COVER FOR FURNITURE

The present invention relates to a device for protecting furniture, for instance during transport or during storage of the furniture. This device is preferably reusable and multifunctional, i.e. can be used for furniture of diverse shapes and dimensions.

Such a device is known in a basic embodiment from US 2001/0013.477. This is a cover of fixed shape and dimensions, which in an embodiment is however suitable for only one specific piece of furniture at a time. It is for instance known from WO-03/020612 that a cover forming such a device is formed from a substantially flexible material so that it can be placed and folded round the furniture .

The disclosure of this latter publication is the starting point for the present invention, and is reflected in the preamble of claim 1.

According to this known art this cover is substantially cylindrical or tubular and of sufficient size to be suitable for various types of furniture. For the purpose of closing the cover around a piece of furniture, tie cords forming closing means are provided at the open ends of the cylinder or tube shape.

A drawback of the thus known art is that the tie cords thereof cannot effect a length adjustment of the cover, or at least only to a very limited extent (for instance in width direction of the furniture, such as a sofa) . However, if the length of a piece of furniture to be covered by the cover approximates the length of the cover, sides of such a piece of furniture remain at least partly uncovered - i.e. at the open ends of the cylinder or tube shape - and thus unprotected.

The present invention has for its object to provide a ^" cover with which an improved protection of furniture

is realized, substantially irrespective of the shape or the type or the dimensions of the relevant piece of furniture, and also substantially irrespective of the length of the relevant piece of furniture. For this purpose the device according to the present invention is distinguished relative to the known device, in particular the devices known from WO 03/020612, by the features defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. With a device, in particular a cover, according to the present invention an optimal protection of a piece of furniture to be received in the cover is improved under practically all conditions of packaging, transport and/or storage. This is because using the adjusting means a better fit of the cover onto the piece of furniture can be realized. With a good fit the cover can also be grasped, for instance for the purpose of transporting or displacing thereof. This is particularly the case if the cover is further provided with handgrips or similar measures for facilitating lifting of the furniture in the cover.

In a preferred embodiment the adjusting means comprise at least one element which grips the cover at various positions at a mutual distance and the length of which (in particular between the gripping positions) can be modified depending on the piece of furniture in question. The dimensions and shape of the cover can thus be adjusted, preferably in different orientations, to the dimensions and the design or the type of the piece of furniture to be packed in the cover.

In a further preferred embodiment the adjusting means and the closing means form a unit. Separate components are thus saved, and a simple embodiment of the present invention can be provided.

In yet another embodiment the adjusting means can comprise at least one fastening strap. A fastening strap is an embodiment of adjusting means which is easily adjustable in length, particularly in combination with the flexible material of the cover.

In yet another preferred embodiment a cover according to the present invention has the feature that the cover is open on a non-visual side of the relevant piece of furniture. This open side can then correspond to for instance the underside of a piece of furniture in the form of for instance a sofa. Since such a non-visual side requires less protection, the relevant side of the cover can be left open. This open side can also serve for easy placing of the cover over the piece of furniture. The adjusting means can then be set and the closing means actuated, to the extent this does not already take place simultaneously in an embodiment in which the adjusting means and the closing means form a unit. The placing of a cover, which is open on a non- visual side of the piece of furniture, over a piece of furniture is moreover a considerable simplification relative to a cylindrical or tubular cover, which has to be pulled around the piece of furniture along the full length thereof. This requires lifting of the piece of furniture and so on, and this reduces the convenience of use of devices as were already known from the prior art, including WO 03/020612.

In an embodiment with an open side, preferably though not exclusively a non-visual side, connecting means can be provided to which edges along the open side of the cover can be connected. Even where the cover has an open side, it is thus possible to ensure an adequate closing of the cover round the relevant piece of furniture, and the piece of furniture can be lifted by

gripping the cover, or for instance handgrips on the cover.

An embodiment of a device according to the present invention can further have the feature of a fastener which can be opened selectively to leave clear an inspection opening. Even a packed piece of furniture can thus be inspected visually through the inspection opening when this opening is selectively left clear by opening the fastener. It can thus be established with certainty, before transport to a destination begins, that a piece of furniture wrapped in a cover is actually the intended piece of furniture, so that there are no unpleasant surprises at the destination.

It has already been stated above that, in a preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention, this device further comprises at least one handgrip connected to the cover. Such a handgrip simplifies lifting of the piece of furniture with the cover around it, particularly when the cover can be arranged around the piece of furniture in sufficiently close-fitting manner so as to ensure that the piece of furniture cannot fall out of the cover during transport or at least lifting of the piece of furniture with the cover therearound. In such an embodiment of a device with at least one handgrip, the handgrip preferably forms a unit with at least one other component of the cover or an element connected thereto, such as the closing means, the adjusting means, the element, the fastening strap, the edges round an open side of the cover and so on. A further simplification of the device is thus made possible, which results particularly in a reduction in the number of different components, and enhances the convenience of use of the device.

In a further preferred embodiment with at least one element for gripping the cover at various positions at a distance from each other, such an embodiment preferably _, has the feature that the material of the cover can be folded, compressed, contracted or otherwise adapted to the adjusting means between the gripping positions. It is thus possible to realize a simple adjustment of the cover to the length, width, height and general design or the specific type of a piece of furniture to be wrapped with the cover.

A number of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, to which embodiments the invention is however in no way limited since they are given only by way of example. The same reference numerals are used in the various drawings for the same or similar components and elements of the device according to the invention. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the present invention in use;

Fig. 2 shows a device according to the present invention corresponding with fig. 1 in a different position of use;

Fig. 3 shows a detail of a fastener in an inspection opening as is indicated with reference numeral III in fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the device in use in fig. 1; and

Figures 5 and 6 show separate perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

Figures 1-4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment relates to a cover 1 of flexible material. This cover 1 generally has the peripheral form of a rectangular block. Such a

rectangular block substantially corresponds with the peripheral form of a sofa 2 as shown in broken lines in figures 1, 2 and 4.

