Fitted Sheet

Abstract

A fitted sheet for covering a mattress is provided and includes a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge, a side sheet panel, having an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge, a sheet casing having a hollow portion and an anchoring member located within the hollow portion, wherein the side sheet panel at least partially surrounds the center sheet panel and wherein the sheet casing at least partially surrounds the side sheet panel, and wherein the center sheet panel, the side sheet panel and the sheet casing are connected together by connecting the inner side sheet panel edge to the center sheet panel edge and connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/619,794, filed Apr. 3, 2012 and titled “Improved Fitted Sheet,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a sheet, such as a bed sheet for covering a mattress and more particularly to a fitted bed sheet for covering a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fitted sheets are well known and are used to cover mattresses that are used for sleeping. Typically these sheets are secured to the mattress using a fitted portion which includes an elastic material located in each of the corners so that they may snugly engage the corners of the mattress. This snug engagement is desired because a freshly bedded mattress is esthetically pleasing and comfortable to a person sleeping in the bed. Fitted sheets come in various sizes and are made for different shaped mattresses. Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, conventional fitted sheets are typically constructed by taking a single piece of cloth and cutting out a square portion of the corners. The edges of the square corner are then sewn together to form a ‘rounded’ corner and elastic material is sewn into the edge portion of the sewn together portions that form the rounded corner.

Unfortunately, however if the sheet doesn't fit the mattress well, the fitted portion of the sheet (i.e. the corners of the sheet) will not snugly engage the corners of the mattress and thus the sheet will not retain its position relative to the mattress. This is undesirable for at least two reasons.

First, a mattress that has fresh bedding is aesthetically pleasing and enhances the visual perception of a room. If the bedding is rumpled due to the fitted sheet not fitting correctly or not being anchored correctly, this takes away from the aesthetics of the room. Second, a smooth, well fitted sheet provides a comforting environment for a person to crawl into when going to sleep on a mattress. If the sheet is loose fitting or does not engage the corners of the mattress snugly enough, the movements of a person during the night can cause the sheet to disengage with the corners of the mattress and bunch up around the sleeping person. This can disturb the persons sleep by causing the person to kick off the bunched up sheet and any covers that may be covering the person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fitted sheet for covering a mattress is provided and includes a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge; a side sheet panel, having an elastic portion, an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge; a sheet casing; and an anchoring member, wherein the side sheet panel at least partially surrounds the center sheet panel and wherein the sheet casing at least partially surrounds the side sheet panel, and wherein the center sheet panel, the side sheet panel and the sheet casing are connected together by connecting the inner side sheet panel edge to the center sheet panel edge and connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge, and wherein the anchoring member is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in the first configuration, the fitted sheet is snugly associated with the mattress and when in the second configuration, the fitted sheet is loosely associated with the mattress sheet with a mattress.

A fitted sheet for covering a mattress is provided and includes a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge; a side sheet panel, having an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge; a sheet casing having a hollow portion; and an anchoring member located within the hollow portion, wherein the side sheet panel at least partially surrounds the center sheet panel and wherein the sheet casing at least partially surrounds the side sheet panel, and wherein the center sheet panel, the side sheet panel and the sheet casing are connected together by connecting the inner side sheet panel edge to the center sheet panel edge and connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge.

