Sculpture blanket or bendy blanket
The sculpture or bendy blanket has a resilient bendable grid frame assembly which allows the sculpture blanket to have all the properties of any blanket and a new aspect of the ability to independently hold usual and unusual forms and shapes. The sculpture blanket is bendable, resilient, able to be sculpted and molded, is formable, adjustable, and able to be articulated into a multitude number of abstract and unusual nonstandard forms for fabric material, and hold its shape until manipulated into a new form by the user; while at the same time provides coziness, warmth, entertainment and protection against environmental elements. The sculpture blanket is resilient, and therefore, constructed using a material that has a property that will allow it to be bent and reformed repeatedly, without damaging the frame, of the frame losing its properties over time to bend or hold the desired shape.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENTNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTINGNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPeople use blankets as a conventional device to cover themselves in order to protect the body from exposure to temperatures or other environmental conditions or hazards. In addition, caregivers of infants also use blankets to function as positioning aids for their infants in situations where they might need to prop-up various body parts of an infant. In many instances, a blanket is rolled-up and used as a device to block an infant's path from rolling off of an elevated platform such as a bed or couch and sustaining an injury from a fall. In other cases blankets are rolled-up and placed around the exterior of an infant's body, to prohibit a child from roiling over, and/or force a child to lay on its back, side(s), or stomach. Blankets are also used to cover an infant and women while breastfeeding or nursing; thereby also serving as aid to cover a woman's breast during nursing sessions. Blankets are also used as positioning aids for other paraphernalia related to infants and children such as bottles, clothing articles, toys, etcetera. Blankets are also used in a traditional method to hold and/or swaddle an infant or small child. In addition, blankets are used in emergency or medical situations, for travel, storage, packing; and a multitude of other makeshift purposes.
In all of these various uses for a blanket, in many instances the fabric used to construct the blanket is fluid and highly flexible, and therefore subject to slippage and lack of conformity to the originally constructed shape since the blanket easily shifts.
Known blankets produced in the technical field of textile manufacturing for infants and adults disclosed in U.S. Patent number US 2006/0272094 A1, filed on Dec. 7, 2006, entitled SAFETY BLANKET ASSEMBLY, U.S. Pat. No. 936,634, filed Aug. 24, 1978, entitled BABY'S COMPANION AND SECURITY BLANKET, Fournier, U.S. patent Ser. No. 29/102,310, filed Mar. 22, 1999, entitled SECURITY BLANKET, F. E. Atkinson, U.S. Pat. No. 367,988, filed Jun. 19, 1989, entitled SECURITY BLANKET WITH TACTILE CHARACTERISTICS SIMULATIVE OF THE AMNION AND AMNIOTIC FLUID WITHIN THE SAME, J. and G., Troncone, U.S. Pat. No. 752,027, filed Dec. 20, 1976, entitled UTILITY SECURITY BLANKET, H. Kella, U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/870,600 filed May 31, 2001, entitled CHILD'S SECURITY BLANKET, R. Biever-Schneider, U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/805,539, filed Mar. 13, 2001, entitled PILLOW BLANKET, D and B. Deering, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/837,258, filed Apr. 30, 2004, entitled TRAVEL BLANKET WITH ARM SUPPORT, A. Booth, U.S. Pat. No. EP 0527738 A4 filed Dec. 17, 1990, entitled BODY TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT WARMING BLANKET, W. McCormack, U.S. Pat. No. EP 0741553 A4, filed Jan. 25, 1995, entitled WARMING BLANKET FOR PEDIATRIC USE, S. Chivetta, U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/299,716, filed Dec. 12, 1995, entitled HOSPITAL SHEET OR BLANKET, E. Framer do to fully address the need flexibility and variability of the design specified in the present invention.
The use of a blanket in these various forms, as a restraining device to constrain and infant's position, to cover an infant or nursing mother, to cover an adult, to function as a makeshift pillow, and/or as a positioning aid is unsatisfactory since it is a makeshift expedient and easily changes and shifts shape and form. In addition, it can be dangerous to an infant and/or child since the blanket material can shift into a position where it can cover an infant or child's face in a manner which will obstruct or restrict airflow and the ability of the child to breathe freely.
