US20160135622A1

US20160135622A1 - Blanket, sleeping bag and other bedding materials with rotatable second layer for covering exposed portion of user after user has fallen asleep

Info

Publication number: US20160135622A1
Application number: US14/852,743
Authority: US
Inventors: Liping Zhou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-19
Filing date: 2015-09-14
Publication date: 2016-05-19

Abstract

An article of manufacture for covering a user while the user is resting includes a first layer and a rotatable second layer. The second layer is attached to the first layer along a line running across the first layer. The second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion. In operation, a parent or other caregiver covers a resting user with the first layer and rotates the second layer away from a particular portion of the first layer. Then, at a later time, the parent or caregiver rotates the second layer toward the particular portion of the first layer. In this way, the parent or caregiver can easily cover a portion of the user while the user is resting without needing to re-position the first layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,880,619 filed Jan. 27, 2015 and Canadian Patent Application No. 2,871,634 filed Nov. 19, 2014. Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention pertains generally to a blanket, sleeping bag and other bedding materials utilized to cover a person while the person is resting. More specifically, the invention relates to articles, assemblies and methods particularly well-suited to keeping children warm and safe while sleeping.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A baby blanket typically comprises a one-piece relatively small and generally flat cover which is wrapped around or laid over a baby. While the foregoing blanket does allow a baby to be kept relatively warm, it suffers from some drawbacks. For example, babies often free their arms and push down the blanket causing the baby's arms and upper body to be cold and uncomfortable. Often times the baby will fall asleep holding on to the upper portion of blanket or with arms over top and covering the upper portion of the blanket.
In winter months and other common situations the ambient air temperature may be too cold for a baby to safely sleep with exposed arms and upper body. However, when a parent discovers the baby has pushed down the blanket and tries to re-position the blanket to cover the baby's arms and upper body, the parent often must pull the blanket out from under the arms of the sleeping baby and risks disturbing and waking the baby.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,164 discloses a baby blanket assembly that is similar to a sleeping bag or sack within which the baby is secured and that includes a number of safety and convenience features. However, even with this improved sleeping bag design, a typical baby can free their arms and push down the cover portion of the assembly causing the baby's arms and possibly upper body to be cold and uncomfortable. A parent who tries to re-position the upper portion of the assembly out from under the sleeping baby still risks waking the baby. It would be easier for the parent to simply lay another blanket over the arms and upper body of the sleeping baby; however, to do so defeats many of the safety features of the sleeping bag design. For example, the baby may later pull this newly added blanket over their face and obstruct their breathing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention there is disclosed an article of manufacture for covering a user while the user is resting. The article includes a first layer having a lengthwise direction running from an upper end for positioning toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user. The article further includes a second layer attached to the first layer along a line on the first layer. The second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention there is disclosed an assembly for covering a user while the user is resting. The assembly includes a first layer having a lengthwise direction running from an upper end for positioning toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user. The first layer has a first attachment means along a line running on the first layer. The assembly further includes a second layer having a second attachment means adapted to attach with the first attachment means. When the second attachment means is attached to the first attachment means, the second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a method of covering a user while the user is resting. The method includes covering the user when the user begins resting with a first layer of an article. The first layer has a lengthwise direction running from an upper end positioned toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user. The method further includes rotating a second layer of the article away from a particular portion of the first layer when the user begins resting. The second layer is attached to the first layer along a line on the first layer, and the second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers the particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion. The method further includes rotating the second layer around the axis of rotation formed by the line toward the particular portion of the first layer at a later time while the user is resting.
An advantage of many embodiments of the invention is that a parent or other caregiver can easily cover an exposed portion of a sleeping child with minimal chances of waking or otherwise disturbing the child.
These and other advantages and embodiments of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description and reviewing the preferred embodiments illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent preferred embodiments thereof:

FIG. 1 shows a top down view of a blanket with a rotatable second layer according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the blanket of FIG. 1 when a baby begins to sleep with the second layer rotated to its lower position.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the blanket of FIG. 1 after the baby has pushed down the upper portion of the first layer resulting in exposed upper body and arms.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the blanket of FIG. 1 after a parent or other caregiver has rotated the second layer to re-cover the upper body and arms of the baby.

