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`BEDGEAR 1016
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,580
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 24, 1984
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`Sheet 1 of2
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`4,461,048
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 24, 1984
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`Sheet 2 of2
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`4,461,048
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`UNIVERSAL BED COVERING OR BED SHEET
`‘
`APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to an improved bed covering
`or a sheet or similar article which can be used as both a
`top and a bottom fitted sheet and more particularly to a
`universal sheet whereby the same sheet can be em-
`ployed as both a top fitted sheet and a bottom fitted
`sheet.
`,
`In regard to the sheet industry it is sufficient to say
`that since the custom fitted sheet little progress has been
`made in developing a new product. In present practice
`many institutions such as motels, hotels, hospitals, as
`well as consumers use a custom fitted sheet as a bottom
`
`sheet. The custom fitted sheet is very well-known and is
`used to cover the mattress. Such sheets usually have an
`elastic strip at each corner or a singlecontinuous strip
`which surrounds the open edge of the sheet. The term
`custom is employed as these sheets fit over a mattress
`and are held in position by the elastic and by the nature
`and form of the sheet as fabricated. Apart from the
`apparent problems regarding the elastic which results in
`the breaking or stretching of. the elastic during launder-
`ing or during use, such sheets are difficult to fold and
`are relatively bulky when_ folded and hence take up a
`great deal of storageroom. , _
`In present practice there is also used a top sheet. The
`top sheet is used beneath the blanket and is a flat sheet.
`In this manner, the flat sheet serves as a barrier to pre-
`vent the person occupying a bed to come into contact
`with the blanket. This flat sheet is also available and is
`widely used in the industry.
`As is apparentcfrom the above, the sheet.manufac-
`turer, as well as his customers such as department stores
`or other sales outlets, are required to stock two different
`types of sheets for use as bed coverings. In any event,
`this has created a great problem in regard to the depart-
`ment stores or in regard to various retail outlets. Ac-
`cordingly, such facilities have to stock both flat and
`custom sheets and these sheets may be of various colors
`and patterns. Hence, there is a continuous stock prob-
`lem and inventory problem in storing two different
`types of sheets. It is of course also understood that the
`custom sheet is more bulky than a flat sheet and hence
`this takes up more storagegspace.
`’
`In any event, the prior art was cognizant of this prob-
`lem and there exists certain patents which attempt to
`formulate a single sheet which can be used as both a top
`and a bottom fitted sheet. An example of such structure
`is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,831 issued on Sept. 6,
`1977 to W. F. Clark. This Patent shows a bed sheet
`which can be used both as a bottom and top sheet. The
`bed sheet has a fabric panel which is sized to fit the
`mattress and has open pockets at each end of the bed
`sheet which serve to enclose the head and foot portions
`of the mattress when used as a bottom sheet. When used
`as a top sheet, one pocket is used to enclose the foot
`portion of the mattress while the second pocket is used
`to hold the edge of a blanket from contact with a person
`while sleeping.
`.
`In any event, this sheet and other sheets have not
`been accepted in the industry due to many consider-
`ations. A major desire is the use of a sheet which is
`simple to use to enable a person to make the bed in a
`quick and reliable manner. Hence a major objective in
`formulating a universal sheet is to provide a-structure
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`which can easily be accomodated and used in a rapid
`and reliable manner. It is of course extremely important
`to provide a sheet which is easy to manufacture and
`which requires less material while completely avoiding
`the use of any elastic. Such a sheet should also be capa-
`ble of flat folding so that it will occupy a minimum of
`storage space. In any event, a major advantage of a
`universal sheet is to enable the reduction of inventory
`whereby a retail facility need only store one sheet con-
`figuration which configuration can be employed as both
`a top and a bottom fitted sheet.
`_
`It is of course understood that apart from all the
`above considerations one must provide a sheet which
`has aesthetic value and hence serves as an attractive bed
`covering while further giving the consumer, the retailer
`and the manufacturer a most economical and efficient
`structure.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`’
`'
`EMBODIMENT
`
`An improved bed covering or sheet which can be
`employed as both a top or bottom sheet for a bed mat-
`tress, comprises a fabric box-like structure having an
`opened bottom surface and a closed planar top surface
`which is substantially the same length and width as said
`mattress, with two opposite sidewalls of said box-like
`structure having a width substantially equal
`to the
`thickness of said mattress, with the other two sidewalls
`having a first portion of the same width as the thickness
`of said mattress andtwith a further trapezoidal portion
`depending therefrom, with the base of said trapezoidal
`portion integral with the outer edge of said associated
`first portion.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 is a top plan View of a blank or pattern which
`is used to fabricate a sheet according to this invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet according to
`this invention.
