Abstract:
A crib safety sheet and separable blanket with a sheet portion for selectively removing at least the blanket from the sheet, when the sheet is attached to a sleep surface. The separable blanket defining at least two edges for wrapping the blanket about an infant. The blanket may be removed from the sheet by separating the blanket, or by separating a sheet material portion attached to the blanket, from the sheet covering the sleep surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility application Ser. Nos. 10/630,752 and 10/630,931, both filed on Jul. 31, 2003, which are Divisional Applications of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/176,083 filed on Jun. 21, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,422, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/115,896 filed on Apr. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,528, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/356,773, filed Feb. 15, 2002, and the disclosures of each are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to sheets and blankets for an infant&#39;s crib or bed, and more particularly to a sheet and removable blanket combination for securing an infant on a sleep surface. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    There are a variety of infant blankets and coverings for infants present in the art. In the past many designs functioned only to keep an infant warm while sleeping. Today much more is known about infant sleeping patterns and sleeping safety. The concern for infant warmth is now shared with the concern for infant comfort and safety. Some infants frequently change positions while sleeping, so it is desirable to make an infant&#39;s sleeping environment as free as possible of suffocation hazards while at the same time insuring the infant is kept in a secure sleeping position. 
         [0006]    An additional consideration in infant bedding design is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in which an apparently healthy infant will expire in a crib for no apparent reason. While the causes of SIDS still remain somewhat a mystery it is thought that sleeping in the prone position may increase the likelihood of SIDS. A device to maintain an infant in the supine position while sleeping is therefore desirable. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,834 discloses a crib blanket which is secured to the side of a crib with snap together fasteners. The blanket also contains a single strap along the blanket&#39;s upper margin for securing an infant to the blanket. This invention will keep a blanket secure in its relation to the crib but, unlike the present invention, uses only a single strap to secure the infant under the blanket. Further, the blanket is not attached to the crib sheet. 
         [0008]    Other designs such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,513 and 4,202,052, each disclose fitted garments which are sewn to crib sheets to restrict the movements of infants. The &#39;513 patent shows a sleeping bag blanket secured to a bed linen sheet, the baby being secured in the sleeping bag by a diaper retainer with button down flaps and by a pull down zipper. The &#39;052 patent shows a sheet with a central pleat having an opening defined therein to which a jacket may be attached, the jacket being secured around the infant by what appear to be button or snap fasteners. No blanket is shown. Infants must be manipulated to be secured in these garment-type inventions, which often wakes the infant as he or she is being put to bed, a highly undesirable side effect. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,729 discloses one bedding device designed to prevent SIDS. It is a pocket like blanket device which secures an infant between one edge of the pocket and a mattress. This bedding device does not secure an infant in the same manner as the present invention however, nor does it permit an infant to be positioned on its side without the risk of the infant moving into the prone position while sleeping. The &#39;301 invention also does not prevent an infant from squirming downward into the blanket pocket which could cause a suffocation hazard. 
         [0010]    Several other prior related devices are shown in the related references of U.S. Pat. No. Des. 355,068; U.S. Pat. No. 429,894; U.S. Pat. No. 857,507; U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,729; U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,513; U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,505; U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,830; U.S. Pat. No. 1,964,271; U.S. Pat. No. 2,423,392; U.S. Pat. No. 2,481,741; U.S. Pat. No. 2,503,427; U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,501; U.S. Pat. No. 2,596,547; U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,385; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,399; U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,156; U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,505; U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,300; U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,242; U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,121; U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,363; U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,866; U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,934; U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,259; U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,258; U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,326; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885; U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,904; U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,204; U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,309; U.S. Pat. No. 2,342,069; U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,929; U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,590; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,724; U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,304; U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,731; U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,803; U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,746; U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,817; U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,757; U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,094; U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,827; U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,147; U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,576; U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,168; U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,896; U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,163; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,560; W.I.P.O. Patent Document No. WO93/17606; Switzerland Patent Document No. CH 658177; Great Britain Patent Document No. GB 927094; and an article entitled “Self-Adhering Nylon Tapes” in the  Journal of AMA , Oct. 18, 1958. Each of these related references have been considered with respect to one or more of the related cases of the inventor, as submitted in the aforementioned cross-referenced applications. 
