Bedding assembly

A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complimentary fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of bedding, and more particularly to a bedding assembly comprising longitudinal fastening capability.

BACKGROUND

Bed sheets known in the art typically include a flat or fitted sheet that may be placed over a mattress and mattress cover. An optional second sheet (also referred to as a top sheet) may be placed on top of the bed sheet located on the mattress. A person may then sleep between the flat or fitted sheet and the top sheet. A comforter, blanket, quilt, or the like is often added on top of the top sheet as additional layering. A commonly used type of fitted bed sheet is typically sewn to fit the shape of the mattress and comprises elastic around the edges to keep the edges of the sheet tucked under the mattress. The elastic edges provide a convenient means to ensure the fitted sheet remains on the mattress, such as during use.

It is often desirable to maintain or reintroduce a neat bedding appearance, such as after the bedding is pulled out of place during use. The desirable appearance may be commonly referred to as a made bed. A made bed may take many forms, but typically involves the top sheet positioned flatly upon the flat or fitted sheet, and may involve organized folding of the top sheet, comforter, blanket, quilt, or the like.

SUMMARY

A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener disposed longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complementary fastener disposed longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet.

A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener disposed longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complementary fastener disposed longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet. The at least one fastener of the fitted sheet includes an elastic member and a fastening head.

A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including a plurality of fasteners, the plurality of fasteners disposed longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including a plurality of complementary fasteners disposed longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the plurality of complementary fasteners of the top sheet substantially aligning with the plurality of fasteners of the fitted sheet. The position of each of the plurality of complementary fasteners substantially parallels the position of each of the plurality of fasteners. The plurality of complementary fasteners and the plurality of fasteners are configured to substantially align when engaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-5, a bedding assembly100is depicted according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Bedding assembly100may include a fitted sheet200, a top sheet300, and a comforter400(e.g., a cover layer). The fitted sheet200is covered by the top sheet300, which in turn is covered by the comforter400. The fitted sheet200and the top sheet300may be comprised of materials known in the art for bedding, including cotton, linen, wool, silk, polyester, and other natural and synthetic materials, or any other type of material used to cover a mattress. Comforter400may include blankets, quilts, afghans, comforters, and other bedding typically used as additional covering/insulation. Fitted sheet200may be a flat sheet folded by a user to fit on a mattress, or may include an elastic component along a portion of the bottom edge for securing the fitted sheet to a mattress. Alternatively, fitted sheet200may comprise another means of securing the fitted sheet to a mattress as is known in the art, such as by including pockets into which portions of a mattress may fit, and the like. Additionally, fitted sheet200may comprise a drawstring around at least a portion of fitted sheet200to further secure fitted sheet200to a mattress. For example, fitted sheet200may comprise a drawstring around the perimeter of fitted sheet200for engaging side panels of a mattress. Comforter400may not be a necessary component of the invention, particularly where some users may prefer not to implement a comforter as additional covering. However the comforter400may be incorporated as a component of bedding assembly100and not detract from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

When engaging a mattress, fitted sheet200comprises two opposing side panels202and204which run longitudinally from a head end102of the mattress to a foot end104of the mattress. Each of opposing side panels202and204may comprise at least one fastener206. For example, fastener206may include an elastic member208and a fastening head210. Fastening head210may include a button, a toggle, or any other device suitable for securing fastener206to a complementary fastening device. Elastic member208may be an elastic or semi-elastic material such that fastener206is not wholly inelastic, e.g., fastener206may move upon stresses applied to it, such as by a user during use of bedding assembly100. However, it is contemplated that fastener206may comprise any suitable fastening device for securing fitted sheet200to top sheet300and/or to comforter400, such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, button and eyelet, lace and eyelet, toggle and grommet, zippers, sewed seams, and the like. For example,FIG. 5displays a bedding assembly100utilizing hook and loop fasteners, described in detail below.

Additionally, fitted sheet200may include a grommet or other device through which fastener206passes, such as to secure the material surrounding fastener206. For instance, fitted sheet200may include an elastic material secured to an interior side of fitted sheet200(e.g., a surface in contact with the mattress), with a toggle secured to the elastic material, the toggle and elastic material passing through a grommet included on the fitted sheet200. Thus, the elastic and toggle may be configured to pull tight against the grommet, thereby securing a complementary fastener to the fitted sheet200when the toggle engages the corresponding faster, such as a grommet included on another sheet.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of fasteners206are longitudinally disposed along each of opposing side panels202and204. In one specific embodiment (as illustrated inFIG. 4), four fasteners206comprising buttons as the fastening head210are longitudinally disposed along each of opposing side panels202and204. The plurality of fasteners206may be separated by approximately equidistant gaps, such as in an approximately horizontal or linear manner. However, when a plurality of fasteners206are utilized, the fasteners206along each of opposing side panels202and204may be positioned relative to one another according to other schemes without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

When engaging a mattress, top sheet300comprises two opposing side panels302and304which run longitudinally from the head end102of the mattress to the foot end104of the mattress. Each of opposing side panels302and304may comprise at least one complementary fastener306that is complementary to fastener206of fitted sheet200. For example, where fastener206comprises elastic member208and fastening head210, complementary faster306may comprise a slot through which fastening head210may pass and/or engage in order to at least partially secure top sheet300to fitted sheet200. Additionally, where the complementary fastener306is an aperture through which fastener206passes, the material around the aperture may be secured with a grommet or other device, such as sewn reinforced material.

