Patent Publication Number: US-6704955-B1

Title: Method for securing bed coverings and apparatus therefor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 10/078,881, filed Feb. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,194 which is included herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains generally to beds and bed coverings, and in particular to a method and apparatus for fastening a bed covering such as a sheet or blanket so that the bed coverings will not pull out from under the mattress. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Inventions relating to bed coverings and means for securing same are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,737 depicts a sheet holder for maintaining sheets or other similar articles of bed clothing in a customarily desired position on a bed. The device holds the articles of bed clothing under tension in a desired position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,350,726 is directed to a mattress retainer having a support. Corner guards are secured adjacent lower ends thereof to corners of the support. A harness is secured to each of the corner guards at a medial portion thereof, and the upper portions of the corner guards serving to restrain the mattress from sliding with respect to the support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,831 pertains to a mattress securing apparatus which utilizes four right angle corner guards disposed at the corners of a mattress resting on a device having a mattress supporting surface therein such as a box spring to prevent lateral displacement of the mattress relative to the supporting surface. A plate, affixed to each corner guard and perpendicular to the right angle leg portions thereof, is located between the supporting surface and the lowermost surface of the mattress. A harness, including an elastic member is located in crisscross fashion, connecting the four corner guards together, urging the corner guards in touching engagement with the corners of the mattress and mattress supporting device. A pair of cords flexibly connect adjacent pairs of corner guards together preventing the corner guards from accidental dislodgement when one corner of the mattress is lifted. A securing plate is utilized to maintain the area of the harness together where the harness elements cross or engage each other near the mid area of the mattress. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,543 shows a device for attaching flat bed sheets and other bed covers to a waterbed and for retaining them neatly in a desired position atop the mattress of a waterbed. The device includes a fastener including a slot and stud combination, attached to an elastic connector extending from the fastener to a retainer portion of relatively stiff construction and extending parallel with the bottom of the waterbed, beneath the mattress thereof. The retainer may include openings therethrough, or in another embodiment may include suction cups for gripping the lower surface of the mattress. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,856 includes a grasping system for use on contoured sheets to keep sheets tucked and tight under mattress. The system comprises two independent terry elastic straps having a nylon insert clip attached to each end and an adjustable slide on each front end of the straps. Both straps crisscross along bottom surface portion of the mattress. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,139 illustrates a device to secure the top sheet of bedding from being accidentally pulled out at the foot of the bed. An elongated piece of plastic material is provided for placement between the mattress and the box springs of a bed, wherein the end of the tucked-in top sheet of the bed is in contact with one side of the elongated piece of material, and the other side of the elongated piece is in contact with the box springs. The top sheet securing device is constructed of materials which have a high coefficient of static friction such that the weight of the mattress pressing down upon the tucked-in top sheet is sufficient to provide compression of the plastic material between the top sheet and lower box springs that the top sheet is held in position against the unintentional or accidental pulling out. The top sheet securing device may be alternately made of a thin sheet of vinyl plastic or a thickness of open or closed cell low density polyurethane foam, or a combination of vinyl plastic and polyurethane foam. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,470 discloses a device for holding any number or combination of bedclothes in a fixed position on a bed. The device comprises three component parts all positioned entirely under the uppermost cushioned structure of the bed: a) an anchor member having a plurality of cooperable fastening means disposed generally at peripheral points on it, the fastening means counter poised against one another, b) a plurality of elasticized retaining members having length adjusting mechanism and cooperable fastening means to those on the anchoring member, and c) a plurality of clamps having pivotally connected gripping segments, a closure forcing element and cooperably insertable associated independent coupling elements, said clamps connected to the retaining members. Any number of bedclothes, at any point adjacent to the lower edge of the uppermost cushioned structure, are wrapped around an associated independent coupling element and the associated independent coupling element and bedclothes are then inserted into the clamps. The bedclothes are then tucked under the uppermost cushioned structure of the bed and the elasticized retaining hand is then fastened to the anchoring member the cooperable fastening means. The bedclothes are fastened to the device at opposite sides of the bed and are so held in place by the device through opposing counterpoised force. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,766 comprises a bed covering anchor having a pair of adjustable length crossing support straps to allow attachment to the area of the corners of a variety of sizes of bed covering placed on bed mattresses. Elastic straps are engaged at the ends of the crossing straps and have a grasping device at one or both ends of each elastic strap to grasp the covering and provide a retracting force to keep the covering taut on the mattress. One or more lateral support straps may also be attached to the cover to keep the longitudinal edges of the covering taut at the points of attachment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,670 describes a bed covering retention apparatus comprising a planar anchor plate having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an upper surface and a lower surface, a first and a second anchor point at the proximal end of the anchor plate to which first and second elastic bands are removably connected. The first and second elastic bands have a proximal end and distal end and extend from the anchor points along the bottom surface of the anchor plate until each emerges upwardly through respective apertures to the top surface of the anchor plate. The bands further include releasable jaws having an adjustable opening and adjustable tension so that the jaws will clamp securely to sheets and covers of varying thicknesses. The elastic bands are of differing lengths, one being suited to clamping to an innermost bed covering and the other for clamping to coverings above the innermost covering. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a method and device for securing bed coverings, and specifically to a method and device which connects top or bottom bed coverings, such as sheets or blankets, so that the bed coverings will not pull out from under the mattress. The device is installed between the mattress and the box spring, and comprises an elongated member such as a strap, having an anchor at one end, and a connector at the other end. 
     Prior art inventions require that the strap attach to the sheet or other bed covering at both ends of the strap. With the present invention, once the anchor is in place, an easy, one-time-only event, attachment is required at only at one end to secure the bed covering in place. This permits ease in changing the sheets preventing potential back injuries, saving time and energy. 
     The present invention is easily secured to and prevents a top or bottom sheet or blanket from becoming untucked. The present invention permits attachment with the same ease as making the bed with the same risk of injury as making the bed conventionally. 
     The present invention minimizes the prospect of injury because it eliminates the need to remake the bed daily or more often depending on one&#39;s bed-making or changing schedule. Adults and those with back pain are assisted by an invention which permits easy bed-making because all that is needed is to pull and smooth the sheets and blankets, not recenter and re-tuck sheets and blankets. Additionally, the present invention permits easy bed-making by children which assists the parents in this housekeeping task, teaches responsibility, and creates self-sufficiency in even the youngest children . 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method for attaching a bed covering to a bed, comprises: 
     (a) providing a bed having a mattress disposed on top of a box spring, the mattress having a side wall, and the box spring having a side wall disposed adjacent to the side wall of the mattress; 
     (b) providing a bed covering; 
     (c) providing a device for attaching the bed covering to the bed, the device including: 
     an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end; 
     a connector attached to the first end; 
     an anchor connected to the second end; 
     (d) positioning the anchor so that it abuts at least one of (1) the side wall of the mattress, and (2) the side wall of the box spring; 
     (e) positioning the elongated member between the mattress and the box spring; and, 
     (f) attaching the connector to the bed covering, so that the connector is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the method further includes: 
     in step (c), the anchor including a first arm connected to a second arm, the first and second arms defining an angle therebetween; and, 
     in step (d), positioning the anchor so that the first arm is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring, and the second arm abuts one of (1) the side wall of the mattress, and (2) the side wall of the box spring. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method further includes: 
     in step (d), positioning the anchor so that it simultaneously abuts the side wall of the mattress and the side wall of the box spring. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method further includes: 
     in step (c), the connector being a garter connector. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method further includes: 
     the box spring is replaced with a support surface such as a floor. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the anchor has a first side and an opposite second side, nubs being disposed on both the first and second sides. The nubbed anchor is horizontally placed between the mattress and the support surface, wherein the nubs engage both the mattress and the support surface. 
