Bed making apparatus

Abstract

A bed making apparatus which includes a straightening unit carried by a multiple layer bedding. The straightening unit is formed by interconnected inflatable tubes. An air pump is provided to inject a charge of air under pressure into the tubes which thereby inflate and become rigid to cause the bedding to straighten out over the bed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to beds, in particular relates to apparatus for making up bedding such as blankets, bed spreads and the like.

The task of making up a bed after it has been used is time consuming. When many beds are to be made up, such as in a large hotel, the combined time and effort required can be substantial. Heretofore bedding has been straightened manually, such as by a maid in an hotel. Prior to the present invention there has been no simple and automatic means for making up a bed.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide apparatus for making up a bed in which the bedding is quickly straightened out over the bed without manual labor.

Another object is to provide bed making apparatus of the character described which can be operated by the simple expedient of controlling a source of air under pressure.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the character described which can be easily installed on and removed from the bed to facilitate cleaning of the bedding.

The invention is characterized in having a straightening unit carried within a multiple layer bedding, such as one or more blankets and a bed spread, which is adapted to drape over the bed. The straightening unit is formed by means of a plurality of elongate hollow inflatable tubes which are joined together in a pattern which, when inflated, straightens out the bedding over the surface of the bed and which, when deflated, permits the bedding to be folded in the usual fashion. Gas charging means is provided to inject and release a charge of pressurized gas into and from the tubes. Gas is bled from the tubes to create a relatively high pressure zone under each layer of bedding to permit independent movement of each layer. The straightening unit includes branch tubes which extend downwardly along the side surfaces of the bed to straighten the side margin of the bedding. Releasable means is provided for fastening an end margin of the bedding along an end edge of the bed, and a pivotal baseboard is mounted along the end edge of the bed. Fastener means is provided to releasably secure a sheet to the blanket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed and bed making apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale showing details of the bed and apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the sheet fastener means; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view taken along the line 4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the mounting of the tubes within the bedding layers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings FIG. 1 illustrates generally at 10 bed making apparatus of the invention draped over a typical bed 11. While the bed 11 is illustrated as having a lower box frame 13 and upper innerspring mattress 14, it is understood that the invention can be used with beds of other construction, for example waterbeds and the like. As desired the box frame 13 may be supported above the floor of the bedroom by a suitable metal or wood frame, not shown.

The invention includes a bed covering or bedding 16 of rectangular shape and of a size sufficient to drape over the upper and side surfaces of the bed. The illustrated bedding comprises a blanket constructed of a plurality, shown as two, of overlying covering layers 17, 18 made from a suitable fabric material such as wool or one of the synthetic fibers. The side and end edges of the two layers are secured together by a suitable means such as hemming and stitching. As desired additional bedding may be provided, such as another blanket and a bedspread, each of the described two-layer construction.

A straightening unit 19 is supported between the two covering layers of each blanket and the bedspread of the bedding. As best shown in FIG. 1 the straightening unit comprises a plurality of elongate hollow inflatable tubular members or tubes 21-29 joined together to form a pattern which encompasses a substantial area of bedding 16. The tubes are loosely carried between the layers to permit a range of travel so that the fabric is not adversely stretched or warped by inflation of the tubes. In the illustrated embodiment the straightening unit comprises a modified X-shaped pattern, although the pattern could be of other configurations, such as U-shaped. The illustrated pattern is defined by a pair of parallel spaced-apart tubes 21, 22 extending along side margins of the bedding and a pair of cross tubes 23, 24 which are joined together at their centers 25, and also at their ends to the parallel tubes. Four branch tubes 26, 27 (two of which are shown) extend downwardly from tubes 21 and 22 along opposite sides of the bed. A pair of end branch tubes 28, 29 project downwardly from the extreme lower ends of tubes 21, 22 and extend along the lower end corners of the bed.

The walls of the tubes 21-29 are fabricated from a suitable flexible material which permits the tubes to inflate and deflate from internal gas pressure. Also the material should be sufficiently strong to resist lengthwise stretching during inflation. Preferably a synthetic vinyl polymer is used as the tube material. Each of the tubes is preferably formed with an ellipsoidal cross-sectional configuration, when inflated, as shown in FIG. 4.

The tubes are in free fluid communication at their junctures, and the distal ends of the branch tubes are closed by suitable means such as plugs. The junctures between the tubes are made rigid by means such as plastic welding so that when the interior volume is pressurized and the tubes straighten out the configuration will be that illustrated in FIG. 1 with the side and end branches extending straight downwardly from the parallel tubes 21, 22. When the tubes are deflated, the flexibility of the tube walls permits the bedding to be folded upon itself in the usual manner.

A plurality of relatively small vent holes 30 are formed along the length of each of the tubes and extend through the lower layer 17 of the bedding. The vent holes permit a controlled amount of air pressure to escape from the tubes to form a relatively high pressure air pocket or zone under each of the blankets and the bedspread, while at the same time maintaining sufficient pressurization within the tubing. This permits the blankets and bedspread to move independently of one another so that they properly unfold should the tubes become folded in a manner which would block inflation of the tubes. Three fan-shaped tubes 35, 35' and 35" coupled through a manifold pipe 40 to tube 28 are provided as an augmentation of, or as an alternative for, the operation of vent holes 30.