FIG. 5 shows a top down view of a blanket with multiple independently rotatable second layers according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag with a rotatable second layer according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the sleeping bag of FIG. 6 when a baby is first put down to sleep with the second layer rotated to a lower position.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the sleeping bag of FIG. 6 after a parent or other caregiver has rotated the second layer to cover the upper body and arms of the baby.

FIG. 9 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag with multiple independently rotatable second layers according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag with a rotatable second layer according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top down view of a blanket with multiple independently rotatable second layers according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a top down view of a blanket 100 with a rotatable second layer 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the second layer 102 is attached to a first layer 110 via an attachment means 120. The attachment means 120 consists of a plurality of buttons 122 snapped together thereby attaching an attached end of the second layer to a middle portion of the first layer 110.
The first layer 110 in this embodiment is a cloth sheet (or other suitable material) of desired thickness to cover and thereby provide warmth to a sleeping baby or other user. For example, the blanket 100 of FIG. 1 may be placed over an infant such that an upper end of the first layer 110 is positioned just below the chin of the baby and the lower end is positioned to cover the legs and feet of the baby. The inward facing side (toward the baby) of the first layer 110 is preferably a continuous soft material suitable to be directly adjacent against a baby's bare skin.
As shown in FIG. 1, the second layer 102 is attached via attachment means 120 on the outward facing side of first layer 110 (away from the baby). The attachment means 120 runs along a widthwise line on the outside of the first layer 110, e.g., from a right to left side. In this example, the line is about halfway between the upper and lower ends of the first layer 110 so that attachment means 120 essentially splits the first layer 110 into an upper half and a lower half. The second layer 102 is a bit wider than the first layer 110 and is a bit longer than one half the length of the first layer 110.
In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the second layer 102 is kept within 20% of the width of the first layer 110. Preferably the second layer 102 is equal to or slightly greater in width than the first layer 110 to provide better warmth and comfort but this is a not a strict requirement. Similarly, since the attachment means 120 in FIG. 1 is halfway between the upper end and the lower end of the first layer 110, the length of the second layer 102 in this example is within 20% of one half the total length top to bottom of the first layer 110. In a preferred embodiment, the second layer is long enough such that that the free end of the second layer 102 opposite the side that is attached at attachment means 120 covers the upper end of the first layer 110 when the second layer 102 is rotated toward the upper end of the first layer 110 and likewise covers the lower end of the first layer 110 when the second layer 102 is rotated toward the lower end of the first layer 110. However, in other embodiments, the second layer may be other lengths including the same as, or longer or shorter than the first layer 110.
The only part of the second layer 102 that is attached to the first layer 110 in this embodiment is the attached edge along the line formed by the attachment means 120. In this way, the second layer 102 is rotatable around the axis of rotation formed by the attachment means 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second layer 102 is shown rotated toward the lower end of the first layer 110 and therefore covers the lower portion of the first layer 110 (e.g., covers the legs and feet of the user). The second layer 102 may also be manually rotated by a parent or other caregiver around the line formed by the attachment means 120 toward the upper end of the first layer 110. When rotated upward in this manner, the second layer 102 will cover the upper portion of the first layer 110 (e.g., covers the upper body of the user).
A method of utilizing the blanket 100 of FIG. 1 to cover a sleeping baby is now disclosed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the blanket 100 when a baby begins to sleep with the second layer 102 rotated to its lower position. When the baby begins to fall asleep, a parent or other caregiver covers the baby with the blanket 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The baby's full body is covered in this example so the baby is warm and snug under the blanket. As shown, the second layer 102 is positioned in the lower rotated direction so in effect there are two layers of blanket covering the baby's legs, i.e., the lower portion of the first layer 110 and the second layer 102 rotated to the lower position. The baby's upper body has only one layer covering it at this point in time, namely, the upper portion of the first layer 110.