A method for making a fitted sheet having an anchor member is provided and includes obtaining a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge, a side sheet panel, having an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge, a sheet casing having a casing length, a sheet casing cavity and a cavity opening, and an anchoring member having a first end and a second end; connecting the inner side sheet panel edge of the side sheet panel to the center sheet panel edge of the center sheet panel; connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge; and locating the anchoring member within sheet casing cavity such that the anchoring member traverses the casing length and each end of the anchoring member extends out of the cavity opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1a is a top down view of a fitted sheet being constructed, in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1b is a top down view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1a being constructed, in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2A is a top down view of an a fitted sheet spread out, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a top down view of a mattress, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a side longitudinal view of the mattress of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is a top down view of the center sheet panel of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B is a top down view of the side sheet panel of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3C is a top down view of the sheet casing of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 a top down view of the corner section of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is a top down view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A spread out and showing the anchor cord and the casing opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side end view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A showing the anchor member and the casing opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side end view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A disposed on the mattress of FIG. 2B showing the anchor member connected together in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side end view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 2A disposed on the mattress of FIG. 2B showing the anchor member connected together in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As disclosed herein with regards to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a fitted sheet that better conforms to the shape of a mattress than sheets in the prior art and that provide an improved snug fit.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a first embodiment of a fitted sheet 100 for associating with a mattress 200 is shown and includes a center sheet panel 102, a side sheet panel 104 and a sheet casing 106, where the side sheet panel 104 completely surrounds the center sheet panel 102 and the sheet casing 106 completely surrounds the side sheet panel 104. It should be appreciated that the center sheet panel 102 includes a center sheet panel edge 108 and the side sheet panel 104 includes an inner side sheet panel edge 110 and an outer side sheet panel edge 112. The center sheet panel 102, the side sheet panel 104 and the sheet casing 106 are connected together by sewing the inner side sheet panel edge 110 to the center sheet panel edge 108 and by sewing the sheet casing 106 to the outer side sheet panel edge 112. It should be appreciated that although the center sheet panel 102 is shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, any shape suitable to the desired end purpose may be used. Referring to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, the mattress 200 includes a mattress top 202, a mattress bottom 204 and a mattress side 206. Additionally, the mattress 200 includes a mattress length L. and a mattress width W_m and a mattress height H_m.

Referring to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, the center sheet panel 102 includes a center sheet panel length L_cs, a center sheet panel width W_cs and a center sheet panel circumference C. The side sheet panel 104 includes a side sheet panel length L_ss and a side sheet panel width W_ss, and the sheet casing 106 includes a sheet casing length L_c and a sheet casing width W_c. It should be appreciated that the length L_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is sized to be approximately the length of the circumference C of the center sheet panel 102. Preferably, the length L_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is longer than the circumference C of the center sheet panel 102 to allow the ends of the side sheet panel 104 to be connected together. Additionally, the width W_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is sized to be larger than the height H_m of the mattress 200 by a predetermined amount as desired. This advantageously takes into account the length of cloth used to connect the side sheet panel 104 with the center sheet panel 102. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the width W_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is approximately 8 ½ inches larger than the height H_m of the mattress 200. However, it is contemplated any added width W_ss may be used suitable to the desired end purpose and that this extra material may be achieved by increasing the width W_cs and length L_cs of the center sheet panel 102 appropriately or by splitting the extra material between the center sheet panel 102 and the side sheet panel 104.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention and referring to FIG. 4, the inner side sheet panel edge 110 of the side sheet panel 104 is connected to the center sheet panel edge 108 of the center sheet panel 102 to completely surround the center sheet panel 102. It should be appreciated that when the side sheet panel 104 and the center sheet panel 102 are connected, the partially assembled fitted sheet 100 includes four (4) upper corner sections 114 located at the connection point of the corner edges of the center sheet panel 102 and the inner side sheet panel edge 110. It should be appreciated that the side sheet panel 104 may be pleated at the connection point with the inner side sheet panel edge 110 at each of the four corner sections 114. It should be appreciated that one or more of the four upper corner sections 114 may also be fitted with an elastic material such that the upper corner section 114 is stretchable.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention and referring again to FIG. 2A and FIG. 4, the fitted sheet 100 also includes four (4) lower corner sections 116 located proximately below the four (4) upper corner sections 114 and proximate the location where the sheet casing 106 and the outer side sheet panel edge 112 are sewn together. It should be appreciated that one or more of the four lower corner sections 116 may include an elastic member 118 located and sewn onto the inner surface of the side sheet panel 104 approximately ½ inch above the sheet casing 106. This configuration advantageously allows the four upper corner sections 114 to be located in the location of the mattress corners formed by intersection of the mattress top 202 and the mattress side 206 and the four lower corner sections 116 to be located in the of the mattress corners formed by intersection of the mattress bottom 204 and the mattress side 206.

