Abstract:
A bedding accessory system which comprises a bed pocket having an opening therein and a fastening system which can be secured to the sheets of a bed without moving the mattress. The fastening system is a multipurpose one and can be adapted for different uses.

Description:
This application claims benefits of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/183,633 filed Feb. 18, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a storage device and more particularly, relates to a storage device which may be used in conjunction with a bed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As it has been discussed in the art, it is advantageous to have a storage device which is adjacent the bed. Such a storage device, which is often called a bed pocket, is desirable and useful for the storage of different articles such as reading material, glasses, keys and the like. The bed pocket provides ready access to such articles while preventing damage thereto. 
     Such bed pockets are known in the art and thus, when they refer to U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,909 which discloses a storage device for the storage of articles. There is shown a sheet like utilitarian member which reaches across and beyond the width of a bed so the pockets in the member hang along both sides of the bed. 
     A somewhat similar arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,829 wherein there are at least two layers having pockets for storing various items. As in the case of the previously mentioned patent, a strap stretches underneath the bed to secure the bed pockets in place. As will be appreciated, when it is necessary to remove the assembly for washing or the like, one must lift the mattress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a bed pocket system which is aesthetically pleasing and which can be utilized in a number of different situations. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bedding accessory system comprising a pocket formed to have an opening therein, a fastening system comprising a strap member having first and second ends, a first attachment at the first end of the strap member, the first attachment having means for securement to a sheet fabric material, a detachable fastener located at the second end of the strap member, the second fastener having first and second cooperative members, a first one of the members being secured to the second end of the strap member, and a second one of the members of the fastener being secured to the pocket proximate the opening thereto. 
     The bed pocket is preferably formed of a suitable fabric material and which fabric material is, in one embodiment, coordinated with a skirt which would conventionally surround the frame or box spring of a bed. In a preferred embodiment, the bed pocket is formed to have an outer layer and a lining and as such, can easily be fabricated on equipment known in the art for fabricating such items as pillow cases and the like. Thus, initially the lining and the fabric may be sewn together, folded in two, with the lining being placed interiorly of the fabric to form a finished bed pocket. 
     As will be discussed hereinbelow, a fastening system is provided for securing the bed pocket to a fabric material such as a sheet of the bed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed pocket system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bed pocket fastening system according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a bed pocket system in FIG.  1  and which bed pocket system is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . Bed pocket system  10  is utilized in conjunction with a conventional bed designated by reference numeral  12  and which includes a box spring  14  which is mounted on legs  16 . On top of box spring  14  there is provided a mattress  18 . Shown in FIG. 1 is a pillow  20  and a sheet  22  covering mattress  18 . 
     Secured to sheet  22  is a bed pocket  26  and which will now be discussed in greater detail. Bed pocket  26  is secured by means of a fastening system generally designated by reference numerals  30  and  30 ′. 
     Fastening system  30  includes a first fastener  34  located at one end of the fastening system  30 . First fastener  34  is preferably formed of a plastic material and includes a first member  36  having a slot aperture  38  at one end thereof. At the other end of first member  36 , there is provided a keyhole aperture generally designated by reference numeral  40 . Secured to first member  36  is a flexible tongue member  42  which has a locking projection  44  extending outwardly therefrom and which locking projection is shaped to fit within keyhole aperture  40 . This type of fastener is that which is sometimes referred to as a garter fastener. 
     Secured to first member  36  through slot aperture  38  is a strap member  46  which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes hook members  48  used in a hook and loop type of fastener such as is commonly marketed under the trademark VELCRO. 
     At the opposite end, strap  46  is secured to a plastic clip  52  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. 
     Also secured to strap  46  is an elastic strap  54  which includes a fastener  56  at the opposed end thereof. Fastener  56  is similar to fastener  34  and thus includes a first member  58  having a slot aperture  60  formed therein and through which elastic strap  54  is secured. Similarly, there is provided a keyhole aperture (not shown) designed to receive locking projection  66  of tongue member  64 . 
     There is also provided a plastic clip  74  designed to engage plastic clip  52 . In this respect, plastic clip  52  may be of the female type and plastic clip  74  of the male type. These clips are well known and use a pair of outwardly extending prongs on the male portion to mate with the recesses on the female portion. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a strap  72  is connected to male plastic clip  74  and also is secured to bed pocket  26 . 
     Fastening system  30 ′ is substantially identical to fastening system  30  and thus will not be described herein. 
     Bed pocket  26  may be, as previously discussed, any suitable type and preferably is designed to match the bed material. Alternatively, bed pocket  26  could be any suitable container which could be detached and used as required—as a youngster&#39;s knapsack or the like. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.