Abstract
A protective, highly padded/cushioned, lightweight, collapsible, portable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing bed finishing frame. The apparatus slips over a box spring without any assembly necessary, tangentially supporting generous padding/cushion around the perimeter of the box spring, thereby protecting individuals from injury by contacting any hard edges or surfaces associated with the box spring or bed frame and providing a stylistic and finished appearance.
Claims
1. An apparatus for covering a box spring and protecting a user from accidentally bumping into the box spring comprising: a contour sheet that fits over the top of the box spring, the contour sheet having a flexible horizontal top and four vertical sides that extend in a first direction from the flexibly horizontal top, wherein each of at least three vertical sides includes a pocket chamber having a shaped high-density padding; wherein each of the at least three vertical sides includes a rise that extends in a second direction from the flexible horizontal top opposite to the first direction, wherein the apparatus fits over and around the box spring and protects the user from contacting the box spring.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaped high-density padding is between one and six inches thick.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pocket chamber for each of the at least three vertical sides has a resealable aperture through which the shaped high-density padding can be inserted and removed.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a length and a width of the pocket chamber for each of the at least three vertical sides is substantially similar to a length and a width of said vertical side of said contour sheet on which said pocket chamber is located.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaped high-density padding is in the shape of a rectangular cuboid of a length and a width substantially similar to a length and a width of the pocket chamber within which the shaped high-density padding is located.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaped high-density padding has terminal ends that are beveled at forty-five degrees and oriented to form a ninety degree miter joint with an adjacent shaped high-density padding.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least three vertical sides are substantially perpendicular to the flexible horizontal top.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pocket chamber for each of the at least three vertical sides is oriented such that when the shaped high-density padding is inserted in the pocket chamber for each of the at least three vertical sides, a curvature of the pocket chamber begins from a point between zero and three inches above said horizontal top.
9. The apparatus as in of claim 1, wherein the fourth vertical side does not have a pocket chamber.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding is cotton or foam.
11. The apparatus of Claim wherein the padding reduces or eliminates bumps, scrapes or stubbed toes against the box spring.
12. An apparatus for covering a box spring and protecting a user against accidental bumping into the box spring comprising: a contour sheet sized to snugly fit over the top of the box spring, the contour sheet having a horizontal top and four vertical sides that extend in a first direction from the flexible horizontal top, wherein each of at least three vertical sides includes a pocket chamber having padding and the pocket chamber includes a rise that extends from the flexible horizontal top in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; wherein the padding is a shaped high-density foam insert having two terminal ends and formed in a shape of a rectangular cuboid of a length and a width substantially similar to a length and a width of the pocket chamber within which the shaped high-density foam insert is located; each terminal end of the shaped high-density foam insert that is located perpendicularly adjacent to a terminal end of another shaped high-density foam insert is beveled at forty-five degrees and oriented such that the terminal ends that are perpendicularly adjacent form a ninety degree miter joint, wherein the apparatus requires no further assembly and can be collapsed into a box for shipping, and the apparatus can be removed from the box and expanded into a fully assembled apparatus ready for installation.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the length and the width of the pocket chamber is substantially similar to a length and width of the vertical side of the contour sheet on which the pocket chamber is located.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the padding is between one and six inches thick.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pocket chamber is shaped such that when padding fills said pocket chamber a rounded-edge appearance is created.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the pocket chamber is shaped such that when padding fills said pocket chamber a squared-edge appearance is created.
