SEWN FITTED SHEET POCKET APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

The present invention provides a sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus and method. The sewn fitted sheet pocket of the present invention prevents a user from turning over in their sleep; and comprises a fitted sheet, a sewn-on pocket sheet that forms a pocket with the fitted sheet, an attachment element for adjusting the fit of the pocket opening, and straps on the underside of the fitted sheet. The formed pocket is capable of fitting and securing a user, whether infant, child, or adult, in a manner for preventing him or her from turning over in his or her sleep while still ensuring at least adequate comfort. The fitted sheet with pocket sewn on is capable of being made to fit and apply to the dimensions of a crib, child bed, adult bed, or any other size and style of bed and secure thereto by a strap system across the fitted sheet mattress opening.

Claims

1. A sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus for stabilizing sleep movement, the sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus comprising: (i) a sewn fitted sheet for a mattress, having, in use, an exposed face, an inner face, and a mattress opening; (ii) a pocket sheet sewn onto the outer face of said sewn fitted sheet, defining a pocket adapted to fit a user; and (iii) at least one strap across the mattress opening of said sewn fitted sheet.

2. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of attachment points at the entrance of said pocket, adapted to adjust the fit of said pocket.

3. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of buttons on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding button slits in said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

4. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of sew-on snaps sewn on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding button slits in said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket and a pair of corresponding sew-on snap receivers sewn on said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

5. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of hook-and-loop straps on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding hook-and-loop strap receivers sewn on said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

6. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of elastic bands sewn on said sewn pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

7. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pocket is large enough for two users when said sewn fitted sheet is for a mattress capable of supporting two users.

8. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pocket is sized to fit at least one infant when said sewn fitted sheet is for a crib mattress.

9. The sewn fitted sheet pocket apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second sheet sewn into said pocket as a lining.

10. A sewn fitted sheet pocket method for stabilizing sleep movement comprising: (i) providing a sewn fitted sheet pocket comprising: (a) a sewn fitted sheet for a mattress, having, in use, an exposed face, an inner face, and a mattress opening; (b) a pocket sheet sewn onto the outer face of said sewn fitted sheet, defining a pocket adapted to fit a user; and (c) at least one strap across the mattress opening of said sewn fitted sheet; (ii) placing and strapping said sewn fitted sheet pocket onto a mattress with said pocket being on the exposed side of said sewn fitted sheet; and (iii) placing a user into said pocket so that the user is placed lying on the back with said pocket covering user to a point between the waist and armpit portion, inclusively, of the user.

11. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a pair of attachment points at the entrance of said pocket, adapted to adjust the fit of said pocket.

12. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a pair of buttons on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding button slits in said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

13. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a pair of sew-on snaps sewn on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding button slits in said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket and a pair of corresponding sew-on snap receivers sewn on said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

14. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a pair of hook-and-loop straps on said sewn fitted sheet and a pair of corresponding hook-and-loop strap receivers sewn on said pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

15. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a pair of elastic bands sewn on said sewn pocket sheet at the entrance of said pocket.

16. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, wherein said pocket is large enough for two users when said sewn fitted sheet is for a mattress capable of supporting two users.

17. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, wherein said pocket is sized to fit at least one infant when said sewn fitted sheet is for a crib mattress.

18. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where said sewn fitted sheet pocket further comprises a second sheet sewn into said pocket as a lining.

19. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where the user inserted is an infant.

20. The sewn fitted sheet pocket method of claim 10, where the user inserted is an adult.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being buttons as used on a crib mattress;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being sew-on snaps as used on a crib mattress;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being hook-and-loop fasteners as used on a crib mattress;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being an elastic band as used on a crib mattress;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket showing the straps across the fitted sheet mattress opening as used on a crib mattress;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being buttons as used on an adult-sized mattress;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being sew-on snaps as used on adult-sized mattress;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being hook-and-loop fasteners as used on an adult sized mattress;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket with attachment means being an elastic band as used on an adult-sized mattress; and

[0036] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the sewn fitted sheet pocket showing the straps across the fitted sheet mattress opening as used on an adult-sized mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, generally, the figures depict a perspective view of the version of the sewn fitted sheet pocket 100 of the present invention fitted onto a child's bed. The sewn fitted sheet pocket for a child's bed 100 of the present invention comprises a fitted sheet 110, a sewn-on pocket sheet 120 that forms a pocket 122 with the fitted sheet 110, an attachment element 130 for adjusting the fit of the pocket opening 124 such as buttons 132, sew-on snaps 134, hook-and-loop strips 136, an elastic strap 138, or other attachment means, and straps 112 on the underside of the fitted sheet 110.

