Bedding article
A bedding article with four different available patterns, each of which is conveniently displayed with a minimum of adjustment. The article includes a first sheet having a first top side and a first bottom side. A second sheet likewise includes a second top side and a second bottom side. Reversible fixing structure is attached on the outer edge of both the first and second sheet. When the fixing structure is released, the first top side and the second bottom side may be hidden in the center to expose the first bottom side and the second top side. In preferred embodiments, the fixing structure is a zipper. In particularly preferred embodiments the zipper is disposed on only two of the four edges.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bed cover or similar article and more particularly to one which has four different sides available for display.
2. Background
Bedspreads or bed covers have been an integral part of bedroom decor for centuries. An early innovation was to design a cover with a pattern on opposite sides in order to provide additional diversity and aesthetic flexibility. In the quest for greater utility and optimum diversity, attempts have been made to design a cover with more than two usable patterns.
One such attempt is a foldable blanket with four different usable patterns, as disclosed in Broder, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,269. The blanket is made of two sheets which are joined in the middle to form hinge elements. See
This approach is also designed to allow the user to vary the thickness of insulation by such manipulation. See column 3, lines 31-35. A problem however, arises when the user desires to use a certain pattern on top, but is therefore required to use the cover with nonuniform thickness even though such an effect may not be desired.
In addition, the Broder blanket requires additional manufacturing, since the inside sheet surfaces must be initially made with two different patterns to achieve one pattern in use, due to the hinging action. Finally, the blanket disclosed in Broder is cumbersome to use, particularly if comparing different patterns. For example, if the blanket is in its initial state as shown at
What is needed is a cover which provides four different usable patterns, yet is convenient to use and provides uniform thickness and insulation for all four patterns. Also needed is a four-pattern cover which can be manufactured with uniform patterned layers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention satisfies the need for a bedding article with four different available patterns, each of which is conveniently displayed with a minimum of adjustment. Further the present invention is inexpensively and simply manufactured.
The present bedding includes a first sheet having a first top side and a first bottom side. A second sheet likewise includes a second top side and a second bottom side. Reversible fixing structure is attached on the outer edge of both the first and second sheet. When the fixing structure is released, the first top side and the second bottom side may be hidden in the center to expose the first bottom side and the second top side. In preferred embodiments, the fixing structure is a zipper.
The first sheet typically has a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, and presents a longitudinal axis parallel to the second and fourth edges. Likewise, the second sheet typically has a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, and presents a longitudinal axis parallel to the second and fourth edges and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first sheet. In particularly preferred embodiments the zipper is disposed on only two of the four edges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the figures in general and
Second sheet 14 has a second top side 38, a second sheet batting 40 and a second bottom side 42. Second sheet 14 also has a first edge 44, a second edge 46, a third edge 48 and a fourth edge 50. Second sheet 14 also presents a longitudinal axis, indicated at reference numeral 52, parallel with second and fourth edges 46 and 50, respectively. Longitudinal axis 52 is aligned with that of longitudinal axis 32 of first sheet 12. Second top side 38 has indicia 54, i.e. charcoal patterning, and second bottom side 42 has indicia 56, i.e. horizontal stripes.
Referring again to
Referring now to
Still referring to
Referring now to
Generally referring to all embodiments of the invention, and without reference to the figures, many accessories may be used in conjunction with the inventive article. For example, a reversible bedskirt may be used with a complementary pattern on each side. A valance and matching pulls will have the same patterns as the bedskirt. Also, reversible pillows with patterns coordinated with the bedskirt and article may be used. In addition, curtains may be produced in in various styles and colors that will complement all four sides of the quilt.
In operation, and referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
In this fashion, bedding articles 10, 110, 210 offer four different decorative patterns, any of which may be displayed with a minimum of manipulation to reveal the desired side. This utility is accomplished while maintaining even thickness of insulation. In contradistinction the Broder blanket disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,269 requires that if a certain side is to be displayed, such can only be achieved by folding layers so that an uneven thickness is necessitated. For example, if the triangle pattern 20C, show in
It should be apparent that the invention not only accomplishes the major functions required from such articles but does so in a particularly advantageous manner. It should be equally apparent, however, that various minor and equivalent modifications from the embodiments disclosed herein for illustrative purposes could be employed without departing from the essence of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention should be regarded as encompassing not only the subject matter literally defined by the claims which follow, but also technical equivalents thereof. For example, the rectangular shape of the inventive article is not necessary and other indicia patterns (e.g. a floral pattern, team logos, etc.), may be substituted.
Claims
1. A bedding article comprising:
- a first sheet having a first top side and a first bottom side, and presenting a longitudinal axis;
- a second sheet having a second top side and a second bottom side, also presenting a longitudinal axis aligned with that of the first sheet; and
- reversible fixing structure attached on the outer edge of both the first and second sheet such that when the fixing structure is released the first top side and the second bottom side may be hidden in the center to expose the first bottom side and the second top side.
2. The bedding article of claim 1 wherein the fixing structure includes a zipper.
3. The bedding article of claim 1 wherein the fixing structure includes at least one button affixed to the first sheet proximal the outer edge of the first sheet.
4. The bedding article of claim 1 wherein the first bottom side of the first sheet presents a uniform decorative pattern appearing on substantially all of the first bottom sheet.
5. A bedding article comprising:
- a first sheet having a first top side and a first bottom side, and a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, the first sheet presenting a longitudinal axis parallel with the second and fourth edges;
- a second sheet having a second top side and a second bottom side, and a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, the second sheet also presenting a longitudinal axis aligned with that of the first sheet; and
- reversible fixing structure attached on the first and second edges of both the first and second sheet such that when the fixing structure is released the first top side and the second bottom side may be hidden in the center to expose the first bottom side and the second top side.
6. The bedding article of claim 5 wherein the fixing structure includes a zipper.
7. The bedding article of claim 5 wherein the fixing structure includes at least one button affixed to the first sheet proximal the outer edge of the first sheet.
8. A bedding article comprising:
- a first sheet having a first top side and a first bottom side, and a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, the first sheet presenting a longitudinal axis parallel with the second and fourth edges;
- a second sheet having a second top side and a second bottom side, and a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge, the second sheet also presenting a longitudinal axis aligned with that of the first sheet; and
- reversible fixing structure attached on the first, second and third edges of both the first and second sheet such that when the fixing structure is released, the first top side and the second bottom side may be hidden in the center to expose the first bottom side and the second top side.
9. The bedding article of claim 8 wherein the fixing structure includes a zipper.
10. The bedding article of claim 8 wherein the fixing structure includes at least one button affixed to the first sheet proximal the outer edge of the first sheet.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 19, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 25, 2007
Inventor: Donna Combellick (Kansas City, MO)
Application Number: 11/406,609
International Classification: A47G 9/04 (20060101); A47G 9/00 (20060101);