Patent Publication Number: US-2010109495-A1

Title: Storage Furniture for Decorative Bedding

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/197,845 having a filing date of Oct. 31, 2008, and entitled “Bedding storage unit”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates generally to storage furniture and methods of making and using such furniture. In particular, this application relates to bedding storage furniture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern decorating for bedrooms often includes decorative bedding to provide a particular look and feel for a bedroom. Because of the decorative nature of some bedding, it is not intended to be used when sleeping in the bed. For example, a decorative comforter with several pillows selected to match a particular color scheme and style are often placed over the bedding intended to be used when occupying the bed. Various combinations of decorative duvets, blankets, comforters, pillows, throws, throw pillows, stuffed animals, etc., may be placed on the bed, but will require storage when a person uses the bed for sleeping. Such decorative bedding is often not intended to be washed regularly, and some may require expensive and specialty cleaning processes. Similarly, some blankets used to provide decoration may be heirlooms or very expensive that would not be advisable to be used as bedding. 
     Storing decorative bedding when not on display or when the bed in use often causes problems for the occupants of the bed and for anyone trying to access the room or the bed. Often, the decorative bedding is placed next to the bed, which can lead to dust and other debris soiling the decorative bedding. Some decorating styles use so much decorative bedding that the amount of bedding causes problems for walking around the bed, which can be dangerous and frustrating when an occupant needs to leave the bed for any reason in the night. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of novel storage furniture for decorative bedding (also called “bedding storage units”) are discussed and illustrated that include a body, a lid and a rack movable between an extended position where the rack extends out of the body and a retracted position where the rack is disposed within the body. The bedding storage units provide storage for decorative bedding in an organized and clean manner while the bed is occupied. Portions of the body may define an interior space sized to accommodate decorative pillows and other decorative bedding. Also, the interior space may be used to store pillows to be used when the bed is occupied for rest or sleep instead of decorative pillows not intended for use. 
     The rack provides an easy, accessible place to store a blanket, comforter, duvet, quilt, or other decorative bedding to reduce contact with dust and debris, and limiting wrinkling or fold lines. The rack may also be lockable in the extended position. 
     Embodiments of the invention may resemble a traditional piece of furniture such as a chest, trunk, wardrobe, armoire, chest of drawers, etc., depending on a desired decorating style for a room with a bed having decorative bedding that needs to be stored when the bed is in use. In some embodiments, the bedding storage unit may include one or more drawers that may be used to store linens for the bed, or other items. Similarly, in some embodiments, bedding storage units may include doors that provide access to the interior space of a bedding storage unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a bedding storage unit; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away view illustration of the bedding storage unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a top view illustration of the bedding storage unit of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of inventive bedding storage units and methods for using and making the bedding storage units. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that embodiments of bedding storage units and associated methods of using the units can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, exemplary embodiments and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated units and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other devices and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the description below focuses on an embodiment as a chest, the apparatus and associated methods could be equally applied with other situations, such as built-in storage benches, wardrobe cabinets, and other furniture and storage options. 
     One exemplary bedding storage unit is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the Figures, a bedding storage unit is configured as chest  100 . Chest  100  includes body  110 , lid  120 , doors  130 , drawer  140 , and rack  150 . Body  110  may provide interior space  114  defined by the sides and back, doors  130 , lid  120 , and bottom  116  of chest  100  or shelf  144 , if shelf  144  is used, such that interior space  114  is sufficiently voluminous to accommodate decorative pillows and other decorative bedding as desired. In some embodiments, interior space  114  may be of sufficient dimensions to accommodate pillows that are used when sleeping. Thus, chest  100  may accommodate pillows for sleeping while the decorative bedding is displayed on the bed to be exchanged for the decorative bedding when the bed is used for sleeping. 
     Interior space  114  may be dimensioned such that it will accommodate large pillows laying flat on bottom  116 , allowing for sufficient storage for decorative pillows, throw pillows, and other objects disposed on the bed when displaying the decorative bedding to be stored while the bed is in use. For example, in one embodiment, interior space  114  may be sufficiently voluminous to accommodate at least four king-sized pillows stacked on each other with lid  120  closed. In other embodiments, pillows may be stacked side-by-side to maximize use of volume to allow for other items such as odd-shaped pillows and stuffed animals to fill interior space  114 . Similarly, shelf  144  can be adjusted within interior space  114  to optimize pillow-space and provide maximum additional space below shelf  144 . 
     Body  110  may be made in any desired design or style that accomplishes storage of decorative bedding as described. For example, body  110  may include feet  112  or other decorative features. Similarly, body  110  may be made of any material selected to accomplish desired design and style preferences. For example, chest  100  may be made of cedar to appear as a traditional dresser, cedar chest, steamer trunk, leather chest, or other furniture style. Similarly, chest  100  may be made of any suitable material, such as woods, plastics, veneers, or any other material suitable for storage furniture. 
     Lid  120  may be hinged such that when opened, lid  120  reveals interior space  114 . Lid  120  may include slow-closing hinge  122  to prevent accidental injury by lid  120  shutting suddenly. In some embodiments, lid  120  may remain open when chest  100  is being used to store decorative bedding, such as when rack  150  is in an extended position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, lid  120  may be made such that lid  120  may be closed when rack  150  is in an extended position, allowing pillows or other items to be within interior space  114  while rack  150  supports a comforter or blanket. In such embodiments, the top of lid  120  may also support decorative bedding. 
     Doors  130  may include left door  132  and right door  134  or may be a single door, depending on a desired look of the bedding storage unit. Doors  130  may provide access to interior space  114  when lid  120  is closed with objects on top of lid  120 , or when rack  150  is in use restricting access through the top of chest  100  to interior space  114 . Similarly, in some embodiments, a bedding storage unit according to the present invention may not have doors, with access to interior space  114  only through lid  120 . In other embodiments, access to interior space  114  may be accomplished only through doors  130 , such as in a bedding storage unit according to the present invention that resembles a chest of drawers, armoire, or wardrobe. 
     Drawer  140  may provide additional storage for decorative bedding, or may be used to store space linens or a space blanket for use on the bed. In some embodiments, multiple drawers may be used, or no drawers, depending on the style of the bedding storage unit. For example, in embodiments resembling wardrobes dressers, chests of drawers, or armoires multiple drawers may be included in a lower portion while a single rack or multiple racks, similar to  150 , for holding or hanging blankets, duvets, or comforters may be located in an upper portion. 
     Rack  150  may be included in chest  100  to allow for decorative bedding such as blankets, duvets, comforters, etc., to be draped or hung in such a way to reduce fold marks or wrinkles when the decorative bedding is replaced on the bed. In some embodiments, the bedding can be put over rack  150  in essentially the same configuration as it would be placed on the bed, perhaps with a few folds, and it can be put right back on the bed with a minimum of effort. Also, rack  150  may provide a secure, clean place to accommodate the decorative bedding without collecting dust or other debris that may be present on the tops of furniture or on the floor where such bedding is commonly placed when the bed is to be used, or when the linens are changed. 
     Rack  150  may include supports  152  which may be placed in an extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , by raising crossbar  156  such that supports  152  extend out of support guides  154 . Rack  150  may also be in a retracted position when chest  100  is closed such that rack  150  is concealed when not extended. Support guides  154  may be attached to body  110  to provide support to rack  150 . Supports and support guides may be telescoping, nested, or any other relationship that allows supports  152  to be extended out of interior space  114 . Supports  152  and support guides  154  may include a locking mechanism such as a pin, latch, or other device to lock rack  150  in an extended position. 
     In some embodiments, rack  150  may be hinged such that each support  152  is rotated to place rack  150  in the extended position. Similarly, rack  150  may be provided in chest  100  in any manner that allows rack to be in an extended position and in a retracted position. For example, rack  150  may be attached to the inside or outside of body  110 , within the walls of body  110 , to lid  120 , or to any other portion of chest  100  that provides placement for supporting decorative bedding as discussed herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , rack  150  may be located on each end of body  110 . When rack  150  is in an extended position, each rack  150  on either end of body  110  may be placed at the same height to provide an elevated, symmetrical placement location for a decorative quilt, duvet, etc., allowing the decorative bedding to be suspended above the floor and any flat surface that may have accumulated dust. 
     In some embodiments, bedding storage units such as chest  100  may include more than one rack  150 . For example, chest  100  may include rack  150  on each end of body  110 , such that two racks  150  may extend up from the top of chest  150 . Similarly, the front and back may also include racks. Multiple racks may allow a comforter to be suspended above chest  100  to allow easy access to interior space  114  even when supporting a comforter. 
     In some embodiments, the bedding storage unit may be made as a piece of a matching bedroom set. For example, a bed frame with a head board may be made in the same style as chest  100 , and may also be the same style as other bedroom furniture. 
     In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner.