[0001] The invention relates to a divan and armchair cover.
[0002] As is known, it is usual to cover divans and armchairs with covers to protect them
and to offer the possibility of changing the aesthetic aspect by means of cloths of
different colours and patterns and type.
[0003] Such divan and chair covers are generally predisposed to be applied from above by
means of an opening, to cover the divan or armchair.
[0004] In particular, the above-mentioned covers are generally made of elasticated cloth
and are very adherent to the underlying structure, thus evidencing sagging or lumps
or other small defects in the underlying structure, apart from the fact that it becomes
laborious and awkward to apply and remove the said covers. There are also covers made
of non-elasticated cloth, but they envisage the presence of elasticated elements for
holding and obtaining a good degree of adhesion to the underlying structure.
[0005] The above-mentioned divan and armchair covers have proved to be unsatisfactory in
that they are not suitable for different divan or armchair models. This is due to
the fact that the expansion and contraction properties of of the elasticated materials
used do not afford enough flexibility of use.
[0006] Also divan and armchair covers made of non-elasticated materials but equipped with
elasticated elements have shown themselves to have some drawbacks due to the presence
of the said elasticated elements.
[0007] Indeed, every time that a cover is changed, it is usual to wash it. It has been observed
that divan and armchair covers of the above-described type have the drawback of losing
their elasticity, thus reducing their gripping characteristics after a certain number
of washes. Consequently, the cloth tends not to adhere well to the underlying structure,
resulting in creases which are undesired and aesthetically unattractive.
[0008] Apart from the aforegoing, the pleats created by the elastic characteristics of the
cover have a pre-established disposition, while it would be better for the user to
be able to create drapings as he or she desires.
[0009] Another drawbacks of the divan and armchair covers in the prior art is observable
on the act of applying the said cover on the underlying structure. The cover, being
constituted substantially by a "sack", which is elasticated, presents a certain mounting
difficulty since it is awkward to handle and impractical to tidy into place, for example,
by a single person.
[0010] A further drawback is the long working times necessary to produce the said "sack",
with consequent higher costs.
[0011] In the constant search for improvements, a divan and armchair cover has been produced
which permits a certain liberty of arrangement, leaving to the user a certain choice
of arranging the drapings and the bunchings according to his or her own personal taste
and imagination.
[0012] The general aim of the present invention is substantially that of solving the prior
art problems and overcoming the above-described difficulties through a divan and armchair
cover able to adhere perfectly to the underlying structure.
[0013] A particular aim of the present invention is substantially to realise a divan and
armchair cover which allows a rapid and eay mouting and dismouting of the cover from
the underlying structure, leaving space for the user's personal taste and imagination
regarding the arrangement of drapings and bunches.
[0014] A further aim of the present invention is to realise a divan and armchair cover which
is easy to make, functionally simple and compatible with current aesthetic preferences.
[0015] A still further aim of the invention is to provide a divan and armchair cover which
can be applied to various models and types of divans and armchairs.
[0016] These aims and others besides, which will better emerge during the description of
the invention, are substantially attained by a divan and armchair cover comprising
a cloth predisposed to be applied from the top to cover an underlying structure, that
is, a divan or an armchair, characterised by the fact that the said cloth is composed
of a substantially rectangular cloth and comprises gripping means arranged anteriorly
in proximity to a first arm and a second arm of the divan or armchair and arranged
laterally substantially at the posterior end of the said arms and in proximity to
a backrest of the said divan or armchair.
[0017] Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge from the detailed description
that follows, of a divan and armchair cover according to the present invention, made
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent a preferred embodiment
here illustrated in the form of a non-limiting example, and in which:
- Figure 1 shows, in schematic and perspective view a divan and armchair cover according
to the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows, in lateral view, the divan and armchair cover of figure 1;
- Figure 3 shows, in a view from above, the inside of the divan and armchair cover completely
opened out.
[0018] With reference to the figures, 1 denotes a divan and armchair cover, according to
the present invention.
