Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved bedding system that provides a connection means between a fitted bottom sheet and a flat sheet, whereby neatly making the bed is facilitated with minimal effort. The flat sheet comprises three pleated corner lines that improve properly aligning the flat sheet with the bed, where the vertical portions of the flat sheet fall naturally to the sides of the bed as the flat sheet top region is placed over the mattress upper surface. Along the head region of the flat sheet, a pair of slits along the lateral sides of the sheet allows the upper portion of the flat sheet to be pulled away from the bed pillows while its side panel regions are still connected to the bed. Finally, an embodiment of the connector elements includes a line of sewn connection between the bottom fitted sheet and the top sheet up to the lateral slits.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/582,457 filed on Jan. 2, 2012, entitled “Candle Light Linens by Lee.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to bedding and articles of linen. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an assembly having a means to retain layers of bedding in a formed position on top of the bed, facilitating aesthetics of the bed and making the bed after its use. 
         [0004]    Making a bed in the morning or after use is a tedious chore that involves gathering the sheets and coverings of the bed, positioning them over the mattress, and ensuring both are aligned on the bed and arranged so as to be pleasing to the eye. The goal is to improve the look of the bedroom by having a neat and tidy bed between uses, where the sheets may be placed in a desired fashion after use or after being replaced with fresh linens. The process of aligning the sheets and making sure each is evenly laid over the mattress generally requires the user to walk around the sides of the bed and repeatedly reposition the sheets. Depending on the environment, there may be higher standards for the bed appearance, where greater attention to detail is required. Environments such as hotel bedrooms and military barracks are examples where careful attention to detail is required, whereby the sheets must be neatly and uniformly applied to the bed and must be free of wrinkles and ruffled areas. Accomplishing this task with expediency is not always an option, as the high degree of scrutiny given to beds in these environments often requires that the minor details are afforded greater attention, including how taught the sheets are applied, their alignment relative to the bed, and any required tucking of the sheets under the mattress. 
         [0005]    Most bedding linens include a fitted bottom sheet that is applied to the bare mattress, where an elastic member along the base of the sheet conforms to the underside or sides of the mattress to taughtly apply this layer over the mattress outer surfaces. Above this layer, a flat sheet is applied where generally the fitted sheet is tucked into the foot region of the bed, evenly laid over both lateral sides of the bed, and aligned with the head of the bed. Finally, a comforter or top cover is then applied thereover. The process of applying the top sheet and cover layer with any uniformity and with minimal wrinkles involves a careful tucking process and adjustment for its placement on the fitted sheet. This is a time consuming tasks that creates inefficiency and greater costs, particularly for hotel staff that are required to clean and turn over a room between guests. 
         [0006]    To address this problem in the art, the present invention provides a bedding system having several features that facilitate bed making. First, the fitted sheet is applied to the bed as normal, where the elastic bottom portion secures the fitted sheet firmly against the surfaces of the mattress. Along the lateral sides of the bed are a plurality of connector elements that secure to corresponding elements on the flat sheet applied thereover. To position the flat sheet appropriately, three seams along the flat sheet surface outline the upper perimeter of the bed such that the flat sheet is readily applied over the mattress upper while its side portions flank the sides of the mattress in an aligned configuration. The connectors are applied along one side of the bed, whereafter the flat sheet is pulled taught across the mattress to apply connectors on an opposite side of the bed. The upper portion of the flat sheet can be withdrawn from the head of the bed without removing the flat sheet to access the pillow when required. Overall, the assembly allows a user to rapidly locate a flat sheet and then apply it without several adjustments during the bed making process. A comforter can further be applied with the same connectors and using the same method of construction as the flat sheet to apply this top layer over the flat sheet. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0008]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to bedding systems. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to bedding layers having connector elements therealong. None of the prior art references provide the same features that facilitate locating flat and cover sheets while securing both to the underlying fitted sheet. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0009]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,231,679 and 7,290,301 to Ho disclose a bedding assembly and method of making a bed that includes at least one fitted sheet, at least one flat sheet, and stitches connecting the two sheets along the foot end of the bed such that the sheets are connected to one another along at least one edge of the bed. An attachment means is further provided along the foot end of the assembly to connect to a comforter or duvet cover placed thereover. The Ho devices, while disclosing connectors along the foot of the bed, fails to disclose connectors as prescribed by the present invention, which are placed along the head and sides of the bed to secure the top sheet to the fitted sheet while making the bed. 