         [0011]    Therefore, it is desirable to have an infant bedding product which will function to keep an infant covered and warm, is as free as possible of suffocation hazards, is easy to use, is adjustable and will prevent an infant from moving into the prone sleeping position while still permitting some infant movement. 
         [0012]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The crib safety sheet and blanket has a fitted sheet with a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends defining pockets for snugly fitting the sheet to a mattress. One end of at least two elastic straps is sewn to one side of the sheet. Hook and loop fastening material is attached to one side of the free end of each strap. Mating strips of hook and loop fastening material are attached to the other flat edge of the fitted sheet such that it may mate with the hook and loop fastening material on the straps. Attached to the center of the sheet is a rectangular blanket with a front surface and a back surface. The blanket is sewn along a longitudinal midline to the fitted sheet, defining two blanket halves which may be wrapped around an infant. Strips of hook and loop fastening material are attached to each half of the blanket so that the blanket may be fastened around the infant to retain the infant in a supine position while sleeping. 
         [0014]    An infant may be placed on its back or side in the center of the blanket attached to the sheet. The edges of the blanket are folded over the infant with one edge lying on top of the other edge. The edges are removably attached to one another with mating pieces of hook and loop fastening material. When secured by the hook and loop fasteners, the blanket functions to completely encircle the infant from just under the infant&#39;s arm pits to well past the infant&#39;s toes. The blanket is fastened securely enough to insure that the infant cannot roll into the prone position, but not so securely so as to preclude all movement of the infant. 
         [0015]    A convenience and a necessity for quickly removing the safety blanket for laundering is a feature of the instant application. This feature allows for more versatility and usability, especially in the arenas that involve the care of multiple infants, such as hospitals and daycare centers. The use of a removable blanket from the sheet allows for quick replacement of a soiled blanket with a clean blanket to maintain sanitary conditions within the environment. It is thereby an aspect of the instant invention to have a blanket separable from the sheet covering the sleep surface, via any of a myriad of attachments. In addition, it within the purview and scope of the invention to provide the blanket attached to a intermediary sheet member, wherein the intermediary sheet member is removably attached to the sheet covering the sleep surface. 
         [0016]    These features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a fragmented, environmental, perspective view of a crib safety sheet and blanket according to the present invention with an infant secured in the blanket. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a crib safety sheet and blanket positioned around a mattress. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a crib safety sheet and blanket positioned around a mattress. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottom of a mattress equipped with an infant safety sheet and blanket. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the safety sheet and blanket positioned around a mattress. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top environmental perspective view of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an environmental perspective view of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top environmental perspective of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a bottom environmental perspective of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top environmental perspective of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a bottom environmental perspective of a feature of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are top views of a safety sheet and blanket, similar to  FIG. 2 , according the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 15A  and B are exploded perspective views of the sheet and the blanket and sheet member of  FIG. 14 , according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are exploded perspective views of a safety sheet and blanket, similar to  FIG. 6 , having a feature of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a safety sheet and blanket, similar to  FIG. 9 , having a feature of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged, elevational, perspective view of a safety sheet and blanket illustrating a feature of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 20A through 20D  are cross-sectional views along  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    The present invention is an infant crib safety sheet and blanket  10  which, as seen in  FIG. 1 , is installed on a mattress in a crib, bassinet, or the like. The invention has a blanket portion  12  (blanket) with a front surface and a back surface. The blanket is attached to a fitted sheet portion  14 . The blanket  12  is preferably sewn to the middle of the front surface of the fitted sheet  14  by stitching along the longitudinal midline of the blanket portion  12 , defining two halves of the blanket which may be folded or wrapped about the infant. When in use, the blanket  12  is wrapped around an infant&#39;s torso and lower extremities (with one side overlapping the other side) so as to keep the infant warm and securely positioned in the center of the safety sheet and blanket  10  on its back or side. The blanket  12  is held in position around the infant with four mating strips of hook and loop fastening material (discussed below). 
