U.S. patent application number 14/050241 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for bed covering system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Monica John. Invention is credited to Monica John.
Application Number | 20140115781 14/050241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50545539 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140115781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
John; Monica |
May 1, 2014 |
Bed Covering System
Abstract
A bed covering system includes a top cover having a top surface,
a bottom surface, right, left, top and bottom edges, and at least
one fold on at least part of the bottom surface; a bottom cover
having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top and bottom
edges, and at least one fold on at least part of the top surface;
and a concealed fastening means having a first fastener part and a
second fastener part, wherein the first and second fastener parts
are attached to and enclosed in the at least one fold of the top
and bottom covers, respectively. The top and bottom covers are
detachably connected by the first and second fastener parts. A bed
covering system also includes a plurality of covers and a plurality
of fastening means. Teaching methods using the bed covering systems
are included.
Inventors: |
John; Monica; (Woodstock,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
John; Monica |
Woodstock |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50545539 |
Appl. No.: |
14/050241 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61721063 |
Nov 1, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/492 ;
5/496 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20130101; A47G
9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/492 ;
5/496 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/04 20060101
A47G009/04 |
Claims
1. A bed covering system comprising: a top cover having a top
surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top and bottom edges, and
at least one fold on at least part of the bottom surface; a bottom
cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top and
bottom edges, and at least one told on at least part of the bottom
cover top surface a fastening means comprising a first, fastener
part and a second fastener part wherein the first fastener part is
attached to and concealed in the at least one fold of the top
cover, the second fastener part is attached to and concealed in the
at least One fold of the bottom cover, and the first and second
fastener part detachably connect the top cover to the bottom
cover.
2. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein the to cover is a
comforter and the bottom cover is a flat sheet, or the bottom cover
is a comforter and the top cover is a flat sheet.
3. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein the top cover and
bottom cover are dimensioned to fit a bed mattress.
4. The bed covering system of claim 1, comprising a pillow covering
system wherein the top cover is a pillow sham and the bottom cover
is a pillow case.
5. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein the top cover or the
bottom cover is a quilt, blanket, or sleeping bag.
6. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein the first fastener
part is a button, and the second fastener part is a button
hole.
7. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein the fastening means
comprises one or more hook and loop sets, hook and eye sets, snap
sets, ties, or zippers.
8. The bed covering system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the
at least one fold of the top cover and the at least one fold of the
bottom cover are configured such that the fastening means is
concealable when the first and second fastener part are
connected.
9. A teaching method comprising the bed covering system of claim
1.
10. A kit comprising the bed covering system according to claim
1.
11. A bed covering system comprising: a plurality of covers and a
plurality of fastening means interconnecting the plurality of
covers , wherein each one of the plurality of fastening means are
separable into two complementary fastening means halves, and the
plurality of covers comprises: (a) a top Cover having a top
surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and bottom edges, one
or more folds on at least part of the top cover bottom surface, and
at least one complementary fastening means half attached to and
enclosed in the one or More folds (b) one or more middle covers
having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and
bottom edges, one or more folds on a least part of the top surface,
one or more folds on at least part of the bottom surface, at least
one complementary fastening means half attached to and enclosed in
each of the one or more folds on the top surface and at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to and enclosed in the
one or more folds on the bottom surface; (c) a bottom cover having
a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and bottom
edges, one or more folds on at least part of the bottom cover top
surface, and at least one complementary fastening means half
attached to and enclosed in the one or more folds.
12. The bed covering system of claim 11, wherein at least one of
the one or more folds of the top cover, the one or more folds of
the one or more middle covers, and the one or more folds of the
bottom cover is adapted such that the complementary fastening means
half attached to the respective cover is concealable when it is
connected to another complementary fastening means half of another
cover.
13. A teaching system comprising the bed covering system of claim
11.
14. The bed covering, system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
fastening means are one fastening means type or are at least two
different fastening means types.
15. A teaching method comprising the bed covering system of claim
14, wherein the plurality of fastening means are one fastening
means type.