In general, the fabric used and the construction design of a blanket does not allow a blanket to independently hold its shape or form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a novel, easily bendable grid frame assembly and foam cushioned supported sculpture blanket which is weighted to stay in place. The novel aspect of the invention is that it is a sculpture blanket which is bendable, sculpted, formable, adjustable, and able to be articulated into abstract and unusual nonstandard forms for fabric material, and hold its shape until manipulated into a new form by the user; while at the same time provides coziness, warmth, entertainment and protection against environmental elements. The present invention includes a sculpture blanket with an internal soft foam body or form, within which a hermetically sealed, bendable polymeric material covered grid frame is encapsulated. The foam body is covered with a blanketed outer layer which can be easily removed and washed. In addition, there is an additional outer blanket attachment which can be used as a standard traditional blanket, or substituted as storage chamber, a toy and/or learning device; and can be easily removed and washed; however, the additional external blanket is not required for use of the sculpture blanket.
The internally disposed, bendable grid frame assembly core permits the sculpture blanket to be easily formed into any desired shape so that the blanket thereof can be closely formed about the infant, child or adult. For example, the sculpture blanket can be formed in a manner to surround and support the infant or adult in a side or back laying position or alternatively to constrain an infant in a supine position. Due to the novel character of the inclusion bendable grid rods, the sculpture blanket will retain its shape until manually reshaped by the caregiver or adult user. The substantial weight of the internally disposed, bendable grid rods, tend to effectively resist shifting of the sculpture blanket as the infant, child or adult moves. Because of the novel design of the device it is readily usable with both infants and adults and uniquely provides support to any person at strategically chosen locations. Due to the novel character of the sculpture blanket containing compartments in which to attach another duplicate sculpture blanket, or other material, fabric or elements which contain sections and compartments or is constructed of a material which will adhere to a hook and loop fastening system. The invention uniquely provides modularity, and a method to increase the dimensions and size of the sculpture blanket.
The objective of the present invention is to provide an easily bendable and sculpture blanket which will serve as a traditional blanket which can be safely formed about an infant, child or adult to provide restraint against movement of the person; to stabilize areas of the body, to provide comfort, entertainment, protection from environmental elements, increased security, and privacy.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a blanket which is sculpture and can hold a form without a human being physically having to hold it in place or prop with makeshift expedients, and therefore will stay securely in place about the infant, child or adult.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a sculpture blanket which can also function as a support device for infants, children or adults.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a sculpture blanket system which contains blanket attachments which have an internal chamber which can be used for storage, to insert sensory elements like toys or objects which make sounds, contain odor or smells, to insert warming or cooling devices, which can be used as a source of entertainment to infants, children or adults.
An additional objective of the invention is to provide an infant support of the character described in the preceding paragraphs which promotes proper physiological flexion, improves self-regulation and comforting behavior in infants, and can assist parents with preventing deformities of an infant's skull due to the child not uniformly resting or sleeping on all sides of the body.
Yet another objective of the invention is to act as a toy since it can be modulated and articulated into a mock tent structure or makeshift play shelter.
Another objective of the invention is to act as a sculpture blanket system which can be attached to other blankets, or can be attached by since the blanket includes sections of to attach other blankets; thereby creating a larger blanket.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a sculpture blanket and infant support of the character described, which can be easily washed and cleaned, which is easy to transport and inexpensive to produce or manufacture.
Another objective of the invention is to provide protection and privacy to nursing mothers by providing a sculpture blanket which will mold to her body while nursing and not constantly slip out of place; and therefore, the invention lowers the risk of the mother to expose her breasts while nursing.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a sculpture blanket which can be used to assist in swaddling an infant, child or adult, or can be formed into a makeshift cradle for an infant of small child.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a sculpture blanket which can be used to assist an infant or child in learning how to lift its chest cavity area while learning to raise its head, to creep and crawl, or to help provide support while a child is learning to sit unassisted.
Another objective of the invention is to serve as a medicinal tool to aid applying heat or cold to muscle pain or other body aches or disturbances associated with muscle or tissue injuries.
Another objective of the invention is to serve as an aid with infant colic and/or other digestive ailments by providing a blanket which has a warmed compartment in which to lay a baby; or to help with applying a cool blanket for a fever.
Another objective of the invention is to potentially serve as a medical device to stabilize a person; and can be used in medical emergencies such as car accidents to stabilize a person's core body and limbs. The sculpture blanket can be developed as an emergency aid or part of a first aid kit, and used in emergency type situations, i.e., fires, car accidents, motorcycle or bike accidents, and other calamities. The materials used to construct the invention can be composed of waterproof, fire retardant type materials in the case it is developed for emergency situations to meet this aim.
