Fitted sheet with bolsters mounted thereon

A fitted bed sheet has a pair of roll guards mounted thereon to prevent a toddler or other person from rolling out of bed. Each roll guard is removably disposed in a slip cover mounted on the sheet by a flexible strip of material, which allows each roll guard to move between a first position atop the sheet and a second position beside the sheet with the roll guard hanging from the flexible strip. Each roll guard is securable in the raised position by the linking of fastener strips having hook and loop fasteners mounted on the slip cover and fabric loops mounted on the sheet. Each roll guard is removably mounted to the sheet via a zipper between the sheet and the flexible strip of material mounted on the slip cover. A plurality of elastic straps is mounted axially on the bottom of the sheet to help secure the sheet on a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates generally to fitted bed sheets. More particularly, the invention relates to a fitted bed sheet with roll guards mounted thereon to guard against toddlers or other persons rolling out of bed. Specifically, the invention relates to such a sheet wherein the roll guards are movable to a lowered position to facilitate a person getting in and out of bed and removable from the bed sheet to facilitate washing and leave a substantially standard fitted bed sheet for use without the roll guards.

2. Background Information

There are many types of fitted bed sheets, including some configured with other things mounted thereon, such as pillows and roll guards. Some roll guard systems are used in conjunction with hospital beds and mount to the bed railings or use the railings for support. Similarly, some are used in conjunction with crib mattresses and are supported by the sides thereof.

However, there remains in the field a need for a fitted sheet and roll guard system which addresses the problems related to a toddler's transition from a crib to a bed which uses standard sheets. When a toddler become too large for his or her crib, continuing to use the once-protecting crib actually may become a safety hazard as the toddler attempts climbing out of the crib. At this point, parents are faced with how to transition the toddler to another bed. One option is to use a toddler bed, which traditionally uses a crib mattress. However, toddler beds are fairly costly and take up space which may not be available in the toddler's home merely to accommodate this relatively short period of sleeping in a transition bed. In addition, many of the toddler beds are actually hazardous, as evidenced by the numerous recalls issued in regard thereto.

Another option is a convertible crib, which may be used initially as a crib in the standard sense and subsequently as a toddler bed via removal of a guard rail on one side, which permits the toddler to climb in and out of the converted crib. However, the sleeping surface of the convertible crib, now unprotected on one side, is still high enough above the ground to be a safety hazard during sleep.

Thus, while roll guards used in conjunction with sheets and beds is generally known, there remains a need for a fitted sheet that provides for the toddler's transition from a crib to a bed which uses standard sheets. Thus, there is a need for such a fitted sheet which uses roll guards to prevent the child from rolling out of bed, which allows the bed to be safely used during play time without the roll guard interfering with the child getting on and off the bed, and finally to be used as a standard fitted sheet when the child has graduated from a need for the roll guards.

Thus, the multi-faceted transition problem recognized herein is resolved by the present invention, which provides a unique, simple and multiple-use system which is cost effective and convenient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a fitted bed sheet; and at least one roll guard mounted on the sheet and movable between a first position atop the sheet and a second position beside the sheet.

The present invention further provides an apparatus comprising a fitted bed sheet; a flexible strip of material; and at least one roll guard mounted on the sheet via the flexible strip of material and movable between a first position atop the sheet and a second position beside the sheet; wherein the at least one roll guard is selectively securable to the sheet in the first position and hangs from the flexible strip in the second position.

The present invention also provides an apparatus comprising a fitted bed sheet having a top panel; at least one roll guard mounted on the sheet and movable between a first position atop the top panel of the sheet and a second position beside the sheet; wherein the at least one roll guard is selectively securable to the sheet in the first position via a plurality of securing structures which are made of fabric and mounted on the top panel of the sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the bolster bed sheet of the present invention is indicated generally at10inFIG. 1and a second embodiment is indicated generally at100inFIG. 11. Bolster sheet10includes a fitted sheet12and a pair of roll guards in the form of bolsters14mounted thereon. Bolster sheet10fits on a mattress16(FIGS. 2 and 4) so that bolsters14guard against a toddler or other person rolling off a bed18. Preferably, each bolster14is removably contained in a bolster slip cover20which is connected to a flexible material strip22removably mounted on fitted sheet12. Preferably, each bolster14is removably mounted on sheet12and is movable between a raised position atop sheet12and a lowered position beside sheet12while mounted on sheet12.FIG. 1shows one bolster14in the raised position (upper right) adjacent a wall of a room and one bolster14in the lowered position (lower left).

