FITTED BED SHEET

Abstract

A fitted bed sheet includes elastic straps for securing the top and bottom edges of the sheet under a mattress.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally to bed linens, and more specifically to fitted coverings for beds such as fitted bed sheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bed linens typically refuse to stay in place while a bed is being used. Multiple attempts have been made over the years in an attempt to prevent bed linens from being dislodged during slumber. One solution to the universal problem, applicable at least to bed linens remaining under the sleeper during use, such as mattress pads and bottom sheets has been to employ “fitted” sheets. Fitted sheets typically employ an elastic material affixed to the outer edge of the sheet. Such sheets are dimensioned so that the edges of the sheets hang over the sides of the mattress and slightly below the bottom of the mattress. The elastic material is sized so that it must be stretched over the corners of the mattress in order to be able to cover the mattress with the fitted sheet. While using fitted sheets can reduce the time required to make a bed, frequently the fitted bottom sheet cannot be easily made taut over the surface of the bed. A flat, taut bottom sheet provides a desirable appearance aiding in adding a top sheet, a blanket, a bed spread, and like subsequent bed coverings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proves a fitted bed sheet comprising a generally rectangular covering portion for extending over a mattress. The covering portion has an upper edge, a right side edge, a lower edge, and a left side edge. The fitted sheet includes an elastic material affixed to the edges of the covering portion, as well as a plurality of elastic straps extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the covering portion. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of elastic straps consists of two elastic straps. In one aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of elastic straps is releasably affixed to at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the covering portion. In another aspect of the invention, the elastic straps are permanently affixed to the covering portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitted sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the fitted sheet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Turning now to the figures in which like elements are identified by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a currently preferred embodiment of a fitted sheet 10 according to the present invention over a mattress 100 (FIG. 3) on a bed 110. The fitted sheet 10 has a generally rectangular configuration and includes a covering 20 formed from a fabric material such as linen, cotton, a cotton/synthetic blend, and the like. The covering 20 may have material removed the corners forming edges which are subsequently sewn together to better fit over a mattress. The covering 20 includes a top edge 22, a right-side edge 24, a bottom edge 26, and a left side edge 28 (FIG. 2). An elastic material or cord 30 is sewn into the edges 22, 24, 26, 28 so that when the fitted sheet 10 is placed over a mattress 100 (FIG. 3) the elastic material 30 pulls the edges 22, 24, 26, 28 towards the center of the bottom of the mattress 100 (FIG. 3). A pair of elastic straps 50 are attached to and extend between the top edge 22 and the bottom edge 26 to help stretch the covering 20 over the mattress 100. The straps 50 may be permanently affixed to the top edge 22 and the bottom edge 26, or the straps 50 may be releasably affixed to either the top edge 22 or the bottom edge 26 such as by buttons inserted on button holes in the covering 20, clips, or the like (not shown).

Various modifications can be made in the details of the various embodiments of the method of the present invention, all within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims

Claims

1. A fitted bed sheet comprising:

a generally rectangular covering portion for extending over a mattress, the covering portion having an upper edge, a right side edge, a lower edge, and a left side edge;

an elastic material affixed to the edges of the covering portion; and

a plurality of elastic straps extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the covering portion.

2. A fitted bed sheet according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of elastic straps consists of two elastic straps.

3. A fitted bed sheet according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of elastic straps is releasably affixed to at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the covering portion.

4. A fitted bed sheet according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of elastic straps are permanently affixed to the covering portion.