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[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application serial No. 60/416,420; filed Oct. 7, 2002, to which a claim of priority is made.
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of textile covers for upholstered furniture, particularly sofas and couches, and more particularly to an improved construction using elastic fabrics so that they do not require any substantial fitting.
[0003] It is known in the prior art to make custom fitted covers which are cut and fitted to the exact contour of the piece, with individual pieces thereafter sewn together. The cover is then installed upon the furniture to completely enclose the same and provide an appearance resembling the original upholstery. Such construction is, of course, rather expensive.
[0004] It is also known in the art to provide a generally planar textile throw which can be tucked in place at various positions on the furniture piece, but such devices, while relatively inexpensive, do not usually provide a satisfactory appearance.
[0005] Briefly stated, the present invention comtemplates the provision of an improved textile cover of the type described, which may be manufactured to any of required dimensions, depending upon the size of the furniture piece, in which the textile material employed comprises a textile knit fabric including a small percentage of elastic material, so that when installed the cover may be stretched where required in order to fit snugly. The peripheral edge of the cover is provided with an elastic band, which contacts the under surface of the furniture after installation to maintain a snug fit. The seating cushions are also covered on the exposed side surfaces as well, and at the rear edge of the cushion there is provided a unique L-shaped configuration which allows a degree of expansion to relieve a forwardly directed stress where the upper surface of the cushion is contacted during seating. To maintain those portions of the fabric which are tucked into the gaps at the lower edges of the back and armrest parts of the sofa, a resilient foam elongated tube is positioned within the gap to overlie the fabric. For a three cushion sofa, for example, five such tubes are used, one at each of the armrest, and one at the rear of each cushion. The tubes are approximately two inches in diameter and approximately thirty inches long and are formed of foam material presenting an outer surface with a rough texture and a dry hand which will not allow the fabric to slip or move.
[0006] To improve any portion of the installed cover which has less than sufficient tension to provide an attractive appearance, one or more elongated clip means is provided, formed of a length of the elastic material with a fabric engaging jaw at one end thereof, and an elongated tongue at an opposite end thereof which may be tucked, along with excess fabric forming the cover into an interstice formed by the sections of the enclosed article of furniture. The effective unstressed length of the elastic band may be adjusted using a conventional buckle.
[0007] In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015] In accordance with the invention, and with reference to
[0016] The device
[0017] Referring to
[0018] The cover is installed (
[0019] Referring to
[0020] When a user sits on the cushion, there is a tendency to pull the fabric on the upper panel comprising the cushion cover
[0021] Turning now to
[0022] Each clip includes an elongated elastic band
[0023]
[0024] It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in furniture slip covers construction, in which the substantial equivalent of a custom fitted cover may be obtained as a ready made product, and at considerable reduction in cost. The cover may be installed by users having only ordinary skills.
[0025] Separate or interconnected cushion cover panels are provided which are equally conveniently installed to be elastically retained. The cushion cover panels are provided with a rear panel arranged at an angle to absorb the stretching effect of a user when sitting down, so that upon rising, the elastic tension in the rear panel will return the cover to its original position.
[0026] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details of structure illustrated and described in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.