Abstract:
A bedspread apparatus and method for facilitating the bed making process, possibly eliminating the need for pillow shams, and providing convenient storage of at least one item. A second layer portion may overlay part of the primary surface of the bedspread creating a pocket or space there between. Pillows, pajamas, or any other items may be conveniently stored within the pocket or space. The second layer portion may be either unitary with the primary surface of the bedspread or the second layer portion may be removably attached thereto. Overlapping side seams of both the second layer portion and primary surface may be secured together to further define the pocket or space. The leading edge of the second layer portion may be releasably fastened to the primary surface and the primary surface may further comprise fitted bottom corners at its foot region to facilitate placement of the present inventive bedspread.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention generally relates to bedspreads, more specifically, the present invention relates to bedspreads having a second layer portion disposed above a primary surface of the bedspreads wherein the second layer portion creates a convenient storage space for pillows, pajamas, and the like. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    In a conventional bed makeup, the mattress typically is covered by bed sheets, one or more pillows separately covered by individual pillowcases that are merely placed at the head end of the mattress on top of the sheet, and a traditional bedspread. This conventional arrangement has certain attendant disadvantages, in that the proper making of a bed typically involves numerous layers and complicated folds in order to achieve a pleasant, well-kept look to the prepared bed. There have been several proposals made in the past for combining certain elements of the bed dressing, but none has achieved significant commercial acceptance because the shortcomings of the proposed improvements have been as great as, or greater than, those of the more conventional arrangements. For example, some of the prior proposals combining bed sheet and pillowcase functions have required relatively complicated fabric structures, thus adding materially to the overall cost of manufacture. In addition, many of the prior proposals have been mechanically complicated and/or arduous, so as to share many of the disadvantageous handling characteristics of the more conventional arrangements. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a novel, improved and extremely simplified combination bedspread and pillow arrangement apparatus is provided which not only greatly simplifies and expedites the bed making process, but also enables convenient storage of pillows, nighttime garments, and the like. In the arrangement according to the present invention, a bedspread of largely conventional construction is modified in a unique and advantageous way to provide a covered space or pocket at the head end of the bedspread. When the bed is made up, at least one item such as one or more pillows may be inserted into the space created between the upper primary surface of the bedspread and the second layer portion disposed thereon. The inventive apparatus provides a final arrangement that is neat, attractive, and serves to greatly simplify and expedite the bed making process. 
         [0009]    Significantly, while the present modification of the bedspread involves a modest additional manufacturing expense, embodiments of the arrangement may entirely eliminate the need for both pillow shams and the complicated and time-consuming folds that are currently required by conventional sheets and bedspreads. Accordingly, important savings may be realized via the present inventive apparatus and method. 
         [0010]    In one particularly advantageous form of the invention, a space or pocket is created between the primary surface of the bedspread and the second layer portion wherein such a space is disposed at the head end of the bedspread. The construction of the space or pocket is such that it may be easily utilized yet the leading front edge of the second layer portion remains flush with the primary surface of the bedspread providing an easy to achieve, well-maintained overall appearance. This configuration eliminates the repetitive and laborious need to tucking-in and/or fold a portion of a conventional bedspread beneath a pillow disposed there below. 
         [0011]    The present invention eliminates the need for both pillow shams and/or repetitive folding of conventional bedspreads while making a bed. For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description, drawings, and accompanying claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    One embodiment of the present invention provides for a bedspread comprising a primary surface of the bedspread and a second layer portion, wherein the second layer portion is attached to a top edge of the primary surface of the bedspread and the second layer portion overlays the primary surface immediately adjacent the top edge of the bedspread, wherein a space is formed between the primary surface and the second layer portion adjacent the top edge within which at least one item may be conveniently stored. 
         [0013]    The present invention further provides for a method of making a bed, comprising the steps of providing a bedspread comprising a primary surface and a second layer portion, wherein the second layer portion is attached to a top edge of the primary surface of the bedspread and the second layer portion further overlays the primary surface immediately adjacent the top edge of said bedspread, wherein a space is formed between the primary surface and the second layer portion adjacent the top edge within which at least one item may be conveniently stored; placing the bedspread upon a surface desired to be covered; placing the at least one item onto the primary surface immediately adjacent the top edge; and folding the second layer portion at the top edge thereby covering the at least one item and the primary surface immediately adjacent the top edge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a top planar view of another embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention further comprising a removable second layer portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a top planar view of still another embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention further comprising a removable second layer portion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention further comprising a side seam. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of still yet an embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention further comprising a side seam and leading edge fasteners. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of still yet an embodiment of a bedspread of the present invention further comprising fitted bottom corners. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out her invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to describe an improved bedspread  100  which greatly facilitates the bed making process and further provides for convenient storage of at least one item  15 . 
