US20120096643A1

US20120096643A1 - Divided bed sheet

Info

Publication number: US20120096643A1
Application number: US12/910,836
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Shuff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-24
Filing date: 2010-10-24
Publication date: 2012-04-26

Abstract

The present invention is a divided bed sheet to indicate to a user when a centerline of a bed or mattress is located. The divided bed sheet comprising a padded division located along a central portion of the divided bed sheet, where the padded division extends the entire length of a mattress, and a portion of foam within the padded division, where the portion of foam extends the entire length of the mattress wherein the portion of foam creates a raised division along the central portion of the mattress.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bed sheet with a raised portion of foam sewn within a central portion of the bed sheet to indicate where a centerline is located on a mattress.
2. Description of Related Art
Many couples experience the timeless debate, argument and disagreement as to the location of the center of the bed. Whether the problem is one person taking up too much of the bed, crossing hot or cold body parts onto the other's half or simply one person practically being pushed off the bed, couples find it difficult to determine where the center of the bed may be. Most of the time one person must get up and physically show the center, but this is only an imaginary line which is difficult to pin down in practice. Some couples may place pillows, folded blankets or stuffed animals to indicate the centerline, but these objects are mobile and so shift easily. Most couples must continuously push and shove one another to maintain the integrity of the borders of their side of the bed.
U.S. Pat. No 5,457,830 discloses a Bed Divider comprising a variety of different centerline indicators. The bed divider includes a hook and loop indicator wherein a tactile indicator is provided. Alternatively, a raised cross-stitch pattern runs along the centerline to indicate the middle of the bed. Finally, a piping is attached to the sheet to indicate the centerline.
While the prior art does disclose a centerline indicator, the hook and loop indicator may scratch the user, while the piping may be very uncomfortable if the user accidently rolls upon it during the night.
It would be beneficial in the art to provide a comfortable divider which is soft and pliable under the user. It would also be desirable to provide a centerline indicator which attaches to a fitted sheet so as to remain against the mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a divided bed sheet to indicate a centerline that is comfortable and soft for a user to lie upon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a divided bed sheet that attaches to a fitted bed sheet to securely fit along the topside of a mattress.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a divided bed sheet to indicate to a user where a centerline of a bed or mattress is located. The divided bed sheet comprises a padded division located along a central portion of the divided bed sheet, where the padded division extends an entire length of a mattress, and a portion of foam within the padded division, where the portion of foam extends the entire length of the mattress wherein the portion of foam creates a raised division along the central portion of the mattress.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a divided bed sheet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged view of a padded division in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged view of a padded division in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a bed sheet with a raised portion of foam sewn within a central portion of the bed sheet to indicate where a centerline is located on a mattress. The present invention discloses a divided bed sheet as a way to create a surface partition on a bed, while providing a noticeable yet comfortable divider. The divided bed sheet may comprise a traditional bed sheet with a thin piece of foam along an entire length of a central portion of the sheet to provide a soft, plush and pliable border to ensure sectional distinction. The divided bed sheet may be available in all of the variety of thread counts, colors and sizes of conventional sheets. Thus, a user will not be confused or unaware of the center of the sheet or mattress because the divided bed sheet gives the user both a tactile and visual indicator of the center of the bed.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a divided bed sheet (10) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The divided bed sheet (10) is illustrated as configured upon a mattress. The divided bed sheet (10) comprises a top surface (12), a set of sides (14), a top end (16), a bottom end (18), a rise (20) and an edge (22). The top surface (12), the set of sides (14), the top end (16), the bottom end (18), the rise (20) and the edge (22) may all vary in sizes depending on the mattress used. For example, full size mattresses comprise different dimension from a king size mattress, thus the various sides, ends and edges of the divided bed sheet will vary to coordinate with the particular mattress size. The divided bed sheet (10) may be similar to a conventional flat bed sheet or it may be a fitted sheet that tucks under the mattress. The fitted sheet may provide a more secure fit because of a set of elastic pieces creating tension against the divided bed sheet beneath the mattress.
Along a central portion (24) of the divided bed sheet (10) is a padded division (30). The padded division (30) indicates a centerline of the mattress. Within the padded division (30) may be a portion of foam (32). The portion of foam (32) provides a user with a tactile indicator of the centerline. The portion of foam (32) may extend the entire length of the divided bed sheet (30), and may have a height of approximately ½ inch and a width of approximately 2 inches. The height and width of the portion of foam (32) may increase or decrease depending on the likes, preferences and comfort levels of the user. The portion of foam (32) may be sewn or glued within the padded division (30).
Referring now to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of a section of the padded division (30) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The padded division (30) houses the portion of foam (32) within its length. The portion of foam (32) is not exposed to the user for a comfortable feel. The portion of foam (32) may be secured to the padded division (30) with a central seam (34) and a plurality of end seams (36). The central seam (34) anchors the portion of foam while the end seams (36) prevent the portion of foam (32) from sliding.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an enlarged view of a section of a padded division (100) is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The padded division (100) follows along a central line (102) to mark the center of the mattress. The padded division (100) may comprises a plurality of padded portions (104 a, 104 b and 104 n) sewn together along the central line (102). Within the plurality of padded portions (104 a, 104 b and 104 n) may be a piece of foam (106 a, 106 b and 106 n). The plurality of padded portions (104 a, 104 b and 104 n) string along to create the padded division (100). At each end of said plurality of padded portions (104 a, 104 b and 104 n) may be a plurality of pinched seams (108 a, 108 b and 108 n) to secure said pieces of foam (106 a, 106 b and 106 n) from sliding along the padded division (100). The piece of foam (106 a, 106 b and 106 n) may be a continuous strip of foam simply divided at the plurality of pinched seams (108 a, 108 b and 108 n), or the piece of foam may be separated pieces of foam (as shown). The alternative embodiment of the padded division (100) may resemble a dotted line in terms of both feel and sight by creating a textured or bumpy central line.
The padded division (30 or 100) provides the user with both the tactile and visual indicators of where the centerline of the mattress is positioned. While the portion of foam (32 or 106 a, 106 b and 106 n) are raised pieces of material, they are still comfortable enough for the user to roll upon or sleep on without causing an annoyance or bother. Thus, the divided bed sheet (10) provides the user with a comfortable yet obvious dividing line as to the location of the center of the mattress.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A divided bed sheet comprising;

a padded division located along a central portion of said divided bed sheet, where said padded division extends an entire length of a mattress;

a portion of foam within said padded division, where said portion of foam extends the entire length of said mattress, and wherein said portion of foam creates a raised division along said central portion of said mattress; and

a set of end seams at the ends of said padded division, wherein said set of end seams permanently secure said portion of foam within said padded division by preventing said portion of foam from sliding.

2. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said portion of foam is sewn within said padded division.

3. The divided bed sheet of claim 2, wherein said padded division includes a central seam through said portion of foam to anchor said portion of foam within said padded division.

4. (canceled)

5. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said padded division includes a plurality of padded portions lined up along the entire length of said mattress.

6. The divided bed sheet of claim 5, wherein said plurality of padded portion includes a portion of foam divided by a plurality of pinched seams.

7. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said portion of foam is glued within said padded division.

8. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said divided bed sheet is constructed as a fitted sheet, where said fitted sheet comprises a set of elastic pieces to secure said divided bed sheet against said mattress.

9. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said portion of foam is ½ inch high.

10. The divided bed sheet of claim 1, wherein said portion of foam is 2 inches wide.