Fitted bed skirt and method for decorating a bed structure

Abstract

A fitted bed skirt is applied to rectangular bed structure having flat top and bottom surfaces, opposing vertical head and foot ends, and opposing vertical sides. The bed skirt includes a decorative fabric covering comprising first and second side panels and an end panel formed with the side panels. The side and end panels cooperate to cover the vertical sides and vertical foot end of the bed structure, and define a generally U-shaped form when applied to the bed structure. An elastic end strap joins the first and second side panels together, and is adapted for extending horizontally along the vertical head end of the bed structure.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A fitted bed skirt for a rectangular bed structure having flat top and bottom surfaces, opposing vertical head and foot ends, and opposing vertical sides, said bed skirt comprising:
 a decorative fabric covering comprising first and second side panels and an end panel formed with said side panels, said side and end panels cooperating to cover the vertical sides and vertical foot end of the bed structure, and defining a generally U-shaped form when applied to the bed structure; and   an elastic end strap joining said first and second side panels together, and adapted for extending horizontally along the vertical head end of the bed structure.   
     
     
         2 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises a continuous elastic flange sewn along opposing edges of said side panels and said end panel. 
     
     
         3 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic end strap has a width dimension designed to be less than a height of the vertical head end of the bed structure, such that no portion of said end strap extends across the top or bottom surfaces of the bed structure. 
     
     
         4 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative fabric covering is designed to cover less than 40% of the top surface of the bed structure. 
     
     
         5 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 4 , wherein said decorative fabric covering is designed to cover less than 40% of the bottom surface of the bed structure. 
     
     
         6 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises opposing integrally formed foot-end corner pockets adapted to receive respective corners of the bed structure at its foot end. 
     
     
         7 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 6 , wherein each foot-end corner pocket has a depth of between 5 and 15 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises opposing integrally formed head-end corner pockets adapted to receive respective corners of the bed structure at its head end. 
     
     
         9 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 8 , wherein each head-end corner pocket has a depth of between 5 and 15 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The fitted bed skirt according to  claim 1 , wherein the side and end panels of said decorative fabric covering comprise elastic yarns. 
     
     
         11 . A bed structure, comprising:
 flat top and bottom surfaces, opposing vertical head and foot ends, and opposing vertical sides; and   a bed skirt applied to said bed structure, and comprising:   (i) a decorative fabric covering comprising first and second side panels and an end panel formed with said side panels, said side and end panels cooperating to cover the vertical sides and vertical foot end of said bed structure, and defining a generally U-shaped form when applied to said bed structure; and   (ii) an elastic end strap joining said first and second side panels together, and extending horizontally along the vertical head end of said bed structure.   
     
     
         12 . The bed structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises a continuous elastic flange sewn along opposing edges of said side panels and said end panel. 
     
     
         13 . The bed structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said elastic end strap has a width dimension less than a height of the vertical head end of said bed structure, such that no portion of said end strap extends across the top or bottom surfaces of said bed structure. 
     
     
         14 . The bed structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said decorative fabric covering extends across less than 40% of the top surface of the bed structure. 
     
     
         15 . The bed structure according to  claim 14 , wherein said decorative fabric covering extends across less than 40% of the bottom surface of the bed structure. 
     
     
         16 . The bed structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises opposing integrally formed foot-end corner pockets receiving respective corners of the bed structure at its foot end. 
     
     
         17 . The bed structure according to  claim 16 , wherein each foot-end corner pocket has a depth of between 5 and 15 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The bed structure according to  claim 11 , wherein said decorative fabric covering further comprises opposing integrally formed head-end corner pockets receiving respective corners of the bed structure at its head end. 
     
     
         19 . The bed structure according to  claim 18 , wherein each head-end corner pocket has a depth of between 5 and 15 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The bed structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the side and end panels of said decorative fabric covering comprise elastic yarns.