U.S. patent application number 09/805539 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for pillow blanket.
Invention is credited to Deering, Bradley E., Deering, Diane L..
Application Number | 20020129445 09/805539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25191850 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020129445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deering, Diane L. ; et
al. |
September 19, 2002 |
Pillow blanket
Abstract
A pillow blanket comprises a blanket, foot pocket and a pair of
sleeves. The foot pocket is made of a pocket panel secured at the
side and bottom edges of the panel to the middle third portion of
the blanket and the bottom edge of the blanket. A pair of sleeves
is attached respectively to the perimeter of a pair of sleeve
apertures in the blanket. The sleeve apertures have an oblong shape
and oblique orientation. The blanket can be folded into the foot
pocket to form a symmetrical pillow.
Inventors: |
Deering, Diane L.; (Waconia,
MN) ; Deering, Bradley E.; (Waconia, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & HANSEN
2900 WELLS FARGO CENTER
90 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
25191850 |
Appl. No.: |
09/805539 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/482 ; 2/69;
5/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/066 20130101;
A47G 9/1045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/482 ; 5/485;
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pillow blanket for covering from neck to feet a user in an
upright position, said pillow blanket comprising: a substantially
rectangular blanket having a planar first surface and a planar
second surface, said blanket having two opposing first and second
side edges and two opposing top and bottom edges which are shorter
than said two opposing side edges, said blanket having a middle
third portion; and a foot pocket comprising a pocket panel having
two opposing first and second edges and two opposing top and bottom
edges, said pocket panel being connected to said blanket at said
first edge, second edge and bottom edge of said pocket panel, said
bottom edge of said pocket panel coinciding with both the middle
third portion of said blanket and the bottom edge of said blanket
for warming feet and for converting the blanket into a pillow.
2. The pillow blanket of claim 1 wherein said blanket has a first
rounded corner at the intersection of said bottom edge and said
first side edge of said blanket, and said blanket has a second
rounded corner at the intersection of said bottom edge and said
second side edge of said blanket for improving the ease of folding
said blanket into said foot pocket.
3. The pillow blanket of claim 1 wherein the width of said pocket
panel is approximately a third of the width of said blanket.
4. The pillow blanket of claim 3 wherein said pocket panel has a
square shape.
5. The pillow blanket of claim 1 further comprises a pair of
sleeves, said blanket defines a pair of sleeve apertures in the
half portion of said blanket adjacent to said top edge of said
blanket, each of said sleeve apertures has an oblong shape for
facilitating improved freedom of arm movement within said sleeve,
and each of said pair of sleeves includes a first end and a second
end, the first end of each sleeve is connected to the perimeter of
the respective sleeve aperture on said blanket.
6. The pillow blanket of claim 5 wherein said oblong shaped
aperture has an oblique orientation relative to a horizontal center
line to facilitate freedom of arm movement, the horizontal center
line is defined by a line that runs through said pair of sleeves
and is parallel to said top edge of said blanket.
7. The pillow blanket of claim 5 wherein said sleeve aperture has a
substantially vertical orientation relative to the horizontal
centerline.
8. The pillow blanket of claim 5 wherein said pair of sleeves each
includes an expandable cuff for accommodating a variety of sleeve
lengths and cuff widths.
9. The pillow blanket of claim 5 wherein said sleeve apertures are
spaced apart along said horizontal centerline at a predetermined
length so that said blanket lies flat across the chest of the
user.
10. The pillow blanket of claim 5 wherein said blanket has a neck
portion, said neck portion has a predetermined length between a
sleeve aperture and said top edge of said blanket so that said neck
portion covers the user's neck without the need of straps or other
fasteners.
