Patent Publication Number: US-11382435-B2

Title: Bed cover retention apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A smooth-looking bed cover gives an impression of neatness and attention to detail. To achieve that look, the bottom sheet that covers the mattress is often a fitted sheet, meaning that it has elastic at the corners, and sometimes along the top and bottom edges and sides. When the bottom sheet is taut, the upper sheet and any additional bed covers, such as blankets and spreads, will have a smooth, unwrinkled appearance. If, however, the bottom sheet is loose it can bunch or wrinkle, and this can result in the topmost bed cover, such as a spread, having sags and wrinkles and a less than desirable appearance. 
     Moreover, a smooth-looking bed cover is typically desirable from the perspective of a user in terms of comfort. A bunched or wrinkled bottom sheet can be uncomfortable for a user to lay upon. 
     In addition, bottom sheets are made to fit various sized mattresses according to their top surface dimensions such as twin, double, queen and king. However, even though these sheets fit the top surface dimensions, the depth of mattresses varies substantially and the manufactured pockets composing the vertical sides of these “fitted” sheets must be tall enough to accommodate the maximum mattress depth or the fitted sheets will quickly rise up on the mattress and become loose fitting. Further, if the pocket is made for a thick mattress but is actually used on a less thick mattress then the fitted sheet will initially have a loose fitting. Also, the fitted sheets may become loose as they stretch during use. The result is a loose, wrinkly and wavy bottom sheet which can result in the topmost bed cover having sags and wrinkles, therefore resulting in a less than desirable appearance and feel for the user. Thus, frequent manual re-stretching and re-tucking of the fitted sheet is required in order to maintain the desired appearance. 
     Various devices have been proposed to assist in maintaining that tightly-fitted look. Elastic straps, installed on the underside of the mattress, attempt to maintain both initial tension on the sheet and continued tension as the sheet moves and stretches. These elastic strap systems, however, require tedious lifting and displacement of the mattress to install and reconnect the elastic straps. Rigid clips are less difficult to use than the above-mentioned elastic straps but they do not maintain tension on the sheet as it moves and stretches. There are also belt type elastic bands that encircle the vertical perimeter of the mattress. These are also difficult to install, have an unsightly appearance, and fail to maintain a smooth surface as the sheet moves and stretches. 
     SUMMARY 
     An improved bed cover retention apparatus is described. 
     The bed cover retention apparatus has a planar strip, an elastic band, and a clip. The planar strip has a high friction first surface, an opposing second surface, an inserted end, and a distal end. The elastic band is interposed between, and connected to, the inserted end of the planar strip and the clip. The first surface may be a lower surface, and the second surface may be a smooth upper surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  are an illustration of the installation of the bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is another illustration of the installation of the bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of an exemplary retaining hole to secure an elastic band. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an exemplary clip. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a bed cover retention apparatus. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the bed cover retention apparatus of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is cross sectional view of the bed cover retention apparatus taken along line A-A in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4  are top, side, top perspective, and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a bed cover retention apparatus  10 , showing a planar strip  12 , elastic band  14 , a clip  16 , a band retention hole  18 , a layer of a flexible material  24 , an optional retraction hole  20 , and an optional retraction lip or ridge  22 . 
       FIGS. 5A to 5C  are an illustration of the installation of the bed cover retention apparatus  10 . The insertion end  26  of the planar strip  12  is inserted between the upper mattress  32  and the wooden base or box spring or lower mattress  30  (referred to hereinafter as the “box spring” to avoid having to repeatedly list the box spring and the lower mattress in the alternative) and the clip  16  is attached to an edge of the sheet  34 , which is preferably, but not necessarily, a fitted sheet. The planar strip  12  is then pushed further between the mattress  32  and box spring  30 , which causes tension to be placed on the sheet  34 . The planar strip  12  is then pushed further between, or completely between, the mattress  32  and box spring  30 , so that, preferably, but not necessarily, little or none of the distal, extraction end  28  is showing, thereby maximizing the tension placed on the sheet  34  and causing the sheet  34  to have a taut, smooth-looking appearance and smooth feel. 
