U.S. patent application number 09/812995 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for thematic furniture covers with recreational sleep enhancing accessories.
Invention is credited to Koenig, Eric.
Application Number | 20020020019 09/812995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46277425 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020020019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koenig, Eric |
February 21, 2002 |
Thematic furniture covers with recreational sleep enhancing
accessories
Abstract
Dual purpose plush, three dimensional images in bed coverings,
such as blankets or comforters are used as both a sleep enhancer
toy and bed cover. The combined plush bed covering may include one
or more openable pouches with pop-up movable recreational images,
such as landscape trees, buildings, dolls or puppets, inserted
therein. The plush toy recreational members and storybooks help a
young child fall asleep comfortably. The comforter or blanket is
already stuffed with soft supportive material, or it may be a
hollow cover case, to be stuffed by material for the conventional
blanket or comforter.
Inventors: |
Koenig, Eric; (Huntington,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALFRED M. WALKER
225 OLD COUNTRY ROAD
MELVILLE
NY
11747
US
|
Family ID: |
46277425 |
Appl. No.: |
09/812995 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09812995 |
Mar 20, 2001 |
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09252547 |
Feb 19, 1999 |
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60075136 |
Feb 19, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47G 9/0253 20130101; A47G 9/0207 20130101; A47G 9/0261
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47C 020/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover used as both a
sleep enhancer toy and bed cover comprising: a soft, substantially
flat fabric member; said soft, substantially flat fabric member
having at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory.
2. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 1
wherein said sleeping cover further comprises at least one openable
pouch having said at least one interactive recreational sleep
enhancing accessory therein.
3. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises at least one pop-up movable recreational image
member inserted therein.
4. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises at least one storybook inserted therein.
5. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 1
wherein said sleeping cover is a fabric blanket.
6. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 1
wherein said sleeping cover is a comforter stuffed with soft
supportive material.
7. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 1
wherein said sleeping cover is a hollow cover case, stuffable with
soft supportive material.
8. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 3
wherein said at least one pop-up movable recreational image member
is pivotable to an upright position upon release of a holding tab,
wherein further when said pop-up movable recreational image member
is kept within said pouch in an unpivoted position of non-use, the
profile of said plush bed covering is substantially flat.
9. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 1
wherein said bed cover is adorned with graphics of a game.
10. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said bed cover includes a landscape scene made of
depressible foam.
11. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said bed cover includes an animal figurine made of
depressible foam.
12. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 4
wherein said storybook is soft.
13. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 8
wherein said at least one pop-up recreational image member is a
puppet stage set erected by spring action of release of said
compressible foam material of said at least one pop-up recreational
image member.
14. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises a sleeve member having an open proximal end for
insertion of an hand and a closed distal end provided with a
puppet.
15. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises a plush character toy pillow headrest.
16. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises an auxiliary animated toy with a motor to move
parts thereof.
17. The dual purpose plush, furniture sleeping cover as in claim 2
wherein said at least one interactive recreational sleep enhancing
accessory comprises an audio component to play back recorded audio
segments.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending
application Ser. No. 09/252,547, filed Feb. 19, 1999, which
application was based upon provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/075,136, filed Feb. 19, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to furniture covers, such as
bed comforters or blankets with plush, toy three dimensional
decorations and their use as a sleep enhancer and interactive toy
with movable recreational members, such as story books, landscape
images, game pieces or puppets, inserted therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is desirable to use toy character dolls and storybooks to
help a young child fall asleep comfortably. Bed coverings, such as
blankets or comforters, are often covered with two dimensional
graphic designs.
[0004] The background art does include plush toy characters, such
as teddy bears, which sometimes also function as headrest pillows.
For example, Oriental Trading Company of Omaha, Nebr., in its 1998
Easter Catalog #154A describes a product entitled BEDTIME BUDDIES
which are hollow pillow cases with an animal character head and
animal limbs attached at peripheral edges thereof. Conventional
pillows are inserted within the pillow cases to fill out the hollow
pillow cases and then simulate a three dimensional animal doll
which also functions as a headrest pillow. Auxiliary puppets are
removable attachable to an exterior portion of one of the limbs by
VELCRO.cndot. or other attachments. However, the BEDTIME BUDDIES
are pillowcases, not orthopedically correct headrests themselves,
nor are they character dolls having pivotable members therein, such
as pivotable headrest pillows and/or pivotable soft puppet theater
showcases therein.
