Abstract:
A bed valance consisting of a valance body with a center opening such that the valance body can be slipped over a mattress top onto a box spring without the need for removing the mattress when replacement or changing of the bed valance is necessary. The valance is removably attachable to a box spring with hook and loop fasteners sewn to the top of the box spring, and includes a tightening cord at its inner periphery.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a bedding apparatus and more particularly, relates to bed valance that can be used to cover a box spring without removing a mattress placed on top. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Bed valance, or bed skirt has been used as a popular bedding apparatus for many years. Bed valance is normally used to fit around a bed, over a box spring, to hide the space underneath a bed, or the space between the box spring and the floor surface. The bed valance can be supplied in a variety of designs, fabrics, and colors. 
   Conventionally, the bed valance is formed in a single piece construction complete with a center panel. When the bed valance needs to be changed for washing, the mattress on top of the box spring must first be removed in order to access or remove the bed valance from the box spring. This is a tedious task that must be handled by more than one person. It would be desirable to provide a bed valance that fits over a box spring, but does not require the removal of the mattress when the bed valance has to be removed for cleaning. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bed valance that does not have the drawbacks or shortcomings of the conventional bed valances. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed valance that is equipped with a center opening. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bed valance that is equipped with a center opening of sufficient size such that the valance can be slipped over a mattress. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bed valance that is equipped with a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners for fastening to a box spring. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a bed valance that is equipped with a center opening for fitting over a box spring is provided. 
   In a preferred embodiment, a bed valance is provided which has a valance body with a center opening, an inner periphery surrounding the center opening, a top surface and a bottom surface; the center opening has a size sufficiently large for a mattress to slip therethrough when the mattress is placed in a horizontal position; and a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners on the bottom surface of the valance body surrounding and juxtapose to the center opening. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a box spring for the present invention bed valance. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention bed valance fastened to the box spring of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial, sectional view of the hook-and-loop fastener used on the present invention bed valance. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the hook-and-loop fastener shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the hook-and-loop fastener mounted on the inner periphery of the center opening of the bed valance. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention discloses a bed valance that is constructed of a valance body which has a center opening for slipping over a mattress, and a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners on a bottom surface of the valance for fastening to the box spring. 
   The present invention improved bed valance allows a person to easily replace bedding without lifting the mattress. The bed valance is equipped with easy to attach hook-and-loop fasteners. The detachable bed valance includes a series of hook-and-loop fasteners, or Velcro fasteners, each measuring 1½ inch long and 2 inches wide, such that the valance can be easily secured along the sides of a box spring. Corresponding Velcro pieces would be sewn into the top of the box spring. The present invention improved bed valance is designed to fit around a bed for an attractive look and to effectively hide the space underneath a bed. 
   The present invention bed valance can be easily detached, or removed for cleaning or replacement. It can be produced in a variety of sizes to accommodate twin, full, queen and king sized beds. The colors and designs of the bed skirt varies depending on the bedroom decor. The bed valance can be produced in a similar version that can be applied to the mattress protection and to keep it from sliding off the mattress. 
   The present invention bed valance fulfills the need for a modified bed valance, or bed skirt that eliminates lifting the mattress for replacement or cleaning. The bed valance has the appealing features of convenience, ease of use, practicality, and attractiveness. It can be easily attached to a bed cover for an attractive decoration. It eliminates the necessity of lifting the mattress to remove the valance for cleaning or replacement. With a conventional bed valance, a mattress must be lifted in order to place the valance on top of the box spring. Such a task would usually require two people and thus is highly inconvenient for those who live by him or herself. With the present invention bed valance, a Velcro type fastener is used to easily attach the valance to the box spring without removing the mattress from the bed. Based on such convenient design, the bed valance would not have to be adjusted while bed sheets are being tucked underneath the mattress. The bed valance is easy to use, simple to clean, convenient and attractive. 
   The present invention bed valance is ideal for the busy homemaker who does not have the time to remove a heavy mattress for the simple task of cleaning or replacing a bed valance. In addition, the bed valance can be used commercially in hotels, motels which would benefit from the ease and convenience of attaching a bed valance. 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , wherein a box spring  20  equipped with a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners  22  is shown. The hook-and-loop fasteners  22  may be advantageously sewn into the top surface  24  of the box spring  20 , or can be glued to the top surface  24 . The present invention bed valance  10 , shown in  FIG. 2 , is then mounted or positioned on the box spring  20  by attaching the hook-and-loop fasteners  12  that is sewn on the bottom side  14  of the bed valance  10 . 
   The present invention bed valance  10  is constructed of a valance body  30  which has a center opening  32 , an inner periphery  34  surrounding the opening  32 , a top surface  36  and a bottom surface  14 . The center opening  32  has a size sufficiently large for a mattress (not shown) to slip therethrough when the mattress is placed in a horizontal position. The valance body  30  is further equipped with a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners  12  on the bottom surface  14  of the valance body  30  surrounding and juxtaposed to the center opening  32 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hook-and-loop fastener  40 , which consists of a loop portion  22  and a hook portion  12 . The loop portion  22  is sewn onto the top surface  24  of the box spring  20 . 
   A cross-sectional view of the hook-and-loop fastener  40  of  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 4  illustrating the hook portion  12 , the loop portion  22 , and the top surface  24  of the box spring. 
   Another cross-sectional view is shown in  FIG. 5  which not only includes the hook-and-loop fastener  40 , but also includes the inner periphery  34  of the present invention bed valance  10 . The inner periphery  34  further includes a cord  38  which may be tightened at a valance body opening  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) after the bed valance  10  is fitted over the box spring  20 . The cord  38  may be advantageously made of nylon, or may be of an elastic cord that would tighten the inner periphery  34  to provide an improved fit over the box spring  20 . 
   The present invention bed valance has therefore been amply described in the above description and in the appended drawings of  FIGS. 1–5 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.