U.S. patent application number 13/137171 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for blanket having two independently controlled cooling zones.
Invention is credited to Jan M. Pollard.
Application Number | 20120017371 13/137171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45492327 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120017371 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pollard; Jan M. |
January 26, 2012 |
Blanket having two independently controlled cooling zones
Abstract
A blanket having two distinct cooling zones whereby each
occupant has control over the zone directly in physical contact.
Via a remote controller, each occupant has control over a fan
pumping ambient air into their respective zone and thru small
reinforced openings located on the bottom side of the zone thus
cooling the occupant.
Inventors: |
Pollard; Jan M.; (Coeur d'
Atene, ID) |
Family ID: |
45492327 |
Appl. No.: |
13/137171 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61367545 |
Jul 26, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/423 ;
5/421 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0215
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/423 ;
5/421 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/04 20060101
A47C021/04 |
Claims
1. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing
warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion
being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion;
the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between
them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone
and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second
zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in
communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to
an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of
cooling fluid having a respective remote controller for regulating
the flow of the cooling fluid.
2. A cooling blanket as in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of
the blanket having perforations for the passage of cooling fluid
from within the zone to the exterior of the blanket.
3. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing
warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion
being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion;
the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between
them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone
and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second
zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in
communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to
an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of
cooling fluid having a remote controller for regulating the cooling
fluid; the lower portion covering the top of mattress and the upper
portion extends beyond the top of mattress.
4. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the remote controller
is within convenient reach of the user.
5. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the remote controller
is a wireless remote.
6. A cooling blanket as in claim 3, wherein the upper portion which
extends beyond the top of the mattress is placed beneath the
mattress positioning and anchoring the lower portion on top of
mattress.
7. A cooling blanket comprising: an upper portion for providing
warmth; a lower portion for providing cooling; the lower portion
being operationally mounted on the underside of the upper portion;
the upper portion and the lower portion defining a space between
them for the flow of cooling fluid; the blanket having a first zone
and a second zone, the first zone being isolated from the second
zone so that the fluid within the space of the first zone is not in
communication with fluid in the second zone; each zone connected to
an independent source of cooling fluid; each independent source of
cooling fluid having a remote controller for regulating the cooling
fluid;each independent source of cooling fluid having a flexible
tube removably interfacing with a flexible fluid distributor
centrally connected to the distal end of each zone; each
independent source of cooling fluid having its own power
source.
8. A cooling blanket as in claim 7, wherein the flexible fluid
distributor having a major central opening and minor lateral
openings for efficient dispersal of cooling fluid within the zone;
the flexible tube having a snap connection means thereon for
interfacing with the flexible fluid distributor on the blanket
forming a fluid tight connection.
9. A cooling blanket as in claim 7, wherein the cooling fluid is
air.
Description
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C.
section 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,545
entitled "Cooling Blanket" filed Jul. 26, 2010, which is in its
entirety herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many individuals enjoy sharing a bed with their spouse but
find it hard to agree on air temperature for the most optimal
night's sleep. This is due to the fact that most husbands and wives
need different amounts of cool air to lower their body
temperatures. Additionally, individuals without access to
air-conditioning during hot summer nights may find it difficult to
fall asleep due to their raised body temperature. These individuals
may have access to ceiling or window fans, but oftentimes the
simple movement of air is not enough to lower body temperatures to
a comfortable state. Also, many individuals suffer from night
sweats and hot flashes in which additional cool air is needed to
alleviate the sharp spike in body temperature. Therefor, a need
exists for a blanket in which each user has readily available
control over the cooling level of the blanket directly in physical
contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blanket in accord with
the invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the blanket with tiny
openings allowing cool air to circulate.
[0005] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of
FIG. 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of the blanket looking thru
the top sheet to the bottom perforated sheet and the fan connection
to the blanket.
[0007] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of
FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially fragmentary view of
blanket connection to the fan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, cooling blanket 10 is shown covering
occupants 11 and 12. Occupant 11 operates remote controller 13 to
vary the cooling output of fan 15. Similarly, occupant 12 operates
remote controller 14 to vary the output of fan 16. Fan 16 is
connected to blanket 10 via fluid supply tube 17 and fan 15 is
connected to blanket 10 via fluid supply tube 18. Fan 16 is
connected to power outlet 21 via cord 20 and fan 15 is connected to
power outlet 22 via cord 19.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, blanket 10 consists of two sheets
of fabric sewn together. The first top sheet 25 is of any air
impermeable fabric and covers beyond the mattress on three sides.
The second bottom sheet 26 is of any air impermeable thin fabric
having a plurality of reinforced openings 27 thru which air flows
to circulate and cool the user's body and covers the top of the
mattress. Fabric sheets 25 and 26 are connected together in a fluid
tight connection around the perimeter 30, 31, 32, 33 of bottom
sheet 26 by any means, such as, thermal bonding, gluing, sewing,
etc. Sheets 25 and 26 are also connected together down the center
34 in the same manner thus creating two separate fluid tight zones
28 and 29. The bottom edge 45 of top sheet 25 that extends beyond
the top of the mattress and beyond the connected perimeter portion
31, is placed under the mattress to position and anchor the cooling
zones on top of the mattress. Also, the portions of bottom side
edges 45' of top sheet 25 that are adjacent to bottom edge 45, and
which extend beyond the connected perimeter portions 30 and 32, can
be tucked under the mattress to assist in positioning and anchoring
the cooling zones 28, 29 on top of the mattress as best seen in
FIG. 1. Blanket 10 will be sized to fit the standard mattress
sizes: twin, double, queen, etc. Top sheet 25 is generally of a
heavier fabric than bottom sheet 26.
[0011] With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, each fan 15, 16 is
removably connected via a fluid supply tube 17, 18 to a respective
tubular blanket connector 40 which is permanently sealed via
perimeter portion 31 to the blanket 10. Each tubular blanket
connector 40 is centrally located at the distal end of each zone
28, 29 in the zone seam 31. To increase the fluid circulation
within the zones, the major central opening 41 of tubular blanket
connector 40 has minor lateral hollow tube extensions 42 extending
therefrom into each respective blanket zone. Protuberance 43 on the
outer surface of blanket connector 40 mates with indentation 44 on
the inner surface of fluid supply tube 17, 18 thus forming a fluid
tight snap connection best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, remote controller 14, having
selector 14a for low, medium and high output settings for fan 16,
varies the fluid flow in zone 28 thru reinforced openings 27.
Similarly, remote controller 13, having selector 13a for low,
medium and high output settings for fan 15, varies the fluid flow
in zone 29 thru reinforced openings 27. Both remotes 14, 13 are
electrically connected to their respective fans 16, 15 via wires
35. The remotes can also be wireless. Further, if the occupants
don't require cooling, they can operate the on/off switch 14b, 13b
to disable the respective fans. Therefore, through operating the
respective remote controller, each occupant varies the flow of air
from each respective fan to each respective zone and thru
respective reinforced openings on the bottom of respective zone
thus cooling respective occupant.
[0013] While the preferred embodiment has been described above,
many other embodiments and variations are possible within the scope
of the present disclosure and in the appended claims that follow.
Accordingly, the details of the preferred embodiment are not to be
construed as limiting. It is to be understood that the terms used
herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting and that various
changes, numerous equivalents may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.
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