         [0037]    When secured in the safety sheet and blanket an infant retains full motion in its arms and head and some lateral motion but is unable to roll completely over or to extract itself from the blanket  12 . By securing an infant in this manner there is a lower chance of sudden infant death syndrome, which is normally associated with infants sleeping in the prone position. The infant has no loose bedding materials upon which to suffocate, and the infant cannot kick free of its blanket and become cold during sleep. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the safety sheet and blanket wrapped around a mattress with the blanket  12  laid flat against the sheet  14  and the back surface of the blanket  12  coming into contact with the front surface of the sheet  14 . The stitching  20 , which secures the blanket  12  to the sheet  14 , can be seen in this view. The hook and loop fastening material  16   a ,  16   b  sewn to the front surface of the blanket  12  removably attaches to corresponding hook and loop fastening material  18   a ,  18   b  sewn to the back surface of the blanket  12 .  FIG. 2  shows two sets of mating hook and loop fasteners ( 16   a  with  18   a , and  16   b  with  18   b ) but additional fastener strips may be attached and used if a more secure hold is required.  FIG. 2  also shows the three elastic straps  22   a - 22   c  that wrap under the mattress (discussed below) to secure the flat edges of fitted sheet  14  to the mattress  24 . 
         [0039]    The blanket as seen in  FIG. 2  may be adapted for smaller infants by folding the sides of the blanket to reduce the blanket&#39;s overall width. Preferably, the right side of the blanket would be folded toward the front surface of the blanket and fastened with snap fasteners  13  present thereon. The left side of the blanket would preferably be folded toward the back surface of the blanket and secured with snap fasteners  15  present thereon. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a safety sheet and blanket  10  wrapped around a mattress  24 . This view shows the two pockets  26   a ,  26   b  defined in the fitted sheet  14  which secure the fitted sheet to the foot and head portions of a mattress  24 . An elastic band  28  functions to keep the two pockets  26   a ,  26   b  securely wrapped around a mattress. Three elastic straps  22   a ,  22   b , and  22   c  keep side edges of the fitted sheet  14  secured to the mattress. The sheet  14  may have several cloth reinforced grommets  23  dispersed along the sides the sheet. These grommets  23  may serve as anchor points for bungee cords or other suitable holding devices when securing the crib sheet and blanket combination to the bed frame of a large bed so that the crib safety sheet and blanket  10  may be used when a crib is not available, e.g., when traveling. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the bottom of safety sheet and blanket  10 . The elastic straps  22   a - 22   c  are removably attached to one side of the fitted sheet  14 , one strip of hook and loop fastening material  30   a - 30   c  for each strap  22   a - 22   c  being sewn to the fitted sheet  14  and a mating strip of hook and loop fastening material  32   a - 32   c  (seen in relief) being sewn to the elastic straps  22   a - 22   c.    
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a feature  50  of the safety sheet and blanket that is used for infants who need additional physical support while sleeping. This feature and all following features are similar to the first feature and the same reference numbers represent identical components. The second feature of the safety blanket/sheet combination has a second blanket  40  with a top and bottom surface that is attached to the first blanket  12 . The first blanket  12  is shown larger in this figure for illustration purposes. One horizontal line of stitching  42  holds together the tops of both blankets and four vertical lines of stitching  44   a - 44   d  hold together the edges and the centers of the blankets. The four vertical lines of stitching  44   a - 44   d  also divide the blankets into three vertical sheaths  46   a - 46   c . The bottoms of the sheaths  46   a - 46   c  may be closed using the snap fasteners  48  located on the bottom surface of the second blanket  40  and the top surface of the first blanket  12 . Hook and loop fastening material, zippers, and any other fastening devices known to one skilled in the art may be substituted for the snap fasteners. Some of the hook and loop fastening material  16   a ,  16   b  has been moved in this feature to the top surface of the second blanket  40  from their position in the first feature on the top surface of the first blanket  12 . 
         [0043]    The second feature of the crib safety sheet and blanket combination is used in the same manner as the first feature except that supportive material such as egg-crate cushioning material or air pad-type material may be inserted into the sheaths  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c . Temperature regulating material such as hot and cold packs may also be inserted into the sheaths  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c . The supportive material is secured inside the sheaths by using the snap fasteners  48  located at the bottom of the sheaths. 
