US007080421B1
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Delfs
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,080,421 B1
`Jul. 25, 2006
`
`(54) BEDDING ARTICLE WITH OVERLAYING
`PORTIONS
`
`(75) Inventor: Juliette M. Delfs, Seattle, WA (US)
`
`(73) AssigneeZ Paci?c Coast Feather Company’
`S n1 WA Us
`ea 9,
`(
`)
`
`1/1967 Foley ....................... .. 601/148
`3,297,023 A *
`l/l967 Saltness et al. .............. .. 5/644
`3,298,044 A *
`3,411,164 A 11/1968 Sumergrade
`5/645
`3,443,267 A *
`5/1969 schlwkman
`5/654
`4,389,742 A *
`6/1983 DeWltt .... ..
`4,922,564 A *
`5/1990 Thomas ....................... .. 5/737
`5,471,691 A 12/1995 Ryndak
`5,557,816 A
`9/1996 Pedersen et a1.
`
`( * ) Not1ce:
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Subject to any d1scla1mer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 0 days.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`5,644,810 A
`
`7/1997 Kt
`
`9/1997 Rgnilak
`5 661 862 A
`7/1998 Haider
`537783470 A
`5,987,669 A 11/1999 Leggett et a1.
`
`(21) Appl. No.2 11/192,602
`
`.
`_
`(22) Flled'
`
`Jul' 29’ 2005
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A47G 9/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(200601) 5/645_ 5/502_ 5/711
`14J4s7GCf/02
`52
`_'
`'
`' """" """ "I """""""" "
`’
`’
`(
`)
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .................. .. 5/645,
`S
`1_ f ?15/6f44’ 654’ 171:)’ 711’1Z1h2} :09’ 502
`ee app lcalon e or Comp ee Seam 15 my‘
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,206,775 A 11/1916 Everts
`2,589,303 A
`3/1952 Sourbeck
`2,604,641 A *
`7/1952 Reed ........................... .. 5/710
`2,691,179 A * 10/1954 Kann .......................... .. 5/710
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriAlexander GrosZ
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or F irmilensen & Puntigam, RS.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The bedding article includes three fabric sections having
`approximately the same siZe and positioned in registry. TWo
`fabric ba?le Strips extend in one dimension between and
`connected to upper and middle fabric sections, de?ning
`three interior chambers therebetWeen. TWo fabric bai?e
`strips extend in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension
`between and connected to the loWer and middle fabric
`sections, also de?ning three chambers therebetWeen. Loose
`?lling is placed into all of the chambers de?ned by the baf?e
`strips.
`
`23 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 25, 2006
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`Sheet 1 of3
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`US 7,080,421 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 25, 2006
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`Sheet 2 of3
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`US 7,080,421 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 25, 2006
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`Sheet 3 of3
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`US 7,080,421 B1
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`1
`BEDDING ARTICLE WITH OVERLAYING
`PORTIONS
`
`2
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`US 7,080,421 B1
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates generally to bedding articles, and
`more particularly concerns such a bedding article having
`upper and loWer portions With chambers de?ned in each
`portion.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Various bedding articles, such as pilloWs, cushions and
`featherbeds, as Well as furniture cushions, are often ?lled
`With loose ?lling such as feathers, doWn and polyester or
`other man-made ?lling, or various combinations thereof.
`Such articles using loose ?lling are typically quite comfort
`able, but the ?lling often shifts Within the article When
`Weight is applied and/or the article is compressed. During
`use, particularly after extended use, the ?lling Will shift
`aWay from the point of compression. Re-?uf?ng is then
`necessary to then achieve maximum comfort. HoWever,
`during a particular period of use, such as during a single
`night’s sleep, it is not practical to re-?ulf the article.
`Thus, it Would be desirable to have bedding and related
`articles With a particular arrangement Which reduces shifting
`of the ?lling during use, thereby maintaining the comfort of
`the article during a selected use.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, the bedding article comprises: ?rst, second
`and third fabric sections, the second fabric section being
`intermediate the ?rst and third fabric sections, the fabric
`sections being all approximately the same siZe and posi
`tioned in registry; at least tWo spaced ?rst fabric ba?le strips
`Which extend for substantially one entire dimension of the
`article, secured betWeen the ?rst and second fabric sections;
`at least tWo spaced second fabric bal?e strips Which extend
`for substantially another entire dimension of the article,
`Which is approximately perpendicular to the one dimension,
`secured betWeen the third and second fabric sections, the
`?rst baf?es de?ning at least three successive interior cham
`bers betWeen the ?rst and second fabric sections and the
`second ba?les de?ning at least three successive interior
`chambers betWeen the second and third fabric sections; and
`loose ?lling in all of the chambers.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded vieW of a pilloW shoWing the
`construction of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a top vieW of the upper layer of the pilloW of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a bottom vieW of the loWer layer of the pilloW
`of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective vieW of a featherbed Which
`includes an embodiment of the construction arrangement of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a top vieW of an upper portion of the featherbed
`of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 is a bottom vieW of the loWer portion of the
`featherbed of FIG. 4.
