U.S. patent application number 12/030215 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for split-top, integral bed covering.
Invention is credited to Christopher Gentile.
Application Number | 20090199336 12/030215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937614 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090199336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gentile; Christopher |
August 13, 2009 |
SPLIT-TOP, INTEGRAL BED COVERING
Abstract
A split-top, bed covering for two users comprising a single,
integral sheet of textile with a left upper portion with medial
wing, a right upper portion with medial wing, and a foot portion is
described. All portions, including wings, are formed seamlessly
during manufacturing of the textile. The medial wings of upper left
and right portions overlap. The textile may be, inter alia, of
woven, non-woven, crocheted, knitted, knotted, tufted, or composite
construction.
Inventors: |
Gentile; Christopher;
(Lahaina, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEORGE E. DARBY
P.O. BOX 893010
MILILANI
HI
96789-3010
US
|
Family ID: |
40937614 |
Appl. No.: |
12/030215 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/486 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0223 20130101;
A47G 9/0238 20130101; A47G 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/486 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A bed covering for more than one user, said bed covering capable
of providing different warmth characteristics to such users,
wherein said bed covering comprises at least left and right upper
portions and a foot portion made from a single, integral sheet of
textile, and wherein the upper portions each have inner, medial
wings that are free of the foot portion.
2. A bed covering as recited in claim 1, wherein said medial wings
are capable of being interchangeably positioned one on top of the
other.
3. A bed covering as recited in claim 1, wherein said medial wings
have a predetermined width which enables sufficient coverage of
each of such users.
4. A bed covering as recited in claim 1 manufactured of non-woven
textile.
5. A bed covering as recited in claim 1 manufactured using a method
selected from the group consisting of woven, crocheted, knitted,
knotted, tufted, and composite construction.
6. A bed covering as recited in claim 1 manufactured using fiber
selected from the group consisting of cashmere, chenille, flannel,
cotton, silk, fleece, mink, wool, and synthetic.
7. A bed covering as recited in claim 1, wherein the medial wings
can be fastened together using fasteners affixed to the medial
wings.
8. A bed covering as recited in claim 7, wherein the fasteners are
selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, hook and look
with displaceable flaps, buttons and corresponding button holes,
snaps, knotted rope and loops, and embedded magnetic strips.
9. A bed covering as recited in claim 1, further comprising more
than one sheet of textile, wherein each sheet comprises the same
number of left and right upper portions and a foot portion made
from a single, integral sheet of textile, wherein the upper
portions of each sheet have inner, medial wings that are free of
the foot portion, and wherein the more than one sheets are bonded
together in the foot portion of each sheet.
10. A bed covering as recited in claim 1, wherein the foot portion
is a fitted foot.
11. A bed covering for more than one user, said bed covering
capable of providing different warmth characteristics to such
users, wherein said bed covering comprises at least left and right
upper portions and a foot portion made from a single, integral
sheet of non-woven textile, and wherein the upper portions each
have inner, medial wings that are free of the foot portion.
12. A bed covering as recited in claim 11, wherein said medial
wings are capable of being interchangeably positioned one on top of
the other.
13. A bed covering as recited in claim 11, wherein said medial
wings have a predetermined width which enables sufficient coverage
of each of such users.
14. A bed covering as recited in claim 11 manufactured with a mesh
backing or core.
15. A bed covering as recited in claim 11 manufactured using a
non-woven method selected from the group consisting of carded,
spunlaid, and weblaid.
16. A bed covering as recited in claim 11 manufactured using fiber
selected from the group consisting of cashmere, chenille, flannel,
cotton, silk, fleece, mink, wool, and synthetic.
17. A bed covering as recited in claim 11, wherein the medial wings
can be fastened together using fasteners affixed to the medial
wings.
18. A bed covering as recited in claim 17, wherein the fasteners
are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, hook and
look with displaceable flaps, buttons and corresponding button
holes, snaps, knotted rope and loops, and embedded magnetic
strips.
