COVER SHEET FOR COVERING A MATTRESS AND A COVER SHEET POSITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

A cover sheet for covering a mattress includes a body having a pair of opposite side edge portions; and an elongate receptacle located along each of the opposite side edge portions for holding a respective elongate positioning member. Each of the elongate receptacles includes an opening dimensioned for insertion of the elongate positioning member through the opening and into the receptacle. A cover sheet positioning system includes at least two elongate positioning members for use on opposite side edge portions of a cover sheet, and that are subjected to a downward force to maintain a cover sheet flat on a mattress protected by the cover sheet.

Description

The present invention relates to a cover sheet for covering a mattress, for example particularly, but not exclusively, a sheet with positioning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both flat sheet and fitted sheets are cloth generally used to cover a mattress. A flat sheet is usually a rectangular cloth while a fitted sheet has its four corners and sometimes two or four sides fitted with elastic. Flat sheets are more often used by hotels while fitted sheets are used domestically.

To fit a flat sheet onto a mattress, the lower edges of the flat sheet are folded underneath the mattress. The weight of the mattress retains the lower edges of the flat sheet underneath it. In order for this to work effectively, an additional 43% of the flat sheet is tucked underneath the mattress. The 43% of fabric is not useful in covering the mattress. The material used in treating e.g. cleaning and ironing the 43% of fabric would constitute substantial wastage. Cutting down the amount of fabric to be placed underneath the mattress is not desirable as there may not be enough friction to retain the flat sheet. The use of fitted sheet solves part of the problem but to fit a fitted sheet, the mattress has to be lifted for tucking in the parts fitted with elastics. Lifting a mattress is extremely labor intensive.

The invention seeks to eliminate or at least to mitigate such shortcomings by providing an improved sheet for mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a cover sheet for covering a mattress comprising a body having a pair of opposite side edge portions; and an elongate receptacle formed along each of the opposite side edge portions for holding a respective elongate positioning member; wherein each of the elongate receptacles is provided with an opening dimensioned for inserting of the elongate positioning member there through and into the receptacle to be held therein.

Preferably, the body has a second pair of opposite side edge portions formed with respective elongate receptacles.

More preferably, one of the opposite side edge portions of the second pair is narrower than the other side portion of the same second pair.

Advantageously, the two side edge portions of each adjacent pair are inter-connected by a web.

More advantageously, each elongate receptacle extends along an extreme edge of the respective side edge portion.

Preferably, each elongate receptacle is integrally formed with the respective side edge portion.

More preferably, each elongate receptacle extends along substantially the entire length of the respective side edge portion.

It is preferable that a plurality of elongate positioning members, each being adapted to be inserted into a respective said elongate receptacle for stiffening the respective side edge portion of the body.

Preferably, each elongate positioning member is substantially as long as the respective elongate receptacle.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a cover sheet positioning system comprising at least two elongate positioning members arranged for use on opposite side edge portions of a cover sheet, being operatively subject to a downward force so as to maintain a said cover sheet flat on a mattress protected by the cover sheet.

Preferably, including at least two holders each co-operable with a respective said elongate positioning member, each holder having a first part adapted to attach the respective elongate positioning member and a second part adapted to engage with (by frictional engagement) the bottom side of said mattress.

More preferably, the first part extends orthogonal to the second part.

Yet more preferably, the second part defines a space for accommodating the elongate positioning member and includes a retainer for retaining the elongate positioning member inside the space.

It is preferable that the retainer comprises a pair of protrusions together forming a restricted opening to the space for retaining the elongate positioning member inside the space.

More preferably, the protrusions are provided on respective resiliently flexible arms of the second part.

Advantageously, the elongate positioning member has a cross-section having different dimensions measured along respective first and second directions such that the elongate positioning member is laterally insertable through the restricted opening in the first direction but not the second direction.

More advantageously, the first direction extends orthogonal to the second direction.

Yet more advantageously, the cross-section is T-shaped.

Preferably, the second portion has an upper surface for engaging the mattress, the upper surface being provided with a plurality of bumps for enhancing engagement with the mattress.

