Convertible multifunction covering
A covering, such as a blanket or a poncho, that is successively convertible into and from a stadium seat cushion and a tote bag, employs a conversion means comprised of at least one fastening flap and at least one hanging pocket. The fastening flaps wrap around the folded covering and hold the folded covering in the desired configuration, while the hanging pocket holds small items or beverages while the user is using the folded covering as a seat cushion. The method of folding the covering to convert it from a blanket or poncho into a seat cushion and a tote bag is also described.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is a covering, such as a poncho or blanket (including a ground covering such as a picnic blanket) that can be reconfigured to serve as a seat cushion or a tote bag.
There are blankets convertible to tote bags in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,515 to Bird; U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,113 to Kim; and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. US2008/0083066 to Linn, et. al. These inventions solve the convertibility problem by means of pockets in the blanket itself (see Bird); an elaborate system of zippers (see Kim); and pouches and elaborate methods of folding (see Linn). In these inventions, the conversion process is relatively complex, making use of these inventions somewhat difficult.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention simplifies the conversion process. It is a covering that can, depending on whether a hole is cut in the center and a hood attached, be used as both a poncho, blanket, or ground cover and can be converted into not only a tote bag, but a stadium seat cushion as well. Unlike the prior art, the present invention solves the convertibility problem by using a conversion means comprised of one or more fastening flaps and one or more hanging pockets attached to one side of the covering in a “T” configuration, where the long axes of the one or more fastening flaps and the long axis of one or more hanging pockets are perpendicular. By folding the covering as described herein, the folded covering itself, using the conversion means and unlike the prior art, creates the storage cavity of the tote, instead of relying on pockets or pouches, as in Linn. The one or more hanging pockets function both as a pocket for the seat cushion and as a flap covering the opening to the tote bag. One or more carrying means are attached at key locations on the covering, such as handles made of fabric, wood, leather, or other commonly-used materials, or straps for a backpack, which allow the covering to be conveniently carried by the user when configured as a tote.
Using this conversion means, the covering when folded as described forms first a seat cushion with one or more hanging pockets conveniently located to hold small items such as sunglasses, suntan lotion, binoculars, or even beverages for the person sitting on the seat cushion and then a tote bag for holding items such as books. The fastening flap(s) of the conversion means wrap around the exterior of the folded covering to prevent the covering from unfolding during its use as a tote bag or as a seat cushion. The free end of the hanging pocket may have a fastening means attached to it, allowing the free end to be removably secured either outside or inside the folded covering when the folded covering is used as a tote bag. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a multiple-layer covering comprised of a top and bottom layer of fabric with a filler material between the top and bottom layers, the covering can also consist of a single layer of fabric, which can be waterproof or water-resistant on one or both sides.
As mentioned above, the covering may have a hole substantially in the center of the covering with a hood sewn to the edges of the hole, so that the covering when completely unfolded can be used as a poncho. In the preferred embodiment, one side of the covering and one side of the poncho hood is made of a water-resistant material, facilitating the use of the covering as a poncho, and also so that the covering can be used as a picnic blanket when laid on the ground with the water-resistant side down (i.e. in substantial contact with the ground) and the fabric side up.
This convertible multifunction covering is ideal for going to the beach, where items like sunglasses, beverages, and suntan lotion can be carried in the covering folded as a tote bag, which can then be unfolded at the beach into a beach blanket or a seat cushion, or used as a poncho during a sudden rain shower. It is also ideal for use at a NASCAR race, a football game, or other stadium events where items can be carried in the covering folded as a tote, then it can be unfolded and used as a seat cushion, used as a poncho in case of rain, or as a blanket to be used in cold weather. The embodiments of the covering having backpack straps as carrying means are particularly suitable for young school children, who can use the covering to carry books and other supplies to school, then use it as a seat cushion and as a sleeping mat or a blanket while at school.
Turning to
The covering in the preferred embodiment has a long axis and a short axis, two substantially parallel long edges and two substantially parallel short edges. The long axis of the covering in the preferred embodiment is longer than the short axis by a ratio of 2:1. The covering may also be a simple blanket without a hole and hood, but which employs the conversion means as described below.
