VARIABLE WEIGHTED BLANKET SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed is a combined weighted blanket, including two or more component weighted blankets, each component weighted blanket incorporating a plurality of integrated fastener components, wherein each component weighted blanket is secured to at least one other component weighted blanket by way of at least one of its plurality of integrated fastener components.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates generally to weighted blankets, and specifically to a combined blanket formed of component weighted blankets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weighted blankets may be used to assist people with various disorders to sleep comfortably and effectively. The additional weight of the blanket may produce a calming effect, particularly for those with autism or anxiety issues, by simulating human contact such as a close hug.

However, at present, many weighted blankets are custom-made for the height and weight of an intended user. This may result in unnecessary cost and delay to the user.

Some blankets are available in standard weights, such as 10, 15, 20 or 25 pounds, rather than being customized, however such weights are generally fixed at construction. Fixed configurations may be non-ideal in some circumstances. For example, children may require several different sized and weighted blankets over the course of time to adjust to their growth. Hospitals and treatment facilities may lack the resources and capacity to provide pre-customized blankets to patients with different needs. In addition, there may be unnecessary time and cost associated with maintenance and laundering of blankets if tailored to individuals. Also, individuals may desire more weight as they become used the weight they have purchased initially.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a combined weighted blanket using a plurality of component weighted blankets connected together.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a combined weighted blanket, comprising: two or more component weighted blankets, each component weighted blanket incorporating a plurality of integrated fastener components, wherein each component weighted blanket is secured to at least one other component weighted blanket by way of at least one of its plurality of integrated fastener components.

Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a disassembled combined weighted blanket according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an assembled combined weighted blanket according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a disassembled combined weighted blanket according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an assembled combined weighted blanket according to the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a disassembled combined weighted blanket according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an assembled combined weighted blanket according to the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a single component weighted blanket of the combined weighted blanket of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the component weighted blanket of FIG. 4A.

Like reference numerals indicated like or corresponding elements in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to weighted blankets and specifically to a system of variable weighted blankets that may be adjusted to a specific user. The present invention relates to a system of variable weighted blankets secured to one another via fasteners to form a combined weighted blanket. The present invention relates to a combined weighted blanket formed of joined component weighted blankets. The present invention relates to a modular weighted blanket which can be adjusted in both weight and dimensions to match desired specifications by adding or removing component weighted blankets.

An embodiment of a combined weighted blanket is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in which a combined stacked weighted blanket 100 includes a plurality of individual component weighted blankets 110 in a stacked configuration.

As depicted in FIG. 1B, component weighted blankets 110 are secured together such as via fasteners formed of grommets or apertures 120 in component weighted blankets 110 and strips of cloth 125. When a set of grommets is aligned a strip of cloth may be passed through the set of grommets and tied or otherwise formed into a closed loop to secure the component weighted blankets together.

The combined stacked weighted blanket 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is formed of three component weighted blankets 110 alighted in a stacked configuration with each set of grommets formed of three vertically aligned grommets.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a side-by-side configuration of a combined blanket. A combined side-by-side weighted blanket 200 is formed of a plurality of individual component weighted blankets 110, this time of two individual blankets formed in a side-by-side configuration in which each set of grommets is formed of two horizontally aligned grommets.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a combined blanket 300 incorporating vertically stacked and horizontally side-by-side component weighted blankets. The combined weighted blanket 300 is formed of a plurality of individual component weighted blankets 110, this time of two sets of two individual blankets formed in a combined side-by-side and stacked configuration in which some sets of grommets are formed of two vertically aligned grommets and some sets of grommets are formed of two horizontally joined subsets of two vertically aligned grommets.

An individual component weighted blanket 110 is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Blanket 110 defines a top face 111 and an opposing bottom face (not shown), and also defines a top edge 112, a right edge 113, a bottom edge 114, and a left edge 115 and a length from the top edge 112 to the bottom edge 114 and a width from the right edge 113 to the left edge 115. Grommets 120 are disposed along the perimeter of the blanket 110, with one in each corner, and one or more along each of the right and left edges. In various embodiments the total number of fasteners 120 will depending on the size of the blanket 110, weight of the blanket 110, and type of fastener 120 used. In some embodiments, blanket 110 may also include grommets 120 along the top and bottom edges or may not include any grommets 120 along the right or left edges. The number of grommets 120 depends on the size of blanket 110 and the degree to which it needs to be securely fastened to other blankets.

