METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR KEEPING A SHEET OR LINER FROM RIDING UP OR POPPING OFF A MATTRESS

Abstract

A sheet, pad or liner can be designed with tabs that can easily and quickly adhere to the underside of a mattress to prevent the fitted sheet, mattress pad or liner from riding up and popping off the mattress. The tabs can extend from the corners of the sheet, pad or liner and, typically, from one to three tabs may be disposed from each corner region. The mattress can have an adherent area to attach the tabs or the entire underside of the mattress can be made from an adherent material. The adherent area and the tabs can be, for example, configured to attach with a hook and loop connection system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/726,541, filed Nov. 14, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bedding and bedding accessories and, more particularly, to a method and system for keeping a sheet or liner from riding up or popping off a mattress.

Mattress pads, liners and fitted sheets can easily ride up along the sides of the mattress, making these items look on top of the mattress, onto which a person sleeps. This loosening can become uncomfortable. Continued loosening can result in the mattress pad, liner and fitted sheets from completely popping off the mattress.

Existing mattress pads, liners and fitted sheets use stretch corners or garter belt type connections to hold the sheet/liner/pad in place. This design, however, can result in these items riding up or popping off the mattress, causing discomfort for the user.

The existing solutions to the problem are difficult and inconvenient for people to use, especially those with handicaps of the hand, such as arthritis. The solution of stretch corners does not meet the challenge. The solution of garter belt attachments to hold the corners in place is a separate entity from the sheet and is difficult to use for people with crippling hand afflictions.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved method and system for keeping a fitted sheet, mattress pad or liner from riding up and popping off a mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for securing a mattress liner to a mattress comprises at least one tab extending from each corner of the mattress liner; a tab connector disposed on each of the at least one tab; and a mattress having, on its underside, a connection mechanism for interconnecting the tab connector of the at least one tab with the underside of the mattress.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for securing a mattress liner to a mattress comprises extending at least one tab extending from each corner of the mattress liner under a mattress; and securing a tab connector, disposed on each of the at least one tab, to a connection mechanism, disposed on an underside of the mattress.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mattress liner disposed on a mattress according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mattress liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a mattress used with the mattress liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mattress liner separated from the mattress;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mattress liner and mattress, demonstrating application of the mattress liner to the mattress;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a mattress having the mattress liner attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mattress liner according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a mattress according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for preventing a fitted sheet, a mattress pad or a liner from riding up and popping off a mattress. A sheet, pad or liner can be designed with tabs that can easily and quickly adhere to the underside of the mattress. The tabs can extend from the corners of the sheet, pad or liner and, typically, from one to three tabs may be disposed from each corner region. The mattress can have an adherent area to attach the tabs or the entire underside of the mattress can be made from an adherent material. The adherent area and the tabs can be, for example, configured to attach with a hook and loop connection system.

As used herein, the term “mattress liner” refers to any article of bedding that is desirable to attach to a mattress. A “mattress liner” can include a sheet, such as a fitted sheet, a mattress pad, a mattress liner, or the like. In some embodiments, a “mattress liner” may refer to more than one such item. For example, if a user desires a mattress pad and a fitted sheet to be attached to the mattress, both of these articles may be designed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, a mattress liner 10 can be designed with one or more tabs 16 extending from each corner thereof. The tabs 16 can be formed integrally with the mattress liner 10 at the time or manufacturer, or, in some embodiments, the tabs 16 can be attached to the mattress liner 10 as an add-on product, attachable to the mattress liner 10 through various mechanisms, such as by stitching, adhesive, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, a single tab 16 can be disposed at each corner. As shown in FIG. 7, two additional tabs 16 can be disposed on the sides of the mattress liner 10, adjacent to the tabs at each corner. In other embodiments, the tabs can be disposed at other locations along the mattress liner 10.

A mattress 14 can be designed with patches 12 on or near each corner on the underside thereof. The patches 12 include a mechanism to permit the tabs 16 of the mattress liner 10 to connect thereto. In some embodiments, the patches 12 can be formed from a hook and loop material, while the tabs 16 can also be designed of a hook and loop material 181 that can engage the hook and loop material on the mattress 14. Other connection means could be used within the scope of the present invention, including push and lock connectors, snaps, buttons or the like.

In some embodiments, the patches 12 can be formed integrally with the mattress 14 at the time of manufacturer. In other embodiments, the patches 12 can be secured to the underside of the mattress 14 by various means, such as stitching, adhesive, or the like.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, an entire underside 20 of the mattress 12 can be made of a hook or loop material designed to secure to the hook or loop material 18 of the tabs 16 of the mattress liner 10. In other embodiments, an outer periphery of the underside of the mattress 12 can be made of the hook or loop material.

In some embodiments, the lengths of the tabs 16 may vary, depending on the relative position of the article of bedding on the mattress. For example, a fitted sheet, disposed as the upper-most article of bedding attached to the mattress, may have tabs that are longer than a mattress pad, which is disposed under the fitted sheet. This would allow the mattress pad to be secured first to the mattress, and then allow the fitted sheet to be easily secured to the mattress as well.

To use the system of the present invention, a user can simply put on the mattress liner 10 and secure the tab 16 of the sheet to the underside of the mattress 14. The tabs 16 can be secure enough to prevent the mattress liner 10 from riding up or popping off the mattress 14, but can be still easily removed by a user to change the mattress liner 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for securing a mattress liner to a mattress, the system comprising:

at least one tab extending from each corner of the mattress liner;

a tab connector disposed on each of the at least one tab; and

a mattress having, on its underside, a connection mechanism for interconnecting the tab connector of the at least one tab with the underside of the mattress.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism on the underside of the mattress includes patches of connector material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism on the underside of the mattress includes connector material disposed on an entire underside of the mattress.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab connector and the connection mechanism are mating hook and loop material connectors.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising three tabs disposed about each corner of the mattress liner.

6. A method for securing a mattress liner to a mattress, the method comprising:

extending at least one tab extending from each corner of the mattress liner under a mattress; and

securing a tab connector, disposed on each of the at least one tab, to a connection mechanism, disposed on an underside of the mattress.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the connection mechanism on the underside of the mattress includes patches of connector material.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the connection mechanism on the underside of the mattress includes connector material disposed on an entire underside of the mattress.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the tab connector and the connection mechanism are mating hook and loop material connectors.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising three tabs disposed about each corner of the mattress liner.