Abstract:
A bed sheet includes a bottom fabric layer sized to extend over the sides of and underneath a mattress. A top fabric layer is generally co-extensive with, and fastened to, the bottom fabric layer and defines a pocket therebetween. A sleeping garment integrated into the top fabric layer has a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via a zipper that zips up into a fastener pocket that covers the zipper when the garment is fully closed. A flap can extend from one half of the garment, over the fastener pocket and fasten to the opposite half of the garment to inhibit the user from unzipping and removing the garment. The garment can hold a lower portion of the user within said pocket, allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket, while being able to sit or stand on the mattress.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention is directed to a sleeping garment and more particularly to a bed sheet with an integrated sleeping garment. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Bed sheets are commonly known. With respect to infants and toddlers, sleeping garments, such as zip-up pajamas or body suits, sleep sacks and swaddle wraps are known. However, such sleeping garments do not inhibit the infant or toddler from coming near the edges of cribs, which is discouraged as being potentially dangerous, nor do they prevent the infant or toddler from trying to climb out of the crib or bed. Additionally, use of several separate sleeping components, such as bedding sheets, pajamas, blankets, can be expensive. Moreover, use of blankets or separate coverings has been discouraged to prevent possible suffocation of infants. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved sleeping garment that can allow a user (e.g., infant, toddler, child, adult) to sleep comfortably and securely, while reducing the number of components and addressing some of the deficiencies noted above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a bed sheet with an integrated sleeping garment is provided. The bed sheet comprises a top fabric layer configured to extend over sides of a mattress to a distal edge on an underside of the mattress, said edge defining a bottom opening. A bottom layer is configured to extend over at least a portion of an upper surface of the mattress, the top layer fastened to the bottom layer so as to define a pocket therebetween. An oval elastic band is attached to the top fabric layer at said distal edge, the elastic band configured to generally maintain one or both of the top and bottom layers generally fitted to the mattress during use of the sheet. A sleeping garment is integrated into the top fabric layer, wherein the top fabric layer defines at least a portion of the garment such that the garment holds a user generally in a center of the mattress when the sheet is fitted to the mattress thereby keeping the user away from edges of the mattress. The garment comprises a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via a fastener along a length of said halves, a pair of arm openings configured to receive a user&#39;s arms therethrough, and an opening at the proximal end of the garment configured to extend around the user&#39;s neck when in use. The sleeping garment is configured to hold the user such that at least a portion of the user is disposed in the pocket between the top and bottom layers, thereby allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket. The garment is also configured to secure the user on the mattress while allowing the user to sit or stand on the mattress without dislodging the bottom layer from the mattress. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a bed sheet with an integrated sleeping garment is provided. The bed sheet comprises a bottom fabric layer configured to extend at least over a top surface of a mattress when the sheet is attached to the mattress. A top fabric layer is disposed over the bottom layer, the top layer fastened to the bottom layer so as to define a pocket therebetween. One or both of the top and bottom fabric layers extends over sides of the mattress to a distal edge on an underside of the mattress, said distal edge defining a bottom opening. A sleeping garment is integrated into the top fabric layer, wherein the top fabric layer defines at least a portion of the garment such that the garment holds a user generally in a center of the mattress when the sheet is attached to the mattress, thereby keeping the user away from edges of the mattress. The garment comprises a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via one or more fasteners configured to fasten said two halves of the garment at least within a fastener pocket that covers at least one of the one or more fasteners when the garment is fully closed. The garment further comprises a flap that extends from one half of the garment proximate a neck opening of the garment, over the fastener pocket and is fastened to the opposite half of the garment so that the user is inhibited from accessing at least one of the one or more fasteners, thereby inhibiting the user from removing the garment. The garment also comprises a pair of arm openings configured to receive a user&#39;s arms therethrough, and an opening at the proximal end of the garment configured to extend around the user&#39;s neck when in use. The sleeping garment is configured to hold the user such that a lower portion of the user is disposed in the pocket between the top and bottom fabric layers, thereby allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket. The garment is also configured to secure the user on the mattress while allowing the user to sit or stand on the mattress. 