As depicted, fastener components such as grommets are disposed along the perimeter of the component weighted blankets. In other embodiments, more fastener components or less fastener components may be disposed along the perimeter than shown, and fastener components may be in locations along the perimeter other than shown and may not be in all locations as shown. In some embodiments, fastener components may be included elsewhere than along the perimeter, such as nearer the centre if the dimensions of the component weighted blanket are large enough to make securing a set of stacked component weighted blankets only along the perimeter an impractical or insufficient securement.

A cross-section of an embodiment of individual component weighted blanket 110 is shown in FIG. 4B, taken along line 4B in FIG. 4A. Individual component weighted blanket 110 has pockets 140 which contain a weighted filler material 150 to provide additional weight over a conventional blanket. The filler material 150 typically may consist of plastic or glass beads, although other materials such as crushed stone, rice or beans have been known to be used. In some embodiments the filler material 150 may be free to pass in or out of each pocket 140, while, as depicted, each pocket 140 may be stitched closed or otherwise closed to keep filler material 150 in the pocket it was deposited into during manufacturing. As depicted, pockets 140 are evenly distributed in blanket 110 and each contain a roughly equal weight of filler material 150, however in other embodiments other pocket arrangements could be used, such as larger pockets near the top edge 112 of blanket 110 or more filler material 150 or denser filler material 150 or softer filler material 150 in various areas.

In some embodiments, component weighted blankets may be filled to a thickness of ½ to 1 inch, the thickness chosen to keep the blanket from being impractically bulky. In some embodiments, the filler material is chosen to keep the blankets from becoming uncomfortably stiff.

As will be apparent, a combined weighted blanket could be formed of any combination of horizontally and vertically aligned component weighted blankets. Various combinations could be configured for various needs. For example, where a combined blanket is wanted for covering two individuals the weight needed for the first individual may not be the same as the weight needed for the second, in which case a combined weighted blanket could be formed of three stacked component weighted blankets joined horizontally with two stacked component weighted blankets. Many variations may be envisioned, including variations were one part of a user's body is to be weighted more than another part, in which case a combined weighted blanket may be made to include a greater number of stacked or vertically aligned blankets to cover some areas of the body than to cover others.

While the figures depict fasteners formed of grommet fastener components integrated into the component weighted blankets and cooperating with loose cloth strip fastener components, other fasteners and fastener components may be used in other embodiments.

For example, in some embodiments all fastener components may be included as part of the component weighted blankets such that no loose fastener components are necessary, which may be convenient in some manufacturing circumstances or for some users. For example, a system of male and female snaps could be used, with male snaps secured to one face of each component weighted blanket and female snaps secured to the opposing face.

In practice, fasteners may be of a variety of combinations of loose or attached fastener components, such as male and female snaps, fasteners formed of hook and loop components, fasteners formed of buttons and apertures, or others.

In some embodiments, the fasteners may be chosen so that the orientation of the top and bottom faces of individual component weighted blankets is not relevant to the fastening process. For example, as depicted in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the use of apertures and strips of cloth requires only that the apertures be lined up, it does not require distinguishing between the top and bottom faces of the blanket.

In some embodiments, the fasteners may be chosen to allow an even more flexible alignment of one blanket with another. For example, some embodiments may use hook and loop fastener components deposited about the surfaces of the blankets, and some embodiments may use magnetic components deposited within the blankets.

In some embodiments, the fasteners may be chosen such that they are not noticeably more ridged than the blankets themselves. For example, the use of cloth strips passing through apertures allows the use of cloth of a similar consistency to the blanket itself so that its presence does not disturb the comfort of a user.

Fasteners are chosen to allow the blankets to be secured together in a manner that enables rapid assembly and disassembly while holding all individual component weighted blankets securely together while in use.

