Throw Pillow Holder

Abstract

A storage device for throw pillows is disclosed. The storage device is flat and can be stowed between a mattress and box springs or other support structure and can be pulled partially out from the stowed position and flipped open to create a convenient storage area for throw pillows and other sundries.

Description

BACKGROUND

People are of two minds when it comes to throw pillows—they either love them or hate them. Unfortunately, people who love them tend to marry people who hate them, causing an all-too-familiar point of conflict in a marriage. For many of those who hate them, the primary reason is that there is no good place for them and they end up cluttering a bedroom. There is a need in the art for a way to solve this problem.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a throw pillow holder including first slats having a first length, the slats being generally flat and having a hinge-receiving end, and second slats having a second length less than the first length, the second slats being generally flat and having a hinge-receiving end. The throw pillow holder also includes a hinge coupled to the first slats and the second slats, the hinge being configured to permit the second slats to rotate between a stowed position in which the first and second slats are generally aligned, and a deployed position in which the second slats are angled away from the first slats by between 90 and 180 degrees. When in the stowed position the first and second slats fit underneath a bed and are sufficiently flat to permit the throw pillow holder to be slid in and out from underneath the bed to form a platform upon which throw pillows may be stowed. The throw pillow holder may be pushed underneath the bed and out of sight.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a storage device including a plank having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being thinner than the second end. The plank is sufficiently flat so as to be placed under a mattress without causing a noticeable increase in height to the mattress. The storage device also includes a flip-out member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the flip-out member being coupled to the plank at the second end via a hinge, the flip-out member having substantially the same dimensions as the plank except for a length between the first and second ends. The flip-out member is approximately one-third the length of the plank. The hinge is configured to permit the flip-out member to move between a stowed position in which the flip-out member is generally parallel to the plank and a deployed position in which the flip-out member is flipped out to create a storage space on the plank and defined by the flip-out member. The storage device is configured to fit underneath a mattress in the stowed position without causing a noticeable increase in height to the mattress.

Still further embodiments are directed to a method of storing throw pillows for a bed, the method comprising: positioning a storage device underneath the bed, the storage device being sufficiently flat to be positioned underneath the bed without causing a visible bend to the mattress, and pulling the storage device partially but not completely out from beneath the bed such that the bed continues to support the storage device. The method also includes folding out a portion of the storage device to an angle of approximately 100 degrees, and placing the throw pillows on the storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a throw pillow holder according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another illustration of the throw pillow holder according to embodiments of the present disclosure in which the short slats are moved to an open position.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and end views of the throw pillow holder according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a side illustration of the throw pillow holder in use between a mattress and box spring in a stowed and an open position, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a throw pillow holder according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed description according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a throw pillow holder 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The throw pillow holder 100 can include a plurality of slats 102 that are joined together at one end by a hinge 106. Some of the slats are short slats 104. In some embodiments the short slats 104 are placed between long slats 102 in an alternating pattern. Although FIG. 1 shows five long slats with four short slats 104 in between, there can be any number of slats. The slats are shown in a stowed position in which the slats are flat and are generally parallel and aligned.

FIG. 2 is another illustration of the throw pillow holder 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure in which the short slats 104 are moved to an open position. The short slats 104 rotate about the hinge 106. The throw pillow holder can be used as follows. While not in use, the slats are stowed and the entire assembly fits underneath a mattress of a bed. To use the throw pillow holder, simply pull it out by the hinge end, turn up the short slats 104, and place the pillows on the exposed surface 108 of the long slats 102. The underside of the short slats 104 and the exposed surface 108 provides a convenient spot to hold throw pillows and any other assorted clutter while the bed is in use. When it is time to make the bed, the pillows can be easily put back on the bed and the holder 100 is pushed easily underneath the bed and out of sight. This design greatly reduces clutter and just may resolve a fight or two in the bedroom.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and end views of the throw pillow holder 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The slats can be made of any suitable plastic or other rigid and relatively inexpensive material. The slats can have ridges on the underside to provide strength. There may be long slats on the end with short slats in the middle, but other arrangements are also possible. In some embodiments the short slats are joined together such that they rotate as one unit, while in other embodiments the slats each are permitted to rotate about the hinge 106 independently. The hinge 106 can be made of a rod that passes through the slats, and the slats may have a stopping feature that permits a certain degree of rotation. In some embodiments the rotation is from 0 degrees (the stowed position, aligned with the long slats) and between 91 and 180 degrees. In the embodiment shown the degree is approximately 100 degrees to allow the slats to remain open while providing a compact holding spot for the pillows and other sundries that may occupy the space. The relative length of the slats can vary according to some embodiments. In some cases the short slats are approximately ⅓ the length of the long slats. There may be different configurations for accommodating beds and other furniture such as couches that calls for a different geometry. A couch will have shorter overall slats and a single bed will have fewer or at least narrower slats than that of a king bed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a side illustration of the throw pillow holder 100 in use between a mattress 110 and box spring 112 in a stowed and an open position, respectively. FIG. 5 shows the stowed position with a portion of the holder 100 protruding from the bed. In some embodiments the throw pillow holder 100 can include a handle (not shown) or a leash (not shown) protruding from the hinge end to enable grasping and extending. FIG. 6 shows when the throw pillow holder 100 is extended first by arrow A and second opened by arrow B.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a throw pillow holder 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The hinge can be constructed of rods 114, end caps 116, spacers 118 between the slats, and a joiner 120 configured to connect the rods 114 together. In other embodiments the rods 114 could be a single rod. Visible in this Figure are the stopping features 122 that will determine how far the slat 104 can rotate around the rods 114. The end opposite the hinge can be thinner to allow easy introduction underneath the bed.