16. A teaching, method comprising, the bed covering system of claim
14. wherein the plurality of fastening means are at least two
different fastening means types.
17. The bed covering system of claim 14, wherein, the complementary
fastening means halves are color coordinated.
18. The bed covering system of claim 14, wherein at least one of
the one or more folds of the top, middle and bottom covers have a
design or a color marking indicating which of the plurality of
covers has a complementary fastening means half that will connect
with another complementary fastening means half on another one of
the plurality of covers.
19. The bed covering system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of
covers interconnect only when certain complementary fastening means
halves are joined together with certain other complementary
fastening means halves.
20. A bed covering system comprising: a top cover having a to
surface, a bottom surface, right, left, to and bottom edges; a
bottom cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left,
top a Id bottom edges; and at least one fastening means comprising
a first fastener part and a second fastener part, wherein the first
fastener part is attached to at least one edge of the bottom
surface of the top cover, the second fastener part is attached to
at least one edge of the top surface of the bottom cover, and the
first and second fastener part detachably connect the top cover to
the bottom cover.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/721,063, filed Nov. 1, 2012, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A general procedure for making a bed involves covering, a
mattress with a bottom sheet, which is often "fitted" to the
mattress using elasticized pockets on the sheet comers, followed by
laying a top sheet over the fitted sheet. The procedure for
stabilizing the top sheet usually involves tucking it in at the
foot and bottom of the mattress sides which may include folding the
bottom edges of the top sheet into "hospital corners". Additional
bedding layers for appearance and warmth, such as comforters,
blankets and quilts may also be added to complete a bedding
ensemble. The bed making procedure may also include using coverings
for the bed pillow, wherein the pillow may be enclosed in a pillow
case, which is then covered with another decorative and/or
protective covering such as a pillow sham.
[0003] During use, the top covers of the bedding ensemble, such as
decorative covers, blankets, and pillow shams, may be pushed back
or removed from the other parts of the bedding covering set. Also,
the various layers of the bedding ensemble may become misaligned
during the night. All of these covers have to be neatly put back
into place each morning for a tidy bed covering, appearance, a
process which is time consuming, and may sometimes be difficult for
young children, or even some adults to do well.
[0004] Certain of the bed covers, such as comforters, blankets, and
pillow shams may be laundered less frequently than the other parts
such as the sheets and pillow cases. While, it may be more
economical, efficient and practical that all of the bed coverings
are separately launderable, and therefore, not attached to each
other, a typical bedding covering ensemble may require disassembly
of the entire bedding set to reach the more frequently laundered
portions. Thus, in addition to the daily chore of making the bed,
laundering the bed coverings also adds the time consuming and
tedious process of putting, the bedding ensemble back into
place.
[0005] A bed cover assembly for a mattress is provided in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,794, 285, which includes elastic attachment sections along a
perimeter portion of a top sheet for interconnecting a top sheet
and a bottom sheet together. U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,266 discloses a
bedding ensemble including a flat sheet coupled to a right side,
left side and a lower end of the fitted sheet portion. A comforter
portion couples to a lower end, a right side and a left side of the
flat sheet portion.
[0006] In view of the cited examples, there is still a need for a
simple and easy to use bed covering system that meets the needs of
busy adults and housekeepers as well as one that is useful for
teaching young children how to make their beds.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Various aspects and embodiments described herein provide bed
covering systems according to the present invention. According to
one aspect, the invention is a bed covering system comprising:
[0008] a top cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right,
left, top and bottom edges, and at least one fold on at least part
of the bottom surface; [0009] a bottom cover having a top surface,
a bottom surface, right, left, top and bottom edges, and at least
one field on at least part of the top surface; and [0010] a
concealed fastening means comprising a first fastener part and a
second fastener part wherein the first fastener part is attached
to, and enclosed in, the at least one fold of the top cover, the
second fastener part is attached to, and enclosed in, the at least
one fold of the bottom cover, and the first and second fastener
part detachably connect the top cover to the bottom cover.
[0011] Provided in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention is a bed covering system comprising:
[0012] a plurality of covers and a plurality of fastening means
interconnecting the plurality of covers , wherein each one of the
plurality of fastening means are separable into two complementary
fastening means halves, and the plurality of covers comprises:
[0013] (a) a top cover having a top surface, a bottom surface,
right, left, top, and bottom edges, one or more folds on at least
part of the top cover bottom surface, and at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to, and enclosed in,
the one or more folds ; [0014] (b) one or mare middle covers having
a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and bottom
edges, one or more folds on a least part of the top surface, one or
more folds on at least part of the bottom surface, at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to and enclosed in the
one or more folds on the top surface and at least one complementary
fastening means half attached to, and enclosed in, the one or more
folds on the bottom surface; [0015] (c) a bottom cover having a top
surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and bottom edges, one
or more folds on at least pan of the bottom cover top surface, and,
and at least one complementary fastening means half attached to,
and enclosed in, the one or more folds.
[0016] The objects and advantages of the present invention will be
better understood and more readily apparent when considered in
conjunction with the following detailed description which
illustrates, by way of example, embodiments of bed covering
systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As required, detailed embodiments of the invention are
disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the invention in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure.
[0018] The present invention is a bed covering system useful for
busy individuals, families, housekeeping professionals, and anyone
else who wishes to maintain a neat bed covering appearance, while
at the same time lessening the amount of time and trouble otherwise
connected with maintaining the tidiness and cleanliness of the bed
covering. In one aspect, the bed covering system comprises: [0019]
a top cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left,
top and bottom edges, and at least one fold on at least part of the
bottom surface; [0020] a bottom cover having a top surface, a
bottom surface, right, left, top and bottom edges, and at least one
fold on at least part of the bottom cover top surface; and [0021] a
concealed fastening means comprising a first fastener part and a
second fastener part wherein the first fastener part is attached
to, and enclosed in, the at least one fold of the top cover, the
second fastener part is attached to, and enclosed in, the at least
one fold of the bottom cover, and the first and second fastener
part detachably connect the top cover to the bottom cover.
[0022] In one embodiment, the top cover is a comforter and the
bottom cover is a flat sheet. In yet another embodiment, the top
cover may be any cover desired to be place at the top of a bedding
system including a quilt, blanket or sleeping bag. Alternatively,
the bed covering system comprises a comforter, quilt, blanket,
sleeping bag, and the like as the bottom cover, and another top
cover is removably fastened to the top surface of the bottom
cover.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the top and bottom covers are
dimensioned to fit a bed mattress, wherein typical types of bed
mattresses are twin, full, queen, and king sizes. in certain other
embodiments, the bed covering system includes a pillow covering
system, wherein the top cover is a pillow sham and the bottom cover
is a pillow case.
[0024] The fastening means of the present invention include, in one
embodiment, one or more button holes so dimensioned as to receive
one or more buttons. The button is a first fastener part, and the
button hole is a second fastener part which has dimensions suitable
for the button with which it is intended to mate. In other
embodiments, the fastening means include any type of fastener that
would be suitable for attachment to bedding fabric such as snaps,
ties, zippers, hooks and eyes, hook and loop (such as Velcro.RTM.).
The fastening means are separable into two complementary fastening
means halves, such as a button and button hole half, a hook and an
eye half, a hook and a loop half, and so forth. Each half of the
fastening means is concealed within a fold on a cover of the
bedding system. When two covers are connected by complementary
fastening means halves, the fold may be configured to cover and
conceal the fastening means.
[0025] It is desirable that the folds for the bed coverings are
integrated into the bed covering such that they do not detract from
the appearance or interfere with the functioning of the fastening
means. It is also important that the fastening means be easily
accessible and easy to use so as not to add difficulty to the bed
making process. In some cases, a fold may be attached to the corner
of a bed covering. In this case, attachment of the fold to the bed
covering may include mitred corners to remove excess fabric
providing an even corner transition without a lump in the
fabric.
