CN114786538A

CN114786538A - Bed sheet assembly

Info

Publication number: CN114786538A
Application number: CN202080084347.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 布兰特·菲斯特; 吉尔·约翰逊
Original assignee: Techpool World Co ltd
Current assignee: Techpool World Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-06
Filing date: 2020-12-01
Publication date: 2022-07-22
Also published as: AU2020396097A1; JP2023505773A; MX2022006605A; EP4069038A4; GB202209502D0; US20230013670A1; EP4069038A1; KR20220107288A; WO2021113243A1; GB2605733A; CA3163518A1

Abstract

The present embodiments relate to a sheet assembly (20). More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present embodiments relate to a sheet assembly that is attached to a mattress (12) or mattress cover (40) and defines a fitted sheet (22) and a second sheet (24) attached to the fitted sheet.

Description

Bed sheet assembly

Priority claim

This PCT patent application claims priority and benefit from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/944,642, entitled "Bed Sheet Assembly", filed on 6.12.2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present embodiments relate to a bed kit. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present embodiments relate to sheet assemblies that are attached to a mattress or mattress cover and that define a fitted sheet and a second sheet attached to the fitted sheet.

Background

In many bedding sets, there is a tightly fitted or fitted sheet, and there is at least one separate flat sheet. One frustrating fact is that sometimes one or more corners may become loose from the mattress. This is more likely when a fitted sheet is used with an adjustable base.

Furthermore, these sheets must be handled separately each time the bed is dismantled or put in order. This can result in a loss of residential time resources, but this can increase substantially in hotels and resort villages.

It would be desirable to provide a bed sheet assembly that can be easily peeled or fitted to a bed in a single motion.

The information included in the background section of this specification, including any references cited herein and any descriptions or discussions thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and should not be taken as subject matter which limits the scope of the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention

The present embodiments provide a sheet assembly that is attached to a mattress or mattress cover, either of which may have fasteners. The sheet assembly covers the upper portion of the mattress by connecting to the fasteners, and further provides a second attached sheet that can be connected along one edge (e.g., at the foot end) so that the second sheet is on top of the fitted sheet on the mattress.

According to some embodiments, the sheet assembly may include a first lower fitted sheet having four sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein two of the four sides are longer sides and two of the four sides are shorter sides. The first lower fitted sheet may have a plurality of zipper teeth, wherein the plurality of zipper teeth has a number of teeth that can be connected to a second plurality of zipper teeth extending around the mattress. The first lower fitted sheet may be a woven low grammage fabric. At least one second sheet may be attached to the first lower fitted sheet. The at least one second sheet may have four sides and a second upper surface and a second lower surface. The at least one second sheet may be connected to the corresponding side of the first lower fitted sheet along one of the four sides.

According to some embodiments, the following optional features and embodiments may be used alone or in combination with other optional embodiments with the bed sheet assembly. The sheet assembly may further include a mattress protector. The mattress protector may be disposed beneath the first lower fitted sheet. The plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet and the second plurality of zipper teeth of the mattress may extend around the mattress at a constant height. Alternatively, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet and the second plurality of zipper teeth of the mattress may extend around the mattress at varying heights. The plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet may be disposed at a lower height along the long side of the first lower fitted sheet. The plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet may be disposed at a higher elevation along the shorter side of the first lower fitted sheet. The plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet are disposed at a higher height along the long side of the first lower fitted sheet. The plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet are disposed at a lower height along the shorter side of the first lower fitted sheet. The mattress protector is formed from a lightweight polyurethane backed polyester. The sheet assembly, wherein at least one seam connects the first lower fitted sheet and the at least one second sheet. The sheet assembly, wherein a plurality of seams join the first lower fitted sheet and the at least one second sheet, with at least one gap between the plurality of seams. The sheet assembly, wherein the at least one seam is at a foot end of the sheet assembly. The sheet assembly, wherein the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet are divided into a plurality of segments. The plurality of segments may have a corresponding number of the plurality of zipper teeth and linear distance. The mattress may further include a corresponding plurality of sections, a number of the second plurality of zipper teeth, and a linear distance. The second plurality of zipper teeth may be disposed on the mattress pad or mattress cover.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. All of the above-summarized features should be understood as being merely exemplary, and further features and objects of various embodiments may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the summary should not be construed in a limiting sense without further reading the entire specification, claims, and drawings that follow. In the following written description of various embodiments of the invention, there is provided a broader expression of the features, details, utilities, and advantages of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

