Patent Document

FILED OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bedding, and more particularly, relating to a bed clothing assembly that permits secure and removably attachment of bedding to a mattress. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In maintaining a bed, it is necessary to make the bed daily and occasionally change and replace the bed sheets. Typically, bedding includes a bottom sheet that is placed on the mattress of the bed and secured either by tucking the edges of the sheet under the mattress, or in a fitted sheet, by stretching the corners of the sheet over the corners of the mattress. A top sheet is then placed overtop the bottom sheet and secured by tucking at least the foot end under the mattress. A padded sheet or a mattress pad is occasionally placed on top of the mattress prior to placement of the bottom sheet. Anyone that has made a bed is aware of how difficult, time consuming and straining it can be. This is particularly the case when the mattress needs to be repeatedly lifted to secure the bed sheets. The daily chore of making a bed and changing bed sheets is even more difficult and straining for the person that is physically disabled and/or wheelchair dependent. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general, in one aspect, a bed clothing assembly for a mattress having top and bottom surfaces and a sidewall extending between the peripheral edges of the top and bottom surfaces is provided. The bed clothing assembly includes a mattress band having a sidewall with continuous upper and lower edges, an upper edge portion extending inwardly from the sidewall, and a lower edge portion extending inwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall of the mattress band encircling the sidewall of the mattress, and the upper and lower edge portions extending inwardly and continuously around the peripheral edges of the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress, respectively, when the mattress band is installed on the mattress. A unitary sheet assembly for overlaying the mattress. The unitary sheet assembly including a bottom sheet having a main panel with top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge, the bottom sheet further having a sidewall extending from the main panel thereof around the peripheral edge thereof and the sidewall of the bottom sheet having a peripheral bottom edge. A top sheet having a main panel with top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The top sheet further having a sidewall extending from the main panel thereof around a portion of the peripheral edge thereof, and the sidewall of the top sheet having a peripheral bottom edge. The bottom sheet and the top sheet being attached together along an adjacent portion of the peripheral bottom edges thereof with the remaining portion of the peripheral bottom edge of the top sheet being free from attachment with the top sheet. Attachment means for removably attaching the unitary sheet assembly to the mattress band with the sidewall of the bottom sheet coextensive with the sidewall of the mattress band. 
     A padded sheet for overlaying the mattress can be provided and can have a panel area sized equal to the top surface of the mattress. A second attachment means for removably attaching the padded sheet to the mattress band with the padded sheet positioned intermediate the bottom sheet and the upper surface of the mattress can be provided. The attachment means can attach the sidewall of the bottom sheet to the sidewall of the mattress band. The second attachment means can include a plurality of looped straps extending from and space along a peripheral edge of the padded sheet, and a hook fastener portion on each looped strap that is engagable with the sidewall of the mattress band. The main panel of the bottom sheet can be sized equal to the top surface of the mattress. 
     In general, in another aspect, a bed clothing assembly for a mattress having top and bottom surfaces, and a side wall with opposed ends, and opposed sides extending between peripheral edges of the top and bottom surfaces is provided. The bed clothing assembly includes a mattress band having a sidewall with continuous upper and lower edges. The sidewall of the mattress band including side panels and ends panels for covering the sides and ends, respectively, of the mattress. Adjacent vertical edges of the side panels and the end panels of the mattress band being joined to form vertical corners. The mattress band further having an upper edge portion extending inwardly from the sidewall, and a lower edge portion extending inwardly from the sidewall, wherein the sidewall of the mattress band encircles the sidewall of the mattress, and the upper and lower edge portions extending inwardly and continuously around the peripheral edges of the top and bottom surfaces of the mattress, respectively, when the mattress band is installed on the mattress. A unitary sheet assembly for overlaying the mattress. The unitary sheet assembly including a bottom sheet having a main panel with top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The bottom sheet having a sidewall extending from the main panel thereof continuously around the peripheral edge of the main panel. The sidewall of the bottom sheet including side panels and end panels for covering the side panels and end panels, respectively, of the mattress band. Adjacent vertical edges of the side panels and the end panels of the bottom sheet being joined to form vertical corners. The sidewall of the bottom sheet having a peripheral bottom edge, and the main panel of the bottom sheet being sized equal to the top surface of the mattress. A top sheet having a main panel with top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The top sheet having a sidewall extending from the peripheral edge of the main panel. The sidewall of the top sheet including a foot panel and side panels for covering one end panel of the end panels and the side panels, respectively, of the sidewall of the bottom sheet. The sidewall of the top sheet having a peripheral bottom edge. Adjacent vertical edges of the foot panel and the side panels of the top sheet being separate and forming vertical gaps therebetween. The peripheral bottom edge along the foot panel of the top sheet and the peripheral bottom edge along a cooperating end panel of the bottom sheet being continuously attached together along the lengths thereof with the remaining portion of the peripheral bottom edge along the side panels of the top sheet being free from attachment to the bottom sheet. A first attachment means for removably attaching the unitary sheet assembly to the mattress band with the sidewall of the bottom sheet coextensive with the sidewall of the mattress band. A padded sheet for overlaying the mattress and having a panel area sized equal to the upper surface of the mattress. Second attachment means for removably attaching the padded sheet to the mattress band with the padded sheet positioned intermediate the bottom sheet and the top surface of the mattress. 
     The first attachment means can attach the sidewall of the bottom sheet to the sidewall of the mattress band. The second attachment means can include a plurality of looped straps extending from and space along a peripheral edge of the padded sheet, and a hook fastener portion on each looped strap that is engagable with the sidewall of the mattress band. The first attachment means can include a plurality of hook fasteners spaced along the peripheral bottom edge of the sidewall of the bottom sheet, each of the plurality of hook fasteners engagable with the sidewall of the mattress band. An elasticized material can be around the ends of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion. 
     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. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying 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 descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     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. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of the bed clothing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and a conventional mattress with the bed clothing assembly unassembled; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective and partial cross section view of the bed clothing assembly on the mattress; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section view of the bed clothing assembly and mattress taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bed clothing assembly showing the mattress band on the mattress and the unitary sheet assembly detached from the mattress band. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIGS. 1-4 , reference numeral  10  generally designates the bed clothing assembly in accordance with the principals of the present invention. The bed clothing assembly  10  of the present invention is intended to provide a means for the physically disabled to more easily remove and replace bed clothing. In  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a perspective exploded view of the individual components of the bed clothing assembly  10  and a conventional mattress  12 . The mattress  12  is rectangular, and has top and bottom surfaces  14  and  16 , each with a peripheral edge  18  and  20 , respectively, and a sidewall  22  extending between the peripheral edges. The bottom surface  16  of the mattress  12  is best seen in  FIG. 3 . Sidewall  22  of the mattress  12  includes end panels  24  and  26 , and side panels  28  and  30 . 
     The bed clothing assembly  10  includes a mattress band  32 , a unitary sheet assembly  34  and a padded sheet or mattress pad  60 . The mattress band  32  is constructed to be securely attached to the mattress  12  and the unitary sheet assembly  34  and the padded sheet  60  are each constructed to be removably attachable to the mattress band  32  in a manner in which they remain secured during usage. The mattress band  32  comprises a sidewall  36  with continuous upper and lower edges  38  and  40 . Sidewall  32  can include sides panels  42  and  44 , and end panels  46  and  48 . The adjacent vertical edges of the side panels  42  and  44  and of the end panels  46  and  48  are joined to form vertical corners  50 A,  50 B,  50 C, and  50 D. An upper edge portion  52  extends inwardly from the upper edge  38 , and a lower edge portion  54  extends inwardly from the lower edge  40 . Bands  56  of elastic material can be attached around the ends  58  and  60  of the upper and lower edge portions  52  and  54  respectively. Bands  56  causes the upper and lower edge portions  52  and  54  to gather and aid in securing the mattress band  32  to the mattress  12 . The sidewall  36  of the mattress band  32  encircles the sidewall  22  of the mattress  12 , and the upper and lower edge portions  52  and  54  extend inwardly and continuously around the peripheral edges  18  and  20  of the top and bottom surfaces  14  and  18  of the mattress, respectively, when the mattress band is installed on the mattress. The length and width of side panels  42  and  44 , and of end panels  46  and  48  are sized to correspond to the length and width of side panels  28  and  30 , and of end panels  24  and  26 , respectively, of the mattress  12 . The mattress band  32  can be partially or entirely constructed of an elastic material, and sized to be slightly smaller than the dimensions of the mattress, and capable of being stretched to conform to the size, shape and dimension of the mattress to which it is attached. The mattress band  32  can be made of an elastic fabric material having a pile that can be removably engaged by a hook fastener portion of a hook-and-loop type fastener. 
     The unitary sheet assembly  34  includes a bottom sheet  58  and a top sheet  62  connected together forming a single unit. The bottom sheet  58  includes a main panel  64  with top and bottom surfaces  66  and  68 , and a peripheral edge  70 . A sidewall  72  extends from the main panel  64  continuously around the peripheral edge  70 , and includes a peripheral bottom edge  84 . Sidewall  72  may be integral with main panel  64 . Sidewall  72  can include side panels  74  and  76 , and end panels  78  and  80 . Adjacent vertical edges of the side panels  74  and  76 , and of the end panels  78  and  80  are joined to form vertical corners  82 A,  82 B,  82 C, and  82 D. Main panel  64  is sized to equal the top surface  14  of the mattress  12 . Side panels  74  and  76  and end panels  78  and  80  are sized to correspond to the length and width of side panels  42  and  44 , and of end panels  46  and  48 , respectively, of the mattress band  32 . Side panels  74  and  76  and end panels  78  and  80  cover side panels  42  and  44 , and of end panels  46  and  48 , respectively, of the mattress band  32  when attached thereto. 
     The top sheet  62  includes a main panel  88  with top and bottom surfaces  90  and  92 , and a peripheral edge  94 . A sidewall  96  extends from the main panel  88  partially around the peripheral edge  94 , and includes a peripheral bottom edge  98 . Sidewall  96  may be integral with main panel  88 . Sidewall  96  can include a foot panel  100  corresponding to end panel  78  of the bottom sheet  58 , and side panels  102  and  104  corresponding to side panels  74  and  76 , respectively, of the bottom sheet. Foot panel  100  is sized to correspond to the length and width of end panel  78 . Side panels  102  and  104  can be sized to correspond the length and width of side panels  74  and  76 , respectively, can be sized to have a greater width to drape downward beyond the peripheral bottom edge  84  of the bottom sheet  58 , and can be sized to have a greater length to extend beyond the peripheral edge  64  to permit the top sheet opposite of the foot panel  100  to be folded back upon itself. Main panel  88  of the top sheet  62  can be sized to be equal to main panel  64  of the bottom sheet  58 . 
     The peripheral bottom edge  98  along the foot panel  100  of the top sheet  62  and the peripheral bottom edge  84  along end panel  78  of the bottom sheet  58  are continuously stitched together along the lengths thereof with the remaining portion of the peripheral bottom edge  98  along the side panels  102  and  104  of the top sheet free from attachment with the bottom sheet  58 . The adjacent vertical edges of foot panel  100  and side panel  102  are separate from each other forming a vertical gap therebetween, and the adjacent vertical edges of foot panel  100  and side panel  104  are separate from each other forming a vertical gap therebetween to permit the side panels  102  and  104  of top sheet  62  to be movable independently from the foot panel  100 . 
     A plurality of hook fasteners  106 , such as the hook fastener of a hook-and-loop type fastener, are spaced along the sidewall  72  of the bottom sheet  58 . Fasteners  106  are releasably attachable to the fabric material of the sidewall  36  of the mattress band  32  enabling the unitary sheet assembly  34  to be securely attached to the mattress band and remain taut throughout usage. The sidewall  72  of the bottom sheet  58  is continuously coextensive with the sidewall  36  of the mattress band  32  and the bottom surface  66  of the bottom sheet  58  is coextensive with the top surface  14  of the mattress  12  when the unitary sheet assembly  34  is secured to the mattress band. To make detachment easier and to prevent in advent reattachment of the unitary sheet assembly  34  with the mattress band  32 , each fastener  106  can be spaced along the peripheral bottom edge  70  of the bottom sheet  58 . Even further, the fasteners  106  can be sized such that they do not extend completely up sidewall  72 , and are spaced from the upper edge  38  and peripheral edge  70 . In this manner, as side panels  74  and  76  and end panels  78  and  80  are sequentially detached from side panels  28  and  30  and end panels  24  and  26 , and lifted up it is less likely for prior detached panels to become inadvertently reattached. 
     The padded sheet  60  has a panel area  86  sized equal to the upper surface  12  of the mattress  12 . The padded sheet  60  may have a waterproof barrier layer. A plurality of separate securment straps  110  are spaced along and extend from the peripheral edge  112  of the padded sheet  60 . Each strap  110  can be looped to have an opening  114  of a sufficient size to permit the insertion of a hand through the loop to more easily grip the strap. Each strap  110  includes a fastener portion  116  for releasable attachment to the sidewall  36  of the mattress band  32 . 
     In operation, the mattress band  32  is first attached to the mattress  12  by stretching the mattress band  32  over the corners and sides of the mattress such that sidewall  32  encircles the sidewall  22  of the mattress, and the lower edge portion  54  and the upper edge portion  52  extend inwardly and continuously around the peripheral edges  18  and  20  of the top and bottom surfaces  14  and  18  of the mattress, respectively. Once the mattress band  32  is attached to the mattress  12 , the mattress no longer needs to be lifted or otherwise maneuvered in the attachment or detachment of the unitary sheet assembly  34 , thereby making changing of the bedding easier and with less strain. With the mattress band  32  attached to the mattress  12 , the unitary sheet assembly  34  can be placed on top of the mattress with the foot panel  100  at the foot of the mattress. Sidewall  72  can then be attached to the sidewall  36  of the mattress band  32  by simply pulling the sidewall  72  down and about sidewall  36  and engaging the cooperating fasteners  106 . In this manner, the bottom sheet  58 , the padded sheet  60  and the top sheet  62  are each simultaneously positioned correctly on the mattress in a single step without requiring lifting of the mattress. The top sheet  62  may need to be adjusted and pulled upward along the top of the mattress  12  as desired. 
     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1