AU2023248136B2 - An Attachable Apparatus for a Bed - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for attachment to a bed capable of splitting a bed into halves and thereby improving the sleep quality of occupants. The invention comprises a plurality of straps adapted to be fixed around a mattress of the bed. The straps are securely affixed to the mattress through fasteners, and apply a downward pressure onto the mattress, thereby splitting the bed into halves. 2/7 18 12 30 32 42 40 16 14 20 22 Figure 2

Description

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An Attachable Apparatus for a Bed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for a bed, in particular an attachment for

beds for delineating a bed for the comfort of multiple occupants.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Sleep is an integral component for human health, with the quality of sleep that a

person receives often depending on their bed. Couples, family members, friends, or others may be required to share a bed together, often to the detriment of sleep quality. Often, one or more

occupants of a shared bed suffer from decreased sleep quality due to other occupants 'tossing and

turning' in bed, snoring loudly, or having to wrestle shared sheets or blankets. For couples, a

decreased sleep quality may also result in damage to the relationship.

[0003] Solutions have been presented in the prior art in the form of specialised mattresses

aimed at isolating or otherwise minimising any movement of the bed caused by an occupant.

However, these prior art solutions are often prohibitively expensive, requiring a user to purchase an

entirely new mattress. Furthermore, it is not feasible to expect such specialised mattresses when

travelling and staying at different locations overnight. In addition, the prior art solutions require an

entire new mattress, and are often not as comfortable as the user's original mattress to which they

have grown accustomed to.

[0004] It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the

problems of the prior art, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative, by providing an attachable apparatus for a bed, thereby providing a bed that has been softly divided down its centre,

thereby improving the comfort and sleep quality of its multiple occupants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first aspect of the invention there is an attachable apparatus for a bed comprising:

a plurality of straps; and

a plurality of fastening means;

wherein the plurality of straps are adapted to extend around a mattress of the bed;

wherein the ends of the plurality of straps are adapted to be positioned on an upper surface of the mattress; and wherein the fastening means secure the plurality of straps to the mattress.

[0006] In preference, the apparatus comprises three straps and four fastening means.

[0007] In preference, the first of the three straps is connected to a second and third strap of

the three straps.

[0008] In preference, the plurality of straps produce two layers of vertical pressure on the

surface of the mattress.

[0009] In preference, the apparatus further comprises a clip located on one of the plurality of

straps, wherein the clip is adapted to slide along the one of the plurality of straps to secure a

bedding of the bed.

[0010] In preference, the clip is adapted to be slide under the mattress when not in use.

[0011] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the

features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of

the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned

from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the

art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of

the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to

a number of drawings as follows.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the attachable apparatus;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus being installed onto an unmade

bed;

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates the head end of the bed of the depiction of Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus being installed onto a partially

made bed;

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates further perspective view of the apparatus being installed onto a

partially made bed; and

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates the apparatus installed onto a made bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying

drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings

and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown

in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or

illustration.

[0020] Referring to Figure 1, the attachable apparatus 10 comprises straps of varying lengths

connected together. The invention comprises three straps, with the first strap 20 being the longest

strap, second strap 30 of intermediate length, and the third strap 30 being the shortest length. The

straps may be of various different forms and materials, and may be composed of, but not limited to,

some low elasticity material such as poly-woven plastic or the like.

[0021] The straps are connected to each other in a manner to form the singular attachable

apparatus 10. First strap 20 is connected to the second strap 30 with connection 12 and connected

to the third strap 40 with connection 14. The connections 12, 14 may be a stitching or sewing to

attach the desired straps, though it should be understood that the invention is not limited to such

attachment means, and other means commonly known in the art may be used instead.

[0022] The first strap 20 comprises two buckle clip connectors, a male end 22 at one end of the

strap, and a female end 24 at the other end of the strap. The first strap 20 and connectors 22, 24 are

to be attached below a bed to secure the apparatus 10, which will be discussed further. The second strap 30 includes a male end of a buckle clip 32 at one end, with the other end forming a connection

12 with the first strap 20. The third strap 40 includes a female end of a buckle clip 42 at one end,

with the other end forming a connection 14 with the first strap 20. It is to be understood that the

invention is not limited to using buckle clips, and other fastening means known in the art may

instead be used, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buttons, or the like.

[0023] The means of attaching the apparatus 10 onto a bed will now be described in detail

herein. The invention is designed to be easily installed onto a bed, presenting the user with a simple

and cost-effective solution for improving sleep quality.

[0024] Referring to Figure 2, an unmade bed is illustrated comprising a mattress 12 and bed

frame 14. The bed further comprises a foot end 16 and a head end 18 of the bed. The first strap 20 may first be positioned below mattress 12 and above frame 14, allowing the second strap 30 to be installed above on an upper surface of the mattress 12 with buckle clips 32, 42 which securely fasten the strap 30 to the mattress at its foot end 16. The second strap 30 is installed in a manner across the bed from its foot end 16 to its head end 18, thereby separating the mattress into two halves. The ends of the first strap 20 with buckles 22, 24 remain exposed, protruding from and extending downwards from the mattress 16. A view of the head end 18 of the bed is illustrated in Figure 3.

[0025] A bottom sheet may then be applied to the mattress as is common in the art, thereby covering straps 30, 40 and buckles 32, 42.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, after the bottom sheet has been applied to the bed covering

straps 30, 40 and buckles 32, 42, a top sheet 13 and/or blankets may then be applied to the bed as

desired. A top sheet and blankets, a top sheet with blankets, a doona, a bed spread, or any other

forms of bedding may be used to suit the particular preferences of the user.

[0027] Referring now to Figure 5, the ends of strap 20 comprising buckles 22, 24 may then be

pulled over the made bed and connected in a manner extending between its foot end 16 and the

head end 18. Buckles 22, 24 are secured proximate the head end 18 of the bed and tightened,

causing strap 20 to apply downward pressure onto the mattress 14 and effectively divide the bed

into two halves.

[0028] The divided bed into two halves allows for better sleep quality of the occupants. The

downward pressure of first strap 20 effectively isolates the two halves of the bed, reducing any

significant movement or disturbances resulting from the movement of one occupant from transferring to the other half. This effectively reduces sleep disturbances from excessive shaking or

vibration of the bed, allowing for two occupants to share without being negatively impacted.

[0029] The separation of the bed into two halves additionally causes any 'stealing' of sheets or

blankets by one occupant from the other occupant to be more difficult. The bedding is securely held

by the apparatus 10, preventing any shifting of bedding across halves by any occupant. Increased

sleep quality is achieved by ensuring that the one or more occupants do not have to continuously

awaken to restore the bedding to its original position.

[0030] The strap 20 which is applied on top of the bedding also effectively prevents one

occupant from moving from one half to the other during their sleep.

[0031] Additional bedding such as but not limited to additional pillows, blankets, and the like may then be placed onto the bedding over the secured strap, as illustrated in Figure 6. Buckles 22,

24 are preferably positioned proximate the head end 18 of the bed, allowing occupants to easily

disassemble the apparatus 10, effectively releasing the downward pressure applied by strap 20,

recreating the unseparated bed.

[0032] The apparatus 10 produces layers of vertical pressure onto the mattress 12. The first

layer of pressure derives from the second and third straps 30, 40, and buckle clips 32, 42, and is

applied onto the unmade mattress 12. The second layer of pressure derives from the first strap 20 and buckle clips 22, 24, and is applied on top of the bottom sheet and/or top sheet and/or blankets,

or any variation of bedding as desired.

[0033] In an embodiment, the first strap 20 comprises an additional clip 19 capable of sliding

along the length of the strap 20. The clip 19, if needed, may be slid along the strap 20 from the foot

end 16 of the bed towards the head end 18 of the bed, until the clip abuts any sheets and/or

blankets, thereby providing an additional means for holding said bedding in place. If extra means for

securing bedding are not required, the clip may be slid towards the foot end 16 of the bed and

underneath the mattress 12.

[0034] In an embodiment, the clip 19 comprises an end adapted for pinching or closing, and

functions similar to a clothes peg. In this embodiment, the clip 19 is able to hold the hold onto the

sheets and/or blankets, holding them in place. In such an embodiment, the closure of the clip 19

may be spring-actuated or drawn closed by an elastic band, as is common knowledge in the art. It

should be noted that the invention is not limited to such a clip, with any clip known in the art able to be used, such as but not limited to claw clips, snap clips, crocodile clips, and the like.

[0035] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides an attachable

apparatus for a bed capable of separating a bed into two halves and thereby improving the sleep

quality of its occupants. The apparatus is lightweight, transportable, and easy to install, allowing for

its installation onto bedding during holidays, overnight stays, and the like.

[0036] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention

without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown as described in what is

conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures may

be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details

disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all

equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should

in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0037] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its

derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not

exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0038] The drawings include the following integers:

10 - apparatus 12- first and second strap connector

14 -first and third strap connector

12 - mattress

13 - top sheet

14 - bed frame

16 - foot of bed

18 - head of bed

20 - first strap

22 - buckle clip male end

24 - buckle clip female end

30 -second strap

32 - buckle clip male end

40 -third strap 42 - buckle female end

Claims (7)

1. An attachable apparatus for a bed, comprising:

a plurality of straps; and

a plurality of fastening means;

wherein the plurality of straps are adapted to extend around a mattress of the bed;

wherein ends of the plurality of straps are adapted to be positioned on an upper

surface the mattress; wherein at least one strap of the plurality of straps extends across a top of a bed

sheet on the upper surface of the mattress;

and wherein the fastening means secure the plurality of straps to the mattress,

thereby applying a downward pressure onto the bed sheet and mattress and dividing the

bed into halves.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, comprising three straps and four fastening means.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein a first of the three straps is connected to a second and

third of strap of the three straps.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of straps produce two layers of vertical

pressure on the surface of the mattress.

5. The apparatus as in any of the previous claims, further comprising a clip located on one of

the plurality of straps, wherein the clip is adapted to slide along the one of the plurality of

straps to secure a bedding ofthe bed.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the clip is adapted to be slid under the mattress when

not in use.

7. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the at least one strap of the plurality of straps is

positioned above a blanket above the bed sheet on the upper surface of the mattress.