Abstract:
An anti-ligative bed linen system includes one-piece bedding having a top blanket attached to the base of a bottom cover to fit on a mattress. The bed linen includes quilted material that resists tearing or vandalism. The features of being one-piece, quilted, and tear resistant creates a bed linen that is difficult to contrive a hanging device from. Rolling up the quilted material makes a thicker lanyard as compared to a sheet or thin blanket that hospitals typically use. The thicker the lanyard the less lethal it is. Built into the structure are features that allow another bed linen set to be installed over an existing set so the user can use multiple blankets if desired. Another feature includes an alarm system that warns when the bed linen has been removed from the mattress. A washable foldable quilted pillow provides safe comfort and avoids the dangers of using pillowcases.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/637,814 filed on Apr. 24, 2012; 61/637,836 filed on Apr. 24, 2012; and 61/647,504 filed on May 15, 2012, and they are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to bed linens and more particularly to therapeutic anti-ligative bed linens. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Annually, there are over 30,000 deaths due to suicide in the United States. More than 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder, most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder. Bedding and bed sheets are the number one item used to fashion a lanyard for hanging. Bedding and bed sheets are used in 53% of all inpatient suicide completions and attempts. Therefore, there is a need to provide an attractive and safe alternative to the standard bed linens and sheets that hospitals and institutions use. The focus areas would be psychiatric units or any institution that houses people with suicidal and self-harm behaviors or thoughts. 
     To reduce the ability to form a lanyard from bed linen, the bed linen should be difficult to remove from the bed, including the sheets and any blankets. Therefore, using a one-piece blanket and mattress cover would be safer as it would be more cumbersome to remove from a bed than individual sheets or blankets. Even better, the bed linens should incorporate an alarm to warn staff that bed linens are being removed. Also, pillow cases create additional suffocation risks and should not be provided to suicidal patients. Therefore, a bed linen system is needed that incorporates a washable pillow that avoids the need for a pillowcase. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,543 shows a bed linen sheet design that has an attached top sheet and bottom sheet the point of attachment between the two is at the foot of bed top edge. This patent does not address the issue of the danger of loose blankets and does not address how to safely provide blankets to a patient. In fact, the &#39;543 design does not allow a separate top and bottom sheet set to be placed over an existing top and bottom sheet set. 
     Another approach, U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,184 shows the top and bottom sheet being attached at the side. This design could be problematic as the elderly or confused individual might try to exit the bed on the seamed side and create a fall hazard. The optimal design is for attachment towards the foot of the bed allowing ease of entry and exit from either side. The &#39;184 design also does not allow for multiple sets to be fitted to the mattress and thus not providing the ability to meet different patients&#39; needs for more warmth. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,836 shows a bed sheet top and bottom point of attachment at the bottom edge the inventor explains this feature allows the persons foot to extend pass the mattress, this would be an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,543. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,836 does not deal with the problem of placing multiple bed linens on one mattress and does not suggest any structures to make a bed linen layerable, especially a bed linen that incorporates a blanket. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a one-piece bed linen solution that is not easily removed, yet is layerable to address the warmth needs of different patients. Additionally, the bed linen should be made out of thicker, tear resistant fabrics, such as quilted materials, that are difficult to convert into a lethal lanyard. Also, a bed linen system is needed that alerts staff when a patient is attempting to remove the bed linen from a mattress. Furthermore, such a bed linen system would avoid using pillow cases that can be easily converted to deadly objects. Additionally, the bed linen system needs to be easily washed to be hygienic for numerous uses by numerous people. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The anti-ligative bed linen system provides structures for bed linens including pillows to prevent using them for suicide or bodily harm. The invention provides many benefits: ease of bed making, comfort, flexibility to safely have more than one blanket, and added aesthetic of the living environment. The bed linen system includes a bed line made from thicker material, such as quilted material. A one-piece design includes a cover portion fitted directly over the mattress and a blanket portion that covers a person in bed. The one-piece design has an increased degree of bulkiness, making it difficult to roll or fold. With the blanket connected to the mattress cover, the entire bed linen has to be removed to attempt using parts of it as a lanyard. In addition, the linen system may be equipped with an alarm system, which activates if the bedding is removed for tampering, thus triggering a response from hospital staff members. 
