Height adjustable encasement

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a bedding article which provides a variable mattress encasement. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the described mattress encasement provides an expansion portion that allows the mattress to expand from an initial height to an expanded height so as to incorporate a larger mattress volume.

1 . A bedding article comprising;
 a top material sheet,   a bottom material sheet, and   an expansion portion joining the top sheet and the bottom sheet so as to produce an enclosure that is sized to enclose a first bedding structure, wherein the expansion portion comprises gusseted elastic panels and a plurality of closure devices arranged along the a length of the expansion portion between the top and bottom sheets and allows the bedding article to expand from an initial dimension to an expanded dimension so as to enclose a second bedding structure.   
     
     
         2 . The bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion portion incorporates a plurality of joining devices. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The bedding article of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of joining devices are configured to allow the expansion portion to expand to one of a plurality of pre-determined enclosure sizes. 
     
     
         5 . The bedding article of  claim 4  where the expansion portion comprises:
 side panels running the length of the article with at least two strips of excess materials; 
 end panels running the width of the article with at least two strips of excess materials that match and are contiguous with the strips of the side panels; and 
 closure devices that join together opposite edges of each of the at least two strips of material to form smooth surfaces, wherein when all of the closure devices are closed the article has a minimum height, when one of the closure devices is open the article has a second fixed height greater than the minimum height, and when two of the closure devices are open the article has a third fixed height greater than the second height. 
 
     
     
         6 . The bedding article of  claim 5  wherein at least one closure device is a zipper. 
     
     
         7 . The bedding article of  claim 5  wherein at least one closure device is a Velcro strip.