Another objective of the invention is the use of the sculpture blanket in hospitals and other medical facilities, and as a part of any medical establishments bedding and emergency room layout since the blanket can aid in stabilization and/or lifting a body for easy transport.
Another objective of the invention is the use of the sculpture blanket as a rehabilitation device associated with medical conditions; for example to hold parts of the body in specific positions.
Another objective of the invention is the use of the sculpture blanket as an recreational and/or outdoor device to act as a shield from the sunrays and/or wind, rain, as a beach blanket which will help keep sand out of the blanket area since sides can be formed at the edges of the blanket, picnic blanket or other device to use in an outdoor setting.
Another objective of the invention is the use of the sculpture blanket during travel, in particular, during air travel, where the sculpture blanket can be used to shield the face from exposure to contaminated air circulating around an airplane cabin, and potentially act as a tool to avoid contagion from airborne type illnesses.
Another objective of the invention is the use of the sculpture blanket during travel, in particular, during air travel, where the sculpture blanket can be used as a pillow to stabilize the head during rest of sleeping phases.
Sculpture blanket 10 contains an inner core, which is accessed through the opening 12 to the inner core of the sculpture blanket 10, and of which can be sealed by a zipper, closed-folds similar to that of a duvet covering a comforter with snap metal or plastic fasteners closures, or no closures at all and thus closed by using natural folds of cloth to conceal the inner core, or a closure. The opening 12 to access to the inner core of the sculpture blanket 10, can also alternatively be installed at the top seam line of sculpture blanket 10; or anywhere else on the sculpture blanket 10. Sculpture blanket 10 has additional modularity in the form of hook and loop fastener sections and compartments 14; which are depicted as being closed, where one side is a hook fastener strip and the other side is a loop fastener strip. The hook and loop fastener sections and compartments 14 are attached to sculpture blanket 10 and surround the entire periphery of the sculpture blanket 10; however, any type of fastener system can be used as a tool to attach other blankets. In addition, the length and overall dimensions of the hook and loop fastener sections and compartments 14 can be adjusted to fit the parameters and requirements of the sculpture blanket 10 as it is modified or developed. The additional blanket 16 is an added feature to sculpture blanket 10, and is not necessary in the function of sculpture blanket 10.
Additional blanket 16 does not necessarily have to be detached from sculpture blanket 10; or constructed as a part of the invention sculpture blanket 10. Additional blanket 16 might in fact reduce the functionality of sculpture blanket 10 when sculpture blanket 10 is folded or contorted since it might or could add additional weight and size to sculpture blanket 10; and therefore sculpture blanket 10, when used together with additional blanket 16, would function better in a simple flattened position as depicted in
Anywhere on sculpture blanket 10 at
At
The soft foam form body 22 provides protection, insulation and cushioning, and should be constructed in a way that it can be removed from sculpture blanket 10 for cleaning, repair or replacement; but also constructed in a manner where it completely encloses the bendable grid frame assembly 24. In the case the sculpture blanket 10 composition already includes insulation, the soft foam form body 22 is unnecessary. The bendable grid frame assembly 24 at
In the present embodiment of the invention, sculpture blanket 10 provides a cover in the form of a fabric material to the soft foam form body 22, and the bendable grid frame assembly 24; and sculpture blanket 10 should snuggly fit and encase the soft foam form body 22 and cover the bendable grid frame assembly 24. The soft foam form body 22 should be durable enough to protect the bendable grid frame assembly 24, but light and malleable enough to conform to the sculpture functionality of the bendable grid frame assembly 24. The soft foam form body 22 should be able to be removed from the inner core of sculpture blanket 10 through opening 12. The soft foam form 22 can be constructed of any suitable soft, spongy material such as a natural or synthetic rubber or it can be constructed from polymeric foam or fibers. All materials for the construction of 10, 14, 16, 20, 22, and 24 are readily and commercially sourced and available from a number of suppliers and manufacturers, for example the Dow Chemical Company.
An exemplary embodiment of sculpture blanket 10 at
Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations, changes, and modifications may be made to in the fabrication and arrangement of various part and methods of construction of the sculpture blanket disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims:
Claims
1. A sculpture blanket sized and shape for covering a user in a seated or standing position and can be molded into usual and unusual, standard and nonstandard forms and shapes, and independently hold its form until reshaped by the user comprising:
- a) a composition fabricated from a textile material to form the blanket;
- b) a hollowed-out internal core of the blanket;
- c) an opening to insert or remove items;
- d) a bendable grid frame assembly.
2. The sculpture blanket of claim 1, wherein said composition of the blanket comprises an outer and inner surface; and an outer and inner perimeter.
3. The composition of the blanket of claim 2 comprises top and bottom sides to create the length; and a left and right sides to create width of the perimeters.
4. The composition of the blanket of claim 2 further comprises two panels to create two layers of textile material, and then the two layers are securely joined on the top, bottom, left and right sides.
5. The composition of the blanket of claim 2 further comprises cushioning, soft stuffing material used for insulation and in the formation of the said textile material of claim 1.
6. The sculpture blanket of claim 1, wherein said hollowed-out internal core comprises an inner surface and inner perimeter which is securely connected on the top, bottom, left and right; but retain empty interior center.
7. The hollowed-out internal core of claim 6 comprises an empty interior center where any material, item, or element can be inserted, stored or housed.
8. The hollowed-out internal core of claim 6 further comprising a solid internal core, wherein said interior center is disposed between the hollowed-out internal core.
9. The sculpture blanket of claim 1, wherein said opening comprises a dimension in size that is large enough and wide enough to allow the insertion and extraction of all internal aspects and is closed by a hook and loop fastening method.
10. The opening of claim 9 further comprising plastic or metal snap fastener method, wherein said fastening method are disposed between the hook and loop fastener method.
11. The opening of claim 9 further comprising a zipper fastener method, wherein said fastening method are disposed between the hook and loop fastener method.
12. The sculpture blanket of claim 1, wherein said bendable grid frame assembly comprises a bendable, flexible grid frame assembly of resilient solid metal rods encased in a polymeric material and formed into a series of any geometric shape to create a grid; and when molded by the user can independently hold usual and unusual shapes and forms until reshaped by the user.
13. The bendable grid frame assembly of claim 12 further comprising a grid formed by using a series of irregular or abstract geometric shapes, wherein said shapes are disposed between the any geometric shapes.
14. The bendable grid frame assembly of claim 12 further comprising a grid integrated within the composition of wherein said sculpture blanket of claim 1.
15. The bendable grid frame assembly of claim 12 further comprising any bendable, flexible, resilient material wherein said materials are disposed between the solid metal rods encased polymeric materials.
16. The bendable grid frame assembly of claim 12 further comprising a dimension that allows it to be inserted through the said opening of claim 9 and housed in the said hollowed-out internal core of claim 6.
17. The sculpture blanket of claim 1 further comprising a soft foam form body to be inserted into the wherein said hollowed-out internal core of claim 6 and to pad and insulate the wherein said bendable grid frame of claim 12.
18. The sculpture blanket of claim 1 further comprising a set of hook and loop fastener sections and compartments attached to the wherein said outer surface of claim 2 to expand the shape and dimension of wherein said sculpture blanket of claim 1.
19. The sculpture blanket of claim 1 further comprising an optional additional blanket attachment.
20. The optional additional blanket attachment of claim 19 comprises:
- a) a composition fabricated from a textile material to form the blanket;
- b) a hollowed-out internal core of the blanket;
- c) an opening to insert or remove items;
- d) a fastening method to wherein said sculpture blanket of claim 1.
21. The additional blanket of claim 19 further comprising a composition similar to that of wherein said composition of claims 2 through 5.
22. The additional blanket of claim 19 further comprising a hollowed-out core similar to that of wherein said hollowed-out core of claims 6 and 8.
23. The additional blanket of claim 19 further comprising an opening similar to that of wherein said opening of claims 8 through 11.
24. The additional blanket of claim 19 further comprising a hook and loop fastening method to attach to wherein said opening of claim 9 and said hook and loop fastener sections and compartments of claim 18.
25. The hook and loop fastening method of claim 24 further comprising a plastic or metal snap fastening method wherein said fastening method is disposed between the hook and loop fastening method.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventors: Monika Ingwelda Walker (Brussels), Martin Krueger (Brussels)
Application Number: 13/799,161