         [0010]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,561 to Ho discloses a bedding assembly with a first sheet having an elastomeric component removably connected between the first sheet and a second sheet along the foot of the bed. The elastomeric component secures to each sheet using a fastening means, whereby when connected the first and second sheet are elastically connected at the foot of bed and when disconnected, the first and second sheet are free from one another. Similar to the previous Ho devices, this device fails to disclose the elements and intention of the present invention, and is more related to keeping the foot of each sheet together as a single assembly. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,368 to Schuetze discloses a combination bedspread and sleeping enclosure that comprises a mattress fitting bed spread and a sleeping enclosure defined by a folded length of material having connectors on lateral sides of the bed and a fold line along the foot of the bed. The enclosure secures a user therein using the foot fold line and the lateral connectors, while the connected bedspread forms to the mattress and includes decorative articles along its lower edge such as a ruffle or flare. The Schuetze device describes an article that is similar to a sleeping bag having a lower mattress sheet attached thereto and securable access to the bag on both lateral sides of the bed. The present invention pertains to standard bedding sheets with additional connectors along the lateral sides, seam lines to facilitate placement of the sheets on the bed, and an optional configuration that contemplates a sewn connection between the top and fitted sheets to improve making the bed after use. 
         [0012]    Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,257 to Swihart discloses a bedding assembly that includes a cover sheet, a top sheet, and a fitted sheet having a plurality of fasteners along its sidewalls to secure the top sheet and cover sheet thereto. The sheets have complimentary fastener locations to secure the three members of the assembly together over a bed. The fasteners allow a user to create a neat bedding appearance by securing the sheets together as a single assembly. While disclosing a similar bedding assembly, the Swihart device fails to disclose the seams along the top sheet of the present invention which allow the top sheet to readily be applied to the fitted sheet, whereafter the head of the top sheet can be pull away from the pillow region of the bed while its side sections are still secured thereto. 
         [0013]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0233776 to Agarwall discloses a bedding system that contemplates a top bed sheet on a bottom bed sheet whereby the two are connected via a plurality of attachment mechanisms. Further disclosed is a method for installing a top sheet onto a bottom sheet when making the bed using complimentary connector elements therebetween. The Agarwall device, while similar to the present invention, fails to disclose all novel features of the present bedding assembly, including pleated portions that allow the bedding to be readily applied to a bed and the folding top sheet portion over the pillow region. 
         [0014]    Finally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0058537 to Schuck discloses a bedding system that comprises either a bottom fitted sheet having connector elements along a vertical panel to make connection with corresponding connector elements disposed on a panel extending from a top sheet or comforter sheet. The panels are a sheet of material that attaches to the end of the top sheet or comforter sheet and provide a connecting arm between the sheets and the bottom fitted sheet secured to a mattress. Similar to the foregoing prior art devices, the Schuck application provides a unique bedding system having connection between different sheets, but fails to fully disclose all features of the present invention. 
         [0015]    The present invention provides a bedding system having features that allow for locating the bedding onto the mattress, securing the bedding layers thereto, and accelerating the bed making process when changing out sheets or remaking a bed between uses. It is submitted that the present invention is substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing bedding systems. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bedding systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new bed linen locating and securing system that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when making a bed or changing linen on a bed. 
         [0017]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bedding systems that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a bedding system to provide an efficient and ready means for bed making that allows a user to rapidly locate a top sheet and cover sheet over a fitted sheet and secure the sheets together into a connected assembly. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a bedding system that incorporates connector elements along the lateral sides of the sheets towards the head of the bed to facilitate connection between sheets to draw the sheets taughtly across the bed surface to reduce wrinkles without displacing the sheets&#39; proper location on the bed relative to the shape of the mattress. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bedding system that incorporates a fitted sheet and cover having pleated corner regions for rapidly centering the sheets over a mattress of a given size, whereby the pleats of the sheet overlap the corners of the mattress to allow the lateral and end portions of the sheets to fall naturally into a desired location on the bed without several adjustments. 
         [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a bedding system that incorporates a top sheet or cover having a folding head region to make access to the pillows thereunder without removing the connection between the sheets and the fitted sheet. 
         [0022]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a bedding system that contemplates snap connectors, hook and loop fastening, or draw string connector elements that facilitate arrangement and securement of the bedding layers. 
