Bed covering with securing mechanism

Abstract

A bed covering designed to inhibit movement of the bed covering when the bed covering is engaged with a conventional mattress and an individual is therebetween. The bed covering includes a body that substantially covers the mattress and is of the same size and shape. The bed covering further includes a left section and right section that drape over the edges of a conventional mattress and lie adjacent to the mattress sides when the bed covering is engaged with the mattress. Intermediate the left section and right section and completing covering one end of the mattress is an end panel. The end panel has integrally mounted thereon an attachment mechanism to releasably secure the bed covering to a mattress and inhibit movement when an individual is intermediate the bed covering and the mattress.

Description

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119(e) & 37 C.F.R. §1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States provisional patent application entitled: Sleep tite, Application No. 60/678,743, filed May 6, 2005, in the name of Tammy D. Marsh, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a covering, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a bed covering designed to partially engage with a mattress adjacent thereto in order to maintain the bed covering generally in a fixed position.

BACKGROUND

The health of an individual is one of their primary concerns throughout their lives. An important part of maintaining ones health is ensuring that the proper amount of sleep is achieved on a daily basis. Millions of individuals sleep or rest on suitable horizontal support structures such as mattresses every day. It is estimated that over 40 million individuals experience restless sleep and do not achieve the recommended amount of sleep each day.

One of the factors that influences those diagnosed with sleep deficiency is that the individual engages in a consistent motion while attempting to sleep. This motion or tossing during sleep activity typically results in the covering that the individual is using to cover themselves while attempting to sleep to become disheveled and gradually removes the covering from the individual. Furthermore, the displaced covering can become tangled in the individual's legs. This usually provides a source of discomfort and frustration thus resulting in the inability to attain a restful sleep.

Accordingly, there is a need for a bed covering that has the ability to have a portion thereof be releasably secured to the adjacent mattress to promote consistent positioning of the covering while an individual is intermediate the bed covering and the mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a bed covering that has a portion thereof that is releasably secured to an adjacent mattress that inhibits the bed covering from moving while an individual is intermediate the bed covering and the adjacent mattress.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed covering that is releasably secured to an adjacent mattress that uses elastic as an attachment mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bed covering that is releasably secured to an adjacent mattress that is made from a plurality of materials that increases the comfort level of the individual intermediate the bed covering and the mattress.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bed covering that is releasably secured to an adjacent mattress that inhibits the bed covering from moving that is relatively inexpensive.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the slope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention engaged with a conventional mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing submitted herewith wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular to FIGS. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a bed covering 100.

The bed covering 100 comprises a body 10 that is configured in a substantially planar manner and is generally rectangular in shape. The body 10 is positioned generally adjacent and superposed a conventional mattress. The body 10 is of suitable material such as but not limited to silk, satin, cotton or polyester blend. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the body 10 could be a plurality of different shapes in order to be able to substantially cover an adjacent mattress 15.

Contiguous with the body 10 extending in a downward direction and generally perpendicular thereto is the left portion 35. The left portion 35 extends down one side 16 of the mattress 15 and is positioned generally adjacent thereto. The left portion 35 extends downward from the body 10 proximate the left lateral peripheral edge 20. The left portion 35 is manufactured from the same piece of suitable material as the body 10 and can be manufactured as one piece or the left portion 35 can be attached to the body 10 by conventional mechanical methods such as but not limited to sewing. While no specific length of the left portion 35 is required, good results have been achieved with a left portion 35 that extends approximately six inches in a downward direction from the left lateral peripheral edge 20. It is desired within the scope of the present invention that the bed covering 100 be manufactured such that the left portion 35 is less than the length of the body 10 as shown in particular in FIG. 1 submitted herewith. The length of the left portion 35 extends approximately intermediate the upper peripheral edge 70 and the end panel 50. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the length of the left portion 35 could vary depending on the size of the mattress 15 that the bed covering 100 is manufactured to cover.

