Furniture and item coverings and methods of making same

A furniture covering includes a main body extending from a first end to a second end, the main body having a pair of first tabbed ends at the first end, and the pair of second tabbed ends at the second end, a pair of end portions coupled to a midsection of the main body, a pair of first wings coupled to the first tabbed ends, and a pair of second wings coupled to the second tabbed ends, the pair of first wings and the pair of second wings being set back from respective edges of the tabbed ends.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for covering furniture, appliance and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices used to cover items to protect them during transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Blankets are often used to cover furniture, appliances and other large items during transportation. Typically, the blankets are draped over the item, and heavy duty stretch wrap is used and wrapped around the draped item to keep the blankets in place. After transportation, the blankets are removed and the stretch wrap is discarded, where it eventually ends up in landfills. For this reason, the conventional devices and techniques pose a concern for the environment. Additionally, these devices and techniques are wasteful and uneconomical.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments, a furniture covering includes a quilted main body extending from a first end to a second end, the quilted main body having a pair of first tabbed ends at the first end, and the pair of second tabbed ends at the second end, a pair of end portions coupled to a midsection of the quilted main body, a pair of first wings coupled to the first tabbed ends, and a pair of second wings coupled to the second tabbed ends, the pair of first wings and the pair of second wings being set back from respective edges of the tabbed ends.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Despite the various improvements that have been made to furniture blankets, conventional devices and methods suffer from certain shortcomings such as those discussed above. There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices and methods used for protecting items during transport. Among other advantages, the present disclosure may address one or more of these needs.

FIG.1illustrates one example of an item or furniture covering100according to the present disclosure. The components of the furniture covering100are shown separately, although it will be understood that they may be coupled together, for example, via sewing, glue, ultrasonic welding or other suitable techniques. Furniture covering100generally includes a main body102. Main body102may be generally rectangular as shown, and include a pair of tabbed portions or ends104aat a first end and a pair of tabbed portions or ends104bat a second end. In some examples, tabbed portions104a,104bare of a same shape and/or size. It will be understood, however, that tabbed portions104a,104bmay be of different shapes and/or sizes. In at least some examples, main body102may be formed of quilted shipping blankets. A generally triangular wing105a,105bmay be sewn or otherwise coupled adjacent each of tabbed ends104a,104b. In at least some examples, triangular wings105a,105bmay be formed of a fabric or other suitable material. In some examples, wings105a,105bmay be elastic and formed of cotton and/or LYCRA® brand of stretchable material. Additionally, a pair of end portions106may be sewn onto main body102. End portions106may be configured and shaped in different ways to mirror the end of the object to be wrapped. In some examples, distances D1are equal on both the end portions106and the tabbed ends104a,104bas shown inFIG.1. In at least some examples, the end portions106are also formed of quilted shipping blankets or other suitable materials (i.e., end portions106may be formed of the same material as main body102).

FIG.9illustrates how the components of furniture covering100are sewn together. Specifically, it will be understood that end portions106are coupled to the midsection of main body102and that wings105a,105bare sewn adjacent the two ends adjacent tabbed ends104a,104b. In some examples, four slits107may be left unattached between end portions106and tabbed ends104a,104b. Instead of being sewn directly on the edge of the tabbed ends, wings105may be set back from the edge of the tabbed ends. In some examples, wings105aare aligned with the edge of the midsection of main body102along line A1and wings105bare aligned with an opposing edge along line A2. After placing the assembled furniture covering100over the item, tabbed ends may overlap one another and wings105amay be tied together, and wings105bmay be tied together. Using this example, a box-shaped furniture covering may be formed. One example of using the furniture covering100to wrap a television stand is shown inFIG.5. As shown inFIG.5, wings105aare tied together to secure the items, the wings being setback from the edge of the tabbed portion.104ato disperse the forces across a larger area and more securely tie the covering100.

As shown inFIGS.3-4, a furniture covering200may be used to wrap irregular objects. Furniture covering200generally includes a main body202. Main body202may be generally rectangular as shown, and include a pair of tabbed portions204aat a first end and a pair of tabbed portions204bat a second end. In this example, tabbed portions204a,204bare different sizes. Generally triangular wing205a,205bmay be sewn adjacent each of tabbed ends204a,204b, A pair of end portions206may be sewn onto main body102and in this example, the end portion206mimics the shape of a couch as seen from the side. In some examples, distances D2are equal on both the end portions206and the tabbed ends204a,204bas shown inFIG.1.

FIG.4illustrates how the components of furniture covering200are sewn together. Specifically, it will be understood that end portions206are coupled to the midsection of main body202(i.e., edge E1of main body202is coupled along edge E2of end portion206) and that wings205a,205bare sewn adjacent the two ends adjacent tabbed ends104a,104i, Instead of being sewn directly on the edge of the tabbed ends, wings205a,bmay be set back from the edge of the tabbed ends. In some examples, wings205are aligned with the edge of the midsection of main body202as previously discussed or disposed even closer to a midline of the main body as shown inFIG.4. After placing the assembled furniture covering200over the item, tabbed ends may overlap one another and wings205amay be tied together, and wings205bmay be tied together. One example of using the furniture covering200to wrap a couch is shown inFIGS.6-8. In this example, the wings have not yet been tied together along the sides of the couch.