Abstract:
What is provided is an apparatus and a method of using an apparatus for dividing a bed. This apparatus is durable, readily removable, and provides a greater degree of privacy to bedmates than existing solutions. The apparatus comprises a cushion entirely enclosed within a fitted sheet. The fitted sheet with the cushion are positioned on the top of a mattress. The fitted sheet comprises at least one zipper for creating an opening to insert and remove the cushion from the fitted sheet, at least one fastener for attaching and detaching the cushion from the fitted sheet, and at least one flap. The cushion may be entirely enclosed within and attached to the fitted sheet prior to positioning both the fitted sheet and the cushion on the mattress.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/132,927 filed on Mar. 13, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This patent application relates to a cushion designed to be inserted and attached to a fitted sheet for providing a barrier between bedmates. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are many factors, such as mattress comfort, pillow comfort, bed placement, and bedmate habits that affect whether an individual experiences a restful night of sleep. Since most individuals share a bed with a partner, spouse, or other family member, it is often difficult for a bedmate to get a restful night of sleep if the other bedmate frequently tosses and turns during the night. Additionally, one of the bedmates may wish to engage in certain activities in bed, such as reading a book or looking at a mobile computing device, that make it more difficult for the other bedmate to get a restful night of sleep. Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus that provides a barrier between bedmates in order for each bedmate to achieve some degree of separation. This apparatus needs to provide an easily adaptable solution for privacy in one bed, instead of purchasing an additional bed. 
         [0004]    Currently, there are various attempts to successfully provide a solution to the need for a barrier between bedmates. Some of these attempts include make-shift pillows, rolled-up blankets, or mattresses permanently designed with projecting portions or dividers. However, the make-shift pillows and rolled-up blankets are temporary solutions, at best, as they are not very durable, do not extend the full-length of the bed, and do not retain their shape. Mattresses that include projecting portions or dividers require the purchase of specific mattresses integrated with said projecting portions or dividers and are not readily removable. 
         [0005]    As a result, there remains a need for an apparatus that provides a more durable, readily removable, and stronger barrier in a bed, which provides a greater degree of privacy and separation to bedmates. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    What is provided is an apparatus and a method of using an apparatus for dividing a bed. This apparatus is durable, readily removable, and provides a greater degree of privacy to bedmates. Described embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a cushion having a length substantially the same as the length of a mattress; a fitted sheet entirely enclosing the cushion for positioning the fitted sheet with the cushion on the top of the mattress, the fitted sheet comprising at least one zipper for creating an opening to insert and remove the cushion from the fitted sheet, at least one fastener for attaching and detaching the cushion from the fitted sheet, and at least one flap. The cushion may be entirely enclosed within and attached to the fitted sheet prior to positioning both the fitted sheet and the cushion on the mattress. 
         [0007]    Described embodiments provide a method of using an apparatus for dividing a bed comprising enclosing a cushion having a length substantially the same as the length of a mattress into a fitted sheet through an opening in the fitted sheet; attaching the cushion to the fitted sheet through at least one fastener; positioning the fitted sheet with the cushion on the top of the mattress; and folding at least one flap over the at least one fastener. The method may further comprise removing the cushion from the fitted sheet by unfolding the at least one flap over the at least one fastener, detaching the cushion from the fitted sheet and removing the cushion from the fitted sheet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Claimed subject matter, however, as to structure, organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description if read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of a front sectional view of a cushion enclosed within a fitted sheet; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of a side perspective view of the cushion enclosed within the fitted sheet; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the cushion enclosed within the fitted sheet; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is another embodiment of a front sectional view of the cushion enclosed within a fitted sheet comprising at least one pocket; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a front sectional view of the fitted sheet affixed to the mattress without the cushion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples as defined in the claimed subject matter, and as an example of how to make and use the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to such specific details, and may even be practiced without requiring such specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples defined by the claimed subject matter. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a front sectional view of a cushion  100  enclosed within a fitted sheet  110 . The cushion  100  may have a rectangular shape and is fabricated from soft, yet durable and sturdy material, similar to that of a stiff pillow. In some embodiments, the cushion  100  may be made from foam or foam-like material that is designed to minimize developing allergies or allergic reactions. The material of the cushion  100  may assume different sizes and shapes when compressed during its use and may be available in an assortment of colors and textures. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the cushion  100  has a width of about 6 inches, a length of between about 75 inches and about 80 inches, and a height of about 9 inches. Other embodiments of the cushion  100  may have other dimension combinations to accommodate a variety of specifications, such as weight, shipping, and/or manufacturing details. Specifically, the length may be varied to accommodate all bed sizes, including, but not limited to King, California King, Queen, Twin, Double, and Single. 
