Patent Application
20130180049
This document relates generally to bedclothing, and more particularly to a splayed bedclothing including a form-fitting convertible foot pouch.
As people relax, such as on chairs, ottomans, beds or even the floor, they often desire to be covered with a blanket or other covering to stay warm.
U.S. Pat. No. D527,562 shows a leg blanket with a foot pocket. Users of this design can suffer from chill along posterior sections of their body, as the portion above the pouch does not well extend around the pouch without deliberately tucking the portion above the pouch around the exposed body. If the exposed body is not lying on a surface, U.S. Pat. No. D526,562 offers little protection for body portions above the pouch, behind the top portion. Further, the foot pocket of U.S. Pat. No. D526,562 provides a poor fit for human feet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,542 provides a blanket having a pouch at the foot end for a person to place their feet, keeping them covered and thus keeping them warm. While the design professes to keep feet in the pouch warm, it does not address exposed lateral or poster body parts above the foot pouch. Further, it also provides a poor fit for human feet.
What is needed is a design to cover lateral or posterior body portions above a foot pouch. Further, user desires designs that better cover feet.
The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, various embodiments discussed in the present document. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and may not be to scale.
Various examples include an apparatus to cover at least one person. Contemporary approaches undesirably leave portions of the user's legs and/or body exposed in use, because of insufficient apparatus or method to wrap a top portion of a cover around a user, in the manner that the bottom portion wraps around.
Further, contemporary approaches fail to accommodate a natural state of feet during relaxation—a splayed state in which the heels are closer together than the toes.
Contemporary approaches also fail to provide a foot pouch that has multiple purposes—such as covering body parts as well as carrying. These and other benefits are provided by the present subject matter.
Various examples include a front portion 104 of the pouch 102. The front portion 104 is opposite a back portion 106 of the pouch 102, in some examples. In some examples, the front portion 104 is panel shaped. In some examples, the back portion 106 is panel shaped. In some examples, the front portion 104 is parallel to the back portion 106, such as while the bedclothing 100 is taught.
Some examples include opposing side portions 108. In some examples, the opposing side portions 108 are coupled to and extend between the front portion 104 and the back portion 106. In some examples, an angle between the back portion 106 and a side portion is larger than an angle between the front portion 104 and the side portion.
Certain examples include a bottom portion 110. In some examples the bottom portion 110 is coupled to the back portion 106, the front portion 104 and the opposing side portions 108. In some examples, the bottom portion 110 is roughly perpendicular to one or more of the front portion 104, the back portion 108 and the side portions 108 while the bedclothing 100 is taught.
In some examples, a curvature 112 or fillet extends between panels on one or more of the joint between the front portion 104, the back portion 108, the side portions 108 and the bottom portion 110. In certain examples the bottom portion 110 is substantially planar, and the opposing side portions 108 curve, as they extend away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion. Examples are included in which the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion. In some examples the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Various examples include a cover 114 coupled to the front. In some examples, the cover 114 is coupled to the pouch 102 with a fastener. In certain examples the cover 114 is coupled to the pouch 120 with a zipper along a seam.
Seams shown in broken lines can include stitching, but the present subject matter is not so limited, and extends to adhesives and other kinds of joining. As used herein, the term “coupled” is not limited to seams such as sewing seams, and is used to indicate location of portions of the same material.
In some examples, the cover 114 includes a cover bottom edge portion 116. In some example, at least a portion of the bottom edge portion 116 is coupled to the pouch 102. In various examples, the cover 114 extends upward from at least the front portion 104 to a cover top 118. In various examples, the cover top 118 is sized to splay to opposite sides 121, 123. In some examples, the cover top 118 is sized to splay beyond the extent of a distance, such as a maximum distance, between the opposing side portions 108.
This splay provides a benefit of allowing the user to better tuck the cover behind them in use, as there is additional material usable for tucking. The cover, coupled as it is in various examples to the front, sides and back of the foot pouch, naturally conforms around the legs of the user, allowing them to better cover themselves than contemporary approaches provide for.
Examples are included in which the cover bottom edge portion 116 is coupled to the opposing side portions 108. In some examples the cover bottom edge portion 116 is coupled to at least a portion of the back portion 106 of the pouch 102. In certain examples the cover is formed of a rectangular piece of material that is wrapped around contours of an opening of the pouch 102. This wrapping provides a benefit of better covering the posterior area of legs disposed partially in the pouch. The use of the rectangular fabric allows for simple, fabric-bolt based manufacturing in which a standard bolt of fabric is periodically cut to provide the cover 114.
