Bed sheet

Abstract

An adjustable bed sheet includes a sheet made of a first material. The sheet spans at least the length and the width of the mattress. A perimeter of the sheet is defined by edges thereof. The bed sheet also includes an elongated strip made of a second material that is more stretchable than the first material. The strip has a first elongated side opposite a second elongated side. The strip is attached, via the first elongated side, to an edge of the sheet such that, when the adjustable bed sheet is applied to the mattress, the strip is positioned, with respect to the mattress, to extend around at least one corner of the mattress from the length side of the mattress to the width side of the mattress. An end flap is attached to and hanging from the second elongated side of the strip.

Claims

1. A bed sheet sized to cover a mattress defined by a dimension that extends in a first direction and a dimension that extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the bed sheet comprising: a first sheet portion sized, with respect to the mattress: to extend in the first direction of the mattress across a surface thereof, and to extend in the second direction of the mattress across the surface thereof to include hanging portions that hang over opposing first and second sides of the mattress, respectively, so as to hang off the mattress in the second direction; a second sheet portion attached to the first sheet portion at an end thereof that extends in the first direction so as to hang over a third side of the mattress, the third side separating the first and second sides, and the second sheet portion having elongated segments that extend wider than the surface of the mattress in the second direction on both of the first and second sides, wherein each elongated segment of the second sheet is attached to an underside of the first sheet portion at the respective first and second opposing sides the mattress, such that the elongated segments extend in the first direction while hanging from the opposing first and second sides of the mattress beneath the respective hanging portions of the first sheet portion, wherein a third sheet portion hangs from an end of the second sheet portion.

2. The bed sheet of claim 1, wherein the second sheet portion includes a material different than the first sheet portion.

3. The bed sheet of claim 2, wherein the material of the second sheet portion includes elastane.

4. The bed sheet of claim 1, wherein the third sheet portion is formed of a same material as the first sheet portion.

5. The bed sheet of claim 1, wherein the second sheet portion includes a slit opening positioned to allow air to escape from under the bed sheet when applied to the mattress.

6. The bed sheet of claim 1, wherein a width of the first sheet portion ranges from 66 inches to 108 inches in width, and a length of the first sheet portion ranges from 96 inches to 102 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art throughout the description. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed sheet covering a mattress according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of the corner of the bed sheet of FIG. 1 when covering a mattress;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bed sheet covering a mattress with a side flap laid down over the side of the mattress according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bed sheet of FIG. 3 covering a mattress with the side flap lifted up revealing the underlying mattress;

(6) FIG. 5 is a partial detailed view of stretchable edging and a slit of a bed sheet according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bed sheet covering a mattress with drawstrings for shortening the bed sheet according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drawstrings of FIG. 6 with the bed sheet in an elongated configuration according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 is a partial detailed view of an elastic corner and stretchable edging of a bed sheet according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bed sheet covering a mattress with drawstrings relaxed and the bed sheet in an elongated configuration according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) Generally disclosed is a bed sheet that allows for adjustable, easy, and efficient application of a bed sheet to a mattress and with a mechanism that allows for movement of the sheet without it coming undone from the mattress. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bed sheet 100. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may be a fitted sheet with stretchable material sewn into the edges 300 and corners 200 of the bed sheet 100. Like a generic fitted sheet, the bed sheet 100 may also feature elastic along the perimeter of the bottom of the bed sheet 100 to fit under the bottom of a mattress. The stretchable edge 300 and corner 200 may be composed of a stretchable material, such as lycra, spandex, elastane, elastic, or other stretch fabric. The stretchable edge 300 and corner 200 allow a user to move around on the bed and pull and tug the material on the top of the mattress without pulling portions of the bed sheet 100 out from under the mattress. That is, the stretchable edges 300 and corners 200 allow the portion of the bed sheet 100 on top of the mattress to move without interfering with the integrity of the sides and corner of the bed sheet that keep it secure on the mattress.

(12) FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of the corner 200 of the bed sheet 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the T or Y shaped formation of the stretchable corners 200 and edges 300 are configured to allow for easy application of the bed sheet 100 on a mattress because when a user puts a sheet on mattress, he or she generally starts by slipping the sheet under one corner of the mattress as an anchor point and applying the remainder of the sheet by pulling and tugging the sheet from the secured corner and tucking in the remainder of the bed sheet 100 under the remaining corners and edges of the mattress.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of one embodiment of the bed sheet 100. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bed sheet 100 is shown as a flat sheet that features side flaps 500 which hang down from the edge of the mattress along the length of the bed sheet 100. In an alternative embodiment, the side flaps 500 may hang down from three sides of the bed sheet 100. Referring to FIG. 4, the bed sheet 100 may be a flat sheet and feature an end flap 510 sewn into the end of the bed sheet 100 so that it wraps around and extends past a portion of the bottom two corners of the mattress. This allows for the end flap 510 to catch onto the end of the mattress and allow the user to easily pull the bed sheet 100 across the remainder of the mattress. That is, this end flap 510 allows for an easier and more efficient application of a flat sheet to a mattress because the end flaps 510 may be placed over the bottom of the mattress and then the bed sheet 100 is pulled in the opposite direction until the end flaps 510 catch against the corners and bottom of the mattress, wherein the bed sheet 100 becomes taut. Once the bed sheet 100 is taut, the side flaps 500 may be tucked in and under the remaining sides of the mattress. In an alternative embodiment, the bed sheet 100 has both ends defined by the end flap 510 and it may be used as a bottom flat sheet that is placed beneath another bed sheet 100 with only one end flap 510.

(14) FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 show the stretchable corner 200. In one embodiment, the stretchable corner 200 anchors the bed sheet 100 through catching and attaching to the edges of a mattress in a hooking fashion. Once anchored around the mattress edge, the bed sheet 100 may be pulled flat along the top length of the mattress covering it entirely.

(15) Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bed sheet 100 may feature a drawstring 400, wherein the drawstring 400 extends along the length of the bed sheet 100. In another embodiment, the drawstring 400 may extend only along a portion of the length of the bed sheet 100, for example, the drawstring 400 may extend along half the length of the bed sheet 100 or along a third of the length of the bed sheet 100. In an embodiment, the drawstring 400 is positioned on the bed sheet 100 wherein it is several inches inside of the edge of the mattress. That is, there is a portion of space between the drawstring 400 and the edge of the bed sheet 100 when it is on the mattress.

(16) Still referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, the stretchable edge 300 only extends along the length of end flap 510.

(17) FIG. 5 is a partial detailed view of the end of one embodiment of the bed sheet 100. Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may feature a slit 600. The slit 600 allows air to escape from the under the bed sheet 100 when applied to a mattress. Frequently, there is an air bubble that is created when a bed sheet 100 is put onto a mattress, so the slit 600 allows for air to escape more quickly and allows a user to push air out of the slit 600. In an alternative embodiment, the slit 600 may be used to access a plug for an air mattress, permitting attachment of an air pump without having to strip the coverings off the mattress.

(18) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drawstring 400 pulled, wherein the length of the sheet is shortened and the material of the bed sheet 100 is gathered. FIG. 7 is a partial detailed view of the drawstring 400. Referring to FIG. 7, the bed sheet 100 features a drawstring cavity 410, wherein the drawstring 400 is sewn into one end and housed. Referring to FIG. 7, there is also shown a tie-off string 420 sewn into the drawstring cavity 410, which allows a user to tie a knot with the drawstring 400 and the tie-off string 420 to secure the drawstring 400 in place and secure the adjusted length of the bed sheet 100 in place. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, in use, if a user wants to shorten the length of the bed sheet 100, the user may grab the tie-off string 420 or a portion of the bed sheet 100 and pull the drawstring 400, which will cause the bed sheet 100 to gather and shorten (see FIG. 6). In one embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may feature just the drawstring cavity 410, drawstring 400, and tie-off string 420. In an alternative embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may only feature the stretchable edge 300, at least one end flap 510, and at least one side flap 500.

(19) FIG. 8 is a partial detailed view of one embodiment of the bed sheet 100 with the stretchable corners 200 and edges 300.

(20) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the end of one embodiment of the bed sheet 100.

(21) In an embodiment, the bed sheet 100 completely encompasses the mattress with the stretchable corners 200 and stretchable edging 300 extending between the panels of the bed sheet 100.

(22) FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 show the bed sheet 100 side flaps 500. In one embodiment, the side flaps 500 may be laid across a mattress edge covering the edge. In another embodiment, the side flaps 500 may be tucked underneath the mattress for a different aesthetic appearance.

(23) In one embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may be 90 inches in width and 87 inches in length. In an alternative embodiment, the bed sheet may be 108 inches in width and 102 inches in length, wherein the end flap may be 14 inches in length. In an alternative embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may be 81 inches in width and 96 inches in length. In another embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may be 66 inches in width and 96 inches in length. In an embodiment, the stretchable edge may be 4 inches in height and is sewn into the edges of the bed sheet 100. In an embodiment, the stretchable corner is 4 inches in width and sewn into the corners of the bed sheet 100.

(24) In an embodiment, the bed sheet 100 may be a fitted sheet, wherein the bottom elastic that wraps under the mattress and secures the bed sheet 100 on a mattress is in a range from one to three and a half inches (1-3). This allows for a more taut fit around the mattress, wherein the bed sheet 100 exhibits less gathering and ruffling around the sides of the mattress. That is, the wider elastic provides a more secure and taut fit.

(25) The bed sheet 100 may facilitate a more efficient process of making a bed and putting a bed sheet on a mattress because of the unique configuration of end flaps 510, side flaps 500, and stretchable edge 300. As a result, the bed sheet 100 may cut the amount of time to make a bed in half. That is, it may take 8-10 minutes to make a bed with traditional sheets, but with a bed sheet 100 as disclosed herein, it may reduce the time to make a bed to 3-4 minutes. In the hospitality industry, this allows hotels to make beds more quickly and more efficiently, thereby, saving time and money.

(26) Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment.

(27) Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term including should be read as meaning including, without limitation or the like, the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms a or an should be read as meaning at least one, one or more, or the like, and adjectives such as conventional, traditional, normal, standard, known and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

(28) The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term assembly does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

(29) All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.