19. A bed covering as recited in claim 11, further comprising more
than one sheet of textile, wherein each sheet comprises the same
number of left and right upper portions and a foot portion made
from a single, integral sheet of textile, wherein the upper
portions of each sheet have inner, medial wings that are free of
the foot portion, and wherein the more than one sheets are bonded
together in the foot portion of each sheet.
20. A bed covering as recited in claim 11, wherein the foot portion
is a fitted foot.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention is in the field of bed covering for two or
more users that permits a user to adjust coverage and, if two or
more layers are used, thickness of his or her bed covering without
discomforting another user of the bed covering.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] When one person sleeping in a bed under common bed covering
with a second person rolls away from the second person, the first
person often pulls the bed covering off the second person, thereby
uncovering and discomforting the second person. When two persons
sleep on their sides in a bed under common bed covering, there is
often a gap between the persons that allows drafts to enter the
space between the persons, thereby discomforting both persons,
especially in cold ambient air. Moreover, one person can not
partially or completely remove one or more layers of that person's
portion of common bed covering without discomforting the second.
The general technical problems to be solved are to prevent the
pulling off of bed covering in the first case, prevent the entry of
drafts in the second case, and to give each person independent
control of the coverage and thickness of bed covering in the third
case.
[0005] The existing art of split-top bed covering involves two or
more separate panels attached together to form a whole covering.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,347, to Limardi, has left and
right upper panels of a split bed covering sewn to a foot panel
using a transverse seam. The inner longitudinal, or medial, edges
of the upper panels overlap each other. The present invention avoid
the need for a transverse seam and separate upper left, upper
right, and foot panels.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,043, to Fabian, has left and right
panels of a split bed covering sewn directly to each other at the
bottom of the panels to form a short, central, longitudinal seam.
The description in Fabian requires the upper end of the
longitudinal seam (joined portion) of the panels to be positioned
in a bed at the top edge of the foot of the mattress so that a user
can completely remove a left or right, first or second, upper
panel. Fabian has no "foot panel", per se. The left and right upper
panels of Fabian's invention must be sewn together, and the top
covering comprises two sheets in each left and right panel of the
bed covering. The present invention avoids the need for a
longitudinal seam, separate left and right panels, and two sheets
in each left and right panel of the bed covering. Fabian's
invention also lacks a means of fastening the left and right panels
in the upper portion of the bed covering.
[0007] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,200,883 to Haggerty, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,862,760 to Bradley, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,871 to Robke use
multi-panel, sewn, construction, rather than an integral, non-woven
textile.
[0008] Unlike the bed coverings disclosed in the patents cited
above, the instant invention can be manufactured as a single sheet,
without any sewn seams, thereby reducing the structural elements
that comprise the article of manufacture and greatly reducing the
cost of manufacture. Moreover, the instant invention can be
manufactured for use by three concurrent users, e.g., parents and a
child disposed between them.
[0009] Split-top bed covering has not been widely adopted, in part
because of the additional cost of production of split-top bed
covering compared with traditional, integrally manufactured bed
covering makes split-top bed covering significantly more expensive.
The general technical problem to be solved is to provide a
split-top bed covering that is less expensive to manufacture,
specifically one that takes advantage of non-woven textile
technology and does not require sewing together of separate,
prefabricated panels. The present invention solves both the general
and the specific technical problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The split-top, integral bed covering invention comprises
left and right upper portions and a foot portion made from a
single, integral piece of textile. In embodiments for two users,
the left and right upper portions each have inner, medial wings
that are free of the foot portion. In normal use, the inner, medial
wings of the left and right upper portions overlap each other. The
overlap of the medial wings of the left and right upper portions,
and freedom of the medial wings from the foot portion, is achieved
in the original manufacturing of the textile, as opposed to
fastening separate left and right elements to each other or to a
foot panel by sewing, bonding, or other fastening means. The edges
of the bed covering can be hemmed, or for simplicity, unhemmed.