The number of complementary fasteners306may substantially match the number of fasteners206, and the position of the complementary fasteners306may substantially parallel the position of the fasteners206such that the complementary fasteners306and the fasteners206substantially align when engaged. For instance, spacing between complementary fasteners306may be substantially similar to spacing between fasteners206. Further, fasteners206and complementary fasteners306may be disposed on opposing side panels202and204and on opposing side panels302and304, respectively, such that when fitted sheet200engages a mattress and the fasteners of one of opposing side panels202and204engage the complementary fastener306of the corresponding opposing side panel302or304, then the side panels with the engaging fasteners may be aligned with the mattress in a manner substantially consistent with that of a made bed.

When engaging a mattress, comforter400comprises two opposing side panels402and404which run longitudinally from the head end102of the mattress to the foot end104of the mattress. Each of opposing side panels402and404may comprise at least one complementary fastener406that is complementary to the fastener206of fitted sheet200. For example, complementary fastener406may be an aperture formed by comforter400through which fastener206may pass and engage (as depicted inFIG. 3B). The material around the aperture through which fastener206passes may be secured with a grommet or other device. Alternatively, complementary fastener406may comprise a pocket or recess for receiving fastener206, but fastener206may not pass entirely through comforter400(as depicted inFIG. 3A). For example, complementary fastener406may be a pocket or recess located on an interior surface of comforter400, but the pocket does not penetrate the entirety of comforter400. Still alternatively, complementary fastener406may be located on a piece of material or other device attached to comforter400, such as on an interior surface, which engages with fastener206for securing comforter400to fitted sheet200. For instance, complementary fastener may be a button hole/eyelet located on a strap attached to an interior surface of comforter400, where the fastening head210engages and secures fitted sheet200to comforter400.

The number of complementary fasteners406may substantially match the number of fasteners206, and the position of complementary fasteners406may substantially parallel the position of fasteners206such that complementary fasteners406and fasteners206substantially align when engaged. For instance, spacing between complementary fasteners406may be substantially similar to spacing between fasteners206.

In one specific embodiment, fastener206passes through and/or engages with complementary fastener306and complementary fastener406. For instance, elastic member208and fastening head210may pass through apertures formed by complementary fastener306and complementary fastener406. When fastener206engages with complementary fastener306and complementary fastener406, at least a portion of a side panel of each of fitted sheet200, top sheet300, and comforter400are aligned in a manner substantially consistent with a made bed. When all or substantially all of fasteners206on one of opposing side panels202and204are engaged with the complementary fasteners of top sheet300and/or comforter400, top sheet300and/or comforter400may be pulled along the mattress in a direction opposite the engaged fasteners to align top sheet300and/or comforter400with fitted sheet200in a manner substantially consistent with a made bed. Thus, the bedding assembly may provide a user with a relatively simple means for making a bed: a user need only stand opposite the fastened/secured side of the mattress and pull the top sheet300and/or comforter400toward the user to align the top sheet300and/or comforter400in a manner substantially consistent with a made bed.

Bedding assembly100may utilize a traditional bedding format, including a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and a comforter. However, it is also contemplated that bedding assembly100utilizes a fitted sheet with a comforter directly on top of the fitted sheet, thereby foregoing a top sheet.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a partial exploded isometric view of bedding assembly100is illustrated in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. Bedding assembly100ofFIG. 5illustrates an embodiment of the disclosure which utilizes a fastener that does not pass through top sheet300or comforter400, such as by using a hook and loop fastener, as depicted inFIG. 5. Alternatively, this embodiment may be utilized for other fasteners that fasten in ways other than penetrating another layer of bedding assembly100, such as snaps, zippers, and the like. According to this embodiment, top sheet300comprises both a complementary fastener306and a fastener307. Fastener307may be substantially similar to fastener206. In this manner, complementary fastener406may be complementary to both fastener206and fastener307. In one specific embodiment, fastener306and fastener307are located on opposite surfaces of top sheet300, but each fastener substantially mirrors the position of the other fastener. Thus, comforter400may align to either or both of fitted sheet200or top sheet300, depending on which fasteners are utilized or which coverings are desired.

Bedding assembly100utilizes fasteners that may be secured and unsecured as desired by a user. As such, bedding assembly100may be washed and cleaned as a complete unit, or may be separated into the individual pieces for washing (e.g., separating fitted sheet200from top sheet300from comforter400for separate washing and/or drying cycles). Additionally, since fitted sheet200, top sheet300, and comforter400are configured for securing and unsecuring from each other, bedding assembly100may include multiple versions of each of fitted sheet200, top sheet300, and comforter400, such as for selecting, mixing, and matching a desired pattern, composition, style, design, and the like. For instance, one comforter of a particular style/design may be attached to fitted sheet200and/or top sheet300during one season, such as winter or fall, while another comforter of a different style/design comforter may be attached to fitted sheet200and/or top sheet300during another season, such as summer or spring. It is also contemplated that various top sheets and fitted sheets of particular styles/designs may be mixed and matched.

The position of fasteners206and complementary fasteners306and406on the side panels of fitted sheet200, top sheet300, and comforter400leave the foot end of the mattress unencumbered by fasteners. Thus, bedding assembly100allows for ease of movement at the foot end of the mattress for movement of feet or for positioning of feet outside of bedding assembly100at the foot end of the bed, while still maintaining an advantage of ease of making the bed after use. Such a design may be particularly beneficial for users who prefer not to have their feet encumbered or restricted during periods of rest in a bed.