[0026] As will be appreciated by one having skill in the art, other
modifications and variations to the type of top and bottom
coverings and type, location and number of fasteners and folds to
conceal the fasteners would fall within the scope of the
invention
[0027] The bedding system herein described has the advantage of
providing a simple and convenient method for making a bed. In the
example of a comforter attached to a flat sheet, one can just close
the bed in the morning by pulling up the comforter attached to the
sheet and the bed will look made. Furthermore, because of the
design of this invention, a quick flip of the pillow with sham
attached will put the sham pattern side up, such that the bed is
fully made. Another convenient feature is that the covers may be
easily disconnected to launder the covers separately. For example,
in exemplary bedding covering systems according to this invention,
sheets and pillow cases may be washed at regular intervals without
having to wash the comforter, blanket, etc. or pillow sham each
time. Also, because the fasteners are concealed within one or more
folds on the covers, it is possible to use other covers with the
invention covers without compromising the appearance or utility of
the bedding. In addition, because the fastening means are
concealed, a safe and comfortable connection is provided for the
user.
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the top
cover is a pillow sham and the bottom cover is a pillow case. In an
alternative embodiment, a kit could include a pillow covering
system in addition to a bed mattress covering system. A kit may
include additional bed coverings and/or dressings such as a fitted
sheet and/or a bed ruffle.
[0029] In one embodiment, a teaching method including a bed
covering. system as herein described is provided. The teaching
system could be used, for example, to teach children how to make a
bed. The matching of the bed covering components provides
additional teaching opportunities, such as to learn color and
pattern matching, and how to use different types of fasteners, such
as using zippers, ties, buttons, and so on. Thus, in one
embodiment, the bedding system may be used as a teaching device
whereby even small children can be taught to get in the habit of
making their bed. A further advantage of this invention which may
have particular benefit insofar as children are concerned is the
covers do not become entangled during use, yet the covers do not
hamper ones getting into out of bed.
[0030] In another aspect of the invention, a plurality of covers,
such as a top, one or more middle covers, and a bottom cover may be
interconnected by a plurality of fastening means halves. The
interconnection of the covers is accomplished by connecting
complementary fastening means halves, wherein complementary means
that one half of a fastening means connects with another half of a
fastening means, such as is the case for example when a button is
complementary and fastens with a button hole. In one aspect, the
invention comprises:
[0031] a plurality of covers and a plurality of fastening means
interconnecting the plurality of covers wherein each one of the
plurality of fastening means are separable into two complementary
fastening means halves, and the plurality of covers comprises:
[0032] (a) a top cover having a top surface, a bottom surface,
right, left, top, and bottom edges, one or more folds on at least
part. of the top cover bottom surface, and at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to, and enclosed in,
the one or more folds [0033] (b) one or more middle covers having a
top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and bottom edges,
one or more folds on a least part of the top surface, one or more
folds on at least part of the bottom surface, at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to, and enclosed in,
each of the one or more folds on the top surface and at least one
complementary fastening means half attached to, and enclosed in,
the one or more folds on the bottom surface; [0034] (e) a bottom
Cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right, left, top, and
bottom edges, one or more folds on at least part of the bottom
cover top surface, and, and at least one complementary fastening
means half attached to, and enclosed in, the one or more folds.
[0035] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more folds of
the top cover, the one or more folds of the one or more middle
covers, and the one or more folds of the bottom COVET is adapted
such that the complementary fastening means half attached to the
respective cover is concealable when it is connected to another
complementary fastening means half of another cover. Thus, when a
complementary fastening means half attached to and enclosed in a
fold in one cover is connected with another complementary fastening
means half attached to and enclosed in a fold in another cover, the
connected fastening means may be concealed, such as by one or both
of the folds of the covers. Alternatively, a different means of
concealing, the connected fastening, means half may be provided,
such as, for example, another fold or fabric flap, to conceal the
fastening means.
[0036] In one embodiment, the plurality of fastening means are the
same type. In another embodiment, the plurality of fastening means
type is at least two different types. By different types is meant,
for example, that one fastening, means would be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art to be different from another type. For
example, different types of fastening means are button/button hole
sets, snap sets, hook and loop sets, zippers, and ties.
[0037] In a further embodiment, complementary fastening means
halves are color coordinated, that is to say that each half of a
fastening means that will connect with another half of a fastening
means are marked with the same color, which may be the same or
different from the marked color of another two complementary halves
of a different, fastening means type. Marking with a color could
include marking only a portion of the fastening means half.
[0038] In certain embodiments, one or more of the folds of the top,
middle and bottom covers have a design and/or color marking that
indicates which of the plurality of covers has a complementary
fastening means half that will connect with another complementary
fastening means half on another one of the plurality of covers. The
design and/or color marking on the fold simplifies the task of
matching interconnecting covers because it is a guide to which
fastening means halves will interconnect.
[0039] In another embodiment, the plurality of covers interconnect
only when certain complementary fastening means halves are joined
together with certain other complementary fastening means halves.
This embodiment insures that the bed covers are assembled in the
proper orientation. That is, for example, if the intended bed
covering orientation is for the top cover to be a decorative
bedspread, the middle cover a blanket, and the bottom a sheet, then
the middle cover complementary fastening means halves are such that
only the decorative cover will interconnect with the blanket
beneath it, and only the flat sheet will interconnect with the
blanket above it. Of course, variations of this arrangement would
be within the scope of the invention. For example, a complementary
fastening means half on the top of one cover, such as the sheet,
may permit attachment of a decorative cover, or alternatively, a
blanket with a decorative cover. However, in some embodiments, the
bottom cover complementary fastening means half may not permit it
to be attached to the top of a plurality of bed coverings.
[0040] In another aspect of the invention, the fastening means of
the bed covering system is not concealed within a fold. In one
embodiment, a concealment method other than a fold, such as a
fabric flap, may be used. In other embodiments, at least one of the
fasteners are not concealed. In certain embodiments, none of the
fasteners are concealed. in certain embodiments, the fasteners are
attached around the perimeter of the bed coverings, including at
least one fastener on each one of the right, left, top and bottom
edges. In other embodiments, fasteners are attached to less than
the entire perimeter, such as at the bottom, left and right edges,
or at the left and right edges.
[0041] According to one aspect, the invention is a bed covering
system including:
[0042] a top cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, right,
left, top and bottom edges;
[0043] a bottom cover having a top surface, a bottom surface,
right, left, top and bottom edges; and [0044] at least one
fastening means comprising a first fastener part and a second
fastener part, wherein the first fastener part is attached to at
least one edge of the bottom surface of the top cover, the second
fastener part is attached to at least one edge of the top surface
of the bottom cover, and the first and second fastener part
detachably connect the top cover to the bottom cover.
[0045] Some of the features and advantages of the bed covering
system herein described are as follows: [0046] (1) The folds in the
bedding layers (both comforter and flat sheet) for concealing
buttons, buttonholes, hooks, other attachment devices provide for a
finished and esthetic appearance; [0047] (2) The concealment of the
fasteners provides a safety factor concerning children (preventing
biting off buttons etc). [0048] (3) This design also allows use of
the comforter with the bedding system or without and using the flat
sheet separately and unattached, wherein buttons, button holes or
hooks etc would be concealed and would not take away from the
comforter design appeal nor that of the sheet. [0049] (4) This
system is very practical because it does not impede or hamper ones
getting in and out of bed and ill prevent an entanglement when M
use. [0050] (5) This system can be used on any bed including bunk
beds or sleeping device and anywhere where one sleeps, such as in
motor homes, campers, tents, etc. Because of the design, the system
can be used anywhere and is not restricted to use only in
connection with a bed or box spring and mattress or all three.
[0051] (6) This design will be especially useful for beds where
access is limited when making the bed i.e. bunk beds or beds that
are stationary against the all Since the sheet is attached to the
comforter there is no tucking in of the flat sheet required and
access to the mattress and box spring is not required. [0052] (7)
It's easy and practical to launder the components of the bedding
system that would require more frequent laundering such as sheets
and pillowcases without requiring other pieces such as blankets,
comforters and pillow shams to be laundered at the same time.
[0053] (8) This design allows the bed to be made up quickly after
use and is so simple it allows even very young users to be able to
make up the bed themselves.
* * * * *