Optional embodiments include a means for reversibly fastening left
and right medial wings, which facilitates spreading the bed
covering on a bed, hanging the bed covering for air drying, and
providing traditional bed covering functionality. Additional
elements, such as hems and ornamentation, can be added to the
textile. The left, right, and foot portions can optionally have the
same or different textural, insulative, ornamental, decorative, or
other treatments. Embodiments of the invention can be manufactured
with more than two top portions. Multiple layers of the split-top,
integral bed covering can optionally be joined at the foot during
manufacturing, e.g., by heat bonding. The split-top, integral bed
covering can optionally be manufactured in fitted foot
versions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a split-top, integral bed
covering, with left medial wing open and right medial wing
closed.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a split-top, integral bed
covering, with medial wings open.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a split-top, integral bed
covering, covering two users, with medial wings closed.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of FIG. 2 in the area of the
medial wings, depicting how the medial wings conform to the users'
bodies.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a split-top, integral bed
covering, with left medial wing open and right medial wing closed,
showing with hook and loop fasteners.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a split-top, integral bed
covering, with medial wings open and with hook and loop fasteners
in the area of the medial wings.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a split-top, integral bed
covering, with left medial wing open and right medial wing closed,
showing with hook and loop fasteners with protective flaps.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of hook and loop fasteners of
FIG. 6, with protective flap opened to allow the fasteners to
engage, in the area of the medial wings.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a three person, split-top,
integral bed covering, with medial wings open.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a three person, split-top,
integral bed covering, with medial wings closed.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a cross section of FIG. 10 in the area of the
medial wings, depicting how the medial wings conform to the users'
bodies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] "Longitudinal" means along the head to foot axis with
respect to a split-top bed covering as it covers a person lying in
a bed. "Mattress" means herein any top substrate provided in a bed
and on which a person lies. "Latitudinal" means the axis
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the split-top bed
covering. "Left" and "right" are referenced as if the viewer were
overhead a split-top bed covering as it covers a bed. The "top
edge" of a split-top bed covering is the latitudinal edge of the
bed covering placed along the head of the bed on which a split-top
bed covering is placed. The "foot edge" of a split-top bed covering
is the edge opposite the top edge and is typically tucked under the
mattress on which the split-top bed covering is placed. The top
edge and the foot edge are typically parallel. "Sheet" means herein
any bed-covering textile, e.g., comforter, blanket, duvet, sheet,
quilt, etc. "Wing" means herein the medial part of an upper portion
of a split-top, integral bed covering is that is free of (i.e., is
not attached to and moves independently of) the foot portion.
"Transverse line" means herein the latitudinal line formed by the
top, medial part of the foot portion of a split-top bed covering,
which portion is not integral with a wing or an upper portion,
wherein such latitudinal line is extended transversely to the left
and right edges of the split-top bed covering. The left edge and
the right edge of the split-top bed covering are typically
parallel. "Wing hinge" means herein the longitudinal line formed by
extending longitudinally, to the top edge of the split-top bed
covering, the most medial point at which an upper portion is
integral with the foot portion of a split-top bed covering. The
transverse line and wing hinge are for descriptive purposes only
and are not actually creased or otherwise formed in the split-top
bed covering during manufacturing.
[0023] The split-top, integral bed covering invention comprises
left and right upper portions and a foot portion made from a
single, integral sheet of textile. In embodiments for two users,
the left and right upper portions each have inner, medial wings
that are free of the foot portion. In normal use, the inner, medial
wings of the left and right upper portions overlap each other. The
overlap of the medial wings of the left and right upper portions,
and freedom of the medial wings from the foot portion, is achieved
in the original manufacturing of the textile, as opposed to
fastening separate left and right elements to each other or to a
foot panel by sewing, bonding, or other fastening means.