     Removal is accomplished by the reverse process, pulling the planar strip  12  at least partially from between the box spring  30  and the mattress  32 , and unhooking the clip  16  from the sheet  34 . If another sheet  34  is to be used, then the clip  16  is attached to the sheet  34  and the planar strip  12  is then pushed back between the box spring  30  and the mattress  32 . If, however, another sheet  34  is not to be immediately used, such as if the mattress  32  is to be flipped or rotated, then the planar strip  12  is pulled completely out from between the box spring  30  and the mattress  32 . 
       FIG. 6  is another illustration of the installation of the bed cover retention apparatus  10 , corresponding, from the bottom up, to  FIGS. 5A-5C , respectively. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , the planar strip  12  preferably has a surface  12 B and an opposing surface  12 A. The surface  12 B may covered by a flexible material  24  which provides a high friction surface, or surface  12 B itself may be a high friction surface, such as a rough surface, in which case the flexible material  24  might not be used. The high friction surface provides enough friction between the planar strip  12  and the box spring  30  to prevent the tension of the elastic band  14  from pulling the planar strip  12  out from its deeply-seated position between the mattress  32  and the box spring  30 . This friction is not so great however that a user cannot pull the planar strip  12  out without damaging the cover of the box spring  30 . An example of a suitable material for the flexible material  24  is Product No. ALQR001A made by Riken Elastomers Corp. Other materials may also be used. In an embodiment the flexible material  24  has a rectangular pattern thereon. Other patterns may also be used provided that they provide the desired degree of friction with respect to the box spring  30 . 
     In an implementation, the planar strip  12  is a rigid planar strip. In another implementation, the planar strip  12  is rigid enough to allow it to be pushed between the box spring  30  and the mattress  32 . 
     In an implementation, the upper surface  12 A is a smooth surface. In another implementation, the upper surface  12 A provides additional friction to help hold the bed cover retention apparatus  10  in place. 
     In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has a length of between approximately 12 inches and 24 inches. In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has a length of between approximately 15 inches and 20 inches. 
     In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has a uniform width of between approximately 2 inches and 4 inches. In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has a uniform width of between approximately 3 inches and 4 inches. In another implementation, the planar strip  12  may taper so that the inserted end is smaller than the distal end. 
     In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has an extraction hole  20 , which provides the user with a convenient way to grasp and extract the planar strip  12  that has been inserted between the mattress  32  and the box spring  30 . In another implementation, the planar strip  12  does not have an extraction hole. 
     In an implementation, the planar strip  12  has an extraction lip or ridge  22 , which provides the user with a convenient way to grasp and extract the planar strip  12  that has been inserted between the mattress  32  and the box spring  30 . In another implementation, the planar strip  12  does not have an extraction lip. 
     In an implementation, the inserted end of the planar strip  12  is rounded or curved. In another implementation, the inserted end of the planar strip  12  is substantially squared. 
     In an implementation a plug fits into the retaining hole  18  and the elastic band  14  is secured to the plug. In another implementation, as seen in  FIG. 7 , the retaining hole  18  comprises first and second slots  18 A,  18 B, and the elastic band  14  is routed through the slots  18 A,  18 B. One end  14 A of the elastic band  14  is routed through slot  18 A and then through slot  18 B, and the other end  14 B of the elastic band  14  is also routed through slot  18 A and then through slot  18 B. 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of an exemplary clip  16  to secure the elastic band  14 . The clip  16  has a body portion  40  and an insert portion  42 . The body portion  40  has a hole or aperture  44  through which the elastic band  14  is routed. The insert portion  42  has a head end  46  and a tapered end  48 . In use, an edge of the sheet  34  is placed against the body portion  40  and the insert portion  42  is pushed into the body portion  40 , thereby securing the sheet  34  to the clip  16 . Alternatively, an edge of the sheet  34  may be routed around the tapered end  48 , and then the insert portion  42  is pushed into the body portion  40 , thereby securing the sheet  34  to the clip  16 . For more details regarding the construction of the clip  16 , please see U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,295 to Svensson, the disclosure and teachings of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Other types of clips may also be used but care should be taken that the clip selected does not damage the sheet  34 . 
