Abstract:
A multipurpose article can provide a sleeping bag and personal cover. The article includes a planar flexible body having a peripheral fastener arranged to hold the flexible body in a folded condition to form a sleeping bag. The flexible body has an opening sized to permit passage of a person&#39;s head through the flexible body, so the flexible body can be worn on the person&#39;s shoulders. The flexible body also has a pouch arranged to be inverted in order to store the flexible body in a gathered condition.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to personal covers, and in particular to covers that have multiple purposes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Hikers, campers, and other persons engaged in outdoor activities, including attending sporting events, often carry a variety of articles that offer creature comfort or deal with inclement weather. Such people may carry a hooded poncho, sleeping bag, and seat cushion. A collection of these articles is relatively bulky, and the bulk may include a pack or bag to carry these articles. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,749 a large sheet can be removed from a separate carrying case. In one configuration, a separate hood can be attached by a zipper to an edge of the sheet to make a hooded poncho that will be open in the front and therefore, not very weather tight. In another configuration the hood is not used and the sheet is folded in half and closed by a zipper to form a sleeping bag. Unfortunately, this arrangement has three distinct items that can be separated and lost. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,331 a rectangular panel stitched to the edge of a larger rectangular blanket is used as a hood when the larger blanket is draped around a person as a poncho. The blanket has a waterproof outer layer and an inner layer made of cotton or fleece. A pocket located next to the hood panel has an opening for storing the hood and an opposite opening that can be inverted for the purpose of storing the blanket. With this arrangement the poncho must be tied in the front thereby leaving it somewhat exposed to the weather. Also, this blanket is not arranged to be used as a sleeping bag. See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,881 for an arrangement having a hood and means for storing the hood. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,125 for a blanket with a pocket that can be inverted for storing the blanket. 
     See U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,264 for a hooded cape having an integral storage compartment into which the cape can be folded to form a cushion. See also U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,951 for a hooded garment that opens in front and can be folded into a seat cushion. See the following U.S. Pat. Nos. Design: D258,035; D300,784; D305,844; D306,543; D310,149; D312,371; D313,142; D316,791; D322,532; D328,665; D336,986; D341,979; D359,718; and D383,634. See also U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,041,638; 4,188,988; 4,534,065; 4,466,516; 4,597,605; 4,752,971; 5,048,975; 5,103,515; 5,136,738; 5,179,741; 5,346,308; 5,421,045; 5,463,783; 5,481,768; 5,533,653; 5,730,529; and 5,843,556. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an article that can be readily converted to offer different utilities, without being bulky, difficult to carry, or composed of distinct parts that are easily separated and lost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a multipurpose article for providing a sleeping bag and personal cover. The article has a planar flexible body with a peripheral fastener arranged to hold the flexible body in a folded condition to form a sleeping bag. The flexible body has an opening sized to permit passage of a person&#39;s head through the flexible body. 
     According to another aspect of the invention a multipurpose article for providing a convertible personal cover again has a planar flexible body with an opening sized to permit passage of a person&#39;s head through the flexible body. The flexible body has a pouch arranged to be inverted in order to store the flexible body in a gathered condition. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, a multipurpose article can provide a convertible sleeping bag. The article has a planar flexible body with a pouch arranged to be inverted in order to store the flexible body in a folded condition. The flexible body has a peripheral fastener arranged to hold the flexible body in a folded condition about a fold line to form a sleeping bag. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method can provide a sleeping bag and personal cover with a planar flexible body having an opening. The method includes the step of placing the flexible body on a person&#39;s shoulders with the person&#39;s head passing through the opening of the flexible body. Another step is removing the flexible body from the person&#39;s shoulders. The method also includes the step of folding the flexible body and peripherally fastening it to form a sleeping bag. 
     By employing an article and method according to the principles of the present invention, a person has an improved ability to use multiple features with a unitary article. In a preferred embodiment, a panel with a waterproof side can be folded in half and secured with a peripheral zipper to form a sleeping bag. A preferred pouch with a carrying handle can be secured on the side of the panel opposite the waterproof side. 
     In this preferred embodiment, a central opening in the panel, normally secured by a hook and loop fastener, can be opened. Then, the panel can be worn on the person&#39;s shoulders with the head passing through the opening. A preferred hood, stitched at the opening, can be pulled out of an auxiliary pocket in the pouch, pushed through the opening, and turned inside out. The hood can be placed over the person&#39;s head and cinched with a drawstring. 
