Patent Abstract:
A pad is releasably secured to a bed frame for covering the headboard bracket. The headboard bracket pad includes a padded body having a first panel and a second panel secured together with a flexible pad disposed therebetween. A mounting system is used to selectively attach the padded body to the bed frame to protect humans, walls, painted surfaces and animals from harm and/or injury resulting from an impact with the headboard bracket.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/924,840, filed on Jan. 8, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to bedding accessories and, more particularly, relates to a bracket pad configured to be detachably secured over the attachment structure for a headboard on a bed frame. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     Beds come in a variety of sizes, such as single, queen, king, and generally include a bed frame, box spring and mattresses therefor. Regardless of the size, most frames include some structure in the form of a bracket, flange, tube or other mechanism for securing a headboard thereto. This headboard attachment structure, hereinafter referred to as the headboard bracket, is often an integral part of the bed frame such that it cannot be removed when a headboard is not employed. 
     In these circumstances, the headboard bracket extends away from a vertical surface of the box spring and mattress such that the bracket is exposed. In some circumstances, movement of the bed during expected usage can cause the exposed bracket to bump into and damage an adjacent wall surface. In other circumstances, a person may bump into the exposed bracket when moving about the bed frame resulting in a minor injury from the impact. Padding for frame rails are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations well-known. For example, rubber pads or foam tubes have been configured to provide padding for the frame rails or bed rails. Similar, padded coverings have been developed for bed rails or headboards. Known examples of these devices are illustrated and described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,025; U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,817; U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,112; U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,212; U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,281; and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 299,393. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a headboard bracket pad which is specifically adapted for attachment only over a headboard bracket and readily adaptable for use with almost any frame configuration. The headboard bracket pad in accordance with the teachings provided herein substantially departs from the concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting the adjacent wall surface and preventing injury from stubbing into headboard bracket. 
     The headboard bracket pad includes a padded body having a first panel and a second panel secured together with a flexible pad disposed therebetween. In some embodiments, a pair of straps extends from a first edge of the padded body. Each strap has a first attachment mechanism. An anchor strip is secured to an outer surface of the first panel and has a second attachment mechanism formed on the strip such that the second attachment mechanism is operable to engage the first attachment mechanism for releasably securing the padded body over a headboard bracket. In some embodiments, one or more magnets can be used that is/are secured to or within the padded body to permit magnetic coupling of the padded body to the metallic bed frame. 
     The padded body is foldable along a longitudinal axis so as to form a first padded region and a second padded region generally perpendicular to the first padded portion. The padded body is also foldable along a transverse axis to form a third region generally parallel to and folded onto the first padded region and a fourth region generally parallel to and folded onto from the second padded region. 
     The essential function of the headboard bracket pad is to protect humans, walls, painted surfaces and animals from harm and/or injury resulting from an impact with the headboard bracket. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view showing a first embodiment of the headboard bracket pad described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the headboard bracket pad shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the headboard bracket pad shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the pad shown in  FIG. 1  installed over the headboard bracket of a conventional bed frame; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the pad shown in  FIG. 1  installed over the headboard bracket of a conventional bed frame; and 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the pad shown in  FIG. 1  installed over the headboard bracket of a conventional bed frame. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, and/or components. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a headboard bracket pad  10  is shown to include a body portion having a front panel  12  and a back panel  14  stitched together along seams indicated at reference  16 . In some embodiments, the front and back panels  12 ,  14  are part of a single piece of material folded along a bottom edge  16   b , then stitched together along the side and top seams  16 . A pad  18  is disposed within an interior region defined between front and back panels  12 ,  14 . 
     In some embodiments preferred, the front panel  12  and back panel  14  are fabricated from an uncolored contract or commercial grade vinyl upholstery material which can be readily sewn together. In some embodiments, an uncolored material is preferred to prevent color transfer or marking of adjacent walls should the padded bed frame impact therewith. However, it should be understood that alternative materials may be used, including, but not limited to, cotton, man-made synthetics, leather, and the like. It should also be understood that alternative colors and/or patterns can be used, including various designs, logos (e.g. team logos, etc.), indicia, decals, colors, and the like. In some embodiments, the color and/or design can be configured to match that of the adjacent wall or structure. 
     In some embodiments, the pad  18  is an open-cell foam sheet. However, alternative pad materials are envisioned, including, but not limited to, closed-cell foam, natural materials, man-made materials, gels, or other materials typically used for impact management. In this configuration, the headboard bracket pad  10  remains sufficiently flexible and pliant to form and attached the headboard bracket pad  10  to a bed frame. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , a mounting system  44  is provided for coupling or otherwise attaching headboard bracket pad, specifically the body portion and pad  18 , to the bed frame. In some embodiments, mounting system  44  can comprise a pair of flexible straps  20  extends from the upper edge of the headboard bracket pad  10 . As illustrated, in some embodiments, the straps  20  extend into the interior region and are stitched into place along the top seam  16 . An attachment mechanism  22  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is formed on one side of the straps  20 . An anchor strip  24  is secured along a lower edge of the back panel  14  and has an attachment mechanism  26  which is complementary with the attachment mechanism  22  so that the straps may be releasably secured to the strip  24 . In some embodiments, attachment mechanism  22  is a loop-type fastener which remains relatively flexible so that the straps  20  may be folded down over the headboard bracket pad  10  and attachment mechanism  26  is a hook-type fastener that cooperates with the loop-type fasteners of attachment mechanism  22 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  22  is a loop and hook type fasteners, such as Velcro® brand fasteners. However, in some embodiments, attachment mechanisms  22 ,  26  may be complementary closures or fasteners, such as snaps, hooks, buttons, or other selectively detachable features. 
     In some embodiments, straps  20  and anchor strip  24  can be replaced with one or more magnets  40  shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, mounting system  44  can comprise magnets  40  disposed within interior region and concealed from view. It should be understood that magnets  40  can be mounted on an exterior portion of body portion, such as back panel  14 . Magnets  40  may be sized and placed in any manner for convenient coupling to a metallic bed frame. In some embodiments, magnets  40  can be sized and placed internally to be retained in position by stitched seams  16  and/or stitched lines  28 ,  30 , which will be discussed in greater detail herein. In this way, magnets  40  can serve to selectively couple headboard bracket pad  10  to metallic bed frames. 
     In some embodiments, headboard bracket pad  10  is longitudinally foldable along line  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  so as to define a first padded region  32  for covering a front portion of the headboard bracket and a second padded region  34  generally perpendicular (when folded during installation) to the first padded portion  32  for covering a side portion of the headboard bracket. The padded headboard bracket pad  10  is also transversely foldable along line  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  to define a third region  36  generally parallel to and overlaying the first padded region  32  and a fourth region  38  generally parallel to and overlaying the second padded region  34 . The folded configuration of the headboard bracket pad  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . Once so folded, the flexible straps  20  or magnets  40  are wrapped over the bed frame and or headboard bracket to contact the anchor strip  24  or magnetically engage the bed frame. In some embodiments, attachment mechanisms  22 ,  26  engage each other for releasably securing the headboard bracket pad  10  to the bed frame so that the headboard bracket is covered. 
     The headboard bracket pad  10  may include stitching along the longitudinal line  28  to facilitate folding to form the first padded region  32  and second padded region  34 . Such stitching may be centrally located so that the first padded region  32  and second padded region  34  are the same width, or may be offset so that the first padded region  32  has a different width than the second padded region  34 . Likewise, the headboard bracket pad  10  may include stitching along the transverse line  30  to facilitate folding to form the third region  36  and fourth region  38 . As presently preferred, the transverse line  30  is offset toward the top of the headboard bracket pad  10 , nearer the flexible straps  20  or magnets  40 . In some embodiments, headboard bracket pad  10  can be constructed in a left and right configuration to provide maximum fit and finish. 
     In some embodiments and without limitation to alternative sizes, the front panel  12  and the back panel  14  are formed by a single sheet of vinyl material which is 8⅜ inches wide by 16 inches long which is folded in half. The foam pad  18  is 6 inches wide by 5⅜ inches long and ½ inch thick. The thickness of the foam may vary in a range from about ¼ inch thick up to about 1 inch thick, depending on the level of padding desired. The flexible straps  20  are preferably commercial grade loop fastening strips (e.g. soft Velcro® brand strips) having a length of about 7½ inches and a width of about 1 inch. The anchor strap  24  is preferably a commercial grade hook fastener strip having a length of about 7⅜ inches and a width of about 1 inch. 
     The headboard pad  10  may be fabricated in the following manner. First, a vinyl sheet is folded in half and a line is marked on the back panel  14  about ½ inch up from and parallel to the bottom fold. Next, the vinyl sheet is unfolded, the anchor strap  24  is aligned on the line and stitched onto the back panel  14 . Next, the vinyl sheet is folded so that the backing surface faces outwardly and the sides of the front and back panels  12 ,  14  are stitched to form a pouch with a pair of lateral hem. 
     Next, the foam pad  18  is placed into the pouch and the flexible straps are located along the upper edge of the pouch about one inch from each lateral hem and/or the magnets  40  are placed into the pouch. The upper edges of the front and back panel  12 ,  14  are turned inwardly into the pouch and stitched to enclose the foam pad  18  and magnets  40  within the pouch and/or secure the flexible straps  20  thereto. Longitudinal stitching and transverse stitching may be added to facilitate folding as described above. In some embodiments, foam pad  18  can extend upward only to transverse line  30  to eliminate bulk (and minimize material required) in third region  36  and fourth region  38 . In such configuration, foam pad  18  only resides in first padded region  32  and second padded region  34 . In some embodiments, foam pad  18  can extend upward beyond transverse line  30  such that foam pad  18  extended into third region  36  and fourth region  38 . In this way, if desired, foam pad  18  can be continuous and stitched via transverse line  30  or can be separate pieces being disposed in one or more regions  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 . 
     Prior to installing the headboard bracket pad  10 , any mattress and/or box spring should be removed from the bed frame. The pad  10  is place with the anchor strip  24  and/or back panel  14  facing the bed frame adjacent the headboard bracket. In some embodiments, the top portion of the pad  10  is wrapped over the frame bracket and positioned against the headboard bracket in the inside of the bed frame so that the flexible straps  20  hang down on the inside of the bed frame and/or the magnets  40  engage the metallic bed frame. The box spring and/or mattress are moved back into position, then the flexible straps  20  are secured to the anchor strip  24  for releasably securing the pad  10  to the headboard bracket as best seen in  FIGS. 4-6 . In some embodiments, the top portion of the pad  10  is wrapped over the frame bracket and positioned against the headboard bracket such that magnets  40  engage either the exterior or interior side of the frame bracket. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5