17. An apparatus for covering a box spring and protecting a user from accidentally bumping into the box spring comprising: a contour sheet for a box spring having a horizontal top and four vertical sides that extend in a first direction from the horizontal top, wherein each of at least one vertical side has a pocket chamber and a rise that extends in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and padding located internal to the pocket chamber; wherein the padding is a shaped high-density foam insert having two terminal ends and formed in a shape of a semicylinder of a length and a diameter substantially similar to a length and a diameter of said pocket chamber within which the shaped high-density foam insert is located and is oriented in the chamber pocket with the curved surface outwardly facing; and each terminal end of the shaped high-density foam inserts that is located perpendicularly adjacent to a terminal end of another shaped high-density foam insert is beveled at forty-five degrees and oriented such that the terminal ends that are perpendicularly adjacent form a ninety degree miter joint, wherein the apparatus requires no further assembly and can be collapsed into a box for shipping, and the apparatus can be removed from the box and expanded into a fully assembled apparatus ready for installation.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fourth vertical side does not have a pocket chamber.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the padding is between one and six inches thick.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pocket chamber has a resealable aperture through which the padding can be inserted and removed.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate various exemplary implementations and are part of the specification. The illustrated implementations are proffered for purposes of example not for purposes of limitation. Illustrated elements will be designated by numbers. Once designated, an element will be identified by the identical number throughout. Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best embodiments of the present disclosure. In such drawing(s):
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus;
(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown collapsed neatly in a relatively small box for shipping or transportation;
(4) FIG. 2B is a blown up view of an exemplary embodiment of the presently described apparatus depicting the apparatus being removed from a collapsed stated in a relatively small box and unfolding it to a ready it to install state without any assembly required;
(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring located directly on the floor and beneath a mattress and pillow;
(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring supported by a metal frame on casters and beneath a mattress and pillow, it also shows that the apparatus can be used with a decorative headboard;
(7) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary squared-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring located directly on the floor and beneath a mattress and pillow;
(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary squared-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring supported by a metal frame on castors and beneath a mattress and pillow with a decorative headboard;
(9) FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment illustrating the semicylinder shaped high density foam insert and the resealable insertion aperture;
(10) FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an exemplary squared-style embodiment illustrating the rectangular cuboid shaped high density foam insert and the resealable insertion aperture;
(11) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary round-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring supported by a metal frame on casters and beneath a mattress;
(12) FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring located directly on the floor beneath a mattress with a decorative headboard;
(13) FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary squared style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring located directly on the floor beneath a mattress;
(14) FIG. 12 is a side-by-side comparison view of an exemplary round-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring supported by a metal frame on casters and beneath a mattress with a decorative headboard and the most comparable prior art which is a mattress resting on a box spring, looking very unfinished;
(15) FIG. 13 is a side-by-side comparison view of an exemplary squared-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus shown installed over a box spring located directly on the ground and the most comparable prior art which is a mattress resting on a box spring located directly on the ground looking very unfinished;
(16) FIG. 14 is a breakout top view of a corner junction on an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus;
(17) FIG. 15 is a breakout top view of a corner junction on an exemplary squared-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus;
(18) FIG. 16 is a breakout perspective view of the straight cut end of the foam insert of an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus;
(19) FIG. 17 is a breakout perspective view the straight cut end of the foam insert of an exemplary squared-style embodiment of the presently described apparatus;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
(20) The above described drawing figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of presently disclosed apparatus and its many features in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus or its many features.
(21) Described now in detail is a protective, highly padded/cushioned, lightweight, collapsible, portable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing bed finishing frame.
(22) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary rounded-style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 fully expanded and ready to slip over a box spring to provide both physical protection in the form of the generous padding 110 along three sides and aesthetic finishing due to its unique and stylish design. The apparatus comprises a horizontal top 120 and four vertical sides forming a contour sheet that fits snugly over a box spring.
(23) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, three of the four vertical sides contain pocket chambers capable of supporting padding. The aesthetically round shape of the rounded-style embodiment is created by both the shape of the pocket chamber as well as the shape of the internal padding itself. The illustration also shows as small vertical rise 180 between the beginning of the curvature of the horizontal top 120 and the curvature of the side 112. The purpose of this rise 180 is both a functional one ensuring that padding protects individuals from the hard upper edge of the box spring and stylistic providing the appropriate finishing appearance.
(24) Through similar shading, FIG. 1 also illustrates that the trim 130 along the outside of the horizontal top 120 is of the same fabric variety and color of the vertical sides for aesthetic continuity. Whereas the center of the horizontal top 120 can be another color or quality of fabric.
(25) FIG. 2A is an illustration of the compact manner in which the presently disclosed apparatus can be neatly collapsed 140 into a reasonably sized box. This allows both purveyors the ability to ship the product via standard parcel carriers and for owners to pack and move the apparatus without excessive stress or strain.
(26) FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the presently disclosed apparatus being removed from a reasonable sized box neatly collapsed 140 and expanded into a fully assembled apparatus ready for installation 100. There are no tools or assembly steps required between opening the box in which the apparatus is shipped, removal, expansion and installation.
