U.S. patent application number 11/782068 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for dividable and reconfigurable zippered comforter.
Invention is credited to Otha E. ("Rusty") Inman, II.
Application Number | 20080313809 11/782068 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40134972 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080313809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inman, II; Otha E.
("Rusty") |
December 25, 2008 |
DIVIDABLE AND RECONFIGURABLE ZIPPERED COMFORTER
Abstract
A convertible bed covering made of a washable material, includes
at least two reversible sections each with an transverse and
longitudinal sides each of the transverse and longitudinal sides
with an mating edge and an exterior edge. Each of the at least two
reversible sections includes a zipper, stitched along said mating
edge of each of said longitudinal edges. The reversible sections
may be detached and reattached to each other by the zippers at said
mating longitudinal edges allowing for easy cleaning in standard
washers and driers. The bed covering may reconfiguring by either
the reversible sections being turned inside out and still be
detached and reattached at said mating longitudinal edge. Different
weights of comforter panels allows for other reconfigurations.
Inventors: |
Inman, II; Otha E. ("Rusty");
(San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Rubinstein Law Group;A Professional Law Corporation
340 Brannan Street, Suite 304
San Francisco
CA
94107
US
|
Family ID: |
40134972 |
Appl. No.: |
11/782068 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60945918 |
Jun 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/486 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0207 20130101;
A47G 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/486 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A convertible bed covering made of a washable material,
including: at least two reversible sections each with an transverse
and longitudinal sides each of said transverse and longitudinal
sides with an mating edge and an exterior edge; each of at least
two reversible sections each of said at least two reversible
sections including a zipper, stitched along said mating edge of
each of said longitudinal edges; wherein said at least two
reversible sections may be detached and reattached to each other by
said zippers at said mating longitudinal edges; wherein either of
said at least two reversible sections may be turned inside out and
still be detached and reattached at said mating longitudinal
edge.
2. The convertible covering as recited in claim 1, wherein said
interior and said exterior patterns are distinguished.
3. The convertible covering as recited in claim 1, wherein there
are three reversible sections.
4. A dividable and reconfigurable bed covering, including: a set of
at least two reversible sections, each including a set of zipper
halves opposite each other along an a connecting longitudinal side
with a zipper head and a zipper tongue; at least two reversible
sections each having a first pattern on a first side, and a second
pattern on a second side, wherein said bed covering may be
configured with either first or second patterns up or down by
attaching said opposite zippers.
5. The bed covering as recited in claim 4, wherein one of said at
least two reversible sections include a flap extending down said
longitudinal side and that extends transversally across said
zippers, such that said zippers are covered.
6. The bed covering as recited in claim 5, wherein there are a set
of at least three reversible sections, wherein one of the at least
three sections includes two connecting longitudinal sides, and has
said zippers on each of said connecting longitudinal sides.
7. The bed covering as recited in claim 4, further including a
zipper on each of said at least two reversible sections located on
said opposite longitudinal side.
8. The bed covering as recited in claim 7, wherein one of said
sections includes a heavier weight material than another of said
sections.
9. The bed covering as recited in claim 4, further including a
zipper on a connecting transversal side.
10. The bed covering as recited in claim 9, wherein said set of at
least two reversible sections includes four reversible
sections.
11. A dividable and reconfigurable bed covering, including: a set
of at least two reversible sections, each including a set of zipper
halves opposite each other along an a connecting longitudinal side
with a zipper head and a zipper tongue; at least two reversible
sections each having a first pattern on a first side, and a second
pattern on a second side, wherein said bed covering may be
configured with either first or second patterns up or down by
attaching said opposite zippers, wherein said at least two sections
have different weights of materials.
