STADIUM BLANKET WITH ACCESSORIES KIT

Abstract

An improved stadium blanket is described with having storage capacity for storing accessories, some of which may be provided with the stadium blanket, brought to events.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,666 by Benz, filed May 31, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stadium blanket, such as could be provided with an accessories kit which may preferably be utilized by those attending various functions where attendees could possibly be expecting to be sitting on bleachers, stadium seats or the like, and particularly those exposed to the elements such as cold weather environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although some companies sell coordinating hats, scarves and/or mittens for outdoor wear, these are believed to be sold in traditional retail packaging where the packaging is discarded after opening.

There is not believed to be a convenient way to maintain these articles together, after initial use other than placing in another carrier especially if one were to attend an outdoor activity and want a convenient way of carrying those articles. Furthermore, absolutely no combination of a stadium blanket is known to exist with accessories worn by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a present object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved stadium blanket having a storage capability for storing accessories brought to events.

It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a stadium blanket which conveniently fits within most stadium seat configurations in a folded configuration which can be potentially sat upon as a cushion when not in use.

It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a stadium blanket which provides a way of carrying identification material in addition to accessories and/or valuables. In some embodiments, a pouch or compartment of the stadium blanket is detachable to create a purse for conveniently carrying identification material in addition to accessories and/or valuables when away from the stadium blanket.

It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved stadium blanket kit which provides a stadium blanket having at least one pouch provided with and configured to retain the hat of a user, the gloves of a user, and/or a scarf of a user. Potentially, in some embodiments, all three set of articles are provided so that a user can take one simple package to a stadium or other location and enjoy the sporting event or other activity and the gloves, hat, scarf and/or the stadium blanket can be employed as desired in an effort to regulate the temperature of the user. After use, the articles can be conveniently repackaged.

Accordingly, in accordance with many presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, an improved kit is provided having an improved stadium blanket in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, possibly in combination together with at least some of a hat, gloves and/or a scarf.

In order to accomplish the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stadium blanket provided for at least some embodiments provides what is believed a unique folding configuration whereby the blanket can fold to a compact state and provide a pouch for receiving such things as identification material and possibly holding small articles such as keys and/or wallets which can be folded to be disposed internally for protection when in the storage configuration and also preferably cover over an externally directed pocket in the storage condition which receives the gloves, hat and/or scarf to provide the kit form.

The blanket can have seams as shown to facilitate the intended folding locations to facilitate a user being able to repackage the device once opened in a quick and convenient manner. One or more handles or straps can also be provided to provide a shoulder strap and/or a handle for carrying in the compact storage configuration. The accessories may be removed as desired and worn by the user and/or the blanket may be deployed as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blanket in an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a back elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof in a folded storage configuration; and

FIG. 8 is a exploded perspective view showing the installation of components in kit form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Starting with FIG. 8, an exploded view of a kit form of the presently preferred embodiment shows a kit 10. Kit 10 preferably includes a stadium blanket 12 and possibly at least one, if not a plurality of, hat 14, scarf 16, and gloves 18.

Scarf 16, gloves 18, and hat 14 can be of various constructions as are known in the art.

The hat 14 is preferably a skull style hat and can be made of fleece or other fabric such as wool, etc., of a desired weight. The scarf 16 could be made of similar or dissimilar material as the hat, as could the gloves 18. Furthermore, with branding opportunities, logos such as first and second logos 20,22 similar or dissimilar, could be provided by a coordinated configuration particularly in combination with the other logos which could be provided with the blanket 12 such as logo 37 shown in FIG. 7.

In addition to providing first closure 26 which may assist in enclosing the pocket 24 with another (not shown) on the other surface 30 of blanket 12, an external receiving connector 32 is useful particularly in combination with flap connector 34 to secure the flap 36 to the receiving external connector 32 to further secure the articles such as hat 14, scarf 16, gloves 18 in the pocket 24 in a convenient carrying configuration.

A carrying strap 38 may be stored internal to the flap 36 in a storage configuration. An external handle 40 as is shown in FIG. 7 and others may also be utilized. Further configurations may have other handles or shoulder strap configurations, if they are utilized.

With the articles stored in the kit 10, the articles may be transported such as is shown in FIG. 7. No other manufacturer is believed to provide a blanket 12 which not only receives and stores, but is also provided with a hat 14, scarf 16, and/or gloves 18.

This configuration is particularly attractive for outdoor stadium events such as football games and the like. The stadium blanket is configured to have a width W and/or a length L to conveniently fit within the confines of major league stadium seating as well as NFL stadium seating in virtually all, if not all, newer professional team stadiums across America. The blanket 12 when in a storage configuration as shown can be loaded with the accessories in the form of the hat 14, scarf 16, and/or gloves 18, while allowing the user to relatively easily sit on the blanket 12 in the storage configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7. When expanded, the width-2 W₂ and length-2 L₂ having preferred dimensions of at least 42″×60″ and more preferably dimensions such as about 62″×44″. Other embodiments may provide other dimensions. The blanket 12 for many embodiments preferably has sufficient dimensions to cover at least over a portion of a person if not persons when in use.

Although there are other blankets available in the marketplace that could be carried to a stadium, none are believed to provide the unique folding characteristic of blanket 12 particularly in relationship to be able to store accessories for maintaining a user warm at many outdoor events.