Opposite the left portion 35 and contiguously mounted to the body 10 is the right portion 40. The right portion 40 extends downward from the right lateral peripheral edge 25 and is positioned adjacent to the side 16 of the mattress 15. The right portion 40 is manufactured from the same suitable material as the body 10 and can be manufactured as one assembly or can be mechanically secured proximate the right lateral peripheral edge 25 by conventional methods such as but not limited to sewing. While no specific length of the right portion 40 is required good results have been achieved with a right portion 40 that extends approximately six inches downward from the right lateral peripheral edge 25. Similar to the left portion 35, the right portion 40 is manufactured such that the length of the right portion 40 is less than the length of the body 10. The length of the right portion 40 extends approximately intermediate the upper peripheral edge 70 and the end panel 50. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the length of the right portion 40 could vary depending on the size of the mattress 15 that the bed covering 100 is manufactured to cover.

Intermediate the left portion 35 and the right portion 40 being generally perpendicular with the body 10 is the end panel 50. The end panel 50 is positioned such that the end panel 50 is adjacent one end 17 of the mattress 15 and extends downward the entire side 16 of the mattress 15 and has a section 52 that engages with the underside of the mattress 15. The end panel 50 extends downward proximate the bottom peripheral edge 22 and substantially covers one end 17 of the mattress 15. The end panel 50 further includes at least two lateral sections such as lateral section 51 that extend toward the upper peripheral edge 70 and are connected with the left portion 35 and right portion 40 on either side 16 of the mattress 15.

This arrangement assists to inhibit the movement of the bed covering 100 when an individual is intermediate the bed covering 100 and the mattress 15. The end panel 50 is manufactured from the same suitable material as the body 10 and is manufactured as a one piece assembly with the body 10 or can be mechanically fastened to the body 10 proximate the bottom peripheral edge 22 with conventional methods such as but not limited to sewing. The end panel 50 functions to engage one end of the mattress 15 to inhibit the movement of the bed covering 100 when an individual is intermediate the bed covering 100 and the mattress 15. The end panel 50 is secured to the left portion 35 and right portion 40 by conventional mechanical methods such as but not limited to sewing. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the end panel 50 enclose around one end 17 of the mattress 15 and extend towards the upper peripheral edge 70 approximately eight to twelve inches before engaging with the left portion 35 and right portion 40. This facilitates the bed covering 100 maintaining its position while an individual is intermediate the bed covering 100 and the mattress 15. Furthermore, it assists in maintaining the bed covering 100 in a flat and uniform appearance when not in use.

Integrally mounted to the end panel 50 opposite the bottom peripheral edge 22 is an attachment mechanism 45. The attachment mechanism 45 is contiguously mounted along the end panel 50 and substantially extends along the section 52 of the end panel 50. The attachment mechanism 45 is mounted to the section 52 of the end panel 50 by conventional mechanical methods such as sewing. The attachment mechanism 45 functions to engage one end 17 of the mattress 15 and releasably secure the bed covering 100 to the mattress 15. The attachment mechanism 45 is manufactured from conventional resilient material such as but not limited to elastic. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different resilient materials could be utilized in manufacturing the attachment mechanism 45. More specifically but not by way of limitation the attachment mechanism 45 could be manufactured from conventional hook and loop fasteners. Furthermore, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the attachment mechanism need only be present along a portion of the section 52 of the end panel 50.

It is further contemplated within the scope of the invention that the bed covering be manufactured in numerous sizes in order to mateably engage with standard mattress sizes such as but not limited to king size, queen size, full size and twin size mattresses. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bed covering could be manufactured in a plurality of different shapes in order to mateably engage with mattress of numerous different shapes.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 1, a description of the operation of the bed covering 100 is as follows. An individual will place the body 10 of the bed covering 100 substantially over a conventional mattress. Subsequently, the end panel 50 is positioned such that it is placed adjacent one end 17 of the mattress 15 with the attachment mechanism 45 being stretched around the end 17 such that the bed covering 100 is releasably secured to the mattress 15. The left portion 35 and right portion 40 are then placed in a generally perpendicular orientation with the body 10. An individual can place themselves intermediate the bed covering 100 and the mattress 15 in order to rest with the bed covering 100 maintaining its positioned as it is releasably secured to one end 17 of the mattress 15 with the attachment mechanism.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawing that forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration and description specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A covering comprising:

a body, said body configured to substantially cover a mattress, said body being configured in a substantially planar manner, said body having a first and second edge;

a first and a second section, said first and second sections being contiguously mounted to said first and second edge of said body, said first and second section generally extending downward from said body being adjacent the mattress when said covering is engaged with the mattress; and

said covering including an end panel, said end panel being intermediate said first and second sections, said end panel substantially covering one end of the mattress, said end panel for releasably securing said covering to the mattress.

