Patent Application
20250194780
This disclosure generally relates to outdoor equipment including a blanket configuration and a hammock configuration. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a convertible blanket including an integrated suspension system and method of use. This disclosure also relates to a convertible blanket product including a storage container.
When spending time outdoors, users can choose from a variety of outdoor equipment to sit and/or lay on, for example, a blanket and a hammock. In particular, a blanket may provide a user with a barrier between the user and the ground when the user is sitting on the blanket. Additionally, a blanket may be used to cover the user to insulate a user in colder temperatures. A hammock, on the other hand, can be suspended between two supports (such as trees) and provide a user a place to sit/lay off of the ground.
Often, when spending time outdoors, a user may not want to carry many items or may have a limited amount of storage space in their bag or backpack. This is particularly the case when a user may be hiking or camping. In the interest of conserving weight and/or storage space, a user may opt to leave certain items that provide similar benefits behind. For example, because a user may sit/lay on both a blanket and a hammock, a user may decide to only bring one or the other.
Furthermore, in some instances, outdoor equipment comes with its own storage container, such as a bag. Often, the opening of the bag may be sewn or otherwise attached directly to the equipment. Because the opening of the bag is usually attached to the equipment, the bags are designed to close using a drawstring, leaving the bag partially opened and the equipment within the bag partially exposed to the outside environment.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved blanket and/or hammock and blanket/hammock products.
There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the subject matter claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.
In one aspect, a convertible blanket that converts into a hammock is provided. The convertible blanket includes a body and an integrated suspension system, wherein the body includes a first side end and a second side end running along a width of the body and a top end and a bottom end running along a length of the body. The body also includes a first sleeve extending along the first side end and a second sleeve extending along the second side end. The integrated suspension system includes a first strap at least partially located within the first sleeve, the first strap including a first strap short segment and a removable first strap long segment. The first strap short segment includes a first strap short segment end loop extending out of one end of the first sleeve and a first strap short segment attachment end configured to be located within and outside of the first sleeve. The first strap long segment includes a first strap long segment end loop extending out of another end of the first sleeve and a first strap long segment attachment end configured to be located within and outside of the first sleeve, wherein the first strap long segment attachment end is attachable to the first strap short segment attachment end by a first attachment element. The integrated suspension system further includes a second strap at least partially located within the second sleeve. The second strap includes a second strap short segment and a removable second strap long segment. The second strap short segment includes a second strap short segment end loop extending out of one end of the second sleeve and a second strap short segment attachment end configured to be located within and outside of the second sleeve. The second strap long segment includes a second strap long segment end loop extending out of another end of the second sleeve and a second strap long segment attachment end configured to be located within and outside of the second sleeve, wherein the second strap long segment attachment end is attachable to the second strap short segment attachment end by a second attachment element. The first strap short segment and the second strap short segment are permanently attached to the body and the first strap includes at least one first strap coupling loop and the second strap includes at least one second strap coupling loop.
In another aspect, a method of hanging a convertible blanket is provided. The method includes providing a convertible blanket, wherein the convertible blanket includes a body and an integrated suspension system. The body includes a first side end and a second side end running along a width of the body and a top end and a bottom end running along a length of the body. The body also includes a first sleeve extending along the first side end and a second sleeve extending along the second side end. The integrated suspension system includes a first strap at least partially located within the first sleeve, the first strap including a first strap short segment and a removable first strap long segment. The first strap short segment includes a first strap short segment end loop extending out of one end of the first sleeve and a first strap short segment attachment end configured to be located within the first sleeve. The first strap long segment includes a first strap long segment end loop extending out of another end of the first sleeve and a first strap long segment attachment end configured to be located within the first sleeve, wherein the first strap long segment attachment end is attachable to the first strap short segment attachment end by a first attachment element. The integrated suspension system further includes a second strap at least partially located within the second sleeve, the second strap including a second strap short segment and a removable second strap long segment. The second strap short segment includes a second strap short segment end loop extending out of one end of the second sleeve and a second strap short segment attachment end configured to be located within the second sleeve. The second strap long segment includes a second strap long segment end loop extending out of another end of the second sleeve and a second strap long segment attachment end configured to be located within the second sleeve, wherein the second strap long segment attachment end is attachable to the second strap short segment attachment end by a second attachment element. Additionally, the first strap short segment and the second strap short segment are permanently attached to the body. The method further includes detaching the removable first strap long segment from the first strap short segment and detaching the removable second strap long segment from the second strap short segment. The method also includes cinching the detached first strap long segment around a first support by wrapping the first strap long segment around the first support and pulling the first strap long segment attachment end through the first strap long segment end loop, and cinching the detached second strap long segment around a second support by wrapping the second strap long segment around the second support and pulling the second strap long segment attachment end through the second strap long segment end loop. Additionally, the method includes pulling the detached first strap short segment attachment end through the first strap short segment end loop, pulling the detached second strap short segment attachment end through the second strap short segment end loop, coupling the first strap short segment to the cinched first strap long segment, and coupling the second strap short segment to the cinched second strap long segment.
