Modified fitted sheets

Abstract

A conventional fitted sheet or mattress cover that is modified so that an oversized or double pocket is formed adjacent the elastic hem at the corners of the sheet or cover. The oversized or double pocket is made by stitching a triangular panel to abut the elastic hem. The oversized pocket functions to anchor the corners of the sheet or mattress cover to the mattress, thereby preventing the sheet/cover from slipping off the mattress. The double pocket can be adapted to any size conventional fitted sheet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to bedding accessories. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to structure for modifying conventional fitted sheets and mattress covers.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is most annoying when a nice, restful sleep is rudely interrupted because the bottom sheet or mattress pad has become unanchored and shifts on the mattress. Annoyance is exacerbated because the sheet and mattress pad are of the conventional fitted type and are not supposed to become unanchored. A simple device which insures that fitted sheets and mattress stay put, would certainly be a welcome addition to the art.

There have been many attempts to provide a secure anchor for sheets and mattress covers. For example U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0138902 A1 (Bennett) shows a planar member having a tapered portion that is adapted to receive a portion of a bed linen therein. The member must be attached to the linen and rotated before it can be placed under the mattress to secure the linen.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,162,755 (Shauer), 3,996,633 (Burke), 4,422,195 (Russo et al.), 4,723,330 (Kellogg et al.), 4,964,184 (Lewis), 5,029,353 (Kimball et al.), 5,173,976 (Jubinville) and 5,970,544 (Kardell) all disclose sheets or mattress covers having pockets formed at their corners. It is noted that none of the instant references utilize sheets or mattress covers of the conventional type having elastic material encompassed in the hem thereof.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose modified, conventional fitted sheets and mattress covers as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a conventional fitted sheet or mattress cover that is modified so that an oversized or double pocket is formed adjacent the elastic hem at the corners of the sheet or cover. The oversized or double pocket is made by stitching a triangular panel to the elastic hem. The oversized pocket functions to anchor the corners of the sheet or mattress cover to the mattress, thereby preventing the sheet/cover from slipping off the mattress. The double pocket can be adapted to any size conventional fitted sheet.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved anchoring arrangement for bed linen.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved anchoring arrangement, which arrangement can be easily adapted to conventional fitted sheets.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved anchoring arrangement, which arrangement can be easily adapted to conventional fitted mattress covers.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a modified fitted sheets according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a modified fitted sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a rectangular insert for a fitted sheet according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the modified fitted sheet of the present invention is indicated at 10. Modified sheet 10 is provided with a planar rectangular-shaped top portion 12 for covering the top surface of mattress 14, which mattress rests upon box springs 14a or the like. Sheet 10 has two depending, continuous end panels and side panels that intersect to form sheet corners 16. Each sheet corner 16 is provided with a hem 16a, which hem encloses elastic material such that the corners 16 form a pocket for encompassing the corners of mattress 14. As stated above the construction of the fitted sheet is conventional and would also apply for a conventional fitted mattress cover.

A triangular-shaped panel member 18 (best seen in FIG. 3) is fabricated from leftover sheet material. Panel member 18 is attached on two of its three sides 18a to the elastic hem 16a at each of the corners 16, thereby forming an additional or double pocket at each corner. The double pockets function as effective anchors to prevent the sheet from coming off the mattress until taken off. It should be noted that panels 18 may be sized to fit any conventional fitted sheet, including fitted sheets for floatation mattresses.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A modified fitted sheet adapted to cover a conventional mattress having four corners, said modified fitted sheet comprising:

a flat panel having at least one end panel and one side panel depending therefrom, said side panel and said end panel being continuous and intersecting at at least one corner;

a hem disposed at said corner, said hem having two sides wherein one side is attached to said side panel and one side is attached to said end panel, said hem having elastic material therein whereby said corner forms a pocket for accommodating one corner of the mattress; and

a flat triangular-shaped panel having three sides wherein two of said three sides are attached in their entirety to said hem for enlarging said pocket.

2-3. (Cancelled)

4. The modified fitted sheet as recited in claim 1, wherein said flat triangular-shaped panel is fabricated from cloth.

5-6. (Cancelled)