U.S. patent application number 10/907557 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for mattress sheet and system incorporating the same.
Invention is credited to Seigler, Donald.
Application Number | 20050217030 10/907557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35052593 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050217030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seigler, Donald |
October 6, 2005 |
MATTRESS SHEET AND SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME
Abstract
A mattress sheet is provided that has a panel of a selected size
and configuration to be disposed on a mattress in a close fitted
relationship. The panel includes a bottom layer that confronts the
mattress when disposed thereon, a top layer that provides an upper
surface for the panel, and an intermediate layer interposed between
the top and bottom layers. A mattress sheet system is provided
including a mattress casing sized to receive a mattress in its
interior in a close fitted relationship and a mattress sheet that
spans the interior when in a fastened state. Cooperative fasteners
disposed respectively on the mattress casing and the mattress sheet
are located to fasten to one another so that the mattress sheet can
be releasably fastened to the mattress casing.
Inventors: |
Seigler, Donald; (Denver,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIMOTHY J MARTIN, PC
9250 W 5TH AVENUE
SUITE 200
LAKEWOOD
CO
80226
US
|
Family ID: |
35052593 |
Appl. No.: |
10/907557 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60559905 |
Apr 5, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/738 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/005 20130101;
A47D 13/08 20130101; A47C 27/003 20130101; A47D 15/008 20130101;
A47C 31/105 20130101; A47D 15/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/738 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mattress sheet, comprising a panel of a selected size and
configuration that is adapted to be disposed on a mattress in a
close fitted relationship, wherein said panel includes: (A) a
bottom layer that confronts said mattress when disposed thereon;
(B) a top layer that provides an upper surface for said panel; and
(C) an intermediate layer interposed between said top layer and
said bottom layer.
2. A mattress sheet according to claim 1 wherein said bottom layer
is formed of a water resistant material.
3. A mattress sheet according to claim 2 wherein said water
resistant material is selected from the group consisting of vinyl
and nylon.
4. A mattress sheet according to claim 1 wherein said top layer is
formed of a polyester material.
5. A mattress sheet according to claim 4 wherein said polyester
material is polyester tricot.
6. A mattress sheet according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate
layer is formed of a water absorbent material.
7. A mattress sheet according to claim 6 wherein said water
absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of a
polyester rayon blend and cotton.
8. A mattress sheet according to claim 1 wherein said top layer and
said intermediate layer are laminated together.
9. A mattress sheet according to claim 1 wherein said panel is
generally rectangular in configuration.
10. A mattress sheet system adapted for use with a mattress of a
selected size and configuration, comprising: (A) a mattress casing
sized and adapted to receive the mattress therein, including (1) a
bottom panel; and (2) a surrounding sidewall joined to said bottom
panel around a periphery thereof to form a casing interior and
extending upwardly from said bottom panel to terminate in a top
edge portion, said sidewall having an inner surface and an outer
surface; (B) a mattress sheet that spans the casing interior when
in a fastened state; and (C) cooperative fasteners disposed
respectively on said mattress casing and said mattress sheet and
located to fasten to one another so that said mattress sheet is
releasably fastened to said mattress casing.
11. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
mattress casing includes a top panel spaced apart from said bottom
panel and spanning the casing interior.
12. A mattress sheet system according to claim 11 wherein said top
panel is joined to said sidewall around a majority of a periphery
thereof so as to form an entryway to allow access to the casing
interior whereby the mattress may be inserted through the entryway
and into the casing interior.
13. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
casing is sized to receive the mattress in a close-fitted
relationship.
14. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
mattress sheet includes (A) a bottom layer that faces the casing
interior when in the fastened state; (B) a top layer that provides
an upper surface for said sheet; and (C) an intermediate layer
interposed between said top layer and said bottom layer.
15. A mattress sheet system according to claim 14 wherein said
bottom layer is formed of a water resistant material.
16. A mattress sheet system according to claim 14 wherein said top
layer is formed of a polyester material.
17. A mattress sheet system according to claim 14 wherein said
intermediate layer is formed of a water absorbent material.
18. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
mattress sheet is taut when in the fastened state.
19. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 where said
mattress sheet is completely removable from said mattress
casing.
20. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
cooperating fasteners are selected from a group consisting of
hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, button-and-hole fasteners and
zippers.
21. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
cooperative fasteners include (A) casing zipper teeth disposed on
the inner surface of said casing sidewall at a location proximate
to the top edge thereof; (B) sheet zipper teeth disposed on said
mattress sheet at a location proximate to a peripheral margin
thereof and adapted to mate with said casing zipper teeth; and (C)
a zipper slide disposed on either said casing sidewall or said
mattress sheet.
22. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 wherein said
cooperative fasteners are concealed when in the fastened state.
23. A mattress sheet system according to claim 10 including
accessory items releasably securable to said mattress sheet and
selected from the group consisting of sleep positioners, blankets,
head rolls, toys, drool pads, and pillows.
24. A mattress sheet system according to claim 23 wherein said
accessory items include including a filaform fastening strip
disposed on a portion thereof adapted to releasably secure to
polyester tricot.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to bedding products,
and particularly infant bedding products for creating a safe and
comfortable sleeping environment for an infant or small child. More
specifically, the present invention is directed to a versatile and
tight fitting mattress sheet. The present invention is also
directed to mattress sheet system that incorporates a taut fitted
bed sheet that is easy to remove.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Parents provide for their children in a wide variety of
ways. At a basic level, however, most parents provide their
children with the necessities of food, clothing and shelter. While
the needs of children last from birth through later years, the care
and nurturing of newborns and young infants present special issues.
In response to these special issues, the infant/baby industry
continues to grow with new and innovative products that are
continuingly made available to expectant mothers and fathers for
the care of their children. Presently, the infant industry offers a
vast number of products ranging from bedding products, travel
products, feeding products, toys, bathing and health products,
clothing, and the like.
[0003] Of the many items inevitably present on an expecting
parent's to-do list, perhaps the most important is to provide the
baby with a welcoming and safe sleeping environment. Typically,
newborns will spend a majority of their time in the crib and
several months after birth, they will still spend about twelve (12)
hours of every day in their crib. Accordingly, it is important that
the crib and mattress selected be of a good quality so that it is
safe and comfortable for the infant. To this end, there are a
variety of cribs and crib mattresses available that are currently
regulated by particular safety standards to prevent injury to the
infant that have been recommended or established by organizations
such as the SIDS Alliance, American Academy of Pediatricians, and
the Surgeon General.
[0004] Currently, crib constructions must meet certain safety
standards and those standards further require that crib mattresses
fit tightly within in the crib frame to prevent the baby from
slipping between the mattress and the sides or ends of the crib.
Many experts in the field, such as the SIDS Alliance further
recommend that the crib mattress be firm so as to reduce the risk
of SIDS and problems with the development of the spine. They also
suggest that the mattress not be covered with a quilt, sheepskin,
or anything else that could interfere with providing the infant
with adequate air circulation around the face.
[0005] In addition, many experts recommend that a water absorbent
bed pad be placed on top of the mattress and that both the mattress
and the pad be covered with tight fitting crib sheet that tucks
smoothly underneath the mattress. Research has indicated that a
tight fitting crib sheet both enhances the infant's comfort and
prevents the infant from becoming tangled about in the folds of a
loose-fitting sheet.
[0006] A comfortable sleeping environment may also include one or
more sleep aids such as products that play soothing sounds to help
lull an infant to sleep or that may even be sound activated so that
if the infant awakes, the soothing sounds may again return the
infant to sleep. Other sleep aids include a variety of cushion
devices, such as sleep positioners, crib wedges and head supports
to position a sleeping infant's head in a manner that helps prevent
Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly).
[0007] Oftentimes, infant sleep aid products are developed in
response to pediatrician recommendations. For example, some
pediatricians recommend that an infant be placed either on his/her
back while others recommend that the infant be placed on his/her
side in an effort to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome, commonly referred to as SIDS. As a result, various infant
sleep positioners have been developed and typically take the form
of support pillows or wedges that may be positioned about the
infant to maintain the infant in the desired sleeping position.
These infant sleep aids are typically loosely placed within the
crib on the crib sheet where their effectiveness can be somewhat
diminished if inadvertently moved about by the infant during sleep.
Furthermore, with the frequency by which crib sheets need to be
replaced, it may be somewhat tedious and time consuming to both
remove items from the crib and go through the process of removing
the tight fitting sheet to replace it with a new one.
[0008] There has long been a need for a crib sheet that not only
provides a tight fit about the crib mattress, but that is easier to
remove and replace than that of conventional crib sheets. There is
also a need for providing sleep aids, such as sleep positioners,
that can be used by a sleeping infant in a way that maximizes its
effectiveness. The present invention is directed to meeting these
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and
useful crib mattress sheet that tightly fits over the mattress and
that is easy to change.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooperating crib mattress sheet and mattress casing for a standard
sized crib mattress.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
crib mattress sheet that provides a surface for the placement of
sleeping aids, such as sleep positioners, blankets, and
pillows.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
crib mattress sheet that includes a water absorbent layer to
eliminate the need for a separate water absorbing mattress pad,
[0013] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a crib mattress sheet that is soft, provides a comfortable
sleeping environment for an infant, and is machine washable.
[0014] According to the present invention, then, a mattress sheet
is provided that comprises a panel of a selected size and
configuration that is adapted to be disposed on a mattress in a
close fitted relationship. The panel is preferably rectangular in
configuration and ncludes three layers, a bottom layer that
confronts the mattress when disposed thereon, a top layer that
provides an upper surface for said panel, and an intermediate layer
interposed between the top and bottom layers. The bottom layer may
be formed of a water resistant material that is selected from the
group consisting of vinyl and nylon. The top layer may be formed of
a polyester material that may specifically be polyester tricot. The
intermediate layer may be formed of a water absorbent material
selected from the group consisting of polyester rayon blend and
cotton. The top and intermediate layers may be laminated
together.
[0015] The present invention is also directed to a mattress sheet
system adapted for use with a mattress of a selected size and
configuration. The mattress sheet system generally includes a
mattress casing that is sized and adapted to receive the mattress
therein in a close-fitted relationship. The casing includes a
bottom panel and a surrounding sidewall joined to the bottom panel
around a periphery thereof and extending upwardly from said bottom
panel to terminate in a top edge portion. The sidewall has an inner
surface and an outer surface and, together with the bottom panel,
forms a casing interior. If desired, the mattress casing may
further include a top panel spaced apart from the bottom panel and
spanning the casing interior. The top panel may be joined to the
sidewall of the mattress casing around a majority of its periphery
so as to form an entryway. The entryway is sized to allow access to
the casing interior whereby the mattress may be inserted
therethrough.
[0016] The mattress sheet system also includes a mattress sheet
that spans the casing interior when in a fastened state and
cooperative fasteners disposed respectively on the mattress casing
and the mattress sheet and located to fasten to one another so that
the mattress sheet is releasably fastened to the mattress casing.
The mattress sheet may include three layers, a bottom layer that is
water resistant, a top layer formed of a polyester material, and an
intermediate layer interposed therebetween that is made of a
material that is water absorbent. Preferably, when in the fastened
state, the mattress sheet is taut across the casing interior, and
completely removable from the casing.
[0017] The cooperative fasteners associated with the mattress
casing and the mattress sheet may be selected from a group
consisting of hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, button-and-hole
fasteners and zippers. More particularly, the cooperating fasteners
may include casing zipper teeth that are disposed on the inner
surface of the casing sidewall at a location proximate to the top
edge thereof. The casing zipper teeth are adapted to mate with
sheet zipper teeth, which are disposed on the mattress sheet at a
location proximate to a peripheral margin thereof. The zipper teeth
may further be associated with a zipper slide that is disposed on
of the casing sidewall or mattress sheet. Preferably, once the
mattress sheet is in the fastened state, the cooperative fasteners
are concealed from view.
