Mattress covering with elastic corners

Abstract

A mattress covering includes a generally rectangular top cover portion having an outer periphery and dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined top surface size. A side skirt extends transversely to the top cover portion around the outer periphery thereof. The side skirt has a lower periphery remote from the top cover portion, and a lower elastic cord is secured at the lower periphery. Each of a first and a second elastic cords has a first end secured near a corner of the top cover portion and a second end secured to lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the vertical elastic cord extends from the first corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends, and corners of mattresses comprising:
 a generally rectangular top cover portion having an outer periphery and dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined top surface size;   a side skirt extending transversely to the top cover portion from the outer periphery of the top cover portion around the outer periphery of the top cover portion, the side skirt having a lower periphery remote from the top cover portion, the side skirt being sized to fit mattresses of a predetermined thickness;   a lower elastic cord secured at a periphery of the side skirt remote from the top cover portion;   a first vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a first corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a first lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the first lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the first vertical elastic cord extends from the first corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion;   a second vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a second corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a second lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the second lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the second vertical elastic cord extends from the second corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a third vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a third corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a third lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the third lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the third vertical elastic cord extends from the third corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion; and
 a fourth vertical elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end being secured near a fourth corner of the top cover portion and the second end being secured to a fourth lower cord portion of the lower elastic cord, the fourth lower cord portion located in a position remote from the top cover portion in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion, so that the fourth vertical elastic cord extends from the fourth corner in a direction generally transverse to the top cover portion.   
     
     
         3 . The mattress covering of  claim 1  wherein the lower elastic cord extends entirely around the periphery of the side skirt. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress covering of  claim 2  wherein the lower elastic cord extends entirely around the periphery of the side skirt. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress covering of  claim 1  wherein the side skirt has an interior and an exterior, and the first and second vertical elastic cords are positioned proximate to the interior surface of the side skirt. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress covering of  claim 1  wherein the side skirt has an interior and an exterior, and the first and second vertical elastic cords are positioned proximate to the exterior surface of the side skirt. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress covering of  claim 1  wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress length, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress length less than the first mattress length, thereby creating an excess portion of the top covering, the lower elastic cord and the first and second vertical elastic cords exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion of the top covering around an end surface of the second mattress and pull the excess portion of the top covering beneath the bottom surface. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress covering of  claim 4  wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress length, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress length less than the first mattress length, thereby creating an excess portion of the top covering, the lower elastic cord and the vertical elastic cords exert forces tending to wrap the excess portion of the top covering around an end surface of the mattress and pull the excess portion of the top covering beneath the bottom surface. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress covering of  claim 1  wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress thickness, and the first and second vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic cord and the first and second vertical elastic cords exert forces pulling a greater portion of the side skirt beneath the bottom surface as compared to the portion of the side skirt that is pulled beneath the bottom surface when the mattress covering is used on a mattress having the first mattress thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress covering of  claim 4  wherein the top covering is sized for use with a mattress having a top surface and a first mattress thickness, and the vertical elastic cords have lengths such that, when the mattress covering is placed on a second mattress having a bottom surface and a second mattress thickness less than the first mattress thickness, the lower elastic cord and the vertical elastic cords exert forces pulling a greater portion of the side skirt beneath the bottom surface as compared to the portion of the side skirt that is pulled beneath the bottom surface when the mattress covering is used on a mattress having the first mattress thickness.