Abstract:
A wall-mounted slipcover headboard for a bed combines comfort of an upholstered headboard with the ease of removable covers while it solves the problem of hanging art above the bed by incorporating art into the bed. The headboard has a modular, frame, a cushioning pad and a removable slipcover. For example, the removable slipcover features printed art. The headboard&#39;s back side has horizontal dowels that slide on to a hanging medium, allowing for flexibility in mounting the hanging medium in the strongest place on a wall with the least amount of damage to the wall, while allowing the headboard to slide horizontally to be centered above a bed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to bed accessories and more specifically to decorative, lightweight, knock-down slipcovered headboards that accompany, but are not attached to, the supporting structure of the bed. This invention has functional and design advantages over those previously known. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Each season, individuals and home designers desire to change the look and feel of home interiors, especially the bedroom. Redecorating can be used to transform a dull room into a reflection of personal style. Time, budget and functionality are considerations. This is especially true when the room is a bedroom, the most private room in a home. Bedrooms are considered a place of relaxation and it is, therefore, desirable to redecorate with minimal stress and maximal personality. 
     Customized home decorating is expensive and requires an interior decorator and purchasing designer furniture, art and other accessories. This may be appropriate for some, but is too costly for most. One decorating option is to achieve the bedroom you want by getting a headboard which allows frequent changes and updates to the décor. 
     Contemporary bed structures often comprise a bed frame and mattress or a mattress resting on a box spring supported by a frame on legs or wheels. Often, a decorative headboard and/or footboard are attached to either the frame or box spring, or both, to enhance the visual impact of the bed. 
     Conventional headboards are often attached directly to the frame, upholstered and heavy. This makes them bulky, a pricey investment and “permanent”. They offer little flexibility as to changes in decorative taste, the maturing and evolving taste of a child and youth, as well as a lifestyle defined by mobility of individuals when it becomes desirable or necessary to move from one living location to another. A conventional upholstered headboard then triggers storage expenses, creates guilt and buyer&#39;s remorse. 
     A variety of headboard assemblies and decoration choices have been described. Many alternatives are limited in that they require mounting a headboard to an existing bed frame (U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,349 to Cohen; U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,910 to Morten; U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,195 to Murray; U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,032 to Flocks; U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,440 to Thim, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,709 to Moceri; U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,948 to Swezey et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0288253 to Jin). This can not be achieved without significant alterations and often damages to the existing frame, or may be impossible without the help of a welder in the case of a metal frame. Furthermore, the customer is limited to the existing size of the bed frame and cannot easily expand or contract the headboard frame to suit a new, different size for mattress and bed structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,071 to Lenner describes incorporating interchangeable panels or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0281615 to Truex describes headboard/footboard covers for a bed for an existing bed frame. While these alternatives do not damage a bed frame, they do not offer the variety of artistic expression and flexibility in bringing art into the bedroom, as described in the present invention. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0135928 to Murphy et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,307 to Rutrick; U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,190 to Owens; U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,876 to Murphy et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,179 to Wilson et al., describe wall-mounted decorations of a fixed size. 
     It is desirable to provide means to maintain current home decorating trends and seasonal themes without significant financial or time investment. It is also desirable to change the appearance of the bed, and thereby the expression of the complete bedroom, without limitations of, or damage to, existing headboards. It is further desirable to provide a high level of consumer control and allow the consumer to easily incorporate very personal style elements, such as children&#39;s drawings and/or personal photographs, into decorating their bedroom. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward providing an improved headboard for the head of a bed. One objective of the present invention is to provide a decorative, lightweight, knock-down slipcovered headboard that is wall-mounted and independent of existing bed frame. The advantage is a custom look without alterations or damages to an existing bed structure. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a headboard that is a slipcover with the flexibility to update a bedroom with ease and without much expense. The advantage of the present invention is to provide customization of slipcovers to suit personal taste without the difficulty and cost of conventional customized headboards. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide slipcovers that are easily mounted, dismounted and changed. The advantage is ease of use for the consumer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a headboard that incorporates art into the bed and thus offers a solution to the problem of hanging art above the bed. The advantage of printed slipcovers adds flexibility of use to integrate individual designs and art into the bedroom and specifically above the bed. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to offer a headboard that can easily be adapted in size to the desired width of the bed structure, bed frame or mattress. A modular design with two base modules allows for frame elements to be combined in a way to adapt the frame width to the desired mattress width without having to purchase or construct a new frame. The present invention can be used with Twin, Full, Queen and King size beds, depending solely on the number of center modules used. The advantage is that it saves time and cost to the homeowner when a life situation calls for a larger or smaller bed for a family member. 