     For storage or seating purposes, the preferred panel can be folded into a package the same size as the pouch, leaving the pouch exposed. The pouch can then be inverted so that the folded panel is contained inside the inverted pouch. Once packed in this fashion, the article can be readily carried or used as a seat cushion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows the article of FIG. 1 folded and secured with a fastener to form a sleeping bag; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed view of the pouch of FIG. 1 with a hood deployed from an auxiliary pocket in the pouch; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, detailed view of the pouch of FIG. 3 showing the hood being packed into (or removed from) the auxiliary pocket; 
     FIG. 5A is an exploded, fragmentary view of the article of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5B is a detailed view of the pouch elements of FIG. 5A assembled, but not attached to the underlying flexible body; 
     FIGS. 6A-6D show a method of folding the article of FIG.  1  and inverting its pouch to store its flexible body; 
     FIG. 7 shows the reverse side of the article of FIG. 1, its opening, and, in phantom, the hood prior to being pushed through the opening; and 
     FIG. 8 shows the article of FIG. 1 being worn on the shoulders of a person with the person&#39;s head passing through the opening and into the hood. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a multipurpose article is shown as a planar flexible body  10  having a fabric layer  12  overlaying a waterproof layer  14 . In one embodiment layer  12  is fleece, while waterproof layer  14  is a plastic sheet; although other fabrics and other waterproof sheets may be used instead. Also, in some embodiments a single layer may be used or a fabric layer may be coated with a waterproof material. 
     The detachable halves  16  and  17  of a zipper (referred to herein as a peripheral fastener) act as complementary linking devices. The zipper half  16  is shown attached to the periphery of body  10  along a portion of edge  10 A and a portion of edge  10 B. The zipper half  17  is shown attached to the periphery of body  10  along a portion of opposite edge  10 C and a portion of edge  10 B. The zipper halves  16  and  17  are both attached to disjoint portions of common edge  10 B, on opposite sides of a central fold line  18  that runs lengthwise. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, flexible body  10  has been folded along fold line  18  to bring edges  10 A and  10 C together thereby allowing zipper halves  16  and  17  to mate, in order to form a sleeping bag that can be closed by the zipper, except along edge  10 D. The overall dimensions of flexible body  10  and therefore the size of the sleeping bag of FIG. 2 can be varied depending upon the expected size of the user, the desired amount of space, etc. 
     A pouch  20  is shown attached to flexible body  10  to straddle fold line  18 . FIGS. 5A and 5B show pouch  20  formed of a layer  20 A overlying an inner layer  20 B. Preferably, layers  20 A and  20 B are made of a fleece fabric and sheet plastic, respectively, although different materials can be used in other embodiments. 
     A carrying handle is sandwiched between overlapping edges of layers  20 A and  20 B, which are stitched together. All of the overlapping edges of layers  20 A and  20 B are stitched together except for the edges opposite handle  22 . Accordingly, the resulting opening between layers  20 A and  20 B forms an auxiliary pocket  24 . Pouch  20  is attached to body  10  so that (a) all edges of layer  20 B are stitched to body  10 , except for the edge carrying handle  22 ; and (b) all edges of layer  20 A are stitched to body  10 , except for the edge opposite handle  22 . Consequently, pouch  20  provides previously mentioned auxiliary pocket  24  and a main pocket  26 . Main pocket  26  provides an opening between pouch  20  and flexible body  10  at the end carrying handle  22 . Pockets  26  and  24  are herein referred to as a first one and a second one, respectively, of a pair of layered pockets. 
     An opening  28  is formed in flexible body  10  by cutting a slit  30  in layer  12  and a slit  32  to in layer  14 . Slits  32  and  32  are made adjacent and parallel to the edge of pouch  20  opposite handle  22 . A closure device is shown herein as a complementary pair of hook and loop fasteners  34  and  36 . Fasteners  34  and  36  are stitched to opposite faces of flexible body  10  on opposite sides of the opening  28  formed by slits  30  and  32 . Specifically, fastener  34  is placed on layer  12  between slit  30  in pouch  20  and stitched to both layers  12  and  14 . Fastener  36  is placed on layer  14  on the side of slit  30  opposite pouch  20  and stitched to layers  12  and  14 . Accordingly, fasteners  34  and  36  can reach each other through opening  28  in order to mate. 
     In more developed embodiments, the slits  30  and  32  will be appropriately reinforced. For example, a binding strip may be placed as a loop in opening  28 , folded back on either side of flexible body  10 , and stitched in place to form a binding. This binding may be elaborated and may have a separate component extending from opening  28  to form a short collar having Velcro™ fasteners on opposing faces. 
     A hood  38  may be a double layered body made of the same components as layers  12  and  14 . The external layer may be sheet plastic while the internal layer may be a fleece fabric (although the foregoing is reversed in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5 A, and  5 B where the hood is shown inside out). A face opening  40  is encircled by a hemmed-in drawstring  42  that can restrict opening  40 . The lower border  44  of hood  38  is stitched contiguously around opening  28 . 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing article of FIGS. 1-5B, its operation will be briefly described, with reference to the methods illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D,  7 , and  8 . The article may be used as a sleeping bag by folding flexible body  10  along fold line  18  (FIG. 1) to bring zipper halves  16  and  17  together as shown in FIG.  2 . The zipper halves  16  and  17  may then be fastened in the usual manner to provide a sleeping bag that is essentially closed on all sides except along edge  10 D. The zipper is shown partially opened along edges  10 A and  10 C to allow the user a little more ventilation and freedom of movement. The zipper can be more fully opened when the user wishes to exit the sleeping bag. 
