Patent Publication Number: US-2010122395-A1

Title: Convertible multifunction covering

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a covering, such as a poncho or blanket (including a ground covering such as a picnic blanket) that can be reconfigured to serve as a seat cushion or a tote bag. 
     There are blankets convertible to tote bags in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,515 to Bird; U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,113 to Kim; and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. US2008/0083066 to Linn, et. al. These inventions solve the convertibility problem by means of pockets in the blanket itself (see Bird); an elaborate system of zippers (see Kim); and pouches and elaborate methods of folding (see Linn). In these inventions, the conversion process is relatively complex, making use of these inventions somewhat difficult. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention simplifies the conversion process. It is a covering that can, depending on whether a hole is cut in the center and a hood attached, be used as both a poncho, blanket, or ground cover and can be converted into not only a tote bag, but a stadium seat cushion as well. Unlike the prior art, the present invention solves the convertibility problem by using a conversion means comprised of one or more fastening flaps and one or more hanging pockets attached to one side of the covering in a “T” configuration, where the long axes of the one or more fastening flaps and the long axis of one or more hanging pockets are perpendicular. By folding the covering as described herein, the folded covering itself, using the conversion means and unlike the prior art, creates the storage cavity of the tote, instead of relying on pockets or pouches, as in Linn. The one or more hanging pockets function both as a pocket for the seat cushion and as a flap covering the opening to the tote bag. One or more carrying means are attached at key locations on the covering, such as handles made of fabric, wood, leather, or other commonly-used materials, or straps for a backpack, which allow the covering to be conveniently carried by the user when configured as a tote. 
     Using this conversion means, the covering when folded as described forms first a seat cushion with one or more hanging pockets conveniently located to hold small items such as sunglasses, suntan lotion, binoculars, or even beverages for the person sitting on the seat cushion and then a tote bag for holding items such as books. The fastening flap(s) of the conversion means wrap around the exterior of the folded covering to prevent the covering from unfolding during its use as a tote bag or as a seat cushion. The free end of the hanging pocket may have a fastening means attached to it, allowing the free end to be removably secured either outside or inside the folded covering when the folded covering is used as a tote bag. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a multiple-layer covering comprised of a top and bottom layer of fabric with a filler material between the top and bottom layers, the covering can also consist of a single layer of fabric, which can be waterproof or water-resistant on one or both sides. 
     As mentioned above, the covering may have a hole substantially in the center of the covering with a hood sewn to the edges of the hole, so that the covering when completely unfolded can be used as a poncho. In the preferred embodiment, one side of the covering and one side of the poncho hood is made of a water-resistant material, facilitating the use of the covering as a poncho, and also so that the covering can be used as a picnic blanket when laid on the ground with the water-resistant side down (i.e. in substantial contact with the ground) and the fabric side up. 
     This convertible multifunction covering is ideal for going to the beach, where items like sunglasses, beverages, and suntan lotion can be carried in the covering folded as a tote bag, which can then be unfolded at the beach into a beach blanket or a seat cushion, or used as a poncho during a sudden rain shower. It is also ideal for use at a NASCAR race, a football game, or other stadium events where items can be carried in the covering folded as a tote, then it can be unfolded and used as a seat cushion, used as a poncho in case of rain, or as a blanket to be used in cold weather. The embodiments of the covering having backpack straps as carrying means are particularly suitable for young school children, who can use the covering to carry books and other supplies to school, then use it as a seat cushion and as a sleeping mat or a blanket while at school. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows the lower side of the preferred embodiment of the invention configured as a hooded poncho, with a cutaway showing the filler material. 
         FIG. 2  shows the upper side of the covering, including the configuration of the conversion means and its placement on the upper side of the covering. 
         FIG. 3  shows an alternate configuration of the conversion means using only one fastening flap. 
         FIG. 4  shows the multifunction covering with straps configured to allow the tote to be carried as a backpack. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the method of folding to accomplish the conversion of the covering into a tote. 
         FIG. 6  shows the covering configured as a seat cushion. 
         FIG. 7  shows the covering configured as a tote. 
         FIG. 8  shows the covering with the conversion means integrating fastening flaps and the hanging pocket into either one or two assemblies. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a rectangular hooded foldable covering  1 , such as a hooded poncho, comprising an upper side  2 , and lower side  3 . Covering  1  has a hole  5  in the upper and lower sides of the covering, located substantially in the center with a diameter sufficient to allow a human head to pass through (typically 9″-16″). A hood  6  is sewn to the edge of hole  5 . Drawstring  7  is contained in a channel  8  in hood  6  that allows the wearer of the poncho to pucker the opening of the hood, thereby sealing the edges against the wearer&#39;s face. Although the preferred embodiment is rectangular, coverings that are in other, non-rectangular shapes may also be used. 
     The covering in the preferred embodiment has a long axis and a short axis, two substantially parallel long edges and two substantially parallel short edges. The long axis of the covering in the preferred embodiment is longer than the short axis by a ratio of 2:1. The covering may also be a simple blanket without a hole and hood, but which employs the conversion means as described below. 
       FIG. 1  shows that the covering itself can be comprised of a single layer of fabric or multiple layers of either the same or different types of fabric, each layer stitched together using commonly-known techniques. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the fabric is stitched together at the edges, but it could also be quilted. If multiple layers of fabric are used, different types of fabric can be used in each layer. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, upper side  2  is comprised of a soft material, such as plain, napped, or coated fabrics (i.e. cotton or fleece), and lower side  3  is comprised of a water-resistant fabric including, but not limited to, Gore-Tex®, rubberized or coated canvas, or nylon. A filler material  4  may also be sandwiched between multiple layers of fabric to serve as insulation and cushion. 
     The element common to all embodiments is a conversion means which holds the covering in a folded configuration when it is folded up into a seat cushion or a tote bag. The conversion means has two components, one or more fastening flaps  9  and one or more hanging pockets  10 . Although fastening flaps  9  and hanging pocket  10  are shown as separate components in  FIG. 2 , it is desirable from a manufacturing point of view to minimize the amount of stitching and materials required. Thus, in certain embodiments of the invention, fastening flaps  9  and hanging pocket  10  can be incorporated into one (see  FIG. 8A ), two (see  FIG. 8B ), or three separate components (as in the preferred embodiment). 
     In the preferred embodiment, the conversion means has two fastening flaps  9 . The function of these fastening flaps is to hold the covering in a folded configuration when being used as either a tote or a seat cushion. The fastening flaps have a long axis and a short axis; in the preferred embodiment, they are rectangular with two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. The fastening flaps may be made out of any suitable material including but not limited to cloth or leather, but are typically made of material similar to that of the covering itself. The flaps have one of their short sides attached to the upper side  2  of covering  1 , and the distal side of these flaps each have complementary parts of fastening means  14  attached thereto. This fastening means is most commonly Velcro®, a snap fastener, buttons, or even magnets sewn into pockets in the fabric. The fastening means at the distal end of each flap mates with its complementary part to hold said ends of the flaps securely joined when the flaps are wrapped around the folded covering. 
     In an embodiment where there is only one fastening flap that wraps around the folded covering, the fastening means mates with its complement that is attached to the upper side  2  of covering  1  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Although the flaps in the preferred embodiment are substantially rectangular, they are not required to be so, as some embodiments of the invention feature fastening flaps that are highly elongated ellipses. Other embodiments of the invention have square fastening flaps. In these embodiments, the square fastening flaps have no long or short axis; however, one side is fastened to the upper side  2  of covering  1  as described above, with the opposite edge having fastening means  14  attached thereto. The square fastening flaps are aligned so that the edges adjacent to the side fastened to the upper side  2  are perpendicular to the long axis of hanging pocket  10 . 
     At least one hanging pocket  10  is the second component of the fastening means. Each pocket has a long axis and a short axis and is typically composed of multiple layers of fabric sewn together with seam stitches. One or more of the layers of fabric composing the hanging pocket may be waterproof or water-resistant. 
     Turning to the preferred embodiment, hanging pocket  10  is rectangular and has two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides corresponding to its long axis and its short axis, respectively. Hanging pocket  10  is attached to upper side  2  of covering  1  at one end defined by its long axis so that the cavity therein  16  is disposed on its distal end, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  8 . The opening of cavity  16  has a fastening means  14  attached thereto, so that the complementary parts of the fastening means allow the user to unseal and reseal the cavity of the hanging pocket easily. 