     Yet another advantage of present invention is to allow homeowner to clean, wash and sanitize all elements of the headboard with the advantage of achieving a clean and bug free environment. Both the pad and the slipcover are removable for washing and allow access to the frame for thorough cleaning. 
     Finally, the objective of present invention is to provide a kit for a headboard assembly in which frame members, pad and cover may be shipped and stored in a collapsed condition until ready for assembly. This has the advantage that the headboard can ship and transport in the most space- and the most cost-effective way, resulting in lower costs for the buyer and homeowner. This is achieved by packing the modules into a compact box. Each headboard assembly comprises right and left members, up to three center sections, hardware for screwing the frame together and mounting wooden hooks to the wall, a cushioning pad, a fabric slipcover, and written instructions. Assembly of the frame can use three screws (for Twin size frame), six screws (for Full size frame), nine screws (for Queen size frame) or a maximum of 12 screws (for King size frame) bed. 
     A specific objective of this invention is for the back side of the headboard to have horizontal dowels that slide on to wall-mounted wooden hooks, allowing for flexibility in mounting the hooks in the strongest place on the wall. This has the advantage of the least amount of damage to the wall, while allowing the headboard to slide horizontally to be centered above the bed. 
     In conventional headboard cover assemblies, the slipcover must be unstapled or unscrewed from the headboard then a new or cleaned cover is hammered, screwed or stapled into the headboard. One of the many advantages of the present invention is simple use. The cover slips right over the existing headboard and does not require any tools, snaps or ties. Children, those with minimum amount of skill, and those with arthritis or other physical limitations can easily use the slipcover. Testing has shown that this ability to give a “new look” to a headboard can be easily accomplished in no more than 10 minutes, requiring a minimum amount of skill. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following, detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a headboard with artistic slipcover. 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  are rear views of the headboard frame in various configurations. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of the wall-hanging mechanism including dowels that the headboard frame can slip on to. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a portion of the wall-hanging mechanism. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram of a cushioning pad used in the headboard. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic view of a slipcover used with the headboard. 
         FIG. 4C  is a schematic diagram of a corner of the slipcover shown in  FIG. 4B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     The following description of the performed embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     Embodiment of this invention relates to wall-mounted slipcover headboards. The headboard cover can be purchased individually, changed regularly to secure both a clean and hygienic headboard as well as create an updated and personal bed decorating system. Embodiments of this invention can be used for Twin, Full, Queen, King or custom sized headboards. The detailed description of the removable slipcover is applicable to a headboard according to embodiment of this invention. 
     Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, is shown in  FIG. 1 . Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  can include frame  11  formed of one or more modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13  can be coupled to one another in a predetermined arrangement to correspond to a particular dimension of a bed. Modular side frame members  12  include one or more support rails  14 . For example, support rails  14  can be dowels. 
     Apertures  20  are formed inside surfaces  17  of modular side frame members  12  and side surfaces  19  of modular center frame members  13 . Attachment members  21  are received in apertures  20  at respective locations for assembling one or more of adjacent ones modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13  to one another. In one embodiment, attachment members  21  are screws. In the preferred embodiment, the screws are alien screws, having a captive screw or bolt, such as a screw with a hexagonal hole in the head combined with fasteners designed for ease of installation—often knurled for finger use—and retained within their functional environment when not engaged. Captive screw or bolt retention prevents loss or damage within the captive screw&#39;s parent assembly, or damage to components in the nearby working environment. The screw and captive bolt can connect apertures  20  of adjacent modular side frame members  12  or modular center frame members  13 . 
     Frame  11  can be formed using one of modular side frame members  12  as a left-hand side and a right-hand side member, which are basically the same regardless of whether frame  11  is to be made into a Twin, Full, Queen or King size headboard. In one embodiment, modular side frame member  12  has a width W 1  of about 20 inches and modular center frame member  13  has a width W 2  of about 12 inches. An appropriate number of modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13  center sections can be coupled to one another to form frame  11  of an appropriate size. Support surface  18  can be attached to a front surface of frame  11  of modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13 . For example, support surface  18  can be made of plywood. For example, frame  11  can be formed of hard wood. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a twin frame embodiment including a pair of modular side frame members  12  connected to one another with a plurality of attachment members  21 . No modular center frame members  13  are used in this embodiment. For example, three attachment members  21  can be used in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a full frame embodiment including a pair of modular side frame members  12 . One modular center frame member  13  is connected between the pair of modular side frame members  12  with a plurality of attachment members  21 . For example, six attachment members  21  can be used in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a queen frame embodiment including a pair of modular side frame members  12 . Two modular center frame members  13  are connected between the pair of modular side frame members  12  with a plurality of attachment members  21 . For example, nine attachment members  21  can be used in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 2E  illustrates a king frame embodiment including a pair of modular side frame members  12 . Three modular center frame members  13  are connected between the pair of modular side frame members  12  with a plurality of attachment members  21 . For example, twelve attachment members  21  can be used in this embodiment. 
