Combination carrying pack and blanket and pillow   

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/356,735, filed on Jun. 21, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/387,471, filed on Sep. 29, 2010, both incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/379,536, filed on Nov. 19, 2010, and also incorporated herein by reference.

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to backpacks, and more particularly to a combination carrying pack, pillow, and blanket.

A carrying pack, or backpack, is a convenient carrying means that is positioned on a user\'s back and is secured with two straps that go over the shoulders and under the underarms. Children often make use of backpacks to carry their toys or other items of interest. A blanket is generally a large piece of cloth of varying thickness and comfort intended to keep the user warm. Children also make use of blankets to keep warm while napping. Children are often reluctant to part with their backpacks and their blankets, often forming attachments with the security that the objects provide to them.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,823 to Ferguson et al. on Feb. 23, 1993, teaches a device which is capable of being configured as a blanket or as a carrying bag or knapsack. The device is made of a fabric piece having two opposing arcuate fabric channel halves secured to the lower surface thereof, facing each other. A carrying bag may be formed by folding the device upwardly and in towards the center of the fabric piece, thereby exposing the ropes. Ferguson can generally be described as a circular blanket that can convert into a knapsack.

U.S. Pat. Application No. US 2002/0088830 to Rose on Jul. 11, 2002, teaches a combination blanket and carrier wherein a blanket is formed integrally with the carrier bag and may be folded to fit within the carrier bag. A plurality of different straps for carrying the bag are provided. The blanket generally folds onto itself and is secured inside of the bag.

U.S. Pat. Application No. US 2010/0059558 to Robinson et al. on Mar. 11, 2010, teaches a multi-purpose device for use in stadium and outdoor venues. The device is a user-configurable blanket, poncho, coat, and pillow for use at the venue. The device also configures to a pocketed backpack for transport by the user engaged with shoulder straps to their body. An interior pocket when configured into a backpack affords the device a storage compartment to transport other items such as food and drink. Robinson can generally be described as a foldable blanket with a permanently attached strap portion which operate as backpack straps when folded properly

While the above devices exist, they are not robust and intended for use by children. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can transform from a blanket to a backpack in a unique way, provide a pillow for the user, be safe for children, and include character configurations to entertain the children as well. While the present invention is designed for use by children, it is understood that the device may also be sized for use by others as well. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY

The present device comprises a blanket portion having a top, bottom, and two sides. Two side panels are attached to each side near the top of the blanket portion. The side panels have a zipper that, when zipped completely, connect the sides of the blanket portion to the sides of the side panels, resulting in a bag configuration. A second attachment means is used to open and close the backpack so that items may be inserted and removed.

The device includes shoulder straps that are attached to the top of the blanket portion and lateral straps that are connected to the bottom of the blanket portion. The shoulder straps include padding. When in the backpack configuration, the shoulder straps and lateral straps are connected with a hook and loop type fastening means, creating the backpack straps. The blanket portion and the side panels can be integrally formed as one piece, and each strap can also be fixed to the blanket portion.

In one embodiment, the front side of the blanket includes a pocket. In another embodiment, the front side includes a plush animal head, and an animal tail is included at the bottom or rear side of the blanket. A padded paw-shaped cushion can be used at the end of the lateral straps to resemble animal paws. The lateral straps can be length adjustable with a buckle, and can include padded portions and an elastic portion. The entire device can be water-proof and created from a soft textile material.

When in the backpack configuration, the device is securely placed on the back of the child, and the animal or character components add to the interest level of the child. When in the blanket configuration, the lateral straps can be secured and placed behind the user\'s legs, thereby maintaining the position of the blanket while the child rests, the padded portions of the later straps forming a pillow thereby.

The present invention is a device that can transform from a blanket to a backpack in a unique way, provide a pillow for the user, be safe for children, and include character configurations to entertain the children as well. Further, the present device is capable of creating a secure attachment to the child when in backpack form and will withstand the abuse that a child will deliver to such a device. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention in a blanket configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front elevated view of the invention in the blanket configuration;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevated view of the invention in the blanket configuration;

FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the invention in a backpack configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevated view of the invention in the backpack configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a combination backpack, blanket and pillow 10 comprising a flexible web 20, a pair of shoulder straps 80, and a pair of lateral straps 100. The flexible web 20 includes a generally rectangular blanket portion 30 having two side edges 35, a top edge 38, and a bottom edge 32. The flexible web 20 further includes two side panels 40, each fixed with one of the side edges 35 of the blanket portion 30 proximate to the top edge 38 of the blanket portion 30.

