CATCHING DEVICE FOR USE WITH UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

Abstract

A catching device for use with a piece of upholstered furniture having a base portion, at least one wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a crevice between the base portion and the at least one wall portion. The catching device includes an elongated receptacle sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice. The receptacle has a length selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice, an upper sidewall shaped to extend along a wall side of the crevice, a lower sidewall shaped to extend along a base side of the crevice, and an end portion shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall to the upper sidewall so as to form a closed end of the receptacle. The upper sidewall and lower sidewall are biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the upper sidewall sealingly engages the wall portion and the lower sidewall sealingly engages the base portion. The catching device also includes a retaining flange flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall and being sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the crevice and away from the lower sidewall to engage a wall surface of the at least one wall portion to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to devices for use with upholstered furniture, and in particular, to catching devices for preventing small objects such as coins from becoming lost in crevices in upholstered furniture.

INTRODUCTION

Upholstered furniture, such as sofas, settees, chairs or the like are commonplace in many homes. The structure of a piece of upholstered furniture typically includes a seating or base portion on which one or more occupants may be received and a backrest wall portion against which the occupants may lean. The seating portion and the backrest portion are typically cushioned and upholstered to provide additional comfort and support to the occupants. In the case of many sofas and chairs, the seating portion includes a number of removable cushions. Most pieces of upholstered furniture also have side wall portions provided at one or more ends of the furniture and which may serve as armrests.

The backrest wall portion and the seating portion typically have a crevice extending therebetween, which usually extends into the frame of the furniture. A crevice may also exist between the side wall portions of the furniture and the seat portion of the furniture. When an occupant sits on the upholstered furniture, small objects in possession of the occupant (e.g. coins in the occupant's pocket, etc.) may fall into a crevice and be lost within the frame of the furniture.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device that tends to inhibit articles from falling into the crevice of the upholstered furniture.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect there is provided a catching device for use with a piece of upholstered furniture, the upholstered furniture having a base portion, at least one wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a crevice between the base portion and the at least one wall portion. The catching device comprises an elongated receptacle sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice, the receptacle having a length selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice, an upper sidewall shaped to extend along a wall side of the crevice, a lower sidewall shaped to extend along a base side of the crevice, and an end portion shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall to the upper sidewall so as to form a closed end of the receptacle, the upper sidewall and lower sidewall biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the upper sidewall sealingly engages the wall portion and the lower sidewall sealingly engages the base portion; and a retaining flange flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall and being sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the crevice and away from the lower sidewall to engage a wall surface of the at least one wall portion to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

The retaining flange width may be selected such that the retaining flange is configured to hookingly engage the wall surface of the at least one wall portion. The retaining flange may be coupled to the top portion of the upper sidewall at an angle between approximately 75 degrees and 105 degrees. The retaining flange may be generally perpendicularly to the upper sidewall.

The catching device may further comprise a lower engagement member coupled to the lower sidewall of the catching device and extending outwardly therefrom, the lower engagement member sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the lower engagement member engages an upper surface of the base portion so as to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

The lower engagement member may be flexibly coupled to the lower sidewall and extend downwardly therefrom at an angle between approximately 0 degrees and 30 degrees.

The upper sidewall and lower sidewall may be flexible such that when at least one occupant sits on the base portion, the upper and lower sidewalls maintain sealing engagement with the wall portion and base portion.

The retaining flange may have a width selected such that the retaining flange is at least partially hidden by a removable cushion received on the base portion of the piece of upholstered furniture.

The catching device may further comprise at least one friction-enhanced portion configured to engage the piece of upholstered furniture to secure the receptacle in the crevice. The at least one friction-enhanced portion may include a plurality of ridges.

At least one of the upper sidewall, the lower sidewall, and the retaining flange may comprise a ridged portion having a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges orientated at rake angles selected to inhibit movement of the catching device when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice.

The upper sidewall, lower sidewall, end portion, and retaining flange may be formed of a continuous member.

The wall portion of the piece of upholstered furniture may comprise a backrest portion of the upholstered furniture and the length of the receptacle may be selected to extend along substantially the entire backrest portion.

The wall portion of the piece of upholstered furniture may comprise a side wall portion of the upholstered furniture and the length of the receptacle may be selected to extend along substantially the entire side wall portion.

The end portion may be bulbously shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the end portion tends to wedge against the upper sidewall and lower sidewall to secure the receptacle within the crevice.

According to another aspect, there is provided a catching device for use with a piece of upholstered furniture, the upholstered furniture having a base portion, at least one wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a crevice between the base portion and the at least one wall portion. The catching device comprises an elongated receptacle sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice, the receptacle having a length selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice, an upper sidewall shaped to extend along a wall side of the crevice, a lower sidewall shaped to extend along a base side of the crevice, and an end portion shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall to the upper sidewall so as to form a closed end of the receptacle, the upper sidewall and lower sidewall biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the upper sidewall sealingly engages the wall portion and the lower sidewall sealingly engages the base portion; and a lower engagement member coupled to the lower sidewall of the catching device and extending outwardly therefrom, the lower engagement member sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the lower engagement member engages an upper surface of the base portion so as to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

The catching device may further comprise a retaining flange flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall and being sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the crevice and away from the lower sidewall to engage a wall surface of the at least one wall portion to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

The catching device may further comprise at least one friction-enhanced portion configured to engage the piece of upholstered furniture to secure the receptacle in the crevice. The at least one friction-enhanced portion includes a plurality of ridges.

At least one of the upper sidewall, the lower sidewall, and the lower engagement member may comprise a ridged portion having a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges orientated at rake angles selected to inhibit movement of the catching device when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a catching device for inhibiting articles from passing into a crevice of a piece of upholstered furniture according to one embodiment of the invention, shown deployed on the piece of upholstered furniture;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the piece of upholstered furniture of FIG. 1, without the catching device;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the catching device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the catching device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the catching device shown in FIG. 1 in a disengaged position;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the catching device of FIG. 5 shown in an engaged position;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of a piece of upholstered furniture with the catching device engaged therein;

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the catching device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the catching device shown in FIG. 7 when an occupant is received on the upholstered furniture;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a piece of upholstered furniture having a catching device for inhibiting articles from passing into a crevice along a side wall thereof;

FIG. 11 is an end view of a catching device for inhibiting articles from passing into a crevice according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of a catching device for inhibiting articles from passing into a crevice according to yet another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 generally shows a catching device 10 for use with a piece of upholstered furniture 12 (such as a sofa) according to one embodiment of the invention.

The piece of upholstered furniture 12 generally has a base portion 14 and a wall portion 16 that extends upwardly from the base portion 14. Between the wall portion 16 and the base portion 14 is a crevice 18. As shown, the base portion 14 includes a removable cushion 17. When an occupant sits on the cushion 17 of the piece of furniture 12, small articles such as loose coins may fall into the crevice 18 and be misplaced or even lost within the frame of the upholstered furniture 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wall portion 16 may be a backrest portion 16a of the piece of furniture 12 such that the crevice 18 is between the backrest portion 16a and the base portion 14. The crevice 18 generally has a wall side 18a and base side 18b.

The wall portion 16 may also be an armrest portion 16b of the furniture 12 such that the crevice 18 is between the armrest portion 16b and the base portion 14, as shown for example in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the catching device 10 is generally configured for preventing articles from falling through the crevice 18 into the frame of the furniture 12. The catching device 10 generally includes an elongated receptacle 22 sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice 18 as generally shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

In some embodiments, the receptacle 22 generally has a length L selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice 18, and in some embodiments may extend substantially along the entire crevice 18.

In other embodiments, the receptacle 22 has a length selected such that a plurality of catching devices 10 may be positioned end-to-end within the crevice 18 to extend along the length of the crevice 18. For example, in some embodiments the length L is selected such that three catching devices 10 may be used to extend along the length of the crevice 18 of a standard sized sofa, two catching devices 10 may be used to extend along the length of the crevice 18 of a standard sized loveseat, and one catching device 10 may be used to extend along the crevice 18 in between the side wall and the base portion 14.

As shown, the receptacle 22 generally includes an upper sidewall 24 sized and shaped to extend along the wall side 18a of the crevice 18, a lower sidewall 26 sized and shaped to extend along the base side 18b of the crevice 18, and an end portion 28 sized and shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall 26 to the upper sidewall 24 so as to form a closed end of the receptacle 22.

The catching device 10 also includes a retaining flange 30 flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall 24 and which is sized and shaped to secure the receptacle 22 to the wall portion 16.

The upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 are generally biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle 22 is disengaged from the crevice 18, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 are disposed apart. In this manner, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 tend to sealingly engage with the wall side 18a and base side 18b of the crevice 18 when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, as described in greater detail below.

The upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 are generally disposed apart at a first angle θ1. As shown in FIG. 5, when the receptacle 22 is in a disengaged state (e.g. when the receptacle is not received within the crevice 18), the first angle θ1 may be between approximately 45 and 135 degrees. In other embodiments, when the receptacle 22 is in a disengaged state, the first angle θ1 may be between approximately 75 and 105 degrees. In yet other embodiments, when the receptacle 22 is in a disengaged state, the first angle θ1 may be approximately 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 may be flexibly coupled together by the end portion 28 such that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 can flexibly move towards each other such that the receptacle 22 can be received in a crevice 18 with a mouth 18c generally smaller than the distance between the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 in the disengaged state.

For example, the receptacle 22 is shown in the engaged state in FIG. 6. In the engaged state, the first angle θ1 is reduced to accommodate the size and shape of the crevice 18. For example, in some embodiments, when in the engaged state the first angle θ1 may be between approximately 0 degrees and 30 degrees depending on the width of the mouth 18c of crevice 18. In other embodiments, when in the engaged state the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 24 may be in contact and the first angle θ1 may be approximately 0 degrees, or may be less than 0 degrees.

During use, as shown in FIG. 7, the bias between the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 tends to cause the upper sidewall 24 to sealingly engage the wall side 18a and the lower sidewall 26 to sealingly engage the base side 18b. In this manner, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 cooperate to seal the wall portion 16 to the base portion 14 to prevent articles from falling into the crevice 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper sidewall member 24 has a first width D1 and the lower sidewall member 26 has a second width D2. The first width D1 and the second width D2 are selected such that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the receptacle 22 tends to be retained within the crevice 18 by upper sidewall 24 engaging against the wall side 18a of the crevice 18 and the lower sidewall member 26 engaging against the base side 18b of the crevice 18.

The first width D1 may also selected so that the upper sidewall member 24 tends not to substantially protrude beyond the open end of the crevice 18 once the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18. The first and second widths D1 and D2 will depend upon the dimensions of the frame of the piece of upholstered furniture 12. In some embodiments the first width D1 may be approximately 4 inches, or between approximately 3 to 6 inches. Similarly, in some embodiments the second width D2 may be approximately 4 inches, or between approximately 3 to 6 inches.

It is contemplated that the first and second widths D1 and D2 may differ with various embodiments. In some embodiments, the first and second width D1 and D2 may be substantially the same.

As shown, the retaining flange 30 is flexibly coupled to the top portion of the upper sidewall 24 and is sized and shaped such that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the retaining flange 30 protrudes outwardly from the crevice 18, generally upwardly away from the lower sidewall 26. The retaining flange 30 is configured to engage a wall surface of the wall portion 16 so as to generally secure the receptacle 22 in the crevice 18.

As shown, the retaining flange 30 may be disposed at a second angle θ2 with respect to the upper sidewall 24. The second angle θ2 may be selected such that the when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the retaining flange 30 protrudes from the crevice 18 and engages the wall surface of the wall portion 16 in a “hooking” manner. This tends to secure the receptacle 22 within the crevice 18.

For example, the second angle θ2 could be between approximately 75 and 105 degrees. In other embodiments, the second angle θ2 may be approximately 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the retaining flange 30 may be slightly curved as shown in FIG. 5. The retaining flange 30 may also be flexible which may tend to improve contact between the wall surface of the wall portion 16 and the retaining flange 30.

