GB2247169A

GB2247169A - Anchoring device for bed-linen

Info

Publication number: GB2247169A
Application number: GB9116886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William James Booth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-08
Filing date: 1991-08-06
Publication date: 1992-02-26
Also published as: GB9017352D0; GB9116886D0

Abstract

There is provided a device 10 for anchoring bed-linen during the making of a bed. The device has a V-shape body and a lever arm 15 pivotally connected to one member 11 and movable so as to clamp the bed-linen against the other member 12. <IMAGE>

Description

ANCHORING DEVICE FOR BED-LINEN This invention relates to a device for anchoring bed-linen.

The changing of bed-linen can be a source of difficulty and frustration for many people, particularly but not exclusively elderly people, people who are weak in the hands and people who generally lack mobility. Changing duvet covers causes particular difficulty.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in anchoring bed-linen with respect to a bed, said device comprising a member and an element which is operable so as to clamp a portion of the bed-linen against said member. In a preferred arrangement a second member is spaced from said first member to provide a slot for receiving said portion of the bed-linen.

Preferably said element is pivotally connected to said second member in such a way that when pivoted, one end of the element moves across the slot towards the first member of the device to grip the bed-linen therebetween.

Conveniently said element is in the form of a lever arm pivotally connected between its ends to said second member. Also said lever arm tightens its clamping action on the bed-linen if the bed-linen is moved in a direction withdrawing it from the slot. In one arrangement a stop is provided on the first member so that movement of the lever arm is limited and said withdrawing action of the bed-linen pulls said lever arm and the bed-linen into engagement with the stop.

It is a preferred feature that the other end of the lever arm is enlarged to facilitate finger operation and also that said second member has a forked free end and the lever arm is disposed in the space between the tines of the fork. In a preferred arrangement said lever arm is an interference fit in said space.

Preferably the members are in the form a one piece arrangement having a general V-shape and a cord is attached to the device in the region of the apex of the V-shape for attaching the device to a bed.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the device according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of the device, Figure 4 shows two devices in use.

Figure 5 shows in part section a method of anchoring the devices, Figure 6 is a plan view of part of a modified device according to the present invention, Figure 7 is a cross section on line 7-7 of figure 6, and Figure 8 is a plan view of a lever for use with the part shown in figures 6 and 7.

There is shown a device 10 for anchoring bedlinen with respect to a bed or mattress. The device is particularly useful as a labour saving device when changing the cover of a duvet.

The device 10 has two members 11, 12 which are joined at one end to form a V-shape having a slot 13.

A hole 14 is provided at the apex of the V-shape for receiving a cord (not shown) to enable the device to be attached to a bed or a mattress.

The first member 11 is forked at its free end and a lever 15 is disposed in the space between the tines lla, llb of the fork. The lever 15 is pivotally connected to the first member 11 by means of a pin 16 and is an interference fit in said space so as to be held in the flush position indicated by the heavy lines in Figure 2. The lever 15 has an enlarged end portion 17 to facilitate finger operation of the lever.

The lever is rotatable into a clamping or operable position indicated by the chain-dotted line 18 in Figure 2, the interference fit mentioned above serving to hold the lever in any chosen position of rotation. In this position there is a minimal clearance between the end of the lever 15 and the second member 12. A stop 19 is provided on said second member 12 to limit the rotation of the lever 15.

In operation an edge of the bed-linen is inserted into the slot 13 when the lever 15 is in its flush position in which the slot is not obstructed.

The lever 15 is then rotated so that the bed-linen is clamped by the lever 15 against the second member 12.

It will be appreciated that movement of the bed-linen in a direction withdrawing it from the slot will tighten the lever's clamping action. Continual withdrawal movement will bring the lever 15 and the bed-linen into tight engagement with the stop 19. The device is easily disengaged by rotating the lever 15 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 2 thereby releasing the bed-linen.

Figure 4 shows two such devices 10 attached to corners of a bed 20 by cords 23. The edge of a duvet cover 21 opposite its opening 22 is clamped by the devices 10 at locations maybe 12-18 inches from the corners. The duvet can thus easily be removed from the cover 21. Similarly when fitting a new cover, two corners of the duvet can be located in the corners of the cover and then clamped in the devices. The cover can then be drawn easily over the duvet.

Figure 5 shows a preferred arrangement of anchoring the devices 10 with respect to the bed 20.

The cords 23, instead of being tied or otherwise attached to the bed, are secured to a metal or other rigid or semi-rigid strip 24 which is positioned under the mattress 25 and is held in position by the weight of the mattress.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a slightly modified arrangement to that of figures 1, 2 and 3 and like parts have been given like reference numerals. In addition the operation and modes of use of the devices are the same.

In the device of figures 6, 7 and 8 the lever 15 is formed with two oppositely projecting, axially aligned axle stubs 30. The member 11 is formed with a bearing 31 on each tine lla, llb for receiving the axle stubs 30 of the lever 15 by snap connection. The axle stubs 30 allow the lever 15 to pivot relative to the remainder of the device.

Also the lever 15 may have a pair of stops 32 which prevent movement beyond the flush position by engaging the underside of the tines lia, llb.

The devices act as an extra pair of hands during bed-making and can also be used to hold other bed-linen such as sheets and blankets at one end of the bed while they are tucked in at the other end.

In addition the enlarged finger portion 17 and suitable lever dimensions ensure that the device is suitable for people who are elderly, are weak in the hands or who lack mobility.

It will be appreciated that the device could be manufactured in any number of ways, for example by injection moulding as shown in the drawings and that many other clamping arrangements would also be suitable.

Claims

1. A device for use in anchoring bed-linen with respect to a bed, said device comprising a member and an element which is operable so as to clamp a portion of the bed-linen against said member.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second member is spaced from said first member to provide a slot for receiving said portion of the bedlinen.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said element is pivotally connected to said second member in such a way that when pivoted, one end of the element moves across the slot towards the first member of the device to grip the bed-linen therebetween.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said element is in the form of a lever arm pivotally connected between its ends to said second member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lever arm tightens its clamping action on the bedlinen if the bed-linen is moved in a direction withdrawing it from the slot.

6. A device as claimed in claimed 5 wherein a stop is provided on the first member so that movement of the lever arm is limited and said withdrawing action of the bed-linen pulls said lever arm and the bed-linen into engagement with the stop.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the other end of the lever arm is enlarged to facilitate finger operation.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second member has a forked free end and the lever arm is disposed in the space between the tines of the fork.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said lever arm is an interference fit in said space.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the lever arm is provided with one or more second stops to limit pivotal movement relative to said second member.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the members are in the form a one piece arrangement having a general V-shape.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein a cord is attached at one end to the device in the region of the apex of the V-shape for attaching the device to a bed.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the other end of the cord is attached to a rigid or semirigid part adapted to be held under the mattress.

14. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the pivotal connection is effected by a pin extending through said element and said second member.

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 13 wherein the pivotal connection is effected by one or more axle projections being snap-fittingly engaged in one or more bearings.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said one or more axle projections are formed on said element and said one or more bearings are formed on the second member.

17. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.