The cover 114 and the pouch 102 can be formed of the same material, or of pieces of material joined together. Examples of cover 114 materials include, but are not limited to, 100% polyester DTY 100D/144F Micro Fleece. Some examples are brushed on one or both sides. Some examples include anti-pilling, such as on one or both sides. Some examples are a weight of 260GSM, but other weights are contemplated.
In an example, the pouch 102 is formed of a first material and the cover 114 is formed of a second material other than the first material. In certain examples the first material is an other form of material than the second material. In some examples, the pouch 102 is formed of 100% polyester micro fiber peached twill. Some examples are sized 75D by 150D over 150 by 96. In certain examples at least some of the pouch 102 is formed of coated nylon. In some examples, the coated nylon gives the pouch 102 water resistance. Examples are included in which a water resistant exterior material is coupled to an exterior of the pouch. In some examples one or more seams of the pouch are sealed with a sealant. In certain examples the cover is formed of a wind-resistant material.
Certain examples include a liner 120 coupled to an interior 122 of the pouch 102. In some examples, the liner 120 is formed of 100% polyester Sherpa. Some examples are of a weight 280GSM. In some examples, the liner is formed of lamb's wool or another manmade fiber to provide warmth. Other materials and weights are contemplated.
Examples are included in which the pouch is formed of a material of a different density than the cover. In certain examples, at least some of the pouch 102, cover 114 and liner are formed of polyester. In some examples, the pouch 102 is formed of nylon. In an example, the pouch 102 can be formed of linen, while the cover 114 is formed of brushed fleece, or vice versa. In an example, the cover is formed of a 220 weight polyester fabric. In an example, the pouch is formed of a 280 weight polyester fabric. Accordingly, in some examples, the pouch is denser than the cover, making it heaver per unit of surface area.
Some examples include one or more fasteners 124 disposed on a top portion 126 of the back portion 106 and one or more additional fasteners 128 coupled on a top portion 130 of the back portion 106. In an example, the one or more fasteners 124 are configured to couple to the one or more additional fasteners 128 to close an opening 132 of the pouch 102. The opening is defined by a top portion of the front portion 104, back portion 106, and opposing side portions 108, in an example. Examples are included in which one or both the one or more fasteners 124 and the additional one or more fasteners 128 are disposed along the interior 122 of the pouch 102.
Examples are included in which the pouch is a single pouch 102, with no partition disposed in the interior 122. However, in some examples, the pouch 102 includes an interior dividing material 134 disposed between the opposing side portions 108. In certain examples the interior dividing material bisects a distance between the opposing side portions 108. Examples are included in which the interior dividing material 134 is coupled to the bottom portion.
Various examples include indicia 136 disposed on the pouch, such as via screen-printing or embroidery. Some examples include embroidery printed on an exterior of the pouch.
Certain examples include a strap 140. In examples, one side of the strap is coupled to a top portion of a first side of the opposing side portions 108, and another is coupled with a top portion of a second side of the opposing side portions 108. In some examples, an interior 122 of the pouch is sized to house the cover while the cover is in a loose and bundled state. In a sense, the pouch is convertible into a bag. In certain examples the strap includes removable fasteners 142 configured to repeatedly couple with the pouch. Examples of fasteners include hook and ring fasteners. Examples are included in which the strap is adjustable.
In an example, the opposing side portions 208 are of a substantially common side width SW, the back is of a back width BW, and the front is of a front width FW. In an example, the front width FW is greater than the back width BW. In some examples, a cover top 210 of the cover 212 is sized to splay beyond the extent of a distance between the opposing side portions, including one or both of BW and FW Examples are included in which the cover 212 is of a cover height CH of 60 inches (1.52 meters). Additional examples are 72 (1.83 meters) inches or 84 inches (2.13 meters). These cover width CT is of a cover height CH of 60 inches (1.52 meters) in some examples. In additional examples CT is 72 (1.83 meters) inches or 84 inches (2.13 meters). These are provided as an example, and other sizes are contemplated, include sizes scaled to a range of adult and children sizes, or multiples thereof.
Examples are included in which the bottom portion 214 is substantially planar, and the opposing side portions 208 curve along a curvature 216, as they extend away from the bottom portion 214, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion 214. In some examples the front portion 206 curves along curvature 218 as it extends away from the bottom portion 214, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion 214. In certain examples the back portion 204 curves along curvature 220 as it extends away from the bottom portion 214, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion 214.
At 304, the method includes coupling a cover to the pouch, the cover having a top sized to splay, beyond the extent of a distance between opposing side portions or the pouch. At 312, the method can optionally include coupling the cover to a front portion of the pouch. At 314, the method can optionally include coupling the cover to opposing side portions of the pouch. At 326, the method can optionally include coupling the cover to at least a portion of a back portion of the pouch.