     In accordance with still another embodiment, a bed sheet with an integrated sleeping garment is provided. The bed sheet comprises a bottom fabric layer configured to extend over an upper surface of a mattress to which the bed sheet is attached. The bed sheet also comprises a top fabric layer attached to the bottom layer so as to define a pocket therebetween, one or both of the top and bottom fabric layers configured to extend over the sides of the mattress to a distal edge on an underside of the mattress, said edge defining a bottom opening. The bed sheet further comprises a sleeping garment integrated into the top fabric layer, wherein the top fabric layer defines at least a portion of the garment such that the garment holds a user generally in a center of the mattress when the sheet is attached to the mattress, thereby keeping the user away from edges of the mattress. The sleeping garment comprises a pair of garment halves removably coupleable to each other via a zipper that zips up into a fastener pocket that covers the zipper when the garment is fully closed. The garment further comprises a flap that extends from one half of the garment, over the fastener pocket and is fastened to the opposite half of the garment to thereby inhibit the user from accessing the zipper to unzip and remove the garment. The sleeping garment also comprises a pair of arm openings configured to receive a user&#39;s arms therethrough, and an opening at the proximal end of the garment configured to extend around the user&#39;s neck when in use. The sleeping garment is configured to hold the user such that a lower portion of the user is disposed in the pocket between the top and bottom fabric layers, thereby allowing the user to remain warm without the use of a separate blanket, the garment also configured to secure the user on the mattress while allowing the user to sit or stand on the mattress. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective top view of one embodiment of a bed sheet with an integrated sleeping garment, with a user wearing the garment and laying down. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective top view of the bed sheet of  FIG. 1 , with the user wearing the garment and sitting up. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic bottom view of the bed sheet of  FIG. 1  disposed over a mattress 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the bed sheet of  FIG. 1  with the user lying down. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic front view of a portion of the sleeping garment of the bed sheet of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 6  is a schematic top perspective view of a fastening mechanism of the integrated garment in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic top view of another embodiment of a bed sheet with a sleeping garment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, a “mattress” is meant to encompass any cushioned sleeping pad, where the sleeping pad can be filled with resilient material, such as cotton, feathers, foam rubber, or can have one or more springs, as in a common mattress of a bed, or can be filled with water or air. As used herein, a “mattress” is meant to encompass different sized mattresses, such as crib size, twin size, full size, queen size and king size, as well as mattresses of different thickness, such as bassinet pads, crib mattresses and up to king size mattresses. 
       FIGS. 1-6  show one embodiment of a bed sheet  100 . The bed sheet  100  can have a top layer  10  generally sized to extend along a length L and width W of a mattress  200 . The top layer  10  can at least partially define a sleeping garment  60 , which is further described below. 
     The top layer  10  is attached to a bottom layer  20  so as to define a pocket or cavity  30  therebetween into which a wearer of the sleeping garment can at least partially extend. In the illustrated embodiment, the top layer  10  is generally co-extensive with the bottom layer  20 . However, in other embodiments, the bottom layer  20  can extend over a larger area than the top layer  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top layer  10  is sewn to the bottom layer  20  along at least a portion of the periphery  12  of the top layer  10 . In one embodiment, the periphery  12  of the top layer  10  is side to substantially correspond to the periphery of a top surface  210  of the mattress  200  on which the top layer  10  rests. In another embodiment, the periphery  12  of the top layer  10  is larger than the periphery that defines the top surface  210  of the mattress  200  so that the top layer  10  extends past the edges of said top surface and onto a side surface  220  of said mattress  200 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the bed sheet  100  can also include a substantially generally water-resistant layer or water proof layer  40  disposed below the bottom layer  20 , so that the waterproof layer  40  is adjacent and in contact with the mattress  200  when the sheet  100  is placed on the mattress  200 , and so the bottom layer  20  is disposed between the waterproof layer  40  and the top layer  10 . In one embodiment, the top layer  10  is generally co-extensive with the bottom layer  20  and the waterproof layer  40 , and the three layers  10 ,  20 ,  40  are sewn together along at least a portion of the periphery  12  of the top layer. In one embodiment, the waterproof layer  40  extends along an area smaller than the top layer  10 , where the waterproof layer  40  extends along substantially the top surface  210  of the mattress  200 . In another embodiment, the waterproof layer  40  can extends along the same area as the top layer  10 , and can extend to the sides  220  or underside surface  230  of the mattress  200 . Advantageously, the waterproof layer  40  can at least partially stick or adhere to the mattress  200  during use (e.g., due to the affinity between the mattress material and material of the waterproof layer  40 ), which advantageously helps to maintain the bed sheet  100  in place on the mattress  200  and inhibits dislodgement of the sheet  100  during use (e.g., due to the user moving around, sitting up or standing up). In another embodiment the water proof layer  40  can be excluded from the bed sheet  100 . In one embodiment, where the water proof layer  40  is excluded from the bed sheet  100 , the bottom layer  20  can be water resistant or water proof. 
     In one embodiment, the top layer  10  can be made of a breathable fabric, such as cotton. However, in other embodiments, the In one embodiment, the top layer  10  can be of a stretchable material, such as 100% jersey cotton stretch material, which advantageously allows the user to comfortably move while having the sleeping garment  60  on. However, in other embodiments, the top layer  10  can be made of other suitable fabrics or textiles, including those made from natural or synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester). In one embodiment, the bottom layer  20  can be made of fabric. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom layer  20  can be made of 100% cotton flannel. However, in other embodiments, the top layer  10  can be made of other suitable fabrics or textiles, including those made from natural or synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, terrycloth, bamboo). In one embodiment, the waterproof layer  40  can be made of a polymer material, such as plastic or vinyl coated polyester. However, in other embodiments, the waterproof layer  40  can be made of other suitable materials, such as a plastic material (e.g., natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic plastic material). 
     The bed sheet  100  can have a side portion  50  configured to extend from the top layer  10 , along the sides  220  of the mattress  200  and to an underside  230  of the mattress  200 . In one embodiment, the side portion  50  and top layer  10  are one piece. In another embodiment, the side portion  50  and top layer  10  are separate pieces that are sewn together at said periphery  12 . In one embodiment, the side portion  50  can be made of the same material as the top layer  10 . In another embodiment, the side portion  50  can be made of a different material than the top layer  10 . 
     As noted above, the side portion  50  can extend to the underside  230  of the mattress  200  and define an edge  52 . A resilient (e.g., elastic) band  54  can be attached to at least a portion of said edge  52  or be integrated in the edge  52  (e.g., the side portion  50  can overlap the band  54  at said edge  52  so as to enclose the band  54 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic band  54  can extend along the entire edge  52 . In one embodiment, the band  54  can have a generally oval shape when in the relaxed or unstretched condition. Advantageously, the band  54  substantially maintains the sheet  100  in place on the mattress  200  and inhibits the sheet  100  from dislodging or coming off the mattress  200  during use of the sheet  100  by a user, as further discussed below. In one embodiment, the band  54  has a thickness  54   t  of about three inches. However, in other embodiments, the thickness  54   t  can be less than or greater than three inches. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the sleeping garment  60  can be integrated into the bed sheet  100  so that the garment  60  and top layer  10  are a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the sleeping garment  60  can be a vest with two halves  61   a ,  61   b  that generally extend from the user&#39;s waist up to his or her neck. The sleeping garment  60  can have a waist band  62 , which can be of a resilient and stretchable material, a pair of arm openings  63  (e.g., proximate the location of the shoulders of the user) through which the user&#39;s arms can extend, and a neck opening  64  through which the user&#39;s neck extends when the user is wearing the garment  60 . In another embodiment, the sleeping garment can have sleeves (e.g., short or long sleeves) that extend from the arm openings  63  (e.g., from a seam between the sleeping garment and sleeves that defines the arm openings) to a distal end of the sleeves. In one embodiment, such sleeves can be removably attachable to the halves  61   a ,  61   b  of the garment  60  proximate said openings  63 . In another embodiment, such sleeves can be integrated into the halves  61   a ,  61   b  of the garment  60  (e.g., via a seam proximate said openings  63 ). In one embodiment, where the sleeves are long sleeves, mittens can be integrated into the sleeves at the distal ends thereof so that the user&#39;s arms are completely enclosed. 
     The halves  61   a ,  61   b  of the sleeping garment  60  can be removably attachable to each other by one or more fasteners  65  along at least the length of the sleeping garment  60 , where the one or more fasteners  65  allow access to an interior of the sleeping garment  60  to allow placement of the user within the garment  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more fasteners  65  are located along a front side of the sleeping garment  60 . However, in another embodiment, the one or more fasteners  65  can be located along a rear side of the sleeping garment  60 . In still another embodiment, the one or more fasteners  65  can be located along the front side and rear side of the sleeping garment  60 . In another embodiment, the one or more fasteners  65  can be located along a right aide or left side of the sleeping garment  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  65  is a zipper that can be operated to close the garment  60  from its distal end to a position proximate the neck opening  64 . In one embodiment, the zipper can be about 24 inches long, though other lengths are possible. However, in other embodiments, the one or more fasteners  65  can be other suitable mechanisms for attaching the two halves  61   a ,  61   b  of the sleeping garment  60 . For example, in some embodiments, the one or more fasteners  65  can include hoop and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO® or APLIX™. In other embodiments, the fasteners  65  can include buttons on one of the halves  61 ,  61   b  that can be inserted into button holes on the other of the halves  61   a ,  61   b . In still another embodiment, the fasteners  65  can be snaps arranged along the length of the halves  61   a ,  61   b.    
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5-6 , at least a portion of the fastener  65  preferably extends in a pocket  67  defined by a fold  68  that covers the proximal end of the garment  60  near the neck opening  64  when the fastener  65  is actuated to close the sleeping garment  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, where the fastener  65  is a zipper, the zipper can extend into the pocket  67  so as to be hidden from view. The fold  68  can include a flap  68   a  that folds over the fastener  65  to enclose the fastener  65  in the pocket  67 . The flap  68   a  can include one or more flap fasteners  69   a  to removably couple the flap to one of the halves  61   a ,  61   b  of the garment  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flap fasteners  69   a  can include a hoop and loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO®, APLIX™) and one or more snaps (e.g., two snaps). However, in other embodiments, the flap fasteners  69   a  can be other suitable mechanism. For example, in other embodiments, the flap fasteners  69   a  can include buttons, only snaps, only a hoop and loop fastener, or a combination of any of these. 
     Advantageously, the pocket  67  obstructs the fastener  65  so that the fastener  65  does not rub up against the chin of the user (e.g., infant, toddler) and thereby harm or irritate the skin of the user. Additionally, the pocket  67  and flap  68   a  maintain the fastener  65  hidden to inhibit the user from placing the fastener in his or her mouth and accidentally ingesting the fastener  65 . Further, the pocket  67  and flap  68   a  advantageously maintain the fastener  65  hidden so as to inhibit the user from accessing the fastener  65  to unfasten and remove the sleeping garment  60 . Accordingly, the pocket  67  and flap  68   a  facilitate the securement of the user with the garment  60 . In one embodiment, where the user is an infant or toddler and the bed sheet  100  is placed on a crib mattress, the pocket  67  and flap  68   a  can advantageously inhibit the user from accessing and operating the fastener  65  to remove the sleeping garment  60  and exit the crib. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the sleeping garment  60  can be made of the same material as the top layer  10 . In another embodiment, the sleeping garment  60  can be made of a different material than the top layer  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the waist band  62 , arm holes or openings  63 , neck opening  64  and fold  68  can be made of, or lined with a stretchable fabric, such as Debutante satin stretch fabric (e.g., made of 94% polyester and 6% LYCRA®). Additionally, the fastener  65  (e.g., zipper) can be lined with a trim made of stretchable material, such as stretch elastic piping. Such stretchable material allows the sleeping garment  60  to more securely fit to the user for a customized fit. In one embodiment, the waist band  62  is sewn to the garment  60  with the grain generally vertical, which allows for an additional extension or stretch of the garment  60  that allows the user to stand up while wearing the garment  60  without pulling or dislodging the sheet  100  from the mattress  200 . In one embodiment, the sleeping garment  60  can have one or more fasteners on a rear surface of the garment  60  that can removably attach to one or more fasteners on the top layer  10  of the bed sheet  100  to help encourage the user to sleep on his or her back while in the garment  60 . 
     In one embodiment, a material tab can be attached to the bed sheet  100  approximately an arm&#39;s length from the user. The material tab, in one embodiment, can have one or more snap ends and could be used to attach security items for use by the user (e.g., silkie, security blanket) with another end of the snap. 
       FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of a bed sheet  100 ′. The bed sheet  100 ′ is similar to the bed sheet  100  described above and can have the same components as the bed sheet  100 , except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the various components of the bed sheet  100 ′ are identical to those used for identifying the corresponding components of the bed sheet  100  in  FIGS. 1-6 , except that a “′” has been added to the reference numerals. Unless noted below, the description of the components of the bed sheet  100 ′ is the same as the description of the corresponding components of the bed sheet  100  provided above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the sleeping garment  60 ′ can have an adjustable waist band  70 ′ on an inner surface of the garment  60 ′. In the illustrated embodiment, the waist band  70 ′ is an elastic waist band that extends from one edge of one half  61   a ′ of the garment  60 ′ to the opposite edge of the other half  61   b ′ of the garment  60 ′. In another embodiment, the garment  60 ′ can have two waist bands  70 ′, one extending from the back of the garment  60 ′ to the edge of one half  61   a ′ of the garment  60 ′, and the other extending from the back of the garment  60 ′ to the edge of the other half  61   b ′ of the garment  60 ′. The waist band  70 ′ can have multiple button holes, where the waist band  70 ′ can be stretched to a desired length and coupled to a button  72 ′ at a desired button hole (not shown) of the waist band  70 ′ to maintain the desired length. The button  72 ′ can be proximate the edge of the garment halves  61   a ′,  61   b ′. The waist band  70 ′ can advantageously allow the waist of the sleeping garment  60 ′ to be adjusted to securely accommodate users of varying waist sizes. 
