Abstract:
A combination blanket and seat article is disclosed. The blanket portion comprises a king-size terry cloth sheet with two removable seat cushions installed in pockets. Straps attaché the seat back to the seat cushion and secure the seat for comfort. Weights around the periphery of the blanket secure it in place. The blanket portion can be used separately from the seat portion. When the seat is inserted, the back portion can be rolled to form a pillow. A strap is provided to hold the rolled back in position. Handles are provided for carrying the article. Shoulder straps are also provided to enable carrying the article as a backpack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to the field of convertible chairs and, in particular, to a foldable chair having a multipurpose blanket and that can be carried as a backpack and used as a pillow. 
   2. Background of the Prior Art 
   Many people who go to sporting events, parks, or concerts typically find that they have to bring a large number of items to ensure their comfort during the event. If it will be cold, a blanket will normally be brought. A blanket is also commonly employed as a ground covering if regular seats are not provided. At the beach, or for sunbathing, a blanket or large towel is customarily employed. Sometimes, a pillow is also desired. 
   For those who attend an event where seats are provided, the seats will often be made of hard plastic or metal. Seats of this type are usually quite uncomfortable and many users will therefore bring a soft cushion with them. 
   Accordingly, there remains a need for a simple combination seat and blanket that eliminates the need to carry multiple objects. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In its normal, folded condition, the invention is similar in size and shape to a backpack and includes shoulder straps and/or carry handles to allow it to be carried in a similar manner. A retaining strap is secured to the seat portion at a location where, when the article is in its folded form, the strap can be extended from one side of the article to the other and be releasably secured in that position to maintain the article in its folded condition. 
   If a user wishes to use the article as a blanket alone, he or she would completely unfold the article and drape it over his or her body. In this manner, the article is functionally identical to a stadium blanket with pockets. 
   When used as a wrap-around protective covering, the blanket is draped about the shoulders of the user, and when used as a lap blanket, the blanket is draped across the lap of the user. With the collapsible seat in place, the combination is particularly well suited for use by a spectator in an outdoor sports venue, such as an open-air stadium, in which the spectator is normally exposed to the outdoor weather. 
   It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a combination blanket and seat that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a blanket that can be selectively used as a wrap-around protective covering, a lap blanket or a ground cover. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide such a blanket and seat combination that can be secured in a folded condition and that includes means enabling the combination to be easily carried between sites. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide such a blanket and seat combination that, when placed in a spread condition and positioned over a user, adequately protects the user from cold or inclement weather. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide seat portion that is capable of being converted into a pillow. 
   Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide such a blanket and seat combination that is uncomplicated in construction yet effective in operation. 
   The various features of novelty that characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims of this application. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a blanket and seat combination according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1   a  shows a top view of a seat rolled into an alternate configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a plan view of a blanket according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows a back perspective view of a seat according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a blanket and seat combination in a storage configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
   Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a blanket and seat combination, indicated generally as  10 , according to the present invention. The blanket and seat combination  10  comprises a king size blanket  12 . In one embodiment, the blanket  12  comprises a substantially rectangular, all-weather blanket having at least two-ply. The combination  10  further comprises at least one seat  18  having a bottom portion  19  and a top portion  22 . In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion  19  and top portion  22  comprise a removable, mildew resistant seat cushion. 
   The top portion  22  has a pair of sleeves  25 ,  26 , each of which is open from the bottom  29  where the top portion  22  is hingedly attached to the bottom portion  19 . A flexible rod  32  is removably stored in sleeves  25 ,  26 . Similarly, the bottom portion  19  has a pair of sleeves  35 ,  36 , each of which is open from the bottom  29  where the top portion  22  is hingedly attached to the bottom portion  19 . A flexible rod  32  is removably stored in sleeves  35 ,  36 . Such flexible rod  32  should be made of a material such as that used for flexible tent poles, so that the flexible rod  32  provides a certain amount of rigidity to the top and bottom portions  19 ,  22 , yet can flex under strain. As described below, the flexible rod  32  can be removed from the sleeves  25 ,  26 ,  35 ,  36  to enable the seat to be rolled into an alternate configuration as shown in  FIG. 1   a.    
