Bedspread holder

A bedspread holder utilizing a series of U-shaped members to support a bedspread off of the ends of a bed with an actuation handle connected to a support leg. The support leg can be rotated from a storage position substantially in the same plane as the U-shaped support member to a use position substantially perpendicular to such support member plane.

This invention relates to a bedspread holder, which holder has a storage support member extending between the mattress and box spring together with an articulated support leg, which support leg has an integral handle so as to allow the bedspread holder to be moved between a support and a storage position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bedspread holder.

Over the years there have been numerous attempts to design and build a bedspread holder which is both easy to use as well as efficient. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,736 entitled Spread Holder, U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,469 entitled Collapsible Bedspread-Holder, U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,480 entitled Bedspread Saver, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,979 entitled Holder for Bed Covers. Typically, these bedspread holders are difficult to operate (U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,736) or have relatively complex or difficult to operate legs (U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,469 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,480).

Further to the above, a bedspread holder should be simple, easy to store, as well as low cost. The bedspread holder of the present invention fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bedspread holder is comprised having generally U-shaped support storage members as well as a support leg. In this holder, the support leg rotates 90° in respect to the main elements to facilitate movement of the holder from a storage position entirely underneath the mattress to one that is mostly spaced of such mattress with the support leg supporting the outer ends of the holder.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to facilitate the storage of a bedspread;

It is an additional object of this invention to simplify the storage of a bedspread;

It is another object of this invention to reduce the cost of storing a bedspread;

It is a further object of this invention to facilitate the use of a bedspread on a mattress;

It is an yet a further object of this invention to facilitate the usability of a bedspread holder;

Other objects of the invention and a more complete understanding of the invention may be had referring to the drawings within this application in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bedspread holder for storing bedspreads, comforters, pillows, and other secondary coverings and items (hereinafter referred to as bedspreads) used with beds.

The bedspread holder10has an extender member20, a retaining member30, and a support member40.

The extender member20serves to physically support the bedspread100when in an open position and serves to physically guide the bedspread holder10between use and storage positions during the transition therebetween.

In a use position, the bedspread extender member20defines a planar support for the bedspread100and for storage. In the preferred extender member20disclosed, there are three generally U-shaped rods21,22,23extending from a laterally extending main connection tube25. These rods21,22,23interconnect to the connection tube25through a series of hex nuts26located in dimpled holes27of the connection tube25(acorn nuts shown). This use of hex nuts26provides for a secure interconnection between the extender member20and the connection tube25, while at the same time allowing for a flexibility of rod inclusion and location over a series of bedspread holders10. For example, by adding to or subtracting from the number of rods used for a specific holder10and/or varying spacing between rods with corresponding main tube length variation, a range of sizes can be provided from single to California king. The use of hex nuts26also allows for any given holder10to be shipped or stored in an unassembled condition, thus lowering the cost and expense of both. Further, the cooperation with the dimples acts as a locknut. The ends of the acorn nuts in the preferred embodiment smooth the ends of the rods21–23.

The rods21,22,23are designed to fit between a mattress110and a bed support part115(a box spring is shown in the preferred embodiment). By a movement along a longitudinal axis of the rods21,22,23, the entire holder10can be moved between an inner storage position50and an outer use position51. This movement occurs along a longitudinal axis of the extender member20(contrast figs3and4).

The retaining member30serves a triple purpose of providing for: a convenient stop at the inner storage position50of the bedspread holder10(FIG. 4); an outer side of the holder10in the outer use position52of the holder (FIG. 2); as well as, a locator for manipulation of the support leg40during transitions (FIGS. 5,6).

The particular retaining rod member30shown is a rod31having a central locator section32and an outer end/alignment edge35(fig1).

The rod itself provides an edge plane of retention substantially perpendicular to the plane of the extender member20at the outer end of the holder10. This serves as a convenient end to the holder10when the device is being utilized in its use position (FIG. 2) as well as providing a convenient stop when the device is being utilized in its storage position (FIG. 4). The retaining rod member30further aligns the holder10in respect to the mattress110.

The central locator section32is a deflection of the rod31from its normal straight section in order to provide for an easily discernible central locating indicator, as well as strengthening of the rod31(W deflection shown). In the single support leg embodiment disclosed, the central locator section32also gives notice to the consumer that the retaining rod member30is not the preferred handle to move the holder10between its inner storage position (FIGS. 4,5) and outer use position (FIGS. 2,6): the handle48on the support leg40is.

