Patent Publication Number: US-4222139-A

Title: Fastening of mattress pads and the like

Description:
I. DESCRIPTION 
     Background of Prior Art 
     This invention relates in general to mattress covering arrangements and more specifically to such arrangements comprising improved means for fastening mattress pads to the tops of mattresses. The invention is particularly suitable for use with waterbeds. 
     Generally, waterbeds include a waterbed frame, waterbed liner, and waterbed mattress. The purpose of the waterbed liner is to serve as an emergency container for holding water should the waterbed mattress leak. 
     Securing mattress pads and the like to waterbed mattresses is difficult due to the shifting of the waterbed mattress in use. It has been found that standard fitted mattress pads tend to work loose at the corners and along the sides causing the sheets to also come loose from the mattress. 
     It is a purpose of this invention to provide an improved means for securing mattress pads to mattresses and particularly to waterbed mattresses. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In its broader aspects, the invention includes several bands, preferably elastic, which are placed between the waterbed liner and the mattress before it is filled. The bands extend upwardly along the sides of the mattress to the top surface thereof. After the mattress is filled, corresponding snap-fastener elements or the like on the pad and the bands are interconnected to secure the pad to the top of the mattress. 
     Several advantages are attendant to such an arrangement. For example, the mattress pad can be conveniently snapped on and off for laundering. The pad edges do not tend to ride up and off the mattress as with conventional mattress pads. The preferred elastic bands flex to more readily accomodate various water amounts and shifts in the water content of the mattress. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a waterbed in somewhat schematic form, the bed having a mattress pad secured to the water containing mattress in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred harness-like arrangement for elastic bands according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a showing of an adjustable band. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The waterbed shown in the figures includes a frame 10 supported on a pedestal 12. Contained within frame 10 is a waterbed liner 14 (best seen in FIG. 3) which in turn contains a waterbed mattress 16 (also best seen in FIG. 3) and the harness-like arrangement 18 of the invention (best seen in FIG. 2). 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the harness-like arrangement 18 comprises a network of a plurality of elastic bands 19 and 20 which are placed between waterbed liner 14 and mattress 16 before the mattress is filled. After the mattress is filled, a mattress pad 22 is placed on top of the mattress as shown in FIG. 1. The mattress pad 22 includes spaced fastening elements arranged about the periphery thereof which are attached to corresponding fastening elements 24 carried at the ends of bands 19 and 20. 
     As can be seen from the figures, the bands are arranged in spaced fashion longitudinally (bands 19) and transversely (bands 20) of the mattress and are of such a length as to extend upwardly to the top of the mattress for connection to mattress pad 22. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the bands will be positioned underneath pad 22 and will terminate as near the edge of the mattress as possible. Their length is exaggerated in the figure for pictorial purposes. 
     Preferably, the bands will be made of elastic material of the type commonly found in fabric stores. Two inch width elastic bands used in a network of two longitudinal and three transverse bands have been found to be satisfactory in accordance with the invention. However, bands of webbing or the like may be used which are elastic only in part such as at the ends or at central sections along the lengths thereof. Ordinary inelastic webbing or other band materials may also be used. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, bands 19 and 20 are preferably stitched together at their intersections 26 to form a harness-like arrangement. Alternatively, the bands may be secured to a central portion of webbing or other means to be placed generally centrally of the mattress and underneath it (not shown). However, it is not necessary that the bands be interconnected at all. They may be used separately. Also, as indicated in FIG. 4, the bands may be adjustable as to length by incorporating suitable adjustment means such as a buckle 28 or the like with the bands at various selected locations. 
     Preferably, heavy-duty snaps or snap fasteners 24 are used to attach the mattress pad to the elastic bands. &#34;Gripper&#34;, &#34;Clinton&#34; and &#34;Dritz&#34; #15 and #16 snap fasteners made by the Scovill Company of Spartanburg, S. C. 29304 have been used satisfactorily. Preferably, the male portion of the snap will be carried by the band and the female portion by the pad. However, other fastening means may be utilized in place of snaps or snap fasteners. Hook fasteners, buttons, &#34;Velcro&#34; fastening material and the like may be used. 
     Mattress pad 22 may be of the usual quilted fabric type, rubberized material, plastic film, or the protective material or a combination of appropriate materials. Preferably, the pad is a flat pad adapted to be laid flat on the upper surface of the mattress. 
     The materials, dimensions and geometric forms of the various elements of this invention are subject to numerous variations and modifications as will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art.