     The bed linen includes a structure that allows a main portion of the blanket to overhang the sides of the mattress easily. This natural drop is aesthetically appealing as well. The attribute of having the top blanket and bottom cover connected means the blanket will not come out loose during sleeping hours. When combined with not having to tuck the corners of sheets or blankets, the bed becomes easier to make. Less effort to make the bed has the potential for even depressed and unmotivated individuals to complete a bed making task. 
     The bed linen system includes a bi-fold pillow made from thicker fabrics, such as a quilted material. The bi-fold design compartmentalizes stuffing into smaller sections thereby stabilizing the pillow stuffing. The stuffing resists clumping, which can occur when laundering the pillow. The quilted pillow eliminates the asphyxiation hazard associated with vinyl pillows and eliminates the danger of a pillowcase being used as a ligature for suicide. In addition, the use of thicker fabrics and quilted fabric makes the bed linens tamper resistant and tear resistant. 
     There are a number of advantages of the structures of the anti-ligative bed linen system. The primary advantage is the elimination of safety hazards that are associated with standard bed linens and pillows. The system includes a one-piece bed linen that is not easily removed, yet is layerable to address the warmth needs of different patients. Additionally, the bed linen system is made out of thicker, tear resistant fabrics, such as quilted materials, that are difficult to convert into a lethal lanyard. The one-piece linen system eliminates the need for fitted sheets and blankets allowing staff and patients to manage an easier one-piece system. Also, the bed linen system includes an alarm system that alerts staff when a patient is attempting to remove the bed linen from a mattress. 
     The bed linen system eliminates using pillow cases that can be easily converted to deadly objects. Furthermore, since the washable pillow is flatter and the pillow stuffing resists clumping, it allows for multiple launderings and infection control. In addition, the bed linen system is structured for comfort and is aesthetically pleasing to patients (allowing potential color and design customization for patients), which improves the therapeutic environment for the patients. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an anti-ligative bed linen topside; 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mattress cover; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mattress cover; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an anti-ligative bed linen bottom side; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the bed linen; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side elevational view of the bed linen on a mattress; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an extended flap; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second bed linen X being placed over a first bed linen Y; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a second bed linen ready to be placed over a first bed linen; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a second bed linen being placed over a first bed linen; 
         FIG. 9  is a cut-away view side elevational view of a first bed linen placed over a second bed linen; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a bed linen with an enlarged cut-away view of sensor material in the cover; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a bed linen; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alarm system being actuated; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of an alarm system being actuated; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of an alarm system in a ready state; 
         FIG. 15  is a side perspective view of the alarm system in a ready state; 
         FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the alarm system being actuated; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the anti-ligative bed linen system; 
         FIG. 18A  is a top plan view of a bi-fold pillow in an unfolded state; 
         FIG. 18B  is a side elevational view of a bi-fold pillow; 
         FIG. 18C  is a front elevational view of a bi-fold pillow; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a pillow half, illustrating lofty stuffing; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a bi-fold pillow in a folded state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
     With respect to the drawings, the invention includes an anti-ligative bed linen system  5  for a mattress  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The bed linen system  5  includes a bed linen  10 , in  FIG. 1 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the bed linen  10  includes a blanket  16  having a top side  16 A and a bottom side  16 B that would face towards a person when in a bed. In  FIG. 17 , a cover  14  is configured to fit on the mattress  11 . The cover  14  has an outside surface  14 A and an inside surface  14 B, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The outside surface  14 A would be towards a person and the inside surface  14 B would be towards the mattress  11 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a lower portion  16 C of the bottom side  16 B of the blanket  16  is secured to an end portion  14 C of the outside surface  14 A of the cover  14  creating a secured union  18  between the blanket  16  and cover  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the end portion  14 C wraps under the mattress  11 , securely positioning the cover  14  onto the mattress  11 .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate different embodiments of the end portion  14 C. In a preferred embodiment, the cover  14  wraps under all sides of the mattress  11 . In  FIG. 4 , the union  18  is configured to lie under the mattress  11  when the bed linen  10  is placed on the mattress  11 . In one embodiment, the cover  14  wraps under the mattress  11  about six inches deep to better secure the cover  14  and so that the union  18  can be place farther under the mattress  11  to provide space for additional bed linens  10  to be added. In one embodiment, the union  18  is created with stitching, with the stitching running the width of union  18 , though other securing methods could be used such as hard plastic rivets, or a combination of securing methods could be used. In  FIG. 3 , a main portion  16 D of the blanket  16  is not secured to the cover  14  and is available to be used for warmth when the anti-ligative bed linen system  5  is placed on the mattress  11 . 