     The conversion means is composed of the aforementioned fastening flaps  9  and one or more hanging pockets  10  disposed so that the long axes of the fastening flaps and the long axis of the one or more hanging pockets are substantially perpendicular. In other words, fastening flaps  9  and one or more hanging pockets  10  are disposed in a “T” configuration, with hanging pockets  10  defining the stem of the “T” and fastening flaps  9  as the cross of the “T” as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Turning to the preferred embodiment of the invention, fastening flaps  9  are placed so that their long axis is parallel to the short axis of covering  1 . As mentioned above, covering  1  in the preferred embodiment is substantially rectangular, with two long sides with parallel edges, and two short sides with parallel edges. The centerline long axes of each of fastening flaps  9  are approximately ¼ to ⅜ of the length of the long axis of covering  1  from one of its short sides. The attached edges of fastening flaps  9  are fastened to upper side  2  at a distance from the long sides of covering  1  equal to approximately ⅓ the length of the short axis of covering  1 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , pocket  13  is placed between fastening flaps  9  and is formed by rectangular cloth with upper and lower faces and attached on three sides to upper side  2 , the fourth side having a fastening means  14  attached on the lower face abutting upper side  2 , with its complementary fastening means attached directly to upper side  2 , allowing the opening to the cavity thereby defined to be sealed and unsealed. Hanging pocket  10  is attached with its long axis along the centerline of the long axis of covering  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The distal end of hanging pocket  10  extends along the centerline of covering  1  toward the center of the covering, with the pocket  16  facing down; that is, abutting upper side  2 , when the pocket and the covering are lying flat. Thus, the fastening flaps  9  and the hanging pocket  10  that comprise the conversion means define a “T” shape, with hanging pocket  10  as the stem and fastening flaps  9  as the cross. 
     Note that in this specification, the term “centerline long axis” refers to an axis that is equidistant from the long sides of a rectangular component such as covering  1 , fastening flap  9 , or hanging pocket  10 . 
     The conversion means is positioned on the upper edge  2  of covering  1 , so that when covering  1  is folded, fastening flaps  9  extend around to the opposite side of the folded covering. As described above, the complementary parts of fastening means  14  that are attached to the distal ends of the fastening flaps engage, thereby holding the covering in a folded configuration. 
     The conversion means can also consist of a single fastening flap (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), with a long axis and a short axis and corresponding long and short sides with one short side attached to the upper side  2  of covering  1 . The long axis of the single fastening flap is disposed perpendicular to the long axis of hanging pocket  10 , and there is a fastening means attached to the distal end which engages a complementary fastening means  14  attached to the upper side  2  when the single fastening flap extends around the folded covering, thereby holding the covering in a folded configuration. In general, whether a single flap or multiple flaps are used the fastening flaps or ribbons  9  hold covering  1  in a folded configuration and the long axes of the one or more fastening flaps and the hanging pocket are perpendicular. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the invention uses fastening means  14  described above, fastening means  14  is not strictly required. If fastening flaps  9  are highly elongated, where the ratio of the length of the long axis to the length of the short axis is greater than 10 to 1, it may not be feasible or desirable to use a fastening means at the distal end. Instead, the distal ends of the fastening flaps may simply be tied together. Or, if only one fastening flap is used that wraps around the periphery of the folded covering, it can be tied around an anchor loop placed in the appropriate location on the upper side  2  to hold the end of fastening flap  9  in place when the covering is folded. 
     Although the exact placement of the conversion means is described in detail for the preferred embodiment above, the conversion means can be attached to the upper side  2  of the covering  1  in a number of locations, except for the exact center when hole  5  is present. Although it would be necessary to fold the covering differently in order to form the seat cushion and tote, the function of the conversion means does not change, namely, it still serves to hold the folded covering together in the desired configuration using at least one fastening flap. 
     Carrying means such as handles  11  and  12  in the preferred embodiment are typically straps made of nylon, canvas, or any other suitable sturdy material and allow the fully-folded covering to be easily carried as a tote. However, the carrying means can encompass a system of attachments (such as rings) attached to the covering, to which a rigid or non-rigid handle or strap is clipped, as is common in some handbags, duffels, and the like. 
     Turning to the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , handle  11  is attached to the upper side  2  of covering  1 , on the same half of the upper side as the conversion means. The two ends of handle  11  are attached to upper side  2  within 5″ of one short side of covering  1 , and are positioned so that each end is symmetrically disposed across the centerline long axis of covering  1 . Handle  12  is a strap of similar length to handle  11  whose ends are attached within 5″ of the opening of pocket  13  and which are disposed symmetrically along either side of the centerline long axis of covering  1 . 
