Abstrict An adjustable bed skirt, for use with a bed having a mattress and
a box spring, includes side panels having a non-slip portion, and
end panels also including a non-slip portion. By inserting the non-slip
portion of each side panel and each end panel between the mattress
and the box spring, the side and end panels are retained in position
so that the remaining non-inserted portion of each of the side and
end panels hangs adjacent the box spring and forms a bed skirt thereon.
Caps including a non-slip portion may also be inserted between the
mattress and the box spring, adjacent edges of the box spring, to
hide any gaps between edges of the side and end panels. The bed
skirt may also be used with a bed having a mattress placed on a
frame, and supported between the mattress and the frame.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable bed skirt for use with a bed having at least one
mattress and box spring, said bed skirt comprising: at least one
side panel including a non-slip portion; and at least one end panel
including a non-slip portion; wherein said non-slip portion of each
side panel and each end panel capable of being inserted between
the mattress and the box spring and retained therein so that the
remaining non-inserted portion of each side panel and each end panel
hangs adjacent the box spring and forms said bed skirt thereon.
2. An adjustable bed skirt according to claim 1 further comprising:
at least one cap including a non-slip portion, wherein said non-slip
portion of each cap capable of being inserted between the mattress
and the box spring adjacent edges thereof and retained therein so
that the remaining portion of each cap hangs adjacent the box spring
and forms said bed skirt thereon.
3. An adjustable bed skirt according to claim 2 each cap being
disposed adjacent one of: inner surfaces of said side panel and
said end panel, and outer surfaces of said side panel and said end
panel.
4. An adjustable bed skirt for use with a bed having at least one
mattress on a frame, said bed skirt comprising: at least one side
panel including a non-slip portion; and at least one end panel including
a non-slip portion; wherein said non-slip portion of each side panel
and each end panel capable of being inserted between the mattress
and the frame and retained therein so that the remaining non-inserted
portion of each side panel and each end panel hangs adjacent the
frame and forms said bed skirt thereon.
5. An adjustable bed skirt according to claim 4 further comprising:
at least one cap including a non-slip portion, wherein said non-slip
portion of each cap capable of being inserted between the mattress
and the frame adjacent edges thereof and retained therein so that
the remaining portion of each cap hangs adjacent the frame and forms
said bed skirt thereon.
6. An adjustable bed skirt according to claim 5 each cap being
disposed adjacent one of: inner surfaces of said side panel and
said end panel, and outer surfaces of said side panel and said end
panel.
7. A method for placing an adjustable bed skirt on a bed having
at least one mattress and a box spring, said method comprising the
steps of: inserting a non-slip portion of at least one side panel
between the mattress and the box spring adjacent a side of the box
spring; and inserting a non-slip portion of at least one end panel
between the mattress and the box spring adjacent another side of
the box spring; whereby the remaining non-inserted portion of each
side panel and each end panel hangs adjacent the box spring and
forms said bed skirt thereon.
8. A method according to claim 7 said method further comprising
the step of: inserting a non-slip portion of at least one cap between
the mattress and the box spring adjacent an edge of the box spring,
whereby the remaining non-inserted portion of each cap hangs adjacent
the box spring and forms said bed skirt thereon.
9. A method according to claim 8 each cap being inserted between
the mattress and the box spring adjacent one of: inner surfaces
of said side panel and said end panel, and outer surfaces of said
side panel and said end panel.
Description RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/311105 filed Aug. 10 2001.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] a. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to bed skirts, and
more particularly to an adjustable bed skirt that can be used with
beds of varying heights, and placed on a box spring of a bed without
removal of a mattress.
[0004] b. Description of Related Art
[0005] Bed skirts commonly known in the art have a single central
platform panel that is the size or shape of a standard mattress.
The central platform panel has three or four side panels hanging
perpendicular to the central platform panel, and attached at the
outer edges thereof. The central platform panel lies flat on the
top of a box spring, and the side panels hang over the edge of the
box spring and essentially cover it from exposure.
