Protective Cover Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a device that can easily cover and protect beds or other furniture, which can be compactly packed and quickly deployed when needed.

Innovation Solution

A flexible planar sheet device with securing devices, such as clips or weights, and restraining devices, like handcuffs or straps, that can be removably attached to the sheet for easy deployment and securing over furniture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a sheet device is designed to be compactly packed for transport, then it can be easily stored and transported, but it becomes more difficult to quickly deploy and spread over furniture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacked volumeVSAvoiddeployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet device is divided into multiple panels that can be folded relative to each other along defined fold lines. This segmentation allows the sheet to be compactly folded into a small package for transport while enabling easy deployment by simply unfolding the panels along the pre-defined fold lines, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and easy deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet device includes pre-formed fold lines and creases that are created during manufacturing. These preliminary folded structures allow the sheet to be quickly deployed by simply opening along the pre-established fold paths, eliminating the need for complex deployment maneuvers and making the transition from compact storage to deployed state rapid and easy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If securing devices are added to hold the sheet in place, then the sheet coverage stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet coverage stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet device incorporates elastic bands that automatically secure the sheet to furniture through a self-service mechanism. The elastic bands are attached to corners or edges of the sheet and can be stretched and hooked onto the furniture legs or frame, providing automatic securing without requiring additional complex mechanisms, tools, or multiple components. This simple self-securing approach maintains low device complexity while achieving reliable sheet coverage stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet device uses flexible elastic bands as securing elements that can stretch and conform to different furniture shapes and sizes. These thin, flexible securing elements provide effective holding force while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall device, resolving the contradiction between stability and simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250098871A1Protective Cover Sheet

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 COX MARISA

AI summary

A sheet covering device, comprising a flexible planar member; at least one connecting device removably connected to said flexible planar member via an elongated flexible member; at least one restraining device removably attached to a surface of said flexible planar member and a towel removably attached to a surface of said flexible planar member. In some embodiments the device said connecting device can be a clip and/or said connecting device can be a weight.