Patent Publication Number: US-8122541-B1

Title: Bed sheet attachment system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a bed sheet attachment system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for impermanently attaching a top cover to a bottom sheet with a connecting expansion panel assembly and making a bed with the expansion panel assembly in place. 
     An unmade bed is unsightly and makes a clean room look sloppy and dirty. Children, as part of learning to take responsibility for household chores, are often assigned to make their own beds. Unfortunately, often children find bed-making a struggle and do not allow sufficient time in the morning to complete the task. A popular choice for children&#39;s furniture is a bunk bed with one bed set on top of the other. Making the top bunk bed can be especially challenging. Sometimes even adults, caught in the morning rush, do not have the time to properly make the bed. Making the bed requires frequent stooping over, an activity that adults with back problems may find uncomfortable. The bed maker must walk around the bed multiple times, adjusting the top covers to be evenly distributed before tucking in the edges under the mattress. 
     Changing bed linens and putting on fresh bedding is challenging to children and adults alike, especially if only one person is available. After the bed has been stripped, the user places the fitted bottom sheet on the mattress. Then the user must spread out the top cover over the fitted sheet, making sure that the sides are even, and that there is sufficient material on the bottom to tuck under. Attempting to tuck one section in before the cover is properly placed ends up in a cycle of re-spreading the cover until it adjusted properly. The larger the bed, the more challenging it is to get proper placement of the top cover. 
     As much as making the bed is a chore, everyone enjoys slipping under the smoothed covers of a made-up bed to get a good night&#39;s sleep. Sleepers snuggle under the covers or alternatively, a small child is “tucked in” by a loving adult. Unfortunately, a sleeper&#39;s unconscious movements during the night can result in covers lying in a heap on the floor or at the bottom of the bed. The disarray or lack of covers then wakes the sleeper who may, in turn, disturb others. Small children especially may cry out from being cold. 
     Others have attempted solutions to solve both of these problems. One simple solution is to attach the two sheets by various means, such as a zipper or stitching. Some have proposed directly attaching just the bottom of the two sheets. Others have included directly attaching the bottom or the bottom and the sides of the two sheets to a third piece of bedding, a bed skirt. When the bed linens are permanently attached, washing is made more difficult with a standard agitator washer. The bedclothes do not circulate well because they are attached and the clothes can bunch up and cause an uneven spin cycle. Additionally, the optimal washing conditions for one bed linen, such as water temperature or spin cycle, may not be the same as for the bed linen to which it is attached. 
     When the bottom sheet and the top cover are directly attached, there is not much room for the sleeper to get between the sheets, nor enough room for the sleeper to roll-over or move around. The sleeper becomes like a letter in an envelope, fixed in a flat position. The lack of accommodation for movement results in either an uncomfortable sleeper or the covers becoming untucked. Some sleepers prefer to sleep with their feet uncovered, but like the covers tucked in at the sides. When a bed is shared, often one sleeper&#39;s style of sleeping conflicts with the other&#39;s preferred arrangement of bedding. Sleepers with sensitive feet who suffer from peripheral neuropathy or poor circulation would find the bedding arrangement especially uncomfortable. This is a recognized problem and some have proposed an elastomeric strip at the bottom of the bed at the junction of the bottom sheet and the top cover. Others suggest an elastomeric strip around the bottom and sides of the bed attaching the bottom sheet and top cover. 
     While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that simplifies the task of making a bed with fresh linens. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system requires only the ability to close simple fasteners and snaps to correctly position a top cover on a bottom sheet. 
     It is another object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that simplifies the task for a child of making a neat bed. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system is fastened and snapped after the child climbs under the top cover, and an expansion panel assembly keeps the top cover in proper position throughout sleep so that the child only has to smooth wrinkles in the top cover to make a neat bed upon arising. The expansion panel assembly is hidden under the top cover when the bed is made. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that keeps the top cover properly positioned on a sleeper, especially a child, so that the child does not awake from having thrown the cover off during sleep. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system attaches the top cover to the bottom sheet at a pair of sides and a bottom to keep the top cover in place during sleep. 