The foregoing disclosure hereby enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosed systems without undue experimentation. Certain examples are given to for purposes of explanation and are not given in a limiting manner.

Claims

1. A throw pillow holder, comprising:

first slats having a first length, the slats being generally flat and having a hinge-receiving end;

second slats having a second length less than the first length, the second slats being generally flat and having a hinge-receiving end;

a hinge coupled to the first slats and the second slats, the hinge being configured to permit the second slats to rotate between a stowed position in which the first and second slats are generally aligned, and a deployed position in which the second slats are angled away from the first slats by between 90 and 180 degrees;

wherein when in the stowed position the first and second slats fit underneath a bed and are sufficiently flat to permit the throw pillow holder to be slid in and out from underneath the bed to form a platform upon which throw pillows may be stowed, and wherein the throw pillow holder may be pushed underneath the bed and out of sight.

2. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 further comprising a handle coupled to the hinge-receiving end of the first or second slats.

3. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the first slats and second slats are alternatingly positioned.

4. The throw pillow holder of claim 3 in which there are five first slats and four second slats, with first slats being positioned on an outer edge of the throw pillow holder.

5. The throw pillow holder of claim 1, further comprising a rod passing through the hinge-receiving end of the first and second slats.

6. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the hinge-receiving end of the second slats comprises a rotation-stopping feature configured to limit rotation of the second slats relative to the first slats.

7. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the first and second slats at end opposite the hinge-receiving end of the slats are narrower.

8. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the first and second slats have a generally flat upper surface and supporting ribs on an underside.

9. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the second slats are rotatably coupled together to permit rotation of one second slat to cause rotation of other second slats without rotating first slats.

10. The throw pillow holder of claim 1 wherein the first slats are approximately one-third as long as the long slats.

11. A storage device, comprising:

a plank having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being thinner than the second end, the plank being sufficiently flat so as to be placed under a mattress;

a flip-out member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the flip-out member being coupled to the plank at the second end via a hinge, the flip-out member having substantially the same dimensions as the plank except for a length between the first and second ends, wherein a length of the flip-out member is approximately one-third the length of the plank, wherein the hinge is configured to permit the flip-out member to move between a stowed position in which the flip-out member is generally parallel to the plank and a deployed position in which the flip-out member is flipped out to create a storage space on the plank and defined by the flip-out member, and wherein the storage device is configured to fit underneath a mattress in the stowed position.

12. The storage device of claim 11 wherein the plank comprises a plurality of planks and the flip-out member comprises a plurality of flip-out members.

13. The storage device of claim 12 wherein the planks and flip-out members are arranged in an alternating pattern.

14. The storage device of claim 11 wherein the flip-out member in the deployed position is at an angle of approximately 100 degrees relative to the plank.

15. The storage device of claim 11 wherein the hinge comprises a rod and the second end of the flip-out member comprises a rotation-limiting feature that permits limited rotation of the flip-out member.

16. The storage device of claim 11 wherein the plank and the flip-out member have generally flat upper surfaces and an underside of the plank and flip-out member has strengthening ribs.

17. The storage device of claim 11, further comprising a handle attached to the second end of either the plank or the flip-out member to enable grasping of the storage device when the storage device is in the stowed position under a bed.

18. The storage device of claim 11 wherein the storage device has sufficient strength to support a plurality of throw pillow.

19. A method of storing throw pillows for a bed, the method comprising:

positioning a storage device underneath the bed, the storage device being sufficiently flat to be positioned underneath the bed without causing a visible bend to the mattress;

pulling the storage device partially but not completely out from beneath the bed such that the bed continues to support the storage device;

folding out a portion of the storage device to an angle of approximately 100 degrees; and

placing the throw pillows on the storage device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

removing the throw pillows;

folding in the portion of the storage device; and

returning the storage device to underneath the bed.