[0005] Among background art patents includes U.S. Pat. No.
5,509,157 of Story for a pillow case with animal or character
appendages, such as similar to the above noted BEDTIME BUDDIES
pillow case dolls.
[0006] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,934 of Bachnick describes a
bed spread with an attached animal head in one corner thereof. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,115,528 of Lamle discloses a head rest pillow with an
integral outer cover which turns inside out to reveal padding in
animal shaped paddings. When in use as a headrest pillow, the
animal shaped paddings are folded inside the integral outer
cover.
[0007] Another transformable pillow is noted in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,763,369 and 4,670,924, both of Spector, which each includes a
conventional pillow having the head and body of an animal character
superimposed thereon, wherein removable drawstrings are provided to
constrict the pillow below the head portion to simulate a neck
thereat, and below a waist portion to simulate a hip portion
thereat.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,457 of Sweet describes a pillow having
semi-circular limbs extending therefrom, which, together with a
character face superimposed upon the pillow itself, form a
character doll against which a user, such as a child, may rest.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,656 of Godinet describes a bed and
mattress formed of a plurality of puzzle like intersecting pillows
portions in the shape of animals, wherein the animals can be
separately removed to act as plaything toys.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,117 of Bridges discloses a pillow with a
loose pouch for partial insertion of the head of a user therein to
reduce light to the eyes and to increase warmth to the sinus area,
for therapeutic enhancement of sleep.
[0011] U.S. design Pat. No. D256,414 of Rich describes an
ornamental stuffed pillow with a horse head attached thereto and
U.S. design Pat. No. D341,979 of Peters describes a combined
blanket with attached pillow portion and pouch attached
thereto.
[0012] Other related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,507 of
Cruz for a tooth fairy kit which includes a pillowcase with a
sewn-in pouch for insertion of a tooth and reward therein, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,054,204 of Keeton for a method of making a compressed
foam article, such as a character doll or pillow, U.S. Pat. No.
4,788,916 of Saxton for a food tray for a bed ridden person wherein
the tray is supported beneath by a pillow, U.S. design Pat. No.
D329,566 of Davidson for a grid shaped pillow, and U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,537,703 and D364,986 both of Launder for an orthopedically
correct pillow with a depressed head support portion and a
plurality of compressible fins underneath.
[0013] Furthermore, some storybooks for young children are made of
fabric, so that they will be cuddly and soft when held by a young
child. However, these fabric based storybooks are not provided as
part of a bed covering, such as a blanket or comforter, as part of
a plush toy, nor do they have hidden toys within pouches, so that a
young child can interactively bring hidden images up from the bed
covering, in three dimensional images, and then interactively used
with bedtime stories at an appropriate time.
[0014] However, none of the background art publications or patents
describe a bed covering with soft anthropomorphic or landscape
objects which pop up from the blanket or comforter.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to use soft
landscape and fanciful images and storybooks with a blanket or
comforter to help a young child fall asleep comfortably.
[0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
blankets or comforters with plush toy characters or landscape
images such as castles or trees.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a soft game surface upon a bed covering.
[0018] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a storybook for young children which are cuddly and soft
when held by a young child, and which can be stored within pockets
in a bed covering.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a storybook or puppet theater hidden within a pouch of a bed
covering, so that a young child can learn that important objects
can be temporarily stored and put away after use, and then
retrieved at a later appropriate time.
[0020] It is yet another embodiment to improve over the
disadvantages of the background art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In keeping with these objects and others which may become
apparent, the present invention relates to dual purpose plush,
three dimensional images in bed coverings, such as blankets or
comforters which are used as both a sleep enhancer toy and bed
cover. Preferably, the combined plush bed covering includes one or
more openable pouches with pop-up movable recreational images, such
as landscape trees, buildings, dolls or puppets, inserted therein.
The plush toy recreational members and storybooks help a young
child fall asleep comfortably.
[0022] The comforter or blanket is already stuffed with soft
supportive material, or it may be a hollow cover case, to be
stuffed by material for the conventional blanket or comforter.