`FIG. 7 is an exploded vieW of another embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a see-through vieW of a furniture cushion
`embodying the present invention.
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`Reference is noW made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, Which shoW
`a pilloW 10 Which includes the construction and arrangement
`of the present invention. PilloW 10 includes a top portion 12
`and a bottom portion 14. The top portion includes an upper
`layer 16, While the bottom portion 14 includes a loWer layer
`18. The top and bottom portions share an intermediate layer
`20. The upper, intermediate and loWer layers are generally
`rectangular in con?guration and are substantially identical.
`Their dimensions will differ depending upon the actual siZe
`of the pilloW. The layers are made from a standard tick
`material, such as cotton. Other fabrics could, hoWever, be
`used.
`Positioned betWeen upper layer 16 and intermediate layer
`20 are tWo ?exible fabric Walls or ba?les 22 and 24 Which
`extend in the longitudinal direction of the pilloW. The ba?les
`22, 24 are seWn to the intermediate and upper layers along
`their lengths and divide the volume betWeen the upper and
`intermediate layers into three upper chambers 28, 30 and 32.
`In the embodiment shoWn, the outboard chambers 28 and 32
`are the same Width, While middle chamber 30 is someWhat
`Wider. Middle chamber 30 could also be smaller in Width
`than chambers 28 and 32. The chambers could also be equal
`in Width or they could be all different Widths.
`Positioned betWeen intermediate layer 20 and loWer layer
`18 are tWo spaced fabric ba?les 36, 38 Which extend in the
`lateral direction of the pilloW. Ba?les 36, 38 are seWn along
`their lengths to the intermediate and loWer layers and de?ne
`loWer chambers 40, 42 and 44. Ba?les 36 and 38 are
`arranged so that the tWo outboard chambers 40 and 44 have
`slightly smaller Widths than middle chamber 42, although
`the chambers could have the same Widths, or could all have
`different Widths, or chamber 42 could be smaller than
`chambers 40 and 44.
`While the embodiment shoWn has a single intermediate
`layer, tWo identical layers could be used, one for use With the
`upper layer and one With the loWer layer. The space betWeen
`them could be ?lled. The upper and loWer layers could be
`single pieces of fabric, or they could be pieced, such as With
`multi-color panels, to illustrate the various chambers.
`The con?guration shoWn de?nes a total of nine sections
`Within the pilloW as a Whole. The number of ba?les in the
`top and bottom portions can be varied. For instance, there
`could be more than tWo ba?les in either or both of the top
`and bottom portions, thereby de?ning more than three
`chambers Within either or both of the top and bottom
`portions. The number of ba?les may be different in the top
`and bottom portions, respectively; the larger number of
`ba?les could be either in the top or the bottom portions.
`Typically, the ba?le members Will extend the entire distance
`(length or Width) of the pilloW. They could be someWhat
`shorter, hoWever. The ba?le members 22, 24 and 36, 38 can
`be made of cotton, polyester or other ?exible fabric material.
`The ba?le members in the top portion could extend
`longitudinally as shoWn, or laterally. The bal?e members in
`the bottom portions are approximately perpendicular to the
`ba?le members in the top portion.
`Alternatively, instead of ba?‘les, the upper and loWer
`layers could be seWn directly to the intermediate layer, i.e.
`lines of stitching Which extend betWeen the intermediate and
`upper layers along the lines of the baf?es 22 and 24 and lines
`of stitching connecting the intermediate and loWer layers
`along the lines of baf?es 36 and 38. This embodiment is
`shoWn in FIG. 7, With upper layer 42, loWer layer 44,
`intermediate layer 46 and several lines of stitching 48*48. In
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`US 7,080,421 B1
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`3
`a variation, the top portion could have ba?les and the bottom
`portion lines of stitching, or vice versa.
`In the embodiment shoWn, the chambers extend longitu
`dinally of the pillow and laterally of the pilloW, approxi
`mately perpendicular to each other. The baf?es (and hence
`the chambers) could be at an angle to the longitudinal/ lateral
`directions, but still should be approximately perpendicular
`to each other. Filling is then placed in the three chambers in
`the top portion as Well as the three chambers in the bottom
`portion. The ?lling can be varied, i.e. natural ?lling such as
`feathers and/or doWn, or manmade ?lling, including poly
`ester or similar material, or combinations thereof. In the
`arrangement shoWn, the ?lling in each of the chambers Will
`be approximately equal by Weight. If the chambers are equal
`in Width, the ?lling quantity Will be varied someWhat in
`order to obtain the desired result of maintaining comfort and
`support by preventing ?lling shift in the pilloW during use.
`FIGS. 4*6 shoW a featherbed Which incorporates a similar
`structure. The featherbed is shoWn generally at 50 and has a
`top portion 52, With a plurality of successive chambers
`54*54 extending laterally (across the featherbed) for the
`entire length of the featherbed. The chambers 54*54 are
`formed by seWing through top layer 56 and an intermediate
`layer 58 of the featherbed. In the embodiment shoWn, there
`are a total of eight such chambers, although this number can
`be varied. The chambers become slightly narroWer from the
`respective ends of the featherbed to the center thereof.
`The bottom portion 60 includes a plurality of chambers
`62*62 Which extend in a longitudinal direction (along the
`length of the featherbed) for the approximate length of the
`featherbed. The bottom portion is de?ned by a loWer layer
`63 and intermediate layer 58. The chambers 62*62 are
`de?ned by lines of stitching Which connect the loWer layer
`63 to the intermediate layer 58. In the embodiment shoWn,
`there are a total of ?ve longitudinal chambers, although this
`number can be varied. The Width of the longitudinal cham
`bers can vary someWhat, or they can be all substantially
`equal in Width.
`Although the individual chambers in the top and bottom
`portions of the featherbed shoWn are formed by lines of
`stitching Which directly connect the top layer and the bottom
`layer, respectively, to the intermediate layer, bal?e members
`could be used as Well, similar to that shoWn and described
`for the pilloW.
`Other bedding articles, including cushions and ?ber beds,
`as Well as others, can be constructed using the above
`structural concept. As an example, a furniture cushion is
`shoWn in FIG. 8, including top, intermediate and loWer
`layers 70, 72 and 74. Ba?les 76*76 could be used to form the
`several chambers, or the layers could be seWn together, as
`described above. A side gusset 78 could be included, if
`desired.
`The arrangement of the top and bottom portions and the
`chambers de?ned Within the top and bottom portions, With
`the chambers in the bottom portion, extending substantially
`perpendicularly to the chambers in the top portion, help to
`prevent undesirable shifting of loose ?lling Within a bedding
`article, Which otherWise occurs during compression of the
`article during normal use.
`Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has
`been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be
`understood that various changes, modi?cations and substi
`tutions can be incorporated Within the spirit of the invention
`Which is de?ned by the claims as folloWs.
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`What is claimed is:
`1. A bedding article, comprising:
`?rst, second and third fabric sections, the second fabric
`section being intermediate the ?rst and third fabric
`sections, the fabric sections being all approximately the
`same siZe and positioned in registry;
`at least tWo spaced ?rst fabric ba?le strips Which extend
`for substantially all of one entire dimension of the
`article, secured betWeen the ?rst and second fabric
`sections;
`at least tWo spaced second fabric ba?le strips Which
`extend for substantially all of another entire dimension
`of the article, Which is approximately perpendicular to
`the one dimension, secured betWeen the third and
`second fabric sections, the ?rst ba?les de?ning at least
`three successive interior chambers betWeen the ?rst and
`second fabric sections and the second ba?les de?ning at
`least three successive interior chambers betWeen the
`second and third fabric sections; and
`loose ?lling in all of the chambers.
`2. The article of claim 1, Wherein the ?rst baf?e strips
`extend longitudinally of the article betWeen the ?rst and
`second fabric sections and Wherein the second ba?le strips
`extend laterally of the article betWeen the second and third
`fabric sections.
`3. The article of claim 1, Wherein the interior chambers
`betWeen the ?rst and second fabric sections or the interior
`chamber betWeen the third and second fabric sections are
`substantially equal in Width.
