Method and device for securing a flexible covering

A bed sheet attachment device for holding a generally rectangular bed sheet in place over a waterbed including a fluid-filled mattress supported on a bed frame having upstanding frame members surrounding at least a portion of the mattress;

• said attachment comprising:
• a manually actuated cord adapted to be pulled by a user of said device;
• a retaining member secured to an end of said cord of fitting beneath the bed sheet generally at the corner thereof;
• a cord gripping subassembly for receiving the cord from said retaining member in a gripping relation, said cord gripping subassembly receiving the cord and including force applying means for applying a predetermined gripping force against said cord, said force applying means releasing said cord upon a predetermined high tensional force exerted against said cord from said retaining member;
• said cord between said retaining member and said cord gripping subassembly being looped about said retaining member and said bed sheet over said retaining member thereby to secure said bed sheet to said retaining member;
• and
• means to anchor said cord gripping subassembly to a frame member of said bed frame comprising a bracket secured to said frame member, said cord gripping subassembly being releasably connected to said bracket.

A method for releasably securing a flexible covering over an area defined by a relatively fixed outer supporting frame;

• said method comprising the following steps:
• providing a cord with a retaining member on one end thereof and the other end free;
• forming a loop in said cord;
• placing the retaining member under the flexible covering;
• placing the loop over the retaining member and flexible covering;
• then pulling the free end of the cord after the loop is placed over the retaining member for tightening of the loop beneath the retaining member for securing the flexible covering;
• providing anchoring means on said supporting frame to secure the free end of said cord and
• releasably securing the cord to the anchor means.

A method for releasably securing a flexible covering over a member within a supporting frame;

• said method comprising the following steps;
• providing a cord with a retaining member on one end thereof and the other end free;
• providing a cord gripping assembly for forming a loop in said cord with the cord gripping assembly including force applying means receiving a length of said cord forming the loop;
• placing the retaining member under the flexible covering;
• placing the loop over the retaining member and flexible covering;
• pulling the free end of the cord after the loop is placed over the retainer for tightening of the covering and loop on the retaining member with the force applying means applying a predetermined gripping force against said cord;
• providing an anchor on said supporting frame to secure the free end of said cord extending from said cord gripping assembly;
• and
• releasably securing said cord gripping assembly and cord to said anchor.