As shown, the retaining flange 30 generally has a retaining width D4 selected to protrude upwardly from the crevice 18 to engage the wall surface of the wall portion 16 to secure the receptacle 22 in the crevice 18. The retaining width D4 may be selected such that if a removable cushion 17 is received on the base portion 14 of the furniture 12, the retaining flange 30 may be at least partially hidden by the removable cushion 17 (as shown for example in FIG. 7). For example, in some embodiments the retaining width D4 may be approximately 2½ inches, or between approximately 2 to 4 inches.

In some embodiments, the catching device 10 may also have a lower engagement member 32 coupled to the lower sidewall 26 and generally extending outwardly therefrom. The lower engagement member 32 may be sized and shaped such that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the lower engagement member 32 engages with an upper surface of the base portion 14 so as to help secure the receptacle 22 in the crevice 18.

The lower engagement member 32 may be flexibly coupled to the lower sidewall 26, and disposed at a third angle θ3 with respect to the lower sidewall 26 (when the receptacle 22 is disengaged from the crevice 18) such that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the lower engagement member 32 will tend to sealingly engages the upper surface of the base portion 14 to discourage articles from falling between the lower engagement member 32 and the upper surface of the base portion 14. In some embodiments, the third angle θ3 may be between approximately 150 degrees and 180 degrees.

When the lower engagement member 32 is flexibly coupled to the lower sidewall 26, the third angle θ3 may vary during use. For example, when an occupant is received on the furniture 12, the lower engagement member 32 may flex downwardly under the weight of the occupant, causing the third angle θ3 to vary accordingly. For example, the third angle θ3 may be between 170 degrees and 190 degrees when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18 and an occupant is received on the seat portion 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lower engagement member 32 generally has an engagement width D3. The engagement width D3 may be selected so that the lower engagement member 32 protrudes from the crevice 18 when the receptacle 22 is inserted therein so as to engage the upper surface of the base portion 14.

In some embodiments, the engagement width D3 may be selected such that when the removable cushion 17 is received on the base portion 14, the lower engagement member 32 extends between the cushion 17 and the upper surface of the base portion 14. In this manner, the lower engagement member 32 may tend to further help in securing the receptacle 22 within the crevice 18.

In some embodiments, the engagement width D3 may be approximately 3 inches, or between approximately 2 to 6 inches.

In some embodiments, the catching device 10 has at least one friction-enhanced portion 36 configured to engage the piece of upholstered furniture 12 to secure receptacle 22 in the crevice 18. In the embodiment as shown, the upper sidewall 24, retaining flange 30, lower sidewall 26, lower engagement member 32, and end portion 28 may each have a friction-enhanced portion 36. However, it will be understood that one or more friction-enhanced portions 36 may be used in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the friction-enhanced portions 36 include a plurality of ridges 38 that frictionally engage with one or more surfaces of the furniture 12 so as to tend to secure the receptacle 22 within the crevice 18. The ridges 38 may be oriented at various rake angles with respect to the portions of the catching device 10 so as to engage the upholstered furniture 12 to inhibit movement of portions of the catching device 10 with respect thereto.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the retaining flange 30 may have ridges 38a oriented at a first rake angle selected to inhibit the upper sidewall 24 from moving towards the lower sidewall 26 when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18. Similarly, the upper sidewall 24 and lower sidewall 26 may have upper ridges 38b and lower ridges 38c, respectively, the upper and lower ridges 38b, 38c oriented at rake angles selected to inhibit the receptacle 22 from being removed from the crevice 18 when inserted therein. Furthermore, the lower engagement member 32 may have ridges 38d oriented at a rake angle selected to engage the upper surface of the base portion 14 to inhibit the lower engagement member 32 from moving towards the crevice 18.

In alternative embodiments, the friction-enhanced portions 36 may include knobs, protrusions, and/or roughened surfaces, or may include removable fasteners for securing the receptacle 22 within the crevice 18. For example, hook-and-loop type fasteners may be used to retain the receptacle 22 in place.