In another aspect, a combined hammock and storage product is provided. The combined hammock and storage product includes a container including a wall, wherein the wall at least partially defines a storage compartment. The product further includes a hammock having a body configured to support a user. The product also includes an attachment tongue having a first end attached to an interior surface of the wall of the container and a second end configured to extend beyond an opening of the container. The second end is attached to the body of the hammock.
A more detailed description of the device in accordance with the present disclosure is set forth below. It should be understood that the description of the specific devices below is intended to be exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible variations or applications. Thus, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limiting and should be understood to encompass variations or embodiments that would occur to persons of ordinary skill.
Referring to
Furthermore, body 12 includes sleeves 24a and 24b at first side end 16 and second side end 18, respectively. In particular, body 12 includes a first sleeve 24a extending along first side end 16 and a second sleeve 24b extending along second side end 18. Sleeves 24a, 24b are configured to cover at least a portion of the integrated suspension system 14. Sleeves 24a, 24b can be formed in any suitable manner. For example, sleeves 24a, 24b can be formed by folding a portion of side end 16, 18 of body 12 over itself and attaching the folded-over portion to body 12. In another example, a sleeve can be attached to a side end 16 or 18 of body 12. The sleeve can be formed/attached by adhering, sewing, sonic welding, or by any other suitable manner.
As disclosed above, integrated suspension system 14 is configured to suspend convertible blanket 10 between two supports 70 (
First strap 30a includes a first strap short segment 32a and a removable first strap long segment 34a. At one end, first strap short segment 32a includes a first strap short segment end loop 36a and at the opposite end, first strap short segment 32a includes a first strap short segment attachment end 38a. Removable first strap long segment 34a includes a first strap long segment end loop 40a at one end and a first strap long segment attachment end 42a at an opposite end. The term “end loop” is used to indicate that the loop is at the terminal end of the strap, adjacent to or near the terminal end, or otherwise associated with the end portion of the relative strap segment. End loops 36a and 40a (and other end loops disclosed herein) are not required to be at the terminal end of the respective strap segment. Such end loops may be at the terminal end of the strap, adjacent to or near the terminal end, or otherwise associated with the end portion of the relative strap segment.
Similar to first strap 30a, second strap 30b includes a second strap short segment 32b and a removable second strap long segment 34b. At one end, second strap short segment 32b includes a second strap short segment end loop 36b and at the opposite end, second strap short segment 32b includes a second strap short segment attachment end 38b. Removable second strap long segment 34b includes a second strap long segment end loop 40b at one end and a second strap long segment attachment end 42b at an opposite end.
The strap short segments 32a, 32b are permanently attached to body 12. In particular, first strap short segment 32a is permanently attached to first sleeve 24a and second strap short segment 32b is permanently attached to second sleeve 24b. Strap short segments 32a, 32b are permanently attached to sleeves 24a, 24b such that strap short segment end loops 36a, 36b extend out of an end of sleeves 24a, 24b and strap short segment attachment ends 38a, 38b are configured to be located within sleeves 24a, 24b (when in the blanket configuration) and outside of the sleeves 24a, 24b (when in the hammock configuration). Strap short segments 32a, 32b can be permanently attached to body 12 in any suitable way, including, but not limited to, sewing, adhering, or with a rivet. Additionally, strap short segments 32a, 32b can both be attached to body 12 at or near top end 20 or bottom end 22. Alternatively, first strap short segment 32a can be permanently attached to body 12 at or near one of top end 20 or bottom end 22 and second strap short segment 32b can be permanently attached to body 12 at or near the other of top end 20 or bottom end 22. By permanently attaching strap short segments 32a, 32b to opposite ends 20 and 22, when convertible blanket 10 is suspended as a hammock, this orientation can assist in preventing the hammock from tipping/favoring one side over the other.
Similar to the strap short segments 32a, 32b, strap long segment end loops 40a, 40b extend out of sleeves 24a, 24b and strap long segment attachment ends 42a, 42b are configured to be located within sleeves 24a, 24b (when in the blanket configuration) and outside of sleeves 24a, 24b (when in the hammock configuration). As shown in
As shown in
As discussed herein, strap short segment end loops 36 and strap long segment end loops 40 can extend beyond sleeves 24. Accordingly, in their attached configuration, first strap 30a and second strap 30b are at least as long as the width of convertible blanket 10. In some embodiments, the straps 30, in their attached configuration, are longer than the width of convertible blanket 10. For example, straps 30 can be longer than the width of convertible blanket 10 such that when strap short segments 32 are attached to strap long segments 34 within sleeves 24, at least the strap short segment end loops 36 and strap long segment end loops 40 extend out of the sleeves 24. The lengths of the straps 30 can vary depending on various factors including the lengths of the sleeves 24, the size of the convertible blanket 10, and the distance between supports 70, amongst other factors. In an example, straps 30 (when strap short segments 32 and strap long segments 34 are attached) can be about 10 ft. to 20 ft. long. In a particular example, straps 30 are 10 ft. long. Additionally, in an example, strap short segments 32 can be about 1 ft. long and strap long segments 34 can be about 9 ft. long. Of course, the lengths of short strap segments 32 and long strap segments 34 can vary without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Referring to
Additionally, convertible blanket 10 can include at least one anchoring strap 52. Anchoring strap 52 can be a strap including a loop extending from body 12. In an example, as shown in
Convertible blanket 10, optionally, can also include at least one pair of apertures 54, and more preferably, two pairs of apertures 54. Each pair of apertures 54 includes an aperture 54 at or near top end 20 and bottom end 22 of body 12. In an example, as shown in
Furthermore, convertible blanket 10, optionally, can include an attached storage container 60. Storage container 60 can be attached to body 12 with an attachment tongue 62. Storage container 60 will be described in greater detail herein.
Referring to
To convert convertible blanket 10 from a blanket configuration to a hammock configuration, strap long segments 34a, 34b are detached from strap short segments 32a, 32b. Because removable strap long segments 34a, 34b are not permanently attached to sleeves 24a, 24b, strap long segments 34a, 34b and sleeves 24a, 24b, respectively, are moveable relative to each other.
Referring to
Additionally, after detaching strap long segments 34 from strap short segments 32, strap long segments 34 are cinched around supports 70, such as a tree. In particular, first strap long segment 34a and second strap long segment 34b are cinched around different supports 70. To cinch strap long segments 34 to a support 70, a strap long segment 34 is wrapped around a support 70 and strap long segment attachment end 42 is pulled through strap long segment end loop 40 to form cinch 41.
After forming gathering loop 39 and cinch 41, strap long segments 34 and strap short segments 32 are coupled to each other using strap short segment coupling loops 46 and strap long segment coupling loops 48, as shown in
When placing convertible blanket 10 into the hammock configuration, first strap 30a and second strap 30b can be attached to supports 70 simultaneously (for instance, if the user is assisted by another person) or sequentially (one strap 30 is attached after the other). The tautness/tension of the integrated suspension system 14 can be adjusted by coupling strap long segment 34 and strap short segment 32 via coupling loops 48 and 46 located at different positions on their respective strap segments. For instance, to loosen the hammock, strap long segment coupling loops 48 and strap short segment coupling loops 46 that are closer in distance can be used. Alternatively, to increase tension, two coupling loops further in distance can be used. In another example, strap short segment 32 includes one coupling loop 46 and strap long segment 34 includes multiple coupling loops 48. In this instance, the tightness/tautness of integrated suspension system 14 can be adjusted by connecting the strap short segment coupling loop 46 to a strap long segment coupling loop 48 closer to cinch 41 to increase tension or closer to strap long segment attachment end 48 to loosen tension.
Additionally, by providing an integrated suspension system 14 including a permanently attached strap short segment 32 and a detachable strap long segment 34, suspending convertible blanket 10 from a support 70 is simplified. For instance, by being able to detach the strap long segment 34, strap long segment 34 can be wrapped around and cinched to support 70 by pulling strap long segment attachment end 42 through strap long segment end loop 40. Forming cinch 41 provides tension to allow the strap long segment 34 to be wrapped around the support once to be able to suspend convertible blanket 10 as a hammock. Because strap long segment 34 can be wrapped around a support 70 once to maintain enough tension to hang convertible blanket 10, the length of strap long segment 34 can be shortened, thus lowering production costs and minimizing the amount of material a user would need to handle.
To convert convertible blanket 10 from a hammock configuration to a blanket configuration, the opposite steps as above can be executed. For instance, strap short segments 32 and strap long segments 34 are decoupled from one another, strap long segments 34 are uncinched and unwrapped from supports 70, and strap short segment attachment ends 38 are removed from strap short segment end loops 36. Strap long segments 34 are then re-attached to strap short segments 32 at their respective attachment ends 42 and 38 with attachment elements 44. After re-attaching strap short segments 32 and strap long segments 34, sleeves 24 can be moved to their un-bunched configuration to cover straps 30 such that at least strap long segment end loops 40 extend out of sleeves 24.
In some examples, convertible blanket 10 can be stored in attached storage container 60. Storage container 60 includes a wall, wherein the wall at least partially defines a storage compartment. In particular, the interior surface of the wall defines the storage compartment. Storage container 60 can be made of a water-resistant or waterproof material. In an example, as shown in
Storage container 60 is attached to convertible blanket 10 via an attachment tongue 62. Attachment tongue 62 includes a first end 64 attached to an interior surface of the wall of storage container 60 and a second end 66 configured to extend beyond the container opening 63. In an example, attachment tongue first end 64 can be attached to the interior surface of the wall of the storage bag at a distance below the container opening 63. For instance, first end 64 can be attached to interior wall six inches below the container opening 63. First end 64 can be attached at a variety of distances below container opening 63 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In the instance storage container 60 is a roll-top dry bag, by attaching first end 64 a distance below the opening of storage container 60, enough clearance is provided from opening 63 to roll the top of container 60 after the convertible blanket 10 has been placed within storage container 60.
Second end 66 can be attached to body 12 of convertible blanket 10. For instance, second end 66 can be permanently attached to body 12 by any suitable permanent attaching means, such as, but not limited to, sewing, sonic welding, heat sealing, or adhering.
To store convertible blanket 10 in storage container 60, convertible blanket 10 can be stuffed into the storage compartment defined by the interior wall. Attachment tongue 62 allows the entirety of convertible blanket 10 to be placed inside the storage container 60. After placing the entirety of convertible blanket 10 and attachment tongue 62 into the storage container 60, buckle sealing element 61 can be rolled and the buckle can be connected to provide a liquid-tight seal. By attaching convertible blanket 10 to storage container 60 with attachment tongue 62 instead of attaching convertible blanket 10 to the container opening 63, the entirety of convertible blanket 10 and attachment tongue 62 can be placed within the storage compartment, allowing the storage container 60 to be completely sealed.
Additionally, the exterior surface 68 of the storage container can include at least one pocket 69. For example, storage container 60 can include a pocket 69 on a front side of the bag, as shown in
Although described as being attached to convertible blanket 10, storage container 60 including an attachment tongue 62 can be used with a variety of products without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, a storage container 60 with attachment tongue 62 can be used with other outdoor equipment, such as, but not limited to, a hammock, a blanket, and other equipment that may be stored in a water-proof and/or liquid-tight container.
The present disclosure claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/610,360, filed Dec. 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63610360 | Dec 2023 | US |