     For example, a typical width and height dimensions are for a Twin 40 inches in length and 36 inches in height; Full 52″×36″; Queen 64″×36″ and King 76″×36″. A daybed equals one King and two Twins. More particularly, a daybed has a headboard along the longside, or a sideboard, combined with two bolster pillows. This turns a daybed into a reading nook or cove for a child or young adult. 
     Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  can include hanging mechanism  30  for attaching slipcovered headboard assembly  10  to support  34 , such as a wall, as shown in  FIG. 3A . Front side  31  of hanging mechanism  30  includes openings  32 . For example, openings  32  can have a U-shape. Support rails  14  can be received within openings  32  and supported therein. Preferably, two openings  32  are positioned in hanging mechanism  30  for receiving and supporting respective support rails  14 . During use, a pair of hanging mechanisms  30  can be attached to support  34 . Support rails  14  can slide horizontally within openings  32  in order to place frame  11  at a desired location. Referring to  FIG. 1 , slipcovered headboard assembly  10  in accordance with the present invention, is preferably mounted on support  34 , such as a wall above bed  35 , but can be mounted above any piece of furniture, such as a couch, or simply mounted on the wall with no furniture underneath. Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  is separate from the bed frame (not shown) and the bed and therefore can be purchased and moved separately and does not require assembly with the bed frame in order to use the headboard. 
     Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  can include cushioning pad  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . Cushioning pad  40  can be received over frame  11 . Cushioning pad  40  can have a flexible band  42  adjacent edge  41 . For example, flexible band  42  can be formed of elastic. Suitable materials for cushioning pad  40  can include, but are not limited to, quilted cotton with a synthetic core similar to a mattress cover material. As will be appreciated, by stretching cushioning pad  40  taut, by sewing flexible band  42  into the seams of cushioning pad  40 , the end result is to pad the frame with a snug fitting pad that softens frame  11  to the touch and to recline against. 
     Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  can include slipcover  50 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . Slipcover  50  can be slipped over cushioning pad  40  and frame  11 . Slipcover  50  can have a flexible band  52  adjacent edge  51 . For example, flexible band  52  can be formed of elastic. Suitable fabrics for slipcover  50  can include, but are not limited to, cotton, linen, woolens, satin, fleece, LYCRA®, flannel, velvet, denim, corduroy, silk and polyester, or a blend or mentioned fibers. It is not beyond the scope of embodiments of this invention that the materials used also include leather, vinyl, or plastic. 
     Slipcover  50  is of such size and dimensions that, when in place, it is snug around frame  11 , while slipcover  50  is slightly stretched. Using a soft elastic band for flexible band  52  allows slipcover  50  to fit closely on slipcovered headboard assembly  10  and prevents slippage of slipcover  50  without damaging or marking slipcovered headboard assembly  10 . When slipcover  50  is changed, flexible band  52  facilitates non-abrasive removal and replacement of slipcover  50 . 
     Corners  53  of slipcover  50  can include corner elastic member  54  extending between adjacent edges  51   a ,  51   b . Corner elastic member  54  can be sewn into adjacent edges  51   a ,  51   b  at predetermined positions to provide additional tension necessary for snug fit of slipcover  50 . Corner elastic member  54  can be formed of elastic. Corner elastic member  54  are sewn into adjacent edge  51  to tautly secure slipcover  50  when slipcover  50  is slipped over frame  11  and provide a flat surface of slipcover  50 . 
     Slipcover  50  may be provided with any type of decorative fabric pattern which may be woven, imprinted or emplaced upon the fabric cover in any other conventional manner. 
     Slipcovered headboard assembly  10  can be formed as a ready to assemble kit. The kit can include any number of modular side frame members  12  and modular center frame members  13 , for example, frame  11  as one of the embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E . The kit can also include attachment members  21 , hanging mechanism  30 , cushioning pad  40  and slipcover  50 . 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of slipcovered headboard assembly  10  become evident: 
     The customization of designs extend the life of the headboard and hence the bed by adapting to several ages, genders, tastes, styles and seasons. 
     The customized slipcovers can be purchased separately and offer the consumer a variety of designs, including personal imagery, and luxury of choice. 
     The modular frame can be produced of sustainable, economical materials and therefore keep consumer costs down. 
     The pre-assembled shipping of frame, pad and slipcover in one compact box keeps shipping costs down for the consumer and eases the carbon footprint of presented invention compared to conventional headboards which are shipped in large crates. 
     The use of customized slipcover headboards attached to the wall will provide flexibility for the consumer to alter use from age, gender and décor. This system provides a solution to bringing art into the bedroom and above the bed that is artistic and economical. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.