In the embodiment as shown, the catching device 10 is generally made of a single flexible continuous member that includes the lower engagement portion 32, the lower sidewall 26, the end portion 28, the upper sidewall 24 and the retaining flange 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the catching device 10 may be constructed of a continuous member that has a thickness T selected such that the catching device 10 is sufficiently flexible depending on the material of construction and the desired application. In some embodiments the thickness T may be between approximately 1/16 inch to ¼ inch. For example, the thickness T may be approximately ⅛ inches. In other embodiments, the thickness T may be approximately 1/16 inches.

In some embodiments, the catching device 10 may be made from an extruded material (e.g. polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, plastics or rubber) or by molding.

In alternative embodiments, the catching device 10 may be made from multiple parts and may have multiple components made of different materials and which may be joined together using known techniques.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 shows the catching device 10 deployed in an piece of upholstered furniture 12 wherein the wall portion 16 is a backrest portion of the upholstered furniture and the base portion 14 is a seat portion of the upholstered furniture having a removable cushion 17.

As shown in FIG. 9, during use when an occupant is received on the base portion 14, the lower engagement member 32 and lower sidewall portions 26 flex downwardly against the base portion 14 (in response to the movement of the cushion 17) while the upper sidewall 26 and retaining flange remain engaged with the wall portion 16. In this manner, the receptacle 22 tends to seal the wall portion 16 to the base portion 14 such that loose articles that would tend to fall into the crevice 18 are caught in the receptacle 22. Accordingly, the occupant or other persons may retrieve the loose articles from the receptacle 22 and the loose articles will not be lost in the furniture 12.

The width of the crevice 18 may vary at various locations within the crevice 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the crevice 18 may have a narrow region with a narrow width W2 close to the mouth 18c of the crevice 18, and a wide region with a wide width W1 (generally larger than the narrow width W2) further from the mouth 18c of the crevice 18.

In some embodiments, the end portion 28 may have a bulbous shape so that when the receptacle 22 is inserted into the crevice 18, the bulbous end portion 28 may pass through the narrower region to be received in the wider region. The bulbous shape of the end portion 28 may tend to secure the end portion 28 within the crevice 18 by acting as a wedge that helps to inhibit disengagement of the receptacle 22 from the crevice 18.

In some embodiments, the bulbous end portion 28 may be sufficiently flexible that is can be squeezed to pass through the narrow region. In other embodiments, the narrow region of the crevice 18 may be sufficiently flexible that it can widen to accommodate the bulbous end portion 28.

As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments the catching device 10 could also be deployed in a piece of upholstered furniture wherein the wall portion 16 is an armrest or sidewall portion 16b of the upholstered furniture and the base portion 14 comprises a seat portion of the upholstered furniture 12 having a removable cushion 17. As shown, the catching device 10 may be inserted into an arm crevice 19 between the armrest portion 16b and the base portion 14 such that upper sidewall 24 sealingly engages the armrest portion 16b and the lower sidewall 26 sealingly engages the base portion 14.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is a catching device 50 according to another embodiment of the invention. The catching device 50 is generally similar to the catching device 10, and like features are identified by like reference characters.

In this embodiment, the catching device 50 has an end portion 54 shaped as a rounded protuberance to which lower sidewall 26 and the upper sidewall 24 are coupled. The end portion 54 here has a thickened portion 52 generally between upper sidewall 24 and the lower sidewall 26. The thickened portion 52 may tend to strengthen the end portion 54 and which may facilitate insertion of the end portion 54 within the crevice 18 (by making it easier to widen the sidewalls of the crevice 18 during insertion).

Turning now to FIG. 12, illustrated therein is a catching device 60 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The catching device 60 is similar to the catching device 10, and like features are identified by like reference characters.

In this embodiment, the catching device 60 includes an end portion 62 shaped as a rounded protuberance and to which the lower sidewall 26 and the upper sidewall 24 are coupled. The end portion 62 also has a gap 64 therein. The gap 64 may allow the end portion 62 to flex such that the end portion 62 may more easily be inserted into the crevice 18.

