Pillow partitioning screen

Abstract

A headboard mounted unit comprises a drop-down partition C which forms a barrier in between the pillows on a shared bed. The unit unclips at the top and then lowers down so the front B of the unit rests on the mattress. The base unit A and the front B of the unit are connected by a hinge E. The screen C pulls out to form a fan shape. The screen C folds away by lifting the front panel B back up to its upright position where it clips to a magnet F on the base unit A. Alternatively a hook and loop clip may be used. The partition aims to protect from spreading illness, acting as a barrier when one or both occupants has bad breath, mutes the sounds of snores and stops the breath blowing into the other person’s face. Ear plugs may be stored in the unit.

Description

This invention relates to a device that forms a temporary screen that forms a partition between 2 pillows on a double or larger sized bed. When sharing a bed, there are times when you do not wish to be as up close and face to face with the person sleeping next to you. A prime example of this is if one person becomes ill. Being in such close proximity to someone for several hours increases the chance of the illness to pass from one person to another - this became even more evident during recent outbreaks of Covid highlighting how easy it is for a virus to spread, and many people don't have the option of moving to a spare room. This invention provides an easily accessible solution to a variety of common problems including (but not exclusive to ) illness, snoring / breathing in face, bad breath / alcohol breath / food smell breath, pets in bed, argument separation, personal space boundaries (ideal for when sharing with friends or siblings sharing a bed). Even though this will only mute the sound of snoring and not completely block it, sometimes just having a physical barrier there can help mentally to block it out. There will be options to enhance the partition by adding a small box to the side of the base unit that could contain ear plugs so if you sleep with a loud snorer, you will always have them close at hand should you need them to block out the sounds. There is also the option to add additional features such as a reading light on both sides that you could use if one person needs to have light and another needs to have darkness, and to make an automated device that winds down at the touch of a button, or voice activated using devices like Alexa or Siri. To make the device automated, a blind cord will be thread through eyelets at the top of the partition screen and wrapped around a bobbin. There will be no magnets for this version as the string will hold the device upright, and then as the bobbin uncoils, the string lengthens and the drawbridge drops down. Wind the string back and it pulls it closed. For the majority of bed times the device would not be needed - but when a situation arises and you are already cozy in your bed, this device will always be at hand which is why the main feature of this invention is that it is easy to use when required and to put away when finished with. This invention forms a device that is permanently attached to your headboard and easy to access whenever you need it without having to get out of bed. It is utilised with one single pull down motion, and put away with the same ease by simply closing it up. It is formed of a rectangular box unit (A) made from moulded plastic (ideally recycled) which is strapped around a headboard (D) by passing through the slots (J) and fastened at the back of the headboard to hold it securely in place. It is positioned in the centre of the headboard so it sits between the two pillows of a double (or larger) bed. The base of the unit is designed to sit at the same level as the mattress, however should you wish to position it higher because you use bigger pillows, it can be moved easily because of the wrap around straps, simply slide it up or down and as long as the straps are pulled tight it will hold the unit in place wherever you want it. This invention also comes built in to a headboard (Fig. 8 &9) - the box shape makes it easy to build a headboard around it so the device sits flush against the headboard rather than positioning to the front of it. There now follows by way of example of the invention, a detailed description, which is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 shows the invention held in place in a closed state. The straps thread through the slots (J) at the back of the main body (A) and then wrap around the headboard where they are pulled tight and held in place by either Velcro or clips (H or I) The front panel (B) is held shut by a magnet. Figure 2 shows how the invention drops down from a vertical position and opens up. Figure 3 shows the invention in its fully open state. What formed the lid of the box (B) pulls down to lie fully flat on the mattress and the material (C) follows it down and forms a fan shape. Figure 4 shows the casing without the material insert - it shows 2 slots (J) in the back where the straps pass through, the magnet (F) and catch (G) and the hinge (E). The hinge is not needed if the plastic casing of A and B come with moulded hinge from the manufacturer which would be the preferred method. Figure 5 shows the straps (D) passing through the casing (A). This would be glued to the back case to prevent the straps moving to make it more secure to the headboard in the position you want. Figure 6 and Figure 7 show strap options. Figure 8 shows the invention working integrated into a headboard in a closed state. Figure 10 shows the invention integrated into a headboard in an open state. Figure 3 is the best one to use to explain all of the features as everything can be seen. Starting with the casing (A and B) this will form the main part of the unit and keep everything neatly inside. The front panel (B) will be hinged to the main case (A) to form a drop door mechanism that opens from the top and drops down. There are 2 options for this, getting the casing and the front panel made with a moulded hinge already in place, or to add a separate Butt hinge to hold the 2 parts together. A magnet (F) is fixed to the top of the box with a metal bar attached to the end of the front panel (G) so that when the panel is lifted back into position after use, the magnet holds it closed forming a box shape. When thinking that magnets can not be used for people with pacemakers and some other medical conditions, there is an alternate option for closing -a strap with some Velcro on the end that is attached to the inside of the front panel (B) and pulls up to join a small square of velcro on the top of the box holding it closed. The magnet closing is the preferred option as it is neater. The material used for the partition must be strong enough to hold its shape, and ideally wipe clean for hygiene purposes. It should also be able to withstand antibacterial sprays which will help protect against the spread of illness. One of the considerations is to coat the fabric with an anti-microbial coating that helps prevent the spread of bacteria, mould and mildew. The fabric will be pleated into shape and gathered at the bottom to help hold the shape. Using a thicker material will help mute any sounds coming from the other side as well, and triangles have always been a great shape when coming to sound absorbing so with the panels forming a triangle shape when gathered together, this will help to mute any snoring. In addition to this invention, there will be other products that compliment it - and a main one would be a small container that you can stick to the side of the back panel which holds your ear plugs...so if the snoring sounds get too much, you know where to grab your ear plugs without having to get out of bed to find them. The material will be glued in place - one end bonds to the inside back of the main box (Fig A) and the other end of the fabric bonds to the back of the front panel (B). The material will be folded in an accordion pleat so it holds its shape and when pinched together at the bottom it will form a fan shape when opened out (See Figure 3). An option will be available for people with fixed headboards where the device will mount to a post using 2 hooks that slot through the back slots (J). The post is a velour covered piece of wood or plastic that slides down to the floor behind the mattress and rises up above the mattress, with the mattress holding it firmly in place against the back wall / headboard. Conveniently the Pillow partition unit comprises of injection moulded plastic forming the casing and the lid, and a pleat folded material screen which is coated in microbial spray coating. It also has a magnet clip or a Velcro clip depending on version, and a hinge or a hinge pin depending on if the hinge is separate or part of the moulding.

Claims

1- A pillow partitioning unit that attaches discreetly to a headboard on a bed and can be easily accessed when required to form a barrier between two occupiers of a bed at face level.2- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that unclips from an upright position to form a fabric barrier coated with microbial coating between 2 piIIlows protecting from air borne illnesses.3- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that blocks the breath from a fellow bed occupant from blowing in your face.4- A pillow portioning unit according to claim 1 that helps mute the sound of snoring from a fellow bed sharer and can have a compartment to hold ear plugs for easy access.5- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that drops down into position with one simple motion.6- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that folds neatly away with one simple motion.7- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that can be height adjusted using the straps wrapping around a headboard to consider the height of pillows used on a bed.8- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that can help assist a better sleep when sharing the bed with someone as it provides a barrier that marks personal zones- so although it won't block out sound, the mental knowledge of someone making that sound but with something in between you will help to block it out.9- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that is integrated into the inside of a bed headboard so you only see the front panel which sits flush with the headboard, the rest is hidden inside.10- A pillow partitioning unit that connects to a free standing post using hooks into the 2 slots on the back of the unit and can be easily accessed when required to form a barrier between two occupiers of a bed at face level.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:CLAIMS16 04 241- A pillow partitioning unit that attaches discreetly to a headboard on a bed and can be easily accessed when required to form a barrier between two occupiers of a bed at face level.2- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that unclips from an upright position to form a fabric barrier coated with microbial coating between 2 pilllows protecting from air borne illnesses.3- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that blocks the breath from a fellow bed occupant from blowing in your face.4- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that helps mute the sound of snoring from a fellow bed sharer and can have a compartment to hold ear plugs for easy access.5- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that drops down into position with one simple motion.6- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that folds neatly away with one simple motion.7- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that can be height adjusted using the straps wrapping around a headboard to consider the height of pillows used on a bed.8- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that can help assist a better sleep when sharing the bed with someone as it provides a barrier that marks personal zones- so although it won't block out sound, the mental knowledge of someone making that sound but with something in between you will help to block it out.9- A pillow partitioning unit according to claim 1 that is integrated into the inside of a bed headboard so you only see the front panel which sits flush with the headboard, the rest is hidden inside.10- A pillow partitioning unit that connects to a free standing post using hooks into the 2 slots on the back of the unit and can be easily accessed when required to form a barrier between two occupiers of a bed at face level.

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