It is preferable that the second portion is corrugated for enhancing engagement with the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mattress covered by a sheet in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a retainer used in the mattress in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a schematic left side view of the mattress and the sheet in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged schematic side view of a front end of the sheet in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged schematic view of a retainer provided on a side of the mattress in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the retainer in FIG. 2B and its interaction with a positioning member in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a schematic right side view of the mattress and the sheet in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the positioning member in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged schematic view of a retainer provided on a side of the mattress in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged side view of a front end in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the mattress and the sheet in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged schematic view of a retainer on a rear end of the mattress in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the mattress and the sheet in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of a sheet in accordance with the invention and as fitted on the mattress in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of the sheet in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of the mattress covered by the sheet in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a mattress covered by a sheet in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the retainer in FIG. 1B with an elongate positioning member retained therein;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the retainer in FIG. 10 without the elongate positioning member;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the retainer in FIG. 10 with the elongate positioning member in FIG. 10 inserting into the holder and at a non-operating position;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the retainer in FIG. 12 with the elongate positioning member in an operating position and retained by the holder;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a holder in accordance with the invention retaining an elongate positioning member;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the holder in FIG. 14 without the elongate positioning member; and

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the mattress in FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of nine holders in the mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, there is shown a bed with a mattress covered or protected by a cover sheet 100 embodying the invention. The cover sheet 100 is in the form of a flat sheet with four rounded corners. The cover sheet 100 has a body with two pairs of opposite side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D around the body, i.e., a first pair of opposite right and left side edge portions 100A and 100C and a second pair of opposite head and tail side edge portions 100B and 100D. The rounded corners form respective webs between adjacent side portions 100A and 100B, 100B and 100C, 100C and 100D, 100D and 100A, such that the body has an unbroken or intact periphery. When the cover sheet 100 is in use, i.e. placed on a mattress to cover the same, its side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C and 100D hang downward and cover at least partly over the four sides respectively of the mattress. Ideally, the width of the side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C and 100D has to be sufficient to cover and conceal the entire thickness (or at least part thereof) of the mattress. The head side edge portion 100B may be shorter, i.e. narrower, than the other side edge portions 100A, 100C, and 100D, as the mattress's head side is often concealed by a headboard.

In the preferred embodiment, four elongate receptacles 101A, 101B, 101C, and 101D are provided on the side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D of the cover sheet 100 respectively. In another embodiment, only one pair of the opposite side edge portions 100A and 100C may be provided with elongate receptacles 101A and 101C.

The elongate receptacles 101A, 101B, 101C and 101D are pockets or sleeves formed from the fabric of the r corresponding side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C and 100D. Alternatively, they may be pre-formed, e.g. as tubes, and sewed onto the respective side edge portions 100A, 100B, 100C and 100D. Each elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D may be located at any position (i.e. vertical position in use) within the width of the respective side edge portion 100A/100B/100C/100D. Generally, it should preferably, but not necessarily, run parallel to the extreme or free edge of the side edge portion 100A/100B/100C,100D. In a preferred embodiment, each elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D is provided right at the extreme edge of the respective side edge portion 100A/100B/100C/100D.

Each elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D has at least one or preferably two openings 102A/102B at opposite ends thereof, for insertion of an elongate positioning member 103A, 103B, 103C or 103D. In other words, the elongate receptacles 101A to 101D form respective open-ended channels. The dimensions, e.g. length and width, of the elongate receptacles 101A to 101D are comparable to, or marginally larger than, those of the elongate positioning members 103A to 103D, such that the elongate positioning members 103A to 103D are accommodated or held fittingly within the respective elongate receptacles 101A to 101D. Each elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D, together with the corresponding elongate positioning members 103A/103B/103C/103D therein, preferably extend along substantially or almost the full length of the respective side edge portion 100A/100B/100C/100D, so as to stiffen the entire side edge portion 100A/100B/100C/100D.

Each elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D is a cylindrical rod or stick, preferably with a solid cross-section to maximize its weight. In an alternative embodiment, the elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D may be hollow to lower the costs in production. Cross-section, taken traverse to length of the through-hole in the elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D, may be of any shape.

When in use, the elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D is adapted or sized to be inserted into the respective elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D for adding stiffness as well as weight to the entire length of the respective side edge portion 103A/103B/103C/103D of the cover sheet 100.

The weight of at least two elongate positioning members 103A and 103C co-operatively prevents the cover sheet 100 from sliding or shifting over the mattress. They are in use subject to a downward (i.e. gravitational) force so as to maintain the cover sheet 100 flat on the mattress. In the preferred embodiment, all four elongate receptacles 101A to 101D hold respective elongate positioning members 103A to 103D. The weight of these elongate positioning members 103A to 103D stretches and flattens the cover sheet 100 while operatively prevents the cover sheet 100 from shifting over the mattress. In the preferred embodiment, each of the elongate positioning members 103A to 103D is substantially as long as the respective elongate receptacle 101A/101B/101C/101D.

The elongate positioning members 103A to 103D may have an oval or T-shaped cross-section, other than a circular cross-section, taken transversely of its longitudinal axis i.e. length. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the elongate positioning members 103A to 103D are of a generally T-shaped cross-section that has different dimensions A and B measured along respective first and second directions, with one dimension being smaller than the other. The first and second directions extend at right angles or orthogonal to each other.

To enhance the function and/or performance of the elongate positioning members 103A to 103C on the three exposed sides of the mattress, a plurality of holders 104 are employed to positively hold them in position. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 16, each of the elongate positioning members 103A to 103C is caught or held by a series of three holders 104. There are in total nine such holders 104, which are evenly spread along the three sides of the mattress.

In passing, it is noted that the remaining elongate positioning member 103B on the head side of the mattress may be left out, as this elongate positioning member 103B with the associated head side edge portion 100B is often tucked in and compressed between the mattress and the headboard. This arrangement results in extra gripping holding force, which adds to the gravitational force upon the elongate positioning member 103B, and the resultant force would provide the necessary holding force for the elongate positioning member 103B to keep the head side edge portion 100B of the cover sheet 100 in position.

FIGS. 11 and 15 show two different embodiments of the holders 104. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is mainly for use in a hotel or the like accommodation facilities where the mattresses are often stacked onto a matching flat-topped base support such that the mattress bottom is readily accessible. The embodiment of FIG. 15 is designed primarily for use at home where the mattresses are usually located in a shallow recessed base platform that conceals the bottom of the mattress.

The two embodiments share a common one-piece or integral basic structure having a generally horizontal first/inner part 104A and a generally vertical second/outer 104B, which therefore extend orthogonal to each other. The inner part 104A has a corrugated (or wavy) body 104A-1 and a flat neck 104A-2. The corrugated body 104A-1 has a number of bumps 105 scattered evenly over its upper surface. The corrugation and the bumps 105 are features to enhance frictional or gripping engagement between the holder 104 and the mattress. In use, the inner part 104A is tucked in and compressed between the bottom of the mattress and the upper surface of the mattress's base support, such that it is retained or stays therein primarily by friction. With the aforesaid enhancement features, the inner part 104A can be more reliably fixed in position for use.

The outer part 104B is exposed and located alongside the mattress. It acts as a retainer 104B-1, and has an inner space to accommodate an associated elongate positioning member and is preferably an open-ended retainer for retaining the elongate positioning member inside the space. The retainer 104B-1 preferably has a U-shaped structure with a pair of opposed protrusions 104B-1 which together form a restricted opening or bottleneck to the space for retaining the elongate position member therein. The protrusions 104B-1 are supported on respective resiliently flexible arms 104B-2 which are provided by two limbs of the U-shaped structure and may be flexed outwardly to widen the opening or bottleneck slightly.

Referring to the holder 104 of FIG. 11, the retainer 104B-1 is located close to and slightly downwards from the horizontal inner part 104A. As to the other holder 104 of FIGS. 14 and 15, its retainer 104B-1 is raised above the horizontal inner part 104A by an upturned section 104A-3 of the neck 104A-2. The upturned section 104A-3 serves to locate and expose the retainer 104B-1 out of an aforesaid shallow recessed base platform, while allowing the inner part 104A to be tucked in the recess of the base platform and underneath the mattress.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 15, for an elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D with a circular cross-section, it is to be squeezed past the bottleneck or restricted opening of an associated holder 104, with the protrusions 104B-1 being slightly deformed or the arms 104B-2 slightly flexed outwards. In the case of an elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D having a generally T-shaped or oval cross-section, it should still be squeezed past the restricted opening, but the extent to which the arms 104B-2 need to flex is comparatively lesser. More specifically, for insertion through the restricted opening, the elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D is initially placed in a first orientation with the first dimension A stretching across the restricted opening i.e. between the protrusions 104B-1. Once it has passed restricted opening, the elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D is then rotated through 90° to a second orientation with the second dimension B stretching across the space between the arms 104B-2. The second dimension B is relatively larger than the first dimension A. The elongate positioning member 103A/103B/103C/103D will be locked inside the space by the protrusions 104B-1 (upon the arms 104B-2 flexing back inwardly), or at least blocked from passing back out through the restricted opening (see FIGS. 12 and 13) during normal use of the cover sheet 100 held in position by the holders 104.

In an alternative embodiment of the cover sheet positioning device as shown in FIG. 9, the holders 104 are omitted. Only two elongate positioning members 103A and 103C are in use, which are inserted into respective elongate receptacles 101A and 101C. Under the action of gravity, the two elongate positioning members 101A and 101C act upon opposite right and left side edge portions 100A and 100C of a cover sheet 100 by being subject to a downward force by their own weight so as to maintain the cover sheet 100 flat on the mattress. In a more preferred embodiment, four elongate positioning members 103A to 103 D are used, inserted into respective elongate receptacles 101A to 101D on all four sides, so as to stop the cover sheet 100 shifting up and down in addition to left and right.

To cater for variations in the mattress size/thickness, the cover sheets of the present invention are supplied in a range of sizes and dimensions. Alternatively, the cover sheets may be available in only one size or limited sizes but with choice of different positions for the elongate receptacles 101A to 101D relative to or across width of the side edge portions 100A to 100D.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiments may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cover sheet for covering a mattress, wherein the cover sheet comprises

a body composed or a fabric and having a first pair of opposite side edge portions located at opposite sides of the body, wherein each of the opposite side edge portions of the first pair of opposite side portions includes a respective elongate receptacle formed of the fabric of the body for holding a respective elongate positioning member, and each of the elongate receptacles includes an opening dimensioned for insertion of the elongate positioning member through the opening and into the receptacle.

2. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body has a second pair of opposite side edge portions including respective elongate receptacles.

3. (canceled)

4. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the body includes a plurality of webs, and

the side edge portions of each adjacent pair of side edge portions are inter-connected by one of the webs.

5. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each elongate receptacle extends along an extreme edge of the respective side edge portion.

6. (canceled)

7. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each elongate receptacle extends along substantially the entire length of the respective side edge portion.

8. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of elongate positioning members, each elongate positioning member being insertable into a respective elongate receptacle for stiffening the respective side edge portion of the body.

9. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 8, wherein each elongate positioning member is substantially as long as the respective elongate receptacle.

10. A cover sheet positioning system comprising:

a cover sheet for covering a mattress and including a body having a first pair of opposite side edge portions located at opposite sides of the body, wherein each of the opposite side edge portions of the first pair of opposite side portions includes a respective elongate receptacle for holding a respective elongate positioning member, and each of the elongate receptacles includes an opening dimensioned for insertion of the elongate positioning member through the opening and into the receptacle: and

at least two elongate positioning members for use on the opposite side edge portions of the cover sheet, wherein the elongate positioning members are operatively subject to a downward force to maintain the cover sheet flat on the mattress covered by the cover sheet.

11. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 10, including at least two holders, wherein

each holder is co-operable with a respective elongate positioning member, and

each holder has a first part for attachment to the respective elongate positioning member and a second part for engaging a bottom side of the mattress.

12. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first part of each holder extends orthogonally to the second part of the holder.

13. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second part of each holder defines a space for accommodating one of the elongate positioning members and includes a retainer for retaining the respective elongate positioning member inside the space.

14. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein

the retainer comprises a pair of protrusions, and

the protrusions, together, form a restricted opening into the space for retaining the respective elongate positioning member inside the space.

15. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 14, wherein

the second part of each holder includes resiliently flexible arms, and

the protrusions are located on respective resiliently flexible arms of the respective second parts.

16. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the elongate positioning members has a cross-section having different dimensions measured along respective first and second directions such that each elongate positioning member is laterally insertable through the restricted opening in the first direction, but not the second direction.

17. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

18. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cross-section is T-shaped.

19. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein

each second part has an upper surface for engaging the mattress, and

the upper surface includes a plurality of bumps for enhancing engagement with the mattress.

20. The cover sheet positioning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the second parts is corrugated for enhancing engagement with the mattress.

21. A cover sheet for covering a mattress, wherein the cover sheet comprises

a body having a first pair of opposite side edge portions located at opposite sides of the body, wherein each of the opposite side edge portions of the first pair of opposite side portions includes a respective elongate receptacle for holding a respective elongate positioning member, each of the elongate receptacles is sewn to the respective side edge portion, and each of the elongate receptacles includes an opening dimensioned for insertion of the elongate positioning member through the opening and into the receptacle.

22. The cover sheet as claimed in claim 21, wherein the body has a second pair of opposite side edge portions including respective elongate receptacles.