U.S. patent application number 11/320259 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for weighted blanket.
Invention is credited to James C. JR. Mastandrea.
Application Number | 20060174410 11/320259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36778417 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060174410 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mastandrea; James C. JR. |
August 10, 2006 |
Weighted blanket
Abstract
The present invention relates to a blanket or cover with a
weighted perimeter or border for covering mammals or humans. The
blankets or covers of variable thickness and/or weight and made of
various known materials or fabrics having a weighted perimeter or
border provide an "anchoring" ability to keep the blanket or cover
in the position desired and chosen by the user.
Inventors: |
Mastandrea; James C. JR.;
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ESCHWEILER & ASSOCIATES, LLC;NATIONAL CITY BANK BUILDING
629 EUCLID AVE., SUITE 1210
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
36778417 |
Appl. No.: |
11/320259 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10403578 |
Mar 31, 2003 |
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11320259 |
Dec 22, 2005 |
|
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09792968 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
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10403578 |
Mar 31, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/482 ;
5/420 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0223 20130101;
A47G 9/062 20130101; A47G 11/003 20130101; A01K 1/0353
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/482 ;
005/420 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/06 20060101
A47G009/06; A47G 9/00 20060101 A47G009/00 |
Claims
1. A blanket having a weighted perimeter comprising: a central
blanket section and a weighted perimeter section, the weighted
perimeter section having a weight that is between about 1.1 and
about 10 times a weight of the central blanket section.
2. The blanket of claim 1, wherein at least one of at least some of
the central blanket section comprises at least 50 percent
polyester, and at least some of the weighted perimeter section
comprises at least 50 percent polyester.
3. The blanket of claim 2, wherein the weighted perimeter section
comprises weighted material contained within an aperture around at
least some of the perimeter of the blanket.
4. The blanket of claim 3, wherein the weighted material fills
between about 50 percent and about 95 percent of the volume of the
aperture within which the weighted material is contained.
5. The blanket of claim 4, wherein the weighted material comprises
pellets.
6. The blanket of claim 5, wherein the pellets have a largest cross
sectional span that is between about 1/3.sup.rd to about
1/50.sup.th of a span of a cross section of the aperture within
which the weighted material is contained.
7. The blanket of claim 6, wherein at least some of the weighted
perimeter section comprises a tube wherein at least some of the
weighted material is contained.
8. The blanket of claim 7, wherein at least some of the tube
comprises vinyl.
9. The blanket of claim 4, wherein at least some of the weighted
perimeter section comprises a tube wherein at least some of the
weighted material is contained.
10. The blanket of claim 9, wherein at least some of the tube
comprises vinyl.
11. The blanket of claim 3, wherein at least some of the central
blanket section comprises cotton.
12. The blanket of claim 3, wherein at least one of at least some
of the central blanket section has a thread count of at least 200
by 200, and at least some of the weighted perimeter section has a
thread count of at least 200 by 200.
13. The blanket of claim 3, wherein at least one of the blanket is
rectangular and two longer sides of the blanket comprise weighted
material, corner portions of the blanket comprise weighted
material, and at least some of the blanket has a coefficient of
friction of between about 0.3 and about 0.75.
14. The blanket of claim 8, wherein the pellets comprise
polypropylene pellets.
15. A blanket having a weighted perimeter comprising: a central
blanket section and a weighted perimeter section, wherein at least
one of at least some of the central blanket section comprises at
least 50 percent polyester, and at least some of the weighted
perimeter section comprises at least 50 percent polyester.
16. The blanket of claim 15, wherein the weighted perimeter section
comprises weighted material contained within an aperture around at
least some of the perimeter of the blanket, wherein the weighted
material fills between about 50 percent and about 95 percent of the
volume of the aperture within which the weighted material is
contained.
17. The blanket of claim 16, wherein the weighted material
comprises pellets that have a largest cross sectional span that is
between about 1/3.sup.rd to about 1/50.sup.th of a span of a cross
section of the aperture within which the weighted material is
contained.
18. The blanket of claim 17, wherein at least some of the weighted
perimeter section comprises a tube wherein at least some of the
weighted material is contained, wherein at least some of the tube
comprises vinyl, wherein the pellets comprise polypropylene
pellets.
19. The blanket of claim 18, wherein the weighted perimeter section
has a weight that is between about 1.1 and about 10 times a weight
of the central blanket section.
20. A blanket having a weighted perimeter comprising: a central
blanket section and a weighted perimeter section, the weighted
perimeter section having a weight that is between about 1.1 and
about 10 times a weight of the central blanket section, wherein at
least one of at least some of the central blanket section comprises
at least 50 percent polyester, and at least some of the weighted
perimeter section comprises at least 50 percent polyester, wherein
the weighted perimeter section comprises weighted material
contained within an aperture around at least some of the perimeter
of the blanket, wherein the weighted material fills between about
50 percent and about 95 percent of the volume of the aperture
within which the weighted material is contained, wherein the
weighted material comprises polypropylene pellets, wherein the
polypropylene pellets have a largest cross sectional span that is
between about 1/3.sup.rd to about 1/50.sup.th of a span of a cross
section of the aperture within which the weighted material is
contained, wherein at least some of the weighted perimeter section
comprises a tube wherein at least some of the weighted material is
contained, wherein at least some of the tube comprises vinyl, and
wherein at least one of at least some of the central blanket
section has a thread count of at least 200 by 200, and at least
some of the weighted perimeter section has a thread count of at
least 200 by 200.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/403,578 filed Mar. 31, 2003 which is itself
a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/792,968
filed Feb. 26, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a blanket or cover with a
weighted perimeter or border useful for covering humans. This
invention is an improvement over known blankets and covers because
the weighted perimeter or border serves as a type of anchor,
improving the physics of the blanket or cover, by allowing the
blanket or cover to rest more firmly on the user, minimizing
shifting. The present invention also relates to a "pellet" filled
tube useful for adding weight to the perimeter of blankets,
coverings and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Numerous materials have been used as blankets and covers for
people engaging in sleep, rest, relaxation and the pursuit of
warmth. Blankets and covers come in many different shapes, sizes
and designs based on particular needs, tastes, preferences and
materials available.
[0004] A primary problem with the typical blanket or cover and
lighter weight blankets or covers is that when the user engaging in
sleep, rest, relaxation or pursuit of warmth shifts the body either
consciously or unconsciously, such shifts often tend to cause the
blanket or cover in use to also shift thereby falling or moving out
of the desired position chosen by the user. The user of the blanket
or cover must then readjust the blanket or cover to replace it in
its original desired or chosen position. Such shifting commonly
occurs with thin blankets or covers which tend to shift often due
to their light weight. Afghans, throws and other blankets and
covers used for warmth while relaxing, resting, sleeping or
engaging in leisure activities such as reading a book on a couch,
watching television on a couch or chair etc., also have the
tendency to shift, move or fall out of position when the user
shifts his/her body.
[0005] Airplane blankets are small and thin and also shift position
frequently when being used. It is difficult to keep such blankets
or covers of this size and weight in place, especially when the
user is trying to sleep in a somewhat upright position.
[0006] Prior to this invention blankets, covers, sheets,
bedspreads, comforters, afghans, throws and other similar cloths
used for covering humans have relied on bulk, thickness, shape
and/or size to stay in the desired position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects or embodiments
of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is
neither intended to identify key or critical elements, nor to
delineate scope. Rather, the primary purpose of the summary is to
present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to a more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0008] One or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention
relate to a blanket or cover with a weighted perimeter or border
for covering mammals or humans. The weighted perimeter or border of
the blanket provides an "anchoring" ability to keep the blanket or
cover in the position desired and/or chosen by the user. The
weighted perimeter may comprise a "pellet" filled tube useful for
providing weight thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blanket or cover with a weighted
perimeter or border for covering humans or mammals according to one
or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of a blanket or
cover illustrating a weighted perimeter or border according to one
or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a pellet filled tube which
can be used around an entire perimeter of a blanket according to
one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of four pellet filled tubes
that can be used around perimeter portions of a blanket according
to one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a pellet filled tube sealed with a
one-sided stitch according to one or more aspects or embodiments of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a pellet filled tube sealed with a
two-sided stitch according to one or more aspects or embodiments of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates how a perimeter portion of a blanket can
be folded over a pellet filled tube and then fastened to establish
a weighted perimeter according to one or more aspects or
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] One or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention
are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like
reference numerals are generally utilized to refer to like elements
throughout, and wherein the various structures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. It will be appreciated that where like acts,
events, elements, layers, structures, etc. are reproduced,
subsequent (redundant) discussions of the same may be omitted for
the sake of brevity. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects or
embodiments of the present invention. It may be evident, however,
to one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more aspects or
embodiments of the invention may be practiced with a lesser degree
of these specific details. In other instances, known structures are
illustrated to facilitate describing one or more aspects or
embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an elevated
planar view of the blanket or cover A with the weighted perimeter
or border B. The perimeter or border B contains a weighted
material. The blanket or cover can be made of any suitable material
for making blankets or covers known to those skilled in the art.
The blanket or cover as illustrated is approximately in the shape
of a square with, but not limited to, rounded edges. It is
understood however that the blanket or cover may be of any shape
suitable for covering a human or mammal, including but not limited
to square, rectangular, circular, octagonal and the like. The
preferred shape is square or rectangular.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of
the of the blanket or cover A, wherein D is a flexible tube filled
with beans, distributed throughout the tube. The tube D, in this
particular embodiment, is secured within a folded over portion of
the edge B of the blanket or cover, thereby forming a retaining
pocket around the perimeter or border of the blanket. In this
specific embodiment, C represents a stitch securing the tube D,
within the folded over portion of the edge of the blanket or cover.
E represents particles used to create the weighted perimeter or
border within the tube. In the present instance the weighted
particles may comprise beans, for example, such as those used in
bean bags. The weighted perimeter allows the blanket or cover to
remain in place while a user is resting, relaxing, sleeping or the
like under the blanket. FIG. 7 similarly illustrates how an edge B
portion of the blanket A can be folded over weighted particles E
that may or may not be housed within a tube D to secure the
particles within the perimeter of the blanket so that the blanket A
then has a weighted perimeter that serves to keep the blanket in
place. The folded over edge B of the blanket may be secured via
stitching C, for example. For purposes of illustration, a portion
or flap F of the edge B is lifted up in the illustrated example to
reveal the weighted particles E.
[0019] It is understood that the blanket, throw or cover can be
made of any material known in the art suitable for a blanket or
cover used for covering a human or mammal. As discussed above the
blanket can be of any shape suitable for covering a human or
mammal, which shapes include but are not limited to, square and
rectangular.
[0020] As illustrated in the drawings the weighted perimeter or
border may comprise a cloth tube filled with beans sewn into a
folded over portion of the edge of the blanket or cover. The tube
can be comprised of any material or substance suitable for human
use which is pliable or flexible, to allow for folding of the
blanket or cover, yet is of sufficient strength to contain the
weighting material. Such tube can be made of, but not limited to,
cloth, rubber, plastic, cellophane and the like. The weighted
material used to fill the tube can be any material suitable for
providing sufficient weight to hold the blanket or cover in place
on the human or mammalian user, but is capable of allowing folding
of the blanket or cover for storage and is preferably, but not
limited to, solid or semi-solid materials. Examples of such
weighting material include but are not limited, to beans, rice,
metal pellets, polypropylene pellets or any other weighted
particles and the like (collectively herein to be encompassed by
the term "pellet").
[0021] As illustrated in the drawings the tube may be secured
around the perimeter or border of the blanket or cover by stitching
a folded over portion of the edge of the blanket around the tube.
It is understood that such stitching can be achieved using any
known material suitable for stitching on blankets or covers used by
humans or mammals. Alternatively, the folded over portion of the
edge of the blanket or cover can be secured with a zipper, buttons,
snaps, Velcro, hooks and loops, tacking, fasteners or any other
material known for securing such edge of material in place. Such
alternative embodiments allow for easy access or removal of the
weighted tube or repair of the tube or easy cleaning of the blanket
or cover.
[0022] For illustration purposes a particular embodiment of the
invention comprises a multipurpose domestic blanket or cover useful
for covering humans or mammals with a weighted perimeter or border
comprising a cloth tube filled with beans, pellets or plastic
particles distributed throughout the tube, secured along the
perimeter of the blanket or cover in a folded over portion of the
edge of the blanket or cover, such edge being sewn closed or
closeable with a zipper or other fastening means.
[0023] Alternatively, it is envisioned that the weighted perimeter
or border may be a separate piece from the blanket or cover. Such
separate piece would be made of a suitable material for attaching
to the blanket or cover and would be tubular in nature. As used
herein the term "tubular in nature" refers to any tube-like
material of any shape or size capable of providing containment of a
weighted material or substance yet being flexible enough for
folding. Such separate tubular piece would then be attached to the
means known to those skilled in the art for attaching two materials
together. Such securing or fastening means include, but are not
limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, hooks, Velcro, tacking
materials and the like.
[0024] As used herein the term "perimeter" means the border,
circumference or outer boundary of the blanket or cover material of
any shape or size which terms can all be used interchangeably.
Alternatively, the term "perimeter" can mean that the weighted
material or substance is placed at a portion of the border or outer
boundary, including, but not limited to 1 side, 2 sides, 3 sides, a
portion of any side, one or more corner portions and any
combination thereof, or the like.
[0025] The pellet filled tubes of the present invention are made by
stitching a flexible material such as cloth on one side or two
sides such as to form a tube as depicted in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. Such
tubes are filled with pellets and can be used to form a weighted
perimeter around a blanket, cover or cloth. Such weighted perimeter
can be continuous as depicted in FIG. 3 or multiple tubes can be
used around portions of the perimeter of a blanket, cloth or
covering as depicted in FIG. 4.
[0026] Such pellet filled tubes are useful for adding weight to the
entire perimeter or portion of the perimeter of blankets, cloths,
coverings and the like. Such added weight allows for the blankets,
cloths or coverings to be held more firmly in place. The tubes may
have a cross sectional diameter of between about 0.25 inches and
about 3 inches, for example, to accommodate a suitable amount of
weighted material to adequately weight down the perimeter of the
blanket relative to the rest of the blanket.
[0027] Such tubes (made of cloth, nylon, poplin and the like)
filled with pellets allows for weight to be added to the perimeter
or a portion of a perimeter of a blanket, covering or cloth safely
(e.g., non-toxic, non-flammable, etc), durably, and practically.
The pellet filled tubing when used as a weighted perimeter on a
blanket, covering or cloth is also washable, foldable for the
convenience of transport or storage, and comfortable for use on a
human or mammal.
[0028] As alluded to above, the blanket may comprise any suitable
material, such as cotton, polyester, wool, vinyl, polar fleece
material, micro fleece material and/or poly spun yarn, for example.
The blanket is generally comprised of at least 50 percent polyester
(fibers), however, so that the blanket is sufficiently soft and
supple to conform to the contours of a user, while retaining or
reflecting body heat to keep the user warm. It can be appreciated
that the weighted perimeter is also desirable to maintain such a
blanket in place since polyester fibers have a relatively low
coefficient of (static) friction of between about 0.3 and about
0.75 such that the blanket may be somewhat slippery and thus shift
or move around on a user.
[0029] The blanket is formed so that the perimeter portion weighs
between about 1.1 and about 10 times as much as the weight of
non-perimeter or central portion of the blanket. Having the
weighted perimeter portion weigh more than the central portion
helps to keep the blanket in place. By way of example, the central
portion of blanket can be 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters or 2.25 square
meters and the blanket material can weigh 250 grams per square
meter so that the central portion of the blanket weighs about 563
grams (2.25.times.250). The weighted perimeter portion of the
blanket can, thus, weigh a little more, or about 634 grams to
facilitate maintaining the blanket on a user.
[0030] It will be appreciated that regardless of whether separate
tubes are utilized in establishing the weighted perimeter portion,
or whether an edge of the blanket is merely folded over in
establishing the weighted perimeter portion, the weighted material
(e.g., polypropylene pellets) preferably fills less than the entire
volume of the cavity within which the weighted material resides.
For example, the weighted material may fill between about 50 and
about 95 percent of the volume or capacity of the aperture within
which the weighted material resides. This allows the weighted
material to move around so that the weighted perimeter portion is
not overly rigid or stiff. In this manner, weighted pellets, for
example, can slide over and around one another within the perimeter
region so that the perimeter portion can contour to a surface or
user over which it is lying, for example. This also permits the
blanket to be folded, for example, with little to no risk of
causing a crimped perimeter portion to burst. On the other hand,
the perimeter portion preferably does not comprise too little
weighted material. For example, the perimeter portion contains
enough weighted material so that few, if any, portions of the
perimeter (that are supposed to be weighted) become substantially
evacuated of weighted material when the blanket is shifted or
folded, for example. By not allowing too much weighted material to
accumulate in some location such that other perimeter locations
have little to no weighted material, the weighted perimeter portion
continues to serve its intended purpose regardless of the
positioning and/or maneuvering of the blanket. As such, when a user
who is napping on a couch, for example, rolls over, the weighted
material remains substantially uniformly distributed around the
perimeter of the blanket, thus keeping the blanket in place and the
user in a comfortable slumber by keeping cool drafts out.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the weighted material is
dimensioned relative to the (cross sectional) area of the region
within which the weighted material resides so that the weighted
material can not move or "slosh" around too freely in the weighted
perimeter. For example, if this cross sectional area is
substantially circular and has a cross sectional span (e.g.,
diameter) of about one inch (e.g., between about 0.25 inches and
about 3 inches), then polypropylene weighted pellets that are
generally spherical in shape are chosen so as to have a largest
cross sectional span (e.g., diameter) of between about 1/3.sup.rd
of an inch to about 1/50.sup.th of an inch. Such a relationship
allows the pellets to move within the perimeter in a desired
manner, but not too freely or aggressively. For example, water and
sand are less desirable weighted materials as they would likely
readily evacuate certain regions of the weighted perimeter and rush
to `over-accumulate` in other regions depending upon the
arrangement and/or configuration of the blanket. As such, the
blanket would readily fall off of a sleeping user when the user
rolls over on the couch. Of course, the perimeter could be
compartmentalized to maintain such weighted materials within select
locations, but this would add labor and material costs to the
blanket.
[0032] When a tube is incorporated in implementing the weighted
perimeter portion, the tube may comprise a 2-ply material
essentially configured as two concentric tubes. The first or outer
tube may comprise any suitable material such as cotton, polyester,
wool and/or vinyl, etc. The second or inner tube preferably
comprises at least some vinyl, however, to reinforce the stability
of the tube, as well as to give pellets therein a smooth, slippery
venue within which to shift, while also mitigating noise associated
with shifting pellets.
[0033] Additionally, where applicable, the blanket has a relatively
high thread count, such as about 200 by 200, or a minimum of 200
threads per inch in both directions so that the blanket generally
is sufficiently soft, smooth, durable and/or dense. For example,
the blanket is dense and/or thick enough to keep a user warm and to
keep weighted pellets from falling or migrating through the
material (e.g., where the volume wherein weighted materials are
placed is defined or created by folding over edging of the
blanket). The blanket is not so dense, however, so as to not be
machine washable and/or so that a cleaning solution (e.g., soapy
water) can not pass and/or penetrate there-through. Additionally,
the blanket is not overly rigid such that it does not conform to
the contours of a user and/or particular application.
[0034] It will be appreciated that the weighted blanket has
numerous applications, such as a weighted tablecloth, weighted
beach towel, weighted airline blanket, weighted vehicle (e.g.,
car/motorcycle/boat) cover, weighted furniture cover, weighted
patio furniture cover, weighted barbeque grill cover, weighted game
(e.g., pooltable/pingpong/foosball) cover, weighted workbench
cover, weighted baby blanket, weighted baby stroller cover,
weighted windbreaker cover, etc. It will also be appreciated that,
as alluded to in FIG. 4, the perimeter of the blanket can be
weighted at select locations, such as only on one or more side, one
more (rounded) corners and/or at any other select location(s). For
example, where the blanket is rectangular and is used as a table
cloth to cover a picnic table, the two longer sides of the blanket
can have weighted edges to keep the table cloth from blowing away.
Similarly, side and/or corner portions of the blanket can be
weighted where the blanket is used as a beach towel, for example.
Having the blanket comprise at lease some polyester in such an
application may be desirable since polyester is resistant to
moisture and thus dries relatively quickly. It will be appreciated,
however, that different areas or sections of the blanket can be
made of different materials. For example, where the blanket is used
as a beach towel, it may be desirable for the central portion of
the blanket to comprise cotton or the like, while the perimeter
portions comprise polyester so that the weighted material dries off
faster. The cotton central portion may be more comfortable for a
user to lie on while it may be desirable to mitigate the amount of
moisture that weighted pellets are exposed to and/or the amount of
time that such pellets are exposed to moisture.
[0035] It is to be appreciated that layers and/or elements depicted
herein are illustrated with particular dimensions relative to one
another for purposes of simplicity and ease of understanding, and
that actual dimensions of the elements may differ substantially
from that illustrated herein. Although the disclosure herein has
been illustrated and described with respect to one or more
implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will
occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and
understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The
invention includes all such modifications and alterations and is
limited only by the scope of the following claims. In addition,
while a particular feature or aspect of the invention may have been
disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such
feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features
or aspects of other implementations as may be desired and/or
advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore,
to the extent that the terms "includes", "having", "has", "with",
or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or
the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising." Also, "exemplary" as used herein
merely means an example, rather than the best.
* * * * *