ADJUSTABLE MATTRESS COVER

Abstract

An adjustable sheet having a draw string around the perimeter of the sheet. The sheet will be large enough to fit over a standard mattress, and then the draw string can be pulled so the perimeter of the sheet is tightly secured under the mattress.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a provisional patent application number 61824398 filed on 17 May 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an adjustable bed sheet, and more particularly to an adjustable bed sheet that has a draw string to adjust the sheet to different mattress sizes and can retain a tight fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to bed sheets and in particular to an easy change fitted sheet for a mattress. Changing the fitted sheet on a mattress is difficult and time consuming, since the user must lift each corner of the heavy mattress to fit the sheet on it. This creates a substantial obstacle for children making their beds, as well as the elderly, handicapped, and staff members at long-term care facilities or hotels. An easy change fitted sheet, using a drawstring for the edge line or perimeter rather than elastic, would solve this problem.

There exists a need for a sheet that can fit over mattresses of different sizes and shapes, and that can retain a tight fit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is an adjustable mattress cover, comprising: a sheet portion having a perimeter and a draw string channel; a draw string slidably disposed within said draw string channel; whereby said sheet portion can be draped over a mattress and the draw string can be pulled to tighten said perimeter under the mattress to secure said sheet portion under the mattress.

Another aspect of the present invention is an adjustable mattress cover, comprising: a sheet having a draw string slidably disposed within said sheet, said sheet having a draw string aperture; a fastener slidably disposed on said draw string that can lockingly engage with the draw string.

Another aspect of the present invention is an adjustable mattress cover, comprising: a sheet portion having a perimeter and a draw string channel; at least one draw string slidably disposed within said draw string channel; whereby said sheet portion can be draped over a mattress and the draw string can extend away from said sheet portion in at least one location via a draw string aperture so that at least one draw string can be pulled to tighten said perimeter under the mattress to secure said sheet portion under the mattress.

Another aspect of the present invention is an adjustable mattress cover, comprising: a sheet having a draw string slidably disposed within said sheet, said sheet having a draw string aperture; a fastener slidably disposed on said draw string that can lockingly engage with the draw string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial top view of one embodiment of the present invention on a mattress;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention on a mattress;

FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention being tightened on a mattress;

FIG. 4 illustrates the present invention snugly fit on a mattress; and

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that has two draw strings or one continuous draw string with two draw string apertures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference Numerals List

• 10 present invention or adjustable bed sheet
• 20 sheet portion or sheet
• 30 draw string
• 40 perimeter or edge
• 50 draw string channel
• 60 pocket
• 70 locking means, cinch loop, or fastener
• 80 mattress
• 90 draw string aperture

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out 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.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives, and similar words. Also, “connected to,” “secured to,” or similar language includes the definitions “indirectly connected to,” “directly connected to,” “indirectly secured to,” and “directly secured to.”

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention 10 disposed over a mattress 80. The present invention 10 may be referred to as an adjustable bed sheet 10. It may have a main sheet portion 20 a perimeter 40, and near the perimeter 40 a draw string channel 50 may be formed to house the draw string 30.

A pocket 60 may be disposed near a draw string aperture 90 to place the draw string 30 so it does not hang down.

The draw string 30 may be disposed within said sheet 20, and may exit the sheet 20 via a draw string aperture 90.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention 10 on a mattress 80. The bottom of the mattress 80 is illustrated. The present invention 10 can be placed on the mattress 80 and then the user can pull the draw string 30 tight, then once it has reached the desired fit over the mattress 80, the user should move the locking means 70 against the mattress, or draw string aperture 90, or against the present invention 10 to keep the adjustable sheet 10 firmly on the mattress 80. The locking means 70 can be slidably disposed on the draw string 30 and be lockingly engaged with the draw string 30.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the locking means 70 can be slidably disposed on the draw string 30 to slide the locking means 70 to tighten the draw string 30 and the adjustable sheet 10 onto the mattress 80. The draw string 30 may be slidably disposed within the draw string channel 50 to tighten under a mattress 80. One such locking means 70 may be a draw string cincher 70. One such cincher 70 would be a plastic cord locks 70 at www.strapworks.com.

FIG. 4 illustrates the locking means 70 locked in place along the draw string 30 immediately adjacent to the mattress 80 after the draw string 30 is pulled tight around the mattress 80 and the locking means 70 positioned immediately adjacent to the mattress 80.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention where there are two draw strings 30 and two draw string apertures 90. Each draw string 30 may extend out from the sheet portion 20 so that it may be pulled to make the adjustable bed sheet 10 tightly fit around the mattress. In the embodiment having two draw strings 30, each may be connected internally to a portion of the draw string channel 50 so the user would pull one draw string 30 to make the present invention tight over one portion of the mattress; and then the user would pull the other draw string 30 to make the present invention tight over the other portion of the mattress.

