US20150327685A1

US20150327685A1 - Bedding clip assembly

Info

Publication number: US20150327685A1
Application number: US14/710,409
Authority: US
Inventors: Gina R. Longnecker; Laura A. Bohnstedt
Original assignee: Gina And Laura's Stuff Inc
Current assignee: Gina And Laura's Stuff Inc
Priority date: 2014-05-15
Filing date: 2015-05-12
Publication date: 2015-11-19

Abstract

A bedding clip assembly useful for simultaneously attaching flat sheets, blankets, and like bedding to a mattress via the mattress piping. The bedding clip assembly is comprised of a first attachment member connected by a length of material to a plurality of second attachment members. The length of connecting material is preferably stretchable or can be adjustable to accommodate a variety of mattress depths.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/993,972 filed May 15, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of bed making and more particularly to a bedding clip assembly for attaching bed linens or bed clothing to the mattress.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bed making has long been a standard daily chore for households and other establishments, including hospitals, hotels, and military or educational residences. Bed making is the system by which bed linens or bed clothing, namely, sheets, blankets, and/or comforters, are arranged or returned to a suitable neat position in preparation for use. When it comes to bed making, exacting standards are usually the norm for many establishments. The minimum requirements for a well-made bed are smooth sheets, and neat and evenly tucked corners.
Many individuals have difficulty neatly making a bed in the morning because, while sleeping, bed linens tend to become untucked from the end and sides of a bed. Restoring said dislodged sheets, and replacing comforters and/or blankets in a manner that meets the minimum requirements for bed making presents challenges for children and adults alike.
Further, a large majority of beds are placed with at least one side and/or the head or foot adjacent to a wall, i.e. bunk beds and daybeds. This presents the added challenge of reaching the side adjacent to the wall, and attempting to neatly re-tuck the bed linens between the wall and the bed on a daily basis.
While the challenges mentioned are common to most, if not all, persons having a bed, there are no current solutions on the market serving the purpose of facilitating the ease with which a bed is made, providing an easy and quick solution for neat bed making for all types of beds. A number of solutions are disclosed for keeping the corners of fitted sheets from sliding off of mattresses, including, but not limited to, sheet suspenders and sheet straps, to name a few.
One existing bedding clip assembly includes a sheet suspender having suspender-type strap members for securing sheets and bedding to mattress and the like. The ends of the strap members have fasteners for securing the strap members to the sheet or bedding. The strap members can also be adjustable. However such suspenders are intended to keep the sheets from sliding off of the corners of the mattress or securing sheets or other bedding tightly to the mattress, therefore making them function as a fitted sheet. Moreover, when the sheet is positioned on the mattress then it is quite common that as one end of the strap member is attached to the sheet the other end is pulled out of position which may compel a user to lift the mattress to attach the other end of the strap member to the sheet, which can be very difficult.
A known prior art related to bedding clip assembly includes a bedding retainer having an “L” shaped device with a fabric clamping means near the top of its vertical leg and inserted base wise between a waterbed mattress and its horizontal support platform. A sheet placed over a waterbed mattress may be secured by the clamping means (of a plurality) of such devices secured to the mattress surface by application of the invention. Another bed sheet securing device includes a number of fasteners in connection with a harness for holding the corners of a bed sheet in place over a mattress. A number of additional fasteners are provided that are securable to the bottom edge of a flat cover sheet to prevent the bottom edge of the cover sheet from slipping out from under the mattress. However these solutions, are designed solely for the purpose of fully attaching the flat sheet to the mattress in order to replace a fitted sheet and are difficult to place on the wall side of the bed. Moreover, these solutions still require the user to crawl atop a large wall-adjacent bed while straightening the bedding, which tends to make the task more difficult.
Therefore, there is a need for a bedding clip assembly configured to facilitate the neat making of the bed. Such a needed device would attach sheets, blankets, and/or comforters to the mattress on the side of the mattress that is adjacent to the wall in order to minimize the displacement and movement of bedding while sleeping. Another device could, for example, also be placed at the foot of the mattress if desired. Such a needed device would keep the bedding of choice attached to the mattress at the point of installation to make the bed making task easier and quicker, especially for children. Finally, such a device reduces or eliminates the need for the user to crawl atop a wall-adjacent bed while straightening the bedding, which makes the task simple even with a large sized bed. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of the specifications, the present invention is a bedding clip assembly for attaching bed linens or bed clothing to the mattress. The present invention discusses in detail the bedding clip assembly which can attach more than one piece of bed linen or bed clothing to the mattress piping at a chosen point on the mattress in order to minimize bedding movement and displacement while sleeping while not constricting the sleeper. More than one bedding clip assembly may be needed as the mattress size increases, i.e. twin size, full size, king size, etc. The invention is designed so that, once initially attached to the mattress, removal is unnecessary when laundering bedding. The present invention provides a cost effective, energy saving, efficient solution for the bed making chore.
The present embodiment provides a bedding clip assembly and a method for assembling the bedding clip assembly. The present embodiment of the bedding clip assembly comprises a first attachment means, a plurality of second attachment means and an elongated member. The first attachment means includes a first ring and a first securing means. Each of the plurality of second attachment means includes a second ring and a second securing means. The elongated member includes a first end and a second end.
The method for assembling a bedding clip assembly includes inserting the first end of the elongated member into the first ring of the first attachment means, then sliding the second end of the elongated member into the second ring of each of the plurality of second attachment means. Then position the second end of the elongated member over the first end and stitch or otherwise attach them together to form the bedding clip assembly. Then fold the elongated member at the seam around the first ring of the first attachment means and stitch close to the first ring to prevent the first attachment means from slipping out of position.
One objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that would attach several pieces of bedding simultaneously to the mattress piping at a desired point on the mattress, to minimize bedding displacement overnight while sleeping.
A second objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that would facilitate the neat making of the bed.
A third objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that would make the task of making the bed easier and quicker, especially for children.
A fourth objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that would reduce or eliminate the need for the user to crawl atop the wall-adjacent bed while straightening the bedding, which makes the task simple even when making a large sized bed.
A fifth objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that, once initially attached to the mattress, does not need to be removed from the mattress when laundering the bedding, therefore eliminating the need for reattachment to the mattress.
A sixth objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that does not require the user to lift or flip the mattress after the initial installation of the device, particularly helpful for the young, the elderly, and those users with limited upper body strength.
A seventh objective of the invention is to provide a bedding clip assembly that does not constrict the sleeper. For example, one assembly could be placed on the wall-side of a twin-sized mattress with another assembly placed at the foot of the mattress to achieve the intended goal of minimizing bedding displacement and aiding the bed making process.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bedding clip assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bedding clip assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bedding clip assembly in a closed position according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bedding clip assembly in an open position according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the bedding clip assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the bedding clip assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the bedding clip assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the bedding clip assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the independent features described below.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bedding clip assembly 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bedding clip assembly 100 is utilized for attaching bed linens or bed clothing to the mattress. The present invention provides a cost effective, energy saving, efficient solution for the bed making chore.
The bedding clip assembly 100 comprises a first attachment means 102, a plurality of second attachment means 108 and an elongated member 114. The first attachment means 102 includes a first ring 104 and a first securing means 106. Each of the plurality of second attachment means 108 includes a second ring 110 and a second securing means 112. The elongated member 114 includes a first end 116 and a second end 118. The method for assembling a bedding clip assembly 100 includes inserting the first end 116 of the elongated member 114 into the first ring 104 of the first attachment means 102. Then slide the second end 118 of the elongated member 114 into the second ring 110 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 108. Then position the second end 118 of the elongated member 114 over the first end 116 and stitch or otherwise attach them together to form the bedding clip assembly 100. Then fold the elongated member 114 at the seam around the first ring 104 of the first attachment means 102. Stitch through both halves of the elongated member 114 near the first ring 104 of the first attachment means 102 to secure the first attachment means 102 into position.