Fitted sheet12is most preferably a high-thread-count fitted sheet to facilitate durability and ability to mount bolsters14and other attachments thereto without tearing sheet12. Sheet12is typically formed of a single piece of fabric which extends around the mattress as is commonly known in the art with at least some of the edges being elasticized to help secure sheet12to mattress14. Sheet12may, however, be formed of a plurality of pieces of fabric sewn together. For the purposes of this application, the various portions of sheet12will be described in a manner which may indicate either a single piece of fabric or a plurality of pieces joined to one another. Thus, the term “panel” as a descriptor with regard to sheet12may refer to a portion of sheet12which is a separate piece of fabric, a portion of a single-piece sheet, or any combination of pieces. In addition, because sheet12typically takes on a relatively crumpled form when not installed on mattress14, the various portions of sheet12are described as configured when mounted on mattress14in order to facilitate an understanding of the invention. This manner of description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any regard, but is merely for purposes of overall clarity and to provide meaningful reference points for structure that would otherwise be relatively amorphous.

Sheet12has an outer surface21, an inner surface23(FIG. 4), and includes a top panel24, a pair of opposed side panels26extending downwardly therefrom along opposed sides of top panel24and a pair of opposed end panels28extending downwardly from top panel24along opposed ends thereof. Each side panel26is elongated longitudinally and each end panel is elongated axially. End panels28extend between and are connected to end panels28. End panels28include a head end panel28A and a foot end panel28B. More particularly, top panel24has an outer perimeter29from which each side panel26and end panel28extend downwardly. Each side panel26at an upper edge thereof meets top panel24at a respective intersection30, which lies on a portion of perimeter29of top panel24. Each side panel26has a lower edge32and each end panel28has a lower edge34.

With reference toFIG. 2, each side panel26includes an inwardly extending projection36and each end panel includes an inwardly extending projection38. Each of projections36and38extend inwardly only a relatively short distance and serve to help secure sheet12in position on mattress16. In accordance with a feature of the invention, three relatively narrow and elongated elastic straps40A-C extend between and are connected to each of projections36of side panels26. Elastic straps40are longitudinally spaced from one another and are substantially parallel to end panels28and substantially perpendicular to side panels26. Strap40B is centrally located, strap40A is located adjacent head end portion28A and strap40C located adjacent foot end portion28B. As well known in the art, projections38of end panels28are elasticized, as is at least a portion of projections36of side panels26so that the four corners are elasticized as indicated at41. The elasticized sheet12, in particular around the corners works in conjunction with elastic straps40to secure sheet12to mattress16with mattress16within a mattress-receiving space defined by top panel24, side panels26, end panels28and straps40. Each projection36may be elasticized along its entire length if desired.

In accordance with another feature of the invention and with reference toFIG. 1, a plurality of fabric loops42is mounted on top panel24of sheet12, each loop42or a combination of loops42being a roll guard-securing or bolster-securing structure for securing a respective bolster14in the raised position. More particularly, two sets of three loops42are each sewn to top panel24in a reinforced fashion whereby each set of loops42is disposed adjacent a respective side panel26. The three loops42of each set are longitudinally spaced from one another and substantially equidistantly spaced inwardly from a respective side panel26whereby the loops42of each set are aligned with one another along the length of sheet12. Each loop42includes a strip44of fabric which is longitudinally elongated whereby each strip44and top panel24adjacent the respective strip44form there between an axially extending passage46. Each strip44is disposed on outer surface21of sheet12and sewn to a reinforcement47(FIG. 4) disposed on inner surface23of sheet12opposite strip44.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, each respective bolster14, slip cover20and flexible strip22are removably mounted on sheet12via a roll guard-mounting or bolster-mounting mechanism in the form of detaching zipper49(FIG. 1). With reference toFIG. 3, a half zipper48is mounted on sheet12via a sewn connection along each intersection30of top panel24and each respective side panel26. Thus, half zipper48is sewn directly to sheet12via at least one of top panel24and side panel26so that when bolsters14are removed via respective zippers49, fitted sheet12may be used as a standard fitted sheet without bolsters14. Half zipper48extends along intersection30over a substantial portion of the length of sheet12. The length of half zipper48may vary in accordance with the length of bolsters14, slip cover20and strip22. Half zipper48is positioned closer to head end panel28A than to foot end panel28B, although this may vary depending on the desired positioning of bolsters14. In addition, half zipper48may be in other positions axially spaced from intersection30, that is on top panel24or side panel26. Preferably, however, half zipper48is positioned adjacent intersection30so that flexible strip22permits movement of slip cover20and bolster14between the raised and lowered positions while minimizing the amount of material of which strip22is formed.

