skirt
support 10 according to the first embodiment has three support
sections 16, 18, 20 including the left side support section 16, the
front support section 18, and the right side support section 20. In
alternative configurations, one or more of these support sections
could be left out, depending upon, for example, the desires of the
person using the bed skirt support and the intended placement of
the bed on which the bed skirt support will be used. The bed skirt
support might also include an optional rear support section 44
(see, e.g., FIG. 9, which is discussed further below). As explained
further below, each support section comprises a plurality of layers
of material. In FIG. 1, an outer surface 46 of an outer or top
layer 48 of the front support section is clearly shown. This top
layer has a bottom edge or lower longitudinal edge 50, a top edge
or upper longitudinal edge 52 (shown to best advantage in FIGS. 4A
and 4B), a left lateral edge 54, and a right lateral edge 56.
Similarly, the left side support section 16 comprises a rear
lateral edge 58, a front lateral edge 60, a lower longitudinal edge
62, and an upper longitudinal edge 64. The right side support
section is similar to, but a mirror image of, the left side support
section.
[0035] The bed skirt support according to the first embodiment of
the present invention is configured for use on a conventional bed
66 (see FIGS. 18 and 19) or a four poster bed (not shown). In
particular, the left lateral edge 54 of the front support section
18 is attached to the outer one-half 42 of the zipper at a first
terminus 68, and the front lateral edge 60 of, for example, the
left side support section 16 is connected to the outer one-half 42
of the zipper at a second terminus 70. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, for example, the first terminus 68 is offset from the second
terminus 70 so that the bed skirt support may be used in connection
with a four poster bed.
[0036] As shown to best advantage in FIG. 2, which is a top plan
view of the bed skirt support 10 depicted in FIG. 1, the first
terminus or connection point 68 is separated from the second
terminus or connection point 70. The distance between the first
terminus and the second terminus along the portion of the outer
one-half 42 of the zipper is indicated by an edge separation
distance line 72. If this edge separation distance is approximately
six inches, the bed skirt support 10 can both accommodate the
corner posts of a four poster bed and still support a decorative
dust ruffle or decorative bed skirt 12 in a lofted
configuration.
[0037] FIG. 2, which is a top view of the bed skirt support 10
depicted in FIG. 1, includes a variety of dimensional information.
The decking 14, for example, may have rounded corners as shown in
FIG. 2. These rounded corners may be designed to match the shape of
the rounded comers of a typical box spring or bottom mattress. In
one embodiment, each corner of the decking has a radius of
curvature 74 of approximately 2.75 inches, but the radius of
curvature 74 of these corners could have a different value; or the
corners could be square. As mentioned above, in one particular
configuration of the bed skirt support 10 according to the present
invention, the distance along the outer perimeter 22 of the decking
14 between the first terminus 68 and the second terminus 70 is
approximately six inches. Further, in this particular
configuration, this six inch distance is equally split by a line 76
bisecting the curved corner of the decking.
[0038] In this first embodiment of a bed skirt support according to
the present invention, the front support section 18 has a width 78
between its left lateral edge 54 and its right lateral edge 56 that
varies depending upon the size of the bed on which the bed skirt
support is going to be used. For example, for a twin bed, this
dimension may be 39.0 inches, for a double size bed this dimension
may be 54.0 inches, for a queen size bed, this dimension may be
60.0 inches, for a king size bed this dimension may be 78.0 inches,
and for a California king size bed, this dimension may be 72.0
inches. Similarly, the left side support 16 section and the right
side support 20 section each has a longitudinal length 80 between
its front lateral edge 60 and its rear later edge 58 that varies
depending upon the size of the bed on which the bed skirt support
is being used. For a twin size bed, this length may be 75 inches;
for a double size bed, this dimension may be 75 inches; for a queen
size bed, this dimension may be 80.0 inches; for a king size bed,
this dimension may be 80.0 inches; and for a California king size
bed, this dimension may be 84.0 inches.
[0039] As shown to best advantage in, for example, FIG. 3, which is
a schematic, cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,
the width 82 of each layer of material comprising each support
section according to the first embodiment of the present invention
is approximately 13.5 inches. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2, the corner configuration of the bed skirt support 10 has
been defined by the edge separation distance 72 along the corner
edge of the decking 14 and the radius of curvature 76 of the corner
edge of the decking. Alternatively, a front-support edge setback 84
and a side-support edge setback 86 may be used to define the gap 88
between the lateral edges of the front support section 56, 60,
respectively, and each side support section that accommodates a
corner post of, for example, a four poster bed. A zipper pull 90 is
also visible in the upper right hand portion of FIG. 2. As
explained further below, and as alluded to above, the right side
support section 20, the front support section 18, and the left side
support section 16 are all detachable from the decking 14 via the
U-shaped zipper 92 mentioned above and explained further below.