[0038] The fitted sheet 110 is of any such size and style to fit a crib mattress 140. The fitted sheet 110 itself may thus be the typical fitted sheet used for a crib mattress. As shown in FIG. 5, the fitted sheet 110 further includes at least one strap 112 placed across the mattress opening of fitted sheet 110 so that when the fitted sheet 110 is on the crib mattress 140, the strap 112 with buckle 114 prevents the fitted sheet 110 from untucking and falling off the crib mattress 140. Straps 112 are operationally attached so that in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the straps 112 may be across the underside girth of the child mattress 140 as shown in FIG. 5; but in an alternate version of the invention, the straps 112 may be placed across the corners of the child mattress 140 from the tucked side of the fitted sheet 110 to the adjacent side of the fitted sheet 110. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap 112 includes a buckle 114 to allow for both easy securing and removal of the fitted sheet 110. The buckle 114 may be placed in the center of the strap 112, as shown in FIG. 5, for the child mattress 140 is small and easy to get under. However, the buckle 114 may be placed anywhere along the straps 112.

[0039] Sewn or otherwise similarly attached by needle and thread to the fitted sheet 110 is a pocket sheet 120. The pocket sheet 120 may be a similar or differing fabric material or style from fitted sheet 110. The pocket sheet 120 is a sheet sewn onto the fitted sheet 110 thereby forming a pocket 122 on the exposed side of the fitted sheet 110 when the fitted sheet is correctly on the child mattress 140. The exposed side of the fitted sheet 110 is the side of the sheet designed to be exposed when the fitted sheet 110 is correctly placed on the crib mattress 140. The pocket 122 is formed by sewing the pocket sheet 120 so that the pocket opening 124 faces the head 142 of the crib mattress 140 and lays across the girth of the crib mattress 140, in the area one third to two-thirds of the crib mattress 140 up from the end of the crib mattress 140. This configuration is to allow the user of the sewn fitted sheet pocket 100 to be inserted into pocket 122 so that they are covered up to or between their armpit or waist area.

[0040] The pocket sheet is sewn into the portion of the fitted sheet 110 that rests on the top portion of crib mattress 140 when the fitted sheet is correctly placed on crib mattress 140 so that the edges of the pocket align with the side edges of crib mattress 140 and the lower end edges of the pocket align with the lower end edges of crib mattress 140, thus forming a quadrilateral encompassing the lower one-third to two-thirds of the portion of the fitted sheet 110 that lays over the sleeping portion of the crib mattress 140. In circular crib mattresses, the shape of the pocket 122 would be a half-circle encompassing the same portions of the circular crib mattress. In an irregular or otherwise shaped mattress, the shape of the pocket 122 would alter, but the proportions would generally remain unchanged.

[0041] The pocket 122 may include buttons 132 as shown in FIG. 1, sew-on snaps 134 as shown in FIG. 2, hook-and-loop strips 136 as shown in FIG. 3, an elastic strap 138 as shown in FIG. 4, or other elastic or attachment means, directly adjacent to the opening of the pocket 124 on the pocket sheet 122 and the fitted sheet 110 and are able to adjust the fit of the pocket opening 124 to the user. The attachment means allow the pocket opening 124 to be adjustable in tightness and size to accommodate easier entry as well as varying thicknesses of users.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, generally, the figures depict a perspective view of the version of the sewn fitted sheet pocket 200 of the present invention fitted on an adult size mattress 240. The sewn fitted sheet pocket for an adult's bed 200 of the present invention comprises a fitted sheet 210, a sewn-on pocket sheet 220 that forms a pocket 222 with the fitted sheet 210, an attachment element 230 for adjusting the fit of the pocket opening 224, such as buttons 232, sew-on snaps 234, hook-and-loop strips 236, an elastic strap 238, or other attachment means, and straps 212 on the underside of the fitted sheet 210.