         [0044]    The third, fourth and fifth features of the crib safety sheet and blanket will now be described. These features involve modifications to the fitted sheet. The third through fifth features may employ either the blanket  12  described in the first feature of  FIGS. 1-4  or the double blanket  12 ,  40  design described in the second feature of  FIG. 5 . The following description describes modifications to the sheet and their use with only the first blanket  12  for clarity. 
         [0045]    A third feature  50  of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , replaces the fitted sheet of the first feature with a cloth sack  52  or case generally resembling an enlarged pillow case. The sack  52  has a top surface, bottom surface and at least one opening  51 , the top surface being formed by a sheet as an integral part of the sack  52 . Bedding material such as a bassinet pad or a small mattress is ordinarily inserted into the sack  52  through the at least one opening  51 . The blanket  12  is sewn to the top surface of the sack  52  in the same manner that the blanket  12  is attached to the fitted sheet  14 . In all other respects the blanket  12  is identical to the first feature, and will not be described further. Although the sack  52  is shown having the opening  51  at one end thereof, it is well within the purview of this invention that the opening  51  extends either along the side, or across the bottom (e.g., a sham). In this feature, the majority of the bedding material is enveloped by the sack  52 . 
         [0046]    A fourth feature  60  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This feature  60  substitutes a preferably rectangular sheet  62  of material in place of the fitted sheet  14  of the first feature. The sheet  62  has a front surface  64 , back surface  66 , a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge  68  and a right edge  70 . A fastening device such as hook and loop material  72  is disposed upon both the right  70  and left  68  edges. Snap fasteners or any other suitable fastening devices may also be used in place of the hook and loop material. The sheet  62  further has plurality of apertures  78  defined between its front  64  and back  66  surfaces. The apertures  78  are preferably located close to, and parallel to, the right  70  and left  68  edges. However, placement of the apertures  78  near the edges  68  and  70  of the sheet is not a critical aspect of the invention, and the apertures  78  may be more centrally located as discussed below. As in the third feature, the blanket  12  is sewn to the front surface  64  in the same manner as the blanket  12  is attached to the fitted sheet  14 , and is identical in all other respects to the blanket  12  of the first feature, and will not be described further. 
         [0047]    The fourth feature  60  may be used as illustrated in  FIG. 8  on a full size adult mattress. The sheet  62  is placed back surface  66  down on the top surface of a mattress. Adjustable straps  80  are looped through the apertures  78  and through posts on the bed frame or an accessory guard rail in order to secure the sheet  62  to the mattress. It is well within the ability of one skilled in the art to design a wide range of suitable apertures  78  ranging from cloth reinforced slits to metal or plastic reinforced rings. It must be noted, however, that any apertures containing hard or uncomfortable materials should be located more centrally on the sheet so as not to become uncomfortable to an infant when the invention is used on crib pads or bassinets as discussed below. 
         [0048]    The fourth feature  60  may also be used on smaller bedding materials, such as a crib mattress, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . For these smaller applications the sheet  62  is wrapped completely around the mattress approximately midway between the head and foot of the mattress, with the back surface  66  of the sheet  62  coming into contact with the mattress. The left  68  and right edges  70  of the sheet are secured to one another using the aforementioned hook and loop material  72 . 
         [0049]    The fourth feature may also be used on even smaller bedding material such as a bassinet pad. First, the left  68  and right  70  edges of the sheet are attached to one another as detailed above, but without the intervening mattress. The double thickness sheet  62  is then wrapped around a bassinet pad or the like. The sheet  62  is then secured in position by connecting fasteners  77  to fasteners  79 . 
         [0050]    A fifth feature  80  of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , uses the blanket  12  of the first feature but substitutes a generally rectangular sheet  82  for the fitted sheet  14  of the aforementioned feature. The sheet  82  has a front surface, back surface, and two opposing ends. Disposed adjacent to each opposing edge are several sections of hook and loop material  84 . 