(27) FIG. 3 illustrates the rounded-style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 installed on a box spring that is resting on the floor and supporting a mattress. This illustration depicts the aesthetically finished look that the presently disclosed apparatus created even with a simple box spring and mattress resting on the floor without a bedframe. FIG. 3 also depicts the visually seamless transition that is assisted by the small riser 180 identified in FIG. 1.
(28) FIG. 4 is an illustration of the same rounded-style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 installed on a box spring that is resting on a simple metal frame on casters with a stylistic headboard. The metal frame raises the apparatus off the floor compared to the illustration in FIG. 3 creating a gap between the curved vertical side 114 and the floor, however, because the curved, vertical side 114 protrudes outward from the assembled bed, the risk of accidentally kicking a caster while walking by the bed is greatly reduced.
(29) FIG. 5 is an illustration of the squared-style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 installed over a box spring that is resting directly on the floor. Very similar to the rounded-style embodiment, the squared-style embodiment both creates an aesthetically pleasing finish on the box spring-mattress assembly and provides a generously cushioned protective barrier 150 between the unpleasantly hard edges of the box spring and the individual.
(30) Likewise, FIG. 6 depicts the squared-style version of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 installed on a box spring that is supported by a simple metal frame on casters. Again, as with the rounded-style embodiment 100, FIG. 6 illustrates how the riser depicted 180 assists in the seamless integration between the box spring and mattress.
(31) FIG. 7 is a bottom view a rounded-style embodiment illustrating that the rounded shape 116 is created in part by the semicylinder shaped high density foam inserts 160. High density foam inserts 160 are a preferred form of padding because it is very protective and is shapeable. It also hold its shape well over time. In other embodiments, shapeless padding such as cotton may be used. In such embodiments, the external shape of the apparatus may be determined more by the shape of the pocket chamber than by the shape of the padding.
(32) FIG. 7 also illustrates that the padding 160 can be removed through a zipper 170 along the internal side. This is an important feature because it allows and individual to remove the padding 160 and wash the apparatus. While not all embodiments feature zippers 170, most embodiments feature a resealable aperture 170 of some variety. Embodiment with such a feature must be washed more carefully by hand without removing the padding.
(33) FIG. 7 also depicts the vertical side 170 that does not include a pocket chamber. Vertical sides 170 that do not include a pocket chamber are import because they assist the apparatus fit snugly on the box spring. The preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 include three chamber pockets, however, some embodiments include chamber pockets in all four vertical sides or in less than three vertical sides.
(34) FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of a squared-style embodiment and the rectangular cuboidal high-density foam inserts 160 that assist in creating the squared appearance 150. FIG. 8 and FIG. 7 also illustrate the forty-five degree beveled terminal ends of the foam inserts that join to form a ninety degree miter joint. In embodiments in which the padding 160 is shapeless soft padding such defined ninety degree corners are more difficult to achieve.
(35) FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a rounded-style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus 100 and a box spring supported by a simple metal frame on casters with a decorative headboard. It is very apparent from the exploded view that the metal frame on caster is a significant toe stubbing risk and is not aesthetically attractive at all.
(36) Similarly, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate exploded views of a rounded-style and a squared style embodiment of the presently disclosed apparatus, respectively, being placed over a box spring that are located directly on the floor showing both the ease of installment and the relative protection and aesthetic style the presently disclosed apparatus 100 provides.
(37) FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 provides a side-by-side comparisons of a round-style embodiment 100 on a box spring supported by a metal frame and a squared-style embodiment 100 on a box spring situated on the floor, each next to the comparable prior art. Such a side-by-side comparison demonstrate the vast difference in aesthetic finish the presently disclosed apparatus provides of the prior art.
(38) FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate breakaway close up views of the rounded-style and squared-style corners, respectively. The clean lines and well defined corners are made possible by the beveled terminal ends of the foam inserts.
(39) FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate breakaway close up views of the straight cut ends of the foam inserts 160 when the padded side is perpendicularly adjacent as non-padded side. These breakaway view also depict the small riser 180 between the vertical side and the pocket chamber that exist for both stylistic and protective functional reasons.
(40) The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use, and to the achievement of the above-described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material, or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word(s) describing the element.
(41) The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements, which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or arts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
(42) Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, substitutions, now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art, are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.
(43) The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.