Cover 1 is manufactured from flexible material for wrapping or folding time and again in simple manner over a piece of furniture such as a sofa 2, and thus packaging the piece of furniture 2.

Cover 1 can be ^' manufactured from diverse materials. It is for instance possible for the material to comprise nylon or another plastic, but use can also be made of a cloth fabric, optionally a natural material. It is important that the material provides sufficient protection and is sufficiently flexible.

A number of straps 3 are attached to cover 1. By way of example, stitched seams 4 are used for this purpose. At locations where straps 3 are not stitched onto or otherwise fastened to cover 1 the straps 3 hang "loosely" along the material of cover 1. Thus formed are handgrips 5 which can be arranged at any possible desired position around the device, or more particularly the cover 1.

Several of the straps 3 form part of fastening straps. These fastening straps can be identified by a tensioning mechanism 6, wherein it is possible to pull on the free ends of fastening straps 7 to pull more or less of straps 3 through tensioning mechanism 6. The distance between fastenings 4 can thus be adjusted by shortening or lengthening the straps extending therebetween. Adjusting means 8 are thus provided. It is also noted that adjusting means 8 can have a dual function as closing means, particularly in the case of lower strap 3 along the bottom edge of cover 1. The underside of cover 1 otherwise defines an opening which corresponds with the underside of sofa 2. Cover 1 can thus be readily arranged over sofa 2, whereafter

fastening straps 3, 6 can be tensioned in order to tighten and close cover 1 round and over sofa 2 or any other piece of furniture.

As shown in fig. 4, flaps 9 can herein be provided on the underside. Flap 9 (four flaps 9 are shown in fig. 4) extends under the bottom surface of sofa 2 so as to ensure that it is properly enclosed in the cover. Otherwise provided in each flap 9 is at least one hole 10 through which a cable can be lead, or for instance a rope (cable and rope are not shown) , so that the flaps 9 shown in fig. 4 can be mutually connected. Flaps 9, holes 10 and the cables or ropes (not shown) thus form connecting means to nevertheless enable effective closing of the open underside of cover 1 and stretching and closing of cover 1 round and over sofa 2.

Figures 1, 2 and 4 also show that a pocket or holder 11 can be arranged on the side of cover 1 for holding or placing therein a packing slip or a similar indication on paper of the content of the package. This is particularly favourable when the destination of the piece of furniture after transport is stated on the packing slip. The pocket or holder 11 can for this purpose be made of transparent material, or in any case be given a clearly recognizable design so as to give the carriers a clear indication of where the packing slip is located.

The material of cover 1 can otherwise also be totally transparent to allow immediate visual identification of the content of the cover. It is however moreover possible, particularly when the material of cover 1 is not transparent, to make use as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3 of an inspection opening 12 which can be selectively closed using a zip 13. By opening zip 13 a sender, a carrier or a recipient can immediately inspect the content of cover 1 visually

without first having to remove the whole cover. It is noted that it is not hereby possible to visually inspect the whole piece of furniture 2, but only a small part thereof, which can in any case suffice to determine whether the correct sofa or piece of furniture 2, in the correct colour according to order etc., is being transported to a customer or consumer.

Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a cover 14 in individual perspective views. The greatest difference relative to the embodiment of figures 1-4 is that straps 3 extend in different manner along the cover and that adjusting means and closing means according to the present invention are thus also realized in a different manner. Fastening straps 15 along the periphery of cover 14 here substantially form closing means with which cover 14 can also be adapted to the cross-sectional peripheral form of a piece of furniture to be packed with cover 14.

Conversely, in the situation of use shown in figures 5 and 6, fastening straps 16 on the end surfaces of cover 14 are mainly intended to adapt cover 14 to the length of the furniture to be packed therewith. Both fastening straps 15 and fastening straps 16 herein play a part in these embodiments for closing the cover 14 around a piece of furniture for packing.

It is noted here that the embodiment of a cover 14 shown in figures 5 and 6, or at least the flexible material substantially forming cover 14, is arranged around a piece of furniture to be packed therewith. Thus is achieved that the non-visual side of the furniture to be packed with cover 14 is also protected with the material of cover 14.

During examination of the foregoing many alternative and additional embodiments and options will occur to the skilled person, which all lie within the

scope of the present invention unless they differ explicitly from the definition according to the independent claim (s) relating to this invention. It is for instance possible for flaps 9 to be arranged not only on the end surfaces of cover 1 in fig. 4 but also along the length and on the underside at positions other than those shown in fig. 4. Use can herein be made in the same manner of holes 10 for tightening cables and/or ropes. It is however important here to note that the cables and/or ropes can then still be seen as embodiments of adjusting means, depending on the manner in which the material of the cover is tightened round a sofa or other piece of furniture 2 for packing. It is further noted that there are other possibilities for realizing the adjusting means. Fastening straps are applied in each case in the embodiments according to the drawing. This is an embodiment which can be operated very easily and is recommended, but other adjusting means are also possible, such as pieces of rope which are per se separate and can be tied together. It is thus also easier to position cross-connections on, over or along the cover as an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment according to figures 5 and 6 is folded closed on the end surfaces once the material of the cover has already been wrapped round the length of the furniture for packing. Fastening straps 15, 16 must thus be wholly released in order to arrive at the situations shown in figures 5 and 6. As alternative to tightening mechanisms 6 use can equally well be made here of knots or other connections to tighten the material of cover 14 round the sofa or other furniture. It is once again possible here to also effect the crosswise connections already referred to above.