BLANKET ALLOWING FOR ADDITIONAL RANGE OF MOTION OF THE ARMS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blankets are a versatile textile that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and material with the goal of providing a user with warmth. As the blanket has been a part of human history for many years, many iterations and improvements have been made to the blanket including a blanket allowing for users to pass their arms through while remaining underneath a blanket for warmth.

Some examples of blankets allowing for arms to pass through its surface include cutting holes on the surface of the blanket, which is most likely the simplest solution but when arms are not passed through the holes, the user is exposed to the exterior environment, reducing the effectiveness of the blanket keeping the user warm.

Alternatively, other examples include adding sleeves for arms to fit into much like a sweater or jacket, but when arms are not within the sleeves, said sleeves become cumbersome to the user and may bother the user when attempting to sleep with the blanket.

Further, these and other examples of blankets may detract from the look and overall aesthetic of the blanket when in use or in storage.

Thus, there is a need for a blanket that can allow for arms to pass through while retaining warmth and providing comfort when arms are not passed through the blanket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a blanket that allows for additional range of the motion of the arms when underneath the blanket while eliminating drafts caused by holes cut on the surface of the blanket or cumbersome sleeves as seen in the prior art.

The blanket according to the present invention is made up of a first fabric portion and second fabric portion overlapped and a bottom edge of the first fabric portion is segmentally sewn to a front surface of the second fabric portion by a first seam having a first stitching pattern and a top edge of the second fabric portion is segmentally sewn to a rear surface of the first fabric portion by a second seam having a second stitching pattern. The first and second stitching pattern create at least two openings for arms to pass through. In a further embodiment of this design, pockets may be sewn into the back for additional convenience. It is contemplated this design would accommodate at least one user, although the width of the blanket can be increased, and additional seams can be disposed along the first and second segment to accommodate at least two users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and showing the top portion of the second fabric portion in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure showing an alternative seam pattern.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure showing a further alternative seam pattern.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure showing a vertical seams disposed on the outer edge of the flap.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the blanket of FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7 showing a single user using said blanket.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure showing a centrally disposed vertical seam.

FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having pockets.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the blanket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure designed for two users.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the blanket of FIG. 8 showing two users using said blanket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left, right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Referring to FIG. 1-7, in an embodiment directed to a single user, a blanket 100 is formed from two fabric portions to allow a user to insert his or her own arms through the blanket 100 and be able to move their arms outside the blanket 100 while still remaining underneath the blanket 100.

It is contemplated that the blanket 100 can be of different lengths, represented by length X in FIG. 1, to accommodate users of different ages and sizes. It is contemplated that the blanket 100 can be dimensioned to fit a standard mattress size, i.e. 38 x 75 inches (Twin), 54 x 75 inches (Full), 60 x 80 inches (Queen), or 76 x 84 inches (King); or be a non-standard size and used as, for example, a throw blanket or travel blanket.

The blanket 100 is formed from two individual fabric portions 110, 120. In a preferred embodiment, the two fabric portions 110, 120 are the same width, but the length of the first fabric portion 110 is greater than approximately one-third that of length X of the blanket 100, and the length of the second fabric portion 120 is greater than that of two-thirds than that of the total length of the blanket 100. Thus, for example, if the total length was 100 inches, an example of a length of the first fabric portion 110 would be between 34-40 inches while the second fabric portion 120 would be 67-73 inches. While an example of range of dimensions are used, these are intended to be purely illustrative, as the ranges would differ given the total length of the blanket 100. It is contemplated that the fabric portions 110120 can be the same length.

The two individual fabric portions 110120 overlap to create a flap 111 whereby the rear surface of the first fabric portion 110 is segmentally sewn to the front surface of the second fabric portion 120 along a seam perpendicular to the length of the blanket. Flap 111 spans a length perpendicular to length of the blanket and is located approximately one-third the distance of length of blanket down from the top edge of the blanket 100. While the approximate one-third distance is used for reference, this distance is merely intended to be a distance a user’s arms would extend from the blanket 100 in relation to the total length of the blanket 100. In other words, the most ergonomic location for the openings 140 described infra. Thus, if flap 111 were approximately 20% of the total length, then it would be preferable that the first fabric portion 110 be greater than that of 20% of length of the blanket 100, and the length of second portion be greater than that of 80% of length of the blanket 100. The overlapping flap 111 is further defined by a top section, consisting of a top-most edge of the second fabric portion 120 underneath the rear surface of the first fabric portion 110, and a bottom section of the flap 111, consisting of the bottom most edge of the first fabric portion 110 above the front surface of the second fabric portion 120. In an embodiment of a stitching pattern to join the two fabric portions 110, 120, there is a minimum of four stitches 130. Specifically, at least three stitches 130a, defining a first stitching pattern, are segmentally sewn in a line horizontally with respect to the top edge and bottom edge of the blanket 100 on an upper or bottom most section of the flap 111, and at least one stitch 130b, defining a second stitching pattern, is sewn parallel to stitch 130a on an opposite upper or bottom most sections of the flap 111. It is contemplated that a blanket 100 designed and dimensioned for a single adult would have a flap 111 spanning approximately eight inches in length.