Each side panel 40 has a first part 51 of a first two-part fastener 50 around a peripheral edge 45 thereof and a second part 52 of the first two-part fastener 50 fixed along the adjacent side edge 46 of the blanket portion 30. The top edge 38 and the bottom edge 32 of the blanket portion 30 each include either a hook part 62 or a loop part 61 of a second two-part fastener 60.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a pair of shoulder straps 80 which are further attached to the present invention 10. Each shoulder strap 80 has a proximal end 82 fixed with the top edge 38 of the blanket portion 30 and terminating at a distal end 88 with a first part 71 of a third two-part fastener 70. Furthermore, each shoulder strap has a padded portion 90.

A pair of lateral straps 100 are attached to the present invention 10, each having a proximal end 102 fixed with one of the side edges 35 of the blanket portion 30 proximate the bottom edge 32 thereof and terminating at a distal end 108 with a second part 72 of the third two-part fastener 70. When the first and second parts of each two-part fastener are mutually unfastened, the flexible web 20 and straps 80 may be configured into a substantially flat blanket configuration 110 (FIGS. 1-3) wherein the padded portion 90 of each shoulder strap 80 may be used as a pillow 120 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, when the first and second parts of each two-part fastener are mutually fastened, the flexible web 20 and straps 80 may be configured into a backpack configuration 130 (FIGS. 4-5) with the front side 39 facing outwardly. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the backpack configuration 130 may be reversible, such that the rear side 31 faces outwardly.

In an alternative embodiment, the rectangular blanket portion 30 and two side panels 40 are integrally formed with the flexible web 20. In a further alternative embodiment, each strap 80 is non-removably fixed with the blanket portion 30. Each distal end 88 of each strap 80 may terminate with a padded paw-shaped cushion 180. Each lateral strap 100 may include a length adjustment buckle 200 such that the length of each lateral strap 100 may be adjusted. Each strap 100 may include at least one elastic portion 210.

In an alternative embodiment, the distal end 108 of one of the lateral straps 100 terminates with the first part 71 of the third two-part fastener 70 and the distal end 108 of the other of the lateral straps 100 terminates with the second part 72 of the third two-part fastener 70. When the combination 10 is in the blanket configuration 110, the lateral straps 100 may be mutually secured together behind a user\'s 15 legs, thereby maintaining the position of the blanket portion 30 of the combination 10 on the user 15. The flexible web 20 may further include a water-impervious layer (not shown) therein, or thereon, such that the web 20 may be used as a changing pad when in the blanket configuration 110, for example. Further, the flexible web 20 may include a resilient foam or padding layer (not shown) therein such that the web 20 may be used as a mattress or cushion when in the blanket configuration 110, for example. Moreover, the flexible web 20 may include heating or cooling pads or elements therein, or aromatherapy elements (not shown) therein, if desired.

The first two-part fastener 50 may be a zipper 140 or any other suitable attachment means. The second 60 and third 70 two-part fasteners preferably comprise hook-and-loop type fastening materials 150, but can also comprise any other suitable attachment means, such as buttons, mechanical snaps, or the like. The flexible web 20 can be made from a soft textile material, such as terry cloth, cotton, nylon, or the like, or in one embodiment tricot/Terylene so that the hook part 62 of the hook-and-loop type fasteners 150 may be applied anywhere on the web 20, the web 20 serving as the loop part 61 of the hook-and-loop type fastener in such an embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment, a front side of the blanket portion may include a pocket 220. Additional pockets (not shown) may be included on either the front or rear side of the web 20. The front side 39 of the blanket portion 30 may also include a plush toy animal head 160 projecting away therefrom. Furthermore, either the bottom edge 32 or a rear surface 31 of the blanket portion 30 may include a plush animal tail 170 fixed thereto and projecting away therefrom. The rear surface 31 of the blanket portion 30 may also include a selectively openable water-impervious bag 190 selectively fixed therewith by a hook-and-loop type fastener 150. Such a bag 190 includes at least one hook part 62 adapted for contacting the loop part 61 fixed proximate the bottom edge 32 of the blanket portion 30 when the combination 10 is in the backpack configuration 130. In one embodiment (not shown), the web 20 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the shoulder straps 80, such that the two side panels are oriented one at the top and one at the bottom when in the backpack configuration 130.

The present invention is intended to be used primarily with children. As such, the materials used therefore are suitably durable to withstand abuse and neglect, as is commonly required with children\'s items. It is anticipated that the present invention will be dragged, bitten, pulled, and otherwise abused. As such, the present invention is constructed with a durable material that resists tears and, if disassembled, will not be harmful to a child. Cotton, nylon, polyester, plastic, rubber, and metal pieces are anticipated. Clearly the present invention need not only be used by children, however, as the shoulder straps 80 may be sized to accommodate teenagers and adults as well, or even pets such as dogs, if desired.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the device can incorporate different character designs or folding designs. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.