With reference toFIG. 4, each bolster14includes a core50and a bolster cover52defining an interior chamber54in which core50is encased. Core50has a substantially circular cross section and thus is substantially cylindrical. However, other shapes may be used as well, such as square, rectangular, triangular or elliptical cross sections. Core50is preferably made of foam, preferably a fairly high density foam suited to the purpose. Other suitable materials may be used which are known from the stuffing of pillows and so forth. A reasonably high density foam is preferred because it provides sufficient support for use as a roll guard, is durable, washable, light weight for handling and shipping, and may be compressed for shipping and expand to its desired shape for use as described herein.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, bolster cover52includes a substantially cylindrical elongated sidewall56and a pair of opposed end walls58(FIG. 3) which cap respective ends of sidewall56to form interior chamber54(FIGS. 1 and 4) there within. As discussed with regard to core50, the shape of end walls58may be altered as desired to match the shape of bolster14. Bolster cover52is preferably made of a durable cloth, muslin being a very desirable choice. The use of such a cloth prevents the picking of foam, especially by toddlers, which would otherwise be destructive to core50and may also present a choking hazard for toddlers. In addition, such a cloth is washable along with core50and helps keep core50intact during washing and general use. Further, cover52facilitates installation and removal of bolster14from slip cover20by substantially reducing the frictional engagement of core50with slip cover20especially when core50is made of foam.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 4, slip cover20includes a substantially cylindrical elongated sidewall60and a pair of opposed end walls62A and62B which cap respective ends of sidewall60to form there within an interior chamber64in which bolster14is removably disposed. Each slip cover20is interchangeable with the other due to the fact that the respective detaching zippers49are mounted in reverse with respective to one another, thereby allowing either slip cover20to be mounted adjacent either of side panels26. Thus, end wall62A of one slip cover20is adjacent head end panel28A and the end panel62A of the other slip cover20is adjacent foot end panel28B, with respective end walls62B in corresponding reversed positions.

The shapes of slip cover20and particularly end walls62may vary as discussed above and, of course, the overall shape of cover20substantially flattens when bolster14is removed. In accordance with a feature of the invention, slip cover20is selectively openable for insertion of bolster14into or removal of bolster14from interior chamber64. More particularly, sidewall60defines an opening66(FIG. 6) which may be opened or closed as desired for respectively permitting said insertion and removal, and also for the securement of bolster14within chamber64. An opening zipper68is mounted on sidewall60to provide the selective opening and closing of slip cover20.FIG. 6shows zipper68in an open position with bolster14disposed within interior chamber64.FIG. 7shows bolster14after removal from chamber64via opening66(FIG. 6) and slip cover20in a generally flattened configuration hanging from flexible strip22beside sheet12.