`4. The article of claim 1, Wherein at least one of the ?rst
`and second fabric sections is comprised of a plurality of
`individual pieces of fabric secured together.
`5. The article of claim 1, Wherein the interior chambers
`betWeen the ?rst and second fabric sections are not all equal
`in Width and Wherein the interior chambers betWeen the third
`and second fabric sections are not all equal in Width.
`6. The article of claim 1, Wherein there are a different
`number of chambers betWeen the ?rst and second fabric
`sections than betWeen the third and second fabric sections.
`7. The article of claim 1, Wherein the bedding article is a
`pilloW.
`8. The article of claim 1, Wherein the bedding article is a
`featherbed.
`9. A bedding article, comprising:
`?rst, second and third fabric sections, Which are approxi
`mately the same siZe and are positioned in registry;
`at least tWo spaced lines of attachment, extending for
`substantially all of the entire dimension of the article,
`connecting the ?rst and second fabric sections together,
`de?ning at least three ?rst interior chambers betWeen
`the ?rst and second fabric sections;
`at least tWo spaced lines of attachment, extending for
`substantially all of another entire dimension of the
`article, connecting the third and second layers together,
`de?ning at least three second interior chambers
`betWeen the third and second fabric sections, Wherein
`the chambers betWeen the third and second fabric
`sections extend approximately perpendicularly to the
`chambers betWeen the ?rst and second fabric sections;
`and
`loose ?lling located in all of the chambers.
`10. The bedding article of claim 9, Wherein the ?rst
`chambers extend in one dimension of the bedding article in
`either the longitudinal or lateral dimension of the bedding
`article, and the second chambers extend in the other dimen
`sion.
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`US 7,080,421 B1
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`11. The bedding article of claim 9, wherein the article is
`a pillow.
`12. The bedding article of claim 9, Wherein the article is
`a featherbed.
`13. The bedding article of claim 9, Wherein the ?rst
`chambers and the second chambers, respectively, are not all
`of equal Width.
`14. A cushioned article, comprising:
`?rst, second and third fabric sections, the second fabric
`section being intermediate the ?rst and third fabric
`sections, the fabric sections being all approximately the
`same siZe and positioned in registry;
`?rst means extending for substantially all of one entire
`dimension of the article for securing the ?rst and
`second fabric sections along selected lines of attach
`ment;
`second means extending for substantially all of another
`entire dimension of the article, Which is approximately
`perpendicular to the one dimension, for securing the
`third and second fabric sections along selected lines of
`attachment, the ?rst means de?ning at least three suc
`cessive interior chambers betWeen the ?rst and second
`fabric sections and the second means de?ning at least
`three successive interior chambers betWeen the second
`and third fabric sections; and
`loose ?lling in all of the chambers.
`15. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein the cush
`ioned article is a pilloW.
`16. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein the cush
`ioned article is a featherbed.
`17. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein the cush
`ioned article is a furniture cushion.
`18. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein the ?rst
`and second means are fabric ba?le strips.
`19. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein the ?rst
`and second means are lines of attachment.
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`20. The cushioned article of claim 14, Wherein one of the
`?rst and second means are fabric bal?e strips and Wherein
`the other of the ?rst and second means are lines of attach
`ment.
`21. A bedding article, comprising:
`?rst, second and third fabric sections, the second fabric
`section being intermediate the ?rst and third fabric
`sections, Wherein one or more of the fabric sections
`comprises one or more fabric pieces, the fabric sections
`being all approximately the same siZe and positioned in
`registry;
`?rst means extending for substantially all of one entire
`dimension of the article for securing the ?rst and
`second fabric sections along selected lines of attach
`ment;
`second means extending for substantially all of another
`entire dimension of the article, Which is approximately
`perpendicular to the one dimension, for securing the
`third and the second fabric sections along selected lines
`of attachment, the ?rst means de?ning at least three
`successive interior chambers betWeen the ?rst and
`second fabric sections and the second means de?ning at
`least three successive interior chambers betWeen the
`second and third fabric sections; and
`loose ?lling in all of the chambers.
`22. A bedding article of claim 21, Wherein the second
`fabric section includes tWo fabric pieces, Wherein the ?rst
`means secures the ?rst fabric section and one fabric piece
`together, Wherein the second means secures the third fabric
`section and another fabric piece together, de?ning an interior
`volume betWeen the one and another fabric pieces.
`23. A bedding article of claim 22, Wherein the article is a
`pilloW.
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`Fredman EX1014 Page 7