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bed employing a top
`and bottom sheet according to this invention.
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of a bed employing a sheet or
`bed covering according to this invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a blank 10 which
`blank, as will be explained, is cut according to the pat-
`tern shown and sewn to form the universal sheet of this
`invention. The blank or sheet 10 can be made from any
`of the conventional materials now employed in the
`fabrication of bed sheets or bed coverings in general.
`Thus, one can employ any of the synthetic materials, as
`well as cotton, muslin, linen or various combinations of
`the same.
`-
`.
`As seen from FIG. 1, the blank 10 consists of a central
`panel 11 having a length A which is relatively equal to
`the length of a conventional mattress and a width B,
`which is relatively equal to the width of a conventional
`mattress. For example, it is well-known that mattresses
`are dimensioned and are manufactured in standard sizes.
`As such, these dimensions vary very slightly from man-
`ufacturer to manufacturer. In regard to such mattresses
`there is a conventional single mattress, a double mat-
`tress, a queen size and a king size. As indicated, these
`mattresses are of all relatively standard dimensions.
`Emanating from the top and bottom surfaces of the
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`center panel 11 are panels 12 and 13 designated by letter
`C. These panels which are integral with the center
`panel 11 have a width which is relatively equal to the
`thickness of a conventional mattress. It is also under-
`stood that the thickness of conventional mattresses are
`also relatively standard.
`Thus as seen from FIG. _I, the panels 12 and 13 have
`a length equal to the width of the mattress B and a
`width which is relatively equal to the thickness of the
`mattress. Also emanating from the sides of the central
`panel are two additional rectangular panels 14 and 15.
`These panels are also designated by the letter C to indi-
`cate that they also have a width determined by the
`thickness of the mattress and have a length equal to the
`length A of the mattress. Emanating from each side
`panel 14 and 15 is an associated outer panel 16 and 17.
`The outer panels 16 and 17 are trapezoidal in shape and
`are referenced in FIG. 1 by the letter D with the ap-
`proximate width of each panel being about six inches. It
`is of course understood that these dimensions are given
`by way of example only. Other lengths and widths can
`be employed as well.
`FIG. 1, of course shows distinct lines separating each
`of the panels in order to provide a simple explanation. It
`is of course understood that the blank 10 as depicted is
`formed from an integral piece of cloth. Essentially, an
`appropriate piece of cloth is cut to provide the pattern
`or blank shown in FIG. 1. As seen, the blank contains
`four right angled corners such as 20, 21, 22 and 23.
`Referring to corner 22, the edge B1 and edge A2 are
`sewn together to form a flat seam. This is done at each
`corner as 20, 21 and 23.
`FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sheet according
`to this invention after the corners have been sewn, as
`will be described. The various panels, as shown in FIG.
`1, are indicated by the same reference numerals in FIG.
`2.
`
`As can be seen from FIG. 2, the sheet essentially
`consits of a box-like structure having a top sheet surface
`11 which is a rectangular configuration with sides as 13
`and 14 of a thickness equal to the thickness of the mat-
`tress to form an open bottom used to cover the mattress
`and with depending trapezoidal panels as 16 directed
`downwardly from the longer side panels as 14 and 15.
`Thus as one can ascertain, the sheet as depicted in
`FIG. 2 is merely placed over the mattress when used as
`a bottom sheet. The panels 16 and 17 may be placed
`beneath the mattress and the box spring or tucked in, in
`a conventional manner. Since the corners of the sheet
`are sewn flat the sheet can easily be folded into a flat
`configuration and simply stored. When used as a top
`sheet, the sheet is drawn inside out. In this manner, the
`sheet can accomodate a blanket in a simple and reliable
`manner.
`'-
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`Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a bed 30. The bed
`30 is made up with a bottom sheet 31 of the configura-
`tion depicted in FIG. 2. An identical top sheet 32 is also
`depicted in the figure accomodating a blanket. It is seen
`that the sheet when drawn inside out is of the exact
`configuration as shown in FIG. 2. The blanket 40 is
`emplaced over the top sheet which is then folded at the
`top‘ edge as shown in FIG. 3 to provide an extremely
`aesthetic fold whch provides an angular side panels 36
`at -each side.
`_
`FIG. 4 depicts the sheet of FIG. 2 emplaced over a
`mattress on a bed with the trapezoidal panel 16, forming
`a side drapeveffect.