FIG. 5 also illustrates an embodiment having one continuous draw string 30, but the draw string 30 may extend out from the sheet portion 20 in two separate locations, thus having two draw string apertures 90.

There may be two or more draw strings 30 in other embodiments. There may be two or more draw string apertures 90.

Referring now to the invention 10 in more detail, the invention 10 is directed to a fitted sheet 20 wherein the edge line 40 or perimeter 40 is not elastic, but rather cinched into position under the mattress 80 with a drawstring 30. The sheet 20 is draped over and the drawstring 30 is tightened, which causes the sheet 20 to bunch under the corners without the user having to go to all four corners of the mattress 80.

Any fastener 70, including a conventional ring cinch 70 or cinch loop 70, may be used. The first exemplary embodiment features a cinch loop 70. To use the invention 10, the user unfolds the sheet 20 and drapes it over the mattress 80, allowing the edges 40 or perimeter 40 to drape down around the sides of the mattress 80, and then tightens the drawstring 30 and secures it with the cinch loop 70. The sheet 20 would be made available in all standard sizes, including crib size, twin size, full size, queen size, king size and California king size.

The sheet 20 would be made available in a variety of patterns and colors, individually and as a part of linen sets that include flat sheets 20 and pillowcases. Sheets 20 would also be made available in bulk packages of ten or twenty sheets or sheet portions 20, for discounted purchases by institutions such as hotels, nursing homes, hospitals, children's homes, and children's summer camps. The sheet portion 20 would preferably be manufactured from soft, durable fabrics that are easily cleaned, such as cotton, cotton-rayon blend, or cotton-polyester blend.

The drawstring 30 would preferably be manufactured from a durable, flexible material with substantial tensile strength, such as nylon cord 30. The cinch loop 70 would preferably be manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as high impact plastic, wood, steel, aluminum, or brass. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention 10.

While the foregoing written description of the invention 10 enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention 10 should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention 10.

The invention 10 is directed to a fitted sheet portion 20 wherein the edge line 40 or perimeter 40 is not elastic, but rather cinched into position under the mattress 80 with a draw string 30. The loose sheet portion 20 is draped over and the draw string 30 is tightened, which causes the sheet portion 20 to bunch under the corners without the user having to climb over to all four corners of the mattress 80. Any fastener 70, including a conventional ring cinch 70 or cable ratchet 70, may be used. Any fastener 70 or locking device 70, including a conventional ring cinch 70 or cinch loop 70, may be used.

Additional features and advantages of the invention 10 will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention 10. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention 10.

The present invention 10 is a fitted sheet for your bed which lies over the mattress 80 like a flat sheet but then is cinched tight by a draw string 30 cord sewn within the sheet portion 20 make a fitted bed sheet. Made from machine wash and dry materials, the present invention 10 allows the task of making the bed to be simple and pain free—Not to mention much easier to fold after laundering than the traditional sheets. Great for people who deal with pain such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, consumers wanting to simplify bed-making, hotels who have done away with fitted sheets, and more.

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. An adjustable mattress cover (10), comprising:

a sheet portion (20) having a perimeter (40) and a draw string channel (50);

a draw string (30) slidably disposed within said draw string channel (50); whereby said sheet portion (20) can be draped over a mattress (80) and the draw string (30) can be pulled to tighten said perimeter (40) under the mattress (80) to secure said sheet portion (20) under the mattress (80).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking means (70) slidably disposed on said draw string (30) to retain said draw string (30) taught under the mattress (80).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a pocket (60) disposed on said sheet portion (20) to receive a portion of said draw string (20).

4. An adjustable mattress cover (10), comprising:

a sheet (20) having a draw string (30) slidably disposed within said sheet (20), said sheet (20) having a draw string aperture (90);

a fastener (70) slidably disposed on said draw string (30) that can lockingly engage with the draw string (30).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said sheet (20) is large enough to be secured to a mattress.

6. An adjustable mattress cover (10), comprising:

a sheet portion (20) having a perimeter (40) and a draw string channel (50);

at least one draw string (30) slidably disposed within said draw string channel (50); whereby said sheet portion (20) can be draped over a mattress (80) and the draw string (30) can extend away from said sheet portion (20) in at least one location via a draw string aperture (90) so that at least one draw string can be pulled to tighten said perimeter (40) under the mattress (80) to secure said sheet portion (20) under the mattress (80).

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a locking means (70) slidably disposed on said draw string (30) to retain said draw string (30) taught under the mattress (80).

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a pocket (60) disposed on said sheet portion (20) to receive a portion of said draw string (20).

9. An adjustable mattress cover (10), comprising:

a sheet (20) having a draw string (30) slidably disposed within said sheet (20), said sheet (20) having a draw string aperture (90);

a fastener (70) slidably disposed on said draw string (30) that can lockingly engage with the draw string (30).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said sheet (20) is large enough to be secured to a mattress.