BED COVERING RETENTION ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A covering retention assembly including first and second clips. Each clip includes a base plate and a top plate. The base plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. The top plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one top plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. A hinge assembly interconnects the base plate and top plate such that the forward end of the top plate is biased toward the forward end of the base plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts the inner surface of the other plate and each tooth of the base plate and is laterally and longitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate. A strap extends between first and second free ends, with the first free end connected with the first clip and the second free end connected with the second clip.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Appln. No. 63/221,062, filed Jul. 13, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to bed covering retention. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a clip and strap assembly configured to retain bed coverings in a desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is recommended to make one's bed every morning. However, depending on how messy the sheets and other bed coverings got overnight, this can be a tedious task. This task is often more difficult with kids' beds, where sheets seem to mysteriously disappear, e.g. the sheet gets pushed down to the foot of the bed. Additionally, when a bed is pushed against a wall, it can be difficult to neatly adjust the coverings on the wall side of the bed.

In addition to the difficulties in making the bed, sheet and bed covering position may affect the way a person sleeps. For example, some people like the flat sheet to be tucked with a certain “tension” so that they feel wrapped yet still free to move. If the bed is made from scratch each morning, the sheets must be adjusted each day to achieve the desired tension. As another potential problem, when two people share a bed, there is often a pulling of the bed coverings from one side to the other.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a covering retention assembly including first and second clips. Each clip includes a base plate and a top plate. The base plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. The top plate extends from a rear end to a forward end with at least one top plate tooth extending from an inner surface thereof proximate the forward end. A hinge assembly interconnects the base plate and top plate such that the forward end of the top plate is biased toward the forward end of the base plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts the inner surface of the other plate and each tooth of the base plate is laterally and longitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate. A strap extends between first and second free ends, with the first free end connected with the first clip and the second free end connected with the second clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed with coverings secured thereto with a retention assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bed of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 with the retention assembly positioned in a different configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a clip in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base plate of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the base plate of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the top plate of the clip of FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the top plate of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a clip in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the base plate of the clip of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the base plate of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the base plate of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the top plate of the clip of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the top plate of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of an illustrative strap in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates the procedure for attaching one end of the strap to a respective clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present disclosure. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the disclosure is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a retention assembly 50 is shown attached to coverings 12 positioned on a bed/mattress 10. The term covering is utilized to mean any sheets, blankets, comforters or the like that may be positioned on the bed 10 to cover a person sleeping on the bed 10. The retention assembly 50 generally comprises a pair of clips 60a, 60b with a strap 62 extending therebetween. The strap 62 is configured to extend under the mattress 10 with its ends connected to respective clips 60a, 60b. Each clip 60a, 60b is then configured to attach to a respect side of the coverings 12. Each clip 60a, 60b may be attached to all or only desired coverings 12, for example, only attached to the flat sheet but not the comforter.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, both clips 60a, 60b are attached to the coverings 12 at approximately the same distance from the foot of the bed 10, for example, at approximately below the user's knee. As will be described hereinafter, the strap 62 is adjustable relative to at least on of the clips 60a, 60b such that the tension on the coverings 12 may be adjusted to a desired snugness on the user's legs. Once the user gets out of bed 10, the bottom portion of the coverings 12 will be maintained in the ideal position and the user only has to pull the coverings 12 toward the head of the bed 10 to easily make the bed 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the retention assembly 50 is illustrated in a different configuration. The clip 60a remains in the same position proximate the foot of the bed 10, but the clip 60b is attached to the coverings 12 closer to the head of the bed 10. Such a configuration creates a sleeping bag feel and may be useful with smaller children. The configuration may also be useful when the bed 10 is positioned against a wall or the like, with the clip 60b on the wall side. The coverings 12 along the wall remain in a neat, made position due to the attachment of clip 60b. The user exits the bed 10 by flipping one side of the coverings 12 along the open side of the bed 10 and then simply makes the bed 10 by flipping the coverings 12 back once they exit the bed.

Referring to FIGS. 4-16, a clip 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The clip 60 can be utilized for both clips 60a, 60b such that the clips 60a, 60b have the same configuration or the clips 60a, 60b may have different configurations from one another. The clip 60 generally comprises a base plate 70 with a top plate 90 pivotally connected thereto via a spring biased hinge assembly 80. Each of the plates 70, 90 includes a plurality of teeth 76, 78, 96 proximate the forward ends 73, 93 thereof and extending toward the opposite plate 70, 90. The rear ends 71, 91 of the plates 70, 90 are spaced from one another in the naturally biased positioned and may be moved toward one another to move the teeth 76, 78 and 96 apart such that the clip 60 is ready to receive coverings 12 between the plates 70, 90. Upon release of the rear ends 71, 91, the spring biased hinge assembly 80 moves the teeth 76, 78 and 96 toward one another, thereby capturing the coverings 12 within the teeth 76, 78, 96.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the hinge assembly 80 includes a shaft 110 extending through pivot posts 81, 83, 84 of the base plate 70 and pivot posts 101, 102, 103 of the top plate 90. As such, the shaft 110 interconnects the plates 70, 90 such that they are pivotal to one another about the axis of the shaft 110. A pair of biasing springs 112 are supported on the shaft 110. While two biasing springs 112 are illustrated, it is understood that more or fewer springs may be utilized. Additionally, while coil springs are illustrated, other types of biasing mechanisms, for example, leaf springs, elastomeric blocks or the like, may be utilized. Each spring 112 includes a coil portion 114 which is open in the middle such that the shaft 110 extends therethrough. A base leg 116 extends from one end of the coil portion 114 and is configured to be retained by a cavity 87 in the base plate 70 as will be described hereinafter. A top leg 118 extends from the other end of the coil portion 114 and is configured to be retained by a cavity 107 in the top plate 90 as will be described hereinafter. The springs 112 are configured to bias the plates 70, 90 such that the forward ends 73, 93 are forced toward one another.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, an illustrative base plate 70 will be described. The base plate 70 includes a body 72 extending from a rear end 71 to a forward end 73. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 72 is defined by a rigid structure 72a and a semi-rigid structure 72b, however, such is not required. By rigid, it is meant that the structure generally maintains it shape without bending or having notable elasticity, while the semi-rigid structure maintains it shape, however, has a measure of elasticity. The rigid structure 72a generally defines the outer surface, the hinge posts 81, 83, 84 and the ridge 86. The semi-rigid structure 72b generally defines the inner surface and the teeth 76, 78. With this configuration, the teeth 76, 78 and inner surface provide additional friction and grip on the coverings 12.

The rear end 71 of the body 72 defines a pair of strap receiving slots 74a, 74b. The slots 74a, 74b are configured to receive and retain a respective end of the strap 62 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Each of the slots 74a, 74b may have a tapered edge 75 configured to “bite” into the strap 62 and provide greater retention. The rear end 71 may have a tapered configuration as illustrated, but such is not required.

The forward end 73 of the body 72 defines a plurality of teeth 76, 78 extending upward therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, a forward tooth 76 extends laterally across the forward end 73 proximate thereto. The tooth 76 includes a rear taper to define a biting end 77 along the free end of the tooth 76. A plurality of longitudinal teeth 78 extend from the body 72 rearward from the forward tooth 76. The longitudinal teeth 78 extend generally perpendicular to the forward tooth 76. Each of the longitudinal teeth 78 have a length 1 larger than their width w. The longitudinal teeth 78 are laterally spaced from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the teeth 78 are tapered on each side to define a biting end 79.

The hinge posts 81, 83, 84 extend from the body 72 rearward of the longitudinal teeth 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge posts include two pairs of outer posts 81, 83 and a central post 84. The outer posts 81, 83 are spaced from one another such that a hinge post of the top plate 90 may be received there between. Each of the posts 81, 83, 84 has a shaft bore 85 extending therethrough. The shaft posts 81, 83, 84 preferably have a larger height than the teeth 76, 78, such that when the plates 70, 90 are interconnected, the plates 70, 90 angle toward one another toward the forward ends 73, 93, as shown in FIG. 4. A ridge 86 extends from the body 72 rearward of the central post 84 and defines a pair of cavities 87. Each cavity 87 is configured to receive and retain a respective base leg 116 of one of the springs 112.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, an illustrative top plate 90 will be described. The top plate 90 includes a body 92 extending from a rear end 91 to a forward end 93. The rear end 91 may have a tapered configuration as illustrated, but such is not required. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 92 is defined by a rigid structure 92a and a semi-rigid structure 92b, however, such is not required. The rigid structure 92a generally defines the outer surface, the hinge posts 101, 102, 103 and the ridges 106. The semi-rigid structure 92b generally defines the inner surface and the teeth 96. With this configuration, the teeth 96 and inner surface provide additional friction and grip on the coverings 12.

The forward end 93 of the body 92 defines a plurality of teeth 96 extending downward therefrom. Each tooth 96 includes a rear taper to define a biting end 97 along the free end of the tooth 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 96 are provided in a plurality of laterally spaced apart rows. While five rows, with three teeth 96 in each row, are illustrated, more or fewer rows may be provided, and each row may have more or fewer teeth 96. The rows have an open area 98 therebetween. The open area 98 has a width W which is greater than the width w of each of the longitudinal teeth 78. With this configuration, the longitudinal teeth 78 are received within the open areas 98 while still having lateral space 97 between the teeth 78 and the teeth 96 (see FIG. 7). Similarly, there is lateral open area 99 forward of the teeth 96 which is configured to receive the forward tooth 76 of the base plate 70. Referring to FIG. 4, it is preferable that the teeth 76, 78 of the base plate 70 have a larger height than the teeth 96 of the top plate 90. With this configuration, the spacing between the teeth 76, 78, 96 allows the clips 60 to receive multiple coverings 12, including bulky coverings like a comforter. However, if a single, thin covering 12 is received, the teeth 76, 78 will engage the covering 12 between the teeth 76, 78 and the inside surface of the top plate 90.

The hinge posts 101, 102, 103 extend from the body 92 rearward of the teeth 98. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge posts include two outer posts 101 and a pair of central posts 102, 103. Each of the outer posts 101 is positioned to be received in the space between the outer posts 81, 83 of the base plate 70. Similarly, the posts 102, 103 are spaced from one another such that the center hinge post 84 of the base plate 70 may be received there between. Each of the posts 101, 102, 103 has a shaft bore 105 extending therethrough. The shaft posts 101 102, 103 preferably have a larger height than the teeth 96 such that when the plates 70, 90 are interconnected, the plates 70, 90 angle toward one another toward the forward ends 73, 93, as shown in FIG. 4. A ridge 106 extends from the body 92 rearward of each outer post 101 and each defines a cavity 107. Each cavity 107 is configured to receive and retain a respective top leg 118 of one of the springs 112.

Referring to FIGS. 17-22, an alternative clip 60′ will be described. The plates 70′, 90′ of clip 60′ are substantially the same as the previous embodiment except the plates 70′, 90′ have different teeth configurations. More particularly, the teeth 78′ of the base plate 70′ have a sloped portion 88 toward the forward end and a flat portion 89 toward the rear end. The biting end 79′ extends along the sloped portion 88 and the flat portion 89. On the top plate 90′, each row of teeth includes two teeth 96′a and 96′b, as opposed to three illustrated in the previous embodiment. Additionally, the rearward teeth 96′b are taller than the forward teeth 96′a. Each of the teeth 96′a, 96′b have a biting end 97 as in the previous embodiment. In other aspects, the clip 60′ is the same as the previous embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, an illustrative strap 62 and its attachment to the clips 60 will be described. The strap 62 includes a body 64 extending between free ends 61, 63. In the illustrated embodiment, a buckle 66 is provided along the strap body 64 which allows for adjusting of the length of the strap 62 between the ends 61, 63. Having an adjustable length allows the retention assembly 50 to be utilized with different size beds 10 or in different configurations as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, a strap with fixed length may be provided and adjustment may be made by adjusting the strap 62 relative to one or both of the clips 60.

