US20080066229A1

US20080066229A1 - Wearable stadium blanket

Info

Publication number: US20080066229A1
Application number: US11/901,555
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack L. Auer; Freda M. Auer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-18
Filing date: 2007-09-18
Publication date: 2008-03-20

Abstract

A cold-weather protective wearable blanket includes a main body of substantially rectangular blanket material with a first fastening means disposed along lateral edges of the main body for holding the blanket material in place once wrapped around a wearer's body. A second fastening means is built into a portion of the top edge for holding upper corners in place over the shoulders of a wearer with a plurality of some of the mating halves attached at the front midsection adjacent the lateral edges A hood is secured to the top edge of the rectangular blanket material, preferably in a manner that allows an outdoor wearable blanket of one size to fit users over a wide range of heights.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/845,324 filed Sep. 18, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to protective outer wear for primarily seated individuals and, more particularly, this invention relates to full-length wrap-around protection from cold and wet weather for spectators at outdoor events.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, spectators at outdoor events in cold weather would wrap blankets around part of their bodies to help keep warm. These tend to offer only partial coverage, and fall off when standing up. Also, blankets generally do not offer protection from rain and snow. Ponchos can provide head and upper body protection, but do not afford much protection for the legs from rain or cold.
Prior art patents have disclosed some partial answers to the problem identified. U.S. Pat. No. 536,383 illustrates a blanket-like sack for wearing in an outdoor lounge chair, but no rain or head protection is offered and the bottom is sealed making it very difficult for the wearer to stand up and walk around even a little. U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,264 discloses a bed comforter that is convertible for wearing in a chair. It is clearly for indoor use only with no head protection and no water repellence. Also, the bottom snaps must be undone before the wearer can get up and move around. U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,662 similarly discloses a bed comforter that converts to a body wrap. It also is for indoor use only with no head protection, and uses a complex array of fasteners for various purposes such as adjustment of sleeve size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cold-weather protective wearable blanket which includes a main body of substantially rectangular blanket material with a first fastening means disposed along lateral edges of the main body for holding the blanket material in place once wrapped around a wearer's body. A second fastening means is built into a portion of the top edge for holding upper corners in place over the shoulders of a wearer. A hood is secured to the top edge of the rectangular blanket material, preferably in a manner that allows an outdoor wearable blanket of one size to fit users over a wide range of heights.
In an alternative embodiment, the use of the second fastening means creates somewhat of a hood and no distinct hood is attached or built into the blanket.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide additional protection from cold and wet weather for spectators at outdoor events.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an extra layer of protection for individuals outside in cold weather that is easy to put on and take off.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive one-size-fits-all item of cold-weather outer wear.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide both head and full body protection from the outdoor elements.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide weather protection for sports spectators while also displaying their team color and logos.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is frontal view of the blanket wrap garment with all fasteners open.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the blanket wrap zipped and snapped together.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a person wearing the present invention with the hood in use.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the hood attachment in a way allowing one size to fit a wide range of heights.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a how a short person could wear the wearable blanket with the hood on.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of how a tall person could fit into the wearable blanket with the hood on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a front view shows the wearable blanket 10 lying flat with all fasteners open. A substantially rectangular blanket 12 has its longitudinal edges 16 drawn together at the bottom and attached, either permanently or temporarily. The two mating sections of a zipper 14 are permanently attached along about the middle portion of each longitudinal edge 16. Two snap fastener halves 20 b are installed adjacent the longitudinal edges about a third of the way down from the top edge 30. Near the top edge 30 are the mating halves of snaps 20 a, 22 a/b, and 24 a/b.
FIG. 2 illustrates the blanket 12 as it would appear folded and snapped around the wearer. The zipper 14 is zipped shut up to about the half the longitudinal height. The halves of snap 20 a along the top edge have been pulled down and fastened with mating halves 20 b adjacent the longitudinal edges near the middle of the blanket.
FIG. 3 is a frontal view representing either embodiment depicting a person wearing the present invention with the hood, either 32 or 34, in use.
FIG. 4 depicts the preferred embodiment from a rear view. A notch 31 in the top edge of blanket 12.is cut forming a flap 36. Attached to this flap 36, permanently or removably, is a hood 34. The fastening means 20 a, 22 a/b, and 24 a/b are disposed along the top front edge. These fasteners could be snaps, Velcro tabs, or buttons with snaps being preferred. The mating halves of fasteners 20 b are not shown but a multiple number of each are attached in the front midsection adjacent the longitudinal edge. By selecting which of these front fasteners to use, the wearable blanket can be adjusted for users of variable heights.
FIG. 5 illustrates a short person wearing the adjustable wearable blanket. The lowest of front fasteners 20 b is used. With the hood 34 on, there is considerable slack in flap 36. FIG. 6 illustrates a tall person also wearing the one-size-for-all version. In this case, the highest of fasteners 20 b is used, and with the hood 34 in use, there is little slack in flap 36.
While a presently preferred and an alternative embodiment of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cold-weather protective wearable blanket comprising:

a main body of substantially rectangular blanket material of predetermined length and width;

a first fastening means disposed along longitudinal edges of said main body for holding said blanket material closed in place around a wearer's midsection;

a second fastening means having a first portion disposed along shorter top edge proximal corners for holding upper corners in place over shoulders of wearer;

a second portion of said second fastening means disposed in at least two locations proximal midsection adjacent said longitudinal edges; and

a hood secured adjacent said top edge of said substantially rectangular blanket material.

2. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein a water-repellant layer covers one side of said rectangular blanket material.

3. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said first fastening means is a zipper along less than 90 percent of said lateral edges.

4. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said second fastening means are snaps.

5. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said second fastening means are hook and loop tabs.

6. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said protective wearable blanket is made adjustable to a wide range of heights of wearers by attaching said hood to a flap cut into center portion of said top edge.

7. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined height is between about 5 feet and 7 feet.

8. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined width is between about 4 feet and 6 feet.

9. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 2, wherein said water-repellant layer is a sprayed on substance.

10. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 2, wherein said water-repellant layer is a flexible plastic layer adhered to outer surface of said protective wearable blanket.

11. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein exterior of said wearable blanket exhibits at least one of team colors and insignia indicative of wearer's favorite sports team.

12. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 1, wherein said hood secured adjacent said top edge is attached to a flap cut into said top edge proximal rear longitudinal midline.

13. A cold-weather protective wearable blanket comprising:

a first fastening means disposed along lateral edges of said main body for holding said blanket material in place once wrapped around a wearer's body;

a second fastening means along a portion of shorter top edge for holding upper corners in place over shoulders of wearer; and

a second portion of said second fastening means disposed in at least two locations proximal midsection adjacent said longitudinal edges.

14. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 12, wherein the use of seconds fastening means creates a hood for wearers head.

15. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 12, wherein a waterproof layer covers one side of said rectangular blanket material.

16. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined width is between about 4 feet and 6 feet.

17. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined height is between about 5 feet and 7 feet.

18. The protective wearable blanket, according to claim 12, wherein exterior of said wearable blanket exhibits at least one of team colors and insignia indicative of wearer's favorite sports team.