     It is also possible, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, to use a single strap  11  instead of dual straps and fasten both the loop and the free ends of the straps in such a way that the strap fits over both shoulders, allowing the tote to be carried like a backpack as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     To convert the covering from a poncho into a seat cushion and then a tote, it is necessary to fold the covering in a specific manner so that the conversion means&#39; fastening flaps  9  wrap around the folded covering to prevent the covering from unfolding. To facilitate ease of folding, guide seams  20 ,  21 ,  22  and guide fastening means  18  shown in  FIG. 2  are used as guides for the user. Guide seams  21 ,  22  are sewn into upper side  2  parallel to the long axis of covering  1  and are spaced approximately ⅓ of the distance of the short axis of covering  1  from the long edge of covering  1 . Guide seam  20  is sewn into upper side  2  at a distance approximately ½ of the length of the long axis from the short edges of covering one. The guide seams  20 ,  21 ,  22  facilitate correct folding of covering  1  because the seams are emplaced so that the user simply folds the covering along the guide seams. Guide fastening means  18 , which are similar to fastening means  14 , work with the guide seams to facilitate correct folding of the covering by the user, so that the complementary parts of the fastening means mate when the poncho is correctly folded along guide seams  20 ,  21 , and  22 . Guide fastening means  18  also serve to seal the tote&#39;s cavity, as described below. 
     To covert the preferred embodiment of covering  1  to a seat cushion and then a tote, the unfolded covering is placed flat on a substantially level surface with upper side  2  down as shown in  FIG. 5A . The half of covering  1  that does not have the conversion means attached is folded over toward the user, so that upper side  2  is now on the outside of the covering, and lower side  3  is in the interior of the folded covering. The conversion means should now be on the bottom of the covering so folded, as shown in  FIG. 5B . The resulting folded covering should now have a top, bottom, left, and right sides, as viewed from the user&#39;s perspective and as shown in  FIG. 5B . The right ⅓ and the left ⅓ of covering  1  so folded should be folded over each other so that both lie over the center ⅓ of covering  1 . Fastening flaps  9  of the conversion means should now be extended so they are perpendicular to the left and right sides of the covering so folded; a “cross” configuration, as viewed from the user&#39;s perspective, and as shown in  FIG. 5C . Next, the user should first fold the top ⅓ of the covering over the center ⅓ (see  FIG. 5D ), so that the hanging pocket has been uncovered by the now-folded top ⅓ of the covering. Next, fold the bottom ⅓ of the covering over the top ⅓, so that both top and bottom portions are folded over the center, as shown in  FIG. 5E . The fastening means at the distal ends of fastening flaps  9  should then be engaged to hold these ends securely and maintain the covering in a folded configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5F . The folded covering may now be used as a seat cushion, with hanging pocket  10  extended so that it hangs between the legs of a person sitting on the folded covering, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The seat cushion becomes a tote bag when the cushion is suspended by handles  11 ,  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Hanging pocket  10  then serves as a cover to the tote&#39;s cavity opening when folded under fastening flaps  9 . It can also be detachably secured by attaching complementary parts of fastening means  14  to both the distal end of hanging pocket  10  and the portion of upper side  2  that abuts the distal end of hanging pocket  10 . In the ultimate configuration, pocket  13  is on the outside of the tote, on the opposite side from the joined distal ends of fastening flaps  9 . The cavity formed by the covering so folded can be used to carry books and other items. As configured, the tote&#39;s cavity  23  may have holes in the bottom and at the sides where small items may fall out. However, guide fastening means  18  (i.e. strips of Velcro®) serve to seal any portion of the tote cavity that is not sealed by fastening flaps  9 . 
     It should be understood that the description above only reflects one particular embodiment of the invention. Variations on this invention involve the relative dimensions of covering  1 , whether or not hole  5  and hood  6  are integrated into the covering, and the placement of the conversion means, as described above. Different conversion means placement will necessitate different handle placement and methods of folding, although the objective of the handle placement and folding method is the same: to allow one or more fastening flaps of the conversion means to wrap around the folded covering in the tote/seat cushion configuration and prevent it from unfolding. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are various placements of the conversion means which would require only slight changes in the folding method to accomplish the identical function of conversion and it is the intent of the inventor to capture each of those slight modifications within the scope of this invention.