US20090241261A1

US20090241261A1 - Fitted sheet strap device

Info

Publication number: US20090241261A1
Application number: US12/079,578
Authority: US
Inventors: Maria T. Sack
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-26
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2009-10-01

Abstract

A sheet strap system is disclosed having a bottom sheet strap with Velcro corner straps that attach to securing band segments located at the inner corners of the fitted sheet. The mattress is tightly secured between the bottom sheet strap and the fitted sheet once the Velcro corner straps are in a folded locking position with the fitted sheet. The sheet strap system is safe, easy to construct, easy to apply and remove without any lifting of the mattress. The sheet strap system is particularly suited for use in conjunction with crib mattresses.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bed sheet, and more specifically to a sheet strap system that improves the safety of an infant.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional bed sheets, and in particular crib sheets, do not adequately address issues of safety. Many infants die each year from strangulation by their own bed sheets. Infants can grasp the fabric of the sheet and roll, and wrap the fabric around their rib cages or necks. In the midst of the struggle, sheets can wind even tighter. Although many young children have the ability to pull the material around them, many do not have the perception necessary to unwrap themselves. The consequences can become fatal, resulting in strangulation or suffocation.
Bed sheets may also be a contributing factor leading to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. Although this syndrome is not fully understood, it is shown to be aggravated when babies breathe their own carbon dioxide-rich exhaled air, which can collect under the baby's nose, especially if the baby has become wrapped in an ill-fitted bed sheet. Regardless of the outcomes, many parents have found their own child dangerously entangled in a bed sheet.
Many conventional sheets have single elastic bindings that do not adequately secure and anchor the fitted sheet to the mattress. A child can pull poorly fitted sheets loose and become entrapped. Some conventional sheets, like an open-end pillowcase-type design, are of an impractical construction, requiring lifting and/or complete removal of a mattress from a crib before the sheet can be applied. Additionally, some sheets incorporate zipping devices so that the entire mattress is encased within the sheet. In this case, not only must the mattress be removed, but also the sharp portions of the zipper present a hazard to the child.
It would be beneficial to provide a bed sheet that overcomes the disadvantages of known sheets, including: (a) a loose or improper fit, (b) non-secure binding mechanisms, (c) deformable and non-washable means for securing the sheet to the mattress, (d) difficulty of construction, (e) difficulty in attachment and removal of sheet from mattress without having to remove or lift the mattress from the crib, and (f) sharp or dangerous edges or binding or securing mechanisms. What is needed, therefore, is a sheet strap system for covering the crib mattress that allows for safety of the infant, is cost effective, is easy and simple to use and construct, is resilient and durable, and does not require any lifting of the mattress to assemble. It is to the provision of such a sheet that the present invention is primarily directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sheet strap system that fits a mattress securely such that a person laying on the surface of the mattress cannot unintentionally remove it. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet strap system is designed to cover a crib mattress for an infant and other mattresses. The sheet strap system has a sheet strap with Velcro corner straps that attach to the securing band segments at the inner corners of a fitted sheet to secure the fitted sheet to the mattress. The safe & easy sheet system is safe, especially for infants, cost effective, easy and simple to use and to construct, resilient and durable, and does not require any lifting of the mattress to assemble.
The sheet strap system has a sheet strap made of fabric material with Velcro corner straps. The Velcro corner straps have the ability to tighten and release to secure the fitted sheet on to the mattress. Other securing means such as cinch, button, and hooks can be used in place of Velcro. The corner straps extend through securing band segments attached inside the corners of the fitted sheet to tightly secure the mattress between the fitted sheet and the sheet strap. Once the fitted sheet is secured by the corner straps the fitted sheet folds over the corner straps and the mattress to prevent unintentionally removed of the sheet by a person laying on the surface of the mattress. Once the sheet strap is in place assemble and removal of the fitted sheet does not require any removal or lifting of the mattress.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet strap system that is safer and easier to assemble than conventional fitted sheets. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sheet strap system that fits over a mattress snugly and securely such that it cannot be removed by a child or infant. Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a sheet strap system that is cost-effective to manufacture. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet strap system that can be applied to and removed from a crib mattress and other mattress without any lifting of the mattress.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a full understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred sheet strap with attached Velcro corner straps, and a fitted sheet with inner securing band segments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the bottom view of the Velcro corner strap of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall bottom view of the alternative sheet strap with Velcro ends of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a mattress between the preferred sheet strap with Velcro corner straps, and a fitted sheet with securing band segments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fitted sheet on top of a mattress on top of a preferred sheet strap of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a fitted sheet on top of a mattress on top of a preferred sheet strap with the Velcro corner straps secured to the securing band segments of the fitted sheet of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the fitted sheet folded over to cover the mattress and the Velcro corner straps in a locking position of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

