U.S. patent application number 12/167294 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for lounge chair cushion cover and method.
Invention is credited to Patsy A. Adams, Clare L. Gray.
Application Number | 20100001565 12/167294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41463805 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100001565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gray; Clare L. ; et
al. |
January 7, 2010 |
LOUNGE CHAIR CUSHION COVER AND METHOD
Abstract
A cover is provided for a chaise lounge pad that is so
constructed as to fit pads of varying thicknesses.
Inventors: |
Gray; Clare L.; (Hickory,
NC) ; Adams; Patsy A.; (Hudson, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC
ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING, P.O. BOX 7037
ATLANTA
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Family ID: |
41463805 |
Appl. No.: |
12/167294 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/229 ;
297/357 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 31/11 20130101;
A47C 7/622 20180801; A47C 7/62 20130101; A47C 7/624 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/229 ;
297/357 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00; A47C 3/00 20060101 A47C003/00 |
Claims
1. A cover for the pad of a chaise of the type that includes a
frame with a selectively positionable back/head rest, a seat/foot
rest, and a removable pad, the cover lounge, comprising: an
elongated generally rectangular fabric sheet having a head portion,
a foot portion, an intermediate portion extending between the head
and foot portions, a top surface, a bottom surface, sides, and
opposing ends, the head portion and foot portions each having an
extension that extends around the corresponding end of the pad and
back beneath the pad for a distance; a fastener device connecting
each side of the sheet proximate an end of the sheet at least at
one end of the head portion and foot portion to the corresponding
edge of the extension; and the fastener including a releasable
securing device; the fastener devices being so constructed and
arranged as to retain the sheet on the pad regardless of the pad
thickness.
2. The cover as in claim 1, wherein: the fastener device comprises
first fastener straps extending laterally from each side of the
sheet proximate the opposing ends and second fastener straps spaced
longitudinally from the first fasteners, the second fasteners also
extending laterally from each edge of the corresponding extension;
the releasable securing device releasably connecting each first
fastener strap to its corresponding second fastener strap; and
whereby the first and second fasteners are adjustably connected to
one another so that the cover can be secured to pads of varying
thicknesses.
3. The cover as in claim 1, wherein the fabric is a terry
cloth.
4. The cover as in claim 2, wherein: one set of first and second
fastener straps extend laterally from each side of the sheet at the
head portion; and another set of first and second fastener straps
extends laterally from each side of the sheet at the foot
portion.
5. The cover as in claim 1, further comprising a rest attached to
at least one of the head or foot portions.
6. The cover as in claim 1, further comprising a utility pocket
attached to a side of the intermediate portion, the pocket being
provided with at least one tie to selectively attach the pocket to
the frame of the chaise.
7. The cover as in claim 1, further comprising a personal
electronics pocket on the top surface of the sheet.
8. The cover as in claim 2, wherein the releasable securing device
comprises a junction of a region of hook members on one fastener
with a region of loop members on the other fastener.
9. The cover as in claim 2, wherein the releasable securing device
comprises a female clip member fixed to one strap, a male clip
member fixed to another strap, and a strap length adjustment buckle
on one of the straps.
10. The cover as in claim 10, wherein: the fastener comprises at
least one of the head and foot portions including a plurality of
spaced openings along each side thereof proximate the corresponding
end; a cord secured at one end to the corresponding edge of the
extension and having a connector element on the free end thereof;
whereby the connector element is extended through a selected one of
the plurality of spaced openings in the side above to retain the
cover on the pad.
11. The cover as in claim 10, wherein at least two openings are
longitudinally positioned along each side of the head portion and
the foot portion, whereby the user may select which openings
receive the connector or element, depending upon the thickness of
the pad.
12. The cover as in claim 1, wherein the fastener devices are so
arranged as to maintain tension on the fastener devices regardless
of the pad thickness.
13. A cover for the pad of a chaise lounge of the type that
includes a frame with a selectively positionable back/head rest and
a removable pad, the cover comprising: an elongated, generally
rectangular sheet having a head portion, a foot portion, an
intermediate portion extending between the head and foot portions,
sides, and opposing ends, the head and foot portions each having an
extension that extends around the corresponding end of the pad and
back beneath the pad for a distance; a first fastener strap
extending laterally from each side of the sheet proximate each of
the opposing ends of the sheet; a second fastener strap spaced
longitudinally from the first fastener, the second fastener
extending laterally from each side of each of the extensions; means
for releasably securing the fasteners to one another when at least
one of the head or foot portions is wrapped around a pad end,
whereby the cover can be secured to pads of various
thicknesses.
