CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/135,168, filed Mar. 19, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to furniture accessories and in particular to a protective barrier for furniture. Certain types of furniture, such as sofas, ottomans, beds, and armchairs, leave a significant amount of space between the main frame and the floor. Legs extend downward from the corners of the furniture frame to the floor, defining the dimensions of this space. Clutter tends to accumulate in this space. The toys of pets and children frequently roll into this space, and the pets and children often crawl in after them. Additionally, smaller pets, infants and toddlers may crawl beneath the furniture into this space even if they are not retrieving a lost toy, whether they are hiding or simply playing. This creates the risk of serious injury if an adult or older child is unaware of their presence and sits down on the furniture, causing the padding and springs to flex downward a significant distance and abruptly constricting the space beneath the furniture. Furthermore, some owners may choose to use this space for the storage of personal items, and may desire to protect their privacy. Unless the furniture has skirting or some other attachment which extends to the floor all around, other persons can easily see items stored beneath the furniture.

A search of the prior art reveals various attachments which have been developed to enclose the space beneath the furniture. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory in its own way. The present invention has been developed for the purpose of addressing and resolving these disadvantages. A protective barrier for furniture, which prevents objects, pets, and small children from entering the space beneath the furniture and prevents unauthorized persons from looking into the space, would resolve all these problems.

Guard device for furniture, U.S. Pat. No. 8,465,101 (filed Jan. 20, 2011), provides a rectangular barrier in six sections which extends around the entire perimeter of the furniture.

Under bed security barricade, U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,781 (filed May 18, 2009), provides a rectangular barrier in four sections which extends around the entire perimeter of the bed. The section at the head of the bed provides a vent for ventilation. Each of the four sections is comprised of two sliding interconnected panels, such that the length of each section is adjustable.

Blocking system for pet toys, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0174248 (filed Jan. 9, 2008), provides a rectangular barrier in a plurality of sections which extends around the entire perimeter of the furniture. The system includes sliding members that fit together both horizontally and vertically, and can be varied dimensionally both horizontally and vertically. In one embodiment, the interlocking sliding connections are accomplished by a system of dovetailed grooves.

Blocking system for furniture, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2011/0209838 (filed Feb. 26, 2010), provides a barrier extending around the entire perimeter of the furniture. The system is comprised of a housing; a barrier band retractable from the housing and a means for latching an end of the barrier band to a second barrier band retractable from the housing to form a physical barrier preventing objects from going under the furniture.

These inventions provide a barrier which extends around the entire perimeter of the furniture, which many users find unnecessary. Such furniture is often positioned against a wall, in a corner, or with other furniture surrounding it on one or more sides, obviating the need for a barrier on those sides. The prior art is also, in many cases, unnecessarily complex and expensive. The prior art may be poorly braced, allowing it to be easily knocked over or kicked over. The present invention, which provides a barrier on the front of the furniture with a broad base for stability, resolves the disadvantages of the prior art and is not anticipated by the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a protective barrier for furniture. The barrier is comprised of two overlapping panels, each in an inverted L-shape. The front panel and the rear panel are secured together with two posts, extending from the vertical section of the front panel through a horizontal slot in the rear panel. The overall length of the barrier is adjusted by sliding the posts in the slot. The upper horizontal panel of each panel may be secured to the furniture with double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or other fasteners which are provided.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of furniture with two examples of the first exemplary embodiment installed, displaying the barriers 10, the furniture 18, and the bottom surface 19.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the posts 13, the slot 14, and the means of attachment 17.

FIG. 3 is the front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the posts 13, the slot 14, and the means of attachment 17.

FIG. 4 is a left side view and a right side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the vertical sections 15, the horizontal sections 16, and the means of attachment 17.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, and the rear panel 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a protective barrier 10 for furniture.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of two overlapping panels, each in an inverted L-shape. The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are secured together with two or more posts 13, extending from the vertical section 15 of the front panel 11 through a horizontal slot 14 in the rear panel 12.

The overall length of the barrier 10 is adjusted by sliding the posts 13 in the slot 14. The barrier 10 is preferably provided in a range of sizes, such as 1 inch, 2 inches, and 3 inches in height, and in at least two different lengths. The barrier 10 is preferably 2 inches wide. Preferably, the barrier 10 is provided bearing a coat of neutral gray primer, such that the user may elect to use the barrier 10 as is, or paint the barrier 10 in a color which matches or complements the furniture 17 with which it is to be used. The upper horizontal section 16 of each panel may be temporarily secured to the bottom surface 19 of the furniture 18 with any means of attachment 17. The means of attachment 17 may be double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or other fasteners which are provided. Alternately, the upper horizontal section 16 may be permanently affixed to the bottom surface 19 of the furniture 18 with screws or other fasteners. The furniture 18 may be moved without disturbing the barrier 10.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user slides the posts 13 in the slot 14 until the desired overall length of the barrier 10 is achieved. The user may then affix the horizontal section 16 of the barrier 10 to the bottom surface 19 of the furniture 18, using the means of attachment 17 which are provided. To protect longer furniture 18, such as a sofa or bed, the user may choose to affix two or more barriers 10.

The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as plastic, plywood, or particle panel. The posts 13 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with a smooth surface and significant structural strength, such as plastic, aluminum alloy, or steel.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.