Fabric sheet retaining device and method of use

Abstract

A fabric sheet retaining device and method for it is provided. The fabric sheet retaining device is coupled to a mattress or box spring for retaining the fabric sheet from sliding off the mattress or box spring. The invention comprises a main body having an exterior side and an interior side, an aperture for receiving a portion of a fabric sheet disposed therein and compressive means to compressively retain the disposed portion of the fabric sheet against the interior side of the main body.

1 . A fabric sheet retaining device comprising: 
 a main body including; 
 an interior side;  
 an exterior side;  
 an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side;  
 an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and  
 means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim.  
   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the means includes means for releasing the means from compressively retaining the fabric sheet.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the means includes a removable plug dimensioned to span the aperture from the exterior side to at least the interior side such that when the plug is disposed into the aperture a compressive surface means coupled to the plug compressively engages the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the compressive surface means and the interior rim.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein at least a portion of the compressive surface means is generally oriented in opposition to the interior rim.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the removable plug further includes a twist lock means for reversibly maintaining the plug in the main body.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1  further including affixing means for affixing the main body to a bedding article.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the means includes a plunger assembly having a depressible surface means disposed within the aperture and configured such that when the portion of the fabric sheet is inserted into the aperture, a counterforce means included in the plunger assembly compressively retains the fabric sheet against the interior rim and the depressible surface means.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7  wherein the counterforce means includes a spring.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the depressible surface means is generally oriented in opposition to the interior rim.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes an inner support installed inside the bedding article and a plurality of fasteners which couple the main body to the inner support.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes a plurality of prongs coupled to the main body at periodic intervals such that when the main body is inserted into an opening created in the bedding article, the prongs grip the bedding article.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes a plurality of prongs coupled to the main body at periodic intervals such that when the main body is inserted into an opening in the bedding article dimensioned to receive the main body, the prongs grip the bedding article thereby coupling the main body to the bedding article.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes a frame adapted to receive and couple the main body to the bedding article.  
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes an adhesive adapted to couple the main body to the bedding article.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the affixing means includes a plurality of stitches adapted to couple the main body to the bedding article.  
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein the bedding article is one of a mattress or a box spring.  
     
     
         16 . A fabric sheet retaining device comprising: 
 a main body including; 
 an interior side;  
 an exterior side;  
 an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side;  
 an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim;  
 wherein the means includes a removable plug dimensioned to span the aperture from the exterior side to at least the interior side such that when the plug is disposed into the aperture a compressive surface means coupled to the plug compressively engages the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the compressive surface means and the interior rim.  
   
     
     
         17 . A fabric sheet retaining device comprising: 
 a main body including; 
 an interior side;  
 an exterior side;  
 an aperture disposed therein and dimensioned to receive a limited portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture from the exterior side;  
 an interior rim circumferentially surrounding the aperture on the interior side, and  
 means for compressively retaining the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim;  
 wherein the means includes a plunger assembly having a depressible surface means disposed within the aperture and configured such that when the portion of the fabric sheet is inserted into the aperture, a counterforce means included in the plunger assembly compressively retains the fabric sheet against the interior rim and the depressible surface means.  
   
     
     
         18 . A method for using the fabric sheet retaining device of  claim 1  comprising; 
 a. placing a fabric sheet generally uniformly over a bedding article equipped with one or more fabric sheet retaining devices,    b. securing one or more portions of the fabric sheet into the one or more fabric sheet retaining devices such that the fabric sheet is retained over the bedding article.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein the securing is accomplished by capturing the one or more portions of the fabric sheet with one or more plugs adapted to compressively retain the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein the securing is accomplished by capturing the one or more portions of the fabric sheet with one or more plunger assemblies adapted to compressively retain the portion of the fabric sheet inserted into the aperture against the interior rim.