Drawings

In order that embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of the sheet assembly will now be described by way of example. These embodiments do not limit the scope of the claims, as other embodiments of the orthotic frame will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present specification. A non-limiting example of this embodiment is shown in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet assembly placed on a mattress;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sheet assembly;

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment including a sheet assembly and a mattress cover; and the number of the first and second electrodes,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the plurality of zipper segments defining a perimeter path around the mattress and zipped sheet assembly.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that the sheet assembly is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Further, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "some embodiments," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Referring now to each of FIGS. 1-4, a sheet assembly is provided that includes an fitted sheet attached to a mattress, in place of or in addition to a typical bed cover. Fitted sheets have a flat sheet attached. The fitted sheet is formed with a matching zipper for the mattress so that any sheet assembly with appropriate accessories can be attached to any mattress with matching half zippers. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that the current embodiments do not relate to mattresses or cushions that do not utilize fastener arrangements to cover the mattress.

Referring now to fig. 1, a perspective view of the bed assembly 10 is shown. The bed assembly 10 includes a mattress 12 and a sheet assembly 20. Mattress 12 may include a foam mattress including one or more layers of foam, a coil spring mattress having a plurality of coil springs, or a combination of coil springs and foam that define a mattress cushion.

Mattress 12 may include a top or upper surface 14, a bottom or lower surface 15, a pair of

long sides

16, 17, and a pair of

short sides

18, 19. The side surfaces 16, 17, 18, 19 extend between the upper surface 14 and the bottom surface 15. The

long sides

16, 17 may also be referred to as transverse sides, while the

short sides

18, 19 may be the head end and the feed end.

Mattress 12 may also include fasteners 30 extending around sides 16, 17, 18, 19 or may have a cover with fasteners 30. The fastener 30 may include various types of closure devices including, but not limited to, a zipper 31, hook and loop, snaps, clips, or similar embodiments. In the present embodiment, the fastener 30 may be implemented as a zipper 31 extending along each of the four sides 16-19. With the fasteners 30 extending around the entire mattress 12, the fitted sheet 22 remains attached to the mattress 12, even with the use of an adjustable base. Fastener 30 may extend around mattress 12 at a constant height relative to a reference surface, or fastener 30 may extend around mattress 12 at different heights. In the current embodiment shown, the height along the

long sides

16, 17 is at a first, lower height, while the fasteners 30 extend along the

short sides

18, 19 at a second, higher height. This high-low height arrangement may also be reversed with respect to the long and short sides.

The fastener 30 may include a zipper 31, the zipper 31 being defined by teeth 33 of the fitted sheet 22 and teeth 34 of the mattress 12 and at least one slider 37. Although the term "teeth" is used throughout the specification, teeth are also synonymously or interchangeably referred to by those skilled in the art as "coils". In the present embodiment, the sliders are depicted as a first slider 37a and a second slider 37 b. According to some embodiments, each set of teeth or coils 33, 34 located on the fitted sheet 22 and the mattress 12 has a particular number of teeth within tolerance. With the particular tooth design of the exemplary zipper 31, the fastener 30 can be formed to receive a mattress, mattress cover, or sheet assembly 20. In some embodiments, a mattress cover 40 (fig. 3) may additionally be connected to fasteners 30, and mattress cover 40 may include additional fasteners such that sheet assembly 20 may be connected to mattress cover 40. Thus, for fasteners 30 having matching characteristics, a mattress cover or sheet assembly 20, protector 50 (described further herein), or any combination of any of these components may be used.

