US20230017278A1

US20230017278A1 - Device for retaining bedclothes

Info

Publication number: US20230017278A1
Application number: US17/289,228
Authority: US
Inventors: Marc PIQUER BLAYA
Original assignee: Nextstep Designs SL
Current assignee: Nextstep Designs SL
Priority date: 2018-12-04
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2023-01-19

Abstract

A device for retaining bedclothes, for retaining items of bedclothing (2) to the base (3) of a bed, preventing their release during the resting time of the user or users thereof. It comprises at least one thickened attachment area (4) incorporated in the lower extremity of an item of bedclothing (2) and at least one retaining element (5), complementary to said thickened attachment area (4) incorporated at the lower extremity of the base (3) of the bed. Preferably, the complementary retaining element (5) consists of a tube (50) with at least one longitudinal slot (51) or clasp, in which the thickened area (4) of the item of bedclothing (2) to be retained is housed. Preferably, the thickened areas (4) of the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2) are removable and interchangeable rods of a semi-rigid, flexible material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a U.S. national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/ES2019/070806, filed Nov. 26, 2019, which claims priority to Spanish Patent Application No. 201831877, filed Dec. 4, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of furniture and bedding articles and bedclothes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, among items of bedclothing, particularly sheets and blankets, only fitted sheets usually incorporate effective and comfortable attachment means for retaining them to the mattress and preventing their undesired shifting during the rest time of the user or users. Said means usually consist of elastic bands sewn into same at the four extremities of said fitted sheet.
However, the problem is finding effective means for retaining the top sheet and the blanket or bedspread, as these are only retained in the lower part thereof and the elastic band system is inadequate.
The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide on the market means for retaining bedclothes, particularly for retaining the top sheet and blanket or bedspread to the lower part of the bed, means which allow said retaining to be carried out in a quick, comfortable and effective manner.
As a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that at least the applicant is unaware of the existence of any other device for retaining bedclothes, or any other invention of similar application, which presents technical, structural and constitutive features that are the same or similar to those presented by that which is claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as stated in the title of the present specification, relates to a device for retaining bedclothes which contributes, to its intended use, advantages and features, which are described in detail further on, which imply a notable novelty in the current state of the art.
The object of the present invention is, namely, a device applicable for retaining bedclothes, that is, sheets and/or blankets, to the bed, preventing their release during the resting time of the user or users of the bed, which is essentially based on the existence of one or more thickened areas incorporated at the extremity of the item of bedclothing particularly designed for being retained in a quick, easy, comfortable and secure manner in a complementary element, preferably a tube with slots which, in turn, is attached at the lateral edge of the base of the bed.
The device for retaining bedclothes proposed by the invention is configured as a notable novelty in its field of application, because as a result of its implementation, the objectives mentioned above are satisfactorily met, and its differentiating characterising details are suitably described in the final claims attached to this description.
Namely, the invention proposes, as indicated above, a device designed to quickly, comfortably and effectively retain bedclothes, that is, sheets and/or blankets, to the bed, preventing their release during the resting time of the user or users thereof, which is differentiated, in an innovative manner, as it is essentially based on one or more thickened attachment areas that are incorporated at the lower extremity or edge of the item of bedclothing, and one or more retaining elements complementary to said thickened attachment areas incorporated at the lower extremity or edge of the base of the bed, preferably consisting of at least one tube with slots or clasps, into which said thickened areas of the item of bedclothing are inserted or retained.
Optionally, the tube forming the retaining element complementary to the thickened areas incorporated at the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing has more than one slot or clasp for attaching more than one item of bedclothing, such that the top sheet can be attached in one of said slots and the blanket can be attached in another. Optionally, the device provides for incorporating two tubes attached to the base of the bed, one for retaining the thickened area of the sheet and the other one for the thickened area of the blanket.
In any case, the tube or retaining element complementary to the thickened areas of the item of bedclothing is preferably a part made of a flexible material integrally attached to the base of the bed by means of plates in turn provided with removable anchoring means, for example screwed thereto.
Moreover, the thickened areas of the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing are preferably rods of a semi-rigid, flexible material, for example of rubber.
Furthermore, said thickened areas are also preferably incorporated at the extremity of the item of bedclothing in a removable manner, for example incorporated in a hem made in said item to that effect, for the purpose of being able to remove it for washing the sheet or blanket in the washing machine or by hand.
Lastly, it should be mentioned that, optionally, particularly for the case of bedclothes for a double bed, the retaining device provides for incorporating two of the independent thickened areas in each of the two halves of the lower extremity of the sheet or blanket, thickened areas which can be incorporated in different positions to allow each user of the bed to retain said item as they like, for example by means of the possibility of changing the point where the thickened area is placed, or by means of using items of bedclothing, that is, sheets or blankets, split longitudinally into two independent areas which can be attached to one another at different heights, for example by means of Velcro strips, buttons or other means.
The described device for retaining bedclothes therefore consists of an innovative structure with features heretofore unknown for its intended purpose, reasons which, taken together with its usefulness, provide it with sufficient grounds for obtaining the requested exclusivity privilege.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a drawing constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following:

FIG. 1 shows schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the device for retaining bedclothes, object of the invention, showing the general configuration thereof and the main parts it comprises;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the base with another exemplary embodiment of the tube constituting the retaining element complementary to the thickened areas which is attached to said base, depicted in this case with two slots for retaining two thickened areas of two items of bedclothing.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the device for retaining bedclothes attached to a base and having with two tubes provided with a slot or retaining element complementary to flexible thickened areas attached in the items of bedclothing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one may observe therein two non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the device for retaining bedclothes of the invention, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
Therefore, as can be seen in said figures, the device (1) of the invention, the purpose of which is to achieve the retaining of one or more items of bedclothing (2), such as a sheet and/or a blanket, to the base (3) of a bed, preventing their release during the resting time of the user or users thereof, essentially comprises at least one thickened attachment area (4) incorporated in the lower extremity of an item of bedclothing (2) and at least one retaining element (5), complementary to said thickened attachment area (4) incorporated at the lower extremity of the base (3) of the bed.
Preferably, said retaining element (5) complementary to the thickened area (4) consists of a tube (50) with at least one longitudinal slot (51) or clasp, into which the thickened area (4) of the item of bedclothing (2) is inserted and becomes retained.
Optionally, the tube (50) has more than one slot (51) for attaching the thickened area (4) of more than one item of bedclothing (2). Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2 , the tube (50) has two parallel longitudinal slots (51), an upper slot and another lower slot, for inserting and retaining the respective thickened areas (4) of two items of bedclothing (2), one consisting of a sheet and the other consisting of a blanket.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3 , the device (1) further comprises as an option incorporating two tubes (50) provided with a slot (51) or another retaining element (5) complementary to the thickened area (4), which are attached to the base (3) of the bed, one on top of the other, for retaining the respective thickened areas (4) of two items of bedclothing (2), one for the thickened area of the sheet and the other one for the thickened area of the blanket. In this embodiment, said thickened areas (4) are flexible, by way of a zipper, and they are attached in the respective items of bedclothing (2) by sewing.
In any case, the tube (50) is preferably a flexible part for allowing the thickened area (4) to be inserted into the slot (51) by pressure and attached to the base (3) of the bed by means of plates (52) with removable anchoring means, for example screwed thereto.
Moreover, the thickened areas (4) of the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2) are preferably rods of a semi-rigid, flexible material, for example of rubber.
Optionally, the thickened areas (4) of the lower extremity of the bedclothes (2) are extractable and interchangeable, for which purpose they are, for example, housed in a hem (21) provided for that purpose on the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2).
Optionally, the device (1) further comprises incorporating two independent thickened areas (4) on both sides of the lower extremity of one same item of bedclothing (2), preferably when there are two of said item of bedclothing (2). In such case, the thickened areas (4) can advantageously be incorporated in different positions with respect to the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2), and/or the item of bedclothing (2) is split longitudinally into two independent areas (2 a) attached to one another through suitable removable joining means (6), such as Velcro, buttons or other means, which allow them to be positioned in the same or in different positions with respect to the lower extremity thereof, as shown in the example depicted in FIG. 1 .
Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the ways of implementing it, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation for any person skilled in the state of the art to understand its scope and the advantages which derive from it, specifying that, within its essential nature, it can be carried out in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one provided by way of example, and which are also covered by the requested protection, provided that they do not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

1. A device for retaining bedclothes, applicable to achieve the retaining of one or more items of bedclothing (2), such as a sheet and/or a blanket, to the base (3) of a bed, preventing their release during the resting time of the user or users thereof, comprising: at least one thickened attachment area (4) incorporated in the lower extremity of an item of bedclothing (2) and at least one retaining element (5), complementary to said thickened attachment area (4) incorporated at the lower extremity of the base (3) of the bed.

2. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (5) complementary to the thickened area (4) consists of a tube (50) with at least one longitudinal slot (51) or clasp, into which said thickened area (4) of the item of bedclothing (2) is inserted and becomes retained.

3. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 2, wherein the tube (50) has more than one slot (51) for attaching the thickened area (4) of an item of bedclothing (2).

4. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 3, wherein the tube (50) has two parallel longitudinal slots (51), an upper slot and another lower slot, for inserting and retaining the respective thickened areas (4) of two items of bedclothing (2), one consisting of a sheet and the other consisting of a blanket.

5. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 2, further comprising two tubes (50) which are attached to the base (3) of the bed, one on top of the other, for retaining the respective thickened areas (4) of two items of bedclothing (2), one for the thickened area of the sheet and the other one for the thickened area of the blanket.

6. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 2, wherein the tube (50) is a flexible part for allowing the thickened area (4) to be inserted into the slot (51) by pressure.

7. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 2, wherein the tube (50) is attached to the base (3) of the bed by means of plates (52) with removable anchoring means, for example screwed thereto.

8. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein the thickened areas (4) of the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2) are rods of a semi-rigid, flexible material, for example of rubber.

9. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein the thickened areas (4) of the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2) are removable and interchangeable.

10. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein when there are two of said item of bedclothing (2), it comprises incorporating two independent thickened areas (4) on both sides of the lower extremity thereof.

11. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein the thickened areas (4) can be incorporated in different positions with respect to the lower extremity of the item of bedclothing (2).

12. The device for retaining bedclothes according to claim 1, wherein the item of bedclothing (2) in which the thickened areas (4) are incorporated is an item of bedclothing split longitudinally into two independent areas (2 a) attached to one another through removable joining means (6), such as Velcro.