         [0017]    The fitted sheet  110  may be a variety of sizes, including, but not limited to King, California King, Queen, Twin, Double, and Single. The size of the fitted sheet  110  used corresponds to the size of the bed. The cushion  100  is fabricated to have specific dimensions to snugly and readily fit into and attach to the variety of sizes of the fitted sheet  110 . In some embodiments, the fitted sheet  110  may be customized ahead of time to enclose the cushion  100 . In other embodiments, the fitted sheet  110  and the cushion  100  may each be provided separately and the cushion  100  may be inserted into and attached to the fitted sheet  110  when ready for use. The fitted sheet  110  may be available in an assortment of colors and textures, such as, but not limited to cotton. The fitted sheet  110 , either including the cushion  100  or independent of the cushion  100 , may be affixed on top of a conventional mattress  120 , such as a bed mattress. The cushion  100  may be available in sizes corresponding to the length of the mattress  120 , so that the cushion  100  may be placed lengthwise from the head to the foot of the mattress within the fitted sheet  110 . In some embodiments, the cushion  100  extends substantially along the full length of the mattress  120 . Once the fitted sheet  110  enclosed with the cushion  100  is affixed to the top of the mattress  120 , the combination of the fitted sheet  110  and cushion  100  is located approximately in the center of the mattress  120 . However, the combination of the fitted sheet  110  and the cushion  100  may be located in any position on the mattress  120 , depending on the preferences of the bedmates. Besides the portion of the fitted sheet  110  enclosing the cushion  100 , the rest of the fitted sheet  110  fits snugly over the mattress  120  as would any conventional fitted sheet  110 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  further shows at least one zipper  130  for creating an opening to insert the cushion  100  into and remove the cushion  100  from the fitted sheet  110 . The at least one zipper  130  may be located at various positions on the fitted sheet  110 , including, but not limited to the top  140  of the fitted sheet  110  and/or the sides  150  of the fitted sheet  110 . In some embodiments, the at least one zipper  130  extends the full-length of the fitted sheet  110  in order to make it easier for the cushion  100  to be inserted into and removed from the fitted sheet  110 . 
         [0019]    After being inserted into the fitted sheet  110 , the cushion  100  may be securely attached to the fitted sheet  110  through at least one fastener  160 . In addition, the at least one fastener  160  allows the cushion  100  to be easily detached from the fitted sheet  110  when not in use. In some embodiments, the at least one fastener  160  is located on each of the cushion  100  and the fitted sheet  110 . The at least one fastener  160  may be located on both the inside and the outside of the fitted sheet  110  and on the outside of the cushion  100 . In one example, the at least one fastener  160  is positioned along the full length of the cushion  100  and the fitted sheet  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the at least one fastener  160  is located on only one of the cushion  100  or the fitted sheet  110 . The at least one fastener  160  may be a Velcro® strip, a conventional zipper, a sewn thread, or functionally equivalent materials. 