The element common to all embodiments is a conversion means which holds the covering in a folded configuration when it is folded up into a seat cushion or a tote bag. The conversion means has two components, one or more fastening flaps 9 and one or more hanging pockets 10. Although fastening flaps 9 and hanging pocket 10 are shown as separate components in
In the preferred embodiment, the conversion means has two fastening flaps 9. The function of these fastening flaps is to hold the covering in a folded configuration when being used as either a tote or a seat cushion. The fastening flaps have a long axis and a short axis; in the preferred embodiment, they are rectangular with two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. The fastening flaps may be made out of any suitable material including but not limited to cloth or leather, but are typically made of material similar to that of the covering itself. The flaps have one of their short sides attached to the upper side 2 of covering 1, and the distal side of these flaps each have complementary parts of fastening means 14 attached thereto. This fastening means is most commonly Velcro®, a snap fastener, buttons, or even magnets sewn into pockets in the fabric. The fastening means at the distal end of each flap mates with its complementary part to hold said ends of the flaps securely joined when the flaps are wrapped around the folded covering.
In an embodiment where there is only one fastening flap that wraps around the folded covering, the fastening means mates with its complement that is attached to the upper side 2 of covering 1 as shown in
At least one hanging pocket 10 is the second component of the fastening means. Each pocket has a long axis and a short axis and is typically composed of multiple layers of fabric sewn together with seam stitches. One or more of the layers of fabric composing the hanging pocket may be waterproof or water-resistant.
Turning to the preferred embodiment, hanging pocket 10 is rectangular and has two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides corresponding to its long axis and its short axis, respectively. Hanging pocket 10 is attached to upper side 2 of covering 1 at one end defined by its long axis so that the cavity therein 16 is disposed on its distal end, as shown in
The conversion means is composed of the aforementioned fastening flaps 9 and one or more hanging pockets 10 disposed so that the long axes of the fastening flaps and the long axis of the one or more hanging pockets are substantially perpendicular. In other words, fastening flaps 9 and one or more hanging pockets 10 are disposed in a “T” configuration, with hanging pockets 10 defining the stem of the “T” and fastening flaps 9 as the cross of the “T” as shown in
Turning to the preferred embodiment of the invention, fastening flaps 9 are placed so that their long axis is parallel to the short axis of covering 1. As mentioned above, covering 1 in the preferred embodiment is substantially rectangular, with two long sides with parallel edges, and two short sides with parallel edges. The centerline long axes of each of fastening flaps 9 are approximately ¼ to ⅜ of the length of the long axis of covering 1 from one of its short sides. The attached edges of fastening flaps 9 are fastened to upper side 2 at a distance from the long sides of covering 1 equal to approximately ⅓ the length of the short axis of covering 1. As shown in
Note that in this specification, the term “centerline long axis” refers to an axis that is equidistant from the long sides of a rectangular component such as covering 1, fastening flap 9, or hanging pocket 10.
The conversion means is positioned on the upper edge 2 of covering 1, so that when covering 1 is folded, fastening flaps 9 extend around to the opposite side of the folded covering. As described above, the complementary parts of fastening means 14 that are attached to the distal ends of the fastening flaps engage, thereby holding the covering in a folded configuration.
The conversion means can also consist of a single fastening flap (as shown in
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention uses fastening means 14 described above, fastening means 14 is not strictly required. If fastening flaps 9 are highly elongated, where the ratio of the length of the long axis to the length of the short axis is greater than 10 to 1, it may not be feasible or desirable to use a fastening means at the distal end. Instead, the distal ends of the fastening flaps may simply be tied together. Or, if only one fastening flap is used that wraps around the periphery of the folded covering, it can be tied around an anchor loop placed in the appropriate location on the upper side 2 to hold the end of fastening flap 9 in place when the covering is folded.
Although the exact placement of the conversion means is described in detail for the preferred embodiment above, the conversion means can be attached to the upper side 2 of the covering 1 in a number of locations, except for the exact center when hole 5 is present. Although it would be necessary to fold the covering differently in order to form the seat cushion and tote, the function of the conversion means does not change, namely, it still serves to hold the folded covering together in the desired configuration using at least one fastening flap.
Carrying means such as handles 11 and 12 in the preferred embodiment are typically straps made of nylon, canvas, or any other suitable sturdy material and allow the fully-folded covering to be easily carried as a tote. However, the carrying means can encompass a system of attachments (such as rings) attached to the covering, to which a rigid or non-rigid handle or strap is clipped, as is common in some handbags, duffels, and the like.