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the blanket 100 after the baby has pushed down the upper portion of the first layer 110 resulting in exposed upper body and arms. FIG. 3 represents what the parent or other caregiver may find when checking on the baby at a later time after the baby has been left alone to sleep. As shown, the baby has pulled their arms out from under the first layer 110 of the blanket, has pushed a portion of the first layer 110 under the baby's body or arms, and has grabbed and is still holding on to another part of the first layer 110. The result is the baby's arms and upper body are exposed to the ambient air in the room but it would be difficult for the parent or other caregiver to re-position the upper portion of the first layer 110 to re-cover the baby without disturbing and possibly waking the baby.
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the blanket 100 of FIG. 1 after the parent or other caregiver has rotated the second layer 102 to re-cover the upper body and arms of the baby. This may be done while the baby is still sleeping and holding on to the upper portion of the first layer 110 as shown in FIG. 3. The action by the parent or other caregiver to rotate the second layer 102 around the line formed by the attachment means 120 to the upper position as shown in FIG. 4 advantageously has a reduced chance of disturbing the baby's rest and waking the baby when compared with a parent trying to untangle and reposition the upper portion of the first layer 110. Because the baby is highly unlikely to notice the rotation of the second layer 102 to the upper position, the baby continues to sleep and the parents are able to ensure that the baby's upper body and arms are again covered so the baby stays warm.
FIG. 5 shows a top down view of a blanket 500 with multiple independently rotatable second layers 502 a, 502 b according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is very similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and has a first layer 510 attached to a second layer 502 via an attachment means 520 including a plurality of snapping buttons 522. A difference with FIG. 5 is the second layer 502 extends both above and below the attachment means 520 and thereby forms two rotatable second layers 502 a, 502 b instead of the single rotatable second layer 102 as shown in FIG. 1.
The blanket 500 of FIG. 5 may be formed by attaching two separate integral sheets (one corresponding to the first layer 510 and one corresponding to the second layer 502) to each other along an attachment means 520 about midway between the upper and lower ends of the two sheets 510, 502. Again, any suitable attachment means 520 may be utilized, for example, buttons 522 are again illustrated in FIG. 5. The attachment means 520 effectively splits the second layer 502 into two independently rotatable second layers 502 a, 502 b. Alternatively, rather than two sheets 510, 502 being attached along their middles, the various upper and lower portions of the first and second layers 510, 502 may be four separate sheets attached to one another via the attachment means 520 such as Velcro® strips adapted to join with each other. In yet another embodiment, the first layer 510 may be a single sheet, while the upper portion of the second layer 502 a and the lower portion of the second layer 502 b may be separate sheets each attached to the first layer 510 along the attachment means 520.
Operation of the blanket 500 is very similar to as described above for the blanket 100 of FIG. 1; however, with the blanket 500 of FIG. 5 the parent or other caregiver may start the baby sleeping with both of the second layers 502 a, 502 b rotated toward the lower position. In this way, the parents may later rotate up a first one of the second layers (e.g., layer 502 a in FIG. 5) upon finding then baby has exposed arms and/or upper body during the night. Thereafter, the parents or other caregivers may rotate up a second one of the second layers (e.g., layer 502 b in FIG. 5) if they again later find the baby has exposed arms and/or upper body at subsequent check during the night. Because there are two rotatable second layers 502 a, 502 b in this embodiment, the parents or other caregivers may twice re-cover the upper body of the sleeping baby.
The multiple rotatable layers 502 a, 502 b may be increased in number by the addition of additional sheets attached onto the attachment means 520. For example, the addition of a third sheet (not shown) of substantially the same size as the first layer 510 and attached to the first layer 510 and/or the second layer 502 along the attachment means 520 would provide two additional rotatable layers (similar to 502 a and 502 b) and would increase by two the number of times the parents or other caregivers could re-cover the upper body of the sleeping baby. Rather than utilizing buttons, each layer may have a suitable Velcro® strip on one side of attachment means 520 adapted to attach with a corresponding Velcro® strip on an adjacent layer.