     The article may be folded and converted into a seating cushion by following the steps shown in FIGS. 6A-6D. Reference should also be made to FIG. 1 where fold lines F 1 , F 2 , F 3  and F 4  and edges  10 A and  10 C constitute equidistant lines dividing flexible body  10  into five equal columns. Similarly, fold lines F 5 , F 6 , and F 7  and edges  10 B and  10 D constitute equidistant lines dividing flexible body  10  into four equal rows. Consequently, the surface a flexible body  10  is thereby divided into a 5×4 matrix or checkerboard, although other arrangements are contemplated. 
     It will be noted that each of these cells of the matrix are squares having about the same dimension as pouch  20 . Also, fold line  18  is equidistant between fold lines F 2  and F 3  and equidistant between edges  10 A and  10 C. The edge of pouch  20  opposite handle  22  is contiguous with fold line F 6 . In fact, the four edges of pouch  20  are contiguous with fold lines F 2 , F 3 , F 6 , and F 7 . 
     In a first longitudinal fold, flexible body  10  may be folded along fold line F 2  (FIG. 1) lengthwise. This is performed by placing flexible panel  10  with the pouch  20  down, lifting edge  10 A, and placing (a) edge  10 A approximately at fold line F 4 , and (b) fold line F 1  approximately at fold line F 3 . 
     In a second longitudinal fold, edge  10 C is lifted (thereby lifting edge  10 A) and simultaneously folding along fold lines F 3  and F 1 . In a third longitudinal fold, edge  10 C is again lifted and folded on fold line F 4 . 
     The outcome of this folding process can be further understood by reviewing folded edge  10 B as shown in FIG.  6 A. This Figure shows that the folded package has a width that is about the same as the width of pouch  20 . It will be understood that many other folding schemes are possible but it is desirable that the chosen folding scheme result in a package that has the same width as pouch  20  and leaves pouch  20  exposed. 
     The folded package of FIG. 6A is shown being further folded in half, width-wise, along fold line F 6  (fold line F 6  also shown in FIG. 1) by lifting edge  10 D. Since the package had an overall length about four times the length of pouch  20 , after folding the package will have a length twice that of pouch  20 , as shown in FIG. 6B. A final, width-wise fold along fold lines F 5  and F 7  (fold lines also shown in FIG. 1) is illustrated by the transition from FIG. 6B to FIG.  6 C. 
     This completed package has approximately the same length and width as pouch  20  and leaves pouch  20  exposed. Again, many other folding schemes are possible, but it is desirable that the chosen folding scheme result in a package that has the same length and width as pouch  20  and leaves pouch  20  exposed. While compact folding procedures are preferred, flexible body  10  can even be gathered together behind pouch  20  in a random, crumpled bunch. 
     Assuming for now the configuration shown in FIG. 6C, this package will unfold if one attempts to carry it using handle  22 . Therefore, the user now ought to invert pocket  26  of pouch  20  so that the folds of flexible body  10  are captured inside the pocket as shown in FIG.  6 D. The resulting package can be conveniently carried using handle  22  without unfolding. Also, the package can be used as a seat cushion, for example, when the user is seated outdoors at a sporting event. 
     In the event of rain or inclement weather, the user may reverse the previous inversion of pouch  20  (FIG. 6D) and unfold the flexible body  10  back to the configuration shown in FIG.  1 . The user may now reach into the auxiliary pocket  24  (FIG. 4) and pull out hood  38 . The user will then unfasten the hook and loop fasteners  34  and  36  (FIGS. 3 and 5A) to open the opening  28  in order to achieve the interim condition shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Next, the user will push hood  38  through opening  28  so that the hood extends from the waterproof side of flexible body  10 . Also, the hood will be inverted to expose its waterproof side. 
     The flexible body  10  now be placed over a user&#39;s shoulders, with the user&#39;s head passing through opening  28  as shown in FIG.  8 . Accordingly, flexible body  10  and hood  38  act as a hooded poncho. Significantly, the hood  38  is centered on the flexible body  10 . Thus, the article is closed in front and drapes by the same amount in both the front and back. 
     When this poncho is no longer needed, the user can remove the article and push hood  38  back through opening  28  before resealing fasteners  34  and  36 . Hood  38  can then be stuffed back into auxiliary pocket  24  as shown in FIG.  4 . This returns the article to the condition shown in FIG.  1 . As described before, the article can either be converted to the sleeping bag of FIG. 2 or the compact package of FIG.  6 D. 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiment. While the flexible body is shown with double layers, in other embodiments a different number of layers or single layer may be employed. As an example, an insulating material may be placed between two outside layers. Also, the illustrated fasteners can be replaced with a variety of zippers, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, laces, catches, etc. Also in some embodiments, the hood may be eliminated or made removable by employing releasable fasteners. Similarly, the auxiliary pocket for storing the hood can be eliminated in some embodiments. Also the carrying handle can take a variety of forms, may be removable, or may be eliminated altogether. Furthermore, in some embodiments the pouch may be placed next to a different portion of the opening, or in some cases, may be spaced from the opening. Moreover, the various dimensions and shapes can be altered depending upon the desired capacity, size, or other design considerations. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.