12. The bed covering as recited in claim 11, further including a
flap of material that covers said opposite zippers.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.119(e)
to U.S. Provisional Application 60/945,918, filed Jun. 23, 2007,
and entitled DIVIDABLE AND CONFIGURABLE ZIPPERED COMFORTER, which
is incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There is a need for a large comforter that can be washed and
dried easily in a regular-sized washing machine and dryer. Since
homeowners with king-sized bed comforters currently have to hoist
their large comforters into the car and take them to the Laundromat
(if there are large washers available) to wash, such a comforter
would save homeowners time and aggravation. This is also true of
Queen size and double size comforters, as well as bedspreads,
quotes blankets, and the like. Furthermore, these large comforters
can take a long time to wash and dry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a first embodiment of the invention, a convertible bed
covering made of a washable material, includes at least two
reversible sections each with an transverse and longitudinal sides
each of the transverse and longitudinal sides with an mating edge
and an exterior edge. Each of the at least two reversible sections
including a zipper, stitched along said mating edge of each of said
longitudinal edges. The reversible sections may be detached and
reattached to each other by the zippers at said mating longitudinal
edges allowing for easy cleaning in standard washers and driers.
The bed covering may reconfiguring by either the reversible
sections being turned inside out and still be detached and
reattached at said mating longitudinal edge. Different weights of
comforter panels allows for increased versatility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dividable and
(re)configurable comforter according to a first embodiment of the
present invention is shown in and in unzipped or detached
state;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dividable and
(re)configurable zippered comforter as shown in FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dividable and
(re)configurable zippered comforter according to a second
embodiment and shown with three comforter sections in unzipped or
detached state;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dividable and
(re)configurable zippered comforter according to one embodiment of
the invention and shown in unzipped or detach state;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dividable and
(re)configurable zippered comforter according to an alternate
embodiment and shown in unzipped or detached state;
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a dividable comforter system using
different weights on the comforter panels; and
[0010] FIG. 7 shows the dividable comforter system with an
"attachable" bed skirt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Various embodiments of the invention present solutions to
the above-referenced problems by providing a large-sized washable
bed comforter that is divided into two or more longitudinal, and
generally reversible, sections. Each of the comforter section
includes a member in the form of a central fastening device, such
as his zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons. In
order to wash the improved comforter, as taught in certain
embodiments of the invention, the central fastener (in the form of
a zipper, or hook and loop strips, in alternate embodiments) is
unzipped and the two "matching" sections of the comforter are
washed separately in a regular-sized washing machine and may be
dried in a regular sized dryer. Thus, the dividable comforter
allows for reducing the time and aggravation to clean large bed
coverings. Another advantage in that the design of the dividable
and reconfigurable comforter is that it is aesthetically versatile
by allowing a user to reverse one or more of the comforter
sections. Another advantage provided by the dividable and
re-configurable comforter is for hotels and other locations with a
great many duplicate comforters. By allowing for the replacement of
a single section, a damage comforter or section (for example from
cigarette burns or spilled drinks) can be discarded and replaced by
another "mismatched" or "orphaned" (or surplus) comforter
section.
[0012] Various embodiments of the invention, prevent strain on the
central zipper and allow the zippers to be generally hid from view,
so the comforter is attractive. One variation, in a first
embodiment, includes two opposed (and complementary) end-to-end
zippers. Another variation includes a first long zipper on a top
layer of the comforter and a second long zipper on the bottom layer
of the comforter beneath the first long zipper, with a middle,
insulation layer that is split in half lengthwise. Yet another
variation includes additional zippers along two of the outer edges
of the two (or more) sections. The sections of this latter
variation can be superimposed on one another and zipped into a warm
sleeping bag for use on a couch or for watching TV, for example
(see FIGS. 6a-6c).
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a comforter 100 in a first embodiment
of the invention is divided into two comforter sections
111(a)/111(b) along its longitudinal axis (herein marked as the
y+/y- axis, the transverse axis is labeled as the x+/x- axis). The
fastening device that attaches to comforter sections 111a/b
together is shown in this embodiment as a zipper 112 (with a
complementary components 112a/b, which preferably extends
substantially the full length longitudinal length of the connecting
edges 113(a,x+), 113(b,x-) of the comforter 100. (The
non-connecting sides are shown as 119(a,x-) and 119(b,x+) of
sections 111a/b, respectively). In the comforter shown in FIGS. 1
and 2 show zipper halves 112a/b that are each sewn along the first,
or connecting longitudinal side 113(a,x+)/113(b,x-) of each
comforter sections 111a/b, respectively. Two adjacent end-to-end
zippers 112'a/b may alternately be employed and provide for
re-configurable versatility. The zipper(s) "halves" 112a/b
preferably each have a zipper head 114a/b and tongue 115a/b. The
zipper halves 112a/b or complementary zippers 112'a/b can be zipped
from the top (y-) to the bottom (y+) or vice versa.
[0014] Each of the sections 111(a)/(b) has corresponding exterior
or first 117(a)/(b) and interior or reversible (reversed)
118(a)/(b) (shown in FIG. 2) patterns of fabric. The reversible
sections 118a/b (shown in FIG. 2) allow for the multiple aesthetics
of the comforter. For example one side can be a "boys theme", such
as "sports" and the interior section can be a "girls theme" such as
"ballet." Thus, the commercial and consumer appeal of the
reversible and re-configurable comforter extends beyond the
convenience of being able to wash the comforter in re-attachable
sections.
[0015] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, one or both of the
comforter sections 111(a/b) preferably includes a flap 116 (which
is shown, but need not be on the 111(b) or x+ section as shown) is
made from one layer of the comforter material (see FIG. 1) The flap
116 extends out over the zipper 112a/b when the zipper "halves"
112a/b are attached in order to hide the zippers 112a/b,
112'a/b.
[0016] The dividable comforter, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 100 is
made of two pieces of a suitable soft fabric, which are preferably
cotton cotton/polyester blends, or polyester with batting between
the two layers (not shown). In FIG. 2, the two layers or outside
faces (as shown in FIG. 2) 117(b), 118(a), of the comforter 100'
are preferably printed with different but complementary patterns,
which can include contrasting colors and patterns. For example, the
first face 117(b) of section 111(b) of the comforter may be a red
and white striped material, and the second or inside face 118(a) of
section 111(a) may be a blue and white striped printed material
with star pattern. The two comforter sections 111a/b can be zipped
together with the same face 117(a/b) up, such as shown in FIG. 1,
or, alternately, the first face 117(b) on the first comforter
section 111(b) up, but the same pattern face on the second
comforter section 111(a) now facing the bed; see FIG. 2. Thus, when
the comforter 100 is in use, a viewer sees either all red or white
stripes, as shown in FIG. 1 or the re-configured comforter 100'
that is half "stripe" and half "star" pattern, as seen in FIG. 2.
Alternatively, each detached comforter section 111a/b can be used
to cover a twin bed, if desired.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, a first alternate embodiment,
dividable comforter may be divided into three comforter sections
211a/b/c. The "middle" comforter section 211(b) be includes to
zipper house 212 on its opposite longitudinal sides 213 (b,x+) and
219(b,x-), each connectable to a zipper have 212a/b/c on a
longitudinal side of an adjacent comforters section 211a or 211c.
Any of the comforter sections 211a/b/c can be used with the first
phase 217 up or down. As shown in FIG. 3, the end comforter
sections 211a and 211c have the first pattern striped face 217(a)
and 217(c), and in middle comforter section 211(b) be as the first,
striped face 217(b) down against the bed and the second (interior),
starred face pattern 218(b) up and showing. The interior, center
section in this embodiment has two connecting longitudinal sides
213(b,x+), 213 (b, x-).
[0018] In another alternate embodiment, which is illustrated by the
comforter 300 shown in FIG. 4, the two comforter sections 311a/b
are connectable to one another by hook and loop strips 321(a/b).
