Expandable fitted bed sheet

Abstract

An expandable fitted bed sheet for fitting with mattresses of different sizes. In example embodiments, the expandable fitted bed sheet is reconfigurable between an unzipped or enlarged configuration for fitting with a first mattress comprising a first mattress size and a zipped or reduced configuration for fitting with a second mattress comprising a second mattress size. At least one closure feature is provided for providing adjustability to the fitted bed sheet between the enlarged configuration and the reduced configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable fitted bed sheet, comprising:
 at least one side panel and at least one end panel,   wherein at least one end of the at least one end panel is coupled to an end of the at least one side panel forming a corner edge,   wherein at least one closure feature is provided adjacent the corner edge, and   wherein the fitted bed sheet is reconfigurable between a first, enlarged configuration with the at least one closure feature substantially disengaged and a second, reduced configuration with the at least one closure feature substantially engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one closure feature is a zipper. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one closure feature is a hook and loop material, buttons, clasps, or clips. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one closure feature comprises a first set of engagement elements and a second set of engagement elements. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one closure feature is configured to provide adjustment in at least two dimensions between the first, enlarged and second, reduced configurations. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 5 , wherein, in the first, enlarged configuration, the first set of engagement elements is positioned angularly relative to the corner edge in a first direction and the second set of engagement elements is positioned angularly relative to the corner edge in a second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second sets of engagement elements are positioned angularly about 5-15 degrees relative to the corner edge. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one closure feature is configured to provide adjustment in one dimension between the first, enlarged and second, reduced configurations. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 8 , wherein, in the first, enlarged configuration, the first set of engagement elements is positioned angularly relative to the corner edge and the second set of engagement elements is positioned along the corner edge. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable fitted bed sheet of  claim 9 , wherein the first set of engagement elements is positioned angularly about 5-15 degrees relative to second set of engagement elements. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable fitted bed sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fitted bed sheet is configured to snuggly fit a first mattress having a first size in the first, enlarged configuration, and wherein the fitted bed sheet is configured to snuggly fit a second mattress having a second size smaller than the first size in the second, reduced configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable fitted bed sheet of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic member attached to at least one of the at least one side panel or at least one end panel. 
     
     
         13 . A fitted bed sheet having a length and a width, the fitted bed sheet comprising a pair of opposing side panels joined to a pair of opposing end panels defining four corner portions, one or more of the corner portions comprising at least one closure feature configured to permit expansion or retraction of the fitted bed sheet in the length, width, or both. 
     
     
         14 . A fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the fitted bed sheet comprises at least one pair of closure features configured so as to provide between about 1-8 inches in adjustment to the width. 
     
     
         15 . A fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the fitted bed sheet comprises at least one pair of closure features configured so as to provide between about 1-6 inches in adjustment to the length. 
     
     
         16 . The fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one closure feature comprises a zipper, hook-and-loop material, buttons, clasps, or clips. 
     
     
         17 . The fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the fitted bed sheet is reconfigurable between a reduced configuration for fitting a second mattress comprising a second mattress size and an enlarged configuration for fitting a first mattress comprising a first mattress size. 
     
     
         18 . The fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more elastic cords or members, the one or more elastic cords or members extending around the side and end panels. 
     
     
         19 . The fitted bed sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one closure feature comprises a pair of cooperative engagement elements angularly arranged relative to one another.