FIG. 24 illustrates how a free end 61, 63 of the strap 62 is connected with a respective clip 60. As a first step, the free end 61, 63 is passed through strap slot 74b. The free end 61, 63 is then looped back and passed through the other strap slot 74a. The free end 61, 63 is then pulled to secure the strap 62 in the slots 74a, 74b. This connection allows the length of the strap 62 relative to the clips 60 to be easily adjusted, for example, to change the sheet tension or to move the clips 60 to a different configuration. Other connection mechanisms may be utilized, including non-adjustable mechanisms.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the disclosure. It should therefore be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A covering retention assembly comprising:

first and second clips, each clip comprising: a base plate extending from a rear end to a forward end with at least one base plate tooth extending from an inner surface of the base plate proximate the forward end; a top plate extending from a rear end to a forward end with at least one top plate tooth extending from an inner surface of the top plate proximate the forward end; and a hinge assembly interconnecting the base plate and top plate such that the forward end of the top plate is biased toward the forward end of the base plate and wherein one of the teeth contacts the inner surface of the other plate and each tooth of the base plate and is laterally and longitudinally spaced from each tooth of the top plate; and

a strap extending between first and second free ends, with the first free end connected with the first clip and the second free end connected with the second clip.

2. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth and the at least one top plate tooth are defined by a semi-rigid material.

3. The covering retention assembly according to claim 2 wherein the inner surface of the base plate and the inner surface of the top plate are defined by a semi-rigid material.

4. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth includes a laterally extending tooth proximate the forward end.

5. The covering retention assembly according to claim 4 wherein the laterally extending tooth includes a free end with a tapered configuration which defines a biting surface.

6. The covering retention assembly according to claim 4 wherein the at least one base plate tooth further includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending teeth rearward of the laterally extending tooth.

7. The covering retention assembly according to claim 6 wherein each of the longitudinally extending teeth has a sloped portion toward a forward end thereof and a flat portion toward a rear end thereof with a tapered biting surface extending along the sloped portion and the flat portion.

8. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one top plate tooth includes at least two rows of teeth with each row including a plurality of laterally spaced apart teeth.

9. The covering retention assembly according to claim 8 wherein the teeth of a rearmost row of the at least two rows of teeth have a height which is larger than a height of the teeth of a forward most row of the at least two rows of teeth.

10. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one base plate tooth includes a plurality of spaced apart base plate teeth and the at least one top plate tooth includes a plurality of spaced apart top plate teeth wherein the base plate teeth are aligned with spaces between the top plate teeth and the top plate teeth are aligned with spaces between the base plate teeth.

11. The covering retention assembly according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of spaced apart base plate teeth and the plurality of spaced apart top plate teeth are spaced from one another.

12. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein a maximum height of the at least one base plate tooth is larger than a maximum height of the at least one top plate tooth.

13. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the strap has an adjustable length between the first and second ends thereof.

14. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first or second ends of the strap is adjustably connected relative to the respective clip.

15. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base plate includes a plurality of strap receiving slots proximate the rear end.

16. The covering retention assembly according to claim 15 wherein each of the slots has a tapered biting edge.

17. The covering retention assembly according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of base plate hinge posts extend from the base plate inner surface rearward of the at least one base plate tooth and a plurality of top plate hinge posts extend from the top plate inner surface rearward of the at least one top plate tooth, each of the base plate hinge posts and top plate hinge posts defining respective shaft receiving bores therethrough, the shaft receiving bores receiving a hinge shaft therethrough.

18. The covering retention assembly according to claim 17 wherein the hinge shaft has a central axis and the central axis is positioned a distance from the base plate inner surface which is larger than a maximum height of the at least one base plate tooth and the central axis is positioned a distance from the top plate inner surface which is larger than a maximum height of the at least one top plate tooth.

19. The covering retention assembly according to claim 17 wherein at least one biasing element is supported by the hinge shaft.

20. The covering retention assembly according to claim 19 wherein the at least one biasing element is at least one coil spring.