       FIGS. 9-11  illustrate an embodiment of the bed cover retention apparatus  10  including a retainer  50  including a protrusion  52 , such as a hook, that may be affixed to the box spring  50 . The retainer  50  may be affixed to the box spring  30  in one or more ways, including, but not limited to, using an adhesive, screw or nail. In this implementation, the planar strip  12  is sized and configured to be selectively, releasably secured to the retainer  50  such that, when the sheet  34  is secured to the planar strip  12 , tension is applied to the sheet  34 , thereby causing the sheet  34  to have a taut, smooth-looking appearance and smooth feel. It is also considered that the retainer  50  may be affixed to the bottom surface of the mattress  32  to achieve the same objective. 
     The disclosed bed cover retention apparatus  10  may therefore be positioned to be out of sight, provides for ease of installation, provides for ease of removal, and maintains a constant tension on the sheet as it moves and stretches during use. 
     Also, it will be appreciated that when a person sits or lays upon the mattress  32 , the weight of that person will cause tension to be exerted on the elastic band  16 . That same weight, however, presses the mattress  32  and the box spring  30  more tightly against the planar strip, thereby increasing the frictional force which prevents the planar strip  12  from being pulled outwardly. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. For brevity and/or clarity, well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail herein. 
     The terms “for example” and “such as” mean “by way of example and not of limitation.” The subject matter described herein is provided by way of illustration for the purposes of teaching, suggesting, and describing, and not limiting or restricting. Combinations and alternatives to the illustrated embodiments are contemplated, described herein, and set forth in the claims. 
     For convenience of discussion herein, when there is more than one of a component, that component may be referred to herein either collectively or singularly by the singular reference numeral unless expressly stated otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, components N (plural) or component N (singular) may be used unless a specific component is intended. Also, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. 
     It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof unless explicitly stated otherwise or the context clearly requires otherwise. The terms “includes,” “has” or “having” or variations in form thereof are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprises” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it can be directly connected or coupled or coupled by one or more intervening components unless expressly stated otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y unless expressly stated otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Terms such as “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially” are relative terms and indicate that, although two values may not be identical, their difference is such that the apparatus or method still provides the indicated or desired result, or that the operation of a device or method is not adversely affected to the point where it cannot perform its intended purpose. As an example, and not as a limitation, if a height of “approximately X inches” is recited, a lower or higher height is still “approximately X inches” if the desired function can still be performed or the desired result can still be achieved. 
     While the terms vertical, horizontal, upper, lower, bottom, top, and the like may be used herein, it is to be understood that these terms are used for ease in referencing the drawing and, unless otherwise indicated or required by context, does not denote a required orientation. 
     The different advantages and benefits disclosed and/or provided by the implementation(s) disclosed herein may be used individually or in combination with one, some or possibly even all of the other benefits. Furthermore, not every implementation, nor every component of an implementation, is necessarily required to obtain, or necessarily required to provide, one or more of the advantages and benefits of the implementation. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can”, “could”, “might”, or “may”, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments preferably or optionally include certain features, elements and/or steps, while some other embodiments optionally do not include those certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language indicates, in general, that those features, elements and/or step may not be required for every implementation or embodiment. 
     The subject matter described herein is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the nature and scope of the subject invention. While examples of aspects of the subject invention have been provided above, it is not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for implementing the subject invention, and one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that further combinations and permutations of the subject invention are possible. Furthermore, the subject invention is not necessarily limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages which may have been noted in any part of this disclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject invention described herein without following, or departing from the spirit and scope of, the exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to components used therein, it is to be understood that the subject invention is not necessarily limited to the specific components or characteristics thereof described herein; rather, the specific components and characteristics thereof are disclosed as example forms of implementing the subject invention. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all alterations, modifications, and variations, that fall within the scope and spirit of any claims that are written, or may be written, for the subject invention. 
     The foregoing detailed description is intended only to convey to a person having ordinary skill in the art the fundamental aspects of the invention and is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, the scope of the invention.