The bedding clip assembly 100 is adaptable to attach the bedding to the piping of the mattress at a desired point to minimize the displacement of bedding while sleeping. The first attachment means 102 of the bedding clip assembly 100 is attached to the mattress piping and each of the plurality of second attachment means 108 is attached to the flat sheets, blankets and/or comforters to hold the bedding in place. The first attachment means 102 is made preferably of metal with locking jaws, and the plurality of second attachment means 108 is made preferably of metal with plastic or nylon teeth, also having locking jaws. Preferably, the first attachment means 102 and the plurality of second attachment means 108 may be selected from a group consisting of: suspender clips, locking clips, non-locking clips, garter attachments, jaw clips, alligator clips, clothespin type clips, pacifier clips, or tarp clips. Clips may be metal, plastic or any combination thereof. The elongated member 114 may be preferably selected from a group consisting of: elastic strapping, rubber, bungee cording, leather, fabric, string, rope, cotton or nylon cording. The elongated member 114 may have a length of approximately 3 inches to 24 inches or may be stretchable, dependent upon the depth of the mattress for which the bedding clip assembly is created to be attached to. The first attachment means 102 is fixed near the first end 116 of the elongated member 114 whereas the plurality of second attachment means 108 can move freely along the elongated member 114. The first securing means 106 and the second securing means 112 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 108 may face in one direction or in opposite directions. The bedding clip assembly 100 of the present invention is designed to attach the bedding to the mattress piping in order to keep the bedding in place overnight. The bedding clip assembly 100, for example, can hold the bedding in place on the wall side of the bed with another bedding clip 100 assembly placed at the foot of the mattress, so as to facilitate the neat making of the bed. More bedding clip assemblies may be needed as the size of the mattress increases.
The bedding clip assembly 100 is designed to attach the bedding such as sheets, blankets or comforters to the mattress piping, for example, on the wall side of the mattress, with another bedding clip assembly placed at the foot of the mattress if desired, in order to minimize bedding movement and displacement overnight. While the bedding clip assembly 100 is utilized to hold the bedding in place on the wall side of the bed, the opposite side of the bedding is not attached to the mattress and does not constrict the sleeper. In the morning, the user can simply pull the sheets and the bedding into place without the need to crawl atop the bed and on the bedding while making the bed. Even children and adults with shorter arm reach can easily make their own beds neatly. Once the bedding clip assembly 100 is attached to the piping of the mattress, it will remain attached to the mattress, even as the bedding is removed to be laundered.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bedding clip assembly 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the bedding clip assembly 200 comprises a first attachment means 202, a plurality of second attachment means 208, an adjustable member 222 and an elongated member 214 having a first end 216 and a second end 218. The first attachment means 202 includes a first ring 204 and a first securing means 206 and each of the plurality of second attachment means 208 includes a second ring 210 and a second securing means 212. The adjustable member 222 includes an outer member 224 and an inner member 226 connected together to define a first slot 228 and a second slot 230. The adjustable member 222 is preferably, a tri-bar suspender clip made of plastic or metal. The method of assembling this embodiment of the present invention involves inserting and wrapping the first end 216 of the elongated member 214 into and around the first ring 204 of the first attachment means 202 to form a loop and stitching together to secure the first attachment means 202. Then, the second end 218 of the elongated member 214 is slid through the first slot 228 upwards and pulled over the inner member 226. Then the second end 218 of the elongated member 214 is slid through the second slot 230 pulling a length of the elongated member 214 there through. The second end 218 of the elongated member 214 is then inserted through the second ring 210 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 208. Wrap the second end 218 of the elongated member 214 beneath and around the inner member 226 of the adjustable member 222 to form a loop and stitch to secure in position to form the bedding clip assembly 200. The adjustable member 222 allows adjusting the length of the elongated member 214 which enables the bedding clip assembly 200 to be utilized for mattresses with normal depth or those mattresses with increased depth.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a bottom perspective view of the bedding clip assembly 300 in a closed position and in an open position respectively according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the bedding clip assembly 300 comprises a first attachment means 302, a plurality of second attachment means 308, an adjustable member 320, a connecting means 322, a pair of connecting members 324, 326 and an elongated member 314 having a first end 316 and a second end 318. The first attachment means 302 includes a first ring 304 and a first securing means 306 and each of the plurality of second attachment means 308 includes a second ring 310 and a second securing means 312. The adjustable member 320 is attached along one side of the elongated member 314. The adjustable member 320 is employed to adjust the length of the bedding clip assembly 300 and the adjustable member 320 can be elastic strapping with hook and loop material, i.e, Velcro®, sewn or glued to the elastic strapping. The pair of connecting members 324, 326 includes a long connecting member 324 and a short connecting member 326. Insert the long connecting member 324 into the connecting means 322 and fold such that both portions are equal. Insert the short connecting member 326 between the fold formed by the long connecting member 324 until the edge of the short connecting member 326 touches the connecting means 322. Stitch together the fold of the long connecting member 324, through the short connecting member 326 above the connecting means 322. The second ring 310 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 308 is connected to the ends of each of the pair of connecting members 324, 326. The first end 316 of the elongated member 314 slides into and wraps around the first ring 304 of the first attachment means 302 to form a loop and is stitched together to secure the first attachment means 302. The second end 318 of the elongated member 314 is inserted into the connecting means 322, pulling a length of the elongated member 314 there through. Then second end 318 of the elongated member 314 forms a loop by means of the adjustable member 320 which can preferably be of elastic strapping to which hook and loop material, i.e., Velcro®, has been attached by gluing, sewing, or other means.
FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the bedding clip assembly 400 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the present invention comprises a first attachment means 402, a plurality of second attachment means 408 and a pair of connecting members 414, 416. The first attachment means 402 includes a first ring 404 and a first securing means 406 and each of the plurality of second attachment means 408 includes a second ring 410 and a second securing means 412. The pair of connecting members 414, 416 includes a long connecting member 414 and a short connecting member 416. Insert the long connecting member 414 into the first ring 404 of the first attachment means 402 and fold such that both portions are equal. Insert the short connecting 416 member between the fold formed by the long connecting member 414 until the edge of the short connecting member 416 touches the first ring 404 of the first attachment means 402. Stitch together the fold of the long connecting member 414, through the short connecting member 416, above the first ring 404 of the first attachment means 402. The second ring 410 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 408 is connected to the distal ends of the pair of connecting members 414, 416 by pulling the pair of connecting members 414, 416 through the second rings 410 of the second attachment means 408, folding over the second rings 410 to form a loop, and stitching in place to secure each of the plurality of the second attachment means 408 forming the bedding clip assembly 400.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the bedding clip assembly 500 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the bedding clip assembly 500 comprises a first attachment means 502, a plurality of second attachment means 508, an adjustable member 520, a connecting means 530, a pair of connecting members 532, 534 and an elongated member 514 having a first end 516 and a second end 518. The first attachment means 502 includes a first ring 504 and a first securing means 506 and each of the plurality of second attachment means 508 includes a second ring 510 and a second securing means 512. The adjustable member 520 includes an outer member 522 and an inner member 524 connected together to define a first slot 526 and a second slot 528. The pair of connecting members 532, 534 includes a long connecting member 532 and a short connecting member 534. Insert the long connecting member 532 into the connecting means 530 and fold such that both portions are equal. Insert the short connecting member 534 between the fold formed by the long connecting member 532 until the edge of the short connecting member 534 touches the connecting means 530. Stitch together the fold of the long connecting member 532, through the short connecting member 534 above the connecting means 530. The second ring 510 of each of the plurality of second attachment means 508 is connected to the distal ends of each of the pair of connecting members 532, 534 and by pulling the ends of the pair of connecting members 532, 534 through the second rings 510 of the second attachment means 508, folding over the second rings 510 to form a loop, stitching to secure each of the plurality of second attachment means 508. The second end 518 of the elongated member 514 is slid through the first slot 526, over the inner member 524 and then inserted through the second slot 528 pulling a length of the elongated member 514 there through. The second end 518 of the elongated member 514 is inserted through the connecting means 530 and wrapped around the inner member 524 of the adjustable member 520 to form a loop and stitch to secure in position. The first end 516 of the elongated member 514 slides into the first ring 504 of the first attachment means 502 and is folded over to form a loop around the first ring 504 of the first attachment means 502, and is stitched together to secure the first attachment means 502.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, of the bedding clip assembly 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use. The bedding clip assembly 100 is employed to attach the flat sheets 124, at least one blanket 122, and the comforter 120 to the bottom edge mattress piping 126 of the mattress 128 with the fitted sheet 130 pulled away from the bottom edge mattress piping 126 to keep the bedding in place overnight. In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first attachment means 102 of the bedding clip assembly 100 is attached to at least one side of the mattress 128 at the bottom edge piping of the mattress 126. Each of the plurality of the second attachment means 108 is connected to the first attachment means 102 by the elongated member 114 and is employed to hold the flat sheets 124, at least one blanket 122, and the comforter 120 in place.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bedding clip assembly, comprising:

a first attachment means having a first ring and a first securing means;

a plurality of second attachment means, each of the plurality of second attachment means having a second ring and a second securing means; and

an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated member slides into the first ring of the first attachment means, the second end of the elongated member is inserted into the second ring of each of the plurality of second attachment means and is doubled over to meet the first end and stitched or otherwise attached together to form a continuous loop, which is then folded at the seam around the first ring of the first attachment means and stitched next to first ring, through the elongated member, to secure the first attachment means in position;

whereby the bedding clip assembly is adaptable to simultaneously attach flat sheets, blankets and/or comforters to the mattress piping at one point of the mattress to minimize or eliminate bedding displacement at the point of attachment overnight while sleeping.

2. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first attachment means is adaptable to attach to the mattress.

3. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first attachment means is made preferably of metal with a tightly locking jaw.

4. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is adaptable to attach simultaneously to a plurality of bedding materials to minimize bedding displacement at the point of attachment.

5. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is made preferably of metal with nylon or plastic teeth.

6. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first attachment means and the plurality of second attachment means may be selected from a group made of metal, plastic or a combination of both, consisting of: suspender clips, locking clips, non-locking clips, garter attachments, jaw clips, alligator clips, clothespin type clips, pacifier clips, or tarp clips.

7. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated member may be adjustable, and may be made of stretchable or non-stretchable material such as elastic strapping, rubber, bungee cording, leather, fabric, string, rope, cotton or nylon cording.

8. The bedding clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is adaptable to move freely along the elongated member.

9. A method for assembling a bedding clip assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

a) inserting a first end of an elongated member into a first ring of a first attachment means;

b) sliding the second end of the elongated member into a second ring of each of a plurality of second attachment means;

c) positioning the second end of the elongated member over the first end and stitching or otherwise joining the two ends together to form a continuous loop; and

d) folding the elongated member over the first ring of the first attachment means at the seam and stitching through the elongated member near the first ring of the first attachment means to secure the first attachment means in position.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is adaptable to move freely along the elongated member.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the first attachment means is adaptable to attach to the mattress.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of second attachment means are adaptable to attach to the flat sheets, blankets and/or comforters to minimize the displacement of the bedding overnight.

13. A bedding clip assembly for simultaneously attaching a plurality of bedding materials to a mattress piping, comprising:

a first attachment means having a first ring and a first securing means;

an elongated member having a first end and a second end;

whereby the first attachment means and the plurality of second attachment means are joined to the elongated member to form the bedding clip assembly adaptable to simultaneously attach the plurality of bedding to the mattress piping at a point on the mattress to minimize displacement of the bedding overnight.

14. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the first end of the elongated member slides into the first ring of the first attachment means.

15. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the second end of the elongated member is inserted into the second ring of each of the plurality of second attachment means and doubled over to meet the first end of the elongated member and stitched or otherwise connected or held together to form a continuous loop.

16. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the elongated member is then folded at the seam over the first ring of the first attachment means and stitched or otherwise connected or held closely to the first ring of the first attachment means to secure the first attachment means in position.

17. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the first attachment means is adaptable to attach to the mattress.

18. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is adaptable to attach to the bedding to minimize the displacement of the bedding.

19. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the first attachment means and the plurality of second attachment means may be selected from a group made of metal, plastic or a combination of both, consisting of: suspender clips, locking clips, non-locking clips, garter attachments, jaw clips, alligator clips, clothespin type clips, pacifier clips, or tarp clips.

20. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the elongated member may be adjustable, and may be made of stretchable or non-stretchable material such as elastic strapping, rubber, bungee cording, leather, fabric, string, rope, cotton or nylon cording.

21. The bedding clip assembly of claim 13 wherein the plurality of second attachment means is adaptable to move freely along the elongated member.