[0043] The fitted sheet 210 is of any such size and style to fit an adult mattress 240. The fitted sheet 210 itself may thus be the typical fitted sheet used for an adult mattress. As shown in FIG. 10, the fitted sheet 210 further includes at least one strap 212 placed across the mattress opening of fitted sheet 210 so that when the fitted sheet 210 is on the adult mattress 240, the strap 212 with buckle 214 prevents the fitted sheet 210 from untucking and falling off the adult mattress 240. Straps 212 are operationally attached so that in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the straps 212 may be across the underside girth of the adult mattress 240 as shown in FIG. 10; but in an alternate version of the invention, the straps 212 may be placed across the corners of the adult mattress 240 from the tucked side of the fitted sheet 210 to the adjacent side of the fitted sheet 210. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap 212 includes a buckle 214 to allow for both easy securing and removal of the fitted sheet 210. The buckle 214 may be placed anywhere along the straps 212 that allows for ease of access.

[0044] Sewn or otherwise similarly attached by needle and thread to the fitted sheet 210 is a pocket sheet 220. The pocket sheet 220 may be a similar or differing fabric material or style from the fitted sheet 210. The pocket sheet 220 is a sheet sewn onto the fitted sheet 210 thereby forming a pocket 222 on the exposed side of fitted sheet 210 when the fitted sheet is correctly on the adult mattress 240. The exposed side of the fitted sheet 210 is the side of the sheet designed to be exposed when the fitted sheet 210 is correctly placed on the adult mattress 240. The pocket 222 is formed by sewing pocket sheet 220 so that the pocket opening 224 faces the head 242 of the adult mattress 240 and lays across the girth of the adult mattress 240, in the area one third to two-thirds of the adult mattress 240 up from the end of the adult mattress 240. This configuration is to allow the user of the sewn fitted sheet pocket 200 to be inserted into pocket 222 so that they are covered up to or between their armpit or waist area.

[0045] The pocket sheet is sewn into the portion of the fitted sheet 210 that rests on the top portion of adult mattress 240 when the fitted sheet is correctly placed on adult mattress 240 so that the edges of the pocket align with the side edges of adult mattress 240 and the lower end edges of the pocket align with the lower end edges of adult mattress 240, thus forming a quadrilateral encompassing the lower one-third to two-thirds of the portion of the fitted sheet 210 that lays over the sleeping portion of the adult mattress 240. In circular adult mattresses, the shape of the pocket 222 would be a half-circle encompassing the same portions of the circular adult mattress. In an irregular or otherwise shaped mattress, the shape of the pocket 222 would alter, but the proportions would generally remain unchanged.

[0046] The pocket 222 may include buttons 232 as shown in FIG. 6, sew-on snaps 234 as shown in FIG. 7, hook-and-loop strips 236 as shown in FIG. 8, an elastic strap 238 as shown in FIG. 9, or other elastic or attachment means, directly adjacent to the opening of the pocket 224 on the pocket sheet 222 and the fitted sheet 210 and are able to adjust the fit of the pocket opening 224 to the user. The attachment means allow the pocket opening 224 to be adjustable in tightness and size to accommodate easier entry as well as varying thicknesses of users.

[0047] In both crib mattress and adult mattress embodiments of the sewn fitted sheet pocket 100, 200, the pocket sheet is attached by sewing as shown by thread 126, 226. The thread 126, 226 or other sewing means may allow a pocket liner sheet to be added to add styling or padding for warmth or comfort. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention are for crib mattresses and adult-sized mattresses, the sewn fitted sheet pocket may be applied to any fitted sheet for any mattress for any user's age.

[0048] Many changes and modifications can be made in the sewn fitted sheet pocket according to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.