U.S. patent application number 09/732146 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for user embracing body and mattress cover.
Invention is credited to Fuentes, Dinah, Garcia, Gladys.
Application Number | 20010032357 09/732146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26865780 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fuentes, Dinah ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
User embracing body and mattress cover
Abstract
A body cover for a bed mattress includes a sheet of flexible
material having a sheet upper surface and a sheet longitudinal
axis, dividing the sheet into two lateral regions; two lateral
edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each
lateral edge extending adjacent to one of the sheet lateral
regions; a head region at a first end of the sheet and a head edge
adjacent to the head region; a foot region at a second end of the
sheet and a foot edge adjacent to the foot region; and an arm
portion extending laterally from one of the lateral regions beyond
the adjacent the lateral edge; so that the body cover creates a
visual impression of a represented individual. The arm portion edge
preferably is shaped and preferably is marked on both side of the
sheets to resemble the configuration of an appendage of the
represented individual.
Inventors: |
Fuentes, Dinah; (Miami,
FL) ; Garcia, Gladys; (Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert J. Van Der Wall
First Union Financial Center
Suite 5100
200 South Biscayne Boulevard
Miami
FL
33131-2310
US
|
Family ID: |
26865780 |
Appl. No.: |
09/732146 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60170164 |
Dec 10, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/482 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/083 20130101;
A47G 9/02 20130101; A47C 31/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/482 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/00; A47C
031/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A body cover, comprising: a sheet of flexible material; a head
region at a first end of said sheet; a foot region at a second end
of said sheet; two lateral edges of the sheet substantially
parallel to each other and extending between the head and foot
regions; and arm portions extending laterally beyond the lateral
edges.
2. The body cover of claim 1, which further comprises indicia to
create a visual impression of a represented individual.
3. The body cover of claim 2, wherein each lateral edge is
configured to represent a lateral contour of the represented
individual.
4. The body cover of claim 2, wherein each arm portion has an arm
portion edge shaped to resemble a configuration of an appendage of
the represented individual.
5. The body cover of claim 2, wherein at least one arm portion
further comprises indicia that resembles the configuration of an
appendage of the represented individual.
6. The body cover of claim 1, wherein the arm portions further
comprise fastener means for releasibly joining the arm portions
together when the arm portions wrap around a user body.
7. The body cover of claim 1, wherein the sheet of flexible
material further comprises a cushion extending substantially the
length and width of the sheet; such that the cover defines and
functions as a sleeping bag.
8. The body cover of claim 1, additionally comprising: a pillow
removably secured relative to an upper surface of the sheet at the
head region.
9. The body cover of claim 1, additionally comprising a pillow
pocket secured to the sheet and a pillow contained within the
pillow pocket.
10. The body cover of claim 9, wherein the pillow is removably
contained within the pillow pocket.
11. The body cover of claim 8, wherein the pillow comprises a
representation of a head of a represented individual.
12. The body cover of claim 9, wherein the pillow pocket comprises
a representation of a head of a represented individual.
13. The body cover of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the
sheet comprises a representation of a head of a represented
individual.
14. The body cover of claim 13, wherein the representation of the
head of the represented individual further comprises pigments on an
upper surface of the sheet.
15. The body cover of claim 2 in which different indicia may be on
either side of the sheet.
16. The body cover of claim 15 in which the sheet is
reversible.
17. The body cover of claim 11, wherein the pillow is rounded to
resemble a shape of the head of the represented individual.
18. The body cover of claim 12, wherein the pillow is rounded to
resemble the shape of the head of the represented individual.
19. A method of using a body cover having a sheet of flexible
material with a head region at a first end of the sheet and a foot
region at a second end of the sheet, having two lateral edges of
the sheet substantially parallel to each other and extending
between the head and foot regions, and with arm portions extending
laterally beyond the lateral edges, comprising the steps of: a user
lying on top of the sheet of flexible material placing the user's
head and feet respectively on the head and foot regions; and
wrapping at least one of the arm portions over the top of and
around the user's body.