     Advantageously, the bed sheet  100  provides a one-piece sheet that can be placed on the mattress  200  without the need to use sheets or blankets to cover the user, thereby providing a simplified sleeping system for users. In particular, where users are infants or toddlers, parents can use the bed sheet  200 , without additional sheets or blankets, to keep the infant/toddler warm, comforted and secure while sleeping, thereby inhibiting potential risks from the use of such loose blankets. Additionally, the bed sheet  100  advantageously encourages the user to sleep on his or her back (e.g., due to the location of the sleeping garment  60  generally in the center of the mattress  200  when the sheet  100  is placed on the mattress  200 ), which can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Further, as the bed sheet  100  is securely held on the mattress  200  to inhibit dislodgement of the bed sheet  100  from the mattress  200  by the user, the bed sheet  100  encourages the user to sleep on his or her back and inhibits the user from sleeping in another position. Moreover, the location of the sleeping garment  60  on the bed sheet  100 , such that the infant/toddler is generally centrally positioned on the mattress  200  advantageously securely maintains the infant/toddler away from the edges of the crib, thereby reducing the potential for injuries from the infant/toddler getting close to the crib edges. Further, the bed sheet  100  and sleeping garment  60  advantageously allow the infant/toddler to sit up and/or stand up while wearing the garment  60 , while inhibiting the user from climbing out of the crib, thereby reducing the risk of injury from said infant/toddler attempting to climb out of the crib. Accordingly, the bed sheet  100 , provides an improved and simplified sleeping system for users (e.g., infants and toddlers) that provides warmth while sleeping and securely holds them, while allowing some movement, while saving cost from avoiding the purchase of multiple sheets and/or blankets and pajamas. Additionally, the bed sheet  100  is a fitted sheet so that when placed on the mattress  200 , the top layer  10  is substantially fitted and planar along substantially the entire area (e.g., entire length and width) of the top surface of the mattress  200 . Therefore the bed sheet  100  advantageously prevents the presence of loose portions of the top layer  10  material, which might accidentally cover the user&#39;s head and pose a hazard (e.g., choking or suffocation hazard) when the user is in a reclined position (e.g., laying down) on the bed. 
     Though some embodiments above describe the bed sheet  100  as used with infants and toddlers, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the bed sheet  100  can be used with users of all ages and sizes, and with mattresses  200  of all sizes. In one embodiment, the bed sheet  100  can be sized to fit on a twin mattress for use by young children that are ready to transition from a crib to a bed. In such an embodiment, the bed sheet  100  can advantageously hold the child securely on the mattress  200  and prevent the child from falling out of the bed while learning to sleep in a larger bed (e.g., and adult bed). 
     In another embodiment, the bed sheet  100  can have a swaddle portion (not shown). In one embodiment, the swaddle portion can be integrated into the sleeping garment  60 . In another embodiment, the swaddle portion can be removably attachable to the sleeping garment  60 . For example, the swaddle portion can have a belt that attaches to a rear side of the sleeping garment  60  (e.g., via a hoop and loop attachment mechanism, snaps, buttons, etc.). The ends of the belt can attach to a swaddle wrap member, each of which can be wrapped around the user&#39;s arms from one side of the sleeping garment  60  to the other side of the sleeping garment  60 . In one embodiment, the swaddle wrap members can resemble wings that extend from the sides of the sleeping garment  60  and can wrap around the opposite side of the garment  60  to generally immobilize the user&#39;s arms. The swaddle wrap members can be removably attached to the sleeping garment  60  or top layer  10  (e.g., via a hoop and loop attachment mechanism, snaps, buttons, etc.). The swaddle portion can advantageously comfortably and securely hold the user, as well as aid the user to sleep on his or her back. In particular, where the user is an infant, the swaddle portion can provide a secure garment that can make the infant feel like he or she is being embraced. In one embodiment, where the swaddle portion is removably attached to the bed sheet  100 , the swaddle portion can be removed for washing or when the user, such as a child, has outgrown its use. 
     Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of a certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combine with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above