U.S. patent application number 10/644301 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for multipurpose blanket.
Invention is credited to Khan, Avais.
Application Number | 20050039241 10/644301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34104640 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050039241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khan, Avais |
February 24, 2005 |
MULTIPURPOSE BLANKET
Abstract
A multi-purpose blanket which can be selectively folded into a
compact condition for use as a seat cushion or placed into a spread
condition for use as a protective covering includes a hood, a hood
compartment, a pair of pockets, and an elongated storage pouch
which is accessible to a user when the blanket is folded into a
folded condition for use as a seat cushion. A strap is provided for
securing the blanket in its folded condition, and a handle is
secured to the storage pouch for enabling the blanket to be easily
carried when secured in its folded condition. The pockets are
disposed along the inner surface of the blanket to readily accept
the hands of the user when the blanket is draped about the user for
use as a protective covering, and closeable through-openings are
provided within the blanket through which a user's hands and arms
can extend when the blanket is draped about the user.
Inventors: |
Khan, Avais; (Knoxville,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL E. McKEE
804 Swaps Lane
Knoxville
TN
37923
US
|
Family ID: |
34104640 |
Appl. No.: |
10/644301 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/066 20130101;
A41D 2400/422 20130101; A41D 13/00 20130101; A41D 15/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/086 |
International
Class: |
A41D 003/02 |
Claims
1. A multi-purpose blanket comprising: a flexible planar body of
substantially rectangular form having a top edge, a bottom edge
which is substantially parallel to the top edge and two opposite
and parallel side edges which are substantially perpendicular to
and extend between the top and bottom edges, and defining an inner
surface and an outer surface, the planar body adapted to be folded
into a relatively compact folded condition for use as a seat
cushion or spread into a spread condition for use as a blanket or
for use as a protective covering which can be draped about the user
so that the inner surface surrounds and faces the torso of the
user; a hood compartment-forming member which is joined to the
flexible planar body against the inner surface thereof so as to
provide a hood compartment having an opening which is disposed
adjacent the top edge of the planar body and which is positioned
about midway along the length of the top edge; a hood having a
portion which is positioned within the opening of the hood
compartment and which is secured to the inner surface of the planar
body adjacent the top edge thereof so that the hood can be
selectively tucked within the hood compartment for storage or
withdrawn from the hood compartment for use; a pair of pockets
associated with the inner surface of the planar body and disposed
adjacent the side edges thereof so that when the planar body is
draped about the user so that the inner surface surrounds and faces
the torso of the user, the pockets can accept the hands of the
user, the pockets being disposed at an angle with respect to the
side edges of the planar body so that when the planar body is
draped about the user so that the inner surface surrounds and faces
the torso of the user, each pocket opens inwardly of the side edges
of the blanket, and the pockets are spaced from the top edge of the
planar body by at least about eighteen inches; an elongated storage
pouch joined to the outer surface of the planar body adjacent the
top edge thereof so that when the planar body is folded into a
folded condition for use as a seat cushion, the storage pouch is
accessible; at least one strap which is joined to the planar body
for securing the planar body in its folded condition; and a handle
which is secured to the planar body across the storage pouch for
providing a grip with which the planar body can be carried when the
planar body is secured in its folded condition.
2. The blanket as defined in claim 1 further including means for
releasably securing the planar body about the user when the planar
body is draped about the user.
3. The blanket as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for
releasably securing includes snap fasteners having mating members
which are attached to the planar body along the top edge thereof so
that when the planar body is draped about the user so that the
inner surface surrounds the torso of the user, the mating members
can be snapped together to releasably secure the planar body about
the shoulders of the user.
4. The blanket as defined in claim 1 wherein the hood
compartment-forming member and further includes a zipper for
selectively opening and closing the hood compartment opening.
5. The blanket as defined in claim 1 wherein the planar body
includes one material piece which provides the inner surface of the
planar body and another material piece which provides the outer
surface of the planar body.
6. The blanket as defined in claim 5 wherein the another piece of
material is comprised of a water-repellant material.
7. The blanket as defined in claim 5 further including a third
layer of material which is sandwiched between the one and the
another material pieces.