Each of the fan-shaped tubes 35 is formed with an upwardly flaring, relatively narrow opening having substantially the same cross sectional area as that of the tubes 21-29. The tubes 35 are mounted integral with the bedding to direct air under the lower margins of the blankets to form pressurized air pockets. Where multiple blanket bedding is provided the first tube 35 directs air beneath the first blanket away from the sheet on the bed, the tube 35' directs air between the first blanket and the second overlying blanket, and the tube 35" directs air between the second blanket and the bedspread. As required additional fan-shaped tubes, and additional air pressure supply, would be provided for additional blankets. The tubes 35 are releasably mounted to the manifold pipe 40 by suitable self-sealing coupling junctions which preclude escape of air from the manifold when one or more of the blankets is removed. To insure adequate pressure in the straightening unit the manifold pipe 40 may be constricted at 46, or separate air supplies may be provided for both the tubes 35 and the straightening unit.

Gas charging means for injecting and releasing a charge of gas under pressure into straightening unit 19 is provided. Preferably the gas charging means comprises a suitable air pump 31, such as a turbine air pump, having a discharge line 32 connected through a releasable coupling 33 with an inlet line 34 connected with end branch tube 28. The turbine air pump is of conventional construction and need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that when the air pump is energized by suitable means such as an electric motor a charge of air under pressure is directed into end branch tube 28 which in turn pressurizes the remaining tubes. The pump 31 is of such construction that when it is de-energized pressure is bled off from end tube 28 for deflating the straightening device.

FIG. 2 illustrate details of the means for securing the end margin 36 of bedding 16 to the bed. Suitable releasable fastener means such as a zipper 37 is provided with one side of this zipper sewn or otherwise secured to bedding end margin 36 and the other zipper side secured to the lower edge of bed box frame 13. A baseboard 38 is pivotally secured by suitable means such as a hinge 39 to the lower edge of the box frame. With the baseboard pivoted downwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2 the bedding can be attached to or released from the bed, and with the baseboard pivoted to its vertical position as illustrated in FIG. 1 end margin 36 is secured between the baseboard and the bed for purposes of holding the bedding in place. A spring latch 41 is provided on the box frame for engaging an eyelet 42 mounted on the baseboard to lock the baseboard in its vertical position, with the spring latch being adapted to stretch to permit expansion of the fan-shaped tubes 35 when they are under pressure.

A bed sheet 43 is provided over the upper surface of bed 11, as shown in FIG. 3. The sheet is secured along its outer margins to the bedding 16 by suitable releasable fastener means such as a plurality of snap fasteners of which the male parts 44, 45 are secured to the bedding and the female parts 47, 48 are secured to the sheet.

In operation, it will be assumed that at first the bed is unmade with the bedding folded in disarray over the surface of the bed. To make up the bed, air pump 31 is energized to inject a charge of pressurized air through lines 32 and 34 into end branch tube 28 and the remaining tubes. The air pressure causes the tubes to become rigid and straighten out into the configuration shown in FIG. 1. Air is bled through the vent holes 30 and the fanshaped tubes 35 to form pressurized air pockets underneath each blanket of the bedding. The action flattens the bedding over the top surface of the bed, with the inflation of the side and end branch tubes 26, 27 and 28, 29 causing the side margins of the bedding to extend downwardly along the sides of the bed. The bed is thus made up rapidly without any further work. The air pump is then de-energized so that air pressure bleeds through the pump from the tubes which deflate thereby leaving the bedding lying properly over the bed. When it is desired to clean the bedding, baseboard 38 is unlatched and pivoted downwardly. The fastener means 37 is then unzipped and bed spread 43 unfastened so that the bed spread and bedding can be individually cleaned.

While the foregoing embodiments are at present considered to be preferred it is understood that numerous variations and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such variations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. For use in making up the bedding covering a bed, the combination of a plurality of overlying covering layers forming a bedding adapted to drape over and conform with the upper and side surfaces of the bed, a straightening unit carried between at least two layers of the beeding, the straightening unit including a plurality of elongate hollow inflatable tubular members, means mounting the tubular members for a limited range of movement relative to the adjacent layers of the bedding, said tubular members being joined together in a pattern which encompasses a substantial area of the bedding, said tubular members when deflated being substantially non-rigid to permit said bedding to be folded, and when inflated with a charge of gas said tubular members are rigid to cause said bedding to straighten out over said surface of the bed, charging means to selectively inject and release a charge of gas under pressure into and from said tubular members, and means forming vent holes on the undersides of the tubular members for bleeding gas therefrom to form a pressurized gas pocket underneath said bedding.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which certain of said tubular members are supported within the layers of said bedding in mutual angular relationship over the upper surface of said bed, and others of the tubular members are rigidly joined to and branch downwardly from said first mentioned members along the side surfaces of said bed.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said tubular members are joined together in fluid communication, and said charging means is coupled with at least one of said tubular members whereby said gas charge communicates therefrom into the remaining tubular members for complete inflation of the straightening unit.

4. The invention of claim 3 including means forming open-ended tubes for injecting air to form a pressurized air pocket underneath said bedding.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said tubular members are formed with a generally ellipsoidal cross-sectional configuration and in which the major axis of the tubular member cross-section lies in the plane of the bedding.

6. The invention of claim 1 which includes a sheet disposed over said bed, and fastener means to releasably secure said sheet to the bedding.

7. For use in making up the bedding covering a bed, the combination of a plurality of overlying covering layers forming a bedding adapted to drape over and conform with the upper and side surfaces of the bed, a straightening unit carried between at least two layers of the bedding, the straightening unit including a plurality of elongate hollow inflatable tubular members, said tubular members being joined together in a pattern which encompasses a substantial area of the bedding, said tubular members when deflated being substantially non-rigid to permit said bedding to be folded, and when inflated with a charge of gas said tubular members are rigid to cause said bedding to straighten out over said surface of the bed, charging means to selectively inject and release a charge of gas under pressure into and from said tubular members, means for releasably fastening one edge of said bedding along an end edge of the bed, a baseboard pivotally mounted to said bed along said end edge, and means to releasably fasten said baseboard against said bed with said one edge of the bedding secured therebetween.