Patent Abstract:
A mattress cover includes a securing belt about its skirt to aid in engaging and fixing the skirt to a mattress, thereby minimizing the tendency of a skirt to migrate upward on the mattress during use. The belt may be attached to the skirt by means of a sleeve extending the length of the skirt, lacing, belt loop structures, an integrated channel, Velcro® or similar devices. The belt may be adjusted by means of a buckle, a knot or other similar devices.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/600,850, filed Feb. 20, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mattress covers and, more particularly, to a mattress cover capable of accommodating mattresses having a variety of different thicknesses or depths. Still more particularly, the present invention is directed to a mattress cover which will fit securely on mattresses of various thicknesses without migrating upward and off. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mattresses today are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Among the most popular sizes are twin, queen and king. Although the mattresses in each of these size groups have more or less the same nominal length and width dimensions, the thickness or depth dimension of the mattresses often differs substantially among mattresses within the same size group based upon such factors as the construction of the mattresses, their style, the amount of padding, etc. 
     In view of the large range of thicknesses in which mattresses are available, it is difficult to make a mattress cover which will fit snugly on all of the mattresses within a given size group. For example, a conventional mattress cover, also known as a bed sheet or fitted sheet, typically includes top panel, a skirt extending from the periphery of the top panel and an elastic band along the lower edge of the skirt intended to fit under the mattress to hold the mattress cover in place. Mattress covers of this type typically fit poorly on thin mattresses so that, even with extensive tucking, such mattress covers sag, wrinkle and hang loosely when in use, such that the mattress cover often slips relative to the mattress. At the other extreme, these conventional mattress covers frequently will have a skirt portion which is not sufficiently deep to reach below mattresses which are relatively thick, and therefore will frequently slip off of these mattresses. 
     To address the foregoing problems, a wide array of systems have been developed for securely holding mattress covers to mattresses within a wide range of thicknesses, as shown, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,322 to Seago and U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,664 to Hollander. These systems have met with little success, often introducing problems which did not exist with conventional mattress covers. For example, one device includes elastic anchor bands attached diagonally across each corner of the panel for engaging below the corners of the mattress. These mattress covers do not engage the mattress securely, and the anchor bands tend to disengage the mattress easily. As a result, the skirt migrates upward while in use to the point that it no longer engages the sides of the mattress and no longer effectively covers the mattress. This is particularly inconvenient when a person is sleeping on the mattress. 
     A further drawback to prior art mattress covers has been that the placement of discernible indicia on the mattress covers has been visually objectionable. In this regard, any discernible indicia placed on either the top panel of the mattress cover or the skirt portion thereof would ordinarily be visible through a sheet placed over the mattress cover, and would therefore detract from the aesthetic appearance of the sheet. This problem has made it difficult for manufacturers and other businesses to place ornamentation, particularly their trademarks, logos or other symbols, on the mattress covers. 
     There thus exists a need for a mattress cover which is simple in construction and inexpensive to produce, yet which is capable of accommodating the wide range of mattress thicknesses within a given size group with a proper fit which is neither too loose so as to look sloppy, or too tight so as to easily slip off of the mattress. There also exists a need for a mattress cover to which ornamentation, including indicia of source and other symbols, can be applied without interfering with the aesthetic appearance of a sheet placed over the mattress cover. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein is a mattress cover comprising a top panel, a skirt extending downward from the periphery of the top panel, a securing belt attached to the skirt and a means of adjusting the length of the belt. The securing belt may be integrated into the skirt by various methods including but not limited to a pocket or sleeve looping around the center or bottom of the skirt, the securing belt may also be integrated by means of lacing in and out, an integrated channel, a plurality of belt loop structures or the like. The length of the belt may be adjusted by means of an adjusting buckle, a knot, a hook and grommet device, Velcro, button snaps or the like. 
     Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a mattress cover that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing beltin accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover having a securing belt in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Knitted elastic is a fabric made out of any flexible material woven together that will allow the fabric to stretch. The knitted elastic belt used within a fitted sheet, or mattress cover, will create a tight and snug fit around the mattress. Once incorporated into the fitted sheet or mattress cover, the belt will adjust and secure into place. The elastic belt will loop around and come through a middle section around the fitted sheet though a hole, the two ends of the belt will exit either on the shorter or longer side of the fitted sheet and connect or fasten with a buckle, magnet, Velcro® and/or any other device capable of adjusting and securing the length of the belt. This new securing system may be hidden within the fitted sheet, or mattress cover with access given through a middle section covered by a flap. 
     Depending on where the belt is placed, fabric may be sewn on top of the knitted elastic so the belt is not shown. This may be done for aesthetic purposes and several fabrics may be used. The secured fitted mattress cover may be sized for all sizes including, twin, full, queen and king size beds. It may similarly be used for pet beds, children&#39;s mattresses, sofa beds, murphy beds or other mattresses. 
       FIG. 1  shows a mattress cover in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Mattress cover  30  may have a top panel  32  and a skirt  33 . Sleeve  36  may extend about the entire perimeter of the mattress cover  30  and may be incorporated into skirt  33 . A securing belt  34  may extend through the entire length of the sleeve  36  and may be adjusted by means of buckle  38 . The securing belt  34  maybe elastic or inelastic. Buckle  38  may be of any design that allows adjustment of the overall length of securing belt  34 . It may be desirable to use a plurality of belt loops, rather than a sleeve  36  in order to hold securing belt  38  in place. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a mattress cover skirt  40  very similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows an alternative configuration in accordance with the principles of the invention. Skirt  40  may have a sleeve  42  that may extend its entire perimeter. Belt  44  may extend the length of the sleeve  42 . The length of belt  44  may be adjusted by means of buckle  46 . Flap  48  may be attached to sleeve  42 . Flap  48  may have sufficient dimensions to completely cover the portion of the belt  44  that is not physically within sleeve  42 . Snap  50  and  52  may be used to removably affix flap  48  over the exposed portion of the belt  44  and buckle  46 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the mattress cover skirt  40  of  FIG. 2  where flap  48  is snapped into place by means of snap  50  in order to cover belt  44 . When the flap  48  is snapped into place, the belt  44  is no longer visible. Flap  48  may optionally include a placard  51  that may include one or more ornamental features, for example, a trademark, logo or other attractive design. The flap  48  used in conjunction with a mattress cover skirt and a sleeve may be used whether it is located on the long or short sides of a mattress cover skirt. The material of flap  48  may be the same or different from the material of sleeve  42 . Placard  51  may be comprised of any material, including but not limited to, metal, plastic, carbon fiber, cotton, and vinyl. Optionally placard  51  may be removable such that alternative placards may be incorporated with the flap  48 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  show a snap  50  and  52  used to removably affix the flap  48  to cover the belt  44 . Other suitable means of affixing the flap  48  to the sleeve  42  may be utilized. Other means include, but are not limited to, a button, a magnetic clasp, laces, Velcro® and the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows a mattress cover  10  having a top panel  14  and a skirt  16 . A flat fabric sewn onto the skirt  16  of the mattress cover  10  may create a sleeve  12  that runs the entire perimeter of the mattress cover  10 . The sleeve  12  and the flat piece of fabric creating it may be any design. A securing belt  18  may be incorporated into the skirt within the sleeve  12  in a manner similar to that of a string within an elastic band commonly used in sweat pants or men&#39;s bathing suits which may be adjusted by a buckle, such as a slider buckle, as commonly used on the straps of backpacks. Securing belt  18  may optionally be elastic, or inelastic. The skirt  16  may incorporate elastic material as well. Buckle  20  may be used to adjust the securing belt  18  to an appropriate length. 
     A knitted elastic belt may be interwoven through the skirt of a mattress cover having a top panel. The belt may loop in and out of the skirt of the mattress cover sheet through a plurality of slits. The ends of the knitted elastic belt may exit either on short or longer side of the fitted sheet. The two ends may of the belt may fasten onto a buckle having a placard similar to the placard of  FIG. 4 . A mattress cover may have a top panel and a skirt that overlays the sides of a mattress. A securing belt may be integrated throughout the entire skirt. The securing belt may be laced repeatedly between the inside and outside of the skirt by means of a plurality of slits for the entire length of skirt. A securing belt may include a buckle that may facilitate adjustment of the securing belt. By tightening the securing belt by means of the buckle, the mattress cover may firmly engage the entire mattress, thereby preventing the skirt from riding upwards and becoming disengaged with a mattress. 