FIG. 6 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag 600 with a rotatable second layer 602 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
It is generally recognized that sleeping bags are safer than blankets for infants and newborns to reduce the chances that the baby can pull soft bedding material up over their face and obstruct their breathing. With the sleeping bag embodiment of FIG. 6, a baby is positioned within the first layer 610, which acts as a sack enclosing the baby's legs and body. The arms of the baby are free and outside of the sack portion of first layer 610.
Attached along a line running widthwise along the outside of a middle portion of the first layer 610 is an attachment means 620. The attachment means 620 runs horizontally from right to left side over the stomach area of the baby on the outside of the sack. A second layer 602 is attached to the first layer 610 along this attachment means 620 and, similar to the previously described embodiments, the second layer 602 is rotatable about the line formed by the attachment means 620. In this manner, the second layer 602 can cover either a lower portion or an upper portion of the sleeping bag's first layer 610 depending on the position of rotation. Rather than buttons or Velcro®, in this embodiment, the attachment means is of permanent nature such as by the second layer 602 being sewn directly to the outside stomach area of the sleeping bag layer 610 during manufacture. However, in other embodiments, the second layer 602 may be selectively attachable and detachable to the first layer 610 by an attachment means 620 such as buttons, Velcro®, zipper etc.
The design of the second layer 602 may be adapted to appear from the top down view as if it were an article of clothing such as a dress for a girl or a kilt for a boy. However, unlike these typical articles of clothing, the attachment means 620 does not encircle the whole garment. Instead, the attachment means 620 is only along a line on one side of the sleeping bag layer 610, for instance, only on the stomach side. In this way, a baby can be laid on their back in a crib and the second layer 602 will be facing upward and free to be rotated to either of the upper or lower positions by a parent or caregiver.
Concerning the sack portion of the first layer 610, the sack may be permanently formed during manufacture such that the sack cannot be taken apart or separated into multiple layers, or the sack may be formed by two or more layers that are attachable and deattachable to each other by an end user to form the sack within which the baby can be placed.
An exemplary method of operating the sleeping bag 600 is now described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the sleeping bag 600 when a baby is first put down to sleep with the second layer 602 rotated to a lower position. The parent or other caregiver places the baby into the sleeping bag's first layer 610. As the baby's arms are free, the baby may see their arms and fingers moving during play time before falling asleep.
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the sleeping bag 600 after a parent or other caregiver has rotated the second layer 602 to cover the upper body and arms of the baby. After the baby has fallen asleep, the parent or other caregiver gently rotates the second layer 602 up to cover the baby's arms and upper body. In this way, the baby can enjoy having their arms free while falling asleep while still beneficently having their arms easily covered by the rotatable second layer 602 after falling asleep.
Another advantage of the sleeping bag 600 is that even if the baby should later wake and grab a hold of the second layer 602, it will not be possible for the baby to pull the second layer 602 up over the baby's face inadvertently obstructing their breathing. The reason is the second layer 602 is attached to the sleeping bag's first layer 610 via attachment means 620, and the weight of the baby lying within the first layer 610 and the fact that the baby's feet are also within the enclosed sack both help to prevent the baby from pulling the rotatable second layer 602 up over the baby's face. In this way, the sleeping bag 600 with rotatable second layer 602 according to this embodiment is safer in use than a parent or other caregiver simply laying a separate detached blanket over the top of a baby's exposed arms like they might do when utilizing a conventional sleeping bag.
FIG. 9 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag 900 with multiple independently rotatable second layers 902 a, 902 b according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, two rotatable second layers 902 a, 902 b are attached to the stomach area of the sleeping bag layer 910 via an attachment means 920. In another embodiment, rather than separate sheets forming the two second layers 902 a, 902 b, the two second layers 902 a, 902 b may in fact be upper and lower portions of a single sheet that is attached horizontally along its middle via attachment means 920 to the sleeping bag's first layer 910. The second layers 902 a, 902 b may be separately or together attachable and detachable to the first layer 910 or may be permanently attached to the first layer 910 via attachment means 920.