    
    
     Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a prior art bed comprising a mattress residing on top of a box spring; 
     FIG. 2 is cross sectional view along the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the mattress; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the mattress and box spring showing both a top and bottom bed covering; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a prior art mattress residing on top of a support surface; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a device for attaching a bed covering to a bed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a variation of the device; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of an anchor; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged end elevation view of the anchor; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged end elevation view of the anchor connected to an elongated member; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged top plan view of a connector; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the connector attached to the elongated member; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the device installed between the mattress and the box spring and attached to a bed covering; 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the device installed on the bed; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged end elevation view of the anchor installed on the bed; 
     FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a second anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the device with the second anchor embodiment installed between the mattress and the box spring and attached to a bed covering; 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged end elevation view of the second anchor embodiment installed on the bed between the mattress and the box spring; 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the device with the second anchor embodiment installed between a mattress and a support surface and attached to a bed covering; 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged end elevation view of the second anchor embodiment installed on the bed between the mattress and the support surface; 
     FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a third anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a fifth anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the device with the third anchor embodiment installed between a mattress and a support surface and attached to a top bed covering; 
     FIG. 25 is an enlarged side elevation view of a sixth anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 26 is an enlarged end elevation view of the sixth anchor embodiment; 
     FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view of the sixth anchor embodiment of the device installed on a bed between a mattress and a support surface; 
     FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the sixth anchor embodiment installed on a bed; and, 
     FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross sectional view of area  29  of FIG.  27 . 
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are illustrated top plan and cross sectional views respectively of a prior art bed comprising a mattress  500  residing on top of a box spring  502 . Mattress  500  and box spring  502  having four sets of adjacent vertical side walls  504 . The side walls  504  of mattress  500  are disposed vertically adjacent to the side walls  504  of box spring  502 . A bottom bed cover  506 , such as a fitted sheet, is fitted around mattress  500  in the conventional manner with the edges of the bottom bed covering  506  pulled around the edges of the mattress  500 . The bottom bed covering  506  could also be a flat sheet which is tucked under mattress  500 . The bed has a head portion  508  and an opposite foot portion  510 , and a right side  512  and an opposite left side  514 . The illustrated bed is rectangular, however it may be appreciated that other shapes such as circular are also possible. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of mattress  500  showing fitted bottom bed covering  506 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of mattress  500  and box spring  502  showing a top bed covering  516  and bottom bed covering  506 . Top bed covering  516  is typically a flat top sheet which is placed over the bottom bed covering  506  and tucked under the edge of mattress  500 . Mattress  500  and box spring  502  have side walls  504 . When top bed covering  516  is installed on mattress  500 , top bed covering  516  has a foot portion or area which resides on the underside of mattress  500  at the foot  510  of the bed. It is noted that, top bed covering  516  could also be a blanket, comforter, or the like. Both top bed covering  516  and bottom bed covering  506  are typically tucked between mattress  500  and box spring  502  at the foot  510  of the bed. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of mattress  500  residing on top of a support surface  700 . In this prior art embodiment, mattress  500  is not placed on top of a box spring  502 , but is rather placed directly on a support surface  700  such as the floor. An air mattress  500  placed on the floor  700  to accommodate an overnight guest is representative of this prior art embodiment. As with FIG. 4, top bed covering  516  is typically a flat top sheet which is placed over the bottom bed covering  506  and tucked under the edge of mattress  500 . Mattress  500  has a side wall  504 . When top bed covering  516  is installed on mattress  500 , top bed covering  516  has a foot portion or area which resides on the underside of mattress  500  at the foot  510  of the bed. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a device for attaching a bed covering to a bed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated as  20 . Device  20  includes an elongated member  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 . In the shown preferred embodiment, elongated member  22  is a strap; however, it may be appreciated that elongated member  22  could also be a rope, wire, cable, cord, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, elongated member  22  is flexible. A connector  28  is attached to first end  24 , the connector  28  being selectively attachable to a bed covering  506  or  516  (refer to FIG.  4 ). An anchor  30  is connected to second end  26  of elongated member  22 . In the shown embodiment, elongated member  22  is connected to a central portion of anchor  30  (also refer to FIG.  10 ). 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a variation of device  20 . In this embodiment elongated member  22  is longitudinally stretchable. One manner of achieving this effect is to include an elastic portion  32 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged side elevation and end elevation views respectively of anchor  30 . In the shown embodiment, anchor  30  is substantially planar, and has a central portion  34  which is connected to second end  26  of elongated member  22 . Elongated member  22  passes through slits  36  to effect attachment of anchor  30  (refer also to FIG.  10 ). The central connection of elongated member  22  to anchor  30  ensures that anchor  30  will catch side walls  504  of both mattress  500  and box spring  502  (refer also to FIG.  13 ). In the shown embodiment, anchor  30  is circular (disc-shaped); however, anchor  30  could also be oval, rectangular, triangular, x-shaped, or any other shape which can be lodged between mattress  500  and box spring  502  so that it captively abuts the side walls  504  of mattress  500  and box spring  502 . In a preferred embodiment, anchor  30  is fabricated from a polymer; however, other ridged or semi-ridged materials could also be utilized. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged end elevation view of anchor  30  connected to elongated member  22 . Elongated member  22  passes through slits  36  and is then attached to itself such as by stitching or clamping. 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged top plan view of connector  28 . In the shown preferred embodiment, connector  28  is a garter connector which is well known in the art. A captive flexible tab, typically fabricated from rubber, captures and holds the bed coverings against a metal frame work. This type of connector has the advantage that it will not tear or penetrate the bed coverings. It may be appreciated however, that while the shown garter-type connector is preferred, other connectors such as suspender clamps, pins, Velcro, and the like could also be employed. 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of connector  28  attached to elongated member  22 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross sectional and top plan views respectively of device  20  installed on a bed between mattress  500  and box spring  502  with connector  28  attached to bed covering (top  516  or bottom  506 ). Elongated member  22  is disposed between mattress  500  and box spring  502  with connector  28  attached, near foot portion  510 , to a bed covering, such as top bed covering  516  or bottom bed covering  506 . Anchor  30  is positioned so that it simultaneously abuts side walls  504  of both mattress  500  and box spring  502 , thereby restricting the bed covering  516  to move a maximum predetermined distance away from the side walls  504 . Anchor  30  is captured by side walls  504 , and once elongated member  28  is fully extended, bed covering  516  is prevented from moving further in direction  38 , and thereby remains tucked under mattress  500 . The length of elongated member  22  is selected to extend from side walls  504  across the bed and to the bed covering  506  or  516  on the opposite end of the bed. 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged end elevation view of device  20  installed on the bed. Anchor  30  resides vertically and abuts and is is captured by side walls  504  of mattress  500  and box spring  502 . 
     FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a second anchor  30  embodiment. Anchor  30  includes a first arm  31  connected to a second arm  33 , the first  31  and second  33  arms defining an angle A therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, angle A is about 90°, wherein anchor  30  has an “L” shape. Elongated member  22  is connected to one of the arms, first arm  31  in the shown embodiment. 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of device  20  with the second anchor  30  embodiment installed between mattress  500  and box spring  502  and attached to a bed covering (bottom  506  or top  516 ). Elongated member  22  may be disposed between mattress  500  and box spring  502  with connector  28  attached to the bed covering wherein the bed covering is tucked between mattress  500  and box spring  502  so that connector  28  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and box spring  502 . Anchor  30  may be positioned so that first arm  31  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and box spring  502 , and second arm  33  abuts one of (1) the side wall  504  of mattress  500 , and (2) the side wall  504  of box spring  502 , thereby restricting the bed covering to move a maximum predetermined distance away from the abutting side wall  504 . In the shown view, second arm  33  abuts side wall  504  of box spring  502 . However, it may be readily appreciated that anchor  30  could be inverted so that second arm  33  abuts side wall  504  of box spring  502  (refer to FIG.  18 ). 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged end elevation view of the second anchor  30  embodiment installed on the bed between mattress  500  and box spring  502 . First arm  31  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and box spring  502 , and second arm  33  abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500 . 
     In terms of use, a method for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes: 
     (a) providing a bed having a mattress  500  disposed on top of a box spring  502 , mattress  500  having a side wall  504 , and box spring  502  having a side wall  504  disposed adjacent to side wall  504  of mattress  500 ; 
     (b) providing a bed covering, either a top bed covering  516  or a bottom bed covering  506 ; 
     (c) providing a device  20  for attaching the bed covering to a bed, device  20  including: 
     an elongated member  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 ; 
     a connector  28  attached to said first end  24 ; 
     an anchor  30  connected to second end  26 ; 
     (d) positioning anchor  30  so that it abuts at least one of (1) side wall  504  of mattress  500 , and (2) side wall  504  of box spring  502 ; 
     (e) positioning elongated member  22  between mattress  500  and box spring  502 ; and, 
     (f) attaching connector  28  to the bed covering, wherein connector  28  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and box spring  502 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), anchor  30  including a first arm  31  connected to a second arm  33 , first  31  and second  33  arms defining an angle A therebetween; and, 
     in step (d), positioning anchor  30  so that first arm  31  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and box spring  502 , and second arm  33  abuts one of (1) side wall  504  of mattress  500 , and (2) side wall  504  of box spring  502 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), angle A being about 90°. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (a), the bed having a head portion  508  and a foot portion  510 ; 
     in step (d), positioning anchor  30  so that it abuts at least one of the side walls  504  (mattress  500  or box spring  502 ) of head portion  508  of the bed; 
     in step (f), attaching connector  28  to the bed covering at foot portion  510  of the bed. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (d), positioning anchor  30  so that it simultaneously abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500  and side wall  504  of box spring  502 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), connector  28  being a garter connector. 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of device  20  with the second anchor  30  embodiment installed between a mattress  500  and a support surface  700  and attached to a bed covering by connector  28 . In this embodiment, mattress  500  (conventional or air) is disposed directly upon the floor or other support surface  700 , rather than being on top of a box spring  502 . Elongated member  22  may be disposed between mattress  500  and support surface  700  with connector  28  attached to the bed covering, wherein connector  28  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . Anchor  30  may be positioned so that anchor  30  simultaneously abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500  and support surface  700 , thereby restricting the bed covering to move a maximum predetermined distance away from side wall  504 . Referring also to FIG. 20, in the shown embodiment, first arm  31  abuts support surface  700  and is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 , and second arm  33  abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500 . 
     FIG. 20 is an enlarged end elevation view of second anchor  30  embodiment installed on the bed between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . 
     FIGS. 21-23 are enlarged perspective views of third (wedge shaped), fourth “V” shaped, and fifth (hemisphere shaped) anchor  30  embodiments respectively. As in FIGS. 19 and 20, these anchor  30  embodiments are intended to be used with a mattress  500  residing on a support surface  700 , wherein anchor  30  may be positioned so that anchor  30  simultaneously abuts the side wall  504  of mattress  504  and support surface  700 , thereby restricting the bed covering to move a maximum predetermined distance away from side wall  504 . That is, anchor  30  wedges between mattress  500  and support surface  700  to hold the bed covering in place (refer also to FIG.  24 ). 
     FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of device  20  with the third anchor  30  embodiment installed between mattress  500  and a support surface  700  and attached to a bed covering. The fourth and fifth anchor  30  embodiments would be similarly installed. 
     In terms of use, a method for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes: 
     (a) providing a bed having a mattress  500  disposed on top of a support surface  700 , mattress  500  having a side wall  504 ; 
     (b) providing a bed covering (top  516  or bottom  506 ); 
     (c) providing a device  20  for attaching the bed covering to the bed, device  20  including: 
     an elongated member  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 ; 
     a connector  28  attached to first end  24 ; 
     an anchor  30  connected to second end  26 ; 
     (d) positioning anchor  30  so that it simultaneous abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500  and support surface  700 ; 
     (e) positioning elongated member  22  between mattress  500  and support surface  700 ; and, 
     (f) attaching connector  28  to bed covering ( 516  or  506 ), wherein  28  connector is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), anchor  30  including a first arm  31  connected to a second arm  33 , first  31  and second  33  arms defining an angle A therebetween; and, 
     in step (d), positioning anchor  30  so that first arm  31  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 , and second arm  33  abuts side wall  504  of mattress  500 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), angle A being about 90°. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), anchor  30  being one of V shaped, a wedge, and a hemisphere. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (a), the bed having a head portion  508  and a foot portion  510 ; 
     in step (d), positioning anchor  30  so that it abuts side wall  504  of head portion  508  of the bed; 
     in step (f), attaching connector  28  to the bed covering at foot portion  510  of the bed. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), connector  28  being a garter connector. 
     FIGS. 25 and 26 are enlarged side elevation and end elevation views respectively of a sixth anchor  30  embodiment. Anchor  30  has a first side  44  and an opposite second side  46 . A plurality of nubs  48  are disposed upon both first side  44  and second side  46 . In the shown embodiment, nubs  48  comprise, ridged, upstanding, peaks (rounded or pointed). One of side  44  and  46  includes a nub-less swath  50  for carrying elongated member  22 . That is, swath  50  is a clear area through which elongated member  22  may pass and lay substantially flat along one nubbed side. This is necessary because in this embodiment elongated member  22  is aligned parallel rather than perpendicular to anchor  30 . 
     FIGS. 27 and 28 are cross sectional and top plan views respectively of a second device  120  with the sixth embodiment anchor  30  installed on a bed between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . Elongated member may be disposed between mattress  500  and support surface  700  with connector  28  attached to the bed covering wherein connector  28  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . That is, anchor  30  is placed between mattress  500  and support surface  700  so that the weight of mattress  500  (and any bed occupants) causes nubs  48  to engage (dig into) both mattress  500  and support surface  700  thereby holding anchor  30  in place. It is noted that anchor  30  resides in a substantially horizontal position. It is noted that nubs  48  do not adversely affect or change mattress  500  or support surface  700 . 
     FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross sectional view of area  29  of FIG. 27, showing anchor  30  installed in a horizontal position between mattress  500  and box spring  502 . It is noted, that in this embodiment, anchor  30  does not abut the side walls of mattress  500 . It is further noted that nubs  48  dig into both mattress  500  and support surface  700 . This embodiment of device  120  is particularly useful when support surface  700  is a carpet, but equally effective if support surface  700  is hard such as wood, tile, etc. 
     A method for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes: 
     (a) providing a bed having a mattress  500  disposed on top of a support surface  700 ; 
     (b) providing a bed covering; 
     (c) providing a device  120  for attaching the bed covering to the bed, device  120  including: 
     an elongated member  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 ; 
     a connector  28  attached to first end  24 ; 
     an anchor  30  connected to second end  26 , anchor  30  having a first side  44  and an opposite second side  46 , and a plurality of nubs  48  disposed upon both first side  44  and second side  46 ; 
     (d) positioning anchor  30  between mattress  500  and support surface  700  so that nubs  48  engage both mattress  500  and support surface  700 ; 
     (e) positioning elongated member  22  between mattress  500  and support surface  700 ; and, 
     (f) attaching connector  28  to the bed covering, wherein connector  28  is sandwiched between mattress  500  and support surface  700 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), anchor  30  including a nub-less swath  50  for carrying elongated member  22 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), connector  28  being a garter connector. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (a), support surface  700  including a carpet or hard floor surface; and, 
     in step (d), nubs  48  digging into both mattress  500  and carpet or hard floor surface. 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.