[0024] The invention (1) allows one user to roll in bed without
pulling off the bed covering of a second person (the medial wing of
the rolling person is pulled along with the rolling motion, but not
the medial wing or upper bed covering portion of the second
person), (2) prevents entry of drafts between two persons sleeping
on their sides (the medial wings contour around the first and
second persons, rather than forming a canopy above the mattress
like traditional bed covering), and (3) gives each person
independent control of the thickness of bedding covering (a first
user can remove one or more layers of split-top, integral bed
covering without disturbing the layers on a second person in
bed).
[0025] The split-top, integral bed covering can be produced as a
non-woven textile. Non-woven textiles ("non-wovens") are textiles
that are manufactured by putting small fibers together in planar
form and then binding the fibers together mechanically (e.g.,
interlocking the fibers using serrated needles, by
hydroentanglement by water jets, etc.), with an adhesive (e.g.,
latex polymers), or thermally (calendering through heated rollers).
A mesh backing or core is normally introduced in the laying of the
fiber for bed coverings to produce stronger non-woven textiles.
Non-woven textiles used in the invention can be carded, weblaid, or
spunlaid. Non-wovens are typically produced from synthetic fibers;
spunlaid non-woven manufacturing can combine a stage that produces
synthetic fiber with immediate laying of the fiber in planar form,
which greatly reduces manufacturing costs.
[0026] The fibers used to made the split-top, integral bed covering
include cashmere, chenille, flannel, cotton, silk, fleece, mink,
wool, and synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers used to make the
split-top, integral bed covering include polypropylene and
polyesters, particularly polyethylene terephthalate.
[0027] The split-top, integral bed covering can also be produced
using specially fitted weaving looms and knitting looms, by
crocheting, by knotting, tufting, by composite (i.e., more than one
textile manufacturing method), and by other known methods of
textile production. Most woven textiles are made on looms and
consequently are rectilinear when weaving is finished. The
split-top, integral bed covering invention, with its "hinged"
medial wings, is particularly suited for production as a non-woven
textile made of synthetic fiber, since non-woven textiles can be
easily laid and finished in odd shapes.
[0028] The invention solves the technical problem of reducing the
cost of manufacturing split-top bed covering by providing a design
that is especially suited to non-woven textile technology, has
fewer structural elements, and does not require sewing together of
separate, prefabricated panels.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the width of overlap ("Wing Width") of a
wing is defined by the distance (11) from a wing hinge (12) to the
medial edge (13) of the wing. Normally, the width of a left wing
(14) is the same as the width of a right wing (11). The "Overall
Length"(15) is the distance from the top edge to foot edge of the
bed covering deployed planarly.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the length of a foot portion (21) ("Foot
Portion Length") is defined by the distance (22) from the
transverse line (23) to the foot edge (24) of a split-top bed
covering. The "Overall Width" (25) is the distance from the left
edge to right edge of the bed covering deployed planarly.
[0031] The split-top, integral bed covering is normally
manufactured in an embodiment for two users, and therefore is most
commonly made in queen, king, and California king sizes. The Wing
Width ranges from 20% to 60% of the Overall Width, more preferably
from 25% to 40% of the Overall Width, and most preferably from 30%
to 35% of the Overall Width. The Foot Portion Length ranges from
20% to 50% of the Overall Length, more preferably from 20% to 40%
of the Overall Length, and most preferably from 25% to 30% of the
Overall Length for normal mattresses and from 30% to 35% for
pillow-top mattresses.