[0006] Generally, bed skirts are placed on top of the box spring
between the box spring and the top mattress of a mattress set. It
is usually burdensome to place such bed skirts between the box spring
and the top mattress because the top mattress has to be removed
from atop the box spring. The bed skirt is then fit onto the box
spring and the top mattress is replaced atop the box spring. Often,
when the top mattress is being placed on top of the box spring,
the bed skirt can shift in place, thus requiring the fit to be readjusted
with the top mattress still resting on the box spring.
[0007] Presently, bed skirts are made of specific nominal lengths
associated with average bed and mattress heights. For a bed that
is lower or higher than the average bed height, most bed skirts
made of nominal sizes are either too long (if the height of the
bed is shorter than average) or too short (if the height of the
bed is taller than average.)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] The present invention solves the problems and overcomes
the drawbacks and disadvantages of prior art bed skirts by providing
a bed skirt which is adjustable to fit beds of different heights.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
bed skirt that is easily assembled onto a mattress set without any
mattresses having to be removed.
[0010] In order to achieve the above-identified objectives, the
present invention provides an adjustable bed skirt for use with
a bed having a mattress and one or more box springs. The bed skirt
includes one or more side panels having a non-slip portion, and
one or more end panels having a non-slip portion. The non-slip portion
of each of the side and end panels can be inserted between the mattress
and the box spring and retained therein so that the remaining non-inserted
portion of each of the side and end panels hangs adjacent the box
spring and forms a bed skirt thereon. The bed skirt further includes
one or more caps having a non-slip portion. The non-slip portion
of each cap is inserted between the mattress and the box spring
adjacent edges thereof, and is retained therein so that the remaining
portion of each cap hangs adjacent the box spring and forms the
bed skirt thereon. Each cap is disposed adjacent either inner surfaces
of the side and end panels, or outer surfaces of the side and end
panels.
[0011] The present invention also provides an adjustable bed skirt
for use with a bed having at least one mattress on a frame. The
bed skirt may include side panels including a non-slip portion,
and end panels including a non-slip portion. The non-slip portion
of each side panel and each end panel is capable of being inserted
between the mattress and the frame and retained therein so that
the remaining non-inserted portion of each side panel and each end
panel hangs adjacent the frame and forms the bed skirt thereon.
The bed skirt also includes caps having a non-slip portion. The
non-slip portion of each cap is capable of being inserted between
the mattress and the frame adjacent edges thereof and retained therein
so that the remaining portion of each cap hangs adjacent the frame
and forms the bed skirt thereon. Each cap may be disposed adjacent
either inner surfaces of the side and end panels, or outer surfaces
of the side and end panels.
[0012] The present invention yet further provides a method for
placing an adjustable bed skirt on a bed having a mattress and a
box spring. The method includes the steps of inserting a non-slip
portion of a side panel between the mattress and the box spring
adjacent a side of the box spring, and inserting a non-slip portion
of an end panel between the mattress and the box spring adjacent
another side of the box spring. The remaining non-inserted portion
of each of the side and end panels hangs adjacent the box spring
and forms a bed skirt thereon. The method also includes the step
of inserting a non-slip portion of a cap between the mattress and
the box spring adjacent an edge of the box spring, whereby the remaining
non-inserted portion of each cap hangs adjacent the box spring and
forms the bed skirt thereon. For the method described above, each
cap may be inserted between the mattress and the box spring adjacent
either inner surfaces of the side and end panels, or outer surfaces
of the side and end panels.
[0013] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the
invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the
following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover,
it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention
and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended
to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the
invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide
a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in
and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description
serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable bed skirt
according to the present invention fitted on a box spring;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable bed skirt of
FIG. 1 shown on a box spring; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the adjustable bed skirt of
FIG. 1 shown on a bed frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG.
1 illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable bed skirt according
to the present invention, generally designated 10.
[0019] Adjustable bed skirt 10 has a plurality of separate panels
20 22 wherein the upper non-slip flap 40 42 of each separate panel
20 22 respectively, is placed between the mattress (not shown)
and box spring 50 on a bed.