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`‘Thus it is seen that the single sheet which is formu-
`lated from the blank of FIG. 1 can be used as a top and
`a bottom sheet in a simple and reliable manner. In any
`event, in order to enhance the beauty of the sheet, a
`piping or a trim may also be employed about the edges
`of the sheet as shown in FIG. 2. Thus a piping 45 may
`be sewn on each of the outer edges of the trapezoidal
`panel 16, as well as the corresponding panel 15. A fur-
`ther piping may be used at the edges of panels 12 and 11,
`as well as panels 13 and 11, as shown in FIG. 2, as
`numerals 46 and 47. The piping is also continued down
`to each side edge of the sheet as 48 and 49. In this man-
`ner, the piping may be of a contrasting color which
`matches the sheet pattern and therefore creates an ex-
`tremely pleasing appearance to theientire sheet. Refer-
`ring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the pipingiis seen as depicted
`in heavier lines to show how the piping enhances the
`beauty of both the top and bottom sheets when em-
`ployed on a conventional bed.
`It is of course understood that the sheet depicted can
`be manufactured to be accomodated and used with any
`size mattress now existing. A sheet iscapable of easily
`and simply serving as both a top and bottom sheet and
`hence eliminates all of the above described problems
`regarding storage, thus resulting in an economical and
`universal structure. Thevplacement of a sheet as em-
`ployed as both a bottom and top sheet is extremely rapid
`and simple. In order to fully understand the nature of
`this sheet a simple description will be given on how
`such a sheet can be manufactured.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the dashed lines depict a piece of
`fabric which is rectangular in shape and may, for exam-
`ple, be 91" in length and 66" in width. The dimensions
`designated by the letters L & W. It is of course under-
`stood that these dimensions are given by way of an
`example only. Each end is then hemmed with a 2"
`hem+a §" turn under. The width of the finished sheet is
`determined by subtracting 2" from the mattress width.
`For example, if a twin mattress is 39" wide the sheet
`would be 37".'The sheet width which is 37" is sub-
`tracted from the fabric width which is 66". This gives
`29" which when divided in half equals to 14.5". This
`amount is measured from each edge such as edge X to
`point Y on the fabric and’ marked. The ‘depth of the
`mattress or thickness designated by C is then marked
`from point X and point Y. The rectangle XYZU is then
`cut. From point U a distance of 6%” is measured to
`obtain point M. This point is marked. The point F,
`which is the apex of the side of the trapezoid is obtained
`by measuring 10" from point Z and the triangle FMZ is
`then cut. This is done for each corner.
`It is of course understood that the cutout can be done
`in a single step by an automatic process but the above
`description hasbeen derived from theactual process
`used in the hand fabrication of this sheet. After the sheet
`has been cut at each corner as described, the lines YU
`and UM are brought together and stitched with a flat
`felled seam. Each corner as U‘ and YM is reinforced
`with a zig-zagstitch. The edge MF is hemmed with a é”
`hem. If it is desired to use piping to provide a decorative
`edge, a rectangular i" seam is sewn on edges YUM
`before sewing them together. A piping can then be
`sewn over the edge from F to M over seam YUM across
`the width of the sheet to the other corner.
`In this manner, the sheet above described is rapidly
`and easily fabricated. The configuration of the sheet
`shown can be manufactured by existing looms due to
`the fact that the sheet is of the same dimensions as con-
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`ventional flat sheets now being provided. The sheet
`further results in a savings in manufacturing material
`due to the cutout sections as described.
`
`Hence, by using modern production techniques, the
`manufacturer can determine the most optimum way to
`cut raw material
`in order to receive a considerable
`reduction in the amount of sheet material used. It is
`
`further seen that the sheet employs no elastic and there-
`fore circumvents serious problems in both the manufac-
`turing procedure and those problems associated with
`storage and laundering.
`it is of course
`In regard to the example depicted,
`understood that the sheet can be fabricated to accomo-
`date any mattress size. With the dimensions given
`above, when the sheet is used as a top sheet, it has an
`approximate 7" drawback flat hem at the top but can
`also serve as a fitted sheet at the bottom. It is therefore
`seen that the sheet allows one sheet to be used for each
`size bed and therefore one no longer requires two differ-
`ent type of sheets for the consumer, stores, institutions
`or mills. This results in a substantial reduction in inven-
`tory while providing a greater profit for all concerned.
`The sheet is much easier and quicker to use to make up
`a bed. If piping is used as described, both the top and
`bottom sheetspresent a most pleasing fashion appear-
`ance as depicted in the various drawings. The advan-
`tages of the sheet in practical use are quite numerous
`and the sheet therefore results in a substantial savings to
`the consumer, the retailer and the manufacturer.
`It will be apparent that many changes and modifica-
`tions of the several features described herein may be
`made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention. For example, the unique bed cover as de-
`scribed above can be used as a blanket, a bed spread or
`any other type of covering which are presently used in
`conjunction with beds.
`I claim:
`
`1. An improved bed covering or sheet which can be
`employed as both a top or bottom sheet for a bed mat-
`tress, comprising:
`a fabric box-like structure having an opened bottom
`surface and a closed planar top surface which is
`substantially the same length and width as said
`mattress, with two opposite sidewalls of said box-
`like structure having a width substantially equal to
`the thickness of said mattress, with the other two
`sidewalls having a first portion of the same width
`as the thickness of said mattress and with the edges
`of said first portion secured to adjacent edges of the
`other sidewalls to form said box-like structure and
`with a further trapezoidal portion depending from
`said other two sidewalls which edges of said trape-
`zoidal portions are not sewn to any other edge of
`said sheet with the base of said trapezoidal portion
`integral with the outer edge of said associated first
`portion to enable a user to cover said mattress in a
`first mode where said structure is employed as
`bottom sheet and used in a second mode where said
`structure is drawn inside out to be employed as a
`top sheet and when employed as a top sheet said
`sheet can be folded back at the top edge to cover
`the top of a blanket to provide angular side panels
`on either side of said mattress due to said trapezoi-
`dal portions.
`2. The bed covering or sheet according to claim 1,
`wherein said planar top surface is a rectangular surface
`having two opposite sides each of a length substantially
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`equal to the width of said mattress and two longer op-
`posite sides each of _a length substantially equal to the
`* length of said mattress, with the two opposite sidewalls
`indicative of the width being rectangular in shape and
`with the two longer sidewalls characterized by a rectan-
`gular first portion integrally formed with a trapezoidal
`further portion.
`3. The bed covering or sheet according to claim 1,
`further including a decorative trim located along the
`edges formed by said planar top surface and at least two
`opposite sidewalls.
`4. The bed covering or sheet according to claim 1,
`further including a decorative trim directed along the
`side edges of said trapezoidal portion.
`5. A blank or pattern for a bed covering or sheet for
`use with a bed mattress, comprising:
`a central planar section (11) having a length (A) and
`a width (B) substantially equal to the length and
`width of said bed mattress, with first (12) and sec-
`ond (13) planar panels depending from the top and
`bottom opposite edges of said planar section, with
`third (14) and fourth (15) planar portions depend-
`ing from opposite side edges directed from top and
`bottom edges and with fifth (16) and sixth (17)
`trapezoidal portions extending from said third and
`fourth portions, with four corner right angles
`formed as the intersection between the side sur-
`faces of each of the first and second planar panels
`associated with the respective side of one of said
`third and fourth. planar portions, with the side
`edges of each panel forming said right angle joined
`together to form a box-like structure with extend-
`ing trapezoidal portions, with the edges of said
`trapezoidal portions not secured to any edge, to
`enable said pattern to be used as a top or a a bottom
`sheet, and when used as a bottom sheet said box-
`like structure is emplaced over said mattress with
`said trapezoidal portions extending downwardly
`and when used as a top sheet said pattern is turned
`inside out with _a top surface of said sheet folded
`back at the top edge to cover the top of a blanket to
`provide angular side panels on either side of said
`mattress due to said trapezoidal portions.
`6. The blank or pattern according to claim 5, wherein
`said central planar member is rectangular in configura-
`tion, with said top and bottom opposite edges being
`substantially equal to the width of said mattress, and
`with said side edges being substantially equal to the
`length of said mattress, with said first and second planar
`panels being rectangular in configuration each of width
`substantially equal to the thickness of said mattress and
`with said third and fourth planar portions being rectan-
`gular in configuration and each of a width substantially
`equal to the thickness of said mattress.
`7. The blank or pattern according to claim 5, wherein
`said trapezoidal portions have the non-parallel sides
`thereof directed at the same angle with the base of the
`trapezoidal being integral with the edge of the associ-
`ated side edge of said central planar section.
`8. The blank or pattern according to claim 7, further
`including a decorative trim located at least along the
`nonparallel sides of said trapezoidal portions.
`9. The blank or pattern according to claim 5, further
`including a decorative trim located at least along the
`edges where said first and second planar panels meet
`with said central planar section.
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