[0032] The transverse line does not need to be precisely positioned
during use. If the user wants the foot portion to cover the feet of
the user, less of the foot portion is tucked under the mattress so
that the transverse line is placed more headward, past the top of
the foot of the mattress, e.g., the transverse line may be placed
in the area of the user's calves or knees. If the user wants to be
able to completely remove the upper portion as a bed covering on
his or her portion of the bed, the transverse line is placed no
higher than the top of the foot of the mattress. The split-top,
integral bed covering can be made in various configurations that
have different combinations of Wing Widths, Overall Widths, Overall
Lengths, and Foot Portion Lengths to accommodate user preferences
and mattress sizes.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wings conform to the contours
of users' bodies.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, alternative embodiments include
the hook and loop fasteners (61, 62), or other means, to reversibly
fasten the left and right medial wings to each other. As shown in
FIG. 6, reversible fasteners (when fastened) improve the ability to
position the bed covering on a bed, hang the bed covering for air
drying, and provide traditional bed covering functionality. Other
fastening means include buttons and corresponding button holes,
snaps, knotted rope and loops, and magnetic strips embedded in the
medial edges and near the wing hinge.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hook and loop fasteners are
covered with displaceable flaps (71, 81). The interior of the flaps
has fastening matching the fastener on the wing, e.g., a hook
fastener on a wing mates with a loop fastener on the flap. Using
flaps prevents unintentional engagement of the fasteners, e.g.,
while the users are sleeping. If a user wishes to join the wings
together, a flap is displaced to expose the relevant fastener, and
the exposed fasteners on the wings are mated.
[0036] Although FIGS. 5 to 8 show two columns of fasteners on each
wing, only one column of fasteners can be used. Using one column
does not immobilize the medial edges of both wings, however, and is
not preferred.
[0037] Additional elements, such as hems and ornamentation, can be
added to the split-top, integral bed covering. The left, right, and
foot portions can optionally have different textural, insulative,
decorative, or other treatments, e.g., sports logos, pictures, "his
and her" colors or decoration, etc.
[0038] Multiple split-top, integral bed coverings can be used
simultaneously, e.g., top sheet, first blanket, and quilt. A user
may remove one or more layers of bed covering without disturbing
the bed covering of the other user.
[0039] The split-top bed covering can be made with a fitted foot
portion, i.e., the split-top, integral bed is made with a pocket in
the foot portion that accommodates the depth and width of a
mattress. In fitted foot portion embodiments, the position of the
transverse line is fixed. Not only bedsheets, but blankets, quilts,
and other bedcovering can be made in fitted embodiments.
[0040] Although the medial wings described above and shown in the
Figures have the left medial wing overlapping the right medial
wing, the invention can also be constructed with the right medial
wing overlapping the left medial wing. This distinction is of
importance only when fasteners are incorporated in the design; the
manner of overlap determines which medial wing has fasteners on the
bottom surface of a given wing, which requires the opposite wing to
have fasteners on the top surface of such opposite wing.
[0041] The split-top, integral bed covering can be manufactured
with more than two upper portions. As shown in FIG. 9, a three
person, split-top, integral bed covering, has three upper portions.
The upper left portion has a medial wing (91), the upper right
portion has a medial wing (92); the wings overlap an upper center
portion (93).
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the wings of an embodiment of
the invention for three users conform to the bodies of the three
users.
[0043] Embodiments of the split-top, integral bed covering can be
made in which the longitudinal and latitudinal axes are reversed so
that the top edge runs along the long side of a mattress (i.e., the
head and foot of the bed mattress are rotated 90 degrees). This
"landscape" mode (versus "portrait" mode) of use is especially
suited for split-top, integral bed coverings with three or more
upper portions. The principal use of such embodiments is when more
than two children share a large bed. Given the split-top nature of
the bed covering, barriers (e.g., tubular pillows) can be placed in
the splits to separate the sleeping spaces of the children. The
barriers can be integral with the bed-covering, or independent.
[0044] The split-top, integral bed covering of the invention
enables each of the users to determine his or her comfort level
without affecting the other users. For example, each of the users
can begin sleeping with their covering moved aside. Then as the
night progresses, and more warmth is needed, each user can easily
reach down and independently retrieve his or her bed covering. This
can be done without disturbing another user in the bed.
[0045] Multiple layers of the split-top, integral bed covering can
optionally be joined at the foot during manufacturing, e.g., by
heat bonding. In a multi-layer embodiment of a fitted foot version,
only the bottommost layer needs to have a fitted foot.
[0046] Variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for
components of the specifically described embodiments of the
invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the
appended claims.
* * * * *