14. The cover as in claim 13, wherein the fastener straps are so
arranged as to maintain tension on the fastener devices regardless
of the pad thickness.
15. The cover as in claim 13, further comprising a rest attached to
at least one of the head or foot portions.
16. The cover as in claim 13, further comprising a utility pocket
attached to a side of the intermediate portion, the pocket being
provided with at least one tie to selectively attach the pocket to
the frame of the chaise.
17. The cover as in claim 13, further comprising a personal
electronics pocket on the top surface of the sheet.
18. A chaise lounge assembly, comprising: a frame having a
seat/foot portion and a selectively adjustable back/head portion; a
pad that removably rests on and substantially covers the seat/foot
and back/head portions of the frame, the pad having an upper
portion terminating in an upper pad end and a lower portion
terminating in a lower pad end; and a removable cover for the pad
comprising: (a) an elongated, generally rectangular fabric member
having opposed sides, an intermediate portion, a head portion with
an extension that folds over the upper pad end and beneath the
upper portion of the pad, and a foot portion with an extension that
folds over the lower pad end beneath the lower portion of the pad,
the fabric member being of sufficient length to extend the full
length of the pad, down across the ends of the pad, and under the
pad a prescribed distance at the upper and lower pad ends,
regardless of the thickness of the pad; (b) a first set of
fastening straps extending laterally from the opposed sides at the
head portion and a second set of fastening straps longitudinally
spaced from the first set, the second set of straps extending
laterally from the opposed sides of the extension of the head
portion; (i) the distance between and the length of the fastening
straps making up the first and second sets on each side of the
fabric member being sufficient to allow for attachment to each
other regardless of the thickness of the pad; (ii) the fastening
straps of each of the first and second sets being releasably
connectable to each other to hold the fabric member on the upper
end of the pad; (c) a third set of fastening straps extending
laterally from the opposed sides at the foot portion and a fourth
set of fastening straps spaced longitudinally from the third set,
the fourth set of straps extending laterally from opposed sides of
the extension of the foot portion; (i) the distance between and the
length of fastening straps making up the third and fourth sets on
each side of the fabric member being sufficient to allow for
attachment to each other regardless of the thickness of the pad;
(ii) the fastening straps of the third and fourth sets being
releasably connectable to each other to hold the fabric member on
the lower end of the pad; (d) whereby the same cover may be used on
a various pad thicknesses.
19. The chaise lounge as in claim 18, wherein the fastener straps
are so arranged as to maintain tension on the fastener devices
regardless of the pad thickness.
20. A chaise lounge pad assembly for chaise lounges of the type
that includes a frame with a seat/foot portion and a selectively
positionable back/head portion, the assembly comprising: a pad
having an upper portion terminating in an upper pad end and a lower
portion terminating in a lower pad end; and a removable cover for
the pad comprising: (a) an elongated, generally rectangular fabric
member having opposed sides, an intermediate portion, a head
portion with an extension that folds over the upper pad end and
beneath the upper portion of the pad, and a foot portion with an
extension that folds over the lower pad end beneath the lower
portion of the pad, the fabric member being of sufficient length to
extend the full length of the pad, down across the ends of the pad,
and back under the pad a prescribed distance at the upper and lower
pad ends, regardless of the thickness of the pad; (b) a first set
of fastening straps extending laterally from the opposed sides at
the head portion and a second set of fastening straps
longitudinally spaced from the first set, the second set of straps
extending laterally from the opposed sides of the extension of the
head portion; (i) the distance between and the length of the
fastening straps making up the first and second sets on each side
of the fabric member being sufficient to allow for attachment to
each other regardless of the thickness of the pad; (ii) the
fastening straps of each of the first and second sets being
releasably connectable to each other to hold the fabric member on
the upper end of the pad; (c) a third set of fastening straps
extending laterally from the opposed sides at the foot portion and
a fourth set of fastening straps spaced longitudinally from opposed
sides of the extension of the third set, the fourth set of straps
extending laterally from the foot portion; (i) the distance between
and the length of fastening straps making up the third and fourth
sets on each side of the fabric member being sufficient to allow
for attachment to each other regardless of the thickness of the
pad; (ii) the fastening straps of the third and fourth sets being
releasably connectable to each other to hold the fabric member on
the lower end of the pad; whereby the same cover may be used on a
various pad thicknesses.
21. The chaise lounge pad assembly of claim 20, wherein the
fastener straps are so arranged as to maintain tension on the
fastener devices regardless of the pad thickness.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention generally relates to lounge chairs and
more specifically to covers for lounge chair cushions (used
synonymously herein with the term "pads").
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Today, lounge chairs are available in two basic designs.
These designs are driven by consumer preference and the market for
a particular lounge chair. First, retail shops near beach
communities may offer chairs of the very popular, less expensive
plastic or metal-framed type that have plastic ribbons, or other
material for support. Second, high-end hotels and resorts provide
more expensive chaise lounges made of a wood frame, often teak,
with a pad thereon to comfort their guests.
[0005] As noted, the latter type chaise lounge includes a pad, or
cushion, for comfort. There are many types, shapes and material
characteristics of pads. Pads are comprised of foam or a fibrous
batting, or a combination of each. These pads not only vary
slightly in length, they vary considerably in thickness (for
example, from two to six inches). Upholstered with plastic or woven
materials designed to endure the elements, these pads alone do not
create the surface comfort high-end hotels and resorts desire for
its guests. Thus, guests will often place towels over the pads to
aid in comfort. In addition, users may find it desirable to keep
personal belongs within quick reach. Towels alone will not serve
this need. Some hotel and resorts may have several locations that
require the chaise lounges described above. Different resorts, and
even different locations at the same resort may use chaise lounges
with pads of varying thicknesses to accommodate the hotels'
needs.
[0006] Various lounge chair cover designs exist but these designs
all secure the cover directly to the lounge chair. Most attempts
are designed for a specific type of tri-fold lounge chair, none
addressing varying thicknesses of lounge chair pads. One example,
taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,785 to Duke, Jr. et al., uses a
pocket, formed by folding a fabric panel and joining the edges with
a hem, placed over and surrounding the opposed end portions of a
tri-fold lounge chair frame. Such a pocket construction, however,
cannot accommodate lounge chair frames or pads that are larger than
the size of the pocket. Conversely, the pocket may be too large for
another type of lounge chair, thus providing an improper fit and
poor visual presentation. Another construction, such as that taught
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,463 to Rocha and U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,491 to
Blome et al., uses an elastic hem, incorporated into the edge of
the fabric panel, which allows the fabric panel corners of the
cover to be stretched over and to surround the top edge of a
tri-fold lounge chair frame. Again, such a construction is subject
to the same limitations discussed above with respect to
predetermined pocket sizes.
[0007] Some attempts have been made to use means other than a
pocket to secure the cover to the lower (foot) end of a lounge
chair frame. For instance, the aforementioned patent to Rocha
teaches the use of a pair of Velcro straps extending longitudinally
from the foot edge of the cover, those straps being engageable with
mating longitudinal Velcro strips affixed to the bottom surface of
the cover. However, the cover disclosed in that patent is designed
for the tri-fold lounge chairs of the type previously described.
There is simply no teaching of an adjustable pad cover for the
high-end, wood-framed, padded chaise lounge chairs.
[0008] None of the foregoing covers are targeted toward covering
the lounge chair pads alone, as all involve direct attachment to
the tri-fold type metallic lounge chair frames. As such, none have
achieved or even recognized the desired objectives of providing a
flexible and convenient means of securely covering chaise lounge
chair pads having varying thicknesses.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention, therefore, for the first time
recognized and addresses the problem of providing a single chaise
lounge cover that will fit pads which may vary as much as 2-6
inches in thickness. Toward this end and according to one aspect of
the invention, there is provided a cover formed by a generally
rectangular fabric sheet of sufficient length to cover the pad with
extensions at one or both ends that extend around and back under
the pad several inches. A fastening device that is adjustable in
length then connects the adjacent sides of the sheet and extension.
The fastening device is so constructed and arranged as to connect
the adjacent sides of the sheet and extension and retain the sheet
on the pad regardless of the thickness of the pad.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the fastener
devices are so arranged and/or positioned along the sides of the
sheet that, when assembled on the pad, tension will always be
applied to maintain the cover taut to minimize slack and folds
which otherwise tend to occur.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the fastener device is a pair of
cooperating straps, one extending laterally from the sheet adjacent
the foot or head portions and the other extending laterally from
the adjacent corresponding extension. The cooperating straps are
connected by a clip or buckle, and at least one of the straps in
adjustable in length. Alternatively, the straps could be
connectable by a hook and loop fabric type fastener (Velcro.RTM.)
which included fastening areas of sufficient length as to make the
effective length of the fastener device adjustable. Even further,
the fastening device could be a pair of cooperating cords that tie
together.
[0012] In another embodiment, the sheet is provided with a
plurality of spaced slits or openings along each side of the foot
and/or head portion, similar to buttonholes. A cord is secured at
one end to the edge of the corresponding extension. Some type of
connector element such as a T-bar or button is attached to the free
end of the cord, whereby the connector element, when extended
through the appropriate opening above, completes the connection of
the extension to the sheet to retain the sheet on the pad.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a padded chaise lounge which includes a frame having a
seat/foot member and an adjustable back/head member, a pad
removably placed on the frame and having length and width
dimensions substantially the same as the combined seat/foot member
and back/head member, and a cover as described in the preceding
paragraphs.
[0014] Other aspects, features, and details of embodiments of the
present invention can be more completely understood by reference to
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken
in conjunction with the drawings figures and from the appended
claims.
[0015] According to common practice, the various features of the
drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be
expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present
invention illustrating the positional relationship between a chaise
lounge frame, a lounge pad, and cover.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chaise lounge
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrating the manner in which the
cover is releasably secured to the pad.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lounge pad cover of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view illustrating one type
of releasable securing device (clips) used to connect fastener
straps.
[0020] FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view illustrating another
type of releasable securing device (velco).
[0021] FIG. 4C is a partial perspective view illustrating yet
another type releasable securing device (T-bar).
[0022] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are partial views illustrating the
cover attached to pads of various thickness.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, except that it
shows a second embodiment of the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The invention as exemplified by the embodiment discussed
below is generally directed to a cover for chaise lounge pads, or
cushions.
[0025] FIGS. 1-3, illustrates a cover 10 constructed in accordance
with a first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship
between the cover 10, the chaise lounge pad 12, and a conventional
chaise lounge frame 13 having a seat/foot portion 14 and an
adjustable back/head portion 16. Pad 12 removably rests on and
substantially covers the seat/foot and back/head portions 14, 16 of
the frame 13. Pad 12 has an upper portion 18 superposed upon the
back/head portion 16 when in use, the upper portion 18 terminating
in an upper pad end 18a, and a lower portion 20 superposed upon the
seat/foot portion 14 when in use, the lower portion 20 terminating
in a lower pad end 20a
[0026] Cover 10 includes a sheet 22 preferably constructed of an
elongated, generally rectangular terry cloth fabric member.
However, sheet 22 may also be constructed of any other material
providing comfort and convenience to the user, such as cotton,
MicroCotton.RTM., zero-twisted cotton, or other similar fabrics.
Sheet 22 is of sufficient length to extend the full length of the
pad 12, down across the pad ends 18a, 20a, and back under the pad
12 at the ends 18a, 20a, regardless of the thickness of the pad 12.
The distance that the cover extends back under the pad 12 may vary,
but preferably should be at least 4-6 inches for the thickest pads.
Obviously if the pad is less thick, the distance the cover extends
beneath the pad will increase by the difference in the thickness.
The shape of the sheet 22 need not be limited to a generally
rectangular shape, so long as it is of sufficient dimensions to
cover the pad as described in the preceding sentence.
[0027] Sheet 22 has a head portion 24, a foot portion 26, and an
intermediate portion 28 extending between the head and foot
portions 24, 26. Head portion 24 includes an extension 24a and foot
portion 26 includes an extension of 26a. The portions 24, 26, 28
preferably comprise a unitary member, but alternatively the
portions 24, 26 may also be separate members attached to opposed
ends of intermediate portion 28 by such means as stitching. Sheet
22 also has a top surface 30, a bottom surface 32, sides 22a, 22b,
and opposing ends 22c, 22d.
[0028] Looking at a plurality of fastener devices each formed of a
first fastener member and a second fastener member are illustrated.
First fastener members 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d extend laterally from
sides 22a, 22b of the foot and head extensions 26a, 24a. Second
fastener members 36a, 36b are spaced longitudinally (lengthwise
along sheet 22) from first fastener members 34a, 34b, respectively,
while second fastener members 36c, 36d are spaced longitudinally
from first fastener members 34c, 34d, respectively. Second fastener
members 36a-d also extend laterally from the sides 22a, 22b of the
foot and head portions 26, 24 of the sheet 22. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-3, the fasteners are shown as straps, however, as
will be described in detail, the fasteners may take other forms as
well. In a strap form, the fasteners may be constructed from
5/8-inch wide webbing. The distance between and the length of the
fastening straps making up the first and second sets of fasteners
on each side of the sheet are sufficient to allow for attachment to
each other regardless of the thickness of the pad 12. Further, the
fastener members 34a-d and 36a-d should be so positioned along the
edge of sheet 22 that tension will always be applied to head
portion 24 and foot portion 26 to resist the normal tendency for
these portions to move toward each other as a result of a person
lounging thereon. By doing so, the first and second fastener
members will be pulled toward each other to remove slack or folds.
To accomplish this, the point of attachment of the strap portion
34d to the extension 26a should always be closer to the end of pad
12 than the point of attachment of strap portion 36d to the foot
portion 26. For example, if one wants the extension to wrap ten
inches underneath the end of a pad of medium thickness (4 inches),
the distance between the straps would preferably be twenty-eight
inches (ten inches from strap 34 to the end of the pad 18a, four
inches for the median pad thickness, and fourteen inches from the
end of the pad to strap 36). This spacing maintains longitudinal
tension on surface 28, as well as tension on portions 26, and 28
thereby holding the cover taut. This concept is demonstrated in
FIG. 5a-5c with respect to pads of different thickness.
[0029] Straps 34a, 36a are connectable to one another, and straps
34b, 36b are connectable to one another, both pairs extending from
the sheet sides at head portion 24, to hold the sheet 22 onto the
upper end 18a of the pad 12. Similarly, straps 34c, 36c are
connectable to one another, and straps 34d, 36d are connectable to
one another, both pairs extending from the sheet sides at foot
portion 26, to hold the sheet 22 onto the lower end 20a of the pad
12. The illustrated straps may each be attached at one of their
respective ends to the sides 22a, 22b of the sheet 22 in any manner
sufficient to provide strength against separation from the sheet,
such as by stitching.
[0030] The cover 10 may be provided with additional features to
increase comfort and convenience to the user. Particularly, if
desired, a head rest 38 may be attached to the top surface 30 of
sheet 22 at the head portion 24. Alternatively or in addition to
rest 38, another rest may be provided at foot portion 26. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, rest 38 may be formed as a pouch in which
a pillow or cloth may be inserted, and it can be attached to top
surface 30 by stitching proximate its upper edge 38a. This permits
the pillow to flip upward and out of the way should the user so
desire. Also attached to top surface 30 a personal electronics
pocket 40 may be placed in which the user may securely hold
portable electronic devices, including but not limited to
cellphones, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and music players
such as those marketed by Apple, Inc. under the trademark
ipod.RTM.. Pocket 40 is preferably laterally and longitudinally
spaced from rest 38 to maximize access and be close enough to the
user's head to allow for the use of earphones. The cover 10 may be
additionally be provided with first and second utility pockets 42,
44, respectively, to hold such personal items as books, keys,
sunglasses, suntan lotion, and a beverage container. One of said
pockets may be specifically dimensioned to securely hold a magazine
without folding. In order to prevent the utility pockets 42, 44
from sliding laterally when a heavy object such as a book or
magazine is inserted, ties ______ are secured to the rear for
selectively attaching the pocket to the side rail of the lounge
chair.
[0031] The FIG. 2 shows the cover 10 in use, that is, secured to
pad 12 when the pad 12 rests upon the lounge chair frame 13. In
this position, the extension 24a (not invisible) from head portion
24 is shown wrapped around upper pad end 18a, and extension 26a
(not invisible) from foot portion 26 is shown wrapped around lower
pad end 20a. As described hereinabove, the sheet 22 extends under
the pad 12 several inches at the upper and lower pad ends. Thus, in
the position shown, one extension 24a of the sheet 22 resides
between the pad upper portion 18 and the adjustable back/head
portion 16 of frame 13, while another extension 26a of the sheet 22
resides between the lower pad portion 20 and the seat/foot portion
14 of frame 13. Releasable securing devices 48, 50 are
schematically shown as associated with fasteners 34b, 36b and with
34d, 36d, respectively, to adjustably connect the first and second
fasteners to one another so that the cover 10 can be secured to
pads of varying thicknesses. See FIGS. 5A-C. Also shown in FIG. 2,
the second utility pocket set 44 is shown hanging downwardly over
the side of the lounge chair frame 13. Likewise, though not shown
in FIG. 2, first utility pocket set 42 hangs downwardly over the
opposite side of the lounge chair frame 13. In this manner, the
user is provided with convenient access to a variety of personal
items that can be held within the pockets of sets 42, 44.
