BEDDING SYSTEM

Abstract: A bedding system (1) comprises a "sock" sheet (2) which at least partially envelopes a mattress (3), the sock sheet (2) being sufficiently loose-fitting to provide sufficient room for an occupant to lie between the sock sheet (2) and mattress (3). The upper surface (2b) of the sock sheet (2) has an arrangement of stud fasteners (4) which facilitate the attachment of additional blanket layers (5) if so desired. The length of the sock sheet (2) is adjustable to accomodate different sizes of occupant and may also have a mesh portion adjacent its bottom end.

Description: BEDDING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a bedding system, and in particular to a bedding system for babies and infant children. All parents of new-born babies and infant children have concerns when it comes to laying their child down to sleep for the night. With Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) claiming the lives of hundreds of babies and small children in the United Kingdom each year, it is understandable that parents are worried about the safety of their child. One possible explanation that has been put forward for SIDS is that, whilst sleeping, children inadvertently pull their bed covers over their heads, thereby leading in extreme cases to the suffocation of the child. With conventional bedding in moses baskets or baby cots, this possibility is always present while the child is asleep. As a result, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) - a branch of the UK Department of Health - recommend that children are positioned in a bed or cot so that their feet are adjacent to the foot of the bed, thus reducing the possibility of a child slipping under the bed clothes. However, conventional bedding makes the FSID recommendation difficult to implement, as conventional covers are long and encourage parents to place their children high up the mattress at the head of the bed. Aside from the worry of SIDS, conventional bedding also has disadvantages when, for example, a parent checks on their child and feels the need to adjust the child's conventional bedding (if the room is too warm or too cold, perhaps) . In adjusting the bedding, it is likely that the child will awaken, leading to the parent then having to lull the child back to sleep. Another disadvantage of conventional bedding is that a child who is a restless sleeper can displace their bedding during the night, leading to discomfort for the remainder of the night and also the possibility of the child catching a cold. Even ignoring the safety aspect for a moment, the making of a child's bed can be an inconvenience for most parents, given a child's tendency to toss and turn during the night. Thus a bedding system which removes the need for a bed to be made each day would be welcomed by many parents. Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide a bedding system for moses baskets, cots, or even standard beds, in which it will be impossible for a sleeping child to raise the bedding over their heads, and which will also allow a parent to adjust the bedding without having to disturb the child, and which will also facilitate the making of the bed. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bedding system comprising a mattress, a loose-fitting fabric sleeve and a plurality of removable fabric layers, wherein said fabric sleeve has upper and lower layers and first and second ends and at least partially envelopes said mattress, said fabric sleeve having a size to allow space for an occupant between said mattress and said fabric sleeve, and wherein said sleeve and removable fabric layers are each provided with mutually engageable fastening means so that said removable fabric layers may be removably attached to said fabric sleeve. Preferably, said sleeve is in the form of a sheet bag, being closed on both longitudinal sides and having an opening at said first end. Preferably, said sleeve bag is closed at said second end. Preferably, the length of said sleeve is adapted to be adjustable in length by folding at the first end to accommodate different sizes of occupant. Preferably, said additional fabric layers are breathable fabric layers. Preferably, said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve. Most preferably, said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve adjacent to the longitudinal sides . Preferably, said fastening means are stud fasteners. Preferably, each of said removable fabric layers are provided with female stud fasteners on the upper surface thereof, and corresponding male stud fasteners on the lower surface thereof. Alternatively, said fastening means are hook and loop fasteners. Preferably, said fabric sleeve is provided with a mesh portion in its upper layer, said mesh portion being adapted to allow the passage of air therethrough. Preferably, said mesh portion is provided adjacent at least one of the second end and longitudinal sides of said sleeve. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a bedding system comprised of a mattress, a loose- fitting fabric sleeve and a plurality of removable fabric layers, said method comprising the steps of: at least partially inserting said mattress into said fabric sleeve so that said fabric sleeve at least partially envelopes said mattress in such a manner as to form a space between the mattress and an upper layer of the fabric sleeve for an occupant; removably attaching one or more fabric layers to the upper surface of said sleeve by way of mutually engagable fastening means; and adjusting the length of said sleeve and said at least one fabric layer to accommodate the size of the occupant. Preferably, said sleeve is in the form of a sheet bag, being closed on both longitudinal sides and having an opening at a first end. Preferably, the adjustment of the length of said sleeve is made by folding at said first end. Preferably, said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve. Most preferably, said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of said fabric sleeve adjacent to the longitudinal sides. Preferably, said fastening means are stud fasteners. Preferably, each of said removable fabric layers is provided with female stud fasteners on the upper surface thereof, and corresponding male stud fasteners on the lower surface thereof. Alternatively, said fastening means are hook and loop fasteners . Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the bedding system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the bedding system of Figure 1, wherein the bedding system has been adjusted for use with an older child; Figure 3 is a plan view of the bedding system as shown in Figures 1 and 2 ; Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a bedding system according to the present invention; and Figure 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a bedding system according to the present invention. Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention, where the bedding system, generally designated 1, is intended for use in a child's cot. The bedding system consists of a "sock" sheet 2 and a standard cot mattress 3. An end of the cot mattress 3 is slid into the sock sheet 2, and the combined sock sheet 2 and mattress 3 are then positioned in the cot (not shown) . The sock sheet 2 is manufactured so that it can cover the entire length of the mattress 3 if required. However, in this embodiment and generally, the top of the sock sheet 2 will be turned down to suit the size of the child and will have either a single or double turn back 2a. In addition, the sock sheet 2 is sized so that it is secure around the mattress 3 , but will also permit a child to lie between the sock sheet 2 and the mattress 3. The mattress 3 also includes a cover 3a which both protects the mattress 3 and increases the comfort of the occupant when lying between the sock sheet 2 and the mattress 3. The upper surface 2b of the sock sheet 2 is provided with a number of stud fasteners 4 around the periphery of the sock sheet 2. These stud fasteners 4 are provided so that additional blanket layers 5 may be attached to the sock sheet 2, depending on the temperature of the room in which the child will be sleeping. Thus, a parent can add layers 5 if the room is too cold, or else remove layers 5 if the room is too warm. Because these layers 5 are attached to the sock sheet 2 by stud fasteners 4, they can be added or removed without having to move and disturb the sleeping child. In addition, the stud fasteners 4 also hold the additional layer 5 securely on the bed, so that a restless sleeper cannot inadvertently kick off the additional layer 5 in the night . With conventional bedding, the child would need to be disturbed in order to remove any layers from the bed, and the child could also kick off his/her bedding quite easily. In all of the preferred embodiments of the system 1, the female part of each stud fastener 4 is located on the upper surface 2b of the sock sheet 2 and the upper surfaces of the additional blanket layers 5, whilst the male part of the fasteners are located on the bottom surfaces of the additional layers 5. In orientating the fasteners 4 in this manner, the sleeping child cannot inadvertently lie on the raised stud part of the male fastener. Although stud fasteners are the preferred attachment means, other fastening means such as hook-and-loop fabric fasteners or conventional buttoning could also be used. The embodiment of Figure 1 shows the bedding system 1 in position for a small baby. In adhering to the FSID recommendation that a child's feet should be adjacent to the foot of the cot, the sock sheet 2 is turned back 2a so that the child's head is above the turn back 2a. If additional blanket layers 5 are required for this embodiment, they may be attached to the sock sheet 2 via the studs 4. The blanket layers 5 are provided in different sizes, but if the layer 5 is too long for the size of child, the layer 5 may be tucked 5a under the mattress 3. Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the bedding system 1 as seen in Figure 1, but in which the bedding is set out for a larger child. In this example, the turn back 2a of the sock sheet 2 is a single turn back and the additional layers 5 are attached via the studs 4 to the sock sheet 2. As it is intended for use with a larger child, the layers 5 need not be tucked under the mattress 3. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the bedding system 1 of Figures 1 and 2 without additional layers 5 attached. From this drawing, the preferred layout of the stud fasteners on the upper surface 2b of the sock sheet 2 can be seen. Although the preferred layout is for the stud fasteners 4 to be located along the longitudinal sides of the upper surface 2b, additional fasteners 4a may be positioned laterally across the upper surface 2b if necessary. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the bedding system 1 is intended for use with a moses basket for a new- born baby. The sock sheet 2 is manufactured so as to fit around the mattress 3 of a moses basket and has the same features as the cot-sized system. In addition, the system 1 can also be used on conventional single and double beds, as shown in the third embodiment in Figure 5. Many young children who sleep in conventional beds have difficulty in keeping duvet covers on the bed overnight . With the bedding system 1 of the present invention, the duvet (not shown) would be attached by the studs 4 to the sock sheet 2 in order to hold the duvet in place. As well as small children, the system 1 for single and double beds can also be of benefit to older people such as pensioners and those in nursing homes, who, as with small children, cannot sometimes look after themselves. The system 1 means that layers of bedding keeping an older person warm as they sleep cannot fall off and leave that person in discomfort for the remainder of the night . The sock sheet 2 is manufactured in the appropriate sizes to fit both single and double beds and, again, the features of the first and second embodiments are all present. As cots and beds come in a variety of dimensions, the bedding system 1 can be manufactured in sizes to suit all standard cot and bed dimensions. The bedding system is intended to be manufactured using conventional bedding fabrics, although the additional layers 5 can be manufactured from a breathable material so as to not warm the child excessively, and the sock sheet 2 may have a breathable mesh portion so that should the child move under the sock sheet 2 whilst sleeping, they may still breathe unhindered. The mesh portion can be provided near the base of the sheet 2 and/or along the longitudinal sides of the sheet 2. Thus, the present invention provides a bedding system which significantly reduces the likelihood of a child inadvertently pulling bed covers over their face, and thereby reducing the possibility of suffocation. The system also allows parents to easily arrange the bedding to adhere to the FSID's recommendation to position the child at the foot of the bed. Furthermore, parents checking on their sleeping children can easily add or remove layers of bedding without the need to disturb the child. The parent also benefits in that the bed can be made a lot more simply than when conventional bedding is used. These and other modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A bedding system comprising a mattress, a loose-fitting fabric sleeve and a plurality of removable fabric layers, wherein said fabric sleeve has upper and lower layers and first and second ends and at least partially envelopes said mattress, said fabric sleeve having a size to allow space for an occupant between said mattress and said fabric sleeve, and wherein said sleeve and removable fabric layers are each provided with mutually engageable fastening means so that said removable fabric layers may be removably attached to said fabric sleeve. 2. The bedding system of Claim 1, wherein said sleeve is in the form of a sheet bag, being closed on both longitudinal sides and having an opening at said first end. 3. The bedding system of either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said sleeve bag is closed at said second end. 4. The bedding system of any preceding claim, wherein the length of said sleeve is adapted to be adjustable in length by folding at the first end to accommodate different sizes of occupant. 5. The bedding system of any preceding claim, wherein said additional fabric layers are breathable fabric layers. 6. The bedding system of any preceding claim, wherein said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve. 7. The bedding system of Claim 6, wherein said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve adjacent to the longitudinal sides. 8. The bedding system of any preceding claim, wherein said fastening means are stud fasteners. 9. The bedding system of Claim 8, wherein each of said removable fabric layers are provided with female stud fasteners on the upper surface thereof, and corresponding male stud fasteners on the lower surface thereof. 10. The bedding system of any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein said fastening means are hook and loop fasteners. 11. The bedding system of any preceding claim, wherein said fabric sleeve is provided with a mesh portion in its upper layer, said mesh portion being adapted to allow the passage of air therethrough. 12. The bedding system of Claim 11, wherein said mesh portion is provided adjacent at least one of the second end and longitudinal sides of said sleeve. 13. A method of installing a bedding system comprised of a mattress, a loose-fitting fabric sleeve and a plurality of removable fabric layers, said method comprising the steps of: at least partially inserting said mattress into said fabric sleeve so that said fabric sleeve at least partially envelopes said mattress in such a manner as to form a space between the mattress and an upper layer of the fabric sleeve for an occupan ; removably attaching one or more fabric layers to the upper surface of said sleeve by way of mutually engagable fastening means; and adjusting the length of said sleeve and said at least one fabric layer to accommodate the size of the occupant. 14. The method of Claim 13, wherein said sleeve is in the form of a sheet bag, being closed on both longitudinal sides and having an opening at a first end. 15. The method of Claim 14, wherein the adjustment of the length of said sleeve is made by folding at said first end. 16. The method of any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of the upper layer of said fabric sleeve . 17. The method of Claim 16, wherein said fastening means are provided on the upper surface of said fabric sleeve adjacent to the longitudinal sides . 18. The method of any of Claims 13 to 17, wherein said fastening means are stud fasteners. 19. The method of Claim 18, wherein each of said removable fabric layers is provided with female stud fasteners on the upper surface thereof, and corresponding male stud fasteners on the lower surface thereof . 20. The bedding system of any of Claims 13 to 17, wherein said fastening means are hook and loop fasteners.

Inventors: NICOL ADRIENNE, NICOL, ADRIENNE
Applicants: NICOL ADRIENNE, NICOL, ADRIENNE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47G9
IPC codes: A47G9