[0020] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 bed skirt 10
has two side panels 20 and an end panel 22. Two caps or inserts
24 may be placed where the edges of side panels 20 and end panel
22 meet, thereby filling any gap created between the edges of side
panels 20 and end panel 22.
[0021] Each of the non-slip flaps 40 42 may be made of a non-slip
conventional material so as to prevent panels 20 22 from slipping
out of placement between box spring 50 and the mattress placed thereon.
[0022] An exploded view of the separate pieces of bed skirt 10
are shown in FIG. 2. The upper, non-slip flap 40 of each side panel
20 may be placed on box spring 50 so that non-slip flap 40 rests
parallel with the top of box spring 50 and the lower remainder
portion of each side panel 20 hangs over sides 52 of box spring
50 where is covers the respective side 52 from view.
[0023] Likewise, the upper non-slip flap 42 of end panel 22 may
also be placed on box spring 50 so that non-slip flap 42 rests parallel
with the top of box spring 50 and the lower remainder portion of
end panel 22 hangs over sides 54 of box spring 50 where it covers
end 54 of box spring 50 from view. It is apparent that if needed,
an additional end panel 22 may be placed on the opposite side of
box spring 50 opposite to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
2.
[0024] The inserts or caps 24 may be attached to box spring 50
in a similar fashion as each of the side and end panels 20 22.
Specifically, cap 24 may include a non-slip flap 44 that is inserted
onto the corner of box spring 50 below side panels 20 and end panel
22. However, for an alternative look, it is foreseeable the cap
24 can be located on top of side panels 20 and end panel 22.
[0025] Each cap 24 may also include two lower or hanging portions
34 36 that fill in the gap created where the edges of side panels
20 meet with end panel 22.
[0026] The draped height of each panel 20 22 and caps 24 may be
adjusted by the amount of non-slip flap that is placed between the
mattress and box spring of a bed. For example, the more non-slip
flap 40 42 44 that is placed between the mattress and box spring
50 the shorter the bed skirt 10. Alternatively, the less non-slip
flap 40 42 44 that is placed between the mattress and box spring
50 the longer the bed skirt 10 is.
[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, instead
of being placed between a mattress and a box spring, bed skirt 10
may be placed below a mattress in a bed having a mattress resting
on a frame, and retained between the mattress and the frame. For
example, referring to FIG. 3 in a conventional bed having a curved
or flat frame 60 the upper non-slip flap 40 of each side panel
20 may be placed on frame 60 so that non-slip flap 40 rests parallel
with the top of frame 60 and the lower remainder portion of each
side panel 20 hangs over sides 62 of frame 60 where it covers sides
62 from view. Likewise, the upper non-slip flap 42 of end panel
22 may also be placed on frame 60 so that non-slip flap 42 rests
parallel with the top of frame 60 and the lower remainder portion
of end panel 22 hangs over sides 64 of frame 60 where it covers
side 64 of frame 60 from view. It is apparent that if needed, an
additional end panel 22 may be placed on the opposite side of frame
60 opposite to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
[0028] After fitting of panels 20 and 22 the inserts or caps 24
may be attached to frame 60 in a similar fashion as each of the
side and end panels 20 22. Specifically, cap 24 may include a non-slip
flap 44 that is inserted onto the corner of frame 60 below side
panels 20 and end panel 22. However, for an alternative look, it
is foreseeable the cap 24 can be located on top of side panels 20
and end panel 22.
[0029] It should be noted that the term "frame" used
to identify frame 60 of FIG. 3 designates a general structure on
which a mattress may rest, and may include any such general "frame"
structure as would be apparent to a skilled artisan.
[0030] It is apparent that although a single mattress and box spring
50 were referred to throughout the disclosure, a plurality of mattresses
and a plurality of box springs on a single bed may also be used
with adjustable bed skirt 10 of the present invention. It is also
apparent that since bed skirt 10 is comprised of an ensemble of
separate pieces, a central platform is not needed and each piece
is easily slipped between the mattress and box spring without having
to remove the top mattress to place the bed skirt.
[0031] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those
particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications
may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. |