Beds – Modified for mosquito net or canopy
Patent
1988-07-01
1990-07-03
Nicholson, Eric K.
Beds
Modified for mosquito net or canopy
5284, 5505, 5423, A47C 2104
Patent
active
049379038
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bed covering apparatus.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
British patent specification No. 1,085,791, dated 16th April 1964, describes:
"An apparatus for providing a desired atmosphere in a sleeping space, comprising frame members arranged to support, when said apparatus is in use, a cover which co-operates with a bed to define a sleeping space for the body and legs of a person while leaving the head of the person outside the sleeping space, temperature-changing means for heating and/or cooling said space, and supporting means supporting said frame members, the frame members being longitudinally adjustable to adjust the length of said sleeping space, and said supporting means being vertically adjustable to raise and lower said frame members."
Experience proved this apparatus to be impractical because whatever fabric was used for the cover, a very considerable volume of air, usually heated, was required to be blown into the sleeping space by the heating means. This was because of the porosity of the cover. Even heavy canvas was tried, but still problems were experienced. The apparatus was found to have to be too bulky, powerful and expensive to be practical.
Due to continuing incentive for energy saving, we have reconsidered the earlier invention. In the intervening time, many new light-weight materials have been developed. In particular light-weight insulating covers are now available.
The significance of the availability of these is that we have been able not only to introduce routine improvements by using lighter weight structural materials, we have also been able to make innovative changes in the earlier apparatus.
In particular, we have now been able to enclose the space between the cover and the mattress. This has resulted in the ability to recirculate air flow from and back to this space.
THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an improved bed covering apparatus.
According to the present invention there is provided a bed covering apparatus comprising:
a foot board adapted to be arranged in use across a bed at its foot;
a cover support attached to the foot board to extend along the bed above its mattress; engagement means for engaging the foot board to a frame of the bed in an upright position, whereby the foot board holds the cover support above the mattress;
a thermally insulating cover, the cover in use being connected to the foot board at top and side edges thereof, supported on the cover support above the bed, and detachably arranged adjacent to the mattress from the foot to the shoulder region thereof; and
air recirculating means mounted on the foot board for recirculating air within space between the mattress and the cover.
Various materials are envisaged as possible for the thermally insulating cover. It may be thermally insulating by restricting convective heat transfer or radiant heat transfer or both. It could be of a laminar material such as a metallized, survival blanket for complete convection resistance with radiation resistance in addition or a cheap synthetic laminar material for complete convection resistance alone. However for ease of washing and in order to enable the bed occupant's body to perspire without undesirable condensation on the cover, this is preferably slightly permeable, that is to say that it does not form a barrier impermeable to convective heat transfer. The preferred cover is a quilt of outer layers of woven fabric and an inner layer of non-woven, fibrous filling. The inner layer may incorporate reflective material to enhance its insulating material, in addition to trapped air pockets to inhibit convection. Such a quilted material may be obtained from Flectalon Limited of Pontypridd, Wales and is sold under the trade mark FLECTALON. This quilt has no laminar layer, but is effectively impermeable in keeping the atmosphere within the covered space separate from the surrounding atmosphere.
The cover is preferably connected to the foot board by openable means able to resist convection, c
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patent: 4489451 (1984-12-01), Neely
patent: 4644599 (1987-02-01), Wolcott
Joly Cyril B.
Joly David N. B.
Dormair Limited
Nicholson Eric K.
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