The sheet assembly 20 can include a fitted sheet 22 having fasteners 32, the fasteners 32 cooperating with the fasteners 30. The fitted sheet 22 may extend over the upper peripheral edge of the upper surface 14 of the mattress 12 so that the fasteners 32 may be attached to the mattress 12 or to a mattress cover 40 with cooperating fasteners.

In some embodiments, fitted sheet 22 may have a perimeter 23, which perimeter 23 may be at a constant height around mattress 12, or in some embodiments, the height of perimeter 23 may vary. The choice of the type of perimeter 23 may be consistent with the design of the mattress 12 or mattress cover 40 and, therefore, the placement of the corresponding fastener 30 on the mattress 12 or mattress cover 40. As previously mentioned, the height of the fasteners 30 may vary, and in such embodiments, the perimeter edge 23 of the fitted sheet 22 may likewise vary to follow such fasteners 30.

Fitted sheet 22 may replace prior art mattress covers and further differ from mattress covers. While prior art mattress covers may be made from knitted, high grammage mattress cloth, the present fitted sheet 22 may be formed from a woven cotton/polyester blend of low grammage fabric. In some embodiments, the sheet 22 may be woven, such as plain, basket, satin, sateen, or twill. In some embodiments, the sheet 22 may also be a knitted sheet, as non-limiting examples, flat stitches or ribbed stitches. In addition, a variety of fiber types may be used, including but not limited to all natural, all synthetic, semi-synthetic such as viscose rayon, composites, and the like. This list is not exhaustive. The low grammage fabric may be from about 20gsm to about 400 gsm.

The flat sheet 24 is attached to the fitted sheet 22 along one side of the mattress 12 and along one side or edge of the fitted sheet 22. In the present embodiment, the flat sheet 24 and the fitted sheet 22 are connected to the fitted sheet 22 by seams 25. The seam 25 may be one or more seams, which may be continuous or intermittent along the corresponding edges of the

sheet

22, 24. Intermittent seams 25 along the edges or sides may also allow for improved ventilation and air flow near the foot end 19 of the sheet assembly 20.

According to some embodiments, the flat sheet 24 may be attached along only one edge of the fitted sheet 22, such that the remaining three edges of the flat sheet 24 are free relative to the fitted sheet 22. Furthermore, the loose head end of the flat sheet 24 allows easy access to the bed both before and after the sleep period. During application of the fitted sheet 22, the flat sheet 24 is also applied, thus eliminating the usual bedding step in which a flat sheet applied over the fitted sheet must be applied separately. For the described embodiment, the head end of the flat sheet 24 is free to move and therefore only needs to be straightened during the bed-laying process.

The flat sheet 24 may be rectangular in shape such that the side edges and the head/toe edges are at a common height around the mattress 12. However, in some embodiments, the height of the edge of the flat sheet 24 may vary, for example, if it is desired to follow the varying height edges of the fitted sheet 22 and mattress 12 along the zipper 31.

By way of non-limiting example, the flat sheet 24 may also be a lightweight fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or a combination. However, various materials may be used to form the flat sheet 24, and the present description should not be considered limiting. The flat sheet 24 may be the same or different than the fitted sheet 22. In some embodiments, but not by way of limitation, the flat sheet 24 may be woven, such as a plain weave, basket weave, satin weave, sateen weave, or twill weave. In some embodiments, sheet 24 may also be a knitted sheet, which may be flat stitches or ribbed stitches, as non-limiting examples. In addition, a variety of fiber types may be used, including but not limited to all natural, all synthetic, or semi-synthetic, such as viscose rayon. The low grammage fabric may be from about 20gsm to about 400 gsm.

Referring now to fig. 2, an exploded view of the bed assembly 10 is provided. Mattress 12 is shown at the bottom of the figure.

Disposed above mattress 12 is a sheet assembly 20. The sheet assembly 20 is also shown in this view with an optional protector 50 disposed beneath the fitted sheet 22. The protector 50 may be integrally formed with the fitted sheet 22 or may be secured to the sheet 22. The optional protector 50 may be formed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to lightweight polyurethane backed polyester. The protector 50 may be sewn, adhered, applied or otherwise attached to the lower surface 15 of the fitted sheet 22. The protector 50 may also be used as a material to prevent spills, stains, or other such undesirable damage to the mattress 12. In some embodiments, protector 50 may also be coupled by fasteners, such as by fastening to mattress 12. Alternatively, the protector 50 may be fastened to the fitted sheet 22 above, or the protector 50 may be secured to the fitted sheet 22, such as sewn or welded together, with the fastening of the protector 50 also attaching the fitted sheet 22.

Above the protector 50 is the fitted sheet 22 and attached flat sheet 24. The fitted sheet 22 may include a periphery 23 defined by four sides of the fitted sheet 22. In some embodiments, two of the four sides are long sides and two of the four sides are short sides. Disposed between fitted sheet 22 and mattress 12 is a fastener 30, by way of non-limiting example a zipper. The fastener 30 may be formed of separate halves, any of which may be referred to as a fastener or fastener half, each of which is attached to one of the mattress 12 or fitted sheet 22, and at least one slider 37. In some embodiments, and for ease of description, the fastener halves may also be referred to as zipper strips or zipper teeth. The zipper strips 33, 34 are understood to comprise zipper teeth or loops, and each

zipper strip

33, 34 is secured to one of the fitted sheet 22 and the mattress 12 or a mattress cover (bottom or top), so that adjacent teeth or loops can be engaged by the at least one slider 37. In some embodiments, the slider 37 may be two sliders, and in some embodiments, the two sliders may also be two directional sliders. The

fasteners

30, 32 may be disposed along the edges of the fitted sheet 22 or may be offset from these edges. Referring briefly to fig. 3, in some embodiments, the

zipper teeth

33, 34 may be connected to the fitted sheet 22 and mattress cover 40 if such mattress cover 40 is instead positioned on the mattress 12 underneath the fitted sheet.

According to some embodiments, where the fastener 30 is a zipper 31, the size and number of teeth 33 of the half zipper of the fitted sheet 22 may correspond to the corresponding half zipper on the mattress 12. This, in particular or approximately, the matching number of teeth may be referred to as a "matching teeth" arrangement. Thus, the sheet assembly 20 can be formed to be interchangeable with any mattress or mattress cover of corresponding size. The number of teeth matched therefore depends on the size of the mattress. Larger mattress sizes have more teeth due to the larger perimeter, while smaller mattress sizes have fewer teeth due to the shorter perimeter. Furthermore, if the height of the fastener changes, this may change the length of the fastener.

A second or flat sheet 24 is attached to the fitted sheet 22. The flat sheet 24 may be attached along the edges of the fitted sheet 22, or may be attached along the sides, such as spaced between the upper and lower edges of the short sides. The current embodiment provides that the seam 25 is provided along the lower edge (foot end) of the fitted sheet 22, but may alternatively be provided at the upper edge of the fitted sheet 22, adjacent the top surface 14, or alternatively may be attached at some location between the upper and lower edges.

Referring now to fig. 3, an alternative embodiment is provided. This embodiment provides that a mattress cover 40 may be used and a pull-down chain 42 connected to a mating zipper of the mattress 12 is provided. The mattress cover 40 may also include an upper mating zipper 44, the upper mating zipper 44 being attached to the zipper 31 of the fitted sheet 22. Thus, this embodiment provides an additional use of the mattress cover 40, rather than replacing such a use. This embodiment further describes an embodiment in which the zipper 31 of the fitted sheet 22 is at a constant height, rather than varying as in the previous embodiment. An optional protective layer 50 is also shown and this optional protective layer 50 may be disposed under the fitted sheet 22.

Referring now to fig. 4, a schematic illustration of the relationship of the zipper 31, including

teeth

33, 34, to the perimeter of the mattress 12 is provided. Fig. 4 depicts a schematic configuration of the zipper teeth or coils 33 of the fitted sheet 22 integrated with the existing zipper teeth or coils 34 of the mattress 12 in order to describe the zipper length, number of teeth and grooving, all of which are parameters that must be considered in ensuring that the zipper of the fitted sheet will cooperate with the zipper of the mattress 12. In particular, the perimeter path is schematically represented as being divided into a plurality of segments 35a-35 i. For ease of description, the terms teeth and toothed belts are used interchangeably, however each toothed belt comprises a plurality of individual teeth. The teeth 34 of mattress 12 and the teeth 33 of fitted sheet 22 are shown stretched across mattress 12. Extensions 35a-35i are shown to represent the perimeter length of mattress 12, corresponding to the length of zipper 30. The current zipper in the sheet assembly 20 is made so that the first fitted sheet assembly can be replaced with a second fitted sheet assembly that can also be attached to the mattress 12 without any impediment due to tooth problems, fitting problems, or other mechanical problems that can preclude working together. The current zipper in the sheet assembly 20 may be manufactured by one supplier while the mattress may be provided by a different supplier, but these products still cooperate and function together. Similarly, products may be purchased at different times, but still collaborate together.

To provide this functionality, the view of fig. 4 provides a schematic layout of mattress 12. The circumferential path of the fastener length is represented by zipper teeth 33 and teeth 34, or alternatively, by the path of travel of

sliders

37a, 37 b. The perimeter path is divided into a plurality of portions or segments 35. Each of the segments 35a-35i has a particular number of teeth for a given size of tooth. As non-limiting examples, the

teeth

33, 34 may be 3(s), 5(s), or 8(s) sized teeth, each sized tooth having a particular number of teeth for any of the segments 35a-35 i. Further, the

teeth

33, 34 may each have a tolerance indicating an allowable difference for a given segment 35. For example, in some embodiments, any single segment 35 may have +/-1 tooth, and the overall tolerance of the teeth 33 of fitted sheet 22 relative to the teeth 34 of mattress 12 may be +/-2 teeth, or vice versa.

As shown in Table 1, four example mattress sizes are listed, each having 8 sections 35a-35i (labeled 1-8 and ends in the table). Each segment 35a-35i of the perimeter has an example number of teeth, and each segment 35a-35i is also shown to have the tolerance of that segment. At the end of the table, the total number of teeth and the total tolerance of the entire mattress 12 are provided. In this way, the number of teeth on mattress 12 can be matched to the number of teeth on sheet assembly 20 to provide a matched arrangement.

Referring now additionally to Table 2, segments 35a-35i (labeled 1-8 and end) may also be associated with linear measurements. Table 2 provides example measurements for each segment 35a-35i for each of the various bed sizes. Such linear measurements in combination with each individual section and a specific number of teeth may be used to manufacture and calibrate a matching zipper arrangement. Thus, the mattress zipper teeth 34 may be used with the zipper in the sheet zipper teeth 33, but the product is made at a different time and/or by a different manufacturer.

It will be appreciated from the teachings herein that the overall perimeter dimension of any mattress 12 will depend upon mattress size, double bed, twin bed, big bed, king bed, etc. Thus, the length of the segments 35 may vary for different sizes of mattresses. Further, the number of

zipper teeth

31, 33 may also vary for each segment 35 x. However, applicants have calibrated the construction process so that the zipper in sheet assembly 20 can fit and function on beds of various sizes, even where the parts involved in assembly 10 are made by different manufacturers.

Although several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventions of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or the general meaning of the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in the specification and in the claims are to be understood as meaning "at least one" unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. The phrase "and/or" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "one or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., the elements that are present together in some cases and separately in other cases.

Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements explicitly identified by the "and/or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open language such as "including," references to "a and/or B" may refer in one embodiment to only a (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, reference may be made to B only (optionally including elements other than a); in yet another embodiment, reference may be made to both a and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when items in a list are separated, "or" and/or "should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of a plurality of elements or in a list of elements, but also including more than one, and optionally including other unlisted items. Rather, it is expressly intended that only terms such as "only one" or "exactly one," or "consisting of … …," when used in a claim, shall mean that there is exactly one element in a plurality or list of elements. In general, when the word "or" is used herein preceded by an exclusive term such as "either," one of, "" only one of, "or" exactly one of, "the word" or "as used herein should only be interpreted to mean an exclusive alternative (i.e.," one or the other, but not both). As used in the claims, "consisting essentially of … …" shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the art of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," when referring to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, without necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed in the list of elements, and without excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. The definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the specifically identified elements in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of a and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of a or B," or, equivalently "at least one of a and/or B") can refer in one embodiment to at least one, optionally including more than one, a, absent B (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, may refer to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no a present (and optionally including elements other than a); in yet another embodiment, it may refer to at least one, optionally including more than one, a, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); and so on.

It will also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or actions of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," including, "" carrying, "" having, "" containing, "" involving, "" holding, "" consisting of … … and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. As set forth in the united states patent office patent examination program manual, only the transition phrases "consisting of … …" and "consisting essentially of … …" should be closed or semi-closed transition phrases, respectively.

The foregoing description of the method and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A bed assembly (20) comprising:

a first lower fitted sheet (22), said first fitted sheet (22) having four sides (16, 17, 18, 19), an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (15), wherein two of said four sides are longer sides and two of said four sides are shorter sides;

the first lower fitted sheet has a plurality of zipper teeth (33) having a number of teeth that can be connected to a second plurality of zipper teeth (34) extending around the mattress (12);

the first lower fitted sheet is a woven low grammage fabric;

at least one second sheet (24), said at least one second sheet (24) being connected to said first lower fitted sheet;

the at least one second sheet has four sides and a second upper surface and a second lower surface;

the at least one second sheet is attached to the corresponding side of the first lower fitted sheet along one of the four sides.

2. The bed sheet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mattress protector (50).

3. The sheet assembly of claim 2, the mattress protector being disposed beneath the first lower fitted sheet.

4. The sheet assembly of claim 3, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet and the second plurality of zipper teeth of the mattress extending at a constant height around the mattress.

5. The bed sheet assembly of claim 3, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet and the second plurality of zipper teeth of the mattress extending around the mattress at varying heights.

6. The sheet assembly of claim 5, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet being disposed at a lower elevation along the long side of the first lower fitted sheet.

7. The sheet assembly of claim 6, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet being disposed at a higher elevation along the shorter side of the first lower fitted sheet.

8. The sheet assembly of claim 5, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet being disposed at a higher elevation along the long side of the first lower fitted sheet.

9. The sheet assembly of claim 8, the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet being disposed at a lower height along the shorter side of the first lower fitted sheet.

10. The bed sheet assembly of claim 2, the mattress protector being formed of lightweight polyurethane backed polyester.

11. The sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one seam (25) connects the first lower fitted sheet and the at least one second sheet.

12. The bed sheet assembly of claim 11, wherein a plurality of seams join the first lower fitted sheet and the at least one second sheet with at least one gap between the plurality of seams.

13. The sheet assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one seam is at a foot end (19) of the sheet assembly.

14. The sheet assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zipper teeth of the first lower fitted sheet are divided into a plurality of segments.

15. The sheet assembly of claim 14, the plurality of segments having a corresponding number of the plurality of zipper teeth and linear distance.

16. The sheet assembly of claim 15, the mattress further comprising a corresponding plurality of sections, a number of the second plurality of zipper teeth, and a linear distance.

17. The sheet assembly of claim 1, said second plurality of teeth being disposed on said mattress or mattress cover (40).