     In one embodiment, the lower portion  16 C of the blanket  16  includes an extended flap  20  having a width W 2  narrower than the width W 1  of the main portion  16 D of the blanket  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In a preferred embodiment the width W 2  of the extended flap  20  is approximately the same width as the cover  14  and the mattress  11 . In  FIG. 2 , a lower part  20 A of the extended flap  20  is secured via the bottom side  16 B of the blanket  16  to the end portion  14 C of the outside surface  14 A of the cover  14  creating the secured union  18  between the blanket  16  and cover  14 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the extended flap  20  has tapered edges  17  and the union  18  length is defined as between each taper  17  of the blanket  16 . In one embodiment, the tapered edges  17  are not stitched to the cover  14 . In  FIGS. 2 and 4 , an upper part  20 B of the extended flap  20  is not secured to the cover  14  and extends approximately up to a top surface  11 A of the mattress  11  when the bed linen  10  is placed on the mattress  11 , allowing the main portion  16 D of the blanket  16  to drape over side edges  11 B of the mattress  11 . The combined structure of the blanket  16  easily draping over the mattress  11  and being secured to the cover  14  simplifies the making of a bed by eliminating the need to tuck the corners of sheets or blankets. Less effort to make the bed facilitates even depressed and unmotivated persons to complete a bed making task, helping to improve self-respect and confidence. 
     In one embodiment, the bed linen  10  is made of a material having a thickness that hinders persons from rolling the bed linen  10  to use as a ligature to commit suicide. In another embodiment, the bed linen  10  is made of a material having a strength that hinders persons from tearing the bed linen  10  to use as a ligature to commit suicide. This bed linen system  5  is structured to eliminate the use of sheets and be used in place of sheets. Preferably, the bed linen  10  is made of a quilted material, with the quilting strengthening the material. The material is preferably a washable durable material, such as a cotton polyester blend, but other suitable materials with similar properties may be used. A quilted cotton material adds to a person&#39;s comfort and the quilted bed linen  10  provides aesthetic and therapeutic value as well. Threads used for the quilting are preferably heavy polyester threads to make the bed linen system  5  tough and resistant to tearing. 
     In one embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the union  18  is configured to lie under the mattress  11  allowing a plurality  10 P of bed linens  10  to be placed onto the mattress  11 . This embodiment provides the ability to safely place more than one bed linen  10  on the mattress  11  to provide additional warmth from additional blankets  16 . In  FIGS. 7 and 17 , a bed linen Y is first placed on a mattress  11 . Next, in  FIG. 8 , bed linen X is positioned over bed linen Y. This results with bed linens X and Y being placed together on a mattress, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Bed linen X&#39;s blanket  16  and bed linen Y&#39;s blanket  16  are available to be positioned on the top of the mattress  11  as desired. 
