GB2431342A

GB2431342A - Bed cover apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2431342A
Application number: GB0521279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christina Lane
Original assignee: SNUGGLE SAC Co Ltd
Current assignee: SNUGGLE SAC Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-20
Filing date: 2005-10-20
Publication date: 2007-04-25
Also published as: GB0521279D0

Abstract

The bed covering apparatus comprises a mattress covering 3 and an insulation layer 4 , the mattress covering 3 including side portions 5,6 each having distributed along their sides attachment means 7 . The insulation layer 4 has flap portions 10,11 each of which has coupling means 12 for coupling to the attachment means 7. In use, the side portions 5,6 of the mattress covering 3 extend along opposing sides of the mattress 2 and the flap portions 10,11 of the insulation layer 4 overlie at least some of the side portions 5,6 of the mattress covering 3 such that the attachment means 7 can be coupled to the coupling means 12 to secure the insulation layer 4 to the mattress covering 3. The insulating layer 4 may be substantially rectangular with the insulating layer being wider than the mattress 2 so that the flap portions 10,11 are formed by the overlap of the mattress by the insulating layer 4. The attachment means may be buttons 7 and the coupling means may be button holes 12. The mattress covering 3 may be a fitted sheet with elasticated portions or a drawstring.

Description

Bed Cover Apparatus

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bed cover apparatus, in particular to bed cover apparatus for children.

b. Related Art Beds traditionally comprise a mattress supported by a frame. The mattress is typically covered by a sheet to protect the mattress. An insulation layer such as a sheet, blanket or duvet is usually also provided such that a person sleeps between the sheet and insulation layer. Unfortunately, the insulation layer can be disturbed or can fall off the bed during the night as the person moves about. This is a particular problem for children who may suffer from more disturbed sleep.

Some parents have started to use a sleeping bag type apparatus for their children during the night as the insulation layer cannot fall off so the child remains warm throughout the night. However, such sleeping bags do not give the appearance of S..

a typical bed covering when not in use.

It is known to provide a zipped connection between an insulation layer and a mattress covering. The zip is located, in use, around a top edge of the mattress.

However, this still does not give the impression of typical bed covering when not in use as it is apparently designed to replicate a sleeping bag arrangement. The zip may also compromise the insulation provided by the insulation layer leading to the bed having cold edges.

It is an object of the present invention to provide bed covering apparatus that addresses some of the above issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a bed covering apparatus comprising a mattress covering and an insulation layer, the mattress covering including side portions, the side portions each having attachment means distributed therealong, the insulation layer having flap portions, the flap portions each having coupling means distributed therealong for coupling to the attachment means on the side portions of the mattress covering, the bed covering apparatus being arranged such that, in use, the side portions of the mattress covering extend along opposing sides of the mattress and the flap portions of the insulation layer overlie at least some of the side portions of the mattress covering such that the attachment means can be coupled to the coupling means to secure the insulation layer to the mattress covering.

By providing attachment means on the side portions of the mattress covering and having the insulation layer include flaps that overlie at least some of those side..,.

portions the insulating effect of the insulation layer may be increased as heat....

cannot easily escape through the attachment location as the a portion of the insulation layer must, in use, necessarily be folded over, and in contact with, an edge of the mattress covering which forms an additional barrier to heat loss. I...

It is preferred that the mattress covering is in the form of a sheet of the type that I::.

would normally be used on a bed, but adapted to include the required attachment means. It should be understood that any other mattress covering could be used, for example a blanket or a padded covering, but a sheet is preferred.

It is further preferred that the mattress covering is "fitted". The term "fitted" is used to refer to a mattress covering that does not need folding to fit around the mattress in the way that a normal flat sheet would. The mattress covering is preferably pre- formed into a shape substantially corresponding to the upper surface and sides of the mattress and includes deformable portions. The deformable portions are expanded as the mattress covering is fitted to a mattress and contracted beneath

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the mattress when the mattress covering is in place to retain the mattress covering. These deformable portions are preferably elasticated or otherwise resiliently deformable, but may be manually deformable using a drawstring or other means. The mattress covering preferably includes a securing strap which, in use, extends under the mattress between the side portions of the mattress covering to secure the mattress covering to the mattress. The securing strap is preferably detachable from one side so that fitting of the mattress covering is facilitated. The securing strap is preferably adjustable The insulating layer may be any suitable insulating layer, for example a blanket, duvet or quilt. Preferably the insulating layer is a quilted cover with a hollow fibre filling. The hollow fibre filling and quilted nature allow the insulation layer it be puffy', lightweight and machine washable as a single item so that there is no requirement for a separate removable cover. By not having a cover the user must wash the entire insulating layer rather than just the cover and the apparatus is therefore likely to be more hygienic. It should be understood that any other form of...

insulating layer may be used and may include a removable cover.

The insulating layer includes flap portions that, in use, overlie at least some of the side portions of the mattress covering such that the attachment means can be coupled to the coupling means to secure the insulation layer to the mattress covering. The insulating layer is preferably substantially rectangular and the flap portions are preferably formed by increasing the dimensions of the insulating layer such that the insulating layer is wider than the mattress.