         [0051]    Several straps  88  have one end attached to the sheet  82  and are wrapped around beneath the mattress or crib frame, having a second end with corresponding sections of hook and loop material  86  which are releasably attachable to the aforementioned hook and loop material  84  on the sheet  82 . Hook and loop material is the preferred method of strap attachment but any suitable method including but not limited to, buttons, snaps and buckles may also be used. The straps  88  themselves preferably have elastic properties, but any suitable strap may be used. Each of the straps  88  is attached to or threaded through a spacer  90 . The spacer  90  is a flat, generally rectangular sheet which serves to hold the straps and keep the straps  88  properly positioned and oriented. In use, the spacer will be disposed beneath the mattress. The fifth feature  80  also has two sets of corresponding fasteners  91 ,  92 . Fasteners  91  are designed to attach to opposing fasteners  92  and in so doing reduce the overall size of the sheet  82  and thereby prepare the apparatus for smaller size bedding materials. 
         [0052]    According to the features of the invention, it is clear that the application of the safety sheet and blanket has a need for removability (without sacrificing the safety of the infant when wrapped therein). Therefor, a safety sheet and detachable blanket is shown in  FIGS. 13-20D . The safety sheet and detachable blanket, referring to  FIGS. 13 , and  14 , correspond to  FIG. 2 . The safety sheet and detachable blanket, referring to  FIGS. 16 , and  17 , correspond to  FIG. 6 . The safety sheet and detachable blanket, referring to  FIG. 19 , corresponds to  FIG. 9 .  FIGS. 19-20D  further illustrate the detachable blanket with respect to  FIGS. 14 , and  17 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 ,  16 , and  18 , a safety sheet and detachable blanket is shown in general. With respect to  FIG. 13 , the sheet  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) is provided with the detachable blanket  112 , the features of detachable blanket  112  are the same as blanket  12  of  FIG. 2 , however the bottom of blanket  112  is provided with a first portion of a mating fastener  130 , for engaging the corresponding second portion of the mating fastener  122 . In this arrangement, the mating fastener portions  130 ,  122  provide the blanket  112  with a convenience element, for example, allowing the blanket  112  to be removed for laundering when soiled. The mating fasteners portions  130 ,  122  are, for example, hook and loop type fasteners (i.e., Velcro®). 
         [0054]    The fastener portions  130 ,  122  are shown as being L-shaped however, it is within the purview of the invention to provide the fasteners with several other arrangements. As seen in  FIG. 13 , fasteners  130 ′,  122 ′ (in phantom) illustrate an arrangement having a pair of elongated strips attached to the bottom of the detachable blanket  112 , and the top of the sheet  14 , respectively. Although, the mating portions of fasteners  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′) are shown in particular arrangement, it is understood that any arrangement, and location of the fasteners  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′) so as the function of allowing an infant to rest comfortably upon the blanket  112 , and be wrapped in the blanket  112  (as seen in  FIG. 1 ) in order to maintain the infant in the supine position. In addition, fasteners  113 ,  115 , provide the same function of the fasteners  13 ,  15  of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 16 , similar to  FIG. 6 , a cover  52 , for a sleep surface, is shown having top and bottom surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces are joined together around the perimeter, so as to define an opening  51 . The cover  52  envelopes the sleep surface, as discussed above, with respect to  FIG. 6 . The detachable blanket  12  is removably attached to the top surface of the cover  52  via mating fasteners  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′), as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 13 . Although the sack  52  is shown having the opening  51  at one end thereof, it is well within the purview of this invention that the opening  51  extends either along the side, or across the bottom (e.g., a sham). In this feature, the majority of the bedding material is enveloped by the sack  52 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , similar to  FIG. 9  and having corresponding components, a flat sheet  62  is shown, having a top surface  64 . The top surface  64  is provided with the fastener portions  122  ( 122 ′) for engaging the mating fastener portions  130  ( 130 ′) the bottom surface of the detachable blanket  112 . As discussed above, with respect to  FIGS. 13 , and  16 , the mating fasteners  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′) are typically hook and loop type fasteners (i.e., Velcro®), however, any other suitable fasteners are useable so long as not to interfere with the comfort of the infant when wrapped and secured in the detachable blanket  112 . 
         [0057]    Turning to  FIGS. 14 ,  15 A,  15 B, and  17 , an alternative variation of the present invention for providing a detachable safety blanket is illustrated. In these figures, as the case of  FIGS. 13 ,  16 , and  18  above, common corresponding elements have the same reference numerals. 
         [0058]      FIG. 14 , shows a detachable blanket  126 , as in  FIG. 13 , with an added sheet material  128  permanently secured to the bottom of detachable blanket  126 .  FIGS. 15A and 15B  are exploded presentations of  FIG. 14 , to more clearly illustrate this aspect of the instant invention. The detachable blanket  126  is shown attached to the sheet material  128  via stitching  120 . Stitching  120  is the same as the stitching  20  of  FIG. 2 . Although, the stitching  120  is shown along the midline of the blanket  126 , it is understood that the stitching may be disposed in any manner so as to allow the blanket  126  to wrap and secure an infant therein. The sheet material  128  is selected any fabric type, and has the fasteners  130  disposed thereon. It is desired to have the detachable blanket  126  to be as versatile as possible. In that manner, the fastener portions  130  are disposed about the sheet material  128 , and on both the upper and lower surfaces thereof. 
         [0059]    Sheet  14 , likewise has the mating fastener portions  122  disposed thereon in a mirror image fashion to the sheet material  128 . In addition, the fastener portions  122  are likewise disposed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet  14 . Sheet  14  is further provided with an opening  124 , such as slit. The opening  124  allows the sheet material  128  to be maneuvered to therethrough. In this manner, the fastener portions  130  on the upper surface thereof may engage the corresponding fastener portions  122  on the lower surface of the sheet  14  (see  FIG. 15B ). The sheet  14  includes an optional elasticized perimeter  136 , thus more commonly referred to as a fitted sheet form. The omission of the elasticized perimeter  136  would result in the sheet  14  being a standard flat sheet form. In addition, the fastener portions  122  on lower surface allow for the reversibility of the sheet  14  on the sleep surface (not shown) in each of the flat and fitted forms. 
         [0060]    In addition, as in  FIG. 13 , the disposition of the mating fastener portions  130 ,  122  are not limited the arrangement shown in  FIG. 14 , but any suitable arrangement is well within the scope of the invention. As such, mating fastener portions  130 ′,  122 ′ are likewise illustrated as elongated strips. The mirroring of fastener portions  122 ′ to that of  130 ′ is the same as for the fastener portions  130 ,  122 . The mating fastener portions  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′) are preferably hook and loop fasteners (i.e., Velcro®), however, any suitable fastener is useable in this arrangement so long as the disposition thereof does not create any discomfort to the infant wrapped in the blanket  112 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 17 , combines the structures of sheet  52  from  FIG. 6  and the detachable blanket  114  of  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 16  above, a sheet, sack, or cover  52 , for a sleep surface, is shown having top and bottom surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces are joined together around the perimeter, so as to define an open end  51 . The cover  52  envelopes the sleep surface, as discussed above, with respect to  FIG. 6 . the cover  52  includes the opening  124  in the top surface thereof. Although the cover  52  is shown having the opening  51  at one end thereof, it is well within the purview of this invention that the opening  51  extends either along the side, or across the bottom (e.g., a sham). In this feature, the majority of the bedding material is enveloped by the cover  52 . 
         [0062]    The detachable blanket  126  is shown attached to the sheet material  128  via stitching  120 . Stitching  120  is the same as the stitching  20  of  FIG. 2 . Although, the stitching  120  is shown along a midline of the blanket  126 , it is understood that the stitching may be disposed in any manner so as to allow the blanket  126  to wrap and secure an infant therein. The sheet material  128  is selected any fabric type, and has the fasteners  130  disposed thereon. It is desired to have the detachable blanket  126  to be as versatile as possible. In that manner, the fastener portions  140  are disposed about the sheet material  128 , and on both the upper and lower surfaces thereof. 
