FASTENED AND CINCHED FITTED SHEET

Abstract

The fitted sheet fits more easily around a mattress since it is fastened and cinched around the mattress. The fitted sheet includes a sheet with four sides and four corners with a cord fitted along each of the four sides of the sheet such that is can move. The cord is cinched with a tensioning mechanism which to applies tension to the cord. A zipper placed on one corner of the sheet is complete the fit.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application that claims priority to Application No. 62/361,297 entitled “Fastened and Cinched Fitted Sheet” filed on Jul. 12, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to bedding, and more particularly to fitted sheets for a variety of sizes of mattresses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern bed sheets often come in two main varieties: flat and fitted. Flat sheets are simply rectangular pieces of cloth. Fitted sheets are made of multiple cuts of material, usually five, to create a top and four sides. These sides typically have an elastic band around the outermost edge that allows the sheet to slip over and fit tightly around the mattress.

Fitted sheets are used to keep a bottom sheet from moving while someone is using the bed. However, fitted sheets are much less flexible than a flat sheet and can be very hard to put on the mattress.

It is an objective of this disclosure to show a simpler method for installing a sheet on a bed.

It is another objective of this disclosure enable a single person to fit a sheet alone.

It is another objective of this disclosure to provide a fitted sheet with a more clean, crisp, and professionally made appearance.

SUMMARY

The fitted sheet includes a sheet with four sides and four corners with a cord fitted along each of the four sides of the sheet such that is can move. The cord is cinched with a tensioning mechanism which to applies tension to the cord. A zipper placed on one corner of the sheet is complete the fit.

A method of fitting a sheet with four corners to a mattress begins by placing three corners of the sheet on the mattress. The user opens a zipper on the fourth corner. A fourth corner of the sheet is placed over the mattress. Then, a cord is tightened with a cord lock to fit the three corners of the sheet snuggly on the corresponding three corners of the mattress. The cord lock and an amount of slack in the cord is stored under the mattress.

A method of removing a sheet with four corners from a matress begins by unzipping a corner of the sheet open. The user continues by removing a cord lock and an amount of slack in a cord from under the mattress and loosening the cord with the cord lock to free the three corners of the sheet from the corresponding three corners of the mattress. The user completes the removal by rezipping a zipper on the fourth corner and removing the remaining three corners of the sheet on the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fitted sheet according to this disclosure in use on a bed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective detail view of a corner of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1 in a closed and fitted position.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a corner of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1 in an open and loose position.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a lock as part of the cinching mechanism.

FIG. 4 is flowchart of the process of fastening the sheet.

FIG. 5 is flowchart of the process of removing the sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Described herein is a technology for, among other things, providing a simple means for fitting a sheet onto a mattress using a combination fastening and cinching mechanism. In one example of the present disclosure, a fitted sheet 10 has a cinching mechanism 12 around all its outer edges 14 and a zipper 16 placed in one corner 18. In use, the sheet is placed normally on three corners of a mattress, saving the zippered corner to be placed last. The zippered corner is fastened and then the cinching mechanism is used to tighten the fit of the sheet onto the mattress.

Larger mattresses, such as king and queen size in the United States, are especially hard to make. One person can find difficulty fitting a sheet to the mattress, especially if any mattress toppers are added. Usually, a large bed will take at least two people to fit the sheet over. This disclosure simplifies the process by making that final corner very easy to attach.

FIG. 1 shows the fitted sheet 10 according to this disclosure in use. As shown, sheet 10 is already tightened on a bed 20. The sheet 10 is made of a commonly available material such as cotton, polyester, or other natural or synthetic blends. One corner 18 is placed in an easily accessible location as shown in FIG. 1. In the perspective view shown, all the edges 14 of the fitted sheet 10 are tucked under the sides of the mattress. In some examples of sheet 10, the edges 14 are fitted with elastic to fit tightly to the mattress. Where a seam would normally be on the corner 18, there is a zipper 16. Zipper 16 serves to identify which corner of the mattress this end of the sheet is to be located.

