U.S. patent application number 16/123231 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-12 for multi-use blanket/cushion.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kathy Thibodeau. Invention is credited to Kathy Thibodeau.
Application Number | 20200077819 16/123231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69718595 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200077819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thibodeau; Kathy |
March 12, 2020 |
MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION
Abstract
A device for providing a blanket and a cushion which has a
blanket, a cushion, and a pocket, which blanket has a bottom edge,
which bottom edge of said blanket aligns with a bottom edge of the
cushion, and where the pocket is formed by the intersection of the
blanket and the cushion. The blanket further includes a plurality
of fasteners arranged in a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth
pair, which pairs allow for the securement of the blanket around a
user's neck, torso, and arms.
Inventors: |
Thibodeau; Kathy; (Edmonton,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thibodeau; Kathy |
Edmonton |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
69718595 |
Appl. No.: |
16/123231 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 15/04 20130101;
A47G 9/066 20130101; A47G 9/1045 20130101; A47G 9/0207
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10; A47G 9/02 20060101 A47G009/02; A41D 15/04 20060101
A41D015/04 |
Claims
1. A device for providing a blanket and cushion which comprises: a)
a blanket; b) a pocket; and c) a cushion; wherein said pocket is
formed by the securement of said blanket to said cushion; wherein
said pocket is for allowing said blanket to be stuffed inside said
pocket so that said device forms a pillow.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said blanket comprises a bottom
edge; wherein said cushion comprises a bottom edge; and wherein
said bottom edge of said cushion is secured to said blanket along
said bottom edge of said blanket.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said cushion comprises two side
edges; wherein said two side edges are secured to said blanket.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said cushion is substantially
square shaped; wherein said cushion comprises a top edge; and
wherein said top edge is the only edge of said cushion not secured
to said blanket.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said bottom edge of said cushion
has a length; wherein said bottom edge of said blanket has a
length; and wherein said length of said bottom edge of said cushion
is approximately one third of said length of said bottom edge of
said blanket.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said two side edges of said
cushion are secured to said blanket such that said bottom edge of
said blanket may be fully enclosed in said pocket.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said blanket has a height; wherein
said cushion has a height; and wherein said height of said blanket
is an integer multiple of said height of said cushion.
8. The device of claim 2 wherein said device further comprises a
hood; and wherein said hood is disposed on an edge of said blanket
opposite said bottom edge.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein said hood has a front opening; and
wherein said front opening of said hood is on the side of said
blanket where said cushion is attached to form said pocket.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein said blanket comprises a left
side edge, a right side edge and a top edge; wherein said edge of
said blanket opposite said bottom edge is said top edge; wherein
said device further comprises a plurality of fasteners; and wherein
said plurality of fasteners are disposed along said left and right
side edges of said blanket and said top edge of said blanket.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said plurality of fasteners
comprise a plurality of pairs of fasteners; wherein said pairs of
fasteners are for fastening to one another.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of pairs of
fasteners comprise five pairs of fasteners.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said five pairs of fasteners are
a first pair of fasteners, a second pair of fasteners, a third pair
of fasteners, a fourth pair of fasteners, and a fifth pair of
fasteners; wherein said first pair of fasteners are both disposed
along said left side edge of said blanket; wherein said second pair
of fasteners are both disposed along said right side edge of said
blanket; wherein said third pair of fasteners are both disposed
along said top edge of said blanket; wherein said fourth pair of
fasteners are both disposed along said top edge of said blanket;
and wherein said fifth pair of fasteners are disposed one along
said left side edge of said blanket and one along said right side
edge of said blanket.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said third pair of fasteners are
disposed so that the space between them bisects said top edge of
said blanket; and wherein said fourth pair of fasteners are
disposed so that the space between them bisects said top edge of
said blanket.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said third pair of fasteners are
disposed closer to said left side edge and said right side edge
respectively than said fourth pair of fasteners.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein said first pair of fasteners are
disposed near said top edge of said blanket; and wherein said
second pair of fasteners are disposed near said top edge of said
blanket in a mirror image from said first pair of fasteners.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said fifth pair of fasteners is
disposed further away from said top edge of said blanket than said
first pair of fasteners and said second pair of fasteners.
18. The device of claim 6 wherein said device further comprises a
mechanical slide fastener; wherein said mechanical slide fastener
is for opening said cushion to allow padding thereof to be removed
to facilitate cleaning.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein said mechanical slide fastener
is disposed on said bottom edge of said cushion.
20. A method of making a combination cushion and blanket comprising
the steps of: a) establishing a cushion and a blanket, b) folding
said blanket onto itself from a left edge and a right edge, so that
said blanket has a bottom edge with a length substantially similar
to that of said cushion; c) disposing a bottom edge of said cushion
to align with said bottom edge of said blanket; and d) sewing said
cushion to said bottom edge of said blanket and sewing along a pair
of side edges of said cushion such that said left edge of said
blanket and said right edge of said blanket are not captured.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a blanket construction, and
more particularly, a MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION.
Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Numerous innovations for combination blankets and cushions
have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even
though these innovations may be suitable for the specific
individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ
from the present invention.
[0003] A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,038,335, Published/Issued
on Apr. 21, 1936, to Aronow teaches an article which in one of its
phases will serve as a cushion and in another of its phases will
serve simultaneously as a cushion and blanket, spread, or,
cover.
[0004] A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,145,726, Published/Issued
on Jan. 31, 1939, to Kupperblatt teaches a robe to have a right and
a left front panel connected at their outer edges with a back
panel, and means for releasably connecting the top edges of the
front panels and the back panel for forming the shoulder portions
of the robe. Thus, when the top edges are released it is possible
to open the robe into a flat sheet which then may be used as a
blanket.
[0005] A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,667, Published/Issued
on Nov. 23, 1999, to Haverly, et al. teaches a blanket having one
pocket permanently attached to the top planar surface along one
elongated edge thereof and a plurality of additional pockets
permanently attached to either the top or bottom planar surface,
each along one an elongated edge thereof such that only one pocket
is present along any elongated edge, the inside surfaces of the
pockets consisting of different fabric patterns from each other,
and which pockets are shaped and dimensioned such that when one of
the pockets is turned inside out the remainder of the blanket can
be folded, rolled and tucked into the pocket to convert the blanket
into a pillow.
[0006] A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,797, Published/Issued
on Feb. 15, 2000, to Brumfield teaches a comfort system is provided
involving a towel, blanket or cloth that folds into a pillow
configuration, and in a fire retardant version is useful as vehicle
comfort system. The comfort system involves a length of cloth or
fabric that folds into a pillow configuration. An air bladder
contained within the pillow supplements the pillow to provide
increased comfort. The comfort system provides reduced weight and
convenient storage volume consumption for aircraft while providing
the flexibility of selectively functioning as a pillow or towel or
cover according to the particular needs of the user.
[0007] A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,083, Published/Issued
on Apr. 9, 2002, to November teaches a multiple use blanket which
can be converted into a sleeping bag or pouch configuration and
into a compact cushion, pillow or storage configuration. In a fully
unfolded configuration, the blanket may be used as a blanket, wrap
or, when provided with a water-resistant outer layer, as a
poncho-like wrap. The blanket has a closure system (e.g., a zipper,
hook and loop system, snaps, buttons, a zip lock system, etc.) in a
central region of the blanket into which the blanket can be folded
or otherwise manipulated, and the closure system closed around the
compacted blanket to provide the compact configuration of the
blanket. The location of the closure system provides a neat, clean
and convenient way to compact the blanket, and an attractive
appearance, as well as functionality as a pillow or cushion.
Another closure system is provided about the periphery of the
blanket which allows the blanket to be folded and configured as a
sleeping bag or stadium bag or pouch.
[0008] A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,462, Published/Issued
on Jun. 25, 2002, to Moore teaches a multipurpose device that can
be alternately configured to form a blanket, a cushion, a hooded
poncho, a hooded poncho with a fastening shawl, and a tote bag. The
multipurpose device includes a pliable sheet that can be configured
for use as a blanket. The pliable sheet is lengthwise dividable
into three sections, a first one-third section, a second one-third
section having a middle and a third one-third section. The
multipurpose device also contains a first attachment. The first
attachment includes at least a bi-layer of material that form a
first and second pocket and is attached to the pliable sheet near a
first edge of the second one third section. The pliable sheet can
be folded, preferably with the assistance of specifically placed
securing devices, into the second pocket to form the cushion
configuration. Alternatively, the first pocket can be configured,
also preferably with the assistance of specifically placed securing
devices, to form a hood for the hooded poncho configuration and the
hooded poncho with a fastening shawl configuration. By adding a
handle in a certain location, the multipurpose device can be folded
into the second pocket and configured for use as a tote bag.
[0009] A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No.
20050262634, Published/Issued on Dec. 1, 2005, to Gottlieb teaches
an improved comfort system comprising blanket formed of first and
second layers of material and including an external pocket
centrally located along at least one peripheral edge thereof. The
blanket may be easily converted into a pillow configuration by a
folding method that transforms the blanket into a compact
configuration and includes pulling the folded blanket through the
pocket, in an inside out manner, such that the folded blanket is
contained within the external pocket and the pocket opening. The
comfort system is further provided with a conventional pillow sized
for insertion within the pocket, and a detachable shoulder strap to
facilitate carrying. The comfort system thus provides a compact and
transportable pillow and blanket combination particularly suited
for use by travelers, airline passengers, and persons on overnight
trips.
[0010] AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No.
20080182478, Published/Issued on Jul. 31, 2008, to Smoot, et al.
teaches 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.
[0011] A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No.
20130189898, Published/Issued on Jul. 25, 2013, to Abbott teaches a
combination pillow, blanket, and stuffed toy comprising a blanket
with a pocket attached thereto, such that the blanket may be folded
and the pocket may be turned inside out. The folded blanket is then
located inside the pocket, forming a pillow. The pillow may then be
converted into a stuffed toy by attaching a strap connected to one
side of the pillow to the other side of the pillow, causing the
pillow to fold downward and form a stuffed toy body.
[0012] It is apparent now that numerous innovations for combination
cushions and blankets have been provided in the prior art that
adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these
innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to
which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the
purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a MULTI-USE
BLANKET/CUSHION that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0014] ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION that is simple and inexpensive to
manufacture.
[0015] STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide
a MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION that is simple to use.
[0016] BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present
invention is to provide a MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION that provides
fasteners for allowing it to form a poncho.
[0017] The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The figures of the drawings are briefly described as
follows:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the MULTI-USE
BLANKET/CUSHION in use;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the blanket component
spread out flat and cushion component separate from each other
before stitching them together;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the blanket component
and cushion component separate from each other, after folding the
blanket component, but before stitching them together;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the blanket component
and cushion component after stitching them together;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5-5
illustrating what is stitched together; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the MULTI-USE
BLANKET/CUSHION spread out ready for a person to don; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the MULTI-USE
BLANKET/CUSHION fully folded.
A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS
[0026] 10 device for providing a blanket 12 and cushion 14 [0027]
12 blanket [0028] 14 cushion [0029] 16 pocket [0030] 18 bottom edge
of blanket 12 [0031] 20 bottom edge of cushion 14 [0032] 22 side
edges of cushion 14 [0033] 24 top edge of cushion 14 [0034] 26
length of bottom edge 20 of cushion 14 [0035] 28 length of bottom
edge 18 of blanket 12 [0036] 30 height of blanket 12 [0037] 32
height of cushion 14 [0038] 34 hood [0039] 36 front opening of hood
34 [0040] 38 left side edge of blanket 12 [0041] 40 right side edge
of blanket 12 [0042] 42 top edge of blanket 12 [0043] 44 fastener
[0044] 46 first pair of fasteners [0045] 48 second pair of
fasteners [0046] 50 third pair of fasteners [0047] 52 fourth pair
of fasteners [0048] 54 fifth pair of fasteners [0049] 56 mechanical
slide fastener
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0050] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 disclosed is
a device 10 for providing a blanket 12 and cushion 14 which
has:
[0051] a) a blanket 12;
[0052] b) a pocket 16; and
[0053] c) a cushion 14.
The pocket 16 is formed by the securement of the blanket 12 to the
cushion 14. The pocket 16 is for allowing the blanket 12 to be
stuffed inside said pocket so that the device 10 forms a
pillow.
[0054] To accomplish this, the blanket 12 has a bottom edge 18. The
cushion 14 has a bottom edge 20. The bottom edge 20 of the cushion
14 is secured to the blanket 12 along the bottom edge 18 of the
blanket 12. This allows that the blanket 12 can be folded into the
pocket 16 because the pocket 16 is not offset from all edges of the
blanket 12.
[0055] In order to form the pocket 16, the cushion 14 has two side
edges 22. The two side edges 22 are secured to the blanket 12.
Further, the cushion 14 is substantially square shaped. The cushion
has a top edge 24. The top edge 24 of the cushion 14 is the only
edge of the cushion 14 not secured to the blanket 12.
[0056] In order to facilitate construction and ability to fold the
blanket 12 into the pocket 16, the bottom edge 20 of the cushion 14
has a length 26. The bottom edge 18 of the blanket 12 likewise has
a length 28. The length 26 of the bottom edge 20 of the cushion 14
is approximately one third of the length 28 of the bottom edge 18
of the blanket 12. This allows that the blanket 12 can be folded
onto itself and tucked into the pocket 16 as seen in FIGS. 4 and
7.
[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two side edges 22 of
the cushion 14 are secured to the blanket 12 such that the bottom
edge 18 of the blanket 12 may be fully enclosed in the pocket
16.
[0058] To further facilitate folding of the blanket into the
pocket, the blanket 12 has a height 30. The cushion 14 has a height
32. The height 30 of the blanket 12 is an integer multiple of the
height 32 of the cushion 14. This facilitates even folding of the
blanket 12 into the pocket 16 by preventing an excess partial
amount of the blanket 12 from sticking out.
[0059] As illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device
further includes a hood 34. The hood 34 is disposed on an edge of
the blanket opposite the bottom edge 18. The hood 34 has a front
opening 36. The front opening 36 of the hood is on the side of the
blanket 12 where the cushion 14 is attached to form the pocket 16.
This allows a user to use the pocket 16 as a foot warmer while
simultaneously using the hood 34, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0060] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 6, applicant will now discuss one
of the key inventive features of the present invention. The blanket
12 has a left side edge 38, a right side edge 40 and a top edge 42.
The device 10 further includes a plurality of fasteners 44. The
plurality of fasteners 44 are disposed along the left 38 and right
40 side edges of the blanket 12 and the top edge 42 of the blanket
12. To facilitate the use of the invention as will be described,
the plurality of fasteners 44 are a plurality of pairs of fasteners
44. The pairs of fasteners 44 are for fastening to one another. In
a preferred construction and as shown in the drawings, the
fasteners 44 may be snaps, but alternative fasteners 44 such as
magnetic fasteners or buttons may also be used. As shown in FIGS. 2
and 6, the plurality of pairs of fasteners 44 are preferably five
pairs of fasteners 44.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the five pairs of fasteners 44 are a
first pair 46 of fasteners 44, a second pair 48 of fasteners 44, a
third pair 50 of fasteners 44, a fourth pair 52 of fasteners 44,
and a fifth pair 54 of fasteners 44.
[0062] The first pair 46 of fasteners 44 are both disposed along
the left side edge 38 of the blanket 12. The second pair 48 of
fasteners 44 are both disposed along the right side edge 40 of the
blanket 12. The third pair 50 of fasteners 44 are both disposed
along the top edge 24 of the blanket 12. The fourth pair 52 of
fasteners 44 are both disposed along the top edge 42 of the blanket
12. The fifth pair 54 of fasteners 44 are disposed one along the
left side edge 38 of the blanket 12 and one along the right side
edge 40 of the blanket 12. This structure allows the first 46 and
second 48 pairs of fasteners 44 to be closed onto each other to
form sleeves for a user donning the blanket 12. The third 50 and
fourth 52 pair of fasteners may be used for a neck closure, either
tightly around a user's neck or loosely around the shoulders. The
fifth 54 pair of fasteners 44 may be used to close the whole
blanket 12 around a user's chest.
[0063] The third pair 50 of fasteners 44 are disposed so that the
space between them bisects the top edge 24 of the blanket 12. The
fourth pair 52 of fasteners 44 are disposed so that the space
between them bisects the top edge 24 of the blanket 12. This allows
them to cooperate with the hood 34 by centering a neck or shoulder
encompassing on the hood 34.
[0064] To facilitate the aforementioned choice of a tight neck
closure or a loose shoulder closure, the third pair 50 of fasteners
44 are disposed closer to the left side edge 38 and the right side
edge 40 respectively than the fourth pair 52 of fasteners 44.
[0065] To facilitate the making of sleeves, the first pair 46 of
fasteners 44 are disposed near the top edge 42 of the blanket 12.
The second pair 48 of fasteners 44 are disposed near the top edge
42 of the blanket 12 in a mirror image from the first pair 46 of
fasteners 44. This structure allows the first pair 46 of fasteners
44 to form a first sleeve hole, and the second pair 48 of fasteners
44 to form a second sleeve hole opposite the first sleeve hole.
[0066] In order to facilitate closing the blanket 12 around a
user's torso, the fifth pair 54 of fasteners 44 is disposed further
away from the top edge 42 of the blanket 12 than the first pair 46
of fasteners 44 and the second pair 48 of fasteners 44.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 further includes a
mechanical slide fastener 56. The mechanical slide fastener 56 is
for opening the cushion 14 to allow padding thereof to be removed
to facilitate cleaning. In order to allow this and to prevent
scratching of a user using the device 10, the mechanical slide
fastener 56 is disposed on the bottom edge 20 of the cushion
14.
[0068] Also disclosed in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 is a method of making
a combination cushion 14 and blanket 12 which method has the steps
of:
[0069] a) establishing a cushion 14 and a blanket 12,
[0070] b) folding the blanket 12 onto itself from a left edge 38
and a right edge 40, so that the blanket 12 has a bottom edge 18
with a length substantially similar to that of the cushion 14;
[0071] c) disposing a bottom edge 20 of the cushion 14 to align
with the bottom edge 18 of the blanket 12; and
[0072] d) sewing the cushion 14 to the bottom edge 18 of the
blanket 12 and sewing along a pair of side edges of the cushion 14
such that the left edge 38 of the blanket 12 and the right edge 40
of the blanket 12 are not captured.
[0073] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0074] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodiments of a MULTI-USE BLANKET/CUSHION, accordingly it is not
limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that
various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the
forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can
be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way
from the spirit of the present invention.
[0075] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
* * * * *