2. The covering as recited in claim 1 and further including an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism being contiguously mounted to said end panel opposite said body, said attachment mechanism for releasably securing said covering to the mattress.

3. The covering as recited in claim 2, wherein said attachment mechanism is manufactured from a resilient material.

4. The covering as recited in claim 3, wherein said resilient material is elastic.

5. The covering as recited in claim 4, wherein said covering is manufactured from a group of material consisting of silk, satin, cotton or polyester.

6. The covering as recited in claim 5, wherein said first and second sections extend downward from said body approximately six inches.

7. A mattress covering designed to substantially cover a mattress, comprising:

a body, said body being generally rectangular in shape and configured in a substantially planar manner, said body further having a left peripheral edge, a right peripheral edge, an upper peripheral edge and a bottom peripheral edge;

a left section, said left section being contiguously mounted to the left side of said body proximate the left peripheral edge, said left section extending downward from said body and being generally perpendicular to said body when said mattress covering is engaged with the mattress;

a right section, said right section being contiguously mounted to the right side of side body proximate the right peripheral edge, said right section extending downward from said body and being generally perpendicular to said body when said mattress covering is engaged with the mattress; and

an end panel, said end panel being contiguously mounted to said body, said end panel being intermediate said left section and said right section, said end panel substantially covering one end of said mattress when said mattress covering is engaged with said mattress, said end panel for inhibiting movement of said mattress covering when said mattress covering is engaged with said mattress.

8. The mattress covering as recited in claim 7 and further including an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism being integrally mounted to said end panel opposite said body, said attachment mechanism for releasably securing said mattress covering to the mattress.

9. The mattress covering as recited in claim 8, wherein said end panel covers one end of said mattress and further extends around the adjoining sides at least eight inches.

10. The mattress covering as recited in claim 9, wherein said attachment mechanism is manufactured from resilient material.

11. The mattress covering as recited in claim 10 wherein said resilient material is elastic.

12. The mattress covering as recited in claim 11, wherein said left portion extends downward from said body approximately least six inches.

13. The mattress covering as recited in claim 12, wherein said right portion extends downward from said body approximately least six inches.

14. The mattress covering as recited in claim 13, wherein said mattress covering is manufactured from a group of materials consisting of silk, satin, cotton, or polyester.

15. A bed covering designed to substantially cover a mattress, comprising:

a body, said body having four edges, said body being generally rectangular in shape and being configured in a substantially planar manner;

a left section, said left section being contiguously mounted to said body proximate the left lateral peripheral edge, said left section extending downward from said body and being generally perpendicular to said body when said bed covering is engaged with the mattress;

a right section, said right section being contiguously mounted to the right edge of side body proximate the right lateral peripheral edge, said right section extending downward from said body and being generally perpendicular to said body when said bed covering is engaged with the mattress;

an end panel, said end panel being contiguously mounted to said body proximate the bottom peripheral edge, said end panel being intermediate said left section and said right section, said end panel substantially covering one end of the mattress when said bed covering is engaged with the mattress; and

an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism being integrally mounted to said end panel opposite said bottom peripheral edge, said attachment mechanism for releasably securing said bed covering to said mattress to inhibit movement of said bed covering when an individual is intermediate said bed covering and the mattress.

16. The bed covering as recited in claim 15, wherein said end panel covers one end of the mattress and further extends around the left and right sides of the mattress at least eight inches to engage with said left section and said right section.

17. The bed covering as recited in claim 16, wherein said attachment mechanism is manufactured from resilient material.

18. The bed covering as recited in claim 17, wherein said resilient material is elastic.

19. The bed covering as recited in claim 18, wherein said left portion and said right portion extend downward from said body approximately least six inches respectively.

20. The bed covering as recited in claim 19, wherein said bed covering is manufactured from a group of materials consisting of silk, satin, cotton, or polyester.