         [0063]    Sheet  52 , likewise has the mating fastener portions  142  disposed thereon in a mirror image fashion to the sheet material  128 . In addition, the fastener portions  142  are likewise disposed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet  52 . Sheet  52  is further provided with the opening  124 . The opening  124  allows the sheet material  128  to be maneuvered to therethrough. In this manner, the fastener portions  140  on the upper surface thereof may engage the corresponding fastener portions  142  on the lower surface of the sheet  52  (e.g., see  FIG. 15B ). 
         [0064]      FIG. 19  is a partial enlarged portion of any  FIGS. 14 ,  15 A and  15 B, and  17 , illustrating the mating fastener arrangement according to the present invention. The detachable blanket  126  coupled to a sheet portion  128  via stitching  120 . The attachment allows at least two sides of the blanket  126  that are wrapped around the infant (as indicated by the arrows), note  FIG. 1 . The detachable safety blanket  126  is securely and removably attached to the sheet (or sleep surface cover)  14 ,  52 ,  62 , via a mating fastener arrangement  140  between the sheet material portion  128  and the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 . The mating fastener arrangement  140 , includes the hook and loop type fasteners  130 ,  122  ( 130 ′,  122 ′) discussed above, or any other suitable mating fastener types.  FIGS. 20A ,  20 B,  20 C,  20 D, are cross-sectional views of a few examples of the myriad of fastener types  140  suitably used to secure the detachable blanket  126  to the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 . 
         [0065]    The sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  includes a opening  124  for positioning the sheet material  128 , so as to extend therethrough, as discuss above. Sheet material  128  has a one portion of the fastener  140 , and the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  has the other portion.  FIG. 20A  illustrates a first example of the fastener types  140 . Sheet material  128  has buttons  142  attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof via coupling material  146  (e.g. thread). Sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  includes a button hole  144  defined therethrough. In this arrangement, the sheet material  128  is disposable on the either upper or lower surface of the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 , and is secured by passing a button  142  through the button hole  144 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 20B  illustrates a second example of the fastener types  140 . Sheet material  128  has a button hole  144 ′ defined therethrough. Sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  has buttons  142 ′ attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof via coupling material  146 ′ (e.g. thread). In this arrangement, the sheet material  128  is disposable on the either upper or lower surface of the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 , and is secured by passing a button  142 ′ through the button hole  144 ′. 
         [0067]      FIG. 20C  illustrates another example of the fastener types  140 . Sheet material  128  has a first part of a snap fastener  150  attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. Sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  has the other part of the snap fastener  152  attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. In this arrangement, the sheet material  128  is disposable on the either upper or lower surface of the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 , and is secured by mating the first and second parts of the snap fasteners  150 ,  152  together. It is understood that either part of the snap fastener  140  of  FIG. 20C  is disposable on the sheet material  128 , so long as the mating part is disposed in a mirrored fashion on the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 20D  illustrates another example of the fastener types  140 . Sheet material  128  has a grommet  160  attached thereon, forming a reinforced aperture in the sheet material  128 . Sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  has resilient tongue member  162  attached to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. In this arrangement, the sheet material  128  is disposable on the either upper or lower surface of the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 , and is secured by mating the resilient tongue member  162  with the grommet  160  together. It is understood that either the grommet  160  or the resilient tongue member  162  of the fastener  140  of  FIG. 20D  is disposable on the sheet material  128 , so long as the mating part is disposed in a mirrored fashion on the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62 . In addition, it is well within the purview of the instant invention that resilient tongue member  162  is may be any mechanism the is capable of being coupled to a grommet so as the detachable blanket  126  is secured to the sheet  14 ,  52 ,  62  without interfering with the comfort of the infant wrapped in the detachable blanket  126 . 
         [0069]    It is well within the abilities of one skilled in the art to alter the shape and/or size of the fitted sheet and blanket to fit a variety of different infant sleeping devices such as cribs, bassinets, incubators and playpens. The sheet and the blanket may be made from any suitable material, including cotton, wool, polyester, silk, Lycra®, and nylon. Likewise, any other variant of mating fastener for securing the detachable blanket to the sheet or sleep surface cover is consider within the scope of the appended claims of the invention. 
         [0070]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements described above, but encompasses any and all arrangements within the scope of the following claims.