With reference to FIGS.1and3–5, at three locations on sidewall60of slip cover20, a bolster-securing structure is mounted on sidewall60of slip cover20in the form of a hook and loop fastener70. In particular, each fastener70includes a longitudinally elongated strip72of material having a hook portion74and loop portion76adjacent thereto and foldable onto hook portion74to form a loop and provide a securing engagement between portions74and76. When bolsters14and slip covers20are in the raised position, each strip72is selectively insertable through one of passages46of a respective loop42and folds on itself as noted above to secure strip74in a loop-to-loop or link-to-link configuration with loop42, thereby securing bolster14and slip cover20in the raised position atop top panel24of sheet12. Strip72also provides an advantage in the lowered position, as the rough surface of hook portion74is covered by loop portion76, thereby helping prevent scratching injuries to playing children or others.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, flexible material strip22is connected to and extends outwardly from sidewall60of slip cover20. Strip22may be a separate piece from sidewall60or the two may be formed integrally in one piece. Strip22has a terminal edge78distal its connection to slip cover20along which a half zipper80is mounted. Half zipper80is selectively securable to half zipper48to mount strip22to sheet12, thereby mounting slip cover20and bolster14when disposed in cover20on sheet12. Half zippers48and80together form detaching zipper49(FIG. 1). Strip22, when secured to sheet12, serves as a flexible connector between sheet12and slip cover20and, as previously noted, allows bolster14and slip cover20to move between the raised and lowered positions. Bolster14and slip cover20hang from strip22in the lowered position. Unzipping half zipper80from half zipper48also allows strip22and slip cover20, along with bolster14, to be selectively removed from sheet12(FIGS. 3 and 8).

It is noted that each bolster14is removable from sheet12in two ways. First, bolsters14may be removed from slip cover20so that sheet12, slip cover20and flexible strip22form a unit separate from bolster14(FIG. 7, showing one bolster14removed). As such, this unit may be washed separately from bolster14and/or may be used on mattress16as desired to provide bed18with a side free of the removed bolster14. This may be desirable for use of bed18for sitting on the side thereof without the interference of bolster14. Second, bolster14, slip cover20and flexible strip22may be separated from sheet12by unzipping zipper49, as shown inFIG. 8. This allows quick and easy removal of bolster14for use of bed18without interference of bolster14. When both bolsters14are removed in this fashion, sheet12may be used simply as a typical fitted sheet when bolsters14are no longer needed or desired. This also allows for the separate washing of sheet12and when bolster14is removed from slip cover20, the separate washing of slip cover20and flexible strip22.

FIG. 9shows bolster bed sheet10with both bolsters14, slip covers20and flexible strips22in the raised position andFIG. 10shows bolster bed sheet10with the same in the lowered position.

FIG. 11shows bolster bed sheet100, which is similar to bolster bed sheet10except that it is smaller to fit a crib-sized mattress for use with a convertible crib102and includes only one bolster14, slip cover20, flexible strip22and the various other structure associated therewith. Convertible crib102is a crib which may be converted to a toddler's bed by the removal of sides normally used on a standard crib. This forms an open side which a toddler may climb in and out of. Toddlers typically use such convertible cribs during a transition to a larger bed. While a pair of bolsters14may be used with convertible crib102, this is not necessary, as the bumper104commonly used with cribs provides padding and a sidewall106of the crib acts as the other guard in conjunction with bolster14of sheet100.

The use of bolster bed sheet100provides a variety of options with regard to the transition using crib102first as a crib and subsequently as a toddler bed. First, a standard sheet may be used when crib102is used as a crib and then sheet100may be used in the transition stage to provide the safety of roll guard14, thus eliminating the need for a separate toddler bed prior to the toddler graduating to a standard size bed. Bolster bed sheet100also allows fitted sheet12to be used by itself as a standard crib sheet prior to conversion of crib102and then with roll guard protection after conversion to a toddler bed. In addition, sheet100may then be used again for subsequent children using crib102.

Thus, bolster bed sheets10and100provide a safe, stable and secure surrounding during sleep while also allowing for the use of a safe bed during play time by allowing the roll guard system to hang beside the bed. In the lowered position, the roll guards additionally provide a soft bumper which may prevent children from injury on hard bed frame structure. Where a bed is positioned with one side adjacent the wall of a room, the roll guard adjacent the wall in the raised position during sleep provides a comfortable barrier which prevents getting wedged between the bed and the wall and may also provide soft support for the head or back when laying or sitting across the bed. In addition, the roll guard system is quickly and easily removed from sheet12by a simple unzipping manipulation to allow for separate washing and/or replacement of the various structures and to allow use of fitted sheet12as a stand-alone item once a child has outgrown the need of roll guard protection. Thus, bolster bed sheets10and100provide a multi-use bedding system that grows with the child. While many of the attributes of the present invention are directed to the transition of a child from a crib bed to standard bed, it is also contemplated that the present invention is suitable for use by elderly or disabled persons who would benefit from the use of a roll guard, but would have difficulty getting in and out of bed with the roll guard positioned atop the bed.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a host of variations may be made to bolster bed sheets10and110which are within the scope of the invention. For instance, bolsters14may also be mounted in a variety of ways other than shown. For example, bolsters14may be attached directly to sheet12without slip cover20or flexible strip22. In this configuration, bolsters14would not be movable between the raised and lowered positions. However, bolsters14would nonetheless provide a desirable guard against rolling off of a bed and may still be removable attached to sheet12to allow separation for washing and so forth and permit sheet12to be used as a standard fitted sheet when desired. Bolsters14may also be mounted on sheet12via a slip cover without the use of a flexible strip, thereby providing an extra layer of protection to bolster14. In this configuration, the slip cover may also open to allow removal of bolster14and may be removably connected to sheet12to allow removal therefrom. In addition, a detaching zipper like zipper49may be disposed anywhere along flexible strip22and still allow for the slip cover and bolster to be removably mounted on the sheet. This may include positioning a detaching zipper where flexible strip22meets sidewall60of slip cover20, so that slip cover20is removably mounted on flexible strip22and flexible strip22is directly attached to sheet12.

It will be understood that while bolsters14are shown mounted adjacent opposed sides of sheet12, similar bolsters may be mounted adjacent the ends of sheet12. In addition, while most mattresses and bed sheets are rectangular, some may be square and less commonly have rounded edges and so forth. Bolsters may be mounted on fitted sheets having such alternate shapes as well. It is also understood that bolster bed sheet10may be sized for any suitable mattress. While the invention may be used primarily for toddlers, it is also applicable for use with, for example, elderly or disabled persons who need protection from rolling out of bed.

While elastic straps40extend from side to side in parallel fashion, it will be appreciated that similar straps may be, for example, in criss-cross relation, although this may make the fitted sheet more difficult to put on and take off of a mattress. In addition, elastic straps may extend from a side panel to an end panel or from and end panel to the opposite end panel. Each of these options will help secure the fitted sheet to the mattress. Elastic straps extending from side to side are preferred to those from end to end because the pressure against the bolsters tends to be in the side to side direction and thus side to side straps help secure the fitted sheet better. In addition, elastic straps40may be removably connected to at least one side to facilitate easier installation and removal of the fitted sheet from the mattress. A removable connection may be provided, for example, which is similar to that discussed above with hook and loop fasteners mounted on the elastic straps and a loop on or reinforced hole in the side panels through which the straps may extend and be fastened with the hook and loops folded onto one another.

Bolster securing mechanisms of various types may be used to secure bolsters in the raised position. One option involves a slip cover analogous to slip cover20mounted to sheet without a bolster-securing structure mounted on slip cover20. For instance, a strap or belt may be separate from the slip cover and the sheet and may extend through a loop like loop42and around the slip cover in order to secure the slip cover and bolster therein in the raised position. In addition, bolster-securing structures other than loops42may be mounted on sheet12and structures other than hook and loop fasteners may be mounted on slip cover20to allow bolsters to be secured in the raised position. Such securing structures may include, for example, snaps, buttons, straps with buckles or portions thereof which are securable to related portions of such structures mounted on slip cover20. Any other suitable structures known in the art may be used. It is most preferable that such structures provide a fitted sheet which does not have securing structures which may make the sheet uncomfortable when the bolsters are removed and the sheet is used separately. It is further most preferable with respect to the use of the bolster bed sheets for toddlers that such securing structures do not present choking hazards. Fabric loops42are highly desirable for both these reasons, as they are free of rigid members and made of a fabric similar to the material of which the sheet is formed, and thus relatively soft and comfortable to the touch, being free of rough, abrasive or scratchy surfaces such as are found, for example, on hook and loop fasteners.

Detaching zipper49may also be replaced with other removable bolster-mounting mechanisms. As noted with regard to alternate bolster-securing mechanisms above, any suitable fastener known in the art may be used. Zipper49, however, is preferred as providing a very simple and cost-effective mounting mechanism which leaves a relatively smooth surface when sheet12is used by itself.