U.S. patent application number 11/862090 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for apparatus for a pillow convertible to a soft toy figure.
Invention is credited to Jacob C. Smoot, Reid S. Smoot.
Application Number | 20080182478 11/862090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39478331 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080182478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smoot; Jacob C. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
APPARATUS FOR A PILLOW CONVERTIBLE TO A SOFT TOY FIGURE
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for a pillow that converts into a
highly-developed, three-dimensional toy figure that, in certain
embodiments, has a life-like shape. The apparatus includes a pillow
or a hollow body with one or more clasping mechanisms. When
engaged, the clasping mechanisms shape the apparatus into the soft,
toy figure. When disengaged, the clasping mechanisms allow the
apparatus to serve as a pillow with a soft, comfortable,
relatively-flat surface for sleeping. Certain embodiments of the
apparatus include an internal cavity that houses an extractable
blanket to provide additional bedding.
Inventors: |
Smoot; Jacob C.; (Kaysville,
UT) ; Smoot; Reid S.; (Kaysville, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kunzler & McKenzie
8 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 600
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
39478331 |
Appl. No.: |
11/862090 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60886628 |
Jan 25, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/72 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. A soft pillow apparatus that converts into a toy figure, the
soft pillow apparatus comprising: a pillow comprising an outer
layer and an inner layer, the outer layer enclosing the inner
layer; and at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two
sides of the pillow, the clasping mechanism having two sides, the
two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the pillow and of
being disengaged to allow the pillow to assume its natural shape,
the natural shape of the pillow being configured to serve as a
pillow, the cinched pillow displaying the profile of a toy
figure.
2. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is
comprised of a cushioning material.
3. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an
internal cavity within the pillow, the internal cavity having an
opening in one end of the pillow.
4. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a
closure mechanism disposed along the opening of the internal
cavity, wherein the closure mechanism closes the internal cavity
when the closure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanism
exposes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is
disengaged, wherein the closure mechanism is one of a zipper, a
corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a
series of eyelets and hooks.
5. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a
blanket attached to the pillow and configured to compress and to
fit into the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from
the pillow when fully spread out.
6. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 5, wherein the blanket is
attached to the pillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of
hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may
be detached from the pillow.
7. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at
least one extremity attached to the pillow, the extremity having a
soft filling and contributing to the profile of the toy figure
displayed by the cinched pillow.
8. The soft toy apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one
extremity is one of a head a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a
wheel.
9. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first side of
the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and
a second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is
comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through
the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself,
after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at
least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one
buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch
the pillow.
10. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the toy figure
displayed by the cinched pillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, an
imaginary creature, and a doll.
11. A soft toy apparatus that converts to bedding, the soft toy
apparatus comprising: a hollow body having a top layer and a bottom
layer, the top layer attached to the bottom layer, thereby forming
an internal cavity, the internal cavity having an opening in one
end of the hollow body; a blanket attached to the hollow body and
configured to compress and to fit into the internal cavity, and
further configured to extend from the hollow body when fully spread
out; and at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two
sides of the hollow body, the clasping mechanism having two sides,
the two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the hollow
body and of being disengaged to allow the hollow body to assume its
natural shape, the natural shape of the hollow body being
configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched hollow body displaying
the profile of a toy figure.
12. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the hollow body
also has a layer of soft filling between at least one of the top
layer and the bottom layer and the internal cavity.
13. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a
closure mechanism disposed along the opening of the internal
cavity, wherein the closure mechanism closes the internal cavity
when the closure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanism
exposes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is
disengaged and wherein the closure mechanism is one of a zipper, a
corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a
series of eyelets and hooks.
14. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the blanket is
attached to the hallow body by one of a zipper, a corresponding
pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the
blanket may be detached from the hallow body.
15. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least
one extremity attached to the hollow body, the extremity having a
soft filling and contributing to the profile of the toy figure
displayed by the cinched hallow body.
16. The soft toy apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one
extremity is one of a head a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a
wheel.
17. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first side of the
two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and a
second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised
of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through the loop,
to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself, after
passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at least one
corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one buckle, at
least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch the hollow
body.
18. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the toy figure
displayed by the cinched hollow body is one of an animal, a
vehicle, an imaginary creature, and a doll.
19. A soft pillow apparatus that converts to a toy figure, the soft
pillow apparatus comprising: a pillow comprising an outer layer and
an inner layer, the outer layer enclosing the inner layer; an
internal cavity within the pillow, the internal cavity having an
opening in one end of the pillow, the opening having a closure
mechanism that is engaged to close the internal cavity and is
released to expose the internal cavity, the closure mechanism being
one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips,
snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks. a blanket
attached to the pillow and configured to compress and to fit into
the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from the
pillow when fully unfurled; at least one clasping mechanism
attached between the two sides of the pillow, the clasping
mechanism having two sides, the two sides being capable of being
engaged to cinch the pillow and of being disengaged to allow the
pillow to assume its natural shape, the natural shape of the pillow
being configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched pillow
displaying the profile of a toy figure; and at least one extremity
attached to the pillow, the extremity having a soft filling, being
one of a head, a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a wheel, and
contributing to the profile of the toy figure displayed by the
cinched pillow.
20. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the inner layer
is comprised of a cushioning material.
21. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the blanket is
attached to the pillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of
hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may
be detached from the pillow.
22. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein a first side of
the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and
a second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is
comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through
the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself,
after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at
least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one
buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch
the pillow.
23. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the toy figure
displayed by the cinched pillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, an
imaginary creature, and a doll.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/886,628, entitled "APPARATUS FOR A SOFT TOY
CONVERTIBLE TO BEDDING" and filed on Feb. 8, 2007 for Jacob C.
Smoot and Reid S. Smoot, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a pillow that can be shaped into a
toy figure and more particularly relates to a pillow that can be
shaped into a toy figure that may also internally store a blanket
that may be extracted to serve as bedding.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Although children are known to fall asleep almost anywhere,
putting a child down for a nap, or for bed, can be challenging.
Often a child requires a favorite stuffed animal and a favorite
blanket, in addition to a pillow. Whether travelling a great
distance, stopping for a visit with family and friends, or simply
staying at home, accommodating a child's particular needs for
sleeping aides can be a cumbersome burden.
[0006] Packing and unpacking multiple sleeping accoutrements is a
burden, to say nothing of keeping track of them, even around the
house. Should a particularly favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or
pillow be left behind or lost, large investments of emotion, time,
and some money may be required to help the child overcome the loss
and return to his normal sleeping pattern.
[0007] Attempts have been made to overcome the problems created by
children's proclivity to multiply their sleeping aids. Inventors
have proposed pillows with extractable blankets, stuffed toys with
extractable blankets, or even a combination of all three. However,
inventions that combine the functionalities of a stuffed toy and a
pillow fall into one of two categories, each with its particular
problems.
[0008] Inventions that combine the functionalities of stuffed toy
and pillow invariably make a pillow double as a stuffed toy or a
stuffed toy double as a pillow. Inventions that make the pillow
double as a stuffed toy do not offer much of a stuffed toy. Pillows
doubling as stuffed toys are rather two-dimensional objects that
lack the three-dimensional shaping that stimulates a child's
imagination and curiosity. They also lack the three-dimensional
shaping that makes a toy life-like and capable of inspiring the
emotional attachment necessary to make a good sleep aid.
[0009] Inventions that make stuffed toys double as pillows have a
high degree of three-dimensional shaping, but acquire that shaping
at a cost to softness, becoming rigid and inflexible. These
three-dimensional pillows are rather lumpy and hard. They do not
make good pillows.
[0010] Furthermore, previous inventions including a stowable
blanket exacerbate the comfort issue by including a zipper to
insure that a blanket stowed in a stuffed toy or pillow remains in
the body hosing the blanket. A zipper or other closing mechanism
helps to keep track of the blanket and to insure that the blanket
does not become lost. However, previous inventions place the zipper
in the middle of the body housing the blanket, rather than along a
corner or edge of the body housing the blanket. A zipper in the
middle of the body housing the blanket experiences much greater
stresses and strains than it would along a corner or an edge,
causing the zipper to break or to wear out early. Furthermore, a
zipper across the face of the body housing the blanket--as opposed
to along a corner or edge--can become an uncomfortable annoyance
when that body is used as a pillow.
[0011] Future attempts to address children's bedding require an
apparatus that can overcome the problems of unshapely stuffed toys
and hard and lumpy pillows with annoyingly placed and easily
compromised zippers. Furthermore, an apparatus that will solve the
problems of children's bedding must be attractive and durable. To
be attractive as bedding, the apparatus must provide a soft and
comfortable pillow. However, the stuffed toy of the apparatus must
also be shapely and life-like in three dimensions to inspire the
affection and attachment necessary to endure the apparatus to a
child as a sleeping aid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a
need exists for an apparatus that can serve as a pillow, a stuffed
toy, and possibly a blanket, where the pillow is soft and
comfortable and the stuffed toy is shapely and life-like in three
dimensions. Beneficially, such an apparatus would include a means
for shaping the stuffed toy that would not compromise the softness
of the pillow and may include a zipper discreetly disposed along a
corner or edge of the apparatus to insure that a blanket stowed in
the apparatus would remain in the apparatus.
[0013] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art and, in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available attempts to provide children with a pillow,
a stuffed toy, and possibly a blanket in a single apparatus that
result in uncomfortable pillows or unshapely stuffed toys.
Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an
apparatus for a soft and comfortable pillow, possibly with an
extractable blanket, that converts into a soft and shapely toy
figure, thereby overcoming many or all of the above-discussed
shortcomings in the art.
[0014] The apparatus to convert a pillow to a soft toy figure is
provided with a pillow and at least one clasping mechanism. The
pillow has a layer of cushioning material. The two sides of the
clasping mechanism are attached between two sides of the pillow.
When the two sides of the clasping mechanism are disengaged, the
pillow assumes its natural shape and serves as a pillow. However,
when the clasping mechanism is engaged, it shapes the pillow by
cinching its layer of cushioning material. In certain embodiments,
multiple clasping mechanisms are used to further shape the pillow.
The clasping mechanism or clasping mechanisms, thereby, shape the
pillow into the shape of a soft toy figure. The toy figure may be
an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, a doll, or other
figure recognizable by a child.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include an
internal cavity within a hollow body or pillow. The internal cavity
may have an opening in one end of the pillow or hollow body. A
blanket may be attached to the pillow or the hollow body. The
blanket may either stow in the internal cavity or be extracted to
be used as bedding material. Certain embodiments may also include
an extremity or extremities attached to the pillow or the hollow
body with a soft filling. The extremities contribute to the profile
of the soft toy figure and may include a head, a tail, an arm, a
leg, a wing, or a wheel.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include a
closure mechanism along one edge of the apparatus to insure that a
stowed blanket remain inside the apparatus. Certain embodiments may
also include a mechanism for attaching and detaching the blanket
form the apparatus. These mechanisms may include zippers,
corresponding pairs of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and
series of eyelets and hooks, or by other suitable mechanisms known
to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in light of this
disclosure.
[0017] The two sides of the closure mechanism(s) of the apparatus
may be formed with a first side constituting a loop and a second
side constituting a strap. In such embodiments, the strap is
configured to be threaded through the loop and to double back on
itself, so as to cinch the pillow or the hollow body. In the
engaged position, the strap is connected to itself, after passing
through the loop. The strap may be connected to itself hooks,
corresponding pairs of hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, or
by other suitable mechanisms known to one of ordinary skill in the
relevant art in light of this disclosure.
[0018] Reference throughout this specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0019] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0020] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] In order that the advantages of the present invention will
be readily understood, a description of the invention will be
rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated
in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to
be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a soft
pillow in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of a pillow
with engaged clasping mechanisms in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a soft toy figure in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front, top-perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention with a blanket extracted from an internal
cavity of the embodiment; and
[0026] FIG. 5 is a rear, bottom-perspective view of one embodiment
of the present invention with a closure mechanism, a blanket, and
an attachment mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout
this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
same embodiment.
[0028] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description,
numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be
practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the
invention.
[0029] Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable
materials are not limited to those described. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the manufacturing
material, toy shape, and many other factors will cause the actual
dimensions of the soft toy and blanket dimensions to vary. In
addition, the apparent dimensions herein are provided only to
clearly illustrate the invention and should not be construed as
limiting the invention in any way.
[0030] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a soft pillow apparatus 100
in accordance with the present invention. The pillow apparatus 100
may have an outer layer enclosing a cushion. The pillow apparatus
100 may be a hollow body with an internal cavity as discussed
below. Although the pillow may have a cut resembling an animal, a
vehicle, an imaginary creature, a doll, or the like, the pillow's
shape provides a comfortable, relatively-flat surface for
sleeping.
[0031] The pillow apparatus 100 may include extremities 102a, 102b,
102c, 102d, 102e, 102f. The extremities 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d,
102e, 102f may include a head 102a, arms, legs 102b, 102c, 102e,
102f, a tail 102d, wheels, wings, and other appendages, depending
on the embodiment. The pillow apparatus 100 includes at least one
clasping mechanism 104a, 104b. The clasping mechanism 104n may be
formed with one or more corresponding pair(s) of hook and loop
strips, buckle(s), hook(s), snap(s), button(s), zipper(s) or any
other such mechanisms readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the relevant art in light of this disclosure.
[0032] The clasping mechanism(s) 104a, 104b can be engaged or
disengaged. When the clasping mechanism(s) 104a, 104b are
disengaged, the soft pillow apparatus 100 assumes its natural shape
to provide a soft and comfortable head rest and surface for
sleeping. When the clasping mechanisms 104a, 104b are engaged,
however, they cinch the soft pillow apparatus 100, shaping the soft
pillow apparatus 100 to form a three-dimensional, soft, toy
figure.
[0033] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the underside of a pillow
apparatus 200 with engaged clasping mechanisms 204a, 204b in
accordance with the present invention. The pillow apparatus may
have extremities 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f. The
extremities 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d, 202e, 202f may include a head
202a, arms, legs 202b, 202c, 202e, 202f, a tail 202d, wheels,
wings, and other appendages, depending on the embodiment.
[0034] The clasping mechanisms 204a, 204b, may each be provided
with a loop 206a, 206b and a strap 208a, 208b. Each loop 206n is
attached to a side of the pillow apparatus 200 opposite the side to
which the strap 208n is attached. Furthermore, each loop 206n has
an opening 210n large enough for its corresponding strap 208n to
pass through the loop 206n and double back on the corresponding
strap 208n. Alternatively, each clasping mechanism 204n may be
formed with one or more corresponding pair(s) of hook and loop
strips, buckle(s), hook(s), snap(s), button(s), zipper(s) or any
other such mechanisms readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the relevant art in light of this disclosure.
[0035] When a clasping mechanism 204n is engaged, the corresponding
strap 208n is pulled tight, thereby, cinching and rounding the
pillow apparatus 200. The fully cinched and rounded pillow
apparatus 200, whether by one clasping mechanism 204n or multiple
clasping mechanisms 204a-204n, takes on a three-dimensional and, in
certain embodiments, a life-like shape, as depicted in FIG. 3. When
all of the clasping mechanisms 204a-204n are fully disengaged, the
pillow apparatus 200 takes on a shape configured to serve as a
pillow, with a comfortable, relatively-flat surface for sleeping.
Therefore, clasping mechanisms 204a-204n provide a means for
creating a highly-developed, three-dimensional figure, and in some
embodiments, a life-like figure, without sacrificing softness and
comfort when, the pillow apparatus 200 is configured to serve as a
pillow.
[0036] Once the clasping mechanism 204n is engaged, the strap 208n
is attached to itself by a locking mechanism 212n. The locking
mechanism 212n may be formed with one or more corresponding pair(s)
of hook and loop strips--as depicted in FIG. 2--buckle(s), hook(s),
snap(s), button(s), or any other such mechanisms readily apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in light of this
disclosure. The soft toy figure formed by the engaged clasping
mechanism(s) 204a, 204b may depict an animal, a vehicle, an
imaginary creature, a doll, or any other figure easily recognizable
by a child.
[0037] The pillow apparatus 200 may be a hollow body, with a top
layer 214, a bottom layer 216, and a layer of soft filling material
218 in between the top layer 214 and the bottom layer 216. The
bottom layer 216 circumscribes an internal cavity 220. The internal
cavity 220 has an opening 222 disposed along one end of the hollow
body. In certain embodiments, the internal cavity 220 houses an
extractable blanket more fully discussed below.
[0038] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a
soft toy FIG. 300 in accordance with the present invention. One or
more clasping mechanism(s) substantially similar to those discussed
with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 provide the soft toy
FIG. 300 with its highly-developed, three-dimensional shape and, in
certain embodiments--such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3--a
life-like shape. As depicted in FIG. 3, the soft toy FIG. 300 may
have one or more extremities 302a, 302b, 302c, 302e, 302f, which
contribute to the overall shape and profile of the soft toy FIG.
300. The extremities 302a, 302b, 302c, 302e, 302f may include a
head 302a, arms, legs 302b, 302c, 302e, 302f, a tail, wheels,
wings, and other appendages, depending on the embodiment. As a
result of the extremities 302a, 302b, 302c, 302e, 302f and the
shaping, the soft toy FIG. 300 may depict an animal, a vehicle, an
imaginary creature, a doll, or any other figure easily recognizable
by a child.
[0039] FIG. 4 depicts a front, top-perspective view of a bedding
apparatus 400 with a blanket 410 extracted from an internal cavity,
where the bedding apparatus 400 is in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment
with extremities 402a, 402b, 402c, 402d, 402e, 402f, where one of
the extremities is a head 402a, four of the extremities are legs
402b, 402c, 402e, 402f, and one of the extremities is a tail 402d.
FIG. 4 also depicts multiple clasping mechanisms 404a, 404b.
[0040] The bedding apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 is provided with a
blanket 410. The blanket 410 is attached to the bedding apparatus
400. Furthermore, the blanket may be folded, and/or rolled, and/or
stuffed so that it may be stowed in the bedding apparatus 400. In
FIG. 4, the blanket 410 is depicted fully extracted from the
bedding apparatus 400.
[0041] In certain embodiments, the head 402a is filled with a soft
material or filling. In such embodiments, the head 402a can serve
as a mini-pillow to provide cushioning in addition to the
cushioning remaining in the hollow body/pillow once the blanket 410
has been extracted. In one such embodiment, for example, the head
402a is filled with micro-beads. Furthermore, in certain
embodiments, the clasping mechanisms 404a, 404b may be engaged once
the blanket 410 has been extracted to round and shape the bedding
apparatus 400 into a soft pillow, as opposed to a soft toy
figure.
[0042] FIG. 5 depicts a rear, bottom-perspective view of a bedding
apparatus 500 with a closure mechanism 522, a blanket 510, and an
attachment mechanism 526, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 5 depicts extremities 502c, 502e in the
form of legs attached to the bedding apparatus 500. FIG. 5 also
depicts a clasping mechanism 504 in the engaged position with a
corresponding loop 506 and a corresponding strap 508.
[0043] The bedding apparatus 500 is provided with a blanket 510.
The bedding apparatus 500 has an internal cavity 520 with an
opening 522 at one end of the bedding apparatus 500. Around the
perimeter of the opening 522 is a closure mechanism 524. The
closure mechanism 224 may be formed with a zipper, as depicted in
FIG. 5, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps,
buttons, a series of eyelets and hooks, or any other such
mechanisms readily apparent to one skilled in the relevant art.
When the blanket 510 is folded, and/or rolled, and/or stuffed into
the internal cavity 520 of the bedding apparatus, the closure
mechanism 524 prevents the blanket 510 from working its way outside
of the internal cavity 520.
[0044] When the blanket 510 is extracted from the internal cavity
520, the blanket 510 remains attached to the bedding apparatus 500
by an attachment mechanism 526. The attachment mechanism 526 keeps
the blanket 510 attached to the bedding apparatus 500 when the
attachment mechanism 526 is engaged. When the attachment mechanism
526 is disengaged, the blanket 510 is no longer attached to the
bedding apparatus 500 and may be removed. In embodiments without an
attachment mechanism 526, the blanket 510 is permanently attached
to the bedding apparatus 500 and cannot be removed. The attachment
mechanism 526 may be formed with a zipper, as depicted in FIG. 5, a
corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and
other mechanisms that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the relevant art in light of this disclosure.
[0045] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *