U.S. patent application number 12/763340 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for dual function bed cover.
Invention is credited to Marcia Horstman.
Application Number | 20110252563 12/763340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44786963 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110252563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Horstman; Marcia |
October 20, 2011 |
DUAL FUNCTION BED COVER
Abstract
A dual function bed cover for a bed comprising an overlapping
left section and right section, and a flap attached to the bottom
edge or proximate the bottom thereof. Each section may be at least
partially separated from the other during use and removed from atop
a user without causing undue disruption to the placement of the
remaining section of the bed cover atop a different user. The flap
can be tucked beneath the mattress during use for stability and may
be constructed to avoid unnecessary restriction of foot
movement.
Inventors: |
Horstman; Marcia;
(Cullowhee, NC) |
Family ID: |
44786963 |
Appl. No.: |
12/763340 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/486 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0207
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/486 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A dual function bed cover for a bed set that comprises a
mattress, the bed cover comprising a left section, a right section,
and a flap, the left and right sections overlapping about their
proximal edges to create overlapping portions, the flap attached to
a bottom edge of at least one of the left and right sections, said
bed cover being narrower between the distal edges of the portion
comprising the flap proximate the point of attachment to said
bottom edge than between the distal edges of the portion comprising
the left and right sections proximate said point of attachment.
2. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the left and
right sections are removably attached about their proximal edges by
at least one means for attachment.
3. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the left and
right sections are removably attached about their proximal edges
and the means for attachment is selected from the group consisting
of a zipper, hook and loop fastener, magnet, snap, or button.
4. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the flap is
manufactured of a material that is distinct from the material of
manufacture of the right and left sections.
5. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 further comprising a bed
skirt attached to the flap.
6. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the flap, at its
point of attachment to the at least one of the left and right
sections, is approximately the width of the mattress.
7. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the flap, at its
point of attachment to the at least one of the left and right
sections, is narrower than the width of the mattress.
8. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the overlapping
portions are approximately six inches wide.
9. A dual function bed cover for a bed set that comprises a
mattress, the bed cover comprising a left section, a right section,
a lower section, and a flap, the left and right sections
overlapping about their proximal edges to create overlapping
portions, the flap attached to at least one section of the bed
cover proximate the top of the lower section, said bed cover being
narrower between the distal edges of the portion comprising the
flap proximate the point of attachment to said bottom edge than
between the distal edges of the portion comprising the left and
right sections proximate said point of attachment and the lower
section of a length sufficient to drape over and thereby cover a
lower edge of the mattress.
10. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 wherein the left and
right sections are removably attached about their proximal edges by
at least one means for attachment.
11. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 wherein the left and
right sections are removably attached about their proximal edges
and the means for attachment is selected from the group consisting
of a zipper, hook and loop fastener, magnet, snap, or button.
12. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 wherein the flap is
manufactured of a material that is distinct from the material of
manufacture of the right and left sections.
13. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 further comprising a bed
skirt attached to the flap.
14. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 wherein the flap, at its
point of attachment to the bed cover, is approximately the width of
the mattress.
15. The dual function bed cover of claim 1 wherein the flap, at its
point of attachment to the at least one of the left and right
sections, is narrower than the width of the mattress.
16. The dual function bed cover of claim 9 wherein the overlapping
portions are approximately six inches wide.
17. A dual function bed cover for a bed set that comprises a
mattress, the bed cover comprising a left section, a right section,
and a flap, the left and right sections being separable from each
other along at least a portion of their length, the flap being
attached to a lower portion of at least one of the left and right
sections and being, at the point of attachment, of a width
approximately equal to or narrower than the width of the mattress,
and said bed cover being narrower between the distal edges of the
portion comprising the flap proximate the point of attachment to
said bottom edge than between the distal edges of the portion
comprising the left and right sections proximate said point of
attachment.
18. The dual function bed cover of claim 17 wherein the flap is
narrower, at the point of attachment, than the width of the
mattress.
19. The dual function bed cover of claim 17 wherein the flap is
attached to the bottom edge of the left and right sections.
20. The dual function bed cover of claim 17 wherein the flap is
attached to the left and right sections at a distance above bottom
edges of those sections that allows the left and right sections to
hang over the lower edge of the mattress when the flap is tucked
beneath the mattress.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A common source of tension between couples sharing a bed is
the use of bed covers. Some people prefer to bundle up while in the
bed, while others favor sleeping without much covering their body.
Generally, those who prefer not to use bed covers and the like will
take their portion of the bed cover, comforter, or other linen and
place it atop their mate who is already bundled up. The mate is
then uncomfortable due to excess warmth and restricted movement
caused by the bulkiness of the excess bed linens, and their
placement.