         [0021]    In accordance with the present invention and as depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 , a novel, improved and extremely simplified combination bedspread and item storage apparatus  100  is provided which not only greatly simplifies and expedites the bed making process, but also enables convenient storage of at least one item  15  such as one or more pillows, nighttime garments, and the like. In the arrangement according to the present invention, a bedspread  100  of largely conventional construction is modified in a unique and advantageous way to provide a covered space or pocket that may be disposed at the head end or foot end of the bedspread  100 . When the bed is made up, at least one item  15  such as one or more pillows may be inserted into the space created between an upper portion of the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100  and a second layer portion  20  disposed thereon. The inventive apparatus  100  provides for an arrangement that is both neat and attractive, and further simplifies and expedites the bed making process. 
         [0022]    Exemplary bedspreads  100  according to the present invention are shown generally in  FIGS. 1-6 . Each bedspread  100  is adapted to be positioned on a surface such as a mattress or other known bed elements including a box spring, bed board, cot, hammock, and the like. The bedspread  100  may be any standard or custom size to allow for a proper fit on any size bed element known in the art, such as king, queen, and the like, and will be herein described and depicted as but not be limited to a substantially rectangular bedspread  100  that may have two long edges and two shorter edges. The bedspread  100  may be made in any manner known to those skilled in the art. Further, the bedspread  100  may comprise any of the wide variety of types of fabrics and materials known within the art and be of any color or decoration so desired. Additionally, the bedspread  100  and all of its components may be reversible and enable a second surface of each component to be alternately exposed to provide a second displayable aesthetic or design option for the user. 
         [0023]    Alternatively and within the scope of the present invention, the covered space or pocket of the bedspread  100  may be disposed at the foot of the bedspread  100 . While the general description of the present invention will depict and describe the covered space or pocket at the head region of the bedspread  100 , such disclosure may also be applied to a covered space or pocket for storing at least one item  15  at the foot of the bedspread  100 . Such a configuration may comprise the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  being attached or removably attached along their respective bottom edges as provided by the disclosure herein. In this manner, storage of at least one item  15  (e.g. pillow or pillows) at the foot of the bed still allows for the aesthetic and decorative use of shams at the head of the bedspread  100 . Yet further and within the scope of the present invention, the bedspread  100  may comprise a covered space or pocket at both the head and the foot regions of the bedspread  100 . Such a use, in combination, may further assist in maximizing storage and providing additional decorative options due to the removable characteristics that may be incorporated into the inventive elements of the present invention. 
         [0024]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the bedspread  100  may include a primary surface  10  having an upper head region and a lower foot region. Preferably, a substantially rectangular space or pocket may be formed by overlapping a second layer portion  20  of material over the upper head region of the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100 . In one embodiment of the bedspread  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bedspread  100  may be substantially rectangular and the side seam  50  of the second layer portion  20  may be parallel to and overlay the side seam  50  of the primary surface  10 . The leading edge  30  of the second layer portion  20  may be flush with the primary surface  10  and further provide access there under to the space or pocket created between the second layer portion  20  and the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100 . Such a space or pocket may be used to store at least one item  15  such as one or more pillows, bedclothes, and/or the like. The formed space or pocket may be of any desired size and/or dimension, and in a preferred embodiment may allow for the insertion of at least two standard size pillows when the second layer portion  20  is configured as depicted in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 . The shape or configuration of the formed space or pocket is determined by the shape or configuration of the second layer portion  20 . The second layer portion  20  may comprise any shape known within the art including but not limited to a square, a rectangle, a semi-circle, a triangle, and the like. 
         [0025]    As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second layer portion  20  may be removably attached to the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100 . To facilitate such removal, both the top edge  45   a  of the primary surface  10  and the top edge  45   b  of the second layer portion  20  may comprise at least one removable attachment  40  disposed, respectively, thereon. The at least one removable attachment  40  may comprise any manner of removable attachment known in the art including but not limited to at least one button, at least one complimentary pair of snap fasteners ( FIG. 3 ), at least one strip of hook and loop fasteners, at least one zipper structure having cooperating teeth and a slide ( FIG. 2 ), and the like. For example (see  FIG. 3 ) a plurality of conventional male snap fasteners may be attached (by stitching, adhesive, and the like) to the top edge  45   a  of the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100 , while a plurality of conventional female snap fasteners may be attached (also by stitching, adhesive, and the like) to the top edge  45   b  of the second layer portion  20 . In this way the second layer portion  20  may be readily detached from the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100  as needed for washing, for providing an alternate decorative second layer portion  20 , and the like. The at least one removable attachment  40  further provides for easy and consistent positioning of the second layer portion  20  when the bed is made as is illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 . 