Also clearly visible in FIG. 2 is the stitching 94 that may be used
to attach the inner one-half 40 of the zipper to the decking
14.
[0040] Referring next to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 7, the three-layer
configuration of the first embodiment of a bed skirt support
according to the present invention is described next. FIG. 3 is a
cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, looking from
the foot of the bed toward the head of the bed. As shown to good
advantage in FIG. 3, this embodiment of the present invention
comprises three layers of material including a bottom layer 96, an
intermediate layer 98, and the top layer 48. In this particular
embodiment, the layers are each made from what is commonly referred
to as "petticoat netting" or "can can netting," which is a
mid-grade or mid-weight netting. This type of netting has been
found to provide desirable volume control and puffiness or loft to
achieve a desired finished look. A variety of materials could,
however, be used for these layers including, for example, bridal
veil netting or crinoline.
[0041] As shown schematically in FIGS. 5 and 6, this netting
material may be gathered and then attached to the outer perimeter
of the decking. FIGS. 5 and 6 are explained further below. The
gathers 100 comprising the top layer of material are clearly
visible in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, for example. The bottom layer gathers
102 are clearly visible in, for example, FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 7; and
the gathers 104 of the intermediate layer are visible in, for
example, FIG. 7. Each layer comprising each support section need
not include gathers. In other words, one or more layers comprising
each support section of the bed skirt support may comprise
relatively flat, ungathered material.
[0042] As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the gathered layers of
material 48, 96, 98 (e.g., petticoat netting) tend to stand off, or
loft away from, each other as result of the gathers. For example,
an inner loft 106 may be present between the bottom layer 96 and
the intermediate layer 98, and an outer loft 108 may be present
between the intermediate layer 98 and the top layer 48. This inner
loft 106 and outer loft 108 together comprise the total loft 110 of
each support section. As explained further below, the present
invention makes it possible to adjust the inner loft, outer loft,
and thus the total loft. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the upper
longitudinal edge 52 of the top layer 48 is connected to the upper
longitudinal edges of the intermediate layer 98 and the bottom
layer 96. As explained further below, FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged,
fragmentary, schematic views showing, respectively, a first option
for connecting the layers 48, 96, 98 of a bed skirt support 10 to
one-half of a zipper 92, and a second option for connecting the
layers of a bed skirt support to one-half of a zipper.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4A, the top layer 48, the intermediate
layer 98, and the bottom layer 96 of a support section 16, 18, 20
are connected to the outer one-half 42 of the zipper 92 using a
strip of grosgrain 112 that has been folded into a U-shaped
configuration. Alternatively, any type of binding tape could be
used to attach these three layers to the outer one-half of the
zipper; or the three layers 48, 96, 98 could be attached directly
to the outer one-half 42 of the zipper 92 without the use of any
grosgrain or binding tape. In this particular embodiment, the upper
longitudinal edges of the layers have been laid one on top of the
other. These three stacked layers of material have subsequently
been gathered (see, e.g., the manual or hand-gathering technique
depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6) and then attached to one another via
stitching 114 through the section of grosgrain 112. Alternatively,
the grosgrain may be placed on top of the stacked layers of
petticoat netting, and that stack may be fed through, for example,
a sewing machine having a differential feeding apparatus, which is
capable of creating the gathers and attaching the grosgrain to the
layers in a single pass.
[0044] In the particular embodiment 10 depicted in FIG. 4A, the
layers of material 48, 96,98 are gathered rather than hard folded
or pleated, but pleating or folding could also be used. The "gather
ratio" used depends on the desired loftiness, the desired
adjustability of that loftiness, and the type of material being
used for the layers. If, for example, adjustable volume or
loftiness is desired and a mid-grade netting (e.g., a petticoat
netting) is used, a gather ratio of 4.5:1 may be desirable. In
other words, if a length 116 (FIG. 5) of netting before gathering
is 4.5 inches, the length 118 (FIG. 6) of the gathered netting
would be one inch. This gather ratio may vary fairly broadly from
this particular 4.5:1 ratio. For example, a gather ratio of 7:1
works for some applications, but may have a few drawbacks. For
example, if a gather ratio of 7:1 is used with petticoat netting,
the support sections may be more lofty than desirable and the
amount of excess material required to manufacture the support
sections may undesirably drive up the cost of the overall bed skirt
support.
[0045] The volume or loft 110 of the support sections 16, 18, 20
may be adjusted before or after the bed skirt support is
manufactured. As just discussed, the gather ratio may be adjusted
before or during the manufacturing process to change the "default
loft" of the final product. After the bed skirt support is fully
constructed, the volume or loft of the support sections may be
adjusted by, for example, separating the material between the
gathers by hand to spread and smooth the netting, thereby reducing
the overall volume or loft 110 of each support section. It may also
be possible to reduce the volume or loft of the finished bed skirt
support by pulling on the bottom edges 50, 62 of the layers to
smooth and flatten the netting around the entire perimeter of the
decking.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 4A, a line of straight stitching 114
is shown holding the grosgrain and netting to the underside 120 of
the outer one-half of the zipper, adjacent to the lower edge (as
shown in FIG. 4A) 122 of the outer one-half 42 of the zipper 92.
Although the grosgrain and layers are depicted in FIG. 4A as being
attached to the underside 120 of the outer one-half of the zipper,
the layers of material may, alternatively, be attached to the top
side of the outer one-half of the zipper.
[0047] Referring next to FIG. 4B, an alternative technique or
construction for connecting the layers of a bed skirt support to
one-half of a zipper are described next. In this configuration, the
top layer 48, the intermediate layer 98, and the bottom layer 96 of
a support section are connected to the outer one-half 42 of the
zipper 92 using a strip of grosgrain (or other material) folded
into a serpentine or sigmoid configuration including a trapped
layer 124 attached to an underside of the bottom layer 96 of the
support section, a lowest layer 126 attached to an underside of the
trapped layer 124, and an upper layer 126 sandwiched between the
outer surface of the top layer of the support section and the
underside of the outer one-half of the zipper. An inner stitch 130
and an outer stitch 132 are visible in FIG. 4B. In particular,
since a portion of the lowest layer 126 of the serpentine strip of
grosgrain is broken away in FIG. 4B, the inner stitch 130 through
the trapped layer of grosgrain and through all three layers of the
support section is clearly visible. The outer stitch 132, on the
other hand, attaches all of the following to the underside 120 of
the outer one-half 42 of the zipper 92: the lowest layer 126 of
grosgrain 124, the trapped layer of grosgrain, the bottom layer of
netting 96, the intermediate layer of netting 98, the top layer of
netting 48, and upper layer 128 of grosgrain. Although alternative
techniques and configuration could be used (e.g., techniques
involving surging the upper longitudinal edges of the netting
layers) to attach the three layers of netting to the outer one-half
of the zipper, the described configurations have been found to
provide desired stability to the finished product.
[0048] FIG. 4C is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic view showing
one possible way of connecting the decking 14 of the bed skirt
support according to the present invention to the inner one-half 40
of a zipper. As clearly shown in this figure, a longitudinal edge
134 of the decking may be aligned with a longitudinal edge 136 of
the inner one-half of the zipper. A first line 138 of stitching may
be applied to hold the decking and the inner one-half of the zipper
in place. Subsequently, the decking material may be folded back
onto itself, and a second line 140 of stitching may then be applied
to securely attach the decking to the inner one-half of the zipper.
Again, this is merely one representative configuration for
attaching securing the decking to the inner one-half of the
zipper.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bed skirt support
depicted in FIG. 1, showing the three layers comprising each
support section in this particular configuration. Although more or
fewer layers could be used for each support section, the
three-layered configuration depicted in, for example, FIGS. 3, 4,
and 7 has proven advantageous. This three-layered configuration has
been found to provide adequate support to the decorative bed skirt
or dust ruffle that will be placed on top of the top layer of the
support sections 16, 18, 20 (see, e.g., FIG. 18) and provides the
ability to adjust the loft or puffiness of the bed skirt
support.
[0050] FIG. 8 is an elevation of the bed skirt support according to
the first embodiment of the present invention, looking essentially
straight at the front support section 18 which, upon installation
of the bed skirt support on a bed, would be at the foot of the bed.
The top layer 46, the intermediate layer 98, and the bottom layer
96 of the front support section 18 are clearly visible in FIG. 8.