20. The method of claim 20 comprising the additional step of:
securing one arm portion to the other arm portion with arm portion
fastening means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
sleeping equipment including beds, sleeping bags, sheets, blankets
and comforters. More specifically the present invention relates to
a body cover including a sheet of flexible material having a
longitudinal axis along which the user reclines and two lateral
edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each
lateral edge extending adjacent to a sheet lateral region, a head
edge adjacent to a sheet head region and a foot edge adjacent to a
sheet foot region. Each lateral region includes an arm portion
extending laterally from or adjacent to its lateral edge, each arm
portion having a remote end. The arm portions are shaped or marked
to resemble arms or legs of a represented individual such as a
person or an animal, or a cartoon character and are wrapped over
the top of and around the user, creating the sense in the user of
being embraced by the represented individual. The arm portion
remote ends preferably include fastener means such as hook and loop
fasteners which removably join the arm portions together to hold
them engaged around the user. The lateral edges are either folded
down around and underneath the edges of a mattress on which the
cover may rest, or remain loose so that the lateral regions
together with the arm portions are wrapped over the top of the
user. Alternatively the sheet is a cushion or pad so that the cover
functions as a sleeping bag. The head region preferably includes a
pillow removably secured to the upper surface.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There have long been covers such as sheets and blankets for
placing the body of a person resting in a bed, and sleeping bags
for supporting and covering a person reclining on a surface other
than a bed. These covers have served to retain body heat and
prevent exposure, and some have been decorated with ornamental
patterns and cartoon images. Yet the designs of these covers have
fallen short of creating the sense and illusion of actually being
embraced by a character represented on the decorated surface, and
thus providing a warm response and a sense of security,
particularly in children.
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
body cover which includes a representation of a living or
hypothetical individual, such as a person in the form of a movie
star, an animal or a cartoon character, having lateral appendages
configured to resemble the arms of the individual for wrapping
around a person reclining on the cover to create the sense and
illusion of being embraced by the represented individual.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a cover which includes fastening means on the lateral
appendages to hold them in place as they embrace the person.
[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide such a cover which includes a pillow fixed against
substantial movement relative to the cover and thus against
substantial movement relative to the embraced user, so that the
pillow does not cover the face of an infant user and diminishes the
likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the pillow
including a representation of a represented individual's head.
[0008] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a cover which keeps a child covered throughout the
night, provides an easy transition for the child from sleeping in a
crib to sleeping in a bed, which prevents a child from falling off
a bunk bed or baby change table, which comforts a child afraid of
the dark or of being alone, and for which the pillow stays on the
bed.
[0009] It is a still additional object of the present invention to
provide such a cover which can take the form of a blanket, a quilt,
a comforter, a bedsheet, linens, a towel or a fur cover, which can
be designed to fit any size bed, bunk bed, crib, baby change table,
baby bassinet, or sleeping bag.
[0010] It is finally an object of the present invention to provide
such a cover which is comfortable and economical to
manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention accomplishes the above-stated
objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair
reading and interpretation of the entire specification.
[0012] A body cover is provided, including a sheet of flexible
material having a sheet upper surface and a sheet longitudinal
axis, dividing the sheet into two lateral regions; two lateral
edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each
lateral edge extending adjacent to one of the sheet lateral
regions; a head region at a first end of the sheet and a head edge
adjacent to the head region; a foot region at a second end of the
sheet and a foot edge adjacent to the foot region; and an arm
portion extending laterally from one of the lateral regions beyond
the adjacent the lateral edge; so that the body cover creates a
visual impression of a represented individual.
[0013] The arm portion of the body cover preferably is connected to
and extends from a lateral edge of the at least one lateral region.
Each of the lateral edges preferably is configured to represent the
lateral contour of the represented individual. The arm portion has
an arm portion edge and the arm portion edge preferably is shaped
and preferably is marked to resemble the configuration of an
appendage of the represented individual on both sides of said arm
portions.
[0014] The body cover preferably includes two of the arm portions,
one of the arm portions extending from each of the lateral edges,
which are removable and re-attachable from the lateral edges of the
sheet with hook and loop fasteners, and one of the arm portions
preferably extends laterally from and beyond each of the lateral
regions and the arm portions preferably include a fastener for
releasibly joining the arm portions together while the arm portions
wrap around a user body.