FIG. 2A is a perspective detail view of a corner of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1 in a closed and fitted position. The zipper 16 is still fastened in a closed position. In this detailed view, a cinching mechanism 22 is shown including a long cord 24. Cinching mechanism 22 is understood to be any mechanism that can tighten the edges 14 of fitted sheet 10 including elastic materials and drawstrings with a barrel lock.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a corner of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1 in an open and loose position. In the example shown in this view, the two mating sides of the zipper 16 can be seen. Further, the continuous nature of the cord 24 within cinching mechanism 22 in the example depicted is shown. Because the corner 18 can open, it is simple to fit this last corner of the fitted sheet 10 onto the mattress.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a cord lock 26 that makes up part of the cinching mechanism 22. The cord lock 26 can also be known as a barrel lock. The example cord lock 26 shown in FIG. 3 is spring loaded with a 5 mm through single hole for fitting of the long cord 24. The cord lock 26 is usually plastic. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the cord lock 26 could be made of a variety of materials including resins, plastics, wood, or metal depending on the cosmetic or durability needed by the end user.

To use the fitted sheet 10, as detailed in FIG. 4, according to this disclosure, the zipper is opened (block 41) and the cord is loosened in order to make the final corner 18 easier to put on the bed 20. Then, the conventional corners of the sheet are placed on the bed 20. The final corner 18 is placed onto the bed 20 (block 42). The cinching mechanism 22 is tightened (block 43). The excess material is stored under the bed (block 44) and then the zipper 16 is fastened (block 45).

To remove the fitted sheet 10, as detailed in FIG. 5, from the mattress, the user unzips a corner of the sheet open (block 51). The cord lock and an amount of slack is removed from under the mattress (block 52). The cord is loosened with the cord lock to free the three corners of the sheet from the corresponding three corners of the mattress (block 53). The zipper is optionally rezipped on the fourth corner (block 54). The user can then remove the remaining three corners of the sheet on the mattress (block 55).

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited hereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalent.

Claims

1. The fitted sheet for a mattress comprising:

a sheet with four sides and four corners;

a cord fitted movably along each of the four sides of the sheet; and

a tensioning mechanism adapted to apply tension to the cord; and

a zipper placed on one corner of the sheet.

2. The fitted sheet of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism to secure and restrain the movability of the cord.

3. The fitted sheet of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is a cord lock.

4. The fitted sheet of claim 1 further comprising an elastic edging fitted around all four sides of the sheet.

5. The fitted sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a king sized mattress.

6. The fitted sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a queen sized mattress.

7. The fitted sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a twin sized mattress.

8. A method of fitting a sheet with four corners to a mattress:

placing three corners of the sheet on the mattress;

opening a zipper on the fourth corner;

placing a fourth corner of the sheet over the mattress;

tightening a cord with a cord lock to fit the three corners of the sheet snuggly on the corresponding three corners of the mattress;

storing the cord lock and an amount of slack in the cord under the mattress; and

zipping the sheet closed.

9. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism to secure and restrain the movability of the cord

10. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is a cord lock.

11. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 further comprising an elastic edging fitted around all four sides of the sheet.

12. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a king sized mattress.

13. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a queen sized mattress.

14. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a twin sized mattress.

15. A method of removing a sheet with four corners to a mattress:

unzipping a corner of the sheet open;

removing a cord lock and an amount of slack in a cord from under the mattress;

loosening the cord with the cord lock to free the three corners of the sheet from the corresponding three corners of the mattress;

rezipping a zipper on the fourth corner; and

removing the remaining three corners of the sheet on the mattress.

16. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism to secure and restrain the movability of the cord

17. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism is a cord lock.

18. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 further comprising an elastic edging fitted around all four sides of the sheet.

19. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a king sized mattress.

20. The method of fitting a sheet of claim 1 wherein the sheet is adapted to fit to a queen sized mattress.