Patent Publication Number: US-2021169244-A1

Title: Bedding ensemble

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/943,456, filed Dec. 4, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bedding. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Traditional bedding ensembles include fitted sheets, top sheets, and comforters. These traditional ensembles rely on tucking the sheets under the mattress of a bed and positioning the comforter on top of the sheets. Throughout a night&#39;s sleep, users frequently untuck and reposition sheets and comforters, leading to inconsistent temperature, restlessness, and an unkept bed in the morning. Making the bed can also prove tedious, as there is little guidance for a user when positioning sheets or a comforter. Accordingly, what is needed is a bedding ensemble that stays made during a night of sleeping and provides easy positioning for making the bed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front left perspective view of a bedding ensemble in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front left perspective view of a bedding ensemble in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates front left perspective view of a bedding ensemble in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates front left perspective view of a bedding ensemble in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates front left perspective view of a comforter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates front left perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of a comforter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a left front perspective view of a fitted sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of a comforter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front perspective view of a comforter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top right perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates top left perspective view of a fitted sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a bottom view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a front perspective view of a top sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a bottom view of a fitted sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a bottom view of a fitted sheet in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention. 
     The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For a further understanding of the nature and function of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as the best mode of carrying out and employing the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiments are well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentioned as well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as the specific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and a representative basis for teaching to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. It should be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of various embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     As used herein, “axis” means a real or imaginary straight line about which a three-dimensional body is symmetrical. A “vertical axis” means an axis perpendicular to the ground (or put another way, an axis extending upwardly and downwardly). A “horizontal axis” means an axis parallel to the ground. 
     As used herein, homogeneous is defined as the same in all locations, and a homogeneous material is a material of uniform composition throughout that cannot be mechanically separated into different materials. Examples of “homogeneous materials” are certain types of plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, board, resins, high-density polyethylene and rubber. 
       FIGS. 1-20  illustrate an embodiment of a bedding ensemble  100  in accordance with the present invention. A bedding ensemble  100  for preventing untucking includes a comforter  102 . The comforter  102  has a head end  104  opposite a foot end  106 , a top side  108  opposite an underside  110 , and an elastomeric comforter anchor portion  112  attached to the underside  110  at the foot end  106 . The elastomeric comforter anchor portion  112  may be attached to the underside of the comforter  102  via sewing, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or zippers, for example. A seam  113  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The elastomeric comforter anchor portion  112  is operable to securely attach to mattress  114 . 
     The bedding ensemble  100  includes a top sheet  116  having a head end  118  opposite a foot end  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The top sheet  116  has a flat portion  122  at the head end  118  and an elastomeric top sheet anchor portion  124  disposed around a periphery of the foot end  120 . The elastomeric top sheet anchor portion  124  may be attached to the flat portion  122  via sewing, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or zippers, for example. A seam  132  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . In one embodiment, the seam  132  is a corner seam, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . The elastomeric top sheet anchor portion  124  is operable to securely attach to mattress  114 . 
     The bedding ensemble  100  includes a fitted sheet  126  having a top portion  128  and an elastomeric fitted sheet portion  130 . The elastomeric fitted sheet portion  130  extends around the periphery of the top portion  128 . The elastomeric fitted portion  130  is attached to the top portion  128  via sewing, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or zippers. A seam  134  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The elastomeric fitted sheet portion  130  operable to securely attach to a mattress  114 . In one embodiment, a designation for orientation of the fitted sheet  126  relative to the mattress  114  may be included on the top of the fitted sheet, enabling a user to position the sheet in the proper direction on the mattress  114 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the word “CENTER” is marked on the head and foot sides of the fitted sheet  126  to serve as a point of reference for the user. This aids with making the bed, as well as enables a user to rotate between orientation by alternating which side is at the head or foot, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the fitted sheet  126 . 
     In an operation to make a bed using the bedding ensemble  100 , a user will first attach the fitted sheet  126  to the mattress  114  by extending the elastomeric fitted anchor portion  130  around the periphery of the mattress  114 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 11, and 15 . Next, the user will attach the top sheet  116  to the mattress by sliding the elastomeric top sheet anchor portion  124  under the foot end of the mattress  114 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 6, and 14 . Finally, a user will attach the comforter  102  to the mattress  114  by sliding the elastomeric comforter anchor portion  112  under the foot end of the mattress  114 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 13 . When the ensemble  100  is fully attached to a mattress  114 , it creates the appearance of a traditional bedding ensemble, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 12 . After a night of sleeping, a user can simply pull the top sheet  116  and comforter  102  back into place with minimal effort, as the ensemble remains attached to the mattress  114 . 
     Some of the advantages of the bedding ensemble  100  include staying tucked in during the night, especially when users toss and turn, providing enough flexibility via the elasticity of elastomeric portions  112 ,  124 , and  130  for a user with large feet not to feel cramped, and the sheets staying flat without wrinkles during use. The sheets and comforter may be made from any type of standard material such as microfiber, cotton, or linen, for example. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.