What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the embodiments. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A catching device for use with a piece of upholstered furniture having a base portion, at least one wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a crevice between the base portion and the at least one wall portion, the catching device comprising:

a) an elongated receptacle sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice, the receptacle having a length selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice, an upper sidewall shaped to extend along a wall side of the crevice, a lower sidewall shaped to extend along a base side of the crevice, and an end portion shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall to the upper sidewall so as to form a closed end of the receptacle, the upper sidewall and lower sidewall being biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the upper sidewall sealingly engages the wall portion and the lower sidewall sealingly engages the base portion; and

b) a retaining flange flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall, the retaining flange being sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the crevice and away from the lower sidewall to engage a wall surface of the at least one wall portion to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

2. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the retaining flange width is selected such that the retaining flange is configured to hookingly engage the wall surface of the at least one wall portion.

3. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the retaining flange is coupled to the top portion of the upper sidewall at an angle between approximately 75 degrees and 105 degrees.

4. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the retaining flange is generally perpendicularly to the upper sidewall.

5. The catching device of claim 1, further comprising a lower engagement member coupled to the lower sidewall of the catching device and extending outwardly therefrom, the lower engagement member sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the lower engagement member engages an upper surface of the base portion so as to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

6. The catching device of claim 5, wherein the lower engagement member is flexibly coupled to the lower sidewall and extends downwardly therefrom at an angle between approximately 0 degrees and 30 degrees.

7. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the upper sidewall and lower sidewall are flexible such that when at least one occupant sits on the base portion, the upper and lower sidewalls maintain sealing engagement with the wall portion and base portion.

8. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the retaining flange has a width selected such that the retaining flange is at least partially hidden by a removable cushion received on the base portion of the piece of upholstered furniture.

9. The catching device of claim 1, further comprising at least one friction-enhanced portion configured to engage the piece of upholstered furniture to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

10. The catching device of claim 9, wherein the at least one friction-enhanced portion includes a plurality of ridges.

11. The catching device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper sidewall, the lower sidewall, and the retaining flange comprises a ridged portion having a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges orientated at rake angles selected to inhibit movement of the catching device when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice.

12. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the upper sidewall, lower sidewall, end portion, and retaining flange are formed of a continuous member.

13. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the wall portion of the piece of upholstered furniture comprises a backrest portion of the upholstered furniture and the length of the receptacle is selected to extend along substantially the entire backrest portion.

14. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the wall portion of the piece of upholstered furniture comprises a side wall portion of the upholstered furniture and the length of the receptacle is selected to extend along substantially the entire side wall portion.

15. The catching device of claim 1, wherein the end portion is bulbously shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the end portion tends to wedge against the upper sidewall and lower sidewall to secure the receptacle within the crevice.

16. A catching device for use with a piece of upholstered furniture having a base portion, at least one wall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a crevice between the base portion and the at least one wall portion, the catching device comprising:

a) an elongated receptacle sized and shaped for insertion into the crevice, the receptacle having a length selected to extend along at least a portion of the crevice, an upper sidewall shaped to extend along a wall side of the crevice, a lower sidewall shaped to extend along a base side of the crevice, and an end portion shaped for flexibly coupling the lower sidewall to the upper sidewall so as to form a closed end of the receptacle, the upper sidewall and lower sidewall biased apart from each other such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the upper sidewall sealingly engages the wall portion and the lower sidewall sealingly engages the base portion; and

b) a lower engagement member coupled to the lower sidewall of the catching device and extending outwardly therefrom, the lower engagement member sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the lower engagement member engages an upper surface of the base portion so as to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

17. The catching device of claim 16, further comprising a retaining flange flexibly coupled to a top portion of the upper sidewall and being sized and shaped such that when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice, the retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the crevice and away from the lower sidewall to engage a wall surface of the at least one wall portion to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

18. The catching device of claim 16, further comprising at least one friction-enhanced portion configured to engage the piece of upholstered furniture to secure the receptacle in the crevice.

19. The catching device of claim 18, wherein the at least one friction-enhanced portion includes a plurality of ridges.

20. The catching device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the upper sidewall, the lower sidewall, and the lower engagement member comprises a ridged portion having a plurality of ridges, the plurality of ridges orientated at rake angles selected to inhibit movement of the catching device when the receptacle is inserted into the crevice.