U.S. patent application number 12/657699 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for wearable lap blanket allowing movement in seated or standing positions.
Invention is credited to Robert E. Curtis.
Application Number | 20100199402 12/657699 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42539120 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199402 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Curtis; Robert E. |
August 12, 2010 |
Wearable lap blanket allowing movement in seated or standing
positions
Abstract
A wearable insulating blanket for the lower body and legs, that
when worn permits the use of the feet and also unhindered
transition between seated and standing positions. The assembly
includes an outer weather- and wear-resistant shell layer, suitably
formed of water-resistant nylon fabric, and an inner insulating
layer, suitably formed of synthetic fleece. The main panel of the
blanket extends substantially continuously across the front of the
wearer's legs and lower abdomen, with the edges of the blanket
converging at the rear. The blanket is secured to the wearer's
waist by an adjustable quick-release waist strap, while an
adjustable-length vertical vent at the front of the blanket permits
free movement of the legs and feet without excessive exposure and
heat loss. The edges of the adjustable vent are optionally attached
to the two rear edges of the blanket by detachable leg straps that
hold the lower edges of the blanket in place on the legs, e.g.,
against being blown up by wind. The combination of
protection/warmth and freedom of leg movement provided by the
blanket is advantageous for persons engaged in activities that
require them to be seated in a cold or exposed environment yet
still need be free to move their legs/feet and frequently change
between seated and standing positions, such as bus and delivery
drivers, fishermen, spectators at sporting events, and so on.
Inventors: |
Curtis; Robert E.; (Everett,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TODD N. HATHAWAY
119 N. COMMERCIAL ST. #620
BELLINGHAM
WA
98225
US
|
Family ID: |
42539120 |
Appl. No.: |
12/657699 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61207626 |
Feb 12, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/064 20130101;
A47G 9/066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A wearable insulating blanket assembly that provides thermal
insulation for a wearer's lower abdomen and legs while permitting
free movement of said wearer's feet and unencumbered transition
between seating and standing positions, said blanket assembly
comprising: a thermally insulative blanket member having upper and
lower ends and first and second edges; means for securing said
blanket member about a wearer's waist so that a panel portion of
said blanket member substantially covers said lower abdomen and
legs of said wearer, and said first and second edges of said
blanket member converge at said wearer's back; and a vertical vent
that extends from said lower edge of said blanket member upwardly
into said panel portion at an approximate midpoint between said
first and second edges of said blanket member so as to be
positioned substantially between said wearer's legs when worn, so
that said vent allows substantially free movement of said wearer's
legs and feet in both sitting and standing positions.
2. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 1, wherein
said blanket member comprises: a wear-resistant outer shell layer;
and a thermally insulative inner lining layer.
3. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 2, wherein
said wear-resistance outer shell layer comprises: a layer of wind
and rain resistant fabric material.
4. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 3, wherein
said wear-resistant outer layer of wind and rain resistant fabric
material comprises: a layer of nylon fabric material.
5. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 3, wherein
said thermally insulating inner lining layer comprises: a layer of
synthetic fleece material.
6. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 2, wherein
said wear-resistant outer shell layer and thermally insulative
inner lining layer are joined along said edges of said blanket
member.
7. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 2, wherein
said panel portion of said blanket member comprises: a
substantially rectangular panel having an upper edge that forms
said upper end of said blanket member and a lower edge that forms
said lower end of said blanket member, and first and second side
edges that form said first and second edges of said blanket
member.
8. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 7, wherein
said vertical vent of said blanket member comprises: a slot that
extends upwardly from said lower edge of said panel member at a
substantially central location between said first and second side
edges of said panel member.
9. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 8, further
comprising: means for adjusting a length of said vertical vent
opening.
10. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 9, wherein
said means for adjusting a length of said vertical vent opening
comprises: a zipper mounted in said slot extending upwardly from
said lower edge of said panel member, said zipper being operable to
selectively increase or decrease an open length of said slot
extending downwardly from an upper end thereof.
11. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 1, wherein
said means for securing said upper end of said blanket member about
said waist of a wearer comprises: a waist strap; and a detachable
buckle member for releasably securing said waist strap about said
waist of said wearer.
12. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 11, wherein
said detachable buckle member comprises: a quick-release
buckle.
13. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 12, wherein
said quick-release buckle comprises: a quick-release buckle
attached to ends of said waist strap located intermediate said
first and second edges of said blanket member so as to be
positioned at a back of said wearer, so that said blanket member
will freely fall away from said wearer in response to release of
said buckle.
14. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 13, further
comprising: first and second leg straps that detachably connect
first and second edges of said vertical vent opening to said first
and second edges of said blanket member proximate said lower end
thereof, so as to secure said lower end of said blanket member to
said wearer's legs.
15. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 14, wherein
said leg straps each comprise: means for quick-release attachment
of at least one end of said strap to said blanket member.
16. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 15, wherein
said means for quick-release attachment of at least one end of each
strap to said blanket member comprises: at least one press-type
stud fastener.
17. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 1, further
comprising: at least one pocket member mounted to said blanket
member.
18. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 17, wherein
said at least one pocket member comprises: a pocket member that is
mounted to a front side of said blanket member in a selected
location so as to be positioned proximate a knee of said
wearer.
19. The wearable insulating blanket assembly of claim 18, wherein
said at least one pocket member that is mounted to a front side of
said blanket member comprises: an opening that is oriented so as to
be angled between vertical and horizontal when a knee of said
wearer is raised, so as to be easily accessible by said wearer when
in a seated position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/207,626 filed on Feb. 12, 2009.
BACKGROUND
[0002] a. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to insulating wear
and more particularly to a lower body insulating cover that permits
the wearer to maintain an unhindered freedom of leg movement when
seated, as well as when vacating this position to stand and
subsequently walk.
[0004] b. Background
[0005] The retail market commonly supplies consumers with a variety
of insulating blankets designed for use when in a seated or prone
position. Such designs customarily provide for a generous amount of
covering material at and below the waist level, sufficient to
cover, overlap or envelope the wearer's feet. As a consequence,
they do not properly accommodate free leg movement whilst in a
seated position. Neither do they allow for the safe operation of
foot controls, nor adoption of a work related standing position or
subsequent walking by the wearer. As a result they present several
shortcomings with regard to potential wider usage and practical
mobility associated with a non sedentary activity:
[0006] a) Adoption of a standing position by the wearer, from a
previously seated position, results in an immediate and
unacceptable forward displacement of the blanket cover.
[0007] b) Even when such a blanket is properly positioned and
secured around the wearer's middle, assumption of a standing
position by the wearer results in the bunching of excess material
to the front. This in turn constitutes a potentially hazardous
situation, to the wearer in the event of further movement, until
such time as the cover is set aside.
[0008] (c) Similarly, non form-fitting blanket covers worn in a
seated position do not allow for the safe operation of vehicle and
other machinery foot controls. Furthermore, the existence of
interfering material at or about the foot level constitutes an
unwarranted risk to operational safety.
[0009] (d) Insulating covers specifically designed for a wheelchair
occupant's usage are created to provide thermal protection for the
occupant when in a seated position as opposed to providing similar
warmth when standing and/or walking.
[0010] (e) Other blankets, commonly referred to as throws, are
designed to possibly drape across any portion of the wearer's mid
body, lap and leg area. As such they are not fashioned to maintain
lap or leg cover once the wearer becomes upright to engage in a
more mobile pursuit.
[0011] In conclusion, each of the typical designs mentioned above
constitutes a danger to the wearer when used in a non-seated or
otherwise, mobile situation. This is primarily due to their
unsecured positioning about the body, together with their
loose-fitting and generous material proportions, rendering them
unsuited to either machinery or vehicle foot operations.
Furthermore, standing and walking is impractical. Any intervening
action engaged in by the wearer to rectify or adjust such an in
situ blanket, whilst otherwise engaged in a primary task, to move
it closer about the body or indeed away from the feet is
impractical and likely to incur a risk prone outcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention addresses the problems cited above,
and is a wearable insulating blanket assembly that provides thermal
protection for the wearer's lower abdomen and legs while still
permitting free movement of the feet and unencumbered transition
between seated and standing positions.
[0013] In a broad aspect, the blanket assembly comprises a
thermally insulative blanket member having upper and lower ends and
first and second edges, means for securing the blanket member about
a wearer's waist so that a panel portion of the blanket member
substantially covers the lower abdomen and legs of the wearer and
the first and second edges of the blanket member converge at the
wearer's back, and a vertical vent extending from the lower edge of
the blanket member upwardly into the panel portion thereof at an
approximate midpoint between the first and second edges of the
blanket member, so as to be positioned substantially between the
wearer's legs when worn, that permits freedom of movement of the
wearer's legs and feet in both sitting and standing positions.
[0014] The blanket member may be a bi-layer blanket member
comprising a wear-resistant outer shell and a thermally insultative
inner lining. The wear-resistant outer layer may comprise a layer
of wind and rain resistant fabric material. The wear-resistant
outer layer may comprise a nylon fabric material, and the thermally
insulative inner layer may comprise a synthetic fleece material.
The layers of material may be hemmed and/or banded along the
edges.
[0015] The panel portion of the blanket member may comprise a
substantially rectangular panel of material, with an upper edge
forming the upper end of the blanket member and a lower edge
forming the lower end of the blanket member, and first and second
side edges forming the first and second edges of the blanket
member. The front vent of the blanket member may be formed as a
slot or cut extending upwardly from the lower edge of the panel
member at a substantially central location between the side edges
of the panel member.
[0016] The blanket assembly may further comprise means for
adjusting a length of the front vent opening. The means for
adjusting the length of the front vent opening may comprise a
zipper that is operable to selectively increase or decrease the
length of the vent opening from an upper end thereof.
[0017] The means for securing the upper end of the blanket member
about the waist of a wearer may comprise a waist strap and a
detachable buckle member. The waist strap may be adjustable for
length. The detachable buckle member may comprise a quick-release
buckle; the quick-release buckle may be located intermediate the
first and second edges of the blanket member so as to be positioned
at a back of a wearer, so that the blanket member will freely fall
away from the wearer in response to release of the buckle.
[0018] The assembly may further comprise first and second leg
straps that detachably to connect first and second edges of the
front vent opening to the first and second edges of the blanket
member proximate the lower end of the blanket member, so as to
secure the lower end of the blanket member to the wearer's legs.
The leg straps may each comprise means for quick-release attachment
of at least one end of the strap to the blanket member; the
quick-release means may comprise at least one press-type stud
fastener.
[0019] The blanket assembly may further comprise at least one
pocket member. The at least one pocket member may comprise a pocket
member that is mounted to a front side of the blanket member so as
to be positioned proximate a knee of the wearer. The at least one
pocket member may comprise an opening that is angled so as to be
easily accessible by the wearer when the knee is raised in the
seated position.
[0020] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully appreciated from a reading of the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wearable blanket
assembly in accordance with the present invention, showing the
arrangement of the blanket assembly as it is worn by a user;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the wearable blanket
assembly of FIG. 1, showing the quick-release buckle of the waist
strap and other aspects of the assembly in greater detail.
INDEX OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0023] 100--Wearable blanket assembly [0024] 110--Facing material
[0025] 112--Backing material [0026] 114--Edge binding tape [0027]
116--Open vent, front face [0028] 118--Single pull zipper extension
vent [0029] 120--Female press stud fastener [0030] 122--Male press
stud fastener [0031] 124--Adjustable waist strap [0032] 126--Waist
strap buckle female [0033] 128--Waist strap length adjuster [0034]
140--Waist strap buckle male [0035] 142--Waist strap retaining loop
[0036] 144--Pocket, front face [0037] 146--Leg retaining strap
[0038] 146--Leg strap, in-use
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] a. Construction
[0040] FIGS. 1-2 show a lap blanket 100 in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 represents
the front view and FIG. 2 the alternative rear view of a fully
finished and correctly worn blanket.
[0041] The blanket is comprised of a suitably adjoined textile
material or materials, that when correctly assembled provides a
durable, light-weight and thermally insulating cover. The
proportions of the finished covering should be of sufficient
dimension to provide a close fitting lap, thigh and lower leg
insulation barrier for the wearer. When worn, the blanket sides do
not abut at the rear when secured via an integrated waist strap
(124). When either a seated or standing position is assumed by the
wearer the blanket's length should not extend to come in contact
with the feet.
[0042] The blanket 100 is preferably formed of outer and inner
layers of materials, the first being weather- and wear-resistant
and the second being insulative, joined together in the manner of
shell and lining. The outer layer is suitably constructed of
water-repellant nylon, while the under layer is suitably
constructed of synthetic fleece. The appropriate sizing, joining,
sewing, gluing or thermally bonding of a durable inner insulating
material (112) with a hardwearing water-repellant outer material,
(110), together with its position retaining waist strap and frontal
vent provide important benefits, as will be described in greater
detail below. However, a single, all-encompassing material
combining the desired properties may be used as an alternative to
the layered construction. The back-to-back merger of these
different surface materials, (110) and (116), is then hemmed,
suitably with an edge binding tape (114), to ensure the blankets
extremities are securely finished.
[0043] The lower edge, mid-point, of the merged materials is then
cut and similarly hemmed, thus providing a permanently open bottom
edge vent (116). This is enhanced by an adjustable zipper (118)
that is installed at the upper end of the vent to provide an
adjustable extension to the fixed vent (116).
[0044] The upper, outwardly facing surface of the blanket is
provided with waist-level loops (142), which retain in position an
adjustable belt or waist strap (124) that is threaded therethrough.
The waist strap (124) is suitably made from an appropriate-width
webbing material, terminating at each end with a quick release
squeeze fastening mechanism having male and female component parts
(126), (140). The waist strap's (124) length is adjustable by means
of a single bar slide adjuster (128).
[0045] A pocket for small items, preferably angled to the
right-hand side, outer layer edge, provides the wearer with
particularly easy access when in seated. Three easy-opening,
quick-release female press stud fasteners (120) penetrate through
the facing blanket material, to secure to the backing material.
These three stud fasteners are strategically located in fixed
positions, two adjacent the blanket's outer edge, one on the
blanket lower edge near the vent. This pattern applies to both the
right and left sections of the blanket, at a level approximating to
a bisecting centre line of the open vent.
[0046] Two easy opening male press stud fasteners (122) are
attached, one to each end, of the two detachable leg strap
retainers (146) and allow for a closer fitting of the blanket to
the lower leg. The connecting male (120) and female (122) stud
fasteners then secure the stretchable straps in place against each
leg once fastened in a horizontal position. When the wearer elects
not to exercise this option, the leg straps can either be removed,
or securely stowed in a vertical position by means of additional
fasteners provided for that purpose; furthermore, the leg straps
themselves may be absent in some embodiments.
b. Operation
[0047] The lap blanket is worn in a way somewhat resembling that of
waist-secured ankle-length aprons, favored by restaurant waiters in
France, for instance. When worn in this manner, the leg blanket of
the present invention provides an effective thermal barrier over
and around both the upper (thigh) and lower leg areas. The
blanket's covering of the lower body area in the manner described
consequently allows a layer of warming air to form between the
blanket's inner surface and the wearer' lower body clothing.
[0048] The inclusion of an adjustable, front, low-level vent allows
for the uninhibited movement of the feet by the wearer. As a result
the wearer is able to sit or stand, as well as operate foot
controls from either position. In addition the wearer can engage in
wider range of movements, including that of walking, all without a
misalignment, loss of the body insulating qualities of the blanket
cover, or risk of impediment to the feet areas. Should it be
necessary to swiftly remove the lap blanket, this is quickly
achieved by first bending down and pulling the outer end of each
leg retaining strap in turn, followed by pressing down on the
rear-positioned quick-release fastener of the waist strap. This
permits the blanket to pull/fall away without encumbering the
wearer.
[0049] The lap blanket of the present invention has application
across a number of different fields. These include, yet are not
limited to, the operation of machinery and vehicles from a seated
position, whilst still allowing the wearer's prompt transfer to an
alternative standing or ambulatory mode of operation, which is a
particular benefit for delivery drivers, bus drivers and other
vehicle operators who must frequently change between seated and
standing/walking positions. Other examples include use by sports
spectators or persons engaged in other activities that involve
exposure to open air or other cold venues, such as hobby fishermen,
bird waters, play area supervisors, etc. Appropriate logos may be
marked on the blanket for sales via arena franchise outlets and
sports retail outfitters, in support of the competing teams and
their associated events, e.g., at football stadiums, ice rinks and
motor sport venues.
[0050] Use of the blanket applies equally well to office type
activities, wherein prolonged in activity in a seated or standing
position often gives rise to reduced circulation and lower body
heat.
c. Advantages
[0051] From the description above, a number of advantages of the
lap blanket of the present invention will be evident:
[0052] (a) Despite the economical dimensions of the lap covering,
its secure waist attachment and contoured body shape design ensure
maximum heat retention of the lower body and extremities.
[0053] (b) The adequate floor level clearance provided by the worn
blanket prevents it becoming entangled with the feet. Similarly,
the nature of the open back area avoids any restriction to the
movement of the legs.
[0054] (c) The optional leg retaining straps permit the blanket to
remain close to the leg in windy conditions.
[0055] (d) The easily accessed pocket provides storage for small
task items, as opposed to reliance on restricted-access pockets in
the wearers other outer garments.
[0056] (e) In the event of an emergency the blanket can be quickly
removed with simple motions of one or both hands.
[0057] (f) The simple lines and absence of bulky excess lends
itself to use in office environments, in keeping with reasonable
dress standards.
[0058] (g) The blanket can be worn, without any obstruction to
movement, while seated or whilst standing/walking or in an
otherwise mobile position. Similarly, operation of machinery and
vehicle foot controls fully accommodated.
[0059] (h) When not in use, the blanket can be rolled up and
secured in a compact shape, suited to stowage in a restricted
space, e.g., a glove compartment or a tote bag.
[0060] (i) The configuration of the blanket facilitates use of
customized colors and/or affixing logos or loyalty symbols, e.g.,
team colors and/or emblems.
[0061] It is to be recognized that various alterations,
modifications, and/or additions may be introduced into the
constructions and arrangements of parts described above without
departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.
* * * * *