8. The blanket as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated storage
pouch is substantially rectangular in form so as to define four
edges, and the pouch is sewn to the outer surface of the planar
body along only two of the opposite ones of its four edges to
accommodate expansion of the pouch.
9. The blanket as defined in claim 1 wherein the pouch has an
opening which is oriented substantially parallel to the side edges
of the planar body, and the pouch further includes a zipper for
selectively opening and closing the pouch opening.
10. The blanket as defined in claim 1 wherein the planar portion
defines a pair of closeable through-openings disposed adjacent the
pockets through which a user's hands and arms can extend when the
blanket is draped about the user.
11. A multi-purpose blanket which can be selectively positioned
across the lap of or wrapped about a user for protection against
the weather or used as a seat cushion, the blanket comprising: a
flexible planar rectangular body having a top edge, a pair of
opposite and parallel side edges which extend downwardly from the
top edge, and a bottom edge which is parallel to the top edge and
which extends between the two side edges, and the planar body
defines an inner surface and an outer surface and is adapted to be
selectively placed in a spread condition for use as a blanket or as
a protective covering which can be wrapped about the user for
protection against the weather as the inner surface surrounds and
faces the torso of the user or folded into a relatively compact
folded condition for use as a seat cushion; a semi-circular piece
of material which is joined to the inner surface of the planar body
adjacent the top edge thereof at a location situated substantially
midway between the side edges thereof so that the semi-circular
piece of material forms with the inner surface a hood compartment
having an opening which extends along and is disposed adjacent the
top edge thereof; a hood having a portion which is positioned
within the hood compartment and which is secured to the inner
surface of the planar body adjacent the top edge thereof so that
the hood can be selectively tucked within the hood compartment for
storage or withdrawn from the hood compartment for use; a pair of
pocket-forming pieces which are joined to the inner surface of the
planar body and adjacent the side edges thereof to form a pair of
pockets thereat so that when the planar body is wrapped around the
user for protection against the weather so that the inner surface
surrounds and faces the torso of the user, the pockets can accept
the hands of the user, the pockets being disposed at an angle of
between about twenty and thirty degrees with respect to the side
edges of the planar body so that each pocket opens inwardly of the
side edges of the blanket, and the pockets being spaced from the
top edge of the planar body by at least about eighteen inches; an
elongated storage pouch joined to the outer surface of the planar
body adjacent the top edge thereof so that when the planar body is
folded into a folded condition for use as a seat cushion, the
storage pouch is accessible; at least one strap which is joined to
the planar body for securing the planar body in its folded
condition; and a handle which is secured to the planar body across
the storage pouch for providing a grip with which the planar body
can be carried when the planar body is secured in its folded
condition.
12. The blanket as defined in claim 11 further including means for
releasably securing the planar body about the user when the planar
body is draped about the user.
13. The blanket as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for
releasably securing includes snap fasteners having mating members
which are attached to the planar body along the top edge thereof so
that when the planar body is draped about the user so that the
inner surface surrounds the torso of the user, the mating members
can be snapped together to releasably secure the planar body about
the shoulders of the user.
14. The blanket as defined in claim 11 wherein the hood
compartment-forming member further includes a zipper for
selectively opening and closing the hood compartment opening.
15. The blanket as defined in claim 11 wherein the planar body
includes one material piece which provides the inner surface of the
planar body and another material piece which provides the outer
surface of the planar body.
16. The blanket as defined in claim 15 wherein the another piece of
material is comprised of a water-repellant material.
17. The blanket as defined in claim 11 wherein the elongated
storage pouch is substantially rectangular in form so as to define
four edges, and the pouch is sewn to the outer surface of the
planar body along only two of the opposite ones of its four edges
to accommodate expansion of the pouch.
18. The blanket as defined in claim 11 wherein the pouch has an
opening which is oriented substantially parallel to the side edges
of the planar body, and the pouch further includes a zipper for
selectively opening and closing the pouch opening.
19. The blanket as defined in claim 11 wherein the planar portion
defines a pair of closeable through-openings disposed adjacent the
pockets through which a user's hands and arms can extend when the
planar body is wrapped around the user for protection against the
weather.