     The buckle may also include a placard that may optionally be used to display a logo or other image. Optionally, the buckle itself may be used as an indicia of source or be ornamental in nature. The securing belt may be made of a variety of materials and may be elastic, comprised of lycra or other material, or may be inelastic and comprised of a fabric such as cotton, leather, or other material. The securing belt may be of a knitted elastic as described above, or may be comprised of any suitable material, elastic or inelastic and may be chosen in part based upon aesthetic reasons. The belt may be comprised of a wide range of materials, even metal or chain may be used. The skirt may include an elastic band upon its bottom. It may be preferable that the belt is positioned on the outside of the skirt at the corners. This may decrease the tendency of a mattress cover to ride upward while the mattress is in use. Optionally, a plurality of belt loop structures may be placed about the skirt to engage the belt with the skirt, as an alternative to the lacing in and out of the skirt. 
     Any buckle design may be used to adjust the length of a securing belt. Other methods of adjustment may also be suitable, such as, for example, replacing the securing belt with one of a suitable length, tying a knot instead of using a buckle, using a securing belt having one or more hooks for attaching to an eyelet or grommet in the skirt, the securing belt or the mattress itself. 
       FIG. 5  shows a mattress cover  80  having a top panel  82  and a skirt  84 . A belt  86  may be sewn onto the skirt  84 . The belt  86  may be of any design. Alternatively, the belt  86  may be glued around the mattress cover&#39;s skirt  84 . A portion  88  of the belt  86  may not be glued so that it may be adjusted. The length of the free portion  88  of the belt  86  may be adjusted by means of a buckle  90 . In this embodiment, the free portion  88  of belt  86  and the buckle  90  are located on the long side of the mattress covers skirt  84 . However, the free portion  88  and buckle  90  may optionally be located on the short side of the skirt  84 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover  100  and accordance with the principles of the invention. Mattress cover  100  may have a top panel  101  and a skirt  102 . A belt  104  extends the length of the skirt  102  on the inside. The belt  104  may be stitched or glued or otherwise attached to the inside of skirt  102 . Alternatively, the belt  104  may be attached to the inside of skirt  102  by a series of belt loops. Belt  104  exits to the outside of skirt  102  by means of slits  108 . A buckle  106  on the exterior of skirt  102  allows for adjustment of the belt  104 . 
       FIG. 7  shows another alternative embodiment of a mattress cover  110  in accordance with the principles of the invention. Mattress cover  110  may include a top panel  112  and a skirt  114 . A belt  116  may extends along the entire length of the skirt  114  and be adjustable by means of buckle  118 . As with the other embodiments, the buckle may be located anywhere along the skirt, but for simplicity has been shown on the long side of the skirt  114 . All four corners  119  of the mattress cover  110  may include a plurality of belt loops  120 . The belt loops  120  may hold the belt  116  in place about the corners  119 . Along the sides of the skirt  114  between the corners  119 . The belt  116  may be glued or sewn securely to the skirt  114  or may be free and not otherwise attached to the skirt  114 . No one  16  may be elastic or inelastic. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of a mattress cover  130  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The mattress cover  130  may have a top panel  132  and a skirt  134 . At the bottom of skirt  134  may be a belt  136  that may extend the entire length of the skirt  134 . Belt  136  may have a buckle  138  or similar device for providing an adjustment of the length of the belt  136 . The belt  136  may be glued and/or sewn onto the skirt  134 . Alternatively, the bottom of skirt  132  may be provided with a plurality of belt loops that hold the belt into place. The securing belt may be integrated into the skirt by various methods including but not limited to a pocket or sleeve looping around the center or bottom of the skirt, the securing belt may also be integrated by means of lacing in and out, an integrated channel, a plurality of belt loop structures or the like. 
     Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0