It should be appreciated that the fitted sheet 100 is preferably constructed and configured for a particularly mattress 200 for which it is going to be used. Accordingly, the center sheet panel 102 is preferably sized based on the length L_m and width W_m of the mattress 200. Additionally, the length L_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is sized based on the circumference C of the center sheet panel 102 and the width W_ss of the side sheet panel 104 is sized based on the height H_m of the mattress 200. This advantageously ensures that the fitted sheet 100 sufficiently covers the mattress top 202 and the mattress side 206. It should be appreciated that center sheet panel 102 and/or the side sheet panel 104 may be sized to include additional fabric as desired to account for various characteristics of the fitted sheet 100, such as the pleatings and the hem line created when the center sheet panel 102, the side sheet panel 104 and/or the casing 106 are sewn together.

Moreover, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the length L_c of the sheet casing 106 is preferably sized based on the length L_ss of the side sheet panel 104 and has a width W_c of approximately ½ to 1 ½ inches. The sheet casing length L_e is preferably sized such that the sheet casing 106 extends approximately the length L_ss of the outer edge of the side sheet panel 104. Furthermore, the sheet casing 106 is preferably hollow along its length L_c and configured to contain an anchoring member 208, such as a strap or cord, and includes an opening 210 to allow access into the hollow portion of the sheet casing 106. The anchoring cord 208 is initially sized to extend the length L_e of the sheet casing 106 and out of the opening 210 of the sheet casing 106. The anchoring cord 208 may be re-sized to provide a snug fit of the fitted sheet 100 with the mattress 200. Additionally, although the anchoring member 208 is preferably a flat piece of strong, woven, any shaped material suitable to the desired end purpose may be used, such a nylon cord or a cloth string. Referring to FIG. 7, it should be appreciated that the anchoring cord 208 is sized and used to hold and secure the fitted sheet 100 in place by connecting the ends of the anchoring cord 208 together. This may be accomplished by sewing the ends of the anchoring cord 208 together as shown in FIG. 7. It is also contemplated that this may also be accomplished by various other methods as well, such as by tying the ends of anchoring cords 208 together as shown in FIG. 8 (for example, clips, snaps, buckles, Velcro®, etc. may also be used). It should be appreciated that any material suitable to the desired end purpose may be used to carry out this invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method for making a fitted sheet 100 having an anchor member is provided and includes obtaining a center sheet panel 102, having a center sheet panel edge 108, a side sheet panel 104, having an inner side sheet panel edge 110 and an outer side sheet panel edge 112, a sheet casing 106 having a casing length Lc, a sheet casing cavity and a cavity opening 210, and an anchoring member 208 having a first end and a second end. The method further includes connecting the inner side sheet panel edge 110 of the side sheet panel 104 to the center sheet panel edge 108 of the center sheet panel 102 and connecting the sheet casing 106 to the outer side sheet panel edge 112. The method also includes locating the anchoring member 208 within sheet casing cavity such that the anchoring member 208 traverses the casing length Lc and each end of the anchoring member 208 extends out of the cavity opening 210.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. A fitted sheet for covering a mattress, comprising

a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge;

a side sheet panel, having an elastic portion, an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge;

a sheet casing; and

an anchoring member, wherein the side sheet panel at least partially surrounds the center sheet panel and wherein the sheet casing at least partially surrounds the side sheet panel, and

wherein the center sheet panel, the side sheet panel and the sheet casing are connected together by connecting the inner side sheet panel edge to the center sheet panel edge and connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge, and

wherein the anchoring member is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in the first configuration, the fitted sheet is snugly associated with the mattress and when in the second configuration, the fitted sheet is loosely associated with the mattress sheet with a mattress.

2. The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein the sheet casing includes a hollow portion and a casing opening communicated with the hollow portion, wherein the hollow portion is configured to at least partially contain the anchoring member, wherein the anchoring member is configurable via the casing opening.

3. The fitted sheet of claim 2, wherein the anchoring member is configurable by tying and untying.

4. The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein the center sheet panel includes four center sheet panel corner sections connected to the side sheet panel at the inner side sheet panel edge.

5. The fitted sheet of claim 4, wherein the fitted sheet includes four corner sections formed at the connection of the four center sheet panel corner sections and the side sheet panel.

6. The fitted sheet of claim 5, wherein the side sheet panel includes a side sheet panel width Wss and at least one elastic member attached to the side sheet panel at each of the four corner sections and configured such that the at least one elastic member extends at least partially across the side sheet panel width.

7. A fitted sheet for covering a mattress, comprising

a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge;

a side sheet panel, having an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge;

a sheet casing having a hollow portion; and

an anchoring member located within the hollow portion, wherein the side sheet panel at least partially surrounds the center sheet panel and wherein the sheet casing at least partially surrounds the side sheet panel, and

wherein the center sheet panel, the side sheet panel and the sheet casing are connected together by connecting the inner side sheet panel edge to the center sheet panel edge and connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge.

8. The fitted sheet of claim 7, wherein the anchoring member is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein

when in the first configuration, the fitted sheet is snugly associated with the mattress and

when in the second configuration, the fitted sheet is loosely associated with the mattress sheet with a mattress.

9. The fitted sheet of claim 7, wherein the sheet casing further includes a casing opening communicated with the hollow portion, and wherein the anchoring member is configurable via the casing opening.

10. The fitted sheet of claim 9, wherein the anchoring member is configurable by tying and untying.

11. The fitted sheet of claim 7, wherein the center sheet panel includes four center sheet panel corner sections connected to the side sheet panel at the inner side sheet panel edge.

12. The fitted sheet of claim 11, wherein the fitted sheet includes four corner sections formed at the connection of the four center sheet panel corner sections and the side sheet panel.

13. The fitted sheet of claim 12, wherein the side sheet panel includes a side sheet panel width Wss and at least one elastic member attached to the side sheet panel at each of the four corner sections and configured such that the at least one elastic member extends at least partially across the side sheet panel width.

14. A method for making a fitted sheet having an anchor member, the method comprising:

obtaining a center sheet panel, having a center sheet panel edge, a side sheet panel, having an inner side sheet panel edge and an outer side sheet panel edge, a sheet casing having a casing length, a sheet casing cavity and a cavity opening, and an anchoring member having a first end and a second end;

connecting the inner side sheet panel edge of the side sheet panel to the center sheet panel edge of the center sheet panel;

connecting the sheet casing to the outer side sheet panel edge; and

locating the anchoring member within sheet casing cavity such that the anchoring member traverses the casing length and each end of the anchoring member extends out of the cavity opening.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the center sheet panel includes four center sheet panel corner sections connected to the side sheet panel at the inner side sheet panel edge, the fitted sheet includes four corner sections formed at the connection of the four center sheet panel corner sections and the side sheet panel, the side sheet panel includes a side sheet panel width Wss and at least one elastic member attached to the side sheet panel at each of the four corner sections and configured such that the at least one elastic member extends at least partially across the side sheet panel width.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising associating the fitted sheet with a mattress having a mattress top, a mattress bottom, a mattress side and four mattress corners by placing the fitted sheet on the mattress such that,

the center sheet panel covers the mattress top, and

the side sheet panel covers the mattress sides, wherein each of the four corner sections are located to cover one of the four mattress corners, and such that the anchoring member is proximate the mattress bottom.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising configuring the anchoring member such that the end of the anchoring member are connected together such that the fitted sheet is snugly associated with the mattress.