The corresponding hook and loop strips 321a/b are attached along
the first connecting sides 313(a,x+) and 313(b,x-) of each
comforters section 311a/b (respectively). The comforter sections
311a/b can easily be attached for covering a large bed, or quickly
pulled apart for washing. In place of zippers or hook and loop
fasteners, the fastening devices or fastening means may be any
assortment of attachment mechanisms such as buttons, snaps, laces
or the like and may be dependent on the end-use of the comforter.
The invention includes also covers quilts, blankets or bedspreads
as described herein instead of a comforter.
[0019] Turning now to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the
dividable comforter 400 is shown. The alternate comforter 400 has
three comforter sections 411a/b/c and include corresponding (sets
of) hook and loop strips 421a/b/c of the x+, longitudinal sides
413a/b/c corresponding hook and loop strips 421a/b/c are also fixed
a long one of their second, transversal side 420(j) of the
comforter sections 411a/b/c. This enables the comforter sections
411a/b/c to be connected on either their first (413a/b/c, x+/x-)
and/or second sides, 420(j,k), respectively, providing a variety of
possibilities for the end user. A fourth comforters section 411(d)
is preferably included (but not shown), and fifth and sixth
comforter sections (also not shown) may also be included without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0020] In addition to being used to cover a bed, another alternate
embodiment of the comforter can be folded in half crosswise
latitudinal/transversally on or off the bed, so that the adjacent
sides are connected and used as a sleeping bag, if desired. The
zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or other fast devices may extend
all the way around each comforter section to afford a variety of
connections and applications. [014.] Referring now to FIG. 6, yet
another embodiment of the invention in the form of a multi-weighted
panel system 600. In the multi-weight embodiment 600, two comforter
panels 611(a) and 611(b) are made of different "weights" of
comforter material, allowing the user to customize their "section"
of the bed covering without requirement two different bed covering.
Thus, the user in the king bed under section 611(a) enjoys a 10 lb
weight comforter, but the user under section 611(b) prefers a
"lighter weight" such as a 5 lb. The attachments (as shown in the
form of a zipper 612(a)/(b), zipper tongues 614(a/b) and zipper
heads 615a/b). As can be appreciated the (re)configurable weights
are just one aspect of the versatility of the innovative bed
covering.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment of the dividable
comforter 500 can include zippers 529 on the exterior or
unconnected sides 519a/b of the respective panels 519a/b, so that a
bed skirt or dust ruffle 549 may be attached to the exterior sides
of the dividable comforter.
[0022] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described, this description is for illustrative and exemplary
purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention and that such are intended to be within the scope of
the present invention.
INDEX TO THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The signifier (j) acts as an index and may mean there are
multiple parts shown in the figures;
[0024] The signifier (k) acts as an indicator of axis and
location/direction (e.g. "x+", "y-") [0025] 100, 100', 200, 300,
400, 500, 600: the various dividable comforter embodiments; [0026]
111(j), 211(j), 311(j), 411(j), 511(j), 611(j): configurable
comforter sections [0027] 112a/b, 112'(a/b): 212, . . . 512,
612(j): zipper halves and/or complementary zippers; [0028]
113(j,k), 213(j,k), 313(j,k), 413(j,k), 513(j,k), 613(j,k)
connecting longitudinal sides [0029] 114(j) . . . 614(j) zipper
tongue [0030] 115(j) . . . 615(j) zipper heads [0031] 116 . . . 616
flap (for covering zipper) [0032] 117(j), 217(j), 317(j), 417(j),
517(j), 617(j): first or exterior face; [0033] 118(j), 218(j),
318(j), 418(j), 518(j), 618(j): second or interior or reversible
face; [0034] 119(j,k), 219(j,k), 319(j,k), 419(j,k), 519(j,k),
619(j,k): non-connecting longitudinal sides; [0035] 420(j,k),
520(j,k) connecting transversal side of each comforter section;
[0036] 421 (j,k), 521(j,k) non-connecting transversal side of each
comforter section; [0037] 424, 524 zippers for connecting
transversal sides; [0038] 321(x), 421(x), 521(x): hook and loop
strips; [0039] 529(j): opposite side zippers
* * * * *