         [0023]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the fitted sheet in a deployed state on a bed mattress. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the fitted sheet in a deployed embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a flat sheet or covering that includes pleated borders separating the upper portion of the sheet from the lateral sides and foot region. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section view of the present invention in a working position, whereby a fitted sheet is connected to a flat sheet and an outer covering. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in a working position, whereby the fitted sheet and flat sheet connection means is a permanent connection along a shared lower edge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the present bedding system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for rapidly and efficiently making a bed. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown a perspective view of the fitted sheet  11  of the present invention in a deployed state over a bare mattress  12 . The fitted sheet  11  is the base layer of the bedding system, and provides a covering over the mattress outer surface as is familiar with most traditional mattress fitted sheets. The fitted sheet comprises a top surface, lateral side portion  13 , a head portion  14 , and an opposing foot portion. The portions terminate below the sides of the mattress at an elastic member  15  that draws the fitted sheet together below the mattress and tensions the fitted sheet over the mattress outer surfaces. This type of sheet is well described and understood in the art. The fitted sheet  11  of the present invention further comprises connector elements  16 ,  17  along the lateral side portions  13  that are positioned towards the head  14  region. These connector elements are a means to secure sheets and other layers placed over the fitted sheet  11 , securing those layers to the sides of the mattress when bed making. The ability to secure loose-fitting sheets to a mattress allows one to connect a first side of the loose sheet to the mattress, walk to the other side, draw the sheet across the mattress surface and secure the opposing side of the loose fitting sheet to the opposing lateral side. The guesswork with regards to placement of the sheet and the time spent removing unsightly wrinkles in the loose fitting sheet are eliminated, facilitating rapid bed making and reduced time tending to these details. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, the connector elements are each a plurality of aligned snaps or buttons  16  that connect to corresponding connectors on the outer bedding layers placed over the fitted sheet. A series of connectors allow more than one connection point and thus greater stability of the connection and also a means to separate an upper portion of the outer layers when removing pillows from thereunder. A portion of the layer can remain connected to the fitted sheet while a portion is disconnected to provide access to the underlying pillows. In an alternate embodiment, the connector elements are a first and second tie strap  17 . These strap assemblies  17  comprise a first strap  21  connected to the lateral portion  13  of the fitted sheet and a second strap  21  connected to the head portion  14  of the fitted sheet. The two straps  21  have a free end, allowing a user to loop the straps through apertures or grommets in outer sheet layers and tie the ends together to secure the sheets at the upper corners of the bed. The straps also form decorative elements along the corners of the bed, allowing a user to tie a bow that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. An alternate configuration of the strap assembly contemplates additions sets of strap members to secure the sheet layers, where several corresponding straps can provide securement for the outer sheet layers at different locations or across different grommet locations in the outer layers. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of the flat sheet or outer layer covering of the present invention. This layer  31  comprises a body portion that covers the upper surface of the bed, a first and second lateral side panel  34 , a foot panel  35 , and a head panel  33 . The side panels  43 , the foot panel  35  and the body portion are separated by a defined seam  36 , such as a crease, stitch line, or other fabric panel separator, which facilitates locating the body portion of the flat sheet correctly on the bed upper surface without making many adjustments to center it. The seams  36  align with the perimeter of the bed, while the side panels  34  and the foot panel  35  fall naturally to the sides of the bed. The user is therefore assured that the flat sheet  31  is centered on the bed when the seams  36  are aligned with the edges of the bed. This process reduces any tugging of the flat sheet to align it properly, as the seams  36  provide an alignment guide during bed making. The perimeter of the flat sheet  31  may be tucked under the mattress or further allowed to rest freely along the sides of the mattress, as desired by the user. To allow independent handling of each panel, the panels are split from one another at the corners of the sheet, allowing each to lift or fall independently of other panels along different sides of the bed. 
         [0034]    Along the upper portion of the flat sheet is a head panel  33  that is covers the pillow region of a bed or is placed under pillows when making the bed. This head panel  33  is separated from the side panels  34  by an slit that runs from the perimeter of the sheet at the meeting of the head panel  33  and the side panels  34 , running inward to the seam  36 . The slit allows the head panel  33  to be freely folded away from the head of the bed without disturbing the position of the side panels  34 . This is useful when access the pillows of a bed or when placing the head panel  33  beneath pillows placed on the bed without disturbing other portions of the sheet  31 . Along the forward portion of the side panels  34  and along the lateral sides of the head panel  33  are connector elements  32  that correspond to the connectors on the fitted sheet. The side panels  34  and the head panel  33  may be independently attached and removed as desired by the user, securing or un-securing the flat sheet from the underlying fitted sheet. 