The extended blanket 12 is shown in FIGS. 1-6. In preferred embodiments, the blanket has a width-2 W₂ of roughly 44″ but little less than on average 9″ per segment S with the frame segment S₂, preferably having a larger width than that of the remaining segments. Segments S can be distinguished by seams such as seam 42 which could be a single, double, or other appropriate seam to facilitate in having the user refold the blanket 12 after use. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first segment 44 can be first folded onto the frame segment 46 and then the second segment 48 preferably folded over the seam 42 onto third segment 50. These two can then be folded over seam 52 onto fourth segment 54 which can then be folded over seam 56 onto frame segment 46 such as atop or under segment 44. In this way, the flap 36 can remain external to the folded segments during this process. As can be seen from the figures, it is possible that the internal surface 58 of blanket 12 could be fleece, wool, wool-blend, or other appropriate fabric while the external surface 60, such as shown in FIG. 3 could be a waterproof surface or other appropriate surface.

Of course, it is also possible to fold the second 48, third 50, and fourth segments 54 onto the frame segment 46 and then to fold the first segment 44 over top thereof for many embodiments.

After making these folds, it is anticipated that the blanket 12 will be folded along the length-2 L₂ such as by starting at end 62 and then folding over and over. It is anticipated folding three folds before reaching the pocket 24 and then another fold after the pocket 24 such as would then leave second pocket 69 available for use for at least some embodiments as is shown in FIG. 8. Pocket 69 may or may not have the placket 28 as provided for pocket 24 such as shown in FIG. 8. Other embodiments may have a different number of folds or even fold differently than the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a first compartment 64 or pouch internal to the flap 36 which could hold an identification card (i.e., a drivers' license, etc.) such as by providing a window 66. Furthermore, a second compartment 68 could be provided which could also hold money, credit cards, cell phones, or other small items and/or valuables. In some embodiments, at least one compartment is designed to be optionally detachable, such as by using a connector pair located on the back of the compartment and the internal side of the flap 36 (e.g., a Velcro® or other appropriate means), to provide a purse for a convenient way to carry an identification card and/or valuables when away from the stadium blanket. The detachable purse preferably can be securely closed by zipper, magnet, button, hook and loop, or other appropriate means. The purse can optionally have a window 66 on the front of the purse. Flap 36 is shown overlapping a portion of the blanket 12 as is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the folded/storage configuration to assist in retaining material in the compartment or compartments 64,68.

When in the closed or open configurations of FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, the blanket 12 provides a relatively convenient location for storing the accessories such as a scarf 16, hat 14, and gloves 18 therein. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the handle 40 provides a convenient carrying means for carrying the blanket 12 or storing the blanket 12 in a storage location. Further, the shoulder strap 38 may be deployed and utilized as will be understood by those skilled in the art as provided.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiments of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stadium blanket comprising:

at least one compartment having storage capability for storing accessories or valuables brought to an event; and

at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of hat, scarf, and gloves.

2. The stadium blanket of claim 1, further comprising:

an internal surface and an external surface, wherein said stadium blanket is foldable for making a folded configuration, wherein said folded configuration is for using said stadium blanket as a seat cushion or for transport or storage of said stadium blanket;

a flap member with a flap member connector for securing said stadium blanket in said folded configuration; and

a receiving connector on a surface of said stadium blanket for connecting with said flap member connector for securing said stadium blanket in said folded configuration.

3. The stadium blanket of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one external handle for carrying said stadium blanket in said folded configuration.

4. The stadium blanket of claim 3, further comprising:

a shoulder strap for carrying said stadium blanket in said folded configuration.

5. The stadium blanket of claim 3, wherein said at least one compartment further has a window for conveniently holding identification material.

6. The stadium blanket of claim 5, wherein said at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of hat, scarf, and gloves is/are designed to aesthetically match said stadium blanket.

7. The stadium blanket of claim 5, further comprising:

a logo or other identifying mark on at least one of the group consisting of said stadium blanket, said flap member, and said at least one accessory.

8. The stadium blanket of claim 5, wherein said at least one compartment is internally disposed when said stadium blanket is in said folded configuration.

9. The stadium blanket of claim 8, further comprising:

at least a second compartment having storage capability for storing accessories or valuables brought to an event, wherein said at least a second compartment is externally directed so as to be readily accessible when said stadium blanket is in said folded configuration.

10. The stadium blanket of claim 9, wherein said internal surface is made from a fabric or textile.

11. The stadium blanket of claim 10, wherein said fabric or textile is a natural or synthetic fleece, wool, or wool-blend material.

12. The stadium blanket of claim 10, wherein said external surface is a waterproof or weatherproof material.

13. The stadium blanket of claim 9, wherein said stadium blanket has segments defined by a plurality of seams for conveniently folding said stadium blanket into said folded configuration.

14. The stadium blanket of claim 9, wherein said stadium blanket is substantially rectangular in shape.

15. A kit comprising:

a stadium blanket that is foldable for making a folded configuration for using said stadium blanket as a seat cushion or for transport or storage of said stadium blanket; said stadium blanket having an internal surface, an external surface, a plurality of edges, a flap member on one said plurality of edges with a flap member connector for securing said stadium blanket in said folded configuration, a receiving connector on a surface of said stadium blanket for connecting with said flap member connector for securing said stadium blanket in said folded configuration, and at least one compartment having storage capability for storing accessories or valuables brought to an event; and

at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of hat, scarf, and gloves.

16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising:

at least one external handle for carrying said stadium blanket in said folded configuration.

17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising:

a shoulder strap for carrying said stadium blanket in said folded configuration.

18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising:

a logo or other identifying mark on at least one of the group consisting of said stadium blanket, said flap member, and said at least one accessory.

19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising:

at least a second compartment having storage capability for storing accessories or valuables brought to an event, wherein said at least a second compartment is externally directed so as to be readily accessible when said stadium blanket is in said folded configuration.