[0002] As such, a need exists for a bed cover that gives those
sharing a bed the ability to independently use the bed cover as
they see fit, without inconveniencing each other, and that provides
enhanced comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A dual function bed cover for a bed set is provided that
allows two individuals to more easily share a bed when they have
different preferences for bed covers. The bed cover includes a left
section, a right section, and a flap attached to a bottom edge of
those sections. The sections overlap about their proximal edges to
create an overlap that makes it easier when one party removes one
section of the bed cover. The other section will remain relatively
in the same position, preventing discomfort to the party continuing
to use the bed cover. In one embodiment, the two sections are
removably attached about their proximal edges by at least one means
for attachment. The flap is of a length sufficient to permit
tucking the flap beneath the mattress in order to maintain
placement of the bed cover. In one embodiment, the flap is
narrower, at the point of attachment to the two sections of the bed
cover, than the width of the mattress so as to permit freer
movement of the users' feet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 depicts bed cover 10 on a bed with a headboard,
footboard, and pillows;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of bed cover 10;
[0006] FIG. 3 depicts bed cover 10 on a bed with a headboard,
footboard, and pillows with left section 12 of bed cover 10
partially separated from right section 14 and turned down to reveal
the placement of snaps as the means for attachment;
[0007] FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the bed cover 10
from a top view;
[0008] FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the bed cover 10
as used on a bed;
[0009] FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the bed cover 10
as used on a bed with a bottom edge 34 of right section 14 turned
back to show a flap 16 tucked under a mattress; and
[0010] FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of the bed cover 10
from a top view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] A novel bed cover 10 is described herein and depicted in
FIGS. 1-6. Bed cover 10 comprises a left section 12, a right
section 14, and a flap 16. Left section 12 and right section 14
overlap about overlapping edges 20, 22, which are the proximal
edges of the corresponding sections 12, 14. The sections 12, 14 are
removably attached to each other by means for attachment 18 for at
least fifty percent of the length of sections 12, 14. In
embodiments in which sections 12, 14 are not removably attached for
their entire length, the lower portions of the sections 12, 14 may
be permanently secured to each other, for example by sewing
together the edges 20, 22. The ability to detach sections of the
bed cover allows one person to use the bed cover for warmth or
cover, while another person in the same bed does not use the bed
cover for those purposes. In situations where two people share a
bed and one person gets hot, instead of throwing the bed cover onto
another person in the same bed, which makes the second person
uncomfortable, the person who is hot may simply detach his section
of the bed cover 10 from the other section and turn it down away
from his body.
[0012] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, overlapping edges 20, 22 are
those edges that are proximal to the respective opposite section 12
or section 14. The overlap is approximately six inches in certain
embodiments. It should be noted that either section 12 or 14 may
overlap, so that either section 12 or 14 may be on the top or on
the bottom. Both arrangements are contemplated and are not outside
the scope of the invention. Right section 14 and left section 12
each also include a top edge 24, 26, distal edge 28, 30 and bottom
edge 32, 34. The overlapping of sections 12 and 14 adds stability
to the construction of bed cover 10 and, during use, reduces
movement of bed cover 10 when one section has been separated and
pushed away. When one person removes his section, the other half
generally remains in the same position. Without the overlap, the
remaining section would be repositioned during removal of the other
section of bed cover 10. Indeed, it is possible to manufacture the
sections 12, 14 without attachment means; the overlapping of the
sections can provide sufficient connection to render attachment
means unnecessary.
[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, flap 16 is attached about its
top edge 40 to bottom edges 32 and 34 of left section 12 and right
section 14. Approximately half of top edge 40 is attached to each
of bottom edge 32 and bottom edge 34, respectively. Flap 16 may be
attached to part but not all of sections 12, 14. For example, with
reference to FIG. 2, flap 16 is attached only to a central portion
of bottom edges 32, 34. Moreover, still with reference to FIG. 2,
at the center of bottom edges 32, 24, where overlapping section 22
laps above overlapping section 20, flap 16 may be attached to
bottom edges 32, 34 in a manner that includes the bottom edge of
overlapping section 20 but does not include the bottom edge of
overlapping section 22. Any methods for permanent attachment may be
used, including sewing or gluing. In particular embodiments, flap
16 is removably attached by any known means for removable
attachment.
[0014] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, flap 16 is
attached only to sections 12, 14 about overlapping sections 20 and
22. Flap 16 should be of a sufficient length to tuck at least in
part beneath the mattress, for example, between the mattress and a
box spring or platform. In specific embodiments, flap 16 is of a
length that allows it to be entirely tucked underneath the bed,
between the mattress and box spring or platform. In other
embodiments, a portion of flap 16 is tucked underneath the bed.
