ERGONOMIC DEVICE FOR PULLING A PILLOWCASE ONTO AND REMOVING A PILLOWCASE FROM A PILLOW

Abstract

A device for removing and replacing a pillowcase on a pillow may include a base plate and a plurality of rods protruding substantially perpendicularly upward from a top surface of the base plate, wherein the plurality of rods are positioned to form a perimeter sized to encircle a pillow. The rods may each be adjustably attached to the base plate to accommodate various sized pillows and pillowcases. In other embodiments, the device may include walls extending from the base plate instead of the plurality of rods.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

(1) Field of the Invention: The instant invention relates to assistance devices, and more particularly, to a device for pulling a pillowcase onto and removing a pillowcase from a pillow in an ergonomically sound manner.

(2) Description of Related Art: Considerably time is lost and effort is spent in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and the like removing used pillowcases from the pillows and then inserting clean pillows into the pillowcases. Many upscale hotels, for example, now have as many as five pillows on each bed. If the room has two beds, then the housekeeping staff must remove used pillowcases and then place clean pillowcases on ten pillows in a single room. In a typical hotel, each housekeeper is responsible for cleaning about 15 rooms with a total of about 25 beds. This results in housekeepers having to remove upwards of 125 pillowcases from 125 pillows and then place 125 pillows into 125 clean pillowcases during each work shift, for a total of 250 repetitive motions. This grueling work is in addition to all other housekeeping tasks and duties, such as changing bed linen, dusting surfaces, cleaning bathrooms, etc.

Conventional methods used to remove used pillowcases and insert pillows into clean pillowcases are ergonomically very deficient. Existing methods include: (1) holding the pillow with the teeth or squeezing it under the chin, then pulling the pillowcase over the pillow by vigorously shaking the arms and wrists from the shoulders, (2) turning the pillowcase outside in, the pulling the pillow through the pillowcase by vigorously shaking the arms and wrists from the shoulders, while at the same time turning the pillowcase inside out, and (3) laying the pillow down on a bed, floor, or chair and then pushing it into the pillowcase by vigorously shaking the arms and wrists from the shoulders. These methods are physically demanding on shoulders, lower backs, and wrists, which can result in pain and injuries to housekeepers. The conventional methods are also time consuming. Moreover, because of the excessive roughly moving of the pillowcases, these methods result in a significant amount of solid and fluid particles being transferred from the housekeepers' bodies and clothes onto the pillow users' faces.

While there have been a number of attempts in the past to address the above-mentioned problems, all of the previous attempts have downfalls. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 359,617 to Leonard discloses a pillow holder, but still requires the user to hold the pillow in their hands against their body, allows the pillow to touch the user's clothes during stuffing, requires the user to touch a bed or other surface to use the device, does not draw the pillowcase over the pillow in a single, smooth motion, requires pushing or inserting versus just pulling, engages multiple muscle groups, requires hand-eye coordination, and requires shaking, juggling, or jiggling of the pillow, requires sudden motions. Moreover, Leonard's device has moving parts, is not light, has sharp edges and corners, and is not easy to carry. Leonard also requires that components be attached to both the pillow and pillowcase, and the device requires being set up and taken down.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,712,711 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,446 to Moen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,923 to Blessman, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,324 to Blessman each have various similar downfalls. As such, the existing methods and devices do not sufficiently solve the above-mentioned issues.

Therefore, what is needed is a device for pulling a pillowcase onto and removing a pillowcase from a pillow, wherein the device is designed to be used in an ergonomically sound manner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a device for removing and replacing a pillowcase on a pillow may include a base plate and a plurality of rods protruding substantially perpendicularly upward from a top surface of the base plate, wherein the plurality of rods are positioned to form a perimeter sized to encircle a pillow. The rods may each be adjustably attached to the base plate to accommodate various sized pillows and pillowcases. In embodiments, the device may include walls extending upwards from the base plate instead of the plurality of rods.

