SHEET SECURING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A system and method to securely fasten a cover sheet to a fitted sheet that is fitted over a mattress. The system can include a button receptacle connected to and extending along the bottom end of the cover sheet and a button fastener connected to the cover sheet that engages with the button receptacle to securely align the cover sheet with the fitted sheet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

1. Field of the Invention

The present inventive concept relates to a system and method to firmly secure a sheet with respect to a bed mattress. More particularly, the present inventive concept relates to system and method to fasten a cover sheet to a fitted sheet that is firmly placed on a bed mattress.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1A illustrates a bed that is generally dressed with at least a fitted sheet 101 and a cover sheet 102 prior to applying a blanket (not illustrated) to keep an individual warm during rest or sleep on the mattress (not illustrated-covered by and has the same shape as the fitted sheet). Fitted sheets 101 generally have an elastic material (not illustrated) surrounding an outer circumference thereof to draw corners and sides of the fitted sheet 101 around the mattress so that the fitted sheet 101 will remain over the mattress. The cover sheet 102 is generally placed over the fitted sheet 101. In order to attempt to keep the cover sheet 102 aligned over the fitted sheet 101 while an individual sleeps under the cover sheet 102, the bottom 102a of the cover sheet 102 is required to be tucked under the mattress, where the weight of the mattress is relied on to hold the cover sheet 102 in place. Since the cover sheet 102 is easily pulled out from the tucked position, the sides 102b of the cover sheet 102 are also generally tucked under the mattress in a “military style” form (sides folded over the bottom portion) so that the lower end of the sides of the cover sheet fold over the bottom end of the cover sheet. Both the sides and the bottom of the cover sheet are tucked under the mattress in an attempt to maintain the cover sheet 102 over the fitted sheet 101 and the mattress while an individual sleeps.

FIG. 1B illustrates the sides 102b of a cover sheet 102 being tucked under the fitted sheet 101 and mattress after the bottom 102a of the cover sheet 102 is tucked under the fitted sheet 101 and mattress.

However, children in general, as well as a fairly high percentage of adults toss and turn during rest and sleep under the cover sheet 102, resulting in the cover sheet 102 being pulled out from the tucked position, exposing an individual's feet, and sometimes completely removing the cover sheet from resting over an individual during rest and sleep.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method to secure a cover sheet in a position aligned with a fitted sheet and a mattress so that an individual will continue to be fully covered by the cover sheet while resting and sleeping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

The present general inventive concept provides an apparatus and method to firmly support placement of a sheet with respect to a bed mattress.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a sheet fastening system, comprising: a first sheet having a bottom end, a top end and two opposing sides, the first sheet including: an elastic material formed around an entire circumference thereof; and a plurality of button receptacles connected to and extending along a bottom end of the first sheet, each button receptacle including: two side portions extending lengthwise in parallel and having a first side connected to the first sheet; a top portion extending between second sides of the two side portions to form a hollow interior with the two side portions and the first sheet; one open end; and a groove formed through the top portion exposing the hollow interior from the open end to a closed end opposite the open end; and a second sheet having a bottom end, a top end and two opposing sides, the second sheet including: a plurality of button fasteners extending along a bottom end of the second sheet, each button fastener including: a first side connected to the second sheet; and a button integrally extending from a second side opposite the first side, the buttons being configured to fit into a respective hollow interior of a button receptacle through the open end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the button receptacles and button fasteners are formed of a hard flexible material.

In another exemplary embodiment, the buttons have a diameter smaller than the button receptacle interior portion and larger than the button receptacle groove.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the button fasteners may include a groove formed between the second side thereof and the button, the groove having a diameter smaller than the grooves formed in the button receptacles such that the button slides through the interior portion of a respective button receptacle while the second side slides along the top portion of the respective button receptacle

In still another exemplary embodiment, the button receptacles are connected to the first sheet by threading through holes extending through the first sides of the two side portions thereof.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the button fasteners may be connected to the second sheet by threading through holes extending through the circumference thereof.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the bottom end of the second sheet is shorter in width than the remaining width of the second sheet such that when the button receptacles and button fasteners are engaged, the remaining width of the second sheet aligns with the bottom front surface of the mattress.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a sheet fastening system, comprising: a button receptacle including: a u-shaped member forming an open end and a closed end and including: a first lengthwise part having a plurality of holes extending therethrough and forming a first u-shaped groove, a second lengthwise part bent at an angle substantially perpendicular to the first lengthwise part, and a third lengthwise part extending at an angle substantially perpendicular to the second lengthwise part such that the third lengthwise part forms a second u-shaped groove that is more narrow than and in parallel with the first u-shaped groove; and a button fastener including: a flat body including a plurality of holes extending along a circumference thereof; and a button integrally extending from a first side of the body, the button being configured to slide through the open end and between parallel sides of the second lengthwise part of the button receptacle while the body slides along an external side of the third lengthwise part of the button receptacle such that the button fastener is fastened to the a button receptacle while the button is forced against the closed end of the button receptacle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the button receptacle and the button fastener are formed of a hard rubber or polypropylene.

In another exemplary embodiment, the holes formed in the button receptacle and the button fastener are configured to receive thread to be threaded to a sheet or other cloth material.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method of fastening sheets together, the method comprising: sewing one side of one or more first u-shaped members having an opening at one end to a bottom end of a first sheet such that a second side of the u-shaped member forms a groove more narrow than a groove formed by the first side of the u-shaped member and the second side of the u-shaped member forms a hollow channel with the first sheet; and sewing one side of one or more second flat u-shaped members to a bottom end of a second sheet while a second side thereof includes a button extending therefrom at the u-shaped end such that the button inserts through the opening and channel of the first u-shaped member and becomes secured in the channel at a closed u-shaped end of the first u-shaped member while the second u-shaped member remains outside the channel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise: sewing a plurality of the first u-shaped members to the bottom end of a fitted sheet along a length thereof such that the respective openings face a top end of a mattress when the bottom end of the fitted sheet is tucked under the bottom end of a mattress which the fitted sheet is designed to fit; and sewing a plurality of the flat second u-shaped members to the bottom end of a cover sheet such that when the buttons are inserted into the channels the u-shaped ends of the second u-shaped members face in opposite directions with respect to the first u-shaped members.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise: forming a groove circumferentially between the buttons and respective second sides of the flat u-shaped members, the grooves between the buttons and respective second sides of the flat u-shaped members having diameters of substantially the same length as the wide of the respective grooves formed in the second side of the u-shaped members such that the grooves frictionally slide along respective grooves formed in the second side of the u-shaped members while the buttons remain in a respective channel.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the width of the remaining portion of the cover sheet is formed such that sides thereof extend past the sides and thickness of the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A illustrates to top view of a conventional cover sheet disposed over a fitted sheet for sleeping purposes.

FIG. 1B illustrates a plane view of a conventional cover sheet disposed over a fitted sheet for sleeping purposes.

FIG. 2A illustrates a plan view of a fitted sheet and integrated button receptacles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of a fitted sheet and an integrated button receptacle according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates an underside view of a cover sheet and integrated button fasteners according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a cover sheet and an integrated button fastener according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 illustrates sheet fastening system including button receptacles and button fasteners according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept while referring to the figures. Also, while describing the present general inventive concept, detailed descriptions about related well-known functions or configurations that may diminish the clarity of the points of the present general inventive concept are omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used herein should be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have different meanings according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, case precedents, or the appearance of new technologies. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the invention. Thus, the terms used herein have to be defined based on the meaning of the terms together with the description throughout the specification.

Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part can further include other elements, not excluding the other elements. In the following description, terms such as “unit” and “module” indicate a unit to process at least one function or operation, wherein the unit and the block may be embodied as hardware or software or embodied by combining hardware and software.

Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept are directed to an apparatus and method to firmly support placement of a sheet with respect to a bed mattress. It is well known that a fitted sheet is often used to cover a bed mattress while providing a soft surface on top of a bed mattress in which to lie. Fitted sheets are generally designed with the outer circumference including an elastic material threaded therein so that when corners of the fitted-sheet are tucked under corners of the bed mattress the elastic material flexes back to engage the corners thereof with respective corners of the bed mattress. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional fitted-sheet with corners tucked under and firmly fitted to a bed mattress.

Although the fitted sheet generally remains in place with respect to the mattress, and the corners of the fitted sheet generally remain elastically wrapped around the corners of the mattress, a cover sheet is also used in bedding to lie on top of the fitted-sheet such that when a person lies on the bed to sleep or rest, the person lies between the fitted-sheet and the cover sheet. The cover-sheet provides a soft barrier between the person and a blanket used to cover the person while sleeping to keep the body temperature from dropping while resting or sleeping. Both the fitted sheet and cover sheet keep the mattress and blanket from becoming soiled, respectively, and can be removed easily and replaced with a clean set of fitted sheets and cover sheets.