[0018] If desired, the mattress sheet system may further be
provided with a accessory items that are releasably securable to
the upper surface of the mattress sheet. Such accessory items may
be selected from the group consisting of sleep positioners,
blankets, head rolls, toys, drool pads, and pillows. In addition,
these selected accessory items may include a filaform fastening
strip disposed on a portion thereof that is adapted to releasably
secure to polyester tricot.
[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily understood and appreciated from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawing
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant lying on a
mattress sheet system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mattress sheet
system shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mattress
casing shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative mattress
casing;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the crib mattress sheet
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken about lines 5-5;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a representative sleep
positioner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken about lines 6-6;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a top view of an infant lying on a mattress sheet
with an alternative sleep aid in the form of a head roll that is
compatible with the mattress sheet according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the head
roll showing the compatible hook strips;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mattress sheet shown in
FIG. 2, partially cut away, with a compatible plush animal in the
form of a teddy bear attached thereto;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the teddy bear shown in
FIG. 9 showing the compatible hook strips attached thereto;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drool pad that is
compatible with the mattress sheet according to the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pillow that is compatible
with the mattress sheet according to the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative mattress
sheet according to the present invention shown in use with a
conventional mattress.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The present invention is directed to bedding particularly
useful for infant cribs to provide the infant with a safe and
comfortable sleeping environment and that is easier to remove and
replace than conventional crib sheets. More specifically, the
present invention is directed to a new and useful mattress sheet
and a mattress sheet system wherein the mattress sheet is either a
cooperative component with a mattress casing, or that may be
configured as a fitted sheet for a standard sized mattress. The
mattress sheet system may further include removable sleeping aids
that are adapted to releasably secure to the mattress sheet.
[0034] As used herein, the term infant shall be understood to mean
any child at the beginning of its life, including a newborn up
through the age of a toddler. As discussed in view of the following
description of the figures below, the crib sheet of the present
invention is well suited for use with a standard sized mattress,
but may also be sized and used for a variety of different infant
sleeping environments such as in a bassinet or may even provide a
clean playing area on the floor or other suitable support
surface.
[0035] Turning then to the figures, reference is first made to FIG.
1, which shows the mattress sheet system 10 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention in use by a sleeping infant 12.
Infant 12 is asleep on top of crib sheet 20 and is lying between
two sleep positioners 90, which help infant 12 to stay positioned
on his/her back. Crib sheet 20 is held taut over the mattress when
set within mattress casing 40 to define a fastened state. With
reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, mattress sheet system includes
crib sheet 20 that is releasably fastened to mattress casing 40,
which is sized to receive a standard sized mattress 42 in a close
fitted relationship. Standard sized mattress 42 is of a
conventional construction and readily available in the art.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, mattress casing 40 is
generally constructed of various panel sections that may be
stitched or otherwise joined together and that is formed of a
lightweight, water resistant material, such as vinyl, nylon or
other suitable water resistant material that provides a safe
sleeping environment. Mattress casing 40 includes a flexible bottom
panel 44, and first and second panel members 46 and 48.
[0037] First panel member 46 includes side section 41, foot section
47 and head section 51. Similarly, second panel member 48 includes
side section 43, foot section 49, and head section 53. Respective
foot sections 47 and 49 have confronting edges 50 and 52, which may
be stitched or otherwise joined together to form junction 51 (shown
in FIG. 2). Similarly, respective head sections 51 and 53 have
confronting edges 54 and 56 that are stitched or otherwise joined
to form junction 55 (shown in FIG. 2).
[0038] First and second panel members 46 and 48 are joined about
the peripheral margin of bottom panel 44 to form a continuous
casing wall surrounding an interior 99 for receiving mattress 42 in
a close fitting relationship and having an inner surface and an
outer surface. More specifically, as shown, corners 62 and 64 of
first panel member 44 align with corners 66 and 68 of bottom panel
44, while corners 61 and 63 of second panel member 48 align with
corners 65 and 67 of bottom panel 44 and joined thereabout.
[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, once the panel
members 44, 46, and 48 of mattress casing 40 are joined together, a
continuous top edge 70 is formed. Adjacent to top edge 70, and
extending about the interior of casing 40 is a cooperative
fastening element 72 in the form of a zipper system, including
casing teeth 74 and slide 76 and pull tab 78. As will be discussed
in more detail below, casing teeth 74 cooperate with sheet teeth 34
of crib sheet 20 to releasably fasten crib sheet thereto so that
sheet 20 is pulled taut across the top of the mattress 42.
[0040] Turning next to FIG. 4, an alternative mattress casing 140
is shown and may, optionally, include top panel 145, also formed of
the same water resistant material as the casing panels described
above. Top panel 145 may be stitched about a majority of first and
second panel sections 146 and 148, below and adjacent to zipper
teeth 174, so as not to interfere with the fastening of the crib
sheet. Top panel 145 may be stitched to panels sections 146 and 148
about a majority of the periphery of casing 140. A portion of said
top panel 145, however, is not stitched to first and second panel
sections so as to span the casing interior so as to form an
entryway 160 to allow access to the casing interior 199 to allow
for insertion of the mattress into the casing.
[0041] Now that mattress casing 40 and 140 have been described in
some detail, the construction of crib sheet 20 may be further
described. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 2, crib sheet 20
includes a cooperative fastening system 32, shown here in the form
of a zipper, which includes sheet zipper teeth 34 and tab 36. Tab
36 is sized and adapted to mate with slide 76 on the mattress so as
to fasten crib sheet 20 thereto such that when in a fastened state,
the crib sheet 20 spans the casing interior 99 (FIG. 2). As the
slide is pulled with pull tab 78, teeth 74 and 34 mate with one
another according to conventional zippers known in the art about
the entire periphery to fasten sheet 20 and casing 40 together. As
should be understood, then, sheet 20 may be completely removed from
casing 40 simply by being unzipped therefrom. Other cooperative
fasteners associated with the crib sheet and the casing are
contemplated so as to releasably fasten the sheet and the casing.
Such contemplated cooperative fasteners are may be disposed
respectively on the mattress casing and the mattress sheet and
located to fasten to one another and may include hook-and-loop
fasteners, snaps, and button-and-hole fasteners in addition to the
aforementioned zipper fasteners.
[0042] Turning to FIG. 5, sheet 20 is preferably a unitary panel
that is generally rectangular in construction and sized to span the
casing interior. Sheet 20 is preferably formed of three layers,
namely, inner layer 22, outer layer 26 and intermediate layer 24.
Preferably, inner layer 22 is formed of vinyl or nylon, or other
suitable water resistant material while intermediate layer 24 is
formed of an absorbent material such as a polyester rayon blend,
cotton, and the like. Inner layer 22 and intermediate layer 24 may
be joined together by any conventional means, but preferably are
laminated together. Due to the presence of inner layer 22 and
intermediate layer 24, mattress system does not need an additional
or separate mattress pad.
[0043] With respect to outer layer 26, it is desirable that it be
formed of a soft material because it comes in direct contact with
the infant. However, as will soon be appreciated, it is further
desirable that outer layer 26 be formed of a material that is
compatible with various filaform fasteners or hook fasterners, such
as molden hooks or Velcro.RTM., as known in the art. Accordingly,
outer layer 26 may be formed of a polyester material such as 100%
polyester tricot or other suitable hook fastening compatible
material. Outer layer 26 is disposed on top of intermediate layer
26 and stitched or otherwise joined to inner layer 22 and
intermediate layer 24 to form seam 28, which extends about a
peripheral margin of sheet 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also
joined or otherwise attached to seam 28 is zipper tape 38 such that
teeth, such as representative tooth 33, depend downwardly from
sheet 20.
[0044] Since outer layer 26 is formed of a material that is
compatible with hook fasteners such as molden hooks strips or
Velcro.RTM. strips, it is desirable to provide sleeping aids or
other crib decorations with hooks strips that are compatable with
the outer layer material of the crib sheet. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
2 above, the mattress system according to the present invention
also contemplates incorporating sleeping aids such as sleep
postioners 90.
[0045] A representative positioner 90 is shown in FIG. 6, and is
generally constructed of a casing 94, which receives a resilient
foam piece 96 in a close-fitted relationship. Foam piece 96 may be
formed of any suitable resilient foam material such as the memory
foam. Casing 94 of positioning member 90 may be of any suitable
fabric material that is comfortable against an infant's skin such
as, silk, polyester, cotton, cotton blends, synthetics, synthetic
blends, and the like. Preferably though, casing 94 is constructed
of 100% polyester sandwich material to provide improved
breathability. Casing 94 joins to form margin 98, which extends the
length thereof.
[0046] It is further desirable that positioner 90 further include a
cooperating hook strip 92, which is adapted to releasably attach to
a cooperative loop fastener, such as the 100% tricot polyester
material noted above. In this way, positioners 90 are not limited
to being aligned parallel to one another, as shown in FIG. 1, but
may also be positioned at any desired angle and spacing with
respect to one another on outer surface 26. For example,
positioning members 90 could be positioned to form a V-shape if so
desired. Further, positioners 90 will better maintain their
positioning due to their attachment to the crib sheet.
[0047] In addition to the sleep positioner 90 shown and described
above, the present invention also contemplates the use of
positioning members having different geometric shapes than that
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and further contemplates adapting various
other sleep aids and crib decorations to be releasably secured to
the crib sheet. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, mattress sheet
system 110 includes cooperating blanket 180 and cooperating head
roll 190. Blanket 180, similar to the positioning members 90
described above, include means by which it may be fastened to crib
sheet 120. For example, blanket 180 may be constructed so as to
have hook strips 182, such as molden strips, adapted to releasably
affix to the fabric material of the outer layer 126 of crib sheet
120.
[0048] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, a head roll 190 may include
hook strips 192 that are also adapted to relesably attach to outer
layer 126. As shown in FIG. 7, head roll 190 is placed about the
head of infant 112 to prevent the infant's head from rolling out of
a safe sleeping position. Strips 192 permit head roll to be
adjusted to accommodate varying sizes of infant heads making the
head roll more versatile and usable for infants of varying
sizes.
[0049] Another compatible crib item may be in the form of a
decoration, such as teddy bear 290 shown in FIG. 9. As shown in
FIG. 10, the underside of teddy bear 290 includes three strips 292
that are adapted to releasably secure bear 290 to crib sheet 220.
As should be appreciated, other plush toys such as dolls, balls, or
other animals are contemplated.
[0050] FIGS. 11 and 12 show additional items that are suitable for
use in an infant crib. FIG. 11 shows drool pad 390 while FIG. 12
shows pillow 490. Drool pad 390 may attach to the crib sheet by way
of hook strips 392 and positioned under the infant to absorb baby
moisture such as drooling, urinating, or vomiting. Pillow 490 may
be used for additional comfort for a baby and be attached to the
crib sheet by strip 492. For example, pillow 490 may be formed of
memory foam that conforms to the infant's head and may help to
reduce Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly).
[0051] Finally, turning now to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the
crib sheet 520 according to the present invention is shown. Crib
sheet 520 is configured as a fitted sheet that tightly fits over a
conventional mattress 542. Crib sheet 520 may have the tri-layer
construction described above, but, as shown, need not include a
fastening system such as shown and described above with respect to
FIG. 2. In this way, the crib sheet according to the present
invention is not limited to use with a cooperating mattress casing.
This further enhances the crib sheet's adaptability for use with
other crib mattress that do not have such a casing. Further, as
should be appreciated, without a fastening system, crib sheet 520
may be configured for use in a bassinet, for a young child's bed,
who no longer sleeps in a crib, or just as a clean sheet for the
child to play on a safe support surface such as the floor.
[0052] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that
the scope of the present invention is defined by the following
claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or
changes may be made to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained
herein.
* * * * *