While embodiments of the invention have been described as having the features recited, it is understood that various combinations of such features are also encompassed by particular embodiments of the invention and that the scope of the invention is limited by the claims and not the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the instant invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device which may be used to remove and replace pillowcases on a pillow in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is another view with a pillow inserted within the perimeter of the support rods;

FIG. 4 is another view showing pulling of a pillowcase over the outside perimeter of the rods;

FIG. 5 is another view showing removal of the pillow and pillowcase together;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the support rods;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the assistive device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of another exemplary embodiment of an assistive device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is another view thereof showing a pillow inserted within the perimeter of the support walls;

FIG. 10 is another view showing pulling of a pillowcase over the outside perimeter of the support walls;

FIG. 11 is another view showing removal of the pillow and pillowcase together;

FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof illustrating adjustment of the support walls for different size pillows; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of one of the adjustment assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the device and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in the present disclosure, like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-numbered component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape. Further, to the extent that directional terms like top, bottom, up, or down are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. A person skilled in the art will recognize that these terms are merely relative to the system and device being discussed and are not universal

The device of the present disclosure may be used to remove and replace pillowcases on a pillow and may comprise the elements described hereinbelow. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.

The elements of the device of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-7, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device 10 for removing and replacing a pillowcase 24 on a pillow 22, the device 10 comprising a base plate 12; and a plurality of rods 14 protruding substantially perpendicularly upward from a top surface of the base plate 12. The rods 14 are positioned in a generally rectangular shape forming a perimeter sized to receive a pillow in an upright position within an interior space defined within the perimeter of the plurality of rods. In some embodiments, the device 10 may further comprise a plurality of feet 26 attached to a bottom surface of the base plate 12. The shape of the perimeter is generally meant to be able to support the pillow in an upright position, and should not be limited by the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Oval and other geometric shapes would be equally effective so long as they can support the pillow and receive a pillowcase around the outside perimeter.

More specifically, and as shown in the Figures, the base plate 12 may be a substantially rectangular plate, preferably with rounded edges and corners. In some embodiments, the plurality of rods 14 may comprise, for example, about 7 rods, wherein the rods 14 are positioned proximate to outer edges of the base plate 12. The rods 14 may be adjustably or fixedly attached to the base plate 12 using any conventional fasteners or attachment means. In a particular embodiments, the base plate 12 further comprising a plurality of rod adjustment slots 16 extending therethrough, wherein each of the rod adjustment slots 16 is configured to engage with a respective rod 14, such that the positioning of the rod 14 may be adjusted along a length of the adjustment slot 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a fastener 20, such as a bolt, may extend through the adjustment slot 16 to engage with and attach to a proximal end of the rod 14. As such, the rod 16 may be positioned in the desired location along the length of the adjustment slot 16, and then the fastener 20 may be tightened to secure the rod 14 in the desired location. In alternate embodiments, other fasteners, such as a sliding carriage, may be used to attach and secure the rod 14 to the desired position along the length of the adjustment slot 16. When the rods 14 are adjustably attached to the base plate 12, the device 10 may be used for various sized pillows 22.

As shown in the Figures, the base plate 12 may further comprise a pair of handle openings 18 extending therethrough. The handle openings 18 may be positioned proximal to the shorter edges of the base plate 12. The handle openings 18 may have any desired or suitable shape.

The device 10 of the present disclosure may be made of any suitable materials. In embodiments, the base plate 12 and rods 14 may comprise a rigid and smooth material, such as acrylic. However, the use of other materials is envisioned. It may be desirable for the distal ends of the rods 14 and all corners and edges of the base plate 12 to be rounded to reduce the chance of injury to a user. When the distal ends of the rods 14 are rounded, damage to pillowcases 24 and/or pillows 22 may also be reduced or prevented. Moreover, while the use of any suitable fastener 20 is envisioned, in some embodiments, the fastener 20 may comprise a bolt, as shown in FIG. 6. As also shown in FIG. 6, a flat washer and a lock washer may each be threaded onto the bolt and positioned between the bolt head and a bottom surface of the base plate 12.

The device 10 of the present disclosure may have varying dimensions depending on the size of pillow 22 to be used therewith. As mentioned above, the positioning of the rods 14 may be adjustable to allow a single version of the device 10 to be used with virtually any sized pillow. In any case, the rods 14 should have a length equal to or longer than the longest hotel pillow (approximately 36″ for King size pillow) pillow 22. This allows the device to be used with various length pillows, such as Standard, Queen, King, etc.). length of the pillow 22. Moreover, the base plate 12 should have a footprint larger than that of the pillow 22.

To use the device 10, the rods 14 may be adjusted to their appropriate positions based on the size of the pillow 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the pillow 22 may be placed within the perimeter formed by the rods 14, aligning a top end of the pillow 22 with the distal end of the rods.

A pillowcase 24 may then be inserted over the rods 14 and pulled all the way, aligned with the distal end of the rods 14. The pillowcase 24 and pillow 22 together may then be pulled off the device 10. If desired, to remove the pillowcase 24, the opposite steps may be followed.

While the above description and the Figures show the device 10 comprising a base plate 12 with a plurality of rods 14 extending therefrom, in alternate embodiments is envisioned that the rods 14 may be replaced by, for example, solid walls of a similar thickness, provided that slits are added to the base plate 12 to allow a user to pull the pillow 22 into the device 10.

For example, and as shown in FIGS. 8-13, the alternate device 30 may comprise a base plate 32 and walls 34 extending substantially perpendicularly upward from a top surface of the base plate 32, wherein the walls 34 are positioned to form an interior space within the perimeter of the walls sized to encircle a pillow 22 and provide gaps 38 to allow a user to pull the pillow 24 into the device. In some embodiments, the device 30 may further comprise a plurality of feet (not shown) attached to a bottom surface of the base plate 30.

More specifically, and as shown in the Figures, the base plate 32 may be a substantially rectangular plate, preferably with rounded edges and corners. In some embodiments, the walls 34 may comprise a pair of L-shaped walls, wherein a first wall of the pair of walls may be positioned to align with a first elongate edge and a first shorter edge of the base plate 32, and the second wall of the pair of walls may be positioned to align with a second elongate edge and a second shorter edge of the base plate 32. As shown in the Figures, a gap 38 may be present between the walls 34 proximate to at least one corner of the walls 34. At least one of the walls 34 may be adjustably attached to the base plate 32, such that the size of the perimeter formed by the walls 34 may vary as needed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, at least one of the walls 34 may be slidably mounted to a plurality of slits 36, wherein a fastener 40 extends from a bottom surface of the base plate 32, through the slit 36, and into a bottom end of the wall 34. The wall 34 may be slid diagonally away from the other wall along the slits 36 to increase or decrease the size of the perimeter formed by the walls 34. In a particular embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 13, the fastener 40 may comprise a bolt extending through the slit 36 and into the wall 34. A plurality of washers, such as both locking washers and flat washers may be positioned between the bolt and the bottom of the base plate 32 and between the top of the base plate 32 and the bottom of the wall 34.

Similar to the earlier described embodiment, the alternate device 30 may have varying dimensions depending on the size of pillow 22 to be used therewith. However, as mentioned above, the positioning of the walls 34 may be adjustable to allow a single version of the device 30 to be used with virtually any sized pillow. In any case, the walls 34 may have a height approximately equal to a length of the longest hotel pillow (approximately 36″ for King size pillow) pillow 22. This allows the device to be used with various length pillows, such as Standard, Queen, King, etc.). Moreover, the base plate 30 should have a footprint larger than that of the pillow 22.

To use the alternate device 30 of the present disclosure, the walls 34 may be positioned at the necessary position to accommodate the desired pillow 22. The pillow 22 may then be placed onto the device 30 between the walls 34, as shown in FIG. 9. The pillowcase 24 may then be pulled over the walls 34 using both hands. Then, the pillow 22 and the pillowcase 24, together, may be pinched and pulled out of the device 30.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying various embodiments of the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assistive device for removing and replacing a pillowcase on a pillow, the device comprising: a base plate; anda plurality of rods protruding upwardly from a top surface of the base plate,wherein the plurality of rods are positioned in a rectangular shape forming a perimeter sized to receive a pillow in an upright position within an interior space defined within the perimeter of the plurality of rods.

2. The assistive device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of rods are slidably adjustable to define different sizes of the interior space.

3. The assistive device of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of rods includes a locking mechanism to fix the respective rod in a selected position.

4. The assistive device of claim 1, wherein distal ends of the plurality of rods are rounded.

5. The assistive device of claim 1, wherein the base includes at least one handle opening.

6. A device for removing and replacing a pillowcase on a pillow, the device comprising: a base plate; anda plurality of walls extending upwardly from a top surface of the base plate,wherein the plurality of walls are positioned in a rectangular shape forming a perimeter sized to receive a pillow in an upright position within an interior space defined within the perimeter of the plurality of walls.

7. The assistive device of claim 6 wherein one or more of the plurality of walls are slidably adjustable to define different sizes of the interior space.

8. The assistive device of claim 7 wherein one or more of the plurality of walls includes a locking mechanism to fix the respective rod in a selected position.

9. The assistive device of claim 6 wherein the plurality of walls comprise two L-shaped walls.