     One embodiment of the bed linen system  5  further includes an alarm system  30  ( FIG. 12 ) that warns when the bed linen  10  has been removed from the mattress  11 . In an embodiment in  FIG. 17 , the alarm system  30  includes a sensor material  32  incorporated into at least one section  14 D of the cover  14 . The sensor material  32  may be sewed into the cover  14 . In  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a sensor is placed proximate the mattress  11  and senses when the sensor material  32  is in close proximity to the sensor  34 . In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a circuit  38  is in communication with the sensor  34 . Also in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an alarm  40  is in communication with the circuit  38 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the circuit  38  actuates the alarm  40  when the sensor  34  indicates to the circuit  38  that the sensor material  32  is no longer in close proximity to the sensor  34 , indicating the bed linen  10  is being removed from the mattress  11 . The term “in communication with” includes both wired and wireless forms of communication, such as traditional metal wiring or wireless communications suitable for use with alarm systems. Any use of wires needs to be securely incorporated to avoid being used as a lanyard as well. As the alarm system  30  is used in close proximity to a sleeping person, care must be taken that the alarm system  30  possesses no risk of fire. 
     One embodiment of the alarm system  30  further includes a setting switch  36  ( FIG. 12 ) in communication with the circuit  38 . The setting switch  36  activates and deactivates the alarm system  30 . In one embodiment, the alarm  40  includes a visual warning indicator  42 , as seen in  FIG. 12 . In another embodiment in  FIG. 13 , the alarm  40  includes an audial warning indicator  44 . The alarm  40  may include both the visual and audial warning indicators  42 , 44 , to better alert the appropriate people that the bed linen  10  is being removed from the mattress  11  and a person may be attempting to harm themself. 
     In one embodiment in  FIG. 17 , the sensor material  32  in each section  14 D of the cover  14  is configured to be located under the mattress  11  when the cover  14  is placed on the mattress  11 . In another embodiment in  FIG. 17 , the sensor  34  is attached to a bed platform  12  located underneath the mattress  11 . In one embodiment, the sensor material  32  is a metalized material, such as a soft flexible metal mesh type material that can be reliably detected by the sensor  34 , though other suitable materials may be used in conjunction with the sensor  34 . The sensor material  32  needs to be washable and not create a risk of cutting through the bed linen  10 . 
     In  FIG. 18A , another embodiment of the bed linen system  5  further includes a washable bi-fold quilted pillow  50 . As the entire pillow  50  is washable, the pillow  50  does not need a pillowcase. Additionally, as the pillow  50  is quilted, the pillow  50  is difficult to tear open to use for suffocation. The bi-fold pillow  50  shown in  FIGS. 18A-18C  includes two pillow halves  56  that are hinged together with a strip of fabric  52 , in  FIG. 18B . In  FIG. 19 , each pillow half  56  has lofty stuffing  58  that is not typical of pillow stuffing. The lofty stuffing  58  is typically used in blankets and is rolled up and stuffed into each half  56 , as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The two pillow halves  56  create a clumping resistant stuffing that will stand up to numerous washings. In  FIG. 20 , each pillow  50  includes a tacking  54  to further prevent clumping by stabilizing the lofty stuffing within the pillow  50 . The bi-fold pillow  50  provides a pillow  50  that has compartmentalized the lofty stuffing  58  thus giving the lofty stuffing  58  a stabilizing property that will resist clumping when laundered, yet be thin enough to fit in most standard size washing machines. Folding the two halves  56  together creates a pillow  50  that is the thickness of typical pillows. One use of the bi-fold pillow  50  could be in psychiatric institutions that require frequent washings of pillows for infection control. This bi-fold pillow  50  would be a replacement to typical vinyl covered pillows found in hospitals and institutions. Vinyl covered pillows have been used by psychiatric patients for self-harm by asphyxiation, by creating an opening and wrapping the vinyl covering over their head. 
     While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.