In a preferred embodiment of a stitching pattern as seen in FIG. 1, a single stitch 130a is disposed at the center of the upper-most section of flap 111, and three stitches 130b are disposed in parallel on the bottom-most section of flap 111, specifically the three stitches 130b being disposed along the left-most, center, and right-most part of the bottom section of flap 111, as seen in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the stitching pattern as seen in FIG. 2, the three-to-one stitch ratio can be reversed such that the first stitching pattern has three stitches 130a disposed along the left-most, center and right-most part of the top of the upper-most section of flap 111 and the second stitching pattern has a single stitch 130b disposed at the center of the bottom-most section of flap 111. It is contemplated that the number of stitches can be varied, for example an equal number of stitches along the upper-most and bottom-most section of the flap 111, as seen in the stitching patten shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that in a blanket 100 designed and dimensioned for a single adult user, the stitches 130a,b are approximately eight inches in length, but stitches 130a,b of different lengths are also contemplated, for example an embodiment of a stitching pattern where the center most stitches 130 a,b are shorter to allow for greater mobility of a user’s arms.

In a further embodiment of a stitch pattern as seen in FIG. 4, the overlapping portion of first and second fabric portion 110120 may be further secured by vertical stitches 130c sewn between the end points of both left-most and right-most portions of flap 111; of which stitches 130c are parallel with the length of the blanket 100.

The combination of stitches 130a,b and/or 130c with the two fabric portions 110, 120 create at least one pair of openings 140FIG. to allow a user to freely move their arms outside the blanket 100 while remaining underneath said blanket 100, as seen in FIG. 5. When a user’s arms are beneath the blanket 100, the flap 111 can further cover the openings 140, reducing drafts and retaining warmth when not in use. It is preferred that the minimum distance between stitches 130a,b on the same horizontal line, and thus the size of an opening 140 is approximately 14 inches, but can vary, , and the maximum distance not to exceed more than half, or in an embodiment having two pairs of openings described infra, more than a quarter, of the total width of the blanket. It is intended that the size of an opening 140 is designed to accommodate an average user’s arms, and a greater opening 140 size can provide more mobility of those arms. It is contemplated, for example, that a blanket 100 designed for an infant would have a shorter distance between stitches 130a,b on the same the line than a blanket 100 designed for an adult.

In yet another embodiment of a stitch pattern, as seen in FIG. 6, it is contemplated that an additional vertical stitches 130c may connect two approximate midpoints of centrally located inner parallel stitches 130a,b to divide openings 140 within the flap 111, as seen in FIGS. 4-5.

It is also contemplated that the additional vertical stitches 130c can completely replace the centrally located stitches 130a,b. In this embodiment, only the outer two seams 130a and/or 130b along with the additional vertical stitches would be required to create the openings 140, as seen in FIGS. 6-7.

The blanket 100 can be constructed of various materials such as, but not limited to, cotton, wool, polyester, microfiber, fleece, cashmere, linen, or some blend of any two or more materials. It is also contemplated that the first fabric portion 110 and second fabric portion 120 may be different materials.

In a preferred embodiment, a zig zag stitch is used to sew the stitches 130 connecting the first fabric portion 110 to the second fabric portion 120. It is contemplated that other methods of stitching can be used. It is further contemplated that other methods of permanent attachment methods, such as ultrasonic seaming, welding or heat sealing with thermoplastics, or fabric glue; or semi-permanent attachment methods, such as zippers, buttons with corresponding holes, or hook and loop fasteners may be used. In a further embodiment of a blanket 100 having a one to three stitch ratio as seen in FIG. 1, pockets 121 may be sewn into the rear surface by an additional vertical stitch 130c extending vertically from each inner-most end point of the left-most and right-most seam 130bas best seen in FIG. 7. While it is contemplated that pocket 121 may be sewn on any surface of the blanket 100, it is preferred that the pocket 121 be formed on the rear surface of the blanket 100 from the overlapping upper section of the second fabric portion 120. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the pocket 121 opening is approximately six inches, although pocket 121 openings can be less than or greater to accommodate different size items for a variety purpose, i.e. a pocket designed to hold a remote control may be less than six inches. Similarly, the distance between parallel stitches 130a and 130b would determine the depth of the pocket 121 and may be distanced from one another to achieve a desired pocket 121 depth.

It is contemplated that the different embodiments of the blanket directed to a single user blanket and the features depicted therein are not limited to their respective embodiments, and the features shown in each embodiment can be used interchangeably amongst the different embodiments as is feasible. The same features shown in the embodiments directed to a single user blanket may also be used in embodiments of the blanket constructed to fit two or more users.

In an alternative embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the blanket 100 may be constructed to fit two or more users. Similar to the previous embodiment, two individual fabric portions 110120 overlap to create a flap 111 whereby the rear surface of the first fabric portion 110 is segmentally sewn to the front surface of the second fabric portion 120 along a line perpendicular to the length of the blanket 100. Flap 111 spans a length perpendicular to the length of the blanket 100 and approximately one-third the distance down from the top edge of the blanket 100. The overlapping flap 111 is further defined by a top section, consisting of a top-most edge of the second fabric portion 120 underneath the rear surface of the first fabric portion 110, and a bottom section of the flap 111, consisting of the bottom most edge of the first fabric portion 110 above the front surface of the second fabric portion 120. In a preferred stitching patten there are a minimum of seven stitches 130 used to join the individual fabric portions 110120. Specifically, at least two stitches 130a are segmentally sewn in a horizontal direction on an upper or bottom-most section of the flap 111, and at least five stitches 130b are sewn parallel to stitch 130a on an opposite upper or bottom most section of the flap 111. The stitches 130a and 130b would thus create two pairs of openings 140 for two users.

While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.