It is preferred that the attachment means extend along the side portions so that the insulation layer can be coupled to the mattress covering along the side portions so that gaps between the insulation layer and mattress covering are less likely to form. Preferably the attachment means are spaced along the side portions to form a plurality of attachment locations which can be coupled independently to the insulation layer. This allows a user to adjust or tailor the extent to which the insulation layer is coupled to the mattress covering and the locations in which they are coupled together. This can be useful if the weather is hot and the user requires the flexibility to use only some of the attachment locations so that a child using the bed can adjust the insulation layer and cool down if needed.

Preferably the attachment means are buttons and the coupling means on the insulation layer are button holes. it is further preferred that the button holes pass through the insulation layer. It should be understood that the attachment means and coupling means may be poppers, hook and loop type fasteners, or other

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the bed covering apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a bed I upon which is supported a mattress 2 which is covered by a mattress covering 3. Figure 1 also shows an insulation layer for which is suitable for attachment to the mattress covering 3.

The mattress covering 3 has side portions 5, 6 which cover the sides of the mattress and along which attachment means 7 are distributed. In this case the attachment means 7 are buttons. * S SSSS*

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The mattress covering 6 is a fitted sheet type covering which includes an * PS elasticated rim 8 which, after fitting, contracts and is located between the mattress 2 and bed 1. The mattress covering 6 is shaped such that, in use, it substantially covers the top, sides and head end and foot end of the mattress. * I...

* S ** * S A securing strap extends between the side portions 5, 6 under the mattress 2 to secure the mattress covering 3 to the mattress 2.

The insulation layer 4 is substantially rectangular and includes flap portions 10, II which include coupling means 12 distributed therealong. In this case the coupling means 12 are button holes passing through the insulation layer. The insulation layer is wider than the mattress so that the flap portions 10,11 are integral with the insulation layer.

In use the mattress covering is arranged on a mattress substantially as shown in Figure 1 with the side portions 5, 6 extending along the sides of the mattress 2.

The insulation layer is located over the mattress covering and is coupled thereto by engagement of the buttons 7 with a few button holes 12. This ensures that a person sleeping in the bed cannot easily displace the insulation layer by moving it during the night.

It should be understood that the invention has been described above by way of example only and that modifications in detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims. I?" 0 p

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Claims

Claims: 1. A bed covering apparatus comprising a mattress covering and an

insulation layer, the mattress covering including side portions, the side portions each having attachment means distributed therealong, the insulation layer having flap portions, the flap portions each having coupling means distributed therealong for coupling to the attachment means on the side portions of the mattress covering, the bed covering apparatus being arranged such that, in use, the side portions of the mattress covering extend along opposing sides of the mattress and the flap portions of the insulation layer overlie at least some of the side portions of the mattress covering such that the attachment means can be coupled to the coupling means to secure the insulation layer to the mattress covering. * . Is.
2. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the mattress $5.

covering is in the form of a sheet that includes the attachment means. * . S.
3. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the mattress covering is a fitted mattress covering. S... I...
4. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the insulation layer has no separate removable cover.
5. A bed covering as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the insulating layer includes flap portions that, in use, overlie at least some of the side portions of the mattress covering such that the attachment means can be coupled to the coupling means to secure the insulation layer to the mattress covering.
6. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the attachment means extend along the side portions so that the insulation layer can be coupled to the mattress covering along the side portions to help conceal gaps between the insulation layer and mattress covering. -8-.
7. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the attachment means are spaced along the side portions to form a plurality of attachment locations which can be coupled independently to the insulation layer.
8. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the attachment means are buttons and the coupling means on the insulation layer are button holes.
9. A bed covering apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, in which the button holes pass through the insulation layer.
10. A bed, comprising a mattress and a bed covering apparatus, the bed : *. covering apparatus being as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mattress *0* covering is pre-formed into a shape substantially corresponding to the upper I.e.

surface and sides of the mattress. $ I * S.
11. A bed as claimed in Claim 10, in which the mattress cover includes deformable portions which in use serve to retain the mattress covering to the * dSiS.

mattress.

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12. A bed as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which the deformable portions are elasticated or otherwise resiliently deformable.
13. A bed as claimed in Claim 12, in which the deformable portions are manually deformable using a drawstring.
14. A bed as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13, in which the mattress covering includes a securing strap which, in use, extends under the mattress between the side portions of the mattress covering to secure the mattress covering to the mattress.
15. A bed as claimed in Claim 14, in which the securing strap is detachable S., from one side of the mattress covering.
16. A bed as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, in which the securing strap is

adjustable.
17. A bed as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16, in which the insulating layer is substantially rectangular with the insulating layer being wider than the mattress so that the flap portions are formed by the overlap of the mattress by the insulating layer.
18. A bed covering apparatus, substantially as herein described, with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawing. I.
19. A bed, substantially as herein described, with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawing.

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