The total loft 110 of the right side support section 20 is also
clearly visible in FIG. 8. The zipper pull 90, which in this
embodiment would be near the head-of-the-bed end of the decking
when the left side support section, the front support section, and
the right side support section are all fully in place around the
perimeter of the decking, is also clearly visible in FIG. 8.
[0051] FIG. 9 is an elevation looking toward the optional rear
support section 44 of a bed skirt support, which would be at the
head-of-the-bed end of a box spring when the bed skirt support is
installed on a bed. If a bed were positioned, for example, such
that it is important to be able to hide the head-of-the-bed side of
the box spring, this optional rear support section may also be
included and zipped to the head-of-the-bed end of the decking. As
depicted in FIG. 9, this rear support section has little to no
loft, which is evident since only the top layer 48 of the rear
support section is visible in FIG. 9. In fact, the rear support
section in this particular configuration may only include a
decorative top layer. If the head of the bed were to be placed near
a wall, this rear support section may be completely removed or
eliminated since it would not be required. The total loft 110 of
the left and right support sections is clearly visible in FIGS. 8
and 9.
[0052] FIG. 10 is an elevation looking directly toward the right
side of the bed skirt support depicted in FIG. 1. In this
particular view, the three layers comprising the right side support
section are clearly visible. The total loft 110 of the front
support section is also clearly visible in this figure. FIG. 11 is
an elevation looking directly toward the left side of the bed skirt
support depicted in FIG. 1 and clearly shows the three layers 48,
96, 98 comprising the left side support section 16. FIG. 11 is
similar to, but is a mirror image of FIG. 10.
[0053] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, isometric view looking downward
toward the left side and front of the bed skirt support depicted in
FIG. 1, showing how the bed skirt support might be positioned
relative to the top mattress 26 and the box spring 24. The top
mattress is depicted in FIG. 12 in phantom with a portion broken
away to reveal the placement of the decking 14 between the top
mattress and the box spring (or bottom mattress). The left front
corner 142 and the right front corner 144 of the box spring may be
seen in FIG. 12. As it is clearly shown in FIG. 12, the decking 14,
which is the flat central portion of the bed skirt support
according to present invention, is sandwiched between the bottom
surface of the top mattress and the top surface of the box spring
when the bed skirt support is installed. The U-shaped zipper 92
connecting the decking to each of the left side support section 16,
the front support section 18, and the right side support section 20
is clearly visible in this figure. Advantageously, and as described
further above and below, this zipper makes it possible to
completely remove the support sections from the decking without the
need to disturb the top mattress or the box spring. As mentioned
above, the gaps 88 between the side support sections and the front
support section make it possible to use the bed skirt support
according to the first embodiment on a four poster bed. For
example, one of the vertical corner posts of the four poster bed
could ride in the gap between the front lateral edge of the left
side support section and the left lateral edge of the front support
section.
[0054] As mentioned above, the loft or puffiness of the left side
support section, the front support section, and the right side
support section may be adjusted either during manufacturing (e.g.,
by changing the gather ratio or the type of material being used) or
after the bed skirt support 10 is installed on a bed. FIG. 13 is
similar to FIG. 2, but is a top plan view of a bed skirt support
10' according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In
this embodiment, the total loft 110' of the support sections is
less than the total loft of the corresponding sections of the first
embodiment. This may be clearly seen by comparing, for example,
FIG. 2 to FIG. 13, or FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 (see next paragraph), or
FIG. 8 to FIG. 15 (see paragraph after the next paragraph).
[0055] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 7, but is a bottom plan view of a
bed skirt support according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, showing the three-layers 48', 96', 98' comprising each
support section 16', 18', 20' in this particular configuration.
Although a bed skirt support according to the present invention may
have more or fewer layers than the three depicted in the figures,
the second embodiment again comprises three layers as shown in FIG.
14.
[0056] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 8, but is an elevation looking
directly at the portion of the bed skirt support according to the
second embodiment that would be draped over the portion of the top
mattress and box spring at the foot of the bed. Again, the
three-layered configuration of the second embodiment is clearly
visible in FIG. 15, where each of the three layers comprising the
front support section is visible. The total loft 110' of the left
support section and of the right support section of the bed skirt
support according to the second embodiment is also clearly visible
in FIG. 15. The total loft of the front support section may be the
same as or different from the total loft 110' of the left and right
support sections. By comparing the total loft 110 depicted in FIG.
8 to the total loft 110' depicted in FIG. 15, it is clear that the
total loft of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 is less than or
less puffy than the total loft of the embodiment depicted in FIG.