20. The blanket as defined in claim 19 further including a pair of
flaps attached to the outer surface of the planar body for covering
the through-openings and thereby preventing the passage of water
therethrough from the outer surface of the planar body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to multi-purpose blankets
and relates, more specifically, to a multi-purpose blanket which
can be selectively used as a wrap-around protective covering, a lap
blanket or a seat cushion.
[0002] The class of blanket with which this invention is to be
compared include those which can be placed in a spread condition
for use as a wrap-around covering or a lap blanket or folded to
provide a seat cushion. When used as a wrap-around protective
covering, the blanket is draped about the shoulders of the user,
and when used as a lap blanket, the blanket is draped across the
lap of the user. This class of blankets is particularly well-suited
for use by a spectator in an outdoor sports venue, such as an
open-air stadium, in which the spectator is normally exposed to the
outdoor weather. Examples of blankets and related items in this
class are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,798,676,
5,884,331, 5,901,375, and 3,798,676.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved blanket which can be selectively used as a wrap-around
protective covering, a lap blanket or a seat cushion.
[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
blanket which can be secured in a folded condition and which
includes means enabling the blanket to be easily carried between
sites.
[0005] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
such a blanket having a storage compartment which is readily
accessible when the blanket is in a folded condition.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide such
a blanket which, when placed in a spread condition and positioned
over a user, adequately protects the user from cold or inclement
weather.
[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
such a blanket which is capable of being releasably secured in a
wrapped condition about a user.
[0008] Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide such a blanket which is uncomplicated in construction yet
effective in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention resides in a multi-purpose blanket including
a flexible planar body of substantially rectangular form having a
top edge, a bottom edge which is substantially parallel to the top
edge and two opposite and parallel side edges which are
substantially perpendicular to and extend between the top and
bottom edges, and defining an inner surface and an outer surface.
The planar body is adapted to be folded into a relatively compact
folded condition for use as a seat cushion or spread into a spread
condition for use as a blanket or for use as a protective covering
which can be draped about the user so that the inner surface
surrounds and faces the torso of the user.
[0010] In addition, the blanket includes a hood compartment-forming
member which is joined to the flexible planar body against the
inner surface thereof so as to provide a hood compartment having an
opening which is disposed adjacent the top edge of the planar body
and which is positioned about midway along the length of the top
edge. A hood is also provided which has a portion which is
positioned within the opening of the hood compartment and which is
secured to the inner surface of the planar body adjacent the top
edge thereof so that the hood can be selectively tucked within the
hood compartment for storage or withdrawn from the hood compartment
for use.
[0011] Further still, a pair of pockets are associated with the
inner surface of the planar body and are disposed adjacent the side
edges thereof so that when the planar body is draped about the user
so that the inner surface surrounds and faces the torso of the
user, the pockets can accept the hands of the user. Furthermore,
the pockets are disposed at an angle with respect to the side edges
of the planar body so that when the planar body is draped about the
user so that the inner surface surrounds and faces the torso of the
user, each pocket opens inwardly of the side edges of the blanket,
and the pockets are spaced from the top edge of the planar body by
at least about eighteen inches.
[0012] An elongated storage pouch is joined to the outer surface of
the planar body adjacent the top edge thereof so that when the
planar body is folded into a folded condition for use as a seat
cushion, the storage pouch is accessible. Moreover, at least one
strap is joined to the planar body for securing the planar body in
its folded condition, and a handle is secured to the planar body
across the storage pouch for providing a grip with which the planar
body can be carried when the planar body is secured in its folded
condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one (i.e. the outer) side face of
an embodiment of a blanket within which features of the present
invention are incorporated and shown in a spread condition.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the other (i.e. the inner) side
face of the FIG. 1 embodiment, shown in a spread condition and
having one of its material layers being folded back upon itself at
a corner thereof.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner side
face of the FIG. 1 blanket illustrating the hood and hood
compartment thereof.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the outer side
face of the FIG. 1 blanket illustrating the storage pocket
thereof.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a user wearing the
blanket of FIG. 1 as a protective covering.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a user utilizing the
blanket of FIG. 1 as a lap blanket.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a user utilizing the
blanket of FIG. 1 as a seat cushion.
[0020] FIGS. 8-12 are perspective views illustrating the steps
involved in folding the blanket of FIG. 1 from a spread condition
into a folded condition.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 blanket, shown
completely folded together for use as a seat cushion and prepared
to be carried with its handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and
considering first FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an
embodiment, generally indicated 20, of a multi-purpose blanket
which incorporates features of the present invention. As
illustrated in its spread condition of FIGS. 1 and 2, the blanket
20 includes a substantially flexible planar body 21 which is
relatively rectangular in form (with somewhat rounded corners) and
which has two opposite side faces 22, 24 bordered by a top edge 26,
a bottom edge 28 and two side edges 30, 32. As will be apparent
herein and when the blanket 20 is draped about a user for use as a
protective covering against the weather, the side face 22 provides
the outer surface of the blanket 20 while the side face 24 provides
the inner surface of the blanket 20.
[0023] The side faces 22, 24 of the planar body 21 are provided by
two substantially rectangular pieces 34, 36 of material which are
sewn together with stitches which extend along the top, bottom and
side edges thereof and which are quilted together with stitches
which extend across the surfaces 22, 24 thereof. To enhance the
warmth of the planar body 21, a third layer of material (e.g.
batting) is sandwiched (and sewn) between the material pieces 34,
36 with the quilting stitches thereof. In addition and in order to
render the outer side face 22 substantially water-repellant, it is
preferable that the (outer) material piece 34 is comprised of
water-resistent material, such as Nylon.
[0024] To enable the blanket 20 to be secured in a wrapped
condition about the torso of a user (so that the inner surface 24
of the planar body surrounds and faces the user's torso), there are
provided snap fasteners including mating members 96 and 98 which
are secured along the top edge 26 of the planar body 21, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. It follows that these snap fasteners provide
means for releasably securing the planar body 21 in a draped
condition about the user so that the weight of the blanket 20 is
supported by the shoulders of the user.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is associated with
the inner surface 24 of the planar body 21 a hood compartment 38
and a hood 40 which are situated along the top edge 26 of the
planar body 21. The hood compartment 38 is comprised, in part, of a
semi-circular hood compartment-forming material piece 46 having a
substantially linear opening 47 which extends generally along the
straight edge thereof and which is sewn to the (inner) material
piece 36 at a location situated about midway between the side edges
30 and 32 of the planar body 21 so that the opening 47 extends
along the top edge 26, Thus, the hood compartment 38 is provided by
the pocket, indicated 44 in FIG. 3, formed between the opposing
surfaces of the material pieces 46 and 36 and which is accessible
through the opening 47. The opening 47 can be selectively opened or
closed by way of a zipper 48 which is sewn along the border of the
opening 47.
[0026] The hood 40 is shaped to substantially conform to the shape
of the back of a human head and is sewn along its lower edge (as
viewed in FIG. 3) to the inner surface 24 of the blanket 20 and
inside of the pocket 44 of the hood compartment 38. The hood 40 is
provided by a piece of flexible material which can be selectively
folded up (i.e. tucked) and entirely positioned within the pocket
44 of the compartment 38 through the opening 47 thereof so as to be
substantially hidden from view or unfolded through the opening 47
the zipper 48 for use as a hood. When pulled out of the pocket 44
of the compartment 38 for use, the hood 40 can be unfolded so as to
extend above the top edge 26 thereof, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0027] With reference again to FIG. 2, the blanket 20 further
includes a pair of pockets 50 which are accessible to the hands of
a user when the blanket 20 is worn as a protective covering, and
thus wrapped about the torso of a user. In this connection, each
pocket 50 is comprised, in part, of a piece 52 of flexible material
which is sewn along its side and bottom edges (as viewed in FIG. 2)
to the material of the inner surface 24 and so that the resultant
opening, indicated 54, of the pocket 50 opens somewhat toward the
hood compartment 38 when the blanket 20 is positioned in its
illustrated FIG. 2 spread condition. Preferably, each pocket 50 (or
its opening thereof) is canted with respect to the corresponding
side edge 30 or 32 of the blanket 20 so that the pocket opening 54
opens inwardly of the side edges of the blanket 20 at an angle 56
(FIG. 2) of between about twenty and thirty degrees (and optimally
about twenty-five degrees) with respect to the corresponding side
edge 30 or 32 of the blanket 20 to enhance the accessibility of the
pockets 50 to the hands of the user, when the blanket 20 is worn
(e.g. across the user's shoulders) as a protective covering. In
addition, each pocket opening 50 is spaced at least about eighteen
inches from the top edge 26 of the blanket 20 so that when the
blanket 20 is draped about the shoulders of a user for use as a
protective covering, the pockets 50 are disposed at a convenient
height for accepting the hands of the user.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, there is associated with
the outer surface 22 of the planar body 21 a substantially
rectangular storage pouch 60 which is accessible to a user when the
blanket 20 is placed in its folded condition. The storage pouch 60
includes a pair of rectangular pieces 62, 64 of material which are
sewn together along each of its four edges and includes a linear
opening 58 bordered by a zipper 66 which extends transversely
across the material piece 62 of the pouch 60. It follows that
access can be had to the interior of the pouch 60 through the
opening 58 by opening the zipper 66.
[0029] In order that the storage pouch 60 is accessible to a user
in the manner intended, the pouch 60 is sewn to the outer surface
22 adjacent the upper edge 26 thereof and at a location disposed
medially along the length of the upper edge 26. Rather than being
sewn to the outer surface 22 around the entirety of the edges of
the pocket 60, the pouch 60 is sewn to the outer surface 22 only
along its opposite upper and lower edges, indicated 68 and 70 in
FIG. 4. With the pouch 60 sewn to the outer surface 22 in this
manner, the pouch 60 is permitted to expand as necessary to
accommodate a large quantity of items placed therein.
[0030] The blanket 20 further includes strap means, generally
indicated 72 in FIG. 4, for securing the blanket 20 in a folded
condition and a handle 74 with which the blanket 20 can be manually
carried between sites. In the depicted embodiment 20, the strap
means 72 includes a pair of fabric strips 76, 78 which are each
sewn at one end to a corresponding side edge of the pouch 60 and
one of a set of mating buckle members 80, 82 which are secured to
the fabric strips 76, 78, as shown in FIG. 4. The fabric strips 76,
78 are of such length and the buckle members 80, 82 are disposed
along the length of the strips 80, 82 so that when the blanket 20
is folded up to its folded condition (such as is illustrated in
FIG. 13), the strips 76, 78 can be pulled toward one another around
the blanket 20 and can be buckled together with the buckle members
80, 82 to secure the blanket 20 in its folded condition.
[0031] The handle 74 is in the form of a strap of fabric having two
opposite ends which are each sewn, or stitched, to a corresponding
upper edge 68 or lower edge 70 of the pouch 60. Just as the pocket
60 is accessible to a user when the blanket 20 is positioned in a
folded condition, the handle 74 is accessible to a user, as
well.
[0032] With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the blanket 20 also
includes a pair of linear through-openings, or slits 86 and 88,
which are disposed adjacent the pockets 50 and which are bordered
by a set of snap fasteners 90 and 92 for releasably securing the
through-openings 86 and 88 in a closed condition. The slits 86, 88
are each disposed between the top edge 26 and the opening 54 of a
corresponding pocket 50 and are each about one foot in length. When
opened, each of the slits 86 or 88 permits a corresponding one of
the user's arms and hands to extend through the sides of the planar
body 21 while the blanket 20 remains wrapped around the user (e.g.
across the user's shoulders) as a protective covering. Such a
feature can be readily appreciated when the user needs to grasp
onto a hand rail as he walks up or down stadium steps while the
blanket 20 remains wrapped about the user's torso. To help prevent
the passage of water (e.g. rainwater) from the outer surface 22 of
the blanket 20 through the slits 86 and 88, a flap 87 (FIG. 1) is
sewn adjacent for covering the slit 86 or 88.
[0033] To use the blanket 20 as a protective covering and with
reference to FIG. 5, the planar body 21 of the blanket 20 is
arranged in its spread condition and draped across the back and
shoulders of the user so that the hood compartment 38 is positioned
directly behind the user's neck. With the planar body 21 of the
blanket 20 supported across the user's shoulders in this manner,
the side edges 30 and 32 are pulled across the front of the user
and secured together with the snap fastener members 96, 98. If
desired, the hood 40 (FIG. 3) can be withdrawn from the hood
compartment 38 and positioned about the user's head as is
illustrated in FIG. 5. Although the user is shown seated upon a
bench, indicated 100 in FIG. 5, it is preferred that before being
seated, the user initially assume a standing position in order to
more easily wrap the blanket 20 about the user's torso. In addition
and if the user desires to walk while the blanket 20 remains
wrapped about him in this manner, the snap fasteners 90 and 92
(FIG. 2) can be unfastened to permit the arms and hands to extend
through the slits 86, 88.
[0034] To use the blanket 20 as a lap blanket and with reference to
FIG. 6, the planar body 21 of the blanket 20 is simply positioned
in its spread condition and draped across the lap of the user
(while the user remains seated upon the bench 100) so that the
user's lap, and legs are covered, as is illustrated in FIG. 6. If
desired, the planar body 21 of the blanket 20 can be folded back
upon itself (e.g. in half) to reduce the area of the user's lap and
legs to be covered by the blanket 20.
[0035] To use the blanket 20 as a seat cushion and with reference
to FIG. 7, the planar body 21 is folded up into a relatively
compact unit, in a manner demonstrated herein, and placed upon the
bench 100. The blanket 20 can then be sat upon, as is illustrated
in FIG. 7.
[0036] To fold the blanket 20 into a relatively compact unit from
the spread condition of FIG. 1 or 2, the planar body 21 is
initially folded in half as illustrated in FIG. 8 so that the side
edges 30, 32 are folded in half and the bottom edge 28 is
positioned directly over the top edge 26. With the blanket 20
arranged in this manner, the storage pouch 60 is positioned on the
underside of the planar body 21 so as to face the underlying floor.
The blanket 21 is then folded in half again, as illustrated in FIG.
9, along a fold line which is generally parallel to the top and
bottom edges 26 and 28 and so that the storage pouch 60 remains
positioned on the underside of the planar body 21 so as to face the
underlying floor.
[0037] While the blanket 20 remains arranged so that its pouch 60
faces downwardly, the opposite ends (i.e. the edges 30 and 32) of
the blanket are pulled toward the middle thereof so that each of
the opposite end portions of the blanket 20 is folded back upon
itself. More specifically, beginning at the opposite ends of the
blanket 20, the blanket is folded toward the middle thereof along
fold lines, indicated 120a-120e in FIGS. 10 and 11, so that the
blanket 20 is effectively folded into six sections. For example,
there is illustrated in FIG. 10 the opposite ends of the blanket 20
being folded toward the middle along fold lines 120a and 120e,
respectively, and there is illustrated in FIG. 11 the
previously-folded (end) sections of the blankets 20 being folded
toward the middle thereof along the fold lines 120b and 120d,
respectively, to form the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 12. The
blanket 20 is then folded along the (center) fold line 120c to
position the opposite ends of the storage pouch 60 together, as
illustrated in FIG. 13. At that point, the straps 76, 78 (by way of
the buckle members 80, 82) can be connected to one another around
the blanket 20 to secure the blanket 20 in its relatively compact,
rectangular arrangement of FIG. 13. Since the handle 74 is
positioned along the edge of the folded blanket 20 opposite the
buckled straps 76, 78, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the blanket 20
can be easily carried between sites with the handle 74.
[0038] Exemplary dimensions of the blanket 20 are provided here as
follows: Each of the top and bottom edges of the planar body 21 of
the blanket 20 is about seventy-five inches in length, each of the
side edges of the planar body 21 is about fifty-nine inches in
length, each pocket 50 is about nine inches wide and about
seventeen inches in depth, the opening 47 of the hood compartment
38 is about nineteen inches in length, the elongated storage pouch
60 measures about fourteen inches (along its shortest edges) by
about twenty-three inches, and the opening 58 of the storage pouch
60 is disposed about ten inches from the closest end of the pouch
60.
[0039] It will be understood that numerous modifications and
substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment 20
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example,
although the aforedescribed embodiment 20 has been shown and
described as including snap fastener members 96, 98 to secure the
top edge 26 in a secured and overlapping condition about the user's
shoulders, hook and loop fasteners, such as are available in the
trade under the designation Velcro, can be substituted for the snap
fastener members 96, 98. Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment
20 is intended for the purpose of illustration and not as
limitation.
* * * * *