Turning to the preferred embodiment, as shown in
It is also possible, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, to use a single strap 11 instead of dual straps and fasten both the loop and the free ends of the straps in such a way that the strap fits over both shoulders, allowing the tote to be carried like a backpack as shown in
To convert the covering from a poncho into a seat cushion and then a tote, it is necessary to fold the covering in a specific manner so that the conversion means' fastening flaps 9 wrap around the folded covering to prevent the covering from unfolding. To facilitate ease of folding, guide seams 20, 21, 22 and guide fastening means 18 shown in
To covert the preferred embodiment of covering 1 to a seat cushion and then a tote, the unfolded covering is placed flat on a substantially level surface with upper side 2 down as shown in
The seat cushion becomes a tote bag when the cushion is suspended by handles 11, 12, as shown in
It should be understood that the description above only reflects one particular embodiment of the invention. Variations on this invention involve the relative dimensions of covering 1, whether or not hole 5 and hood 6 are integrated into the covering, and the placement of the conversion means, as described above. Different conversion means placement will necessitate different handle placement and methods of folding, although the objective of the handle placement and folding method is the same: to allow one or more fastening flaps of the conversion means to wrap around the folded covering in the tote/seat cushion configuration and prevent it from unfolding. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are various placements of the conversion means which would require only slight changes in the folding method to accomplish the identical function of conversion and it is the intent of the inventor to capture each of those slight modifications within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- A foldable covering,
- A conversion means attached to said covering; and
- At least one carrying means
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conversion means comprises at least one fastening flap and at least one hanging pocket allowing said foldable covering to be converted into a seat cushion and a tote.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the long axes of said at least one fastening flap and said at least one hanging pocket are substantially perpendicular to each other.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least one fastening flap is elongated.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said covering is a poncho.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said covering has a hood.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said covering is a blanket.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said covering is rectangular.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said foldable covering has guide seams emplaced thereto and fastening means attached thereto.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one carrying means is attached in such a way as to allow said covering to be carried like a backpack when folded.
11. A multifunction convertible covering, comprising:
- A rectangular foldable covering having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides, and a centerline parallel to said parallel long side,
- A conversion means attached to said covering comprising: One or more substantially rectangular fastening flaps having a long axis and short axis, said one or more fastening flaps having one end attached so that said fastening flaps' long axes are parallel to a short side of said covering and that are attached in proximity to said short side; A hanging pocket having a long axis and a short axis, said pocket having one end attached to said covering so that said hanging pocket's long axis is equidistant from said parallel long sides and perpendicular to said one or more fastening flaps' long axes; and
- At least one carrying means.
- Wherein said conversion means allows said covering to be folded into a seat cushion having at least one hanging pocket, and a tote bag.
12. A multifunction convertible covering of claim 11 wherein said at least one carrying means is attached in such a way as to allow said covering to be carried like a backpack when folded.
13. A multifunction convertible covering, comprising:
- A rectangular foldable covering having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides, and a centerline parallel to said parallel long side, and
- A conversion means attached to said covering comprising: Two fastening flaps having long axes and short axes, said flaps having one end attached so that said fastening flaps' long axes are parallel to a short side of said covering and that are attached in proximity to said short side A hanging pocket having a long axis and a short axis, said pocket having one end attached to said covering so that said hanging pocket's long axis is equidistant from said parallel long sides and perpendicular to said fastening flaps' long axes.
14. A method for converting a foldable covering having conversion means attached thereto into a seat cushion with at least one hanging pocket or a tote bag comprising the steps of: folding said covering in such a way that the at least one fastening flap of said conversion means hold said covering in the desired folded configuration.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said folding is facilitated by means of guide seams and fastening means.
16. A method of assisting a user in folding a foldable covering having conversion means attached thereto into a seat cushion and into a tote bag comprising the steps of
- Emplacing guide seams in said foldable covering, and
- Attaching guide fastening means to said foldable covering.
17. A method of assisting a user in converting a foldable covering having conversion means attached thereto into a seat cushion with a hanging pocket and a tote bag comprising the step of instructing the user to fold the covering in such a way that one or more fastening flaps hold said foldable covering in a folded configuration.
18. A method of assisting a user in converting a foldable covering having conversion means attached thereto into a seat cushion with a hanging pocket and a tote bag comprising the step of instructing the user to:
- Lay the completely unfolded covering on a flat, horizontal surface so that the covering, with conversion means facing downwards;
- Fold the top half of the covering over the lower half of the covering along a guide seam emplaced in said covering;
- Fold the right one-third of the covering so folded over the left one-third of the covering using guide seams emplaced in said covering;
- Fold the top half of the covering so folded over the bottom half of the covering; and,
- Engage the fastening flaps of said conversion means.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2008
Publication Date: May 20, 2010
Inventors: Wanda Wall (Rutledge, GA), Lisa S. Reid (Madison, GA)
Application Number: 12/291,930
International Classification: A41D 3/08 (20060101); B65D 30/00 (20060101); A45F 4/00 (20060101);