Patent Publication Number: US-2005125903-A1

Title: Fabric sheet retaining device and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a non-provisional application claiming benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60/529,971 entitled “Bed Sheet Retaining Device and Method for Use,” filed on Dec. 15, 2003 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable.  
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to an accessory device installed on a bedding article, and more specifically to a device used to generally retain a fabric sheet over a mattress or box spring.  
     BACKGROUND  
      In the relevant art, fabric sheet retaining devices are largely comprised of elastic bands attached to the fabric sheets. The elastic bands loose much of their elasticity over time. Furthermore, fabric sheets equipped with the elastic bands are limited to standard sized mattresses and box springs which limit their usefulness for higher end mattresses and box springs which tend to be larger and/or provided with thicker padding than that of standard sized mattresses and box springs. Without a fabric sheet retaining mechanism, the consumer will have to continually reposition the fabric sheets after each use thus causing consumer frustration, product dissatisfaction, and wasting the consumer&#39;s time and effort.  
     SUMMARY  
      The invention addresses the limitations described above and provides a mechanism which retains a fabric sheet over a mattress or box spring so as to minimize or alleviate frequent repositioning of the bed sheet after installation. In one aspect of the invention a fabric sheet retaining device is provided. The fabric sheet retaining device comprises a main body including; an interior side, an exterior side, an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side, an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim. In another aspect of the invention, the means includes means for releasing the means from compressively retaining the fabric sheet.  
      In another aspect of the invention, the means includes a removable plug dimensioned to span the aperture from the exterior side to at least the interior side such that when the plug is disposed into the aperture a compressive surface means coupled to the plug compressively engages the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the compressive surface means and the interior rim. In a related aspect of the invention, the removable plug further includes a twist lock means for reversibly maintaining the plug in the main body. In another related aspect of the invention, the at least a portion of the compressive surface means is generally oriented in opposition to the interior rim.  
      In another aspect of the invention, the means includes a plunger assembly having a depressible surface means disposed within the aperture and configured such that when the portion of the fabric sheet is inserted into the aperture, a counterforce means included in the plunger assembly compressively retains the fabric sheet against the interior rim and the depressible surface means. In a related aspect of the invention, the counterforce means includes a spring. In another related aspect of the invention, the at least a portion of the depressible surface means is generally oriented in opposition to the interior rim.  
      In another aspect of the invention, affixing means is provided for affixing the main body to a bedding article. In one related aspect of the invention, the affixing means includes an inner support installed inside the bedding article and a plurality of fasteners which couple the main body to the inner support.  
      In another related aspect of the invention, the affixing means includes a plurality of prongs coupled to the main body at periodic intervals such that when the main body is inserted into an opening created in the bedding article, the prongs grip the bedding article.  
      In yet another related aspect of the invention, the affixing means includes a plurality of prongs coupled to the main body at periodic intervals such that when the main body is inserted into an opening in the bedding article dimensioned to receive the main body, the prongs grip the bedding article thereby coupling the main body to the bedding article. In yet another related aspect of the invention, the affixing means includes a frame adapted to receive and couple the main body to the bedding article. In yet another related aspect of the invention, the affixing means includes an adhesive adapted to couple the main body to the bedding article. In yet another related aspect of the invention, affixing means includes a plurality of stitches adapted to couple the main body to the bedding article.  
      In another aspect of the invention a fabric sheet retaining device is provided. The fabric sheet retaining device comprises; a main body including an interior side, an exterior side, an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side, an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim, where the means includes a removable plug dimensioned to span the aperture from the exterior side to at least the interior side such that when the plug is disposed into the aperture a compressive surface means coupled to the plug compressively engages the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the compressive surface means and the interior rim.  
      In yet another related aspect of the invention, a fabric sheet retaining device is provided. The fabric sheet retaining device comprises a main body including; an interior side, an exterior side, an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side, an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim.  
      In this aspect of the invention, the means includes a plunger assembly having a depressible surface means disposed within the aperture and configured such that when the portion of the fabric sheet is inserted into the aperture, a counterforce means included in the plunger assembly compressively retains the fabric sheet against the interior rim and the depressible surface means.  
      In another aspect of the invention provides a method for using the fabric sheet retaining device. The method comprising; placing a fabric sheet generally uniformly over a bedding article equipped with one or more fabric sheet retaining devices and securing one or more portions of the fabric sheet into the one or more fabric sheet retaining devices such that the fabric sheet is retained over the bedding article. In one related aspect of the invention, the securing is accomplished by capturing the one or more portions of the fabric sheet with one or more plugs adapted to compressively retain the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim. In another related aspect of the invention, the securing is accomplished by capturing the one or more portions of the fabric sheet with one or more plunger assemblies adapted to compressively retain the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the invention. Optional components are generally shown in dashed lines. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined in the claims.  
       FIGS. 1   a - 1   e —depict a first embodiment of the invention.  
       FIGS. 2   a - 2   d —depict a second embodiment of the invention.  
       FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  depict a third embodiment of the invention.  
       FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  depict methods of using the various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      This present invention provides a mechanism to retain a fabric sheet in taut position over a mattress or box spring so as to minimize or alleviate repositioning of the bed sheet after a person has slept in a bed.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   a , a first embodiment of the fabric sheet retention device is shown. The first embodiment of the invention comprises a main body  5  and a removable plug  25 . The main body  5  is intended to be attached to a bedding article  70  such as mattress or box spring by placing a backing plate  45  behind the mattress covering and attaching the main body  5  to the backing plate  45  using fasteners  10   a , 10   b , 10   c , 10   d  such as screws, nails or rivets.  
      Other means of mounting the main body  5  to the bedding article  70  and backing plate  45  include the use of adhesives, Velcro or having the main body  5  sewn directly into the fabric of the bedding article  70 . In typical installations, the main body  5  will be mounted in each of corner of the mattress or box spring to allow the consumer a variety of fabric sheet retention options.  
      In various embodiments of the invention, the portions of the main body  5  and/or the plug  25  include a somewhat curved surface to match the surface contour of the mattress or box spring in which the device is to be mounted. The curved surfaces help to reduce snagging of the fabric sheet and provide a more uniform surface contour when the invention is installed in a bedding article.  
      The removable plug  25  includes a lateral extension  20  having a clasp  30  mounted at the distal end of the lateral extension  20 . A portion of the clasp  30  is generally aligned in opposition  15  to the interior side of the main body  5  when installed. The lateral extension  20  is dimensioned to allow the forward facing edge of the clasp  30  to extend just beyond the internal side of the main body  5  when inserted into an aperture  35  disposed in the main body  5 . The clasp  30  is dimensioned to allow easy insertion of clasp  30  and lateral extension  20  through a long dimension of the aperture  35  but prevents removal when the plug is turned about a centerline axis of the lateral extension  20  thus forming a twist lock mechanism. Both the main body  5  and the plug are constructed of polymeric materials such as high impact plastic using an injection molding process. The plastic should preferably be made of polymers having fire retardant or slow burning characteristics.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   b , a perspective view is provided which illustrates the alignment of the plug  25  and clasp  30  to allow insertion of the plug  25  into the aperture  35  of the main body  5 . The clasp  30 , lateral extension  20  and aperture  35  form a twist lock arrangement  65  which retains the plug  25  in the main body  5 .  
      In a related embodiment of the invention, the main body  5  includes a depression  55  having a forward facing offset. The depression  55  is provided to allow clearance between the outer surface of the bedding article  70  and the rearward facing edge  15  of the clasp  30 . The offset  55  also limits the amount of stress placed on the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture  35  and retained by the plug  25 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   c , a rear perspective view is provided which illustrates the plug  25  in a locked position within the main body  5  and a detail of the backing plate  45 . A forward facing edge of the clasp  30  provides a compressive force against the inner rim side  50  of the main body  5  which retains a fabric sheet in inserted through the aperture  35  in place once the twist lock mechanism is engaged. In a related embodiment of the invention, guides  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d  are provided to properly align the fasteners  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  ( FIG. 1   a ) with the backing plate  45 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   d , a front perspective view is provided which illustrates the plug  25  inserted into the main body  5  and the frontally displaced depression  55 . Fasteners  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  are shown installed in the main body  5  in the guides  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d  ( FIG. 1   c .) The fasteners are installed in wells  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  to avoid snagging or tearing the fabric sheet to be retained in the device.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   e , a side view of the plug embodiment of the invention is provided which illustrates the interaction of the plug  25 , fabric sheet  60  and main body  5 . The sheet  60  is pushed into the aperture  35  by the consumer and the plug  25  is inserted into the aperture  35  then rotated  65  to compressively capture a portion of the fabric sheet  60  between the forward face of the clasp  30  and the inner rim  50  surrounding the aperture  35 . A portion of the fabric sheet  60  may also be retained between the rearward facing portion of the plug  28  and the forward facing exterior side  32  of the main body  5 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   a , a perspective cut away view of a plunger embodiment of the invention is provided. In this embodiment of the invention, a depressible plunger  215  having a counterforce provided by a spring  220  is enclosed in a main body  205 . In this embodiment of the invention, the main body  205  comprises a hollow shell which houses and surrounds the plunger assembly. The plunger  215  lateral extension  225 , counterforce spring  220  and travel slot  235  forms the plunger assembly which utilizes the rear internal shell  240  of the main body to allow the spring  220  to generate the counterforce.  
      The main body  205  includes mounting prongs  210   a ,  210   b  on two or more surfaces of the main body  205 . The mounting prongs  210   a ,  210   b  are intended to capture a portion of the bedding article&#39;s construction when inserted into a pre-established receptacle  245  ( FIG. 2   b .) This embodiment of the invention is useful for bedding articles having a foam core construction. The main body  205 , and depressible plunger  215  are constructed of plastic materials using an injection molding process. The plastic should preferably be made of polymers having fire retardant or slow burning characteristics. In addition, for durability, high impact plastics are preferred.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   b , another perspective view of the plunger embodiment of the invention is provided illustrating the insertion of the fabric retention device into a pre-established receptacle  245  located in a corner of a foam core bedding article  70 . In various embodiments of the invention the portions of the main body  205  include a somewhat curved surface  230  to match the surface contour of the bedding article  70  in which the device is to be mounted. The curved surface helps to reduce snagging of the fabric sheet and provides a more uniform surface contour when the device is installed in a bedding article  70 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   c , another perspective view of the plunger embodiment of the invention is shown which illustrates the location of the depressible plunger  215 . In an embodiment of the invention, the depressible plunger  215  is identified for consumer use by labeling the forward facing external side of the plunger assembly with, for example, “Push Here.” The labeling identifies to the consumer the location in which a portion of the fabric sheet is to be pushed into the main body  205  and held against the inner side of the main body by the plunger assembly.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   d , another cutaway perspective view of the invention is shown which illustrates a consumer  275  pressing a portion of a fabric sheet  60  into the main body  205  from the exterior side to the interior side.  
      The counterforce provided by the spring  220  being compressed against the rear internal cavity  240  of the main body  205  is sufficient to allow the insertion of fabric sheet  60  but will provide a compressive force against the fabric sheet  60  and the interior rim  250  of the main body  205  when the plunger  215  is released by the consumer  215 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3   a , a second plunger embodiment of the invention is provided. In this embodiment of the invention, the main body  305  utilizes a generally open construction having a laterally oriented U-shaped frame which perpendicularly engages the face  230  of the main body  305 . This embodiment of the invention is nearly identical to the embodiments described in  FIG. 2  with exception of the generally open construction.  
      This embodiment of the invention is useful for traditional coil and spring and/or other non-foam core constructed bedding articles  70 . This embodiment of the invention provides a metal frame  360  which is attached  325   a ,  325   b  to the internal frame of the bedding article  70  during manufacturing. The metal frame  360  includes one or more openings  320   a ,  320   b  dimensioned to receive the main body  304 . Once the bedding articles are completely assembled, the openings  320   a ,  320   b  for installing the device(s) are cut into the padding and the fabric sheet retaining device inventions are inserted into the openings  320   a ,  320   b  and metal frame  360 . The number of retaining devices used per corner of the bedding article  70  may be one or two depending on the thickness of the bedding article.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3   b , an example usage is shown where a consumer  275  pushes a portion of the fabric sheet  60  into the device by depressing the plunger  215 . This action causes the depressible plunger  215  to move backwards sufficiently to allow a portion of the fabric sheet  60  to become captured between the front of the plunger  215  and the interior rim  340  ( FIG. 3   c ) of the main body  305 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3   c , a rear prospective view of the invention is shown which illustrates the internal frame housing the depressible plunger  215 , the counterforce spring  220 , internal rim  340  and travel slot  235 . The main body  305 , including the internal frame housing and depressible plunger  215  is constructed of plastic materials using an injection molding process. The plastic should preferably be made of polymers having fire retardant or slow burning characteristics. In addition, for durability, high impact plastics are preferred.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3   d , another rear prospective view of the invention is shown which illustrates the interaction of the fabric sheet  60  is inserted into the aperture  335  from the exterior side to the interior side. The aperture  335  is formed between the plunger  215  and internal rim  340  when the plunger  215  is depressed.  
      The counterforce spring  220  provides the necessary counterforce to compressively retain the fabric sheet  60  against the internal rim  340  once the consumer  275  ( FIG. 3   b ) releases the plunger  215 . In an embodiment of the invention, the lateral extension  225  extends through the travel slot  235  provided when the plunger  215  is depressed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other compressive arrangements which do not require the travel slot  235  may be used as well.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4   a , an example implementation of the plug embodiment of the invention is shown installed on a bedding article  70 . A consumer  275  ( FIG. 3   b ) inserts  400 A a portion of the fabric sheet  60  from the exterior side of the main body  5  to the interior side into the aperture  35  of the main body  5 , places the plug  25  into the aperture  35  such that the clasp  30  is aligned with the long dimension of the aperture  35 , and then twists  65  the plug  25  to engage the twist lock feature. The twist lock feature compresses the retained portion of the fabric sheet  60  against the forward face of the clasp  30  and the inner rim  50  of the main body  5 . Removal of the fabric sheet  60  is accomplished simply by reversing the twist lock feature and pulling the fabric sheet  60  free of the main body  5 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4   b , an example implementation of the plunger embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment of the invention, a consumer  275  ( FIG. 3   b ) inserts  400   b  a portion of the fabric sheet  60  from the exterior side of the main body  305  to the interior side into the aperture  335  ( FIG. 3   d ) of the main body  305  while concurrently depressing the plunger  215 . Once a sufficient portion of the fabric sheet  60  has been placed into the aperture  335  ( FIG. 3   d ), the consumer  275  ( FIG. 3   b ) releases the depressible plunger  215 , which allows the spring  220  ( FIG. 3   d ) counterforce to compressively retain the fabric sheet  60  against the inner rim  340  ( FIG. 3   d ) of the main body  305  and the forward face of the plunger  215 . Removal of the sheet is accomplished simply by pushing in on the depressible plunger  215  and pulling the fabric sheet  60  free of the main body  215 .  
      The foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit the invention to precise form described. In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementation of the invention described herein may be constructed in various shapes and of different materials. No specific limitation is intended to a particular shape or construction material. Other variations and embodiments are possible in light of above teachings, and it is not intended that this Detailed Description limit the scope of invention, but rather by the claims following herein.