Example 1 includes an apparatus to cover at least one person, including a pouch formed of a first material and sized to receive a pair of splayed feet of the person, including a back portion; a front portion opposite the back portion; opposing side portions coupled to and extending between the front portion and the back portion; and a bottom portion coupled to the back portion, the front portion and the opposing side portions, wherein the front portion, back portion and opposing side portions are of a substantially common height, the opposing side portions are of a substantially common side width, the back is of a back width, and the front is of a front width greater than the back width; and a cover formed of a second material and including a cover bottom edge portion coupled to the front, the cover extending upward from the front portion to a cover top sized to splay to opposite sides, beyond the extent of a distance between the opposing side portions.
Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the cover bottom edge portion is coupled to the opposing side portions.
Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the cover bottom edge portion is coupled to at least a portion of the back portion of the pouch.
Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the cover is formed of a rectangular piece of material.
Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, comprising one or more fasteners disposed on a top portion of the pouch, the one or more fasteners configured to couple together to close an opening of the pouch defined by the front portion, the back portion, and the opposing side portions.
Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the one or more fasteners disposed on the top portion of the back portion are disposed along an interior of the pouch.
Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the one or more fasteners disposed on the top portion of the front portion are disposed along an interior of the pouch.
Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the bottom portion is substantially planar, and the opposing side portions curve, as they extend away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the first material is an other form of material than the second material.
Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, comprising a liner coupled to an interior of the pouch.
Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is formed of a pouch material, and the cover is formed of a cover material, other than the pouch material, and the liner is formed of a liner material, other than the pouch material and the cover material.
Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is formed of linen, the cover is formed of brushed fleece, and the liner is formed of lamb's wool.
Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch, cover and liner are formed of polyester.
Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is a single pouch.
Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch includes an interior dividing material, disposed between the opposing side portions.
Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the interior dividing material bisects a distance between the opposing side portions.
Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the interior dividing material is coupled to the bottom portion.
Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch and the cover are formed of a single, continues material.
Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein an exterior of the pouch is water resistant.
Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the exterior of the pouch is coated with a water resistant coating.
Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is formed of a water resistant coating.
Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is formed of coated nylon.
Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein a water resistant exterior material is coupled to an exterior of the pouch.
Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein one or more seams of the pouch are sealed with a sealant.
Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the cover is formed of a wind-resistant material.
Example 28 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch is formed of a denser material than the cover.
Example 29 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the pouch and the cover are sized to cover multiple persons, side-by-side.
Example 30 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, comprising embroidery on an exterior of the pouch.
Example 31 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, comprising screen-printing on the pouch.
Example 32 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the cover is coupled to the pouch with a zipper.
Example 33 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, and include subject matter to cover at least one person, including a pouch formed of a first material and sized to receive a pair of splayed feet of the person, including a back portion; a front portion opposite the back portion; opposing side portions coupled to and extending between the front portion and the back portion; and a bottom portion coupled to the back portion, the front portion and the opposing side portions, wherein the front portion, back portion and opposing side portions are of a substantially common height, the opposing side portions are of a substantially common side width, the back is of a back width, and the front is of a front width greater than the back width; and a cover formed of a second material and including a cover bottom edge portion coupled to at least the front portion.
Example 34 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, comprising a strap, with one side of the strap coupled to a top portion of a first side of the opposing side portions, and with a second side coupled to a top portion of a second side of the opposing side portions.
Example 35 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein an interior of the pouch is sized to house the cover while the cover is in a loose and bundled state.
Example 36 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the strap includes removable fasteners configured to repeatedly couple with the pouch.
Example 37 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the strap is adjustable.
Example 38 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, and include subject matter to cover at least one person, including a pouch formed of a first material and sized to receive a pair of feet of the person, including a back portion; a front portion opposite the back portion; opposing side portions coupled to and extending between the front portion and the back portion; and a bottom portion coupled to the back portion, the front portion and the opposing side portions; and a cover formed of a second material and including a cover bottom edge portion coupled to the front, and at least a portion of the side portions, the cover extending upward from the front portion to a cover top sized to splay to opposite sides, beyond the extent of a distance between the opposing side portions.
Example 39 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the cover is formed of a rectangular piece of material.
Example 40 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the front portion, the opposing side portions, and at least a part of the back portion are formed of a single piece of fabric, joined at a seam to a front panel and to the bottom portion.
Example 41 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the bottom portion is substantially planar, and the opposing side portions curve, as they extend away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Example 42 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Example 43 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any matter of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the front portion curves, as it extends away from the bottom portion, to being substantially perpendicular with the bottom portion.
Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of the other examples.
The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Examples such as method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented at least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform methods as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computer readable instructions for performing various methods. The code can form portions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.
This detailed description of the present invention refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. This detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