         [0020]    The fitted sheet  110  further comprising at least one flap  170  that may hang over at least one fastener  160  located on the fitted sheet  110 . The at least one flap  170  is available in the same assortment of colors and textures as the fitted sheet  110 , such as, but not limited to cotton. In some embodiments, there is at least one set of two flaps located on the fitted sheet  110 , each flap  170  in the at least one set of flaps is located on an opposite side  150  of the fitted sheet  110  from the other flap  170 . In these embodiments, each flap  170  has about the same length and width in order to help securely and evenly support the cushion  100  in place in the fitted sheet  110  when in use on the mattress  120 . The at least one flap  170  may be folded over the at least one fastener  160  to conceal and prevent the at least one fastener  160  from being touched by an individual. The at least one fastener  160  is typically made from material that is uncomfortable or irritating to an individual&#39;s skin, which may prevent the individual from a restful night of sleep. When the cushion  100  needs to either be inserted and attached to the fitted sheet  110  or removed from the fitted sheet  110 , the at least one flap  170  is easily unfolded to reveal the at least one fastener  160 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a side perspective view of the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110 . The cushion  100  lays flat along the length of the mattress  120  when the fitted sheet  110  is affixed on top of the mattress  120 . The cushion  100  is positioned approximately in the center of the mattress  120  in order to create an even barrier in the bed between the bedmates. However, the positioning of the cushion  100  on the mattress  120  may be adjusted depending on the amount of space needed for each bedmate. In this embodiment, the zipper  130  is positioned along the full-length of the top  140  of the fitted sheet  110  enclosing the cushion  100 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a side view of the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110 . In this embodiment, the combination of the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110  is affixed to the mattress  120 . In this embodiment, the zipper  130  is positioned along the full-length of the top  140  of the fitted sheet  110  enclosing the cushion  100 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of a front sectional view of the cushion  100  enclosed within a fitted sheet  110  comprising at least one pocket  180 . In this embodiment, the fitted sheet  110  comprises the at least one fastener  160 , the at least one zipper  130 , the plurality of flaps  170 , and the at least one pocket  180 . In some embodiments, the at least one pocket  180  is at least about 2 feet away from the head of the bed in order to be easier to reach by an individual and to be closer an electrical outlet. The at least one pocket  180  serves as a convenient storage unit in the bed for items such as, but not limited to television remote controls, books, cell phones, heating/cooling mechanisms, massage mechanisms, speakers, and the like. As a result, the combination of the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110  provides an additional surface for storage of items that may substitute a night stand. 
         [0024]    The at least one pocket  180  may vary in shape, size, depth, height, length, and width depending on the specific items to be stored within. In one embodiment, the at least one pocket  180  is in the shape of a rectangle. The at least one pocket  180  may be available in an assortment of colors and textures, such as, but not limited to cotton. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , there are two pockets  180  that are each configured to hang freely on opposing sides  150  of the fitted sheet  110 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a front sectional view of the fitted sheet  110  affixed to the mattress  120  without the cushion  100 . The fitted sheet  110  may still be affixed to the mattress  120  in the same type of manner whether or not the cushion  100  is inserted into the fitted sheet  110 . The ease of removability of the cushion  100  from the fitted sheet  110  allows for the fitted sheet  110  to be handled and washed like any other fitted sheet currently available on the market. The at least one flap  170  folds down and covers the at least one fastener  160  on the fitted sheet  110  when the cushion  100  is not inserted into the fitted sheet  110 . As a result, the at least one fastener  160  will not come in contact with an individual&#39;s skin in the bed. The folding down of the at least one flap  170  also allows for the at least one flap  170  to directly affix to the mattress  120  with the addition of the fitted sheet  110  on the top of the mattress  120 . In this embodiment, two flaps  170  are shown folded over two fasteners  160  on the fitted sheet  110 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the combination of the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110  is known as MIJESNIK WEDGE™. Further, it should be understood that this application includes a method of using an apparatus for creating a barrier in a bed comprising the cushion  100  enclosed within the fitted sheet  110  and the fitted sheet  110  affixed to the mattress  120 . 
         [0027]    It will, of course, be understood that, although particular embodiments have just been described, the claimed subject matter is not limited in scope to a particular embodiment or implementation. Likewise, an embodiment may be implemented in any combination of systems, methods, or products made by a process, for example. 
         [0028]    In other instances, features that would be understood by one of ordinary skill were omitted or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that claims are intended to cover all such modifications or changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter.