Abstract:
An improved stadium blanket is described with having storage capacity for storing accessories, some of which may be provided with the stadium blanket, brought to events.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,666 by Benz, filed May 31, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a stadium blanket, such as could be provided with an accessories kit which may preferably be utilized by those attending various functions where attendees could possibly be expecting to be sitting on bleachers, stadium seats or the like, and particularly those exposed to the elements such as cold weather environments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Although some companies sell coordinating hats, scarves and/or mittens for outdoor wear, these are believed to be sold in traditional retail packaging where the packaging is discarded after opening. 
         [0004]    There is not believed to be a convenient way to maintain these articles together, after initial use other than placing in another carrier especially if one were to attend an outdoor activity and want a convenient way of carrying those articles. Furthermore, absolutely no combination of a stadium blanket is known to exist with accessories worn by a user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is a present object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved stadium blanket having a storage capability for storing accessories brought to events. 
         [0006]    It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a stadium blanket which conveniently fits within most stadium seat configurations in a folded configuration which can be potentially sat upon as a cushion when not in use. 
         [0007]    It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a stadium blanket which provides a way of carrying identification material in addition to accessories and/or valuables. In some embodiments, a pouch or compartment of the stadium blanket is detachable to