GB2567676A

GB2567676A - A method for securing a covering in place on bedding and a bifurcated securement device therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2567676A
Application number: GB1717261.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marneros Loukas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-20
Publication date: 2019-04-24
Also published as: GB201717261D0; AU2017248537A1

Abstract

A method of securing bedding covering in place on bedding comprises utilising bifurcated securement devices 100. The bifurcated securement device 100 comprises male and female pieces 104, 105. The male piece comprises a pin 106 having a sharpened distal end which is inserted through the covering 102 and bedding 103 so as to protrude from an opposite side thereof. The sharpened distal end of the pin is received in an aperture of the female piece 105 and fastened by a fastening mechanism. Both the male and female pieces comprise bodies 101, 108 which have pressing faces 117, 109. As such, the male and female pieces 104, 105 can be pressed together such that the covering 102 and bedding 103 is compressed therebetween, thus securing the two together. The fastening mechanism may fasten the distal end of the pin at different insertion offsets or may comprise a biased ram that jams bearings between an inner frustroconical surface of a retention cup and a periphery of the distal end of the pin. The ram may be magnetically displaceable.

Description

(57) A method of securing bedding covering in place on bedding comprises utilising bifurcated securement devices 100. The bifurcated securement device 100 comprises male and female pieces 104, 105. The male piece comprises a pin 106 having a sharpened distal end which is inserted through the covering 102 and bedding 103 so as to protrude from an opposite side thereof. The sharpened distal end of the pin is received in an aperture of the female piece 105 and fastened by a fastening mechanism. Both the male and female pieces comprise bodies 101, 108 which have pressing faces 117, 109. As such, the male and female pieces 104, 105 can be pressed together such that the covering 102 and bedding 103 is compressed therebetween, thus securing the two together. The fastening mechanism may fasten the distal end of the pin at different insertion offsets or may comprise a biased ram that jams bearings between an inner frustroconical surface of a retention cup and a periphery of the distal end of the pin. The ram may be magnetically displaceable.

Figure 2

1/5

Figure 1

2/5

104 co

Figure 2

3/5

100 100

co φ

L—

Z5 σ)

CXI CO CXI

5/5

CXI

co Φ L_ =j O) co

A Method for Securing a Covering in Place on Bedding and a Bifurcated Securement Device Therefor

Field of the Invention [1] This invention relates generally to method for securing a covering in place on bedding and a bifurcated securement device therefor.

Background of the Invention [2] Bedding such as duvets, pillows and the like often times becomes dislocated from covering therefor, such covering comprising duvet and pillow covers, sheets and the like.

[3] The present invention seeks to provide a way to secure covering in place on bedding which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Summary of the Disclosure [5] There is provided herein a method for securing bedding covering in place.

[6] The method comprises utilising bifurcated securement devices for securing the covering to the bedding at corners of the bedding. The bifurcated securement device comprises male and female pieces which can be easily and quickly inserted together in use in the manner described herein.

[7] Specifically, the method comprises covering the bedding with the covering and inserting a sharpened distal end of a pin of the male piece of the bifurcated securement device through the covering and bedding so as to protrude from an opposite side thereof.

[8] The male piece comprising a body at a proximal end of the pin, the body defining a male pressing face being substantially orthogonal with the elongate axis of the pin.

[9] The method further comprises inserting the protruding distal end of the pin into an aperture of the female piece of the securement device. The female piece has a female body defining the aperture and configured for accommodating the distal end of the pin within the female body. The female body also comprises a fastening mechanism therein for fastening the distal end of the pin. The female body also defines an opposing female pressing face.

[10] As such, the male and female pieces can be pressed together such that the covering and bedding is compressed between the male pressing face and the female pressing face.

[11] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism is configured for fastening the distal end of the pin at differing insertion offsets. As such, bedding and covering of differing thickness may be secured utilising the securement device.

[12] In a preferred embodiment, the male pressing face is substantially concave and the female pressing face is substantially correspondingly convex. In this way, the curvature of the pressing faces enhances the lateral engagement of the covering and bedding as opposed to if the pressing faces were planar.

[13] In a further preferred embodiment, the male body is domed and the female pressing face comprises a peripheral setback which extends between inner and exterior surfaces of the peripheral edge of the domed male body. As such, the exterior edges of the pieces coincide thereby avoiding sharp edges and the like.

[14] Furthermore, the securement device is preferably disc-shaped and rounded, thereby providing an ergonomically unobtrusive smooth profile for bedding.

[15] In an embodiment, to allow the fastening mechanism to engage the distal end of the pin at differing insertion offsets, the fastening mechanism comprises a biased ram that jams bearings between an inner frustoconical surface of a retention cup and an exterior periphery of the distal end of the pin extending therethrough at differing insertion offsets. In a further embodiment, the ram is magnetically displaceable such that the method may further comprise applying a magnet to the female portion to release the distal end of the pin.

[16] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [17] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[18] Figure 1 shows a bed comprising a covering secured at edges thereof to bedding utilising a plurality of securement devices;

[19] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the securement device in accordance with an embodiment;

[20] Figures 3 and 4 show a cross-sectional side views of the securement device wherein the male and female pieces are respectively disengaged and engaged;

[21] Figure 4 shows the male and female pieces of the securement device cooperating to compress the bedding and coverings therebetween for securement; and [22] Figure 5 shows an exemplary fastening mechanism in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments [23] Figure 1 shows abed 101 comprising bedding 103 and a covering 102.

[24] There is provided herein a method for securing the covering 102 in place to the bedding 103. As is shown in Figure 1, the bedding 103 may be substantially rectangular and therefore securement devices 100 may be place at each corner of the bedding 103 for securing the covering 102 in place.

[25] The method comprises inserting a sharpened distal end of a pin 106 of a male piece 104 of a bifurcated securement device 100 through the covering 102 and bedding 103 such that the distal end of the pin 106 protrudes from an opposite side of the bedding 103 and covering 102.

[26] The protruding distal end of the pin 106 is then inserted into an aperture 107 of a female piece 105 of the securement device 100.

[27] The male piece 104 comprises a body 101 at a proximal end of the pin 106, the body 101 defining a male pressing face 117 being substantially orthogonal with an elongate axis of the pin 106.

[28] The female piece 105 comprises a female body 108 defining the aperture 107.

[29] The female body 108 has sufficient depth so as to accommodate the entire distal end of the pin 106 inserted therein. As is shown in figure 3, the female body 108 may be substantially hollow so as to fully accommodate the distal end of the pin 106 therein is shown in figure 4.

[30] The female piece 105 may further comprise a fastening mechanism within the body 108 for fastening the distal end of the pin 106 of the female body 108 to hold the male piece 104 to the female piece 105.

[31] The female body 108 further defines an opposing female pressing face 109 which presses against the opposing face 117 of the male body 101.

[32] As such, the male and female pieces 104, 105 may be pressed together to compress the bedding and covering therebetween. Figure 5 shows the male piece 104 having been fastened to the female piece 105 so as to compress the covering 102 and bedding 103 therebetween.

[33] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism is configured for fastening the pin 106 at differing insertion offsets so as to make allowance for covering 102 and bedding 103 of differing thicknesses. As such, irrespective of the thickness of the covering 102 and the bedding 103, the user may press the pieces 104, 105 together to compress the covering 102 and the bedding 103 with a desirous compressive force.

[34] Figure 6 shows a fastening mechanism 118 in accordance with one embodiment which is configured for engaging the distal end of the pin 106 at differing insertion offsets.

[35] The fastening mechanism 118 in accordance with this embodiment may comprise a metallic cup 111 comprising a frustoconical inner aspect and an aperture through a base thereof for the insertion of the distal end of the pin 106 therethrough.

[36] A ram 113, biased by a rearward compression spring 114, forces a plurality of bearings 112 into the cup 111 so as to jam against the inner frustoconical aspect of the cup 113 and the exterior periphery of the distal end of the pin 106, substantially preventing the distal end of the pin 6 from being pulled from the fastening mechanism 118. The compression spring 114 may be seated within a housing 115 about a central column 116 through which the distal end of the pin 106 is able to extend. The ram 113 may be magnetic so as to be displaceable against the compression spring 114 to release the bearings 112 to allow the release of the distal end of the pin 106.

[37] In an alternative embodiment, the fastening mechanism may comprise a ratchet mechanism within the female body 108 comprising a pawl which engages teeth of a linear track along one side of the pin 106. Such a mechanism may similarly engage the pin 106 at differing insertion offsets. To disengage the male piece 104 from the female piece 105, the male piece 104 may be twisted about the elongate axis of the pin 106 with respect to the female piece 108 such that the teeth disengage from the ratchet mechanism.

[38] As is shown in Figure 2, the securement device 100 may be shaped to be ergonomically unobtrusive. Specifically, the securement device 100 may comprise a circular cross-section orthogonal with an elongate axis of the pin 106.

[39] Furthermore, the exterior surface of the securement device 100 may be disk shaped and furthermore rounded. As can be appreciated from Figures 3 and 4, the exterior surfaces of the male and female pieces 104, 105 may be rounded to a continuous radius.

[40] Furthermore, the female body 108 may define a setback 110 peripheral female pressing face 109 which spans between respective inner and exterior surfaces of the peripheral edge of the domed male body 101 such that the exterior edges of the male and female bodies 101, 108 coincide, thereby avoiding sharp edges.

[41] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for securing a covering in place on bedding, the bedding being substantially rectangular, the method comprising:

covering the bedding with the covering;

inserting a sharpened distal end of a pin of a male piece of a bifurcated securement device through the covering and bedding so as to protrude from an opposite side thereof, the male piece comprising a body at a proximal end of the pin, the body defining a male pressing face being substantially orthogonal with the elongate axis of the pin;

inserting the protruding distal end of the pin into an aperture of a female piece of the securement device, the female piece having a female body defining the aperture and configured for accommodating the distal end of the pin within the female body, the female body comprising a fastening mechanism therein for fastening the distal end of the pin within the female body and the female body defining an opposing female pressing face; and pressing the male piece against the female piece such that the covering and bedding is compressed between the male pressing face and the female pressing face.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured for fastening the distal end of the pin at differing insertion offsets.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the male pressing face is concave and the female pressing face is conformingly convex.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the male body is domed and wherein the female body defines a setback peripheral the female pressing face which spans between respective inner and exterior surfaces of the peripheral edge of the domed male body.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein exterior peripheral edges of the male and female pressing faces coincide.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securement device comprises a circular cross-section orthogonal with an elongate axis of the pin.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the securement device defines a disc-shaped exterior.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc-shaped exterior is rounded.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein exterior surfaces of the male and female pieces are rounded to a continuous radius.

10. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a biased ram that j ams bearings between an inner frustoconical surface of a retention cup and an exterior periphery of the distal end of the pin extending therethrough at differing insertion offsets.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ram is magnetically displaceable and wherein the method further comprises applying a magnet to the female portion to release the distal end of the pin.

12. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a linear ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl acting on a linear track of the pin.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the linear track is located along one side of the pin and wherein the method comprises rotating the male piece about an elongate axis of the pin with respect to the female piece to disengage the fastening mechanism.

14. A bifurcated securement device provided for a method as claimed in claim 1.