Unlike the second layer 602 of FIG. 6 appearing as a dress or kilt, the second layers 902 a, 902 b in this embodiment are designed to appear as one or more blankets and may be attached to the stomach area of the sleeping bag layer 910 via a detachable attachment means 920. Again, a Velcro® strip running horizontally across the stomach area of the sleeping bag 910 may be a first attachment means adapted to attach with a corresponding Velcro® strip running horizontally across the middle of a blanket. The position of the attachment means 920 may also be higher or lower than is illustrated in FIG. 9 in other embodiments. Buttons or any other attachable mechanism may be utilized in a similar manner. In this way, the baby may wear or be placed in the sleeping bag layer 910 separate from the second layers 902 a, 902 b until ready for bed.
When the baby is tired and going to have a nap, a parent or other caregiver places the baby on their back within sleeping bag 910 and attaches the attachment means on the sheet forming the second layers 902 a, 902 b with the corresponding attachment means on the sleeping bag layer 910. Similar to the above described baby blanket 500 of FIG. 5, the parent may first rotate both the second layers 902 a, 902 b toward the lower end of the sleeping bag layer 610 when the baby begins to sleep. At different times during the baby's nap, the parent can then rotate one or more of the second layers 902 a, 902 b upward to cover the baby's exposed arms and upper body. For example, on a first check of the baby second layer 902 a may be rotated upward and then on a subsequent check of the baby second layer 902 b may be rotated upward.
A benefit of including multiple rotatable second layers 602 is similar to as previously described with reference to the blanket embodiment of FIG. 5, namely to allow the parents or other caregivers to rotate one of the second layers 602 to the upper position at multiple times during the night with reduced risk of waking the baby if the baby has grabbed a hold and pushed down the second layer 602 previously rotated upward at an early time.
FIG. 10 shows a top down view of a sleeping bag 1000 with rotatable second layer 1002 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Unlike the previously described embodiments where the attachment means is located in the middle, in FIG. 10 the attachment means 1020 in this embodiment is positioned at the lower end of the first layer 1010, i.e., just over top of where the baby's toes would be located within the sleeping bag layer 1010. The operation of this sleeping bag 1000 embodiment remains similar to as described above where the second layer 1002 is first rotated downward so that it does not cover any portion of the sleeping bag layer 1010 when the baby is first put to sleep. Thereafter, when the parent or caregiver later checks on the baby and discovers the baby is sleeping, the parent or caregiver rotates the second layer 1002 upward to thereby cover the full sleeping bag layer 1010 including the arms and upper body of the baby. As previously described, the attachment means 1020 may permanently attach together the first and second layers 1010, 1002 or may allow these two layers 1010, 1002 to be removed from one another in different embodiments.
Summing up an example embodiment of the invention, an article of manufacture for covering a user while the user is resting includes a first layer and a rotatable second layer. The second layer is attached to the first layer along a line running across the first layer. The second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion. In operation, a parent or other caregiver covers a resting user with the first layer and rotates the second layer away from a particular portion of the first layer. Then, at a later time, the parent or caregiver rotates the second layer toward the particular portion of the first layer. In this way, the parent or caregiver can easily cover a portion of the user while the user is resting without needing to re-position the first layer.
Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications, additions and alterations may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art. For example, the first layer 110 of blanket 100 of FIG. 1 may be formed by a single area of cloth with the attachment means 120 formed along the middle of the outer side or may be formed by two separate areas of cloth that are attached together at the attachment means 120. Likewise, each of the first and second layers 510, 502 of the blanket 500 of FIG. 5 may be formed by either a single area of cloth or two separate areas (upper and lower portions) joined at the attachment means 520.
