US20170251839A1

US20170251839A1 - Fitted Sheet

Info

Publication number: US20170251839A1
Application number: US15/282,032
Authority: US
Inventors: Elizabeth McLeod
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-04
Filing date: 2016-09-30
Publication date: 2017-09-07

Abstract

A fitted sheet. A fitted sheet includes a generally rectangular sheet having a drawstring disposed throughout a length of a channel positioned along a perimeter of the sheet. The drawstring has a first end and a second end that exits from an opening of the channel. A pocket also extends from the sheet such that the pocket is dimensioned to receive the drawstring. A fastener disposed along the drawstring allows for sliding adjustment along the drawstring, so as to adjust the size of a loop formed by the drawstring and fastener.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/303,534 filed on Mar. 4, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fitted sheet. More specifically, the present invention provides a fitted sheet with a drawstring that runs through a channel along the perimeter thereof.
A fitted sheet generally includes a sheet that is sized and shaped to partially encompass a mattress. Many people prefer to use a fitted sheet as a bottom sheet, as the fitted sheet has a tendency to remain in position over the mattress. Some fitted sheets only stay in place temporarily as the mechanism they use to secure to a mattress is a simple elastic band around one or more corners. These fitted sheets require consistent readjustment and re-securement to the mattress.
Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to fitted sheets. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. However, these devices in the known art have several known drawbacks. For example, a conventional fitted sheet is generally designed to accommodate standard mattresses, however, if a mattress has a non-standard thickness, the sheet may not even fit over that non-standard mattress, or may be so loosely attached to that mattress that it loses nearly all of the advantages generally associated with fitted sheets.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the devices in the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing fitted sheets. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fitted sheets now present in the art, the present invention provides a new fitted sheet wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when securely fitting the sheet to a mattress.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fitted sheet comprising a drawstring that runs through a channel at the perimeter thereof. The drawstring exits the channel at an opening, and allows for the loosing and tightening of the sheet to a mattress.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fitted sheet that easily fits over a mattress or cushion, cinches tight via a drawstring, and locks in place with a fastener at the ends of the drawstring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fitted sheet with a pocket for housing and storing the drawstring and fasteners. The pocket is positioned on a bottom side of the fitted sheet, such that the pocket and its contents are hidden from view.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fitted sheet that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of the fitted sheet.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the fitted sheet taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the fitted sheet taken from circle 20 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the fitted sheet. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for attaching to a mattress. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a bottom view of the fitted sheet, and a cross-sectional view of the fitted sheet taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, respectively. The fitted sheet 11 provides a sheet 12 sized and shaped to partially encompass a mattress 14. The sheet 12 includes a drawstring 17 disposed throughout a length of a channel 13, wherein the channel 13 is disposed around the perimeter of the sheet 12. The sheet 12 includes a first end 18 and an opposing second end 19, wherein the first end 18 is the head end and the second end 19 is a foot end.
Specifically referring to FIG. 2, the sheet 12 includes a top side 15 and an opposing bottom side 16 separated by a thickness dimension of the mattress 14. The top side 15 and the bottom side 16 are taken with reference to an in-use orientation of the mattress 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 13 is disposed on the bottom side 16. In the shown embodiment, the mattress 14 is polygonal in shape, with various sizes for queen, king, double or the like beds. In alternative embodiment, other sizes and shapes of the fitted sheet 11 can also be used to correspond with the shape of the mattress 14.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a detailed view of the fitted sheet taken from circle 20 of FIG. 1. In the shown embodiments, the drawstring 17 is a continuous chord that runs through the length of the channel 13. However, in alternative embodiments, the drawstring 17 may include one or more chords. In one embodiment, the drawstring 17 comprises elastic material that causes the perimeter of the sheet 12 to wrap around the edge and partially encompass the mattress 14.
In the shown embodiment, the drawstring 17 comprises a first end 21 and a second end 22, wherein both ends 21, 22 exit the channel 13 at an opening 27. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 27 is equidistant from the first end and the second end of the sheet 12. The ends 21, 22 are configured to be tied together to form a loop. A pair of fasteners 23, 24 are disposed along the drawstring 17 at the first end 21 and the second end 22, respectively. The fasteners 23, 24 slidably adjusts along the drawstring 17 causing the size of the loop to be changed as desired. In one embodiment, the fasteners 23, 24 are cord locks configured to tighten or loosen the tension of the drawstring 17.
A pocket 26 configured to house the ends 21, 22 of the drawstring 17 and the pair of fasteners 23, 24 is disposed along the sheet 12. In the shown embodiments, the pocket 26 extends from the perimeter of the sheet 12 over the mattress 14. The pocket 26 is positioned on the bottom side of the sheet 12, such that the pocket 26 and its contents are hidden from a user's view when secured to a mattress 24. A webbed portion 25 is disposed between the opening 27 of the channel 13. The webbed portion 25 is configured to stretch and assist with the securement of the fitted sheet 11 to the mattress 14. In the shown embodiment, the webbed portion 25 is elastic material positioned between the opening 27. As the webbed portion 25 stretches, the opening 27 becomes wider and allows for easy placement of the ends 21, 22 of the drawstring 17 therein.
In use, the sheet 12 is easily placed on a mattress 14 in the manner of a flat sheet, and the ends of the drawstring are tied together at one side of the sheet. The ends 21, 22 of the drawstring 17 are pulled toward each other, causing the sheet 12 to tighten about and beneath the mattress 14. The sheet 12 automatically moves into a snug fit about the mattress 14. The ends 21, 22 of the drawstring 17 and the pair of fasteners 23, 24 are positioned within the pocket 25 and tucked under the bottom side of the mattress 14.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A fitted sheet, comprising:

a sheet including a drawstring disposed throughout a length of a channel, the drawstring comprising a first end and a second end;

the channel disposed along a perimeter of the sheet;

the channel includes an opening, wherein a first end of the drawstring and a second end of the drawstring exit the channel;

a pocket extending from the sheet, the pocket dimensioned to house the first end of the drawstring and the second end of the drawstring therein;

a fastener disposed along the drawstring, wherein the fastener slidably adjusts along the drawstring to adjust the size of a loop formed by the drawstring.

2) The fitted sheet of claim 1, comprising:

the fastener includes a first cord lock fastener and a second cord lock fastener;

the first cord lock fastener disposed along the first end of the drawstring;

the second cord lock fastener disposed along the second end of the drawstring;

3) The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein:

the drawstring comprises elastic material biased in tension.

4) The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein:

the sheet is configured to partially encompass a mattress, wherein the pocket is disposed on a bottom side of the sheet.

5) The fitted sheet of claim 1, comprising:

a webbed portion at the opening, the webbed portion configured to stretch.

6) The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein:

the opening disposed equidistant from a first end and an opposing second end of the sheet.

7) The fitted sheet of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the drawstring is configured to couple with the second end of the drawstring.