WRAP AROUND BED RAIL COVER

Abstract

Hingedly connected bed rail cover provides a one-piece, preferably upholstered, bed rail cover that may be readily installed around a bed frame. Since it is made to form a one piece, hinged construction, there is no need for skilled workers for assembly, installation, or replacement of the bed rail cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bed frames and, more particularly, to covers to conceal the rails and other frame members of a bed frame.

Bed rails and bed frames are unsightly in hotel rooms. Most are typically hidden by bed skirts which move around and give an unfinished look themselves. Typical upholstered bed rail covers have 3 pieces that are upholstered individually and then assembled and installed by the end user.

Because current upholstered bed rail covers are three separate pieces, they must be assembled and installed by a professional, thereby adding costs to upgrade or refinish a bed. Similarly, because current upholstered bed rail covers have to be assembled, they have a tendency to require continual tightening and adjustment.

As can be seen, there is a need for a bed rail cover that may be readily installed without the need for tools or skilled workers to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is a wraparound bed rail cover, comprising: a first side member, a second side member, and an end member; a first corner member hingedly interconnects the first side member and the end member. A second corner member hingedly interconnects the second side member and the end member. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim may also include a first upholstered fabric attached to cover an outer surface of the first corner member and the second corner member; a second upholstered fabric attached to cover an outer surface of the first side member, the second side member, and said end member; wherein an end of the first upholstered fabric is disposed beneath the second upholstered fabric.

In other aspects of the invention a padding layer is disposed between the first upholstered fabric and the second upholstered fabric and the members. The padding layer may include a first padding layer is disposed beneath the first upholstered fabric; and a second padding layer is disposed beneath a substantial portion of the second upholstered fabric. In some embodiments, an upper and lower edge of the first upholstered fabric is fastened to an inner surface of the corner member, and a left and a right lateral end of the first upholstered fabric is disposed in an unfastened condition beneath the second upholstered fabric layer.

In some aspects of the invention, a plurality of hinges are provided and may include at least one hinge that connects the first side member to the first corner member, at least one hinge that connects the first corner member to the end member; and at least one hinge connects the second side member to the second corner member and at least one hinge connects the second corner member to the end member. The hinge may comprises a strap hinge or a piano hinge.

Yet another aspect of the invention includes a method of installing a cover around a bed frame, that comprises: providing a wraparound bed rail cover having a left side member, a right side member hingedly attached to an end member via a left and a right corner member; positioning the wrap around bed rail cover so that the end member is generally centered on the bed frame at a foot end of the bed; extending the right and left side members in a generally vertical orientation; lowering the left and right side members so that they are substantially aligned along a lateral aspect of the bed frame; and positioning the wrap around bed rail cover to an installed position relative to the bed frame. The method may further include providing the wrap around bed rail cover with an upholstered fabric covering the right side member, the left side member, the end member, and the right and the left corner members.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bed rail cover shown in use with a headboard and a mattress.

FIG. 2: Is a front perspective view of the bed rail cover.

FIG. 3: Is a reverse perspective view of the bed rail cover.

FIG. 4: Is an exploded view illustrated without fasteners.

FIG. 5: Is a section view of the bed rail cover taken from 5-5 in FIG. 1

FIG. 6: Is an enlarged section view

FIG. 7: Is a section view of the invention taken from 6-6 in FIG. 1

FIG. 8: Is an overhead plan view illustrating the rotation of the sides.

FIG. 9: Is a front end view of the bed rail cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a wraparound bed rail cover that may be readily applied around a bed frame to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

As stated above, bed rails and bed frames are unsightly. Most are typically hidden by bed skirts which move around and give an unfinished look themselves. Typical upholstered bed frames and rail covers require assembly and installation by the end user. The rail covers may hide either bed rails or other bed frame configurations.

Since it is rigid, it doesn't gather or pucker to form an unfinished look. Having a one-piece design eliminates the need of on-site assembly so it can simply be put into place by workers without specialized skills. Since the bed rail cover may be made in one continuous piece, there is no need for specialized assembly, installation, or maintenance personnel. For an individual, where they may only have a limited number of beds, this may not be an issue. However, for those in the hotel industry, with hundreds of beds at a given location, the cost and delays associated with obtaining an installer can represent a significant cost, both in terms of direct costs for installation as well as lost opportunity costs associated with a room that may not be immediately available for occupancy by a guest.

Since all the sides are connected before upholstery, the end user simply unfolds and installs the wrap around bed rail cover into place. This is a significant improvement over typical upholstered bed rail covers that have 3 pieces, which are upholstered individually and then assembled by the end user.

As best seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, a bed assembly comprises a headboard 46 and a mattress 44 that is supported by a frame assembly. The frame assembly may include at least two rail members 48 that extend along the longitudinal length of the bed so as to support the mattress 44 in an elevated position with respect to the floor. The frame and rail members 48 are generally made of steel structural members that may be unsightly. Accordingly, decorative techniques to hide or obscure the rails include bed skirts or rail covers. The skirts and rail covers may be used alone or in combination.

As stated previously, conventional rail covers in the art are generally formed of separate structural members, which require assembly to the bed at the location of the bed. Because they are separate structural members, they require application of the upholstered fabric or material to each member before assembly. When assembled, these products may present unsightly seams or exhibit puckering in the fabric at the ends of the members where they are joined to one another. The present overcomes these limitations in the art by applying an upholstered covering to a wraparound bed rail cover assembly.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 1-4, according to a preferred embodiment of the structural members of present invention a right side rail cover member 10, a left side rail cover member 12, and a foot, or end cover member 14. The cover members 10, 12, and 14 may be hingedly joined to form a wraparound bed rail cover assembly of the present invention. The right side rail cover 10 may be joined to the foot board cover member 14 via a right corner member 16. Likewise the left side rail cover 12 may be joined to the foot board cover member 14 via a left corner member 18. Corner members 14 and 18 may be joined interposed between the respective side members and the end member 14 via one or more hinges 40. By way of example, hinges 40 may be 4″ strap hinges that may be attached to using wood screws or other suitable fasteners. Similarly, hinges 40 may be piano hinges, or other suitable hinge connections.