[0015] The sheet of flexible material optionally includes a cushion
extending substantially the length and width of the sheet; so that
the cover defines and functions as a sleeping bag. The body cover
preferably additionally includes a pillow removably secured
relative to the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material.
The pillow optionally is removably secured to the upper surface of
the sheet of flexible material at the head region. In this
instance, the pillow preferably includes a representation of the
head of the represented individual. The body cover preferably
additionally includes a pillow pocket secured to the upper surface
of the sheet of flexible material and a pillow contained within the
pillow pocket. The pillow pocket preferably is secured to the upper
surface of the sheet of flexible material at the head region. The
pillow preferably is removably contained within the pillow pocket.
In this instance the pillow pocket preferably includes a
representation of the head of the represented individual.
Alternatively, the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material
includes a representation of the head of the represented
individual. In all of these instances, the representation of the
head of the represented individual optionally includes pigments on
the upper surface of the flexible sheet. In all of these instances,
the pillow preferably is rounded to resemble the shape of the head
of the represented individual on both sides of said pillow.
[0016] A method is provided of using the body cover described
above, including the steps of the user lying on top of the sheet of
flexible material substantially along the longitudinal axis of the
sheet, and placing the user head on the head region; and wrapping
at least one of the arm portions over the top of and around the
user body. The method preferably includes the additional step of
securing one said arm portion to the other arm portion with the arm
portion fastener.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Various other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following discussion taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the
inventive cover, showing hook and loop arm fastener patches at
portion ends for removably holding the arms wrapped around a
child.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view of another embodiment of the cover in the
form of a fitted sheet, shown fitted over a mattress, and having
the hook and loop arm fastener patches of FIG. 1 and having the
optional character foot markings at the foot end of the cover.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a view as in FIG. 2, with the arm portion free
ends disconnected from each other and spread outwardly to the sides
of the mattress.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view of a bird embodiment of the inventive
cover, where the arm portions take the equivalent form of bird's
wings.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the cover, for
which the side regions are removed at the head region so that the
head is not covered by the cover when the cover is wrapped around
the child.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 5, shown wrapped
such as to embrace a child, with the arm portion fasteners engaged,
and showing how the head region remains uncovered.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of the cover as in FIG. 5, but
containing padding to function as a sleeping bag.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover
having the character face representation marked on the pillow.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover
showing the optional pillow pocket and pillow.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover,
having a character face representation marked in place of a
pillow.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 5, showing arm portions, head
portion and pillow which are removable and re-attachable with hook
and loop fasteners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0030] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like
characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the
various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.
First Preferred Embodiment
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a body cover 10 is disclosed
including a sheet 12 of flexible material having a longitudinal
axis L along and onto which the user reclines and two lateral edges
36 and 38 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L,
each lateral edge 36 or 38 extending adjacent to a sheet lateral
region 26 or 28, a head edge 32 adjacent to a sheet head region 22
and a sheet foot edge 34 adjacent to a sheet foot region 24.
[0032] Each lateral region 26 and 28 includes an arm portion 46 and
48 extending laterally from its respective lateral edge 36 or 38
and being either removably or permanently connected to the lateral
edge or to the upper or lower surface of the corresponding lateral
region 26 or 28 adjacent to the lateral edge. If arm portions 46
and 48 are to be connected removably to the lateral regions 26 and
28, hook and loop fastener patches 54 preferably are secured to the
arm portions and lateral region upper or lower surfaces, as shown
in FIG. 11; and if arm portions 46 and 48 are connected
permanently, conventional sewn connections preferably are used. Arm
portions 46 and 48 are shaped or marked to resemble arms or legs of
a living or imaginary represented individual such as a person, an
animal or a cartoon character, and are wrapped over the top of and
around the reclining user, creating a sense in the user of being
embraced by the represented individual. Arm portions 46 and 48 may
be narrow or may be wide, defining flaps, or where the represented
individual is a bird, arm portions 46 and 48 may be shaped or
marked to define wings on both sides of said arm portions. See FIG.
4. The term "arm portions" will, for purposes of this application,
be understood to include all of these configurations, including
wings. Lateral edges 36 and 38 are optionally configured to match
the side contours of the represented individual, so that the open
cover 10 defines an approximate silhouette of the represented
individual. Arm portions 46 and 48 include arm remote ends 46a and
46b, respectively, having mating fastening means 60 such as
corresponding hook and loop fastener patches or snap fastener
halves which removably join the free ends of arm portions 46 and 48
together to hold them releasibly engaged around the user. Lateral
regions 26 and 28 are either folded down, around the sides of and
underneath a mattress M on which the cover 10 and user rest.
Alternatively, lateral regions 26 and 28 remain loose so that
regions 26 and 28 as well as arm portions 46 or 48 are wrapped over
the top of the reclined user. See FIGS. 5 and 6. Sheet 12 may
contain a cushion 52 so that cover 10 functions as a sleeping bag
50. See FIG. 7. So that lateral regions 26 and 28 do not wrap over
the face of the user, for these versions sheet head region 22 is
cut to be narrower than the remainder of sheet 12, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIG. 7. Head region 22 also is optionally
separable for providing a choice of various different represented
individual face images and head region 22 outer edge shapes. The
head region is removably attached with fastener means, such as hook
and loop fastener patches as arm regions 26 and 28 optionally are.
The head region 22 preferably includes a pillow 62 removably
secured to the sheet 12 upper surface such as with hook and loop
fasteners. See FIGS. 1-8. The pillow 62 preferably has the shape
and painted or embroidered features of a head and face of the
represented individual, defining a face representation 68. A foot
or paw representation 72 may be sewn or otherwise added to the
sheet foot region 24, and hand or paw representations 74 may be
sewn or otherwise added to arm portions 46 and 48. See FIGS. 2 and
3. Alternatively, a pillow case-sized and shaped pocket 64 is sewn
to the sheet 12 upper surface at the head region 22 for receiving,
preferably removably, and retaining an unadorned pillow 66. See
FIG. 9. In this latter instance, pocket 64 preferably has the shape
and painted or embroidered features of the head and representation
68 of the face of the represented individual. The inserted pillow
62 may be a generally conventional round pillow, sized to fit
snugly into pocket 64 to fill out pocket 64 to take the general
shape of the head of the represented individual. Still
alternatively, the pillow 62 includes the painted or embroidered
pigments simulating the head and producing the face representation
68, and pocket 64 is transparent. Whether pillow 62 itself, or
pillow pocket 64, is styled to represent the head of the
represented individual, the pillow 62 or pocket 64 serves the dual
purpose of comfortably supporting the head of the user and of
creating the sense of being embraced head to head by the
represented individual. A lower cost variation of cover 10 omits
the pillow 62 or 66 and replaces it with a painted or embroidered
representation 68 of a face on the head region 22 upper surface.
See FIG. 10.
[0033] It is contemplated that markings on the cover suggesting a
represented individual are optionally printed on both faces of the
sheet 12, so that the same or a different represented individual is
displayed simply by inverting the cover 10. For this variation, it
is preferred that the pillow 62 or 66 be removable and attachable
to the upturned face of the sheet head region 22 with hook and loop
fasteners, as above described. It is noted generally that the
several above-described embodiments might rest on a bed, a chair,
the floor, or the ground.
Method
[0034] In practicing the invention, the following method may be
used. The user lies on top of the cover 10, generally along the
longitudinal axis L of cover 10 with the user head at head region
22. Then the reclined user wraps at least one and preferably both
of the arm portions 46 and 48 over the top of the user and
preferably secures the arm portion 46 or 48 to the other arm
portion 48 or 46 with fastening means 60. Optionally, where lateral
regions 26 and 28 are not anchored underneath a mattress, the
lateral regions 26 and 28 as well as the attached arm portions 46
and 48 are wrapped over the top of the reclined user, embracing and
enclosing the user generally in the manner of a cocoon.
[0035] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or
modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may
be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims
here appended.
* * * * *