Patent Publication Number: US-10306938-B2

Title: Fitted blanket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. Ser. No. 62/123,268, filed Nov. 12, 2014 and which is incorporated by reference a if fully set forth, herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An exemplary fitted blanket is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features. 
       FIG. 1  is a sheet of fabric from which an exemplary blanket is made illustrating the shape of the fabric, prior to forming the blanket; 
       FIG. 2  is a view of one side of an exemplary blanket, formed with the fabric of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the opposing side of the blanket of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  depict alternative embodiments of a fitted blanket; 
       FIG. 4C  shows a rear side view of the fitted blanket of  FIG. 4B  in an example in-use environment, including a human body within an interior enclosure of the fitted blanket; 
       FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  depict further embodiments of a fitted blanket; 
       FIG. 6A  shows the obverse side of another embodiment of a fitted blanket; and 
       FIG. 6B  shows the reverse side of the fitted blanket embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a portion of fabric  1  from which an exemplary fitted blanket that may be used to enclose a human body is formed. Fabric  1  is a generally rectangular shape with two square sections  6   a ,  6   b  (shown in dotted lines) removed from the adjacent corners of a short side of the rectangle resulting in two adjacent edges  3   a ,  4   a  meeting at a generally perpendicular angle, and two adjacent edges  3   b ,  4   b  identically situated. The opposing corners of the fabric  1  having a common short side  5  are folded together as indicated by reference arrow A, forming folds generally along dotted lines  2   a , and  2   b . The corners are made to meet together which divides side  5  into two generally equivalent edges  5   a, b.    
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , edges  3   a  and  4   a  are attached together and edges  3   b , and  4   b  are attached together resulting in seams  11   a  and  11   b . Edges  5   a  and  5   b  are attached together forming seam  12 . The resulting structure is a generally curvilinear triangle bag that includes a generally ovoid opening  13  defined in the back of the structure, having an inverted generally ogive shape defining the lower edge  18 , and a rounded upper edge  17  near seams  11   a ,  11   b . So configured, an interior space  14  is defined in which a user may enclose his or her body. The upper interior of the space in the area proximal to seams  11   a ,  11   b  accommodate a user&#39;s shoulders and the lower interior space proximal to seam  12  accommodates a user&#39;s legs and feet. A piece of elastic  15  is incorporated into the upper edge  17  and a piece of elastic  16  is likewise incorporated into the lower edge  18 . 
     The type of fabric  1  used will be determined by the need or desire of the user. The fitted blanket may be formed from any suitable fabric, including, but not limited to, woven, unwoven and knit fabrics to accommodate various temperature and weather conditions in multiple settings. The size of fabric  1  may vary according in the size of the intended user, but may be made to accommodate adults and children of various sizes. 
     In another embodiment, slits  19   a ,  19   b  may be formed in the fabric to allow a user&#39;s arms to be inserted there through. In further embodiments, illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a cut-out  20  may be formed in the upper edge  17  of the opening  13  to accommodate a user&#39;s neck. In the alternative, an opening  21  may be formed in the upper section of the blanket  10  through which a user may insert his or her head. 
       FIG. 5A  shows an embodiment in which an elongated enclosure  22  having open ends  23   a, b  is incorporated into the blanket, while  FIG. 5B  shows a version having a pocket  24  formed on the blanket.  FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  illustrate an embodiment in which a hood  25  is attached to the upper portion of the blanket partially surrounding the opening  21 . The hood  25  may include elastic  26  or a draw-string surrounding the opening of the hood  25 . 
     As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a fitted blanket. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention appertaining to the fitted blanket described is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover an such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the invention.