[0019] The divan and armchair cover 1 comprises conventionally a cloth 2 predisposed to
be applied from above to cover an underlying structure 3, that is to say, a divan
or an armchair.
[0020] Originally, the cloth 2 is composed of a substantially rectangular sheet 4 equipped
with two flaps 4a, also rectangular, arranged one on the opposite side to the other.
Each flap 4a exhibits a longer side connected with a longer side of the rectangle,
in proximity to a shorter side. In this way, the realisation of the divan and armchair
cover 1 is simplified since it is not necessary to cut and specially sew during preparation
of the cloth 2.
[0021] The cloth 2 comprises gripping means 5 arranged anteriorly in proximity to a first
arm 6 and a second arm 7 of the underlying structure 3.
[0022] Other gripping means 5a are positioned laterally substantially at the posterior end
6a and 7a of the arms 6 and 7 and in proximity to a backrest 8 of the divan and armchair
themselves.
[0023] Further, the cloth 2 comprises other gripping means 5b situated in the superior part
of the backrest 8 respectively to each end 8a and 8b of the backrest itself.
[0024] In particular, the gripping means 5, 5a and 5b comprise at least a couple of ribbons
which make a bow by means of the union of the two free ends.
[0025] Advantageously, both the ribbon 5 arranged anteriorly in proximity to the first arm
6 and the ribbon 5 of the second arm 7, apart from being aesthetically very pleasing,
have the function of holding the backrest cover section of the sheet 4 still on the
front of the backrest 8 of the underlying structure 3, thus avoiding the presence
of gripping elastics as are used in the prior art.
[0026] Similarly, the gripping means or ribbons 5a arranged respectively at the posterior
end 6a of the arm 6 and the posterior end 7a of the arm 7 have the task of holding
the posterior and anterior portions of the said sheet 4 together, keeping it stretched
and still in its middle portion on the backrest and between the backrest and the cushions
anteriorly and creating at the same time a lateral drape.
[0027] According to the present embodiment, the cloth 2 exhibits a smooth configuration,
slightly stretched in the central part of the backrest 8 while exhibiting drape lines
9 in the superior part of the backrest 8 respectively at each end 8a and 8b of the
backrest 8 itself.
[0028] Furthermore, the cloth 2 exhibits at least a couple of pleated portions 11 positioned
according to pre-established directions and predisposed to confer gripping lines to
the cloth 2 itself.
[0029] The said pleated portions 11 are respectively arranged, posteriorly, at a middle
portion of the backrest 8, and anteriorly at an inferior portion of the backrest 8
at the seat cushions.
[0030] In particular, each pleated portion 11 is elastically extendable in the longitudinal
direction and comprises an elasticated gripping ribbon or, advantageously, a free-running
ribbon in a channel.
[0031] Differently, the pleated portion 11 can be obtained by creating a plurality of loops
through which a ribbon can be passed.
[0032] According to the present invention, the divan cover is equipped with at least one
ribbon, preferably made of elasticated material 13, arranged with a first end 13a
in proximity to the first arm 6 and a second end 13b in proximity to the second arm
7 of the underlying structure 3.
[0033] Further, the elasticated material ribbon 13 envisages, in a substantially median
position, a closing element 14 predisposed to unite and to regulate the two ribbon
portions.
[0034] Advantageously the elasticated material ribbon 13 is arranged internally to the cloth
2 and extends from the first arm 6 in a position underlying at least one cushion 12
of the underlying structure 3 up to the second arm 7, as is clearly visible in figure
3.
[0035] More in particular, the closing element 14 can be obtained by means of a knot made
by uniting the two free ends in a median position or by means of a plastic hook-and-eye
of known type.
[0036] Following the up-to-now mostly structural description, the functioning of the invention
will now be explained.
[0037] To mount the divan and armchair cover 1 it is sufficient that the operator stands
behind the divan and begins to extend the cloth 2 along the backrest 8, positioning
it thereafter anteriorly on the cushions. Once the backrest 8 has been arranged, the
cushions are slightly lifted and the elasticated ribbon 13 is passed over the sides
of the lateral edges of the cushions, the free ends of the elasticated ribbon 13 then
being united, by means of a bow or a knot or, if present, the hook-and-eye.
[0038] Following this, the cloth 2 is arranged on the arms 6 and 7 and on the cushion, by
letting down the perimetral edge. Finally, if necessary, the left-over part of the
cloth 2 can be tucked into the fissure between the cushions and the backrest 8. At
this point the coulisse arranged at each end of the backrest 8 is regulated, creating
thus the drapings and bunchings desired, finally knotting the ribbon and tieing a
bow. Then the anterior and posterior lateral portions are positioned, uniting them
by means of the ribbon couple and tieing another bow.
[0039] Finally, another series of drapings and bunchings are made on the front, below the
arms 6 and 7, with a further couple of ribbons and corresponding bows.
[0040] To dismount the cloth 2, it is sufficient to reverse the above-described operations.
[0041] The present invention thus reaches the proposed aims. It permits of easily and quickly
applying and removing the cloth 2 since the ribbons grant considerable adaptability
to the divan and armchair cover 1 with regard to the dimensions of the underlying
structure 3.
[0042] Advantageously, the invention, thanks to its versatility and ease of handling permits
of effecting the mounting and dismounting operations of the divan and armchair cover
1 from the underlying structure 3 with speed and ease.
[0043] Furthermore, thanks to the limited presence of elasticated elements it is possible
to maintain the cinitial characteristics of the divan cover even after numerous washings.
[0044] To this end it is useful to point out that the divan and armchair cover 1, being
made substantially in a rectangle, permits a considerable reduction in working times
and therefore a reduction in production costs.
1. A divan and armchair cover, comprising a cloth (2) predisposed to be applied from
the top to cover an underlying structure (3), that is, a divan or an armchair, characterised
by the fact that the said cloth (2) is composed of a substantially rectangular sheet
(4) and comprises gripping means (5) arranged anteriorly in proximity to a first arm
(6) and a second arm (7) of the divan or armchair and gripping means (5a) arranged
laterally substantially at the posterior end (6a and 7a) of the said arms (6 and 7)
and in proximity to a backrest (8) of the said divan and armchair.
2. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
cloth (2) comprises further gripping means (5b) situated in the superior part of the
said backrest (8) respectively to each end (8a and 8b) of the backrest (8) itself.
3. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
gripping means (5, 5a and 5b) comprise at least one couple of ribbons.
4. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
cloth (2) exhibits drape lines (9) located in the superior part of the said backrest
(8) respectively at each end (8a and 8b) of the backrest (8) itself.
5. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 4, characterised by the fact that the said
drape lines (9) comprise internally to the cloth (2), situated at the couple of ribbons,
a coulisse or free-running channel (10) to realise a plurality of regulatable bunchings
on the cloth (2) itself.
6. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
sheet (4) is equipped with two rectangular flaps (4a) arranged on opposite sides and
each on a longer side of the said rectangle in proximity to a shorter side.
7. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
cloth (2) exhibits at least one couple of pleated portions (11), positioned according
to pre-established directions and aimed at conferring gripping lines to the said cloth
(2).
8. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said
cloth (2) exhibits the said couple of pleated portions (11) respectively arranged,
posteriorly at a median portion of the backrest (8) and anteriorly in an inferior
portion of the backrest (8) at the cushions.
9. A divan and armchair cover according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that each
of the said pleated portions (11) is elastically extendable in a longitudinal direction.
10. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 8, characterised by the fact that each of the
said pleated portions (11) comprises an elastic gripping ribbon.
11. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 8, characterised by the fact that each of the
said pleated portion (11) comprises a coulisse or free-running ribbon.
12. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 8, characterised by the fact that each of the
said pleated portions (11) comprises a ribbon alternatively threaded in a plurality
of loops arranged longitudinally in the sheet (4).
13. A divan and armchair cover as in claim 3, characterised by the fact that each couple
of ribbons realises a bow by means of the union of two free ends.