[0032] The releasable securing devices 48, 50 shown in FIG. 2 may
take several forms. For example, with reference to releasable
securing device 48 as a representative securing device (meaning
that the releasable securing devices for the other fasteners of the
cover 10 are constructed identically to releasable securing device
48). FIG. 4A shows one example of the releasable securing device 48
schematically shown in FIG. 2. Here, a female clip member 56 is
fixed to an end of second fastener (strap) 36b opposite its
attachment to side edge 22b of sheet 22. An attachment assembly,
which may be used to connect the first fastener (strap) to the side
edge 22b, comprises an attaching strap 62 directly attached to side
edge 22b at one end and at another end to one leg 64a of a ring 64.
An end of the first strap 34b is looped around the other leg 64b of
ring 64 and is joined to a length adjustment buckle 60. In this
manner, the effective length of first fastener (strap) 34b may be
adjusted according to the thickness of pad 12. Fixed to an end of
first strap 34b opposite ring 64 is a male clip member 58, the
prongs 58a of which engage the female clip member 56 in a manner
known in the art. Such engagement comprises the releasable securing
device 48' associated with this particular embodiment. It is not
material to the invention as to which strap is provided with the
adjustment configuration, nor as to which strap is provided a male
or female clip member.
[0033] FIG. 4B shows portions of the first and second fasteners
34b, 36b (again, shown here as straps) being provided with
Velcro.RTM. fabric. Specifically, one end of first fastener (strap)
34b has a region of hook members 52, and one end of second fastener
(strap) 36b has a region of loop members 54, such that releasable
securing device 48 in this instance comprises the junction of
regions 52 and 54 when those regions are pressed against one
another. Preferably, one region is longer than the other, so that
the user can determine the lengthwise position at which the
junction occurs, in other words, control the length of the overlap
between those regions in the joined position, thereby effecting an
adjustment of the total length of the first and second fasteners
extending across the thickness of the pad 12 when in the position
shown in FIG. 2. Such adjustment allows the cover 10 to be adjusted
to pads of varying thicknesses. It is noted briefly that it is not
material to the invention as to which strap bears which type of
region, such that it need not be restricted to the particular
arrangement shown in FIG. 4B.
[0034] FIGS. 4C and 6 show a cover 210 constructed in accordance
with a second embodiment, similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3,
except showing a different type of releasable securing device
provided on the ends of the straps, and a plurality of openings
formed along each side of the sheet at the head portion and front
portion. Straps in the form of cords 74, 76, 78, and 80 extend
laterally from, and are attached at proximal ends thereof, to each
side 222a, 222b of the sheet 222 proximate opposing ends 222c, 222d
of the sheet. Respectively attached to the distal, free ends of the
cords 74, 76, 78, 80 are button or T-bar members 82, 84, 86, and
88, which are each preferably shaped as cylinders although any
shape that can hold the cover in place would also suffice. A
plurality of openings 90a-d, 92a-d, 94a-d, and 96a-d are formed
into the sheet 222 and are longitudinally positioned along each
side of the head portion 224 and the foot portion 226 for receiving
the cords 74, 76, 78, 80, particularly the button members 82, 84,
86, and 88 thereof.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the third embodiment. The ends
of the illustrated cords 76 and 80, bearing respective T-bars 84
and 88, are threaded through corresponding openings and then
secured to adjustably secure the cover 210 to the pad 12. The user
may select which openings receive the cords 76 and 80, depending
upon the thickness of the pad 12 (see FIG. 4C). For example, button
or T-bar member 88 is shown as having been pressed through opening
96b. T-bar member 88 may be rotated after such passing if doing so
provides a further securing against the button being
unintentionally pulled back through opening 96b when in use. For
instance, if member 88 is cylindrical in shape and opening 96b is a
slit, rotating the member 88 so that the axis of the cylinder shape
is substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the slit
96b would serve to resist disengagement of the member 88 from that
opening. To facilitate a snug attachment of cover 210 on pad 12,
the cords themselves may either be adjustable in length or may be
constructed of an elastic material.
[0036] The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and
describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows
and describes only selected embodiments of the invention, but it is
to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various
other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable
of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive
concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings,
and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art.
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