8. Again, the loft may be adjusted during manufacturing by, for
example, changing the gather ratio or type of material comprising
the layers; or the loft may be adjusted while the bed skirt support
is installed on a bed by, for example, separating the material
between gathers by hand to spread the netting in the finished
product or by pulling on the bottom edge of the layers to smooth
and flatten the netting around the entire perimeter of the bed
skirt support.
[0057] FIGS. 16 and 17 are fragmentary, isometric views showing how
the left side support section 16, the front support section 18, and
the right side support 20 section may be removed from the decking.
In particular, FIGS. 16 and 17 depict a woman 146 removing the
right side support section 20 of a bed skirt support 10 according
to the present invention by unzipping it from the decking 14. FIG.
16 shows the woman kneeling along the right side of a bed adjacent
to the corner of the right side of the bed and the head-of-the-bed.
The woman has grabbed the zipper pull 90 and is starting to detach
the right side support section from the decking. The zipper pull 90
is depicted in the same location in, for example, FIGS. 2 and 8.
Although FIGS. 16 and 17 are drawn with the top mattress removed
from the top surface of the decking for clarity, the top mattress
need not be removed before the support sections are detached from
the decking. In particular, the top mattress need only be removed
if the decking itself needs to be removed from between the bottom
side of the top mattress and the top side of the box spring. In
FIG. 17, the zipper has been advanced toward the foot of the bed as
the right side support section 20 is unzipped from or removed from
the right edge 36 of the decking. As previously mentioned, although
a coil zipper is depicted in the figures, any fastening or
connection means could be used to facilitate attachment to, and
detachment from, the decking.
[0058] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a bed 66 showing
how a decorative bed skirt or a decorative dust ruffle 12 may look
when mounted over a bed skirt support according to the present
invention. In particular, FIG. 18 depicts a headboard 148, a number
of pillows 150, a decorative bed spread 152, and a decorative bed
skirt or dust ruffle 12. The decorative bed skirt depicted in FIG.
18 is being supported by a bed skirt support 10, 10' (not visible
in this figure) according to the present invention. As clearly
shown in this figure, the loft of the support sections of the bed
skirt support are holding the decorative bed skirt at a flowing
angle from the lower edge of the bed spread 152 towards the floor
of the room, providing a dramatic and aesthetically-pleasing
appearance.
[0059] The particular bed depicted in FIG. 18 is not a four poster
bed. The decorative bed spread includes an ornamental fold 154 in
the corner where one of the vertical posts of a four poster bed
would otherwise reside. As shown in this figure, the decorative bed
skirt or dust ruffle may comprise a substantially continuous piece
of fabric that extends around the lower perimeter of the bed, or at
least around three sides of that lower perimeter. Noticeably, the
gap 88 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) between, for example, the right side
support section 16 and the front support section 18 of the bed
skirt support does not affect the presentation of the decorative
bed skirt. In particular, the bed skirt support may be constructed
without the gap (FIG. 2), or the material comprising the three
layers of the front section and the material comprising the three
layers of the right side support section may be pulled into the gap
that would otherwise exist, thereby supporting the decorative bed
skirt throughout the corner section. The right lateral edge 56 of
the front support section may even be permanently or temporarily
attached to the front lateral edge 60 of the right side support
section to better support the decorative bed skirt in the
corner.
[0060] FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18, but depicts the decorative
bed skirt or decorative dust ruffle shown 12 in FIG. 18 in an
unsupported, prior art configuration. In other words, the
decorative bed skirt shown in FIG. 19 is not being supported by a
bed skirt support according to the present invention. As shown,
without the bed skirt support of the present invention, the
decorative bed skirt or dust ruffle hangs nearly vertically toward
the floor. In this limp, droopy configuration, the decorative bed
skirt is not only less attractive, but also is more likely to be
damaged by someone inadvertently stepping on the decorative bed
skirt or sucking a portion of it into a vacuum.
[0061] Although multiple embodiments of this invention have been
described above with a certain degree of particularity, those
skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this
invention. For example, more than three layers of material or fewer
than three layers of material may be used for the support sections.
An important feature of this invention is how the support sections
support the decorative bed skirt, holding the decorative bed skirt
away from the vertical sides of the box spring or lower mattress.
All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, inner, outer,
upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom,
above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and
counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid
the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not
create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation,
or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached,
coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and
may include intermediate members between a connection of elements
and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references
do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected
and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
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