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Description  |
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INTRODUCTION
The present invention relates generally to a self-contained, multipurpose
comfort device and more particularly, to a versatile article which may be
selectively used as a seat cushion, a blanket with a built-in pillow or
seat cushion, a lap robe, and as a water repellant shawl, all of which is
foldable into a unique self-contained, easily transported unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Enjoying a picnic while seated on a blanket is an old custom and a favorite
pastime. Watching your favorite football team under a crisp October sky
wrapped snugly in a blanket is another favorite pastime. Watching a
football game while getting drenched in November is even considered by
some to be fun. Stretching out on a favorite beach blanket, developing a
summer tan, takes many hours and careful consideration. Whatever the
sport, wherever the picnic, and however many hours invested in the summer
tan, some items which are considered a "must" are blankets and pillows or
seat cushions.
Heretofore, the above activities have involved a plethora of paraphernalia,
namely, seat cushions, blankets, waterproof/water repellant covers, and
pillows. Inarguably, each of the above named items performs its intended
function well. However, each item is capable of performing only its single
designed function. If a recreational event requires all of these items, a
burden is created which one person cannot carry alone, especially when a
beverage cooler and food carrier are also essential to a successful
outing.
Accordingly, in the past, an individual who desired to have, for example,
both a cushion to sit upon and a blanket or lap robe at a certain event,
would have to bring, and carry both items. This is bulky and awkward.
Further, in the event of rain, a rain cover would be required adding
further to the bulk and the clutter. Finally, most folded items such as
blankets, either require an additional storage container, or they tend to
lose their shape making them hard to carry. Neither outcome is desirable.
Prior art attempts to reduce the number of discrete items carried by an
individual to respond to a multiplicity of anticipated needs include a
sleeping bag for children which incorporates a stuffed toy in its
structure (See: Mills, U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,374, and the references cited
therein), and a device currently marketed under the trade name "Pillow
Pouch" bearing the marking "Ser. No. 07/751,207." However, none of these
prior art devices provide a structure which allows a single integral
device to be multifunctional for use as a seat cushion per se, or as a
seat cushion in combination with a lap robe, or as a blanket in
combination with a pillow, or even as a pillow per se, not to mention also
providing a weather resistant waterproof/water repellant covering when
needed. Further, none of the prior devices provide for or suggest a
compact self-contained storage/carrying mode without requiring additional
and/or extraneous parts. It is toward the resolution of these prior art
shortcomings that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a self-contained multipurpose comfort device
which may be selectively converted into a seat cushion, a pillow, a
blanket with a built-in pillow/seat cushion, a lap robe, a
waterproof/water repellant weather resistant covering, and which can be
stored or carried in a neat compact manner without the need for a carrying
case. The device comprises a generally rectangular body portion having a
first and a second pocket member strategically disposed on opposite faces
thereof, a resilient and generally rectangular foam pad inserted within
the lining of the first pocket member, the first and the second pocket
members, each including an invertible pocket wall. Preferably, one surface
of the blanket will be formed of fleece, cotton, polyester, or other
similar comfort-inducing fabric, while the obverse surface will be formed
of a suitable waterproof/water repellant material such as GORETEX, NYLON,
or like materials. The strategically placed pocket members are secured to
each face of the body portion and permit the body of the device to be
neatly stored therein to provide either a pillow or a weather resistant
seat cushion.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a
self-contained multipurpose comfort device which can be selectively and
readily employed as a seat cushion, a pillow, a blanket-pillow assembly, a
lap robe, or a waterproof/water repellant shawl.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose
article of the nature described which can be easily folded and stored
within an integral pocket defined therein without recourse to external
packaging or extraneous fastening means.
These and still further objects, as shall hereinafter appear, are readily
fulfilled by the present invention in a remarkably unexpected fashion as
will be readily discerned from the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment thereof, especially when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing in which like parts bear like numerals throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device embodying the present invention
in a fully unfolded state;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 in use as a combination
seat cushion and lap robe;
FIG. 3 is an elevation of the device of FIG. 1 in use as a shawl or weather
protective cover;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 in a partially folded
state;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 4 in a further folded
state; and
FIG. 6 is a view of the device of FIG. 4 when it is completely folded and
placed within a pocket for use or transport.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention relates to a self-contained multipurpose comfort
device identified herein by the general reference 10. As shown in FIGS.
1-6, device 10 comprises a generally rectangular body portion 12 having a
first planar surface 13 and a second planar surface 14 which surfaces are
disposed in substantially congruous back-to-back relationship to each
other and extend between an upper end or edge 15, a lower end or edge 16,
proximal side edge 17 and distal side edge 18. A polyhedral resilient pad
20 formed of a suitable material such as foam rubber or the like is
secured in place midway between edges 17, 18, and adjacent lower edge 16
in a manner which will be further explained below.
First and second rectangular fabric pocket-defining members, 22 and 22,
respectively, are suitably attached as by sewing, at their side edges 23
and 24 and lower edge 25 respectively, to planar surfaces 13 and 14
respectively. Each member 21, 22 is positioned so as to dispose the
unattached edge 21 toward the center of body portion 12 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 4. Members 21, 22 thus coact with surfaces 13, 14, to define open
mouths 27 and 28 which provide access to open-mouthed pockets 29 and 30,
respectively. In one practice, fabric member 21 will be more than twice as
long as fabric member 22 to enable one end of member 21 to fold back over
and wrap resilient pad 20 therewithin and "sandwich" pad 20 between its
folds. When wrapped as described, pad 20, will form one wall, preferably
the outer wall, of pocket 29. Pad 20 will be of various thicknesses,
preferably from about one to about four inches.
In the preferred practice of the present invention, body portion 12 will be
substantially rectangular in shape, and edges or ends 15, 16 will be short
compared to edges or sides 17, 18 which are longer. The end edges 15, 16
extend between and meet side edges 17, 18 to define four corners, 31, 32,
33, and 34. As shown in FIG. 1, body member 12 has a central longitudinal
axis 36 which is intermediate and parallel to long or side edges 17, 18,
and is perpendicular to and bisects both ends or short edges 15, 16 as
well as bisecting pockets 29, 30. As described, each pocket 29, 30 has a
mouth or opening 27, 28 respectively, which faces the center of member 12
and which extends perpendicular to and is bisected by longitudinal axis
36.
Thus, body portion 12, resilient pad 20 and pockets 29, 30 are
substantially symmetrical about longitudinal axis 36 as shown in FIG. 1.
Body portion 12 also has theoretical longitudinal fold lines 38, 39 and
transverse fold lines 40, 41, and 42 defined thereupon. Longitudinal fold
lines 38, 39 are disposed in spaced parallel relationship to each other
and parallel to axis 36 so as to trisect end edges 15 and 16. As shown,
fold lines 38, 39 are coaxial with edges 23, 24 of pockets 29, 30
respectively. Transverse fold lines 40, 41, and 42 are positioned in
spaced parallel relationship to each other and perpendicular to
longitudinal axis 36 and are effective to divide side edges 17 and 18 into
four equal portions. Fold lines 38, 39, and 40-42 are not actually marked
on device 10 but are shown in the drawings to facilitate the description
of the folding required to utilize the self storage feature of the
invention. Suitable logos 44, 45 may be inscribed as by embroidery,
silk-screening or like methods on either surface 13, or surface 14, and/or
on the interior surface of fabric pocket member 21, 22. In preferred
practice, logo 45 will be located on the interior surface of at least one
of the fabric pocket members 21, 22 so that when the pocket has been
inverted, logo 45 will be exposed to view when device 10 is completely
folded.
Device 10 is preferably made from three different materials. First planar
surface 13 will be fleece, cotton or some other blanket-like material,
while second planar surface 14 will be NYLON, GORETEX, or like
water-repellant or waterproof material, and seat cushion pad 20 is any
suitable padding material such as polyurethane or foam rubber. In
practice, pad 20 will be approximately one to about four inches thick.
Device 10 is simply constructed in that the first and second planar
surfaces 13 and 14 are essentially the same size and can be readily sewn
or otherwise connected to each other. Thus, each surface 13, 14 completely
overlays the other surface in back to back, geometrically congruent
relationship.
Further, fabric pocket-defining members 21 and 22 are readily sewn or
otherwise attached to surfaces 13 and 14 at the locations defined above
and shown in FIG. 1. However, before attaching pocket members 21, 22, pad
20 is integrally wrapped in pocket member 21, as described above. Fabric
pocket members 21 and 22 are then attached to device 10 along three of the
rectangular sides thereof leaving mouths or openings 27, 28 leading into
pockets 29, 30 via the fourth, unattached edges of members 21, 22 thereof
facing the centers of the respective surfaces 13, 14.
In operation, device 10 may be fully unfolded as shown in FIG. 1 and used
as a blanket built-in pillow combination wherein pad 20 serves as the
pillow. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 2, one may sit upon covered pad 20,
now serving as a seat cushion, and drape body portion 12 over one's lap as
a lap robe. FIG. 3 shows device 10 wrapped over one's head and shoulders
as a shawl for protection from inclement weather. In this use, waterproof
surface 14 will be preferably exposed to and will repel the weather
elements.
When completely folded in the manner to be described with reference to
FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, device 10 serves as simple seat cushion or as a pillow,
depending on whether surface 13 is folded inwardly or exposed. Upon
completing the folding sequence, device 10 defines a compact unit for easy
transportation and storage.
Attention should be given to whether the fleece-like surface 13 is exposed
or whether it is faced down, whereupon weather resistant surface 14 is
exposed. It is preferred that when device 10 is completely folded in the
manner to be described and the fleece-like surface 13 is exposed, device
10 will be used as a pillow while when device 10 is folded to expose the
weather proof material of surface 14, it will be used as a seat cushion.
To fold device 1 into the compact unit shown in FIG. 6 refer to FIGS. 1, 4,
and 5. Body portion 12 is first folded inwardly along longitudinal fold
lines 38 and 39 as shown in FIG. 4, where side edge 17 is folded over fold
line 38 and aligned with fold line 39. Side edge 18 is then folded over
edge 17 along fold line and aligned with fold line 38. When these folds
are accomplished correctly, corners 32 and 34 will be aligned with fold
line 38 and corners 31 and 33 will be aligned with the fold line 39. At
this point, one of the two pockets 29, 30 is left uncovered. Proceeding
from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, this uncovered pocket, 29 for example, may then be
inverted or turned inside out to engulf corners 33, 34 and device 10
folded along transverse fold lines 40, 41 and 42, respectively as shown in
FIG. 5. The last fold puts all of device 10 inside of pocket 29.
Alternatively, the folds along transverse fold lines 40, 41, and 42 may be
completed first whereupon pocket 29 is then inverted over the folded pile
or mass thus created and the unit is complete. Device 10 is especially
constructed so that it may be folded into and stored in either pocket 29
or 31, as desired, depending upon which of the surfaces 13, 14 is deployed
upwardly when folding begins. In either event, the folding results in a
compact, useful, and easily transportable unitary structure or package
which requires no fastening means or external paraphernalia or carrying
cases. When folded with the soft fleece-like surface exposed, the unit can
be used as a pillow. When folded so that the weather repellant surface is
exposed, it is useful as a seat cushion in both instances, one of logo 45
is exposed allowing the owner to subtly announce his/her team allegiance.
From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that a useful embodiment of the
present invention has been herein described and illustrated which fulfills
all of the aforestated objectives in a remarkably unexpected fashion. It
is, of course, understood that such modifications, alterations and
adaptations as may readily occur to the artisan confronted with this
disclosure are intended within the spirit of this disclosure which is
limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
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