2 preferred sheet strap
4 Velcro corner strap
6 fitted sheet
8 securing band segment
10 mattress
12 Velcro
14 alternative sheet strap
16 rectangular strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sheet strap system having a preferred sheet strap with Velcro corner straps and a fitted sheet with inner corner attachments. The sheet strap system is easy to construct, easy to apply and remove without lifting the mattress, and is particularly suited for use in conjunction with crib mattresses. Referring now to the Figures, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described.
FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of a preferred sheet strap 2 with Velcro corner straps 4. The Velcro 12 is attached to the bottom of the Velcro corner strap 4. The preferred sheet strap 2 is constructed of a generally washable material such as cotton, cotton blend, or polyester. The preferred sheet strap 2 can be constructed to be similar to the length and width of a standard bed or crib mattress.
FIG. 1 of the drawing also shows a preferred embodiment of a fitted sheet 6 with securing band segments 8 located on the inner corners of the fitted sheet 6. Dimensions of the fitted sheets range from standard crib mattresses (approximately 28 inches by 52 inches by 9 inches); newborn intensive care unit (approximately 20 inches by 26 inches by 6 inches); play pens (approximately 27 inches by 39 inches); and standard adult size mattresses (twin, approximately 39 inches by 75 inches by 9 inches; full, approximately 54 inches by 75 inches by 9 inches; queen, approximately 60 inches by 80 inches by 9 inches; king, approximately 76 inches by 80 inches by 9 inches; California king, approximately 72 inches by 84 inches by 9 inches).
The securing band segments 8 can be constructed of either elastic band or washable material such as cotton, cotton blend, or polyester. The securing band segments 8 can be rectangular in shape with dimensions of approximately 1 inch by 5 inches. The shape and dimensions of the securing band segments 8 can take the form of numerous other embodiments such as oval, square, cylindrical and others. The ends of the securing band segments 8 are attached to the upper inside corners of the fitted sheet 6 by a suitable means, such as sewing machine or hand stitching to create a looping device to be attached with the Velcro corner straps 4.
FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of a Velcro corner strap 4 attached to a corner of a preferred sheet strap 2. The Velcro corner straps 4 are constructed with Velcro and washable material such as cotton, cotton blend, or polyester. The Velcro corner straps 4 are attached to the corners of the sheet strap 2 by a suitable means, such as sewing machine or hand stitching. The Velcro corner straps 4 can be rectangular in shape with dimensions of approximately 4 inch by 15 inches. The shape and dimensions of the corner straps 4 can take the form of numerous other embodiments such as oval, square, cylindrical and others. A fastening device such as Velcro 12 is attached to the bottom of the Velcro corner straps 4 by a suitable means, such as sewing machine or hand stitching. Other fastening device such as a hook and loop fastener or buttons can be used in lieu of Velcro.
FIG. 3 of the drawing shows a bottom view of alternative sheet strap 14 with Velcro 12 attached to the four ends. The alternative sheet strap 14 has the same functionally as the preferred sheet strap 2 as depicted in FIG. 1. The alternative sheet strap 14 is constructed by joining two rectangular straps 16 in a cross position as depicted in FIG. 3. The alternative sheet strap 14 is constructed with washable material such as cotton, cotton blend, or polyester, and with Velcro 12 segments attached to the ends. Velcro 12 is attached to the ends of the alternative sheet strap 14 by a suitable means, such as sewing machine or hand stitching. The Velcro functions as a fastening device to secure a fitted sheet 6 on to a mattress 10. Other fastening device such as a hook and loop fastener or buttons can be used in lieu of Velcro. The dimensions of each rectangular strap 16 are approximately 1.5 inches in width and 72 inches in length for a crib mattress. The dimensions can vary according to function with other size mattresses.
FIG. 4 of the drawing shows a mattress 10 between a sheet strap 2 with attached Velcro corner straps 4 and a fitted sheet 6 with inner securing band segments 8.
FIG. 5 of the drawing shows a preferred embodiment of a fitted sheet 6 with inner securing band segments 8 on top of the mattress 10. The mattress 10 lies on top and covers the sheet strap 2 leaving the Velcro corner straps 4 exposed.
FIG. 6 of the drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the fitted sheet 6 with inner securing band segments 8, mattress 10, and sheet strap 2 with Velcro corner straps 4 in a locking position. The Velcro corner straps 4 extend up along the corners of the mattress and loop through the matching inner securing band segments 8 of the fitted sheet 6 to secure the fitted sheet 6 on to the mattress. The Velcro 12 at the bottom of the Velcro corner straps 4 functions as the fastening device to secure the fitted sheet 6 on to the mattress.
Once the Velcro corner strap 4 is in a folded down locking position the mattress 10 is secured tightly between the fitted sheet 6 and the preferred sheet strap 2. The alternative sheet strap 14 depicted in FIG. 3 has the same securing method as the preferred sheet strap 2 and can be used in lieu of the preferred sheet strap 2. Once the preferred sheet strap 2 is placed under the mattress 10 the Velcro corner straps 4 enable to users to tightly secure and release the fitted sheet 6 on to the mattress 10 without any lifting of the mattress.
FIG. 7 of the drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the fitted sheet 6 in a folded down position to cover the folded Velcro corner straps 4 and the mattress 10 after its inner securing band segments 8 are secured by the Velcro corner straps.
Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes can be made without departing from the principle of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, is to be determined only by the following claims.
FIG. 2
The Velcro (12) is drawn with black lines and curves instead of gray lines and curves. The gray shading of the preferred sheet strap (2) is deleted.
FIG. 3
The gray lines and shading of the alternative sheet strap (14) are converted to black.
FIG. 4
The fitted sheet (6) is drawn with stripped lines instead of gray shading. The gray shading of the Velcro corner strap (4) is deleted. The gray shading of the mattress (10) is deleted.
FIG. 5
The fitted sheet (6) is drawn with stripped lines instead of gray shading. The gray shading of the Velcro corner strap (4) is deleted. The gray shading of the mattress (10) is deleted.
FIG. 6
The fitted sheet (6) is drawn with stripped lines instead of gray shading. The gray shading of the Velcro corner strap (4) is deleted. The gray shading of the mattress (10) is deleted.
FIG. 7
The fitted sheet (6) is drawn with stripped lines instead of gray shading.

Claims

1. A more secure and no lifting to attach sheet strap device.

2. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 1, wherein said sheet strap device is formed of fabric.

3. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 1, wherein said sheet strap device is generally rectangular with attached corner straps.

4. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 3, wherein said corner straps comprise of fastening means.

5. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 4, wherein said fastening means are formed of Velcro, hook and loop fastener, buttons, or tie strings.

6. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 1, wherein said sheet strap device comprise of rectangular straps attached in a cross formation.

7. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 6, wherein said rectangular straps are formed of fabric.

8. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 6, wherein said rectangular straps comprise of fastening means at each end.

9. A more secure and no lifting to attached sheet strap device in claim 8, wherein said fastening means are formed of Velcro, hook and loop fastener, buttons, or tie strings.

10. A more secure and no lifting to attached fitted sheet with securing band segments.

11. A more secure and no lifting to attached fitted sheet with securing band segments in claim 10, wherein said securing band segments are formed of elastic or fabric.

12. A more secure and no lifting to attached fitted sheet with securing band segments in claim 11, wherein said securing band segments are attached to the inside corners of the said fitted sheet.