         [0035]    The goal of the connector elements is to allow one side of the flat sheet  31  to be secured into place while the opposite side is draw tight across the mattress and secured itself. In combination with the seams  36  of the flat sheet, the flat sheet can be rapidly located on a bed and draw taughtly thereover with minimal time or practice, facilitating efficient application of layers of bedding over a fitted sheet. This saves time for military serviceman and homeowners, while also boosting productivity of hotel employees by reducing the time required for bed making and changing sheets. 
         [0036]    Just as the flat sheet  31  is designed to cover the fitted sheet, this same structural layout is contemplated for heavier comforters and covering sheets placed over the flat sheet  31 . Consecutive layers can be placed over the fitted sheet and stacked, each connected to the underlying connectors to allow a user to rapidly place layers of bedding over a bed using the same attachment process. The thickness and material of the sheets or coverings can vary between layers, while the location of the connector elements remains constant to facilitate quick connection to underlying layers and proper placement of the subsequent layer. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross section view of the preferred layout of the present invention. In this view, the fitted sheet  11  is secured to the mattress  12  along its outer surfaces and tucked thereunder using its elastic lower termination. The flat sheet  31  is spread across the outer portions of the fitted sheet  11  and secured thereto using connector elements  32  at the connector locations  16 . Above the flat sheet  31  is an additional covering layer  41  that is spread across the surfaces of the flat sheet  31  and connected thereto using a second set of connector elements  32 . To accomplish this, a double-sided snap fastener may be deployed, where an inner side of the sheet utilizes a female snap connector and the outer side utilizes a male snap connector. Thereby, each successive layer can effectively mate with the underside layer using the same connector orientation and layout. The exact direction, orientation, or type of connector is not desired to be limited to snap fasteners, but rather any such connector that can accomplish connection along a first and second side a sheet layer for connecting multiple layers together. Alternate connector elements include hook and loop fastening, a button along the fitted sheet and button holes in each successive layer, and other connector types known in the art of bedding and garment devices. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a cross section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector elements are replaced by a sewn line of connection  61  between the fitted sheet  11  and the flat sheet  31 . A sewn intermediary flap  62  may provide a connection between the two sheets, or alternatively the sheets may be sewn together directly; however the connection afforded is a permanent one, whereby the flat sheet  31  and fitted sheet  11  are permanently secured to facilitate bed making and reducing sheet arrangement after use. The sewn line of connection wraps around the perimeter of the flat sheet, whereby the flat sheet  31  and the fitted sheet  11  form an enclosure for the user to sleep therein. The fitted sheet  11  and the flat sheet  13  can further be simultaneously applied to the mattress  12  during bed making, reducing steps and improving the speed with which one can arrange a bed between uses. 
         [0039]    For those who wake up early for work, parents who have busy schedules in the mornings, hotel cleaning personnel who have to work quickly to prepare hotel rooms each morning, and many other who may not have a lot of time in the morning to make a bed, the present invention provides a system for locating and applying layers to a bed after the underlying fitted sheet is secured to the mattress. The seams in the layers allow the user to rapidly locate the successive layers over the fitted sheet, while the underlying fitted sheet provides connector elements to secure the layers into place for firmly securing the layers thereto and without wrinkles. A first side of the layer can be secured; thereafter the opposing side is pulled across the bed and secured, eliminating any movement of the layer relative to the fitted sheet that would otherwise misalign the layer with respect to the mattress and the fitted sheet. 
         [0040]    The present invention discloses a bed making system and linen set that improves one&#39;s ability to rapidly make a bed. The device comprises a bedding and sheet system having connector elements and sheet locating means to align the successive layers with the edges of the bed prior to securement. The various components are designed to keep the top sheet, fitted sheet, and additional layers in place on top of a user&#39;s bed while making the bed. When deployed, the system permits a bed to appear neatly made without the user spending considerable time and effort into the act of making the bed. Overall, the device improves efficiency and reduces wasted time. 
         [0041]    It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0042]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.