The cover members are substantially rectangular in shape and may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, particle board, and the like. By way of example, the members may be boards formed of 7/16″ OSB may be cut in 5 rectangular sizes: (2) 14″×76″ for the sides; (2) 14″×4″ for the corners, and (1) 14″×60″ for the foot. Alternatively, the members may be defined as substantially rectangular frame members.

In further reference to FIG. 4, the members are preferably covered with a fabric material, including a right side fabric 30, a left side fabric 32, a foot board fabric 34, as well as a left and a right corner fabric 36, 38. In certain preferred embodiments a padding layer may be included between the fabric layer and an outer surface of the members, including a right side padding 20, a left side padding 22, and a foot board padding 24.

As may be seen in reference to FIG. 3, the fabric and padding may be secured to the members by wrapping the material around the padding and securing an edge of the material to an inner surface of the members via a fastener 42, such staples, upholstery tacks, pins, nails, and even hook and pile material. It will be appreciated that the fabric material may also be fastened to the member by a suitable adhesive. The fabric lining is preferably stapled on the inside surface of the structural members to hide any wood or structural member material that might be showing and provide a finished look. Buttons or welt cord can also be applied to give different looks and appearances.

The left and right corner members 16, 18 are preferably padded with a right corner padding 26 and a left corner padding 28. As seen in in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the left and right corner fabrics 36, 38 are preferably disposed beneath the foot board fabric 34 and respective left or right side fabrics 30, 32 so as to overlap a portion of the side members 10, 12 and the end member 14. The left and right corner fabrics 36, 38 may be secured to an inner surface of the corner members 36, 38 and the ends disposed beneath the respective left and right side fabrics 30, 32 may be left in an unfastened, floating configuration so as to permit closing of the side members about the hinges 40 without tearing the corner fabrics 36, 38. The corner fabrics 36, 38 may also be sufficiently elastic so as to avoid puckering and buckling

By this arrangement, the present invention avoids the presence of unsightly gaps and bunching associated with conventional upholstered rail covers, presenting a neat, attractive appearance such as seen in reference to FIG. 9. This arrangement also provides the wrap around bed rail cover to be formed as a single piece finished upholstered product. As seen in reference to FIG. 8, the left and right sides may articulate about the hinges 40 connecting the corner members 16, 18 to the foot board member 14, and the respective right and left side members 10, 12.

As seen in reference to FIG. 5, the members may have a vertical dimension such that they extend from the floor surface, to conceal the legs 50, rails 48, and box spring 52 of the bed. The vertical dimension may further extend so as to partially conceal a lower portion of the mattress 44.

After manufacture, the wrap around bed rail covers of the present invention may be shipped in a stacked and extended configuration. Upon receipt at the installation site, they may be removed and be carried with one of the side members folded over onto the end member to make maneuvering easier. The wrap around cover may then be placed at the foot of the bed with the end member generally centered on the bed frame. The side members 10, 12 may then be pivoted generally vertically and lowered around the side edges of the mattress 44, box spring 52, if already installed on the frame 48. Once lowered, the side members 10, 12 and end member 14 may then be readily positioned to conceal the bed rails 48 legs and box spring 52.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wrap around bed rail cover, comprising:

a first side member, a second side member, and an end member;

a first corner member, hingedly interconnecting the first side member and the end member; and

a second corner member hingedly interconnecting the second side member and the end member.

2. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a first upholstered fabric attached to cover an outer surface of the first corner member and the second corner member;

a second upholstered fabric attached to cover an outer surface of the first side member, the second side member, and said end member; wherein an end of the first upholstered fabric is disposed beneath the second upholstered fabric.

3. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 2, further comprising:

a padding layer disposed between the first upholstered fabric and the second upholstered fabric.

4. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 3, wherein the padding layer further comprises:

a first padding layer is disposed beneath the first upholstered fabric;

a second padding layer is disposed beneath a substantial portion of the second upholstered fabric.

5. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 4, wherein an upper and lower edge of the first upholstered fabric is fastened to an inner surface of the corner member, and a left and a right lateral end of the first upholstered fabric is disposed in an un fastened condition beneath the second upholstered fabric layer.

6. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of hinges, wherein:

at least one hinge connects the first side member to the first corner member and at least one hinge connects the first corner member to the end member; and

at least one hinge connects the second side member to the second corner member and at least one hinge connects the second corner member to the end member.

7. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 6, wherein the hinge comprises a strap hinge.

8. The wrap around bed rail cover of claim 6, wherein the hinge comprises a piano hinge.

9. A method of installing a cover around a bed frame, comprising:

providing a wraparound bed rail cover having a left side member, a right side member hingedly attached to an end member via a left and a right corner member;

positioning the wrap around bed rail cover so that the end member is generally centered on the bed frame at a foot end of the bed;

extending the right and left side members in a generally vertical orientation;

lowering the left and right side members so that they are substantially aligned along a lateral aspect of the bed frame; and

positioning the wrap around bed rail cover to an installed position relative to the bed frame.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wrap around bed rail cover further comprises an upholstered fabric covering the right side member, the left side member, the end member, and the right and the left corner members.