An alignment edge35serves to orient the retaining rod member30in a plane36slightly divergent from that extending straight off of the main tube25perpendicular to the extender member20. This allows access to the holder10even while it is being stored (seeFIG. 5). It also serves to allow for the use of a series of additional holes28in the main tube25parallel to, but spaced from, the extender member20to serve as the interconnection between the retaining member30and the main tube25. In that these holes28can be created in the same operation as the dimples27, a single manufacturing station is thus necessary to manufacture the connection tube25.

The support leg40provides a retractable handle48for the holder10while also serves to physically support the outer end of the bedspread holder10when such holder10is in its outer use position51.

The particular support leg40shown has a self-formed circular end41to interconnect the upper end of the support leg40to the connection tube25. This connects the support leg40to the rest of the holder10while also providing an axis for rotation (as later described). The support leg40in addition has a lower end45interconnecting two adjacent sides46,47. The width of this lower end45provides an additional support for the bedspread holder10against a rocking motion. It, in addition, insures that a single movement of the support leg40will move the entire support leg between a storage and a use position. The height50of the support leg40is designed to hold the bedspread extender member20substantially parallel to the axis of separation between the mattress110and the bed support part115(FIG. 2). As the height of the bed support part115from the floor (whether a box spring, board, or otherwise) is generally universally within a certain limited range irrespective of the mattress110, a single bedspread holder10can be utilized with a multiplicity of mattresses (such as a pillow top, a regular mattress, or a futon).

In the present invention of the application, an actuation/storage handle48is interconnected to the top of the support leg40.

The actuation handle48itself is used to move the holder10between its use and storage positions and to pivot the support leg40from its use position (FIG. 2) to its storage position (FIG. 4). As the handle48is exposed from the remainder of the holder10, it is easily accessible for occasioning this movement (seeFIG. 5).

To move to a use position (FIG. 2), the user grasps the handle48and pulls the holder10in a plane65co-extensive with the extender member20. This moves the holder10outwards. When a sufficient longitudinal movement has been accomplished such that the lower end45is free from the bed, the support leg40can be operative. As soon as this end45of the leg40is freed from the bed support part115, the user will feel a rotary force on the handle48. This signifies that the support leg40could be dropped to its use position by releasing the handle at any time the user desires (up to the length of the rods21,22,23that form the extender member20in the preferred embodiment disclosed). On dropping the support leg40, it rotates into its use position (due to the weight of the leg itself in the embodiment disclosed). The holder10can then be used (FIG. 2). Note that the gravity operation of the support leg is preferred for its inherent simplicity. If desired, a spring could be incorporated to facilitate the movement.

To move the holder to storage position, the user reaches within the retaining member30to grasp the handle48(FIG. 6). The locator32on the retaining member30easily provides the location for the handle48of such-support leg. Further in the embodiment disclosed, the locator32also reduces the apparent height of the retaining member30at this location. This, in combination with the edge35, locates such handle48within grasping distance and in planar alignment (plane36) of the retaining rod. A slight upwards movement to free the end45of the support member40from the floor and the handle48is free to rotate the entire support leg40upwards (movement60) until its longitudinal axis is substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the extender member20. At this time the bedspread holder10can be easily moved back from its outer use position to its inner storage position. At this time the retaining member30is again up against the mattress110functioning as a stop with only the actuation handle48extending off of the bedspread holder10(FIG. 5). This actuation handle48can then be again used to grab the bedspread holder10to again manipulate it into its outer use position51. As the actuation handle48is substantially directly interconnected to the connection tube25, which together with the extender member20define the planar surface of the bedspread holder10, movement in to the inner storage position and out to the outer use position is efficient.

Note that the actuation handle48is offset from the longitudinal axis of the remainder of the support leg40(seeFIG. 6). Due to this, in the outer use position of the bedspread holder10, the actuation handle48is substantially aligned with the plane as the retaining member30(FIG. 6). The retaining member30thus also serves to protect the handle against ill-advertent contact. At the same time, this same attribute allows the handle48to be the only exposed part of the holder10when such holder is in a storage position (FIG. 5). This allows concealment of the rest of the holder10when the holder is not in use. This also provides for a more visually pleasing room.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment disclosed, it should be understood that changes, alterations, and modifications may be had without deviating from the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

For example, the holder10is disclosed with a single support member40. If desired, multiple support members40could be utilized. In such an embodiment, the multiple support members40could further be interconnected for common rotation from one, the other, or all by a common connection rod substantially parallel to the main tube (a location would provide for such common rotation is indicated at70inFIG. 6). This would provide for spaced in use support of the holder while still allowing easy one-handed operation. This would be appropriate in a wide holder10utilizing a wider extender member20(i.e., with five rods instead of three). A further example would be to make the holder of plastic, for example with the space between each rod in the embodiment disclosed being solid plastic. Other changes are also possible.