11. A pillow blanket for covering from neck to feet a user in an
upright position, said pillow blanket comprises: a substantially
rectangular blanket has a planar first face and a planar second
face, said blanket has two opposing first and second side edges and
two opposing top and bottom edges which are shorter than said two
opposing side edges, said blanket has a middle third portion, said
blanket has a first rounded corner at the intersection of said
bottom edge and said first side edge of said blanket, and said
blanket has a second rounded corner at the intersection of said
bottom edge and said second side edge of said blanket for improving
the ease of folding said blanket into said foot pocket, said
blanket defines a pair of sleeve apertures in the half portion of
said blanket adjacent to said top edge of said blanket, each of
said apertures has an oblong shape for facilitating improved
freedom of arm movement, each of said sleeve apertures has an
oblique orientation relative to a horizontal center line to
facilitate freedom of arm movement, the horizontal center line is
defined by a line that runs through said pair of sleeve apertures
and is parallel to said top edge of said blanket, each of said
sleeve apertures are spaced apart along said horizontal centerline
at a predetermined length so that said blanket lies flat across the
chest of the user, and said blanket has a neck portion, said neck
portion has a predetermined length between one of said sleeve
apertures and said top edge of said blanket so that said neck
portion covers the user's neck without the need for fasteners; a
foot pocket comprises a pocket panel, said pocket panel has two
opposing first and second edges and two opposing top and bottom
edges, said pocket panel being connected to said blanket at said
first edge, second edge and bottom edge of said pocket panel, said
bottom edge of said pocket panel coinciding with both the middle
third portion of said blanket and the bottom edge of said blanket
for warming feet and for converting the blanket into a pillow, said
pocket panel has a square shape, and the width of said pocket panel
is approximately a third of the width of said blanket; and a pair
of sleeves, each of said pair of sleeves includes a first end and a
second end, the first end of each sleeve is connected to the
perimeter of the respective sleeve aperture on said blanket, and
the second end of each sleeve includes an expandable cuff for
accommodating a variety of sleeve lengths and cuff widths.
12. A method for converting a blanket into a pillow comprising the
steps of: providing a pillow blanket; positioning said pillow
blanket into an open position with the planar first face contacting
the ground and the pair of sleeves contacting the ground; folding
over the foot pocket onto the planar second face of the blanket;
folding the pillow blanket into three lengthwise portions with the
first side edge and the second side edge of the blanket placed over
the middle third portion of the blanket; tucking the first and
second rounded corners of the blanket into the foot pocket; folding
the first and second sleeves over the middle third portion of the
blanket; folding the blanket into lengths substantially similar to
the length of the foot pocket; and tucking the folded blanket into
the foot pocket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to blankets that can be
converted into a pillow without a stuff sack. More particularly,
this invention pertains to blankets used in a seated or standing
position that wraps from the anterior to the posterior of the
user.
[0002] A variety of blanket constructions for use in an upright
position evolved over many years. To keep a person warm while
sitting upright in a chair or wheel chair, it is known to provide
children with sleepers and also to provide sleeping bag-like
structures with sleeves attached. However the restrictions
presented by the use of a sleeper or bag would not work for a
wheelchair bound person. Also, it is known to provide a blanket
having one pocket permanently attached to one elongated edge of a
blanket for permitting the blanket to be folded, rolled and tucked
into the pocket to convert the blanket into a pillow as in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,987,667 to Haverly et al. Another example is U.S. Pat.
No. 5,245,717 to Rudy that provides a blanket with sleeves to
facilitate reading a book and a pocket attached to the blanket.
More commonly, a regular blanket is draped over the front side of
an elderly wheelchair patient's lap to warm lap and legs. However,
known blanket constructions have several drawbacks.
[0003] Traditional blankets require an extra article for storage,
the stuff sack itself, which can be inconvenient to find or use. A
blanket that can be folded into a pillow oftentimes looks sloppy,
asymmetrical and lumpy. Some blanket users in a wheelchair complain
of cold feet with a blanket that doesn't extend down far enough to
cover their feet or fails to remain covered. Other times the
blanket is too long and gets caught underneath the front wheels of
the wheelchair. Some stiff or immobile blanket users are forced to
depend upon and wait for support staff assistance to tuck the
blanket underneath the feet repeatedly. Many of the known blanket
constructions employ the full wrap-around design which is extremely
troublesome with wheelchair, bedridden, or incontinent users. Even
if a full wrap-around design is not used, hard to reach and to
manipulate straps, strings, and other connecting means are commonly
used and located on the upright user's back to keep the blanket
from falling forward or off that sitting or standing user.
[0004] A new blanket construction is needed to overcome those
disadvantages and to provide an easier way of putting on, keeping
on, and taking off a blanket, while providing more warmth
protection to the upright user's anterior and lateral sides, from
the user's neck down through the arms and legs to the feet.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide a
blanket construction for a variety of users engaged in a variety of
activities, including a hospital patient in a wheelchair
crocheting, a student in a dorm room studying, a driver in an
initially cold car traveling in winter, or a spectator seated at a
fall outdoor sporting event.
[0006] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blanket
that reduces exposed areas over a wheelchair patient's neck, arms
or feet.
[0007] A further objective is to provide a blanket that is easier
for another person, such as a hospital support staff member, to put
on and to take off an upright user.
[0008] An additional objective is to provide a blanket constructed
to be easier to put on and kept on by a stiff or impaired mobility
wearer.
[0009] A related objective of the invention is to provide a blanket
which is firmly held over and onto the user's arms during normal
work and play activities by the seated user without the need to tie
strings or use retaining clips, safety pins and the like.
[0010] A further objective of the invention is to provide a blanket
which is easily and neatly folded into a pillow, allowing the user
to create a symmetrical pillow for decoration or for use as a
headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray.
[0011] The pillow blanket is used for covering from neck to feet
the user in an upright position. The pillow blanket comprises a
blanket, foot pocket and pair of sleeves. The substantially
rectangular blanket has a planar first surface and a planar second
surface. The blanket also has two opposing first and second side
edges and two opposing top and bottom edges that are shorter than
the two opposing side edges. The blanket has a first rounded corner
at the intersection of the bottom edge and the first side edge of
the blanket. The blanket also has a second rounded corner at the
intersection of the bottom edge and the second side edge of the
blanket both for improving the result of folding the blanket into
the foot pocket.
[0012] The blanket defines a pair of sleeve apertures in the half
portion of the blanket adjacent to the top edge of the blanket.
Each of the sleeve apertures has an oblong shape for facilitating
freedom of arm movement within the sleeve. Each of the sleeve
apertures has an oblique orientation relative to a horizontal
centerline to facilitate arm movement. The horizontal centerline is
defined by a line that runs through the pair of sleeves and is
parallel to the top edge of the blanket. The first and second
sleeve apertures are spaced apart along the horizontal centerline
at a predetermined length so that the blanket lies flat across the
chest of the user. The blanket also has a neck portion. The neck
portion has predetermined length between each of the pair of
sleeves and the to edge of the blanket so that the neck portion
covers the user's neck without the need of fasteners.
[0013] The foot pocket comprises a pocket panel. The pocket panel
has two opposing first and second edges and two opposing top and
bottom edges. The pocket panel is connected to the blanket at the
first edge, second edge, and bottom edge of the pocket panel. The
bottom edge of the pocket panel coincides with both the middle
third portion of and the bottom edge of the blanket for warming
feet and for converting the blanket into a pillow. The width of the
pocket panel is approximately a third of the width of the
blanket.
[0014] A pair of first and second sleeves is connected to the
perimeter of the first and second apertures on the blanket. The
pair of first and second sleeves each includes an expandable first
and second cuff for accommodating a variety of sleeve lengths and
fist sizes.
[0015] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be readily understood by a reading of the following
description in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the
drawings wherein like reference numerals have been applied to
designate like elements throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the pillow blanket of the present invention in use on a
wheelchair;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear side elevational view of an embodiment of
the invention showing the foot pocket and open cuffs;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open pillow blanket,
viewed from the opposite side shown in FIG. 2, showing the starting
position in a process of folding the blanket into a pillow;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a step, subsequent to the step in FIG. 3, which
includes tucking the rounded corners into the pocket and folding
the blanket lengthwise into thirds;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a step, subsequent to the
step in FIG. 4, which includes folding the first and second sleeves
over the middle third portion of the blanket 12; and
[0021] FIG. 6 shows the last step of folding the blanket into four
equal sections and tucking the folded pillow blanket into the foot
pocket.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] With reference to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1 and
2, the pillow blanket 10 of the present invention, as opposed to a
mere blanket, is depicted as including a blanket 12, a foot pocket
18, and a pair of first and second sleeves 70, 72. The pillow
blanket invention is used for putting on, taking off, and keeping
on without fasteners, a covering from neck to feet of a user in an
upright position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
pillow blanket 10 is generally rectangular in shape and is made of
any suitable material such as fleece.
[0023] The substantially rectangular blanket 12 of the pillow
blanket 10 has a planar first face 20 and a planar second face 22.
The blanket 12 is defined by two opposing first and second side
edges 24, 26 and two opposing top and bottom edges 28, 30 which are
shorter than the two opposing side edges 24, 26. The blanket 12 can
be folded into three equal portions, the middle third portion 80 of
blanket 12 is coincident with the longitudinal centerline 36 as
best seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 2. The blanket 12 has a first rounded
corner 32 at the intersection of the bottom edge 30 and the first
side edge 24 of the blanket 12. The blanket 12 also has a second
rounded corner 34 at the intersection of the bottom edge 30 and the
second side edge 26 of the blanket 12 for improving the ease of
folding the blanket 12 into the foot pocket 18.
[0024] The blanket 12 also defines a pair of first and second
sleeve apertures 40, 50. The sleeve apertures 40, 50 are located in
the half portion of the blanket 12 adjacent to the top edge 28 of
the blanket 12. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of
the first and second sleeve apertures 40, 50 have an oblong shape
for facilitating improved freedom of arm movement within the
sleeve. The oblong shape of each of the sleeve apertures 40, 50 has
an oblique orientation relative to a horizontal centerline 38 to
accommodate a wider range of arm movement. The horizontal
centerline 38 defines a line that runs through the first sleeve
aperture 40 and second sleeve aperture 50, parallel to the top edge
28 of the said blanket 12 and perpendicular to the longitudinal
centerline 36.
[0025] The first and second sleeve apertures 70, 72 are spaced
apart along the horizontal centerline 38 at a predetermined length,
such as 2 feet, so that the blanket 12 lies flat across the chest
of the user. The blanket 12 also provides a neck portion 52. The
neck portion has a predetermined length, such as one foot, between
either the first or second sleeve apertures 40, 50 and the top edge
28 of the blanket 12 so that the neck portion 52 covers the users
neck without the need for fasteners.
[0026] The foot pocket 18 of the pillow blanket 10 comprises a
pocket panel 19. The pocket panel 19 has two opposing first and
second edges 62, 64 and two opposing top and bottom edges 68, 66 as
best seen in FIG. 2. The pocket panel 19 is connected to the
blanket 12 at the first edge 62, second edge 64 and bottom edge 66
of the pocket panel 19. The bottom edge 66 of the pocket panel 19
coincides with both the middle third portion 80 and the bottom edge
30 of the blanket 12 for warming feet and for converting the
blanket into a pillow. In the preferred embodiment of the invention
the pocket panel 19 has a square shape. Similarly, the width of the
pocket panel 19 would be approximately 1/3 of the width of the
blanket 12, the distance of top edge 28 of the blanket 12.
[0027] A pair of first and second sleeves 70,72 is also provided by
the pillow blanket 10. Each of the first and second sleeves 70 and
72 is connected to the perimeter of the respective first and second
sleeve apertures 40, 50 on the blanket 12. The first sleeve 70
includes and expandable first cuff 74 for accommodating a variety
of sleeve lengths and cuff widths. Similarly the second sleeve 72
includes an expandable cuff 76 for narrow or wide wrists, and
slender or swollen, arthritically knarled fists.
[0028] One working example for a preferred embodiment of the
present invention provides for a blanket 12 having a top edge 28 of
60 inches and a length of 72 inches. Along the elongated axis of
the first sleeve aperture 40 is a distance of 13 inches from the
top of first sleeve aperture 42 to the bottom of first sleeve
aperture 44,. The second sleeve aperture 50 has the same 13 inches
length but not necessarily the same orientation as the first sleeve
aperture 40. The first sleeve 70 has a length of 21 inches from the
first sleeve aperture to the outer most edge of the first cuff 74.
The diameter of the expandable first cuff 74 is 5 inches and the
length of the first cuff 74 is 2.5 inches. The spaced apart
distance of the chest portion 54 measured between the first sleeve
aperture 40 and the second sleeve aperture 50 is 24 inches. The
neck portion 52 of the blanket from the horizontal centerline 38 to
the top edge 28 of the blanket is 12 inches. The pocket panel 19 of
the foot pocket 18 has first and second edge 62, 64 distances of 18
inches. The top edge 68 and bottom edge 66 would also have distance
of 18 inches.
[0029] One preferred way of making the foot pocket 18 is to provide
a blanket 12 having a top edge 28 of 60 inches, a length of 72
inches, first and second rounded corners 32, 34 and an extended
flap in the outline of the pocket panel 19 with a height of 18
inches and a length of 18 inches. Next, fold the pocket panel 19
upwardly and stitch the pocket panel 19 to the blanket 12 at the
first edge 62 and the second edge 64 of the pocket panel 19. The
folded bottom edge 66 of the pocket panel 19 has a unitary
connection with the blanket 12; the top edge 68 of the pocket panel
19 is left unsecured for receiving the user's feet.
[0030] FIGS. 3 through 6 show a preferred method for converting a
blanket into a pillow comprising the following steps. First provide
a pillow blanket 10 as described above and as shown in FIG. 2.
Next, lay out the pillow blanket 10 with the planar first face 20
contacting the ground and the first and second sleeves 70, 72
contacting the ground and extending away from each of the sleeves
70, 72. As shown in FIG. 3, fold over the entire foot pocket 18
onto the planar second face 22 of the blanket 12. Then fold the
pillow blanket 10 into three lengthwise portions with the first
side edge 24 and second side edge 26 of the blanket 12 placed over
the middle third portion 80 of the blanket 12 as shown in FIG. 4.
Tuck the first rounded corner 32 and the second rounded corner 34
into the foot pocket 18. As shown in FIG. 5, fold the first and
second sleeves 70, 72 over the middle third portion 80 of the
blanket 12. As shown in FIG. 6, fold the blanket into lengths
substantially similar to the length of foot pocket 18. Finally tuck
the folded blanket into the foot pocket 18. The result is a pillow
having a smooth, symmetrical shape for decoration or use as a
headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray.
[0031] To put on or wear the pillow blanket, the user is presented
with a view substantially similar to the view of FIG. 2 with the
foot pocket 18 facing the user and the pair of first and second
sleeves 40,50 extending outwardly away from the user. The user's
feet are placed inside the foot pocket 18 and the two remaining
rounded corners 32,34 of the blanket 12 are tucked inside the foot
pocket 18 behind the calves of the user's legs. The planar first
face 20 of the blanket 12 from an open, unfolded position is placed
over the user's anterior as shown in FIGS. 2 and 1. The pocket
panel 19 faces the user. The first sleeve 70 and the second sleeve
72 extend away from the user and the planar second face 22 of the
pillow blanket 10. The arms of the user are extended through the
first and second sleeves 70, 72. The first cuff 74 and second cuff
76 can be placed anywhere along the arms from the wrist up to bicep
depending upon how warm and how active the user wants to be. The
sleeves 70, 72 and the cuff 74, 76 serve as the primary means of
keeping the blanket on the user without the use of other fasteners
which may be hard to reach. The neck portion 52 of the blanket 12
is placed with top edge 28 of the blanket 12 under the chin of the
user.
[0032] To use the foot pocket 18 feature, insert both of the user's
feet into the foot pocket 18 with the pocket panel 19 pressed
against the calves of the user. Then tuck the first rounded corner
32 and second rounded corner 34 between the user's calves and the
pocket panel 19. Tucking the corners 32, 34 into the pocket panel
19 is especially advantageous for reducing the chance of the bottom
edge 30 of the blanket 12 dragging on the floor or getting caught
by or in the front wheels of the wheel chair.
[0033] The pillow blanket 10 construction of the invention results
in a blanket 12 which is worn over a seated user's anterior and
lateral sides extending from over the neck, chest, arms, lap, legs,
through the feet. The wide cuffed sleeve offers one-size-fits-all
convenience. The wide cuffed sleeve can be worn as a full sleeve or
half sleeve depending upon the warmth desired. The wide cuffed
sleeve provides mobility for hands-on activities such as crocheting
or playing cards. The wide cuffed sleeve helps keep the blanket
from falling onto the ground and thus reduces the inconvenience of
lost self-sufficiency waiting for a hospital staff member to come
to the room to retrieve the blanket from the floor. Worse yet, the
fallen blanket may become a contaminated reservoir of germs to the
user from laying upon an unsanitary public hospital or nursing home
floor and subsequently being held close to the user.
[0034] The foot pocket 18 allows the user to quickly put the pillow
blanket 10 away after use. It allows a user to create a smooth,
neat, symmetrical pillow for decorative or functional uses such as
a headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray.
[0035] The foot pocket 18 provides the blanket 12 with additional
warmth by way of a confined area for the user's feet.
Alternatively, the foot pocket 18 could be used to provide storage
if not used for foot warmth. The two rounded corners 32,34 on the
blanket 12 itself allow the user to fold the blanket 12 into a
pillow more easily to form a more symmetrical pillow.
[0036] The use of the fleece pillow blanket 10 material maximizes
warmth and minimizes the bulk and weight of the insulating material
used. The fleece blanket provides durable performance and
advantageous washing qualities for a longer product life. The
fleece blanket offers a soft nap for use as a blanket or pillow and
is also helpful in cool indoor areas when conserving energy with a
lower than normal temperature thermostat setting.
[0037] Even when used on relatively immobile and inflexible users,
the pillow blanket 10 is easy to put on, and it stays on until the
wearer or the hospital support staff intentionally removes it. The
use of clips, straps, or other attachment means needed to keep the
blanket on the user is avoided.
[0038] The pillow blanket 10 of the present invention is easily
made from conventional fabrics and materials. Available materials
such as fleece or POLAR FLEECE.TM., provide a high insulating value
in a thin layer, are readily incorporated into the blanket.
[0039] Another preferred alternative embodiment of the invention
provide a blanket 12 defining first and second sleeve apertures 40,
50 having a substantially vertical orientation relative to the
horizontal centerline 38.
[0040] It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may
be made in the construction, arrangement and method of construction
of the pillow blanket disclosed herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims:
* * * * *