[0023] In one optional embodiment, the plush pop-up images member
can be pivoted to an upright position upon release of a holding tab
so that when the image member is kept within the pouch in an
unpivoted position of non-use, the posture of the plush bed
covering is substantially flat for a reclining child, or for a
child in a prone position.
[0024] The bed covering may be adorned with the graphics of a game,
such as checkers or another board game.
[0025] Optionally, the plush bed covering may also be provided with
an entire landscape scene, such as with animals, trees and building
made of depressible foam to be used as a visual set conforming to a
story in one of the books used with the bed covering. The animal
may optionally function as visual image to concentrate looking at,
for the child in its habits of falling asleep comfortably.
[0026] The plush bed coverings of the present invention, such are
designed wherein the pivotable image members or landscape scenes
are provided within one surface portions of the plush bed covering,
so that when pivoted outward and down they remain substantially
parallel to and flush with the soft outer surface of the bed
covering. These soft landscape or animal image members can be
grasped by the hands of a child, at bed time for comfort and
security.
[0027] The pop-up images and storybooks for young children are
preferably cuddly and soft when held by a young child.
[0028] The pop-up images may be provided within hollow pockets
along an outer surface of the bed covering, so that after the
pocket is opened, a three dimensional image member, such as a stage
set with a pop up type landscape or fantasy scene is erected by
spring action of release of the compressible foam material of the
three dimensional member. Optionally, the child can insert his or
her hand within an open proximal end of an attached sleeve portion,
wherein at a distal end thereof there are provided a puppet
portion. Optionally, the puppet stage may be removable from the bed
covering.
[0029] The plush bed covering is preferably made of a soft cuddly
fabric, with a soft interior such as quilt stuffing, down or foam.
On its outside the exterior of the animal may include a soft
artificial fur or felt type fabric exterior, with optional
exaggerated anthropomorphic features, such as faces, eyes or a
smiling mouth.
[0030] Optionally, the dual purpose plush character toy pillow
headrest may be attached to an auxiliary animated toy with a motor
to move parts thereof, or to an audio component to play back
recorded audio segments, such as portions of an appropriate
story.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The present invention can best be understood in connection
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the elements of the sleep
enhancement system, shown in a child's bedroom;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the elements of the sleep
enhancement system shown in kit form, shown adjacent a
storage/retail container;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top surface of the
comforter of FIG. 1, wherein a topographical print and interactive
flaps and pocket are shown;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reverse surface of the
comforter of FIG. 3, wherein a game card is shown adjacent a fabric
frame;
[0036] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a first embodiment
comforter flap in a closed position;
[0037] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the flap in FIG. 5a, shown
in the open position and supporting a softly padded fabric toy;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment flap
in the open position, shown with a plush, stuffed toy;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
plush puppet, shown permanently attached to the top surface of the
comforter;
[0040] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the comforter of FIG. 1,
shown during insertion into a modifying sleeve;
[0041] FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a plurality of modifying
sleeves, shown in kit form adjacent a storage/retail container;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the comforter of FIG. 1 with
a child lying thereon, illustrating an alternate interactive use
for said comforter;
[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the comforter of FIG. 1,
wherein an alternate topographical print element and interactive
puzzle toy are shown;
[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the toy of FIG. 10, wherein
the foam puzzle pieces forming the toy are exploded apart;
[0045] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate toy, wherein
the stuffed puzzle pieces forming the toy are exploded apart;
[0046] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sleeve embodiment shown
adjacent a pillow, wherein the graphic element of the sleeve
includes provision for attachment of a padded toy; and,
[0047] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two sleeve embodiments of
FIG. 13, shown in an interactive setting on a child's
comforter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] This sleep enhancement system includes several interrelated
components, and some of these are shown in FIG. 1. For example,
child 1 is shown playing with small toy 2 which is to be stored in
a compartment of special comforter 3 which is filled with
conventional soft stuffing material. An adult 4 is shown reading a
soft fabric book 5 which is to be stored in another compartment of
comforter 3. A night table lamp 6 in the form of a three
dimensional character statue casts a beam of light toward the
ceiling which reflects soft illumination on the bedtime scene.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a storage/retail container 10 with bold
illustrations on its outer surface. It has several form-fitting
compartments within to contain the various sleep enhancement
components. Comforter 3 when folded and rolled fits in the largest
compartment of container 10. Another compartment holds a box 12
which contains lamp 6; the "double box" feature protects this
fragile element. Box 16 fits into another compartment of storage
container 10; it is used for a variety of miscellaneous
accessories. Three resealable plastic bags, 13, 14 and 15, contain
landscape accessories 17, small toy FIGS. 2, and game pieces 19
respectively; these fit into yet another compartment of container
10. Game cards 11 fit into a narrow compartment adjacent to an
outer edge of storage container 10.
[0050] Comforter 3 has two active surfaces. FIG. 3 shows one of the
two surfaces facing up which has a topographical print and
interactive flaps 25. The underside 26 of one flap is shown
revealing a patch of loop material 27 that is part of a hook and
loop fastening system such as VELCRO.RTM.. In addition, pockets are
formed in the edge to store items such as fabric book 5.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows the reverse side of comforter 3 showing fabric
frame 28 sewn into the surface which accepts game cards 11 as slid
in through the open end. Game pieces 19 are used with game card
11.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, in a first embodiment of a flap
site on comforter 3, a flap 25 conceals a softly padded generally
flat fabric toy. This arrangement is shown in the closed position
in FIG. 5a with hidden fabric toy 31 shown in phantom view. FIG. 5b
shows flap 25 of FIG. 5a open. The underside 32 of this flap 25 is
shown with hook material 34 at its outer edge which mates with loop
material 35 attached to comforter 3 when closed. When opened by
rotating at hinge edge 36, flap 25 pulls fabric toy 31 into an
upright position as it rotates on it own hinge edge 37 by the
urging of flexible line 33 which is attached to the underside 32 of
flap 25.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a detail of an open flap site similar to that
shown in FIG. 3; this is an alternate embodiment of the flap sites.
Here, the underside 26 of flap 25 shows a patch of hook material
which mates with loop material patch 27 when closed. A plush
stuffed toy 40 with a hook material patch (not shown) on its
underside can be attached to comforter 3 by mating in a removable
fashion with loop material patch 27.
[0054] In yet another embodiment of a plush toy, FIG. 7 shows a
detail of a plush collapsible hollow hand puppet 45 permanently
attached to the surface of comforter 3. The forearm 46 of a child
operating the puppet is shown in phantom view under comforter 3.
This site on the comforter surface may also be covered with a flap
25.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, an accessory to the basic sleep
enhancement system, modifying sleeves of different designs, can be
separately purchased. These provide a surface of different artistic
design and/or interactive features. By slipping the basic comforter
within, the warming aspect need not be a feature of the sleeves,
hence each can be less expensive to manufacture than a basic
comforter. This system is illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b. A set of
four modifying sleeves 50, 51, 52 and 53 is shown with comforter 3
being inserted in sleeve 50. A storage/retail container 54 along
with sleeves 50-53 constitutes a modifying sleeve kit.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a child 1 kneeling on top of
comforter 3 and interacting with the various features of the sleep
enhancement system.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows a comforter 3 with an alternate topographical
print being used in a typical setting. Child 1 is shown playing
with foam puzzle 60 which is also part of the sleep enhancement
system of this invention.
[0058] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of puzzle 60 showing how the
various parts, mast 61, back 62, middle 63 and front 64, interlock
mechanically to form a toy boat by using mating cutouts, extensions
and holes. Obviously other toys such as trucks and cars can also be
designed to interlock in a similar fashion when formed of foam
pieces.
[0059] In an alternate design of a soft puzzle toy, FIG. 12 shows a
stuffed puzzle 70 wherein the pieces such as 71, 72, 73 and 74 are
held together in a removable sense by mating patches of hook and
loop material attached to the various pieces. Two such loop
material patches 75 are shown.
[0060] A special pillow sleeve 81 is shown in FIG. 13 next to
pillow 80. Besides graphics compatible with the rest of the sleep
enhancement system motif, sleeve 81 also has a strip of loop
material 83 to facilitate removable attachment of padded toys 82
having mating hook material (not shown) on their bottom
surface.
[0061] Sleeve 81 can serve as a pillow case when not in use, but
the interactive use by child 1 is illustrated in FIG. 14. Here two
such sleeves 81 are shown on comforter 3 with two different castles
85 and 86 as padded toys attached to the respective sleeves 81.
[0062] It is further noted that other modifications may be made to
the present invention, without departing from the scope of the
invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
* * * * *