In an embodiment, individual component weighted blankets 110 are of substantially similar dimensions and weight. Dimensions, such as length and width, may be chosen to match standard blanket size, such as matched to the size of sheets for twin sized beds, double beds, queen sized beds, or other. In other embodiments, dimensions may be chosen as a fraction of the usual sizes, such as half the width of a queen-sized bed if a side-by-side configuration is to be used or a third of the length if the user may wish to have different weights for their legs, midriff and upper body. In some embodiments the pockets 140 and fill 150 may be included in only a portion of the blankets, such as only the upper portion to enable the lower portion to be easily tucked under a mattress. In some embodiments, component weighted blankets 110 may be designed for use with a joinable section not incorporating filler material 150, and the joinable section may be configured to be tucked under a mattress.

Weight choices may also be made to match standard choices or for personal preference or customizability. Present practice for the use of weighted blankets recommends a weight of 10% of the user's body weight, i.e. 1 pound of weight for every 10 pounds of user weight, with 1-2 pounds added for use by children. The amount may be further adjusted up or down to the user's personal comfort level. In an embodiment for adults, individual component weighted blankets 110 would be on the order of 3-30 pounds weight, while in an embodiment for children, individual component weighted blankets 110 would be on the order of 1-15 pounds weight. In some embodiments, component weighted blankets 110 may be weighted according to a fraction of the weights most commonly encountered, so that some whole number combination of component weighted blankets 110 will correspond to the weight needed for each of the weights most commonly desired.

In use, individual component weighted blankets 110 may be added or removed to add or remove weight according to the comfort level of the user or to extend or contract dimensions according to the needs or desires of a user. For example, a user may choose a 20 pound component weighted blanket, but the user may become used to 20 pounds and wish to add 10 pounds, and may then purchase a 10 pound component weighted blanket to stack vertically with their 20 pound blanket. In another example, a user may choose a three-piece modular combined weighted blanket formed of a legs component weighted blanket, a midriff component weighted blanket and a chest component weighted blanket joined horizontally, but may then wish to increase the chest component weighted blanket weight and may buy an additional weighted blanket to stack with the original chest component weighted blanket.

Where individual component weighted blankets are all of similar dimension and weight, maintenance, use, and laundering are facilitated, as any individual weighed blanket 110 may be replaced by another as needed.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A combined weighted blanket, comprising: two or more component weighted blankets, each component weighted blanket incorporating a plurality of integrated fastener components,wherein each component weighted blanket is secured to at least one other component weighted blanket by way of at least one of its plurality of integrated fastener components.

2. The combined weighted blanket of claim 1, wherein the integrated fastener components are disposed around a perimeter of the component weighted blanket.

3. The combined weighted blanket of claim 2, further including at least one loose fastener component and each component weighted blanket is secured to at least one other component weighted blanket by way of at least one of its plurality of integrated fastener components cooperating with at least one of the at least one loose fastener components.

4. The combined weighted blanket of claim 3, wherein the integrated fastener components are grommets and the at least one loose fastener component is a strip of cloth.

5. The combined weighted blanket of claim 1, wherein the two or more component weighted blankets each incorporate a plurality of pockets, each pocket holding a volume of filler material.

6. The combined weighted blanket of claim 5, wherein the volume of filler material at least one of plastic beads, glass beads, crushed stone, rice, and beans.

7. The combined weighted blanket of claim 5, wherein the plurality of pockets are evenly distributed across the corresponding component weighted blanket.

8. The combined weighted blanket of claim 1, wherein at least two of the two or more component weighted blankets are aligned vertically.

9. The combined weighted blanket of claim 1, wherein at least two of the two or more component weighted blankets are aligned horizontally.

10. The combined weighted blanket of claim 1, wherein the two or more component weighted blankets have the same dimensions.

11. A component weighted blanket, comprising: an upper fabric sheet;a lower fabric sheet; anda quantity of filler material, andwherein the quantity of filler material is sandwiched between the upper and lower fabric sheets, andwherein the component weighted blanket includes a set of fastener components disposed about the perimeter of the component weighted blanket for use in forming the combined weighted blanket of claim 1.