   A pair of straps  39 ,  40  is fixedly attached to the top portion  22  of seat  18  and a complementary pair of straps  43 ,  44  is fixedly attached to the bottom portion  19  of seat  18 . Complementary fastening devices  47   a  and  47   b  are attached to straps  40 ,  44 , respectively. Complementary fastening devices  48   a  and  48   b  are attached to straps  39 ,  43 , respectively. Such fastening devices may be any type that permits the top portion  22  to be releasably connected to the bottom portion  19 , and are well known in the art. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , at least one pocket  50  is formed along one edge of the blanket  12 . In general, the blanket  12  includes a substantially flexible planar body  13  that is relatively rectangular in form and that has two opposite side faces bordered by a top edge  14 , a bottom edge  15 , and two opposing side edges  16 ,  17 . The top and bottom edges  14 ,  15  may be somewhat shorter than the two remaining side edges  16 ,  17 . In a preferred embodiment, the at least one pocket  50  is formed on one of the shorter edges, such as top edge  14 . The pocket  50  is sized and configured to enable the bottom portion  19  of the at least one seat  18  to be placed in the pocket  50 . At the bottom  53  of the pocket  50 , there is an opening  56  on each side of the pocket  50 . The opening  56  serves a dual purpose of enabling straps  43 ,  44  to pass therethrough and to allow a user sitting in the seat  18  to place their hands therein, for warmth. In some embodiments, the opening may include a separate lining for the user&#39;s hands. A plurality of soft weights  59  may be sewn into the planar body  13  at locations around the periphery of the blanket  12 , preferably in the corners of the planar body  13 , at least. 
   Blanket  12  can be used with or without the seat  18 . Without seat  18 , it functions as a standard blanket that can be draped about the user. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1   a , with seat  18  in the pocket  50 , the top portion  22  of the seat  18  can be converted for use as a pillow. The flexible rod  32  is removed from sleeve  25 ,  26  and the top portion  22  is rolled toward the bottom  29 . A strap  62  is provided with a suitable fastener  65  at the bottom  29 . Such fastener  65  may be, by way of non-limiting example, a hook and loop fastener to hold the top portion  22  in the rolled position. Other types of fasteners may be used. The flexible rod  32  may be rolled into the top portion  22  for storage. 
     FIG. 3  shows a back perspective view of the seat  18 . Handles  68 ,  69  may be provided for carrying the blanket and seat combination  10 . In another embodiment, a pair of shoulder straps  71 ,  72  is fixedly attached to a backside of the top portion  22  of seat  18  and a complementary pair of straps  75 ,  76  is attached at a single point to the outside of bottom  29 . Complementary fastening devices  80   a  and  80   b  are attached to the free end of straps  71 ,  75 , respectively. Complementary fastening devices  83   a  and  83   b  are attached to the free ends of straps  72 ,  76 , respectively. Such fastening devices may be any type that permits the ends of the straps  71 ,  72 ,  75 ,  76  to be releasably connected to each other, and are well known in the art. The straps  71 ,  72 ,  75 ,  76  are sized and configured to enable such straps to wrap around the seat  18  to hold the seat  18  in a folded closed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the straps  71 ,  72 ,  75 ,  76  can be attached to each other to form carrying handles such that the blanket and seat combination  10  can be carried like a backpack. 
   In use, the seat  18  can be inserted into pocket  50  and, with the flexible rods in sleeves  25 ,  26 ,  35 ,  36 , a user can sit on the bottom portion  18  and wrap the blanket  12  about them. In some embodiments, a pair of seats  18  can be place side-by-side so that two users can share the blanket  12 . 
   The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.