The cover sheet is generally kept in place by tucking the bottom of the cover sheet under a bottom portion of the mattress, and then tucking the sides of the cover sheet under the sides of the mattress to form a pocket in which the person can slide into for purposes of resting or sleeping in a warm environment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a customized fitted sheet 200 including a plurality of button receptacles 202 fixed thereto, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. As illustrated, the fitted sheet 200 including the button receptacles 202 can be fitted over a corresponding sized mattress 210. The button receptacles 202 are fixed to one side of the fitted-sheet 200 which faces away from the mattress 210 when the fitted sheet is properly fitted to the mattress 210. The button receptacles 202 can be formed of a flexible material such as a hard rubber or polypropylene. However, the button receptacles 202 can be formed of any sturdy material that performs the intended purposes of the inventive concept as described herein.

Similar to a conventional fitted-sheet, the customized fitted sheet 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an elastic material 204 sewn along the outer perimeter of the entire fitted sheet 200. The elastic material 204 is generally shorter in circumference than the circumference of the fitted sheet 200, as well as being shorter in circumference than the circumference of the mattress 210 that the fitted sheet 200 is designed to be used with. As a result, when the elastic material 204 is stretched outward and wrapped around the mattress 210 (at the corners), the elastic material 204 flexes back toward its original position to pull the fitted sheet 200 tight around the top, sides and corners of the mattress 210, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Moreover, after four corners 206a, 206b, 206c and 206d of the fitted sheet 200 are fitted over respective corners of the mattress 210, the bottom of the fitted sheet 200 including the button receptacles 202 fixed thereto will tuck under respective corners of the mattress 210 and remain in this tucked position as a result of the elastic material 204 flexing back inward and maintaining a force that pulls the fitted sheet 200 around the mattress 210.

The button receptacles 202 are formed in a U-shape having one open end and each button receptacle 202 can include a base portion 202a and a top portion 202b integrally formed together such that the top portion 202b extends upward above the base 202a. The top portion 202b also includes a bent inward part 202b1 disposed opposite a side which is formed integral with the base portion 202a. The bent inward part 202b1 bends inward at an angle substantially 90 degrees from the top portion 202b to form a channel 202c along inner walls of the top portion 202b. The top portion 202b and bent inward part 202b1 are formed such that such that a button shaped member can slide through the open end of the button receptacle 202 and remain contained within the channel 202c.

The base portion 202a can include a plurality of holes 202c extending therethrough. The holes 202c are provided to receive thread or other material that is used to fix the button receptacles to the fitted sheet 200. However, the base portion 202a can be fixed to a fitted sheet or other fabric according to any alternative means that will position the button receptacles 202 with respect to fitted sheet to perform the intended purposes of the present inventive concept as described herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the base portion 202a can be formed in a U-shape with an open end and the U-shaped closed end. The top portion 202b can be bent perpendicular from the base portion 202a and extend away from the base portion 202a by a predetermined length before bending inward at an angle substantially perpendicular to form the bent inward part 202b1. The bent inward part 202b1 forms a groove G2 that is substantially parallel with and more narrow than a groove G1 formed by the U-shaped base portion 202a.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the fitted sheet 200 with one of the button receptacles 202 fixed thereto. Preferably the button receptacles 202 are fixed to the fitted sheet 200 by threads sewn through the holes 202c and the fitted sheet 200. However, alternative means of fixing the button receptacles 202 to the fitted sheet 200 can be implemented which will performed the intended purposes of fixing the button receptacles 202 to the fitted sheet 200.

FIG. 3A illustrates an underside of a customized cover sheet 300 including a plurality of button fasteners 302 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The customized cover sheet 300 can be varied in length and width according to the length and width of a mattress in which the cover sheet 300 rests on a front surface thereof. A bottom of a cover sheet 300 is generally tucked under the bottom back surface of a mattress after a fitted sheet is fitted to the mattress. As described supra, after the bottom of a conventional cover sheet is tucked under the bottom back surface of a mattress, the sides of the conventional cover sheet are generally tucked under respective sides of the mattress to help keep the cover sheet in position with respect to the mattress when an individual sleeps under the cover sheet.

Unlike a conventional cover sheet, which is generally rectangular in shape, or square in shape if designed for a king size mattress, cover sheet 300 according to an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, can be shorter in width along a predetermined length at the bottom portion thereof than the width of the remaining portion of the cover sheet 300. The bottom portion of the cover sheet 300 having a shorter width is preferably a length equal to a depth of the mattress in which the cover sheet 300 is intended for plus an amount required to be tucked under the mattress. By this design, as illustrated, the cover sheet 300 can be manufactured such that two bottom corners 306a and 306b thereof are not formed in the cover sheet 300. Accordingly, where a conventional cover sheet generally requires both the bottom portion thereof and the sides thereof to be tucked under the mattress to form a military-style tuck in order to keep the conventional cover sheet from being pulled to one side or the other, and from pulling the bottom portion of the conventional cover sheet out from under the mattress, the cover sheet 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept does not require tucking the sides under the mattress to stay in position. In contrast, the button fasteners 302 engage with respective ones of the button receptacles 202 to keep the cover sheet 302 in place with respect to the mattress 210.

As illustrated, the button fasteners 302 can include a base portion 302a that is formed in a U-shape and a button portion 302b integrally formed at one side of and at the U-shaped end of the base portion 302a. The button portion 302b extends outward from the base portion 302a such that the button portion 302b can slide through the open end of a respective button receptacle 202 and will be retained within the top portion 202b of button receptacle 202 after being stopped at the closed U-shape end of the button receptacle 202. The base portion 302a can include a plurality of holes 302c extending therethrough around the circumference thereof. The holes 302c are provided to receive threading or other material that is provided to fix the button fasteners 302 to the cover sheet 300. Then button fasteners 302 can be formed of a flexible material such as a hard rubber or polypropylene. However, the button fasteners 302 can be formed of any sturdy material that performs the intended purposes of the inventive concept as described herein.

The button fasteners 302 can be fixed to the cover sheet 300 by threads sewn through the holes 302c of the fasteners 302 and through the threads of the fitted sheet 300. However, alternative means of fixing the button fasteners 302 to the cover sheet 300 can be implemented which will perform the intended purposes of fixing the button fasteners 302 to the cover sheet 300.

While the button portion 302b is smaller in diameter than the channel 202c formed by the inner walls of the top portion 202b of the button receptacle 202, the button portion 302b is larger in diameter than the groove G2 formed by the bent inward part 202b1 of the top portion 202b of the button receptacle 202.

A groove 302d can also be formed between the button portion 302b and the base portion 302a so that the button portion 302b can be inserted into the channel 202c of the button receptacle 202. The groove 302d is smaller in diameter than the groove G2 formed by the top portion 202b of the button receptacle 202 such that the groove 302d can slide along the sides of the groove G2 while the button portion 302b remains inside the channel 202c.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A at circle A, the U-shaped end of the button receptacles 202 are disposed opposite the U-shaped end of the respective button fasteners 302 as the fitted sheet and cover sheet are aligned with one another. The button receptacles 202 are shown here as being in an inverted position to correspond with the button fasteners 302, which are connected to the underside of the cover sheet 300. With this configuration, after the cover sheet 300 is placed over the fitted sheet 200 and each button portion 302b is inserted into a respective channel 202c of a button receptacle 202, the cover sheet 302 will remain stationary with respect to the fitted sheet 200 and mattress 210 even when the cover sheet 300 is pulled from a top portion or side portions thereof. As a result, the entire cover sheet 300 will remain stationary over the mattress 210, thus rendering bottom corners of the cover sheet 300 unnecessary.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the cover sheet 300 with one of the button receptacle fasteners 302 fixed thereto. Preferably the button fasteners 302 are fixed to the cover sheet 300 by threads sewn through the holes 302c and the cover sheet 300. However, alternative means of fixing the button fasteners 302 to the cover sheet 300 can be implemented which will performed the intended purposes of fixing the button fasteners 302 to the cover sheet 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of a mattress 210 with a fitted sheet 200 according to an exemplary embodiment fit over the mattress 210. In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates a cover sheet 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, resting over the fitted sheet 200 and mattress 210. Also illustrated is the fitted sheet 200 including a plurality of button receptacles 202 fixed at the bottom of the fitted sheet 200, and the cover sheet 300 including a plurality of button fasteners 302 fixed at the bottom of the cover sheet 300. After each of the button portions 302b of each button fastener 302 are inserted into respective openings in the U-shaped button receptacle 202 and into the channels 202c, the cover sheet 300 will remain aligned with the fitted sheet 200. The sides of the cover sheet 300 can be left to freely hang over the sides of the mattress 210 without being tucked under the mattress 210.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sheet fastening system, comprising:

a first sheet having a bottom end, a top end and two opposing sides, the first sheet including: an elastic material formed around an entire circumference thereof; and a plurality of button receptacles connected to and extending along a bottom end of the first sheet, each button receptacle including: two side portions extending lengthwise in parallel and having a first side connected to the first sheet; a top portion extending between second sides of the two side portions to form a hollow interior with the two side portions and the first sheet; one open end; and a groove formed through the top portion exposing the hollow interior from the open end to a closed end opposite the open end; and

a second sheet having a bottom end, a top end and two opposing sides, the second sheet including: a plurality of button fasteners extending along a bottom end of the second sheet, each button fastener including: a first side connected to the second sheet; and a button integrally extending from a second side opposite the first side, the buttons being configured to fit into a respective hollow interior of a button receptacle through the open end.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the button receptacles and button fasteners are formed of a hard flexible material.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the button receptacles and button fasteners are formed of polypropylene.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the buttons have a diameter smaller than the button receptacle interior portion and larger than the button receptacle groove.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the button fasteners include a groove formed between the second side thereof and the button, the groove having a diameter smaller than the grooves formed in the button receptacles such that the button slides through the interior portion of a respective button receptacle while the second side slides along the top portion of the respective button receptacle.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the button receptacles are connected to the first sheet by threading through holes extending through the first sides of the two side portions thereof.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the button fasterners are connected to the second sheet by threading through holes extending through the circumference thereof.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the second sheet is shorter in width than the remaining width of the second sheet such that when the button receptacles and button fasteners are engaged, the remaining width of the second sheet aligns with the bottom front surface of the mattress.

9. A sheet fastening system, comprising:

a button receptacle including: a u-shaped member forming an open end and a closed end and including: a first lengthwise part having a plurality of holes extending therethrough and forming a first u-shaped groove, a second lengthwise part bent at an angle substantially perpendicular to the first lengthwise part, and a third lengthwise part extending at an angle substantially perpendicular to the second lengthwise part such that the third lengthwise part forms a second u-shaped groove that is more narrow than and in parallel with the first u-shaped groove; and

a button fastener including: a flat body including a plurality of holes extending along a circumference thereof; and a button integrally extending from a first side of the body, the button being configured to slide through the open end and between parallel sides of the second lengthwise part of the button receptacle while the body slides along an external side of the third lengthwise part of the button receptacle such that the button fastener is fastened to the a button receptacle while the button is forced against the closed end of the button receptacle.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the button receptacle and the button fastener are formed of a hard rubber or polypropylene.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the holes formed in the button receptacle and the button fastener are configured to receive thread to be threaded to a sheet or other cloth material.

12. A method of fastening sheets together, the method comprising:

sewing one side of one or more first u-shaped members having an opening at one end to a bottom end of a first sheet such that a second side of the u-shaped member forms a groove more narrow than a groove formed by the first side of the u-shaped member and the second side of the u-shaped member forms a hollow channel with the first sheet; and

sewing one side of one or more second flat u-shaped members to a bottom end of a second sheet while a second side thereof includes a button extending therefrom at the u-shaped end such that the button inserts through the opening and channel of the first u-shaped member and becomes secured in the channel at a closed u-shaped end of the first u-shaped member while the second u-shaped member remains outside the channel.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

sewing a plurality of the first u-shaped members to the bottom end of a fitted sheet along a length thereof such that the respective openings face a top end of a mattress when the bottom end of the fitted sheet is tucked under the bottom end of a mattress which the fitted sheet is designed to fit; and

sewing a plurality of the flat second u-shaped members to the bottom end of a cover sheet such that when the buttons are inserted into the channels the u-shaped ends of the second u-shaped members face in opposite directions with respect to the first u-shaped members.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

forming a groove circumferentially between the buttons and respective second sides of the flat u-shaped members, the grooves between the buttons and respective second sides of the flat u-shaped members having diameters of substantially the same length as the wide of the respective grooves formed in the second side of the u-shaped members such that the grooves frictionally slide along respective grooves formed in the second side of the u-shaped members while the buttons remain in a respective channel.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

forming a portion of the bottom of the cover sheet, having a length equal to or greater than a thickness of the mattress which the fitted sheet is designed to fit, to have a width equal to a width of the mattress and less than a width of the remaining portion of the cover sheet such that when the first and second u-shaped members are engaged with each other under the mattress, the remaining portion of the cover sheet aligns with a bottom front surface of the mattress.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the width of the remaining portion of the cover sheet is formed such that sides thereof extend past the sides and thickness of the mattress.