         [0026]    The removable attachments  40  along both the top edge  45   a  of the primary surface and the top edge  45   b  of the second layer portion  20  may provide for removal and interchangeability of both the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  elements. In this manner, a user having a bedspread  100  comprising a primary surface  10  of design “A” and a second layer portion  20  also of design “A” may choose to interchange a second layer portion  20  of design “B” onto the primary surface  10  of design “A”. Additionally, each of the primary surfaces  10  and second layer portions  20  may be reversible, allowing for one of at least two decorative design surfaces to be alternately displayed. Such interchangeability and reversibility of the primary surface  10  and second layer portion  20  provide for a near endless array of combinations and design opportunities while allowing for substantial decorative variations at a minimal cost. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another embodiment of the bedspread  100  of the present invention may further comprise the respective side seams  50  of both the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  being secured together. Such an attachment at the respective side seams  50  may be either removable or permanent. In a preferred embodiment, the side seam  50  attachment may comprise stitching that securely fastens the respective side seams  50  to one another. The side seam  50  attachment in conjunction with the attachment along the respective top edges  45   a , 45   b  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of both the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  serve to further define three sides of the created space or pocket. In such a configuration, the leading edge  30  of the second layer portion  20  provides the only available mouth or entrance into the space or pocket. 
         [0028]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , a bedspread  100  of the present invention may yet further comprise at least one fastener member  60  disposed along the leading edge  30  of the second layer portion  20  which may serve to removably attach the leading edge  30  of the second layer portion  20  to the primary surface  10  of the bedspread  100 . In this way, the at least one fastener member  60  may assist in retaining at least one item  15  within the space or pocket created between the second layer portion  20  and the primary surface  10 . The at least one fastener member  60  may comprise any manner of fasteners known within the art including but not limited to at least one button, at least one complimentary pair of snap fasteners, at least one strip of hook and loop fasteners, at least one zipper structure having cooperating teeth and a slide, and the like.  FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the present invention utilizing at least one fastener member  60  in conjunction with stitched side seams  50 . 
         [0029]    The embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6  depicts the use of a bedspread  100  comprising fitted bottom corners  70 . Stitched or otherwise fitted bottom corners  70  further facilitate a rapid and efficient bed making process. When such a process is highly repetitive, such as in a hotel environment, such efficiency and repeatability of an overall well-kept appearance to the bed surface may be highly beneficial. A desired look may thus be highly and accurately repeatable by a multitude of different users and/or employees. Productivity may be further increased due to the elimination of numerous complex folds required in the placement of bedspreads and pillows that utilize conventional methods and products. Yet still, overall costs may be reduced due to the elimination of a need for conventional pillow shams and the like with certain embodiments. 
         [0030]    The scope of the bedspread  100  of the present invention includes the use of each of these disclosed features either independently or in any combination thereof. 
         [0031]    It will thus be seen that according to the present invention a bedspread  100  is provided which is the epitome of simplicity. A beneficial space or pocket is defined between the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  ( FIG. 1 ). The space or pocket may be further defined by at least one removable attachment  40  disposed along the respective top edges  45   a , 45   b  of the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), attachment of the respective side seams  50  of the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), and/or at least one fastener member  60  disposed along the leading edge  30  of the second layer member  20 . Fitted bottom corners  70  may assist in further expediting and therefore increasing overall productivity of the bed making process. 
         [0032]    In use as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , a bedspread  100  of the present invention may be disposed atop a mattress or any other surface desired to be covered. A second layer portion  20  may be attached to the top edge  45   a  of the primary surface  10 , with the second layer portion  20  being folded over the upper head region of the primary surface  10 . Thereafter, at least one item  15  such as one or more pillows may be disposed within the space or pocket formed between the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  for convenient storage. Such a method facilitates the making of a bed and eliminates the need for both pillow shams and the many complicated folds required when using a conventional bedspread and pillow arrangement. In another embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the immediately adjacent side seams  50  of both the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20  may be attached to one another. A bedspread  100  of this configuration may be disposed upon a surface that is desired to be covered, wherein at least one item  15  may then be inserted into the space or pocket that is defined on three sides between the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20 . 
         [0033]    In accordance with the disclosure above, the bedspread  100  provided in each of the methods may further comprise fitted bottom corners  70  to facilitate the bed making process and the ease of repeatability of the final overall look and well-kept appearance of the covered bed surface. The bedspread  100  may comprise respective side seams  50  of the primary surface  10  and second layer portion  20  already attached along their overlaying portions. In this configuration, the second layer portion  20  need not be folded over the primary layer  10  since it is already provided in such a configuration due to the respective side seam  50  attachments. Additionally, the provided bedspread  100  may yet further comprise at least one removable attachment  40  disposed at the top edges  45   a , 45   b  of both the primary surface  10  and the second layer portion  20 , respectively. The provided bedspread  100  may still further comprise the step of releasably securing the leading edge  30  of the second layer portion  20  to the primary surface  10  via at least one fastener member  60 . The at least one fastener member  60  may comprise any manner of fasteners known within the art including but not limited to at least one button, at least one complimentary pair of snap fasteners, at least one strip of hook and loop fasteners, at least one zipper structure having cooperating teeth and a slide, and the like. 
         [0034]    It will thus be seen that according to the present invention an advantageous bedspread  100  has been provided which is the ultimate of simplicity in making up any type of bed, including twin beds, bunk beds, cots, and the like, yet provides for a comfortable sleeping device, further including a convenient means of storage for at least one item  15 . While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments thereof it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and devices. 
         [0035]    While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments and may be utilized individually or in any combinations thereof. 
         [0036]    Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.