     It is still yet another object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that keeps the top cover properly positioned on a sleeper when two people are sharing a bed, preventing one person from pulling the covers off of the other. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system attaches the top cover to the bottom sheet at the pair of sides and the bottom to keep the top cover evenly distributed over the two people. 
     It is a further object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that keeps a top cover properly positioned on a restless sleeper, but allows the sleeper to move in his sleep. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system attaches the top cover to the bottom sheet at sides and bottom but creates increased cubic capacity between the bottom sheet and top cover by an expansion panel assembly. 
     It is a yet further object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that allows the top cover and the bottom sheet to be washed separately. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system impermanently attaches the top cover and the bottom sheet by a fastener strip that allows the top cover and the bottom sheet to be detached for laundering. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that allows a sleeper to adjust the top cover for individual comfort. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system has an expansion panel assembly, that can be adjusted to allow the top cover to be folded down from the top edge or folded up from the bottom edge by unsnapping a snap tab that otherwise prevents a fastener strip from separating the top cover from the bottom sheet. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to produce a bed sheet attachment system that allows two people sharing a bed to adjust the top cover independently. Accordingly, the bed sheet attachment system has a pair of expansion panel assemblies, each on a side of a bed that can be adjusted to allow the top cover on the first side of the bed to be folded down from the top edge or folded up from the bottom edge and to allow the top cover on the second side of the bed to be arranged differently. 
     The invention is a bed sheet attachment system with a pair of expansion panel assemblies that attaches a top cover to a bottom sheet by a plurality of panel strips connected by a plurality of fastener strips. The fastener strips are prevented from opening during sleep by a plurality of snap tabs. The plurality of panel strips provides increased cubic capacity between the top cover and bottom sheet for the sleeper to slip into and move within the bed. The plurality of snap tabs allows the panel strips to be separated at discrete lengths to accommodate the sleeper&#39;s needs and desires for the arrangement of the top cover during sleep. The bed sheet attachment system simplifies the daily making of the bed by maintaining the proper position of the top cover during sleep so that the user merely smoothes out the wrinkles on the top cover upon arising. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a bed with a bottom sheet, a top cover and the invention, shown in outline, in place on the bed under the top cover. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of an upper top section of the bed, with the top cover drawn back, showing the invention in place. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bed with the bottom sheet, the top cover and the invention, with the top cover drawn back, showing the invention in place. 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a connecting expansion panel assembly with a zipper. 
         FIG. 4B  a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, showing the connecting expansion panel assembly with a pair of zippers. 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a connecting expansion panel assembly with a hook and loop fastener. 
         FIG. 5B  a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, showing the connecting expansion panel assembly with a pair of hook and loop fasteners. 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the invention, showing the bottom sheet connected to the top cover, with the connecting expansion panel assembly in a relaxed position. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the invention, showing the bottom sheet connected to the top cover, with the connecting expansion panel assembly in an expanded position. 
         FIG. 7A  is a right side elevational view of the bed, in outline, with the invention in place. 
         FIG. 7B  is a left side elevational view of the bed, in outline, similar to  FIG. 7A , with the invention in place. 
         FIG. 7C  is a bottom elevational view of the bed, in outline, with the invention in place. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a system for attaching a top cover  30  to a bottom sheet  20  on a bed  10 . The top cover  30  is folded over to illustrate the invention in place on the bed  10 . The system has an expansion panel assembly  100  connecting the bottom sheet  20  to the top cover  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion panel assembly  100  has a pair of fabric panel strips  110  connected by a fastener strip  120 . The fastener strip  120  has a length and a plurality of snap tabs  130  spanning between the pair of panel strips  110  that selectively prevents the fastener strip  120  from separating the pair of panel strips  110 , but selectively allows the fastener strip  120  to open and separate the pair of panel strips  110  at discrete intervals along the length of the fastener strip. The fastener strip  120  may be, for example, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, or similar devices for impermanently fastening two fabrics together. 
     The expansion panel assembly  100  has a pair of ends, and a first top end  100 T is shown in the illustration. The expansion panel assembly  100  holds the top cover  30  in place, but the top cover  30  can be folded over and down to the top end  100 T of the expansion panel assembly  100  to allow vertical movement of the top cover with respect to the bottom sheet so that a sleeper can slip between the top cover  30  and the bottom sheet  20 . When connected, the top cover  30  and the bottom sheet  20  define a closed space for the sleeper to move within. The expansion panel assembly  100  enlarges the cubic capacity of the closed space between the top cover  30  and bottom sheet  20  without causing the top cover  30  to move. Even if the sleeper is extremely restless, the top cover  30  remains in place. When the sleeper awakes, the top cover  30  is in place and a simple smoothing of wrinkles in the top cover  30  produces a perfectly made bed. The system simplifies bed making so that a child can easily and quickly make the bed  10 . The top cover  30  hides the expansion panel assembly  100  to maintain the neat appearance. If the sleeper desires more room to get in or out of bed, he or she simply unsnaps a snap tab  130 T located at the top of the expansion panel assembly  100 T and separates the fastener strip  120  to partially disconnect the pair of panel strips  110 . 
     The bed  10  has a pair of ends, the first is a head  10 H, indicated by the placement of a pillow  12 , and the second is a foot  10 F, opposite the head. The bed has a right side  10 R, shown with the top cover folded back and a left side  10 L opposite and a plurality of corners at the intersection of the sides with the head  10 H and foot  10 F. When referring to a particular side, the designation of sides is based on the convention of stage directions, using the orientation of the sleeper lying face up as a reference point. The bed  10 , as illustrated, is a typical American style rectangular bed with a mattress  14 , lying on a box spring  16 , and the box spring held in place by a frame (not shown) with a plurality of legs  18 . It is understood that the invention can be employed on any bed having a mattress with a head and a foot, including both rectangular and non-rectangular beds of various shapes and sizes, which may require customized bottom sheets and customized top covers. 
       FIG. 2  shows in detail the system in place as illustrated by a section of the right side  10 R of the bed  10 . The top cover  30  is pulled back to show the invention. The top cover  30  can be one or more layers of typical bedding generally such as, for example, but not limited to, a flat sheet, a blanket, a comforter, a duvet, a quilt, a spread or a combination of one or more styles of bedding. The system connects the top cover  30  and the bottom sheet  20 , starting on the right side about one-fourth of the length of the right side  10 R, from the head  10 H. The pair of panel strips has a first panel strip  110 A and a second panel strip  110 B. Each of the panel strips has a pair of long edges, a top long edge  110 D and a bottom long edge  110 E. The top long edge  110 D of the first panel strip  110 A of the pair of panel strips  110  is attached to the bottom sheet  20 . The top long side  110 D of the second panel strip  110 B is attached to the top cover  30 . The top long edges of the panel strips  110  may be attached to the top cover  30  and bottom sheet  20  by stitching, fabric glue, hook and loop fastener or other means of attaching two fabrics. The panel strips have a pair of ends namely a top end  110 T, and a bottom end  110 F. The fastener strip  120 , which is a zipper in the illustrated example, is shown completely closed. The fastener strip has a top end  120 T, and in this example, at the top end  120 T, the zipper has a top stop  122  and a slider  124 . An adjacent snap tab  130 T covers the top stop  122  on the fastener strip  120  and prevents the fastener strip  120  from opening immediately adjacent to the snap tab by stopping the slider  124 . When the snap on the snap tab is disengaged, the fastener strip selectively can be opened as far as a second closed snap tab  130 M. 
       FIG. 1  shows the invention in place on the bed  10 . The system has a pair of expansion panel assemblies  100 , indicated by the dotted line, in place under the top cover  30 . The expansion panel assemblies  100 , one on each side of the bed, each having a pair of ends, the top end  100 T, starting about one-fourth of the length of the side from the head  10 H and the foot end  100 F, ending about the middle of the foot  10 F of the bed, without overlapping. Each side of the bed  10  has its own expansion panel assembly  100  for easier bed making with fresh bedding and to accommodate different sleeping styles when two sleepers share the bed  10 . Starting about one-fourth of the length from the head  10 H allows for easy entry by the sleeper and allows the top cover  30  to be folded over in a decorative manner. The fastener strip  120 , extends longitudinally between the first panel strip  110 A and the second panel strip  110 E substantially fully between their top end  110 T and bottom end  110 F. The top cover  30  may be draped loosely or tucked in between the mattress  14  and box springs  16 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows one embodiment of the invention, wherein the fastener strip  120  is a zipper  120 Z. The zipper  120 Z has a pair of interlocking teeth coils  126  on a pair of tapes  128 , a first tape  128 A and a second tape  128 B, a teeth coil  126  each on a tape  128 . The plurality of snap tabs  130  each has a tab  132  with a pair of ends, a first end  132 A and a second end  132 B, and a snap  134  with a pair of interlocking snap discs, a first snap disc  134 M and a second snap disc  134 F. The first snap disc  134 M is placed on the tape  128 A attached to the bottom long edge  110 E of the first panel strip  110 A, adjacent to the top stop  122  of the zipper. The second snap disc  134 F is placed on the first end  132 A of the tab  132 . The pair of snap discs  134  standardly are mated, having a female snap disc and a male snap disc and it is inconsequential which snap disc is placed on the tape  128  and which on the tab  132 . The second end  132 B of the tab is placed adjacent to the top stop  122  of the zipper on the tape  128 B attached to the bottom long edge  110 E of the second panel strip  110 B. As illustrated, the snap tab  132  at the end of the zipper is unsnapped and interlocking teeth coils  126  are separated down to the slider  124 . The zipper can be separated by moving the slider  124  along the length of the zipper until the slider encounters a snapped snap tab  130 M. In the illustration, a second snap tab  130 M is snapped to stop the slider from moving down the length of the zipper. The second snap tab  130 M and each subsequent snap tabs are similarly placed along the length of the fastener strip  120 Z, with the snap disc  132 M on the tape  128 A attached to the bottom long edge  110 E of the first panel strip  110 A, and the mated snap disc  132 F on the first end  132 A of the tab  132 , and the second end  132 B of the tab  132  on the tape  128 B attached to the bottom long edge  110 E of the second panel strip  110 B. If the second snap tab  130 M is unsnapped, the zipper  120 Z can be separated until the slider  124  encounters a snapped snap tab  130 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows an additional embodiment of the invention using a hook and loop fastener  120 V as the fastener strip  120 . The hook and loop fastener has a pair of tapes  128 V and a “hook” side  140  on the tape  128 V, which is covered with tiny hooks, and a “loop” side  140  on the tape  128 V, which is covered with even smaller and “hairier” loops. When the two sides  140  are pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops and hold the tapes  128 V together. In this embodiment, it is inconsequential whether the hook side  140  is attached to the first panel strip  110 A or the second panel strip  110 B as long as the loop side  140  is attached to the remaining panel strip. The fastener strip  120 V has the plurality of snap tabs  130  that prevent the fastener strip  120 V from separating as described hereinabove. The snap tabs  130  are positioned on the pair of tapes  128 V in the same manner as the snap tabs are positioned on the tapes of the zipper disclosed hereinabove. The snap tabs  130  keep the hook side  140  and the loop side  140  in alignment along the length of the fastener strip  120 Z and prevent the separation of the two panel strips  110 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows another embodiment of the invention using a pair of fastener strips, which are zippers  120 Z in this example. Each of the pair of zippers  120 Z has a plurality of snap tabs  132 . The pair of zippers  120 Z with the plurality of snap tabs  132  each functions as described in the discussion of the single zipper fastener strip hereinabove. A single zipper teeth coil  126  is directly attached to the top cover  30  and another single zipper teeth coil  126  is attached to the bottom sheet  20 . The pair of zipper teeth coil provides a means to attach a removable panel strip  110 C to the expansion panel assembly. The second end of the tabs  132 B are located on the pair of zipper tapes  128  attached to the removable panel strip  110 C. The first end  132 A of the snap tabs have the snap  134  as described hereinabove. Additionally, although not illustrated, the system has three removable expansion panel assemblies, one on each side of the bed and one for the foot of the bed. The panel strip  110 C is completely removable by the user on either side or the foot if so desired. The removable panel strip  110 C with the attached zipper tapes  128  is symmetrical around a horizontal center axis. The symmetry allows the removable panel strip  110 C to be attached to either side of the bed. This embodiment allows the user to remove the expansion panel from any side the user desires. This gives the user the option to choose which side or sides of the bed have an expansion panel, and which ones do not. 
     In yet another embodiment, which is not illustrated, the additional panel strip  110 A is attached to the panel strip attached to top cover  30  and the panel strip attached to the bottom sheet  20 . The expansion panel assembly with the additional panel strip provides additional cubic capacity for the sleeper within the closed space between the bottom sheet and the top cover. 
       FIG. 5B  shows another embodiment of the invention using a pair of fastener strips that are hook and loop fasteners  120 V. Each of the pair of hook and loop fasteners  120 V has a plurality of snap tabs  130 . The pair of hook and loop fasteners  120 V with the plurality of snap tabs  130  each functions as described in the discussion of the single hook and loop fastener strip hereinabove. The second end of the tabs  132 B are located on the pair of hook and loop tapes  128  attached to the additional panel strip  110 C. In one embodiment, the hook and loop tape  128 V is directly attached to the top cover  30  and hook and loop tape  128 V is attached to the bottom sheet  20 . The additional panel strip  110 C with the attached hook and loop tapes  128  is symmetrical around a horizontal center axis, that is, both hook and loop tapes are either “hook” or “loop.” The top cover  30  and bottom sheet  20  have duplicate types of hook and loop tape  140  attached. The symmetry allows the additional panel strip  110 C to be attached to either side of the bed. 
     In yet another embodiment, which is not illustrated, the pair of hook and loop fasteners provides the means to attach the additional panel strip  110 C to the expansion panel assembly with the pair of panel strips attached to the top cover and bottom sheet to provide the sleeper with additional cubic capacity to move within the closed space between the top cover and the bottom sheet. The additional panel strip is completely removable as described hereinabove. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show the invention in a cross-sectional view, showing the expansion panel assembly  100  connecting the bottom sheet  20  to the top cover  30  with the bottom sheet  20  covering the mattress  14 . The bottom sheet  20  has a top surface, a pair of sides  20 S, a head, a foot and a margin at the bottom of the pair of sides, the foot, and the head that tucks under the mattress  14 . The top cover  30  has a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of sides edges  30 S, an outer surface  30 × and an inner surface  30 N. The panel strips  110  have a pair of short sides  1105 , shown in cross section, the pair of long sides, having the top long edge  110 D and the second bottom long edge  110 E attached to the fastener strip  120 . The first top long edge  110 D of the first panel strip  110 A is attached to a side of the bottom sheet  20 . The first top long edge  110 D of the second panel strip  110 B is attached to the inner surface  30 N of the top cover  30 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows the expansion panel assembly  100  in the relaxed position, with the bed  10  made up for the day. The top cover  30  smoothly lies adjacent to the bottom sheet  20  with the pair of panel strips  110  flat against the bottom sheet  20 . The illustration shows space between the expansion panel assembly for the sake of clarity. The top cover  30  is aligned on the mattress and in the proper position, held there by the expansion panel assembly  100  in the relaxed position. Although this cross-sectional view does not show the complete side edge  30 S of the top cover, the side edge  30 S of the top cover  30  extends below the expansion panel assembly  100  and hides the expansion panel assembly, regardless if the side edge  30 S of the top cover  30  is draped or tucked in below the mattress  14 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows the expansion panel assembly  100  in the expanded position, which occurs when a sleeper is between the top cover  30  and bottom sheet  20 . The invention allows the top cover  30  to move out and away from the bottom sheet  20 , providing additional cubic capacity  200  for the sleeper to move within. Direct attachment of the top cover  30  to the bottom sheet  20  without the expansion panel assembly  100  of the invention provides no space for the sleeper to move within the bedding. With the expansion panel assembly  100  in place, the top cover  30  remains aligned on the mattress  14  and in the proper position. 
       FIG. 7A  shows the expansion panel assembly  100  in place attached to the bottom sheet on the right side of the bed  10 R. The bottom sheet  20  and mattress  14  are shown in outline without the top cover for clarity. The expansion panel assembly  100  has an inside surface  100 N and an outside surface  100 ×. The inside surface  100 N faces the increased cubic capacity created between the bottom sheet  20  and top cover  30 . The outside surface  100 X is on the reverse of the inside surface of the expansion panel assembly  100 . The second panel strip  110 B is shown at the top of the expansion panel assembly  100 . The first top long edge  110 D of the second panel strip  110 B is attached to the inner surface of the top cover, which is not shown in the drawing. The plurality of snap tabs  130  and the fastener strip  120  are on the outside surface  100 X of the expansion panel assembly  100  away from the sleeper. The first top long edge  110 D of the first panel strip  100 A is attached to bottom sheet  20 , which is not shown in this illustration.  FIG. 7B , similar to  FIG. 7A , illustrates the left side  10 L of the bed  10  with the expansion panel assembly  100  placed as described hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7C  shows the foot  10 F of the bed  10 . The second end  100 F of each of the expansion panel assemblies  100  are centered on the bottom sheet  20  at the foot  10 F of the bed  10  without overlapping. The first expansion panel assembly  100  extends to the left around the corner  10 C and along the right side  10 R of the bed; the second expansion panel assembly  100  extends to the right around to the left side  10 L of the bed. A final snap tab  130 F is on the second end  100 F of each of the expansion panel assemblies. In one embodiment, the fastener strip  120  is a two slider zipper which allows the second end of the fastener strip to separate the panel strips, by unsnapping the final snap tab  130 F, but still allows the expansion panel assembly  100  to remain in place on the sides. Similarly, when the fastener strip  120  is the hook and loop fastener, unsnapping the final snap tab  130 F allows the panel strips  110  to be separated. Allowing the foot  10 F of the bed  10  to be opened up in this manner accommodates the sleeper who prefers to sleep with his or her feet uncovered, but allows the top cover to remain in proper alignment with invention in place. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , when the user desires to initially make up the bed  10  with fresh bedding, the user starts at the foot  10 F of the bed  10 . The user place the bottom sheet  20  on the mattress  14  so that each of the attached panel strips  110  have the bottom end  110 F centered at the foot of the mattress. The mattress has a center longitudinal axis. Each panel strip  110  extends out from the center in an opposite direction along the sides of the bottom sheet  20 . The top cover  30  is placed on top of the bottom sheet  20 , with the inside surface facing the bottom sheet  20  and centered on the center longitudinal axis of the mattress  14  with the bottom edge  30 B of the top cover  30  sufficiently draped over the foot  14 F of the mattress  14 . On one side of mattress  14 S, the panel strip  110  on the bottom sheet  20  is attached to the panel strip  110  on the top cover  30  by the fastener strip  120 . This is repeated on the other side of the mattress. In one example, where the fastener strip  120  is the zipper, the slider is pulled upwards, starting at the bottom end  120 F of the fastener strip  120 . In another example, where the zipper  120  has a pair of sliders, a first slider and a second slider, the first slider is pulled upward, the second slider remaining at the bottom end  120 F of the fastener strip  120 . If the user preferably desires that top cover  30  be folded back to allow the sleeper&#39;s feet to be uncovered, the second slider is pulled upward to separate the panel strips  110 . In another embodiment, where the fastener strip  120  is the hook and loop fastener, the user presses together the hook strip and the loop strip, starting at either the top end  100 T or the second end  100 F of the expansion panel assembly  100 . Once the first panel strip  110  and the second panel strip  110  are attached by the fastener strip  120 , the snaps on the snap tabs are snapped together. Wrinkles on the outer surface  30 X of the top cover  30  are smoothed away by the user. Other bedding may be added by placing over the outer surface of the top cover. The top edge  30 H of the top cover  30  may be folded down and pillows  12  added at the head  10 H of the bed  10 . The sections of the side edges  20 S adjacent to the bottom edge and the bottom edge  20 F of the top cover  20  may be folded and tucked to create “hospital corners” between the mattress  14  and box spring  16  for a neater appearance. The expansion panel assemblies  100  remains hidden by the top cover  30  with or without the top cover  30  being tucked between the mattress and box springs. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated by  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 5B , the expansion panel assembly  100  has the pair of fastener strips  128  and an additional panel strip  110 C. To make the bed with fresh linens with the expansion panel assembly having two fastener strips, the user places the bottom sheet and the top cover on the mattress as described hereinabove. On one side of the mattress, the top cover  30  is attached to the removable panel strip  110 C by the first fastener strip  120 . Then the removable panel strip  110 C is attached to the bottom sheet  20  by the second fastener strip. This is repeated on the other side of the mattress. The snaps  134  on the snap tabs  130  are snapped together. The user continues with smoothing the wrinkles of the top cover, adding any desired bedding, fluffing and positioning the pillows or creating hospital corners. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , to sleep in the bed  10  with the bed sheet attachment system, the sleeper picks up the top cover  30  along with an additional bedding on top of the top cover, folds it back to the top of the expansion panel assembly  100  and slips in between the top cover  30  and bottom sheet  20 . If the sleeper needs more room to slip into the bed  10 , he or she unsnaps the snap tab  130 T at the top of fastener strip  120 T, and separates the panel strips  110 A,  110 B as far as necessary or until he or she encounters a snapped snap tab  130 M. After climbing into bed  10 , the sleeper refastens the fastener strip  120  and snaps the snap tab  130 T. To arise, the steps are reversed. 
     The sleeper cannot throw the covers off or create a disorganized jumble, because the top cover  30  is firmly anchored to the sides and foot of the bottom sheet  20 . However, the sleeper can easily move while sleeping within the increased cubic capacity created by the expansion panel assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7C , if the sleeper desires to sleep with his feet uncovered, the last snap  130 F is unsnapped, panel strips  110  are separated by unfastening the fastening strip  120 , and the bottom edge of the top cover is folded back. The sleeper cannot throw the covers off or create a disorganized jumble, because the top cover is still firmly anchored to the side  20 S of the bottom sheet  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , to make up the bed  10  upon arising on a daily basis, if the sleeper has not unsnapped the snap tabs  130  or separated the panel strips  110  by unfastening the fastening strip  120 , the user merely smoothes out the wrinkles on the top cover  30 , because the top cover  30  is in the correct position on the bed  10 . The user may fluff the pillow or pillows  12  and place them at the head of the bed  10 H as desired. If the sleeper has unsnapped the snap tabs  130  either at the side  10 R,  10 L or foot  10 F of the bed and unfastened the fastening strip  120 , the user merely refastens the fastening strip  120 , reconnecting the panel strips  110  and then snapping the snap tabs  130  together. The top cover  30  is in the proper position and the user merely smoothes out the wrinkles on the top cover  30 . 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a bed sheet attachment system for removably attaching a bottom sheet to a top cover with a connecting expansion panel assembly and a method for making and using a bed with the expansion panel assembly in place. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.