Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02216624 1997-09-26
TITLE OF INVENTION
Multi-purpose convertible blanket.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to blankets, comforters, or the like, and
specifically refers to a blanket which is convertible to provide various forms such
as a cape, a pillow and a securable toddler's blanket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to provide warm blankets for children. Typically
these blanket ends are provided to be tucked and secured under the mattress of a10 conventional bed. However, with regard to daycare centers, often foldable cots
are provided in place of beds. These cots include a stretched material like canvass
or heavy cotton over a collapsible frame. A mattress is not provided with a cot
under which a blanket may be tucked. Typically therefore, blankets utilized at
daycare centers cover the children but do not prevent the child from kicking off15 the blanket during their nap time. It would therefore be desirable to provide a
blanket which may be fastened in position in relation to the legs of the cot andthereby prevent the blanket from being thrown off.
Heretofore, to the best of my knowledge, it is not taught to
incorporate "kangaroo"-type pockets with a blanket to allow for a child to store20 their toys when at a daycare center.
It would be advantageous if such a blanket, when folded in the
correct manner would be able to be folded into any of the pockets provided and
carried and stored in that state. It would also be useful if the product could be
utilized as a pillow when folded.
Capes are well known. Some comforters are provided to the best of
my knowledge including tabs in the appropriate locations so as to be used by an
adult as a loose fitting house coat when sitting and relaxing in a comfortable
chair.
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Heretofore, to the best of my knowledge, it is unknown to provide
one blanket or blanket/comforter which accomplishes all of the tasks described
above, namely being a comforter which may be fastened to a daycare center type
cot which includes pockets into which the blanket/comforter may be folded, and
5 finally wherein the blanket/comforter may also be converted to a cape.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a convertible
blanket which may take multiple forms in use being a comforter fastenable to a
cot such as the one found in the daycare center, a pillow, and a cape.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a product
10 manufactured from soft materials which will not be harsh to a child.
Further and other objects of the invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art when considering the following summary of the
invention and the more detailed description of the preferred embodiments
illustrated herein.
15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
blanket which is convertible to various forms, said blanket comprising a top, a
bottom, two sides and two ends, said blanket having disposed proximate the top
thereof proximate the top thereof, at least one pocket sewn into place and
20 centered proximate the center line of the top of the blanket extended from end to
end thereof, said blanket preferably having three pockets set across the top
thereof primate one end, preferably said blanket being made from Polarfleece or
other like soft material, preferably said blanket having a carrying handle or loop
disposed adjacent the at least one pocket proximate the end of said blanket, said
25 blanket preferably having a width less than the length thereof, said blanket
having disposed proximate each side thereof intermediate the ends of said
blanket first fastening means, and having disposed proximate the end thereof
proximate each side thereof second fastening means, and having disposed
proximate the end thereof remote said pockets proximate intermediate each side
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thereof, third fastening means, wherein said cape may be utilized in various
forms; as a cape when the first and second fastening means are fastened together,
as a secured comforter when the second and third fastening means are fastened
together as an engagement for furniture such as daycare cots or the like, as a
5 pillow or storage pouch when said blanket is folded about the center pocket
thereof to allow for storing of the blanket in the form of a pillow within said
center pocket.
Preferably the blanket is made from Polarfleece or the like, and the
fasteners may be dome fasteners or velcro or the like.
10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OE~ THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a plan view of the blanket illustrated in a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the blanket being utilized as a cape
and illustrated in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a toddler's cot with the blanket
being utilized in another aspect of the invention and illustrated in a preferredembodiment of the invention.
Figures 4 through 8 illustrate the sequence of folding the blanket in
a manner so as to allow the blanket to become a compact package as shown in
20 Figure 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMl~ODIMENTS
This invention provides for a multi-purpose blanket which is
convertible into multiple forms and has the provision of various features which
may be used for a different purpose depending on the mode in which the blanket
25 is utilized. The blanket therefore may be utilized in four basic modes. The
blanket may be used as a cover, for example, on a crib or on a toddler bed. Since
the blanket is manufactured from Polarfleece or the like, ("Polarfleece" is a
Registered Trademark of AES Properties Corp., a Vermont corporation,
Burlington, Vermont, United States of America), it will provide a non-irritating
CA 02216624 1997-09-26
material for children. The blanket however may take various forms depending
on the desired use of course within the limitations of the design of the blanket.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the blanket 10 is made from Polarfleece P
and has a width W in the preferred embodiment smaller than the length L.
Pockets 11,12 and 13 are provided proximate the top of the blanket 10 and being
located on the side of the blanket opposite to which the child will be touching.This is best seen in Figure 3. In essence, pockets 11, 12 and 13 comprise a double
amount of material sewn into blanket 10 at seams 1 through 6.
The blanket 10 has a perimeter 15 and has located proximate the
10 perimeter 15 fasteners 1 through 6. In the preferred embodiment the fasteners 1
through 6 are dome fasteners, such as snaps having male and female portions
which may be conveniently removably fastened with respect to one another.
Any equivalent fastener will function as alternatives, such as velcro or the like.
In the preferred embodiment, dome fasteners are utilized each of which are
15 reinforced around the edges of the perimeter 15 of the blanket 10. Fasteners 1 and
3, and 6 and 4 are like fasteners, for example male-type fasteners and/or
alternatively female-type fasteners, and fasteners 2 and 5 are of a type opposite to
those provided for fasteners 4 and 6, and 1 and 3 respectively. The use of thesefasteners will be apparent when viewing Figures 2 and 3.
Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated blanket 10 with pockets 11,
12 and 13 being disposed proximate the bottom of the blanket 10. An individual
is seen from the rear, particularly their head H with arms A extending through
the sleeve-like opening produced when snaps 5 and 6, and 1 and 2 are fastened
together. In this mode, the blanket becomes a cape and pockets 11, 12 and 13
25 become a reinforced seating area for the individual. This blanket therefore
becomes very useful as a cape at sporting events such as hockey games, football
games, or the like. The pockets across the bottom of the blanket as they appear in
Figure 2 therefore provide extra warmth when sitting.
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As best seen in Figure 3, the blanket 10 may also be used with the cot
utilized at a daycare center by fastening the snaps 2 and 3, and 4 and 5 around the
legs of the cot thereby capturing the legs and providing a firm securing for theblanket 10. The snaps 2 and 3, and 4 and 5 of blanket 10 therefore will engage
5 around the leg 20 of the cot on each side of the cot. The pocket 11 therefore is
available to contain a stuffed animal or the like while the child is sleeping in the
cot. The double material provided by the pockets 11,12 and 13 also provide for
extra warmth around the shoulders of the child.
Referring now to Figures 4 through 8, the blanket 10 is therefore
10 folded first along its width W, when it is desired to do so, along fold AA wherein
pocket 13 is folded over pocket 12. Subsequently, continuing with the folding
process, pocket 11 is folded along fold BB onto pocket 12. Subsequently, as seen in
Figure 7, the blanket is then folded along its length L with folds DD and CC
respectively in turn until such time as pocket 12 alone is on top or on the bottom
15 of the blanket as folded. The entire blanket is then reversed into the pocket 12 so
as to provide a pillow of the shape as seen in Figure 8 which may be used at theowner's discretion.
A carrying loop 30 is provided. The comforter therefore provided
with this invention in its various forms may be utilized as a pillow on airplanes,
20 buses and long trips in automobiles. It may be used as a blanket when desired.
Further it may be used as a comforter in one's home by fastening tabs 2 and 3,
and 4 and 5 around the legs of one's favourite chair, for example a rocking chair,
thereby providing a blanket which is secured to the chair. Alternatively, of
course, it may be utilized as a cape as illustrated and explained with respect to
25 Figure 2.
As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiments of the
invention without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained herein be interpreted as illustrative of the invention and
not in a limiting sense.