In yet another beneficial modification, different patterns and designs may be selected and added to various second layers 102, 502, 602, 902, 1002 so that a suitable one may be used for different babies or different occasions, moods etc. The first and second layers may be sold or otherwise provided as an assembly that are attached by the user themselves. For instance, different animals, colours, shapes, etc. may be drawn on a plurality of different attachable second layers 602 and the parents, caregiver, or child may select the appropriate or desired one(s) for use. The attachment means 120, 520, 620, 920, 1020, 1120 may be any suitable attachment mechanism for example but not limited to buttons, fabric hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, zippers, etc. The attachments means may comprise a first attachment means on a first layer adapted to connect and attach with a corresponding compatible second attachment means on the second layer(s).
In yet another modification, rather than being attachable and re-attachable, the rotatable second layer(s) may be permanently attached to the first layer such as by the various layers being sewn together at the factory during manufacture.
In yet another modification, other types of sleeping and bedding articles of manufacture for covering a person while resting may take advantage of the invention. For example, a rotatable second layer may be added to any suitable first layer such as blankets, duvets, sheets, quilts, sleeping bags, sleeping sacks, comforters, bed covers, sleepers, pyjamas, etc.
In yet another modification, rather than the attachment means being a horizontal line at the halfway point of the first layer similar to as shown in FIGS. 1-9 or being a line along the lower end of the first layer similar to as shown in FIG. 10, the attachment means may be a horizontal line across the first layer at any level from near the middle to either the upper or lower ends. For instance, FIG. 11 shows a top down view of a blanket 1100 with multiple independently rotatable second layers 1102 a, 1102 b according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a second layer sheet 1102 is attached to a first layer sheet 1110 along an attachment means 1120. Similar to as before buttons 1122 are illustrated, but it is to be understood that any suitable attachment mechanism may be used either permanently attached or selectively removable by the parents or other caregivers. A difference with this embodiment is that the attachment means 1120 is along a line closer to the upper end than the lower end of the first layer 1110. Another difference with embodiment is that the two independently rotatable second layers 1102 a, 1102 b are different sizes from each other. Yet another difference is that the attachment means 1120 does not run across the full width of the first layer 1110. Any of these variations regarding the position and width of the attachment means 1120 and/or including multiple rotatable second layers 1102 a, 1102 b of different sizes may also be employed with any of the previously illustrated embodiments. Taking FIG. 9 as an example, the attachment means 920 in another embodiment may be moved closer to the upper end of the first layer 910. Likewise, the two independent rotatable second layers 902 a, 902 b of FIG. 9 may be of the same or different sizes. For example, when the attachment means 920 is closer to the upper end, the upper second layer 902 a may be smaller than the lower second layer 902 b. Likewise, in yet other embodiments, the line forming the attachments means 920 may run vertically or diagonally rather than horizontally on the first layer.
Additionally, although the above description has focused on covering the upper body and arms of the user, other embodiments and methods of operation are also possible to cover the lower body and legs. For example, rather than rotating the second layer 102 of the blanket 100 in FIG. 1 to the lower position when the person covered by the blanket begins to rest, the second layer 102 may instead be started in an upward position when the user begins to rest. In this way, after the person has fallen asleep, a parent or caregiver can rotate the second layer down to the lower position and thereby cover the sleeping person's lower body and legs. This embodiment may be beneficial for a person who tends to move their legs and kick away the lower part of a blanket when falling asleep.
Likewise, although the above description has focused on covering exposed portions of sleeping babies, infants, and children, embodiments of the invention are also useful and may be employed to cover any resting person or animal. For example, adult patients in a hospital may benefit from having a caregiver such as a nurse easily rotate the second layer 102, 502, 602, 902 a,b, 1002, 1102 a, 1102 b to cover either the patient's upper body or legs as desired without disturbing the patient's sleep. Similarly, the invention with rotatable second layer(s) may also be utilized to cover people with disabilities. Pet owners may also employ the disclosed blankets and sleeping bags to cover and re-cover their sleeping pets such as a dogs and cats. The disclosed blankets and other bedding materials may be adapted for both indoor and outdoor usage as desired.
All combinations and permutations of the above described features, embodiments and configurations may be utilized in conjunction with the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture for covering a user while the user is resting, the article comprising:

a first layer having a lengthwise direction running from an upper end for positioning toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user; and

a second layer attached to the first layer along a line on the first layer;

wherein the second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer along the line running in the widthwise direction of the first layer.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein:

the line running in the widthwise direction of the first layer is in a middle portion of the first layer, the middle portion being between the upper end and the lower end; and

the second layer is rotatable around the axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a lower portion of the first layer when rotated toward the lower end of the first layer and covers an upper portion of the first layer when rotated toward to the upper end of the first layer.

4. The article of claim 2, wherein the line at which the second layer is attached to the first layer is positioned halfway between the upper end and the lower end of the first layer.

5. The article of claim 2, wherein the second layer has a length in the lengthwise direction from an attached end at the line to a free end opposite the line such that the free end covers the upper end of the first layer when the second layer is rotated toward the upper end of the first layer.

6. The article of claim 2, wherein the second layer has a length in the lengthwise direction from an attached end at the line to a free end opposite the line such that the free end covers the lower end of the first layer when the second layer is rotated toward the lower end of the first layer.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the second layer has a width in the widthwise direction within twenty percent of a width of the first layer.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the second layer has a length in the lengthwise direction within twenty percent of one half a total length of the first layer, the total length being from the upper end to the lower end.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein the second layer is permanently attached to the first layer along the line.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer along the line by way of an attachment means that enables the second layer to be selectively attached and deattached to the first layer.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more of a button, a fabric hook and loop fastener, or a zipper.

12. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of second layers attached to the first layer along the line running in the widthwise direction of the first layer;

wherein each of the second layers is rotatable around the axis of rotation formed by the line such that each of the second layers covers a lower portion of the first layer when rotated toward the lower end of the first layer and covers an upper portion of the first layer when rotated toward to the upper end of the first layer.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the first layer is one of a blanket, duvet, sheet, quilt, pyjama, or sleeping bag.

14. An assembly for covering a user while the user is resting, the assembly comprising:

a first layer having a lengthwise direction running from an upper end for positioning toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user;

the first layer having a first attachment means along a line on the first layer; and

a second layer having a second attachment means adapted to attach with the first attachment means;

wherein, when the second attachment means is attached to the first attachment means, the second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first layer has the first attachment means along the line running in the widthwise direction of the first layer.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein:

the first attachment means along the line running in the widthwise direction of the first layer is in a middle portion of the first layer, the middle portion being between the upper end and the lower end; and

when the second attachment means is attached to the first attachment means, the second layer is rotatable around the axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers a lower portion of the first layer when rotated toward the lower end of the first layer and covers an upper portion of the first layer when rotated toward to the upper end of the first layer.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the line at which the second layer is attached to the first layer is positioned halfway between the upper end and the lower end of the first layer.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the second layer has a length in the lengthwise direction from an attached end at the line to a free end opposite the line such that the free end covers the upper end of the first layer when the second layer is rotated toward the upper end of the first layer.

19. A method of covering a user while the user is resting, the method comprising:

covering the user when the user begins resting with a first layer of an article, the first layer having a lengthwise direction running from an upper end positioned toward a head of the user and a lower end opposite the upper end, and a widthwise direction running from a right side to a left side of the user;

rotating a second layer of the article away from a particular portion of the first layer when the user begins resting, wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer along a line on the first layer, and the second layer is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by the line such that the second layer covers the particular portion of the first layer only when rotated toward the particular portion; and

rotating the second layer around the axis of rotation formed by the line toward the particular portion of the first layer at a later time while the user is resting.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the first layer is a sleeping bag; and

covering the user when the user begins resting with the first layer comprises placing the user into the sleeping bag.