Patent Publication Number: US-3879775-A

Title: Cushion

Description:
United States Patent 1 Iw ata {451 Apr. 29, 1975 l l CUSHION [76] Inventor: Motoko Iwata, 2-l288, 2 Chome Fujimaki-cho, Chikusa-ku. Nogoya-shi, Japan [22] Filed: Dec. 5, I973 [2l] Appl. No.: 421,869  
 [52] US. Cl 5/341; 5/344 [51] Int. Cl. A. A47g 9/00; A6lg 7/06 [58] Field of Search lSO/BO, 52; 190/2; 5/34l,  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ll/l943 Kncr ISO/30 UX 3,143,748 8/l964 Manning 5/344 3.336.610 8/l967 Gcddings 5/334 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 84l.l86 2/1939 France 5/344 926,425 5/l963 United Kingdom v. 5/344 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Calvert Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrowdy &amp; Neimark 5 7 ABSTRACT A cushion usable as a pillow or a sofa-cushion as well as a bag containing a blanket or the like which can be taken out to cover the users body and also can be used as a pillow or a sofa-cushion, after the blanket or the like has been taken out. When the blanket or the like is not in use it can easily be kept inside the bag or the cushion to clear up the surroundings. and the cushion with the blanket or the like kept inside is also usable as a cushion as well.  
 7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PSTERJTEBAPMQ ms SHEET 2 2 QIIJLQ CUSHION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cushion which is conveniently usable for multiple purposes, in addition is easily portable, and is quickly openable or closable to put in or take out a blanket or the like.  
  The cushion of the present invention is applicable as a pillow, a sofa-cushion, a seat cushion for an automobile, a bag to carry a blanket or the like, etc.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art there have been disclosed various kinds of cushions, e.g., pillows, sofa-cushions, bucketseat cushions for automotive vehicles, or seat venting pads etc., but no cushion such as the present invention which will be disclosed in detail hereinafter has been disclosed.  
  For convenience of description, there is disclosed here an embodiment of the present invention which was developed earliest. The embodiment is constructed by the following steps;  
 1. Firstly, a pair of elongated rectangular cloths are stitched together by an endless peripheral stitched line at four outer hems and two transversely stitched lines, to produce a series of three rectangular compartments tandem arranged in each of which cushionable material such as polyurethane foam or kapok is padded or packed (refer to FIG.  
 2. A triangular body is constructed by folding the three compartments along the transversely stitched lines in such a way as to confront the both extreme ends of the rectangular cloths with each other (refer to FIG. 2);  
 3. A gusset cloth is then fastened to each longitudinal edge of the rectangular fabric, and by a bag is produced in which can be contained a blanket, a rug or the like which can be used and as a cushion irrespective of whether or not the blanket or the like is contained therein (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2).  
  After the embodiment mentioned above was completed, various modifications followed and the result is the present invention.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a cushion which is not only usable directly as a pillow or a sofa-cushion but also as a bag to contain a blanket, a rug or the like therein.  
  A further object of the present invention is to provide a bag-style cushion which is very convenient for a user to transport, e.g., from room to room or even for travel and which the user preparing to retire may readily use by taking out a blanket, a rug or the like to keep the user comfortable, or which the user may readily use to pack the blanket or the like when it is no longer needed, to keep surroundings clear.  
  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention;  
 FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of FIG. I;  
 &#39; of v1 VI in FIG. 5;  
  FIG. 7 is a perspective of the second embodiment of the invention;  
  FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of the third embodiment, in which the central compartment is detachable at one end thereof from the outer covering fabric, but still left fastened to the outer covering fabric;  
  FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 in which the central compartment is detached at one end from the outer covering fabric;  
  FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, with a blanket or the like contained inside the cushion;  
  FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, after a blanket or the like has been taken out;  
  FIG. 12 is a similar cross sectional view as FIG. II, but is ready to be used as a cushion.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the invention comprising a main structural part I having three compartments 3, 4, 5 and two gusset cloths l6, 17, to form a cushion as a whole as well as a containable bag.  
  The main structural part 1 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, from two covering cloths, i.e., lower or outer 2, upper or inner 2&#39; which are stitched together by a continuous stitched line 10 peripherally along the four held edges or hems and two transverse stitched lines 6, 7 to form three tandem arranged compartments 3, 5, 4 which are stuffed with cushionable material, for example elastmeric foam or kapok. In this embodiment the compartments 3 and 5 which are of same size and shape are stuffed with polyurethane foam 9 but the compartment 4 with kapok or vegetable silk 8 which is suitable for use as a pillow.  
  When the main part 1 is folded along the lines 6 and 7 in such a way the extended edges l4, 15 thereof meet together as shown in FIG. 2, then a triangular body is formed, but both ends, front and rear, of the triangular body are still open. When gusset cloths 16, 17 are stitched to the longitudinal hems of the main part 1 on both sides to cover the openings, then a bag shaped body 20 is produced. The upper part of the gussets l6 and 17 are provided with an elastic string, for example, a rubber band 18 to make gathers l9 thereon as shown in FIG. 3 or 10. A plural number of magic fasteners&#34; (hook pile quick detachable fasteners) 14a and 15a are provided on corresponding positions of the edges 14 and 15 respectively, to keep said both fasteners usually interlocked but easily to be detached from each other, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10.  
  In the enclosed space 21 of said bag-shaped body 20 there is conveniently contained a blanket, a rug or the like 22 which is easily taken out by releasing said detachable fasteners 14a and 15a, to keep the user comfortable when retiring or taking a nap, but the body 20 itself is still usable as a pillow for a nap or a sofacushion. When the user wakes up or when the blanket or the like 22 becomes unnecessary, it can be easily packed again in the space 21, consequently the surroundings are kept in order.  
  FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment which is pro vided with a pair of bands 23 fixed at the edges 14 and 15 of the main part 1 for the convenience of carrying or transportation. In this embodiment it should be understood that the cushion is conveniently portable by using hand-or shoulder-bands 23.  
  In the third embodiment the central compartment is usually fastened to the outer covering fabric by a pair of hook pile quick detachable fasteners or magic fasteners&#34; 2a and S&#39;a as shown in FIG. 8, so that, when necessary, it may be detached as shown in FIG. 9.  
  The principal difference of this embodiment from the first embodiment exists in the construction of the main part 1 and consequently construction of the whole cushion or the way of use.  
  The central compartment 5&#39; is made detachable, therefore the envelope or covering skin 5s of said compartment is fabricated from independent cloth from the outer covering fabric 2 although the former 5s is connected to the fabric 2 at the stitched line 7&#39; as shown in FIG. 9, while the outer two compartments 3 and 4 are fabricated partly or by half from the outer covering fabric 2.  
  ln the third embodiment, therefore the central compartment 5 can be located in two different ways, i.e., at the bottom position mainly as a bottom member as shown in FIG. 10, and at the other position as a cushion member as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It should be noted that the dislocation of the central compartment 5&#39; as shown in FIG. 11 improves the function of the whole cushion l to afford more comfort to the user as well as to give a better appearance because the bottom part becomes perfectly flexible.  
  From the above detailed description it should be clearly understood that the essential elements of a cushion of the present invention are as follows;  
  Three compartments each cover of which is made of fabric or the like, stuffed with cushionable material and which may serve as side stiffening or bottom stiffening members of a bag, when the cushion is used as a bag;  
  An outer covering sheet substantially ofa rectangular shaped fabric or the like to which said three compartments are connected at least by a line for instance by a sewing line;  
  A pair of side or gusset sheets each of which is quadrangular, preferablly of a rectangleor trapezoidshaped cloths or the like is connected to each longitudinal edge of said outer covering fabric on three of the edges of said gussets.  
  Further preferable or favorable elements to my invention are as follows;  
  Two extended edges l4, 15 of the outer covering fabric 2, both of which are selectively attached to or separated from each other;  
 Plural number of detachable fasteners in corresponding positions of said edges 14, 15 such as magic fasteners 14a, 15a or snaps, etc.;  
  Elastic strings 18 provided at the upper part of said gusset cloths, and  
  A carrying means, e.g., a pair of hand-or shoulderbands 20.  
  It should be noted that the material to be used for outer covering sheet, gusset sheets and, threecompartment covers are preferablly made of fabric but may be of synthetic leather or plastic which is soft and flexible.  
 What l claim is:  
  l. A cushion usable as a pillow or sofa-pillow as well as a bag, which can contain a blanket or the like therein, comprising:  
 an outer covering sheet of a rectangular shaped fabric or the like;  
 three masses of cushionable material;  
 three compartment covers each connected to said outer covering sheet at least along a single transverse line and forming compartments either alone or in combination with said outer covering sheet, each compartment containing one of said masses of cushionable material, said compartments being disposed with respect to said outer covering sheet so as to be arrangeable in tandem; and  
 a pair of gussets which are made substantially of quadrangular shaped cloth or the like and are connected to the longitudinal edges of said outer covering sheet, substantially at three peripherial edges of the quandrangle of said gussets, respectively, to form a bag.  
  2. A cushion of a bag style as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of carrying means are provided on both edges of said outer covering sheet.  
  3. A cushion as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of elastic strings are arranged at the upper parts of said gusset cloths.  
  4. A cushion in accordance with claim 1, wherein said three compartment covers comprise a single inner covering sheet which overlaps exactly upon said outer covering sheet, and wherein said three compartments are defined by said outer and said inner covering sheets connected together along an endless peripheral line and two transverse lines.  
  5. A cushion in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said compartments is formed by one of said compartment covers alone.  
  6. A cushion in accordance with claim 5, wherein said one compartment cover is attached to said outer covering sheet along only one side thereof and the other two of said compartment covers are attached to said outer covering sheet along all four peripheral sides thereof.  
  7. A cushion in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for attachably fastening the longitudinal ends of said outer covering sheet to each other whereby an openable and closable bag is formed.