Flap 16 acts to stabilize bed cover 10 during use by reducing
movement of bed cover 10. During use, sections 12 and 14 remain
generally on the top of the bed, optionally with some overhanging
depending on how the bed is made, with flap 16 being tucked under
the mattress about the lower edge of the mattress 36, where a
user's feet would normally be placed. When sections 12 and 14 are
detachable along their full length, then when those sections are
detached, flap 16 holds bed cover 10 together. As such, the top
edge 40 of flap 16, which attaches to the sections 12, 14, may be
about the same width as the mattress and box spring it will be used
on. It should be noted that flap 16 may be of any width and shape
that is sufficient to hold the bed cover 10 in place during use.
Flap 16 may be used to retain not only bed cover 10 but also
additional bed coverings in place and thus speed making of the bed
without the need to tuck in the additional bed coverings at the
sides or to separately tuck in the additional bed coverings at the
bottom of the bed. In some embodiments, flap 16 is narrower than
the width of the mattress. In those embodiments, flap 16 may hold
bed cover 10 (which may, for example, be a blanket) and all or a
portion of the remaining bed coverings (for example, a top sheet)
in place while allowing the sides and a portion of the bottom edge
of those bed coverings to remain untucked, thus providing less
restriction above the feet at the foot area of the bed.
[0015] In a specific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the bed
cover is a comforter, or a blanket, for a bed that lacks a
footboard or that otherwise allows the lower edge of the mattress
36 to be seen. It is desirable in such situations to conceal the
lower edge of the mattress 36 and box springs from view, and
typically a comforter and quilt is spread over the bed and allowed
to drape over the lower edge 36 in order to provide such
concealment. The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4-6 permits such
decorative placement of the bed covering while retaining the
stability previously discussed. In the embodiment depicted, the
flap 16 may be about the same width as the mattress that it will be
used on. However, unlike embodiments discussed previously, flap 16
is not attached to bottom edges 32, 34 of sections 12, 14. Instead
it is attached to sections 12, 14 at a distance above bottom edges
32, 34 that allows bottom edges 32, 34 to hang freely over the
mattress and box spring or platform. During use, flap 16 is tucked
beneath the mattress, for example between the mattress and box
spring or platform, while bottom edges 32, 34 remain free to hang
over the mattress and/or box spring or platform, which permits
them, if desired, to conceal the lower end of the mattress and/or
box spring from view. As such, flap 16 serves the same stabilizing
purpose as previously discussed in other embodiments of the
invention.
[0016] Sections 12 and 14 are attached to each other by any known
means of removable attachment, including snaps 50 (illustrated in
FIG. 3), magnets, buttons, a zipper, hook and loop attachments, or
combinations thereof. In embodiments comprising snaps or magnets,
the snaps or magnets would be permanently attached to sections 12
and 14. For example, magnets could be sewn into the overlapping
edges 20, 22 such that oppositely polarized magnets would be in
alignment with each other when sections 12 and 14 are in the
overlapped position depicted in FIG. 1. The order of the placement
of the magnets is of no consequence. In embodiments comprising
snaps as the means for attachment, the snaps are sewn onto
overlapping sections 22 and 20 in a manner that allows both
portions of the snaps to come into contact in the overlapped
position depicted in FIG. 1.
[0017] The bed cover may be any product suitable for covering a
bed, including a comforter, sheet, or blanket and may be made out
of any material that is suitable for use as a covering device.
Examples include silk, cotton, canvas, linen, or synthetic
materials such as rayon and polyester. Sections 12 and 14 may be
made of different materials in certain embodiments. Flap 16 may be
made of a material that is distinctive or otherwise different from
the material used to make sections 12 and 14 as shown, for example,
in FIGS. 2 and 4. In one embodiment of the invention, flap 16 is
made of doubled-thickness sheets. In another embodiment of the
invention, flap 16 is made of canvas. When flap 16 is of a
different material, it may be sturdier than the more decorative
material used to construct all or part of sections 12, 14, thus
permitting use of fabrics for sections 12, 14 that, if themselves
tucked beneath a mattress, might suffer undue wear.
[0018] In particular embodiments, such as one depicted in FIG. 7,
the flap 16 of bed cover 10 may be attached to a bed skirt 60 in a
manner that allows the bed skirt 60 to conceal a bed frame and,
when one is in use, a box spring. The bed skirt 60 is permanently
or removably secured to the flap 16 at some distance from the point
of attachment of flap 16 to sections 12 and 14, either somewhere in
the mid- or lower portion of flap 16, for example at the end
opposite the point of attachment to sections 12, 14. The means for
securing bed skirt 60 to flap 16 may be by any means known to those
of skill in the art, or as described herein.
[0019] In an alternate embodiment (not shown), one or more flaps 16
of bed cover 10 may be employed, with each flap 16 attached only to
one of the sections 12 and 14.
[0020] The foregoing details are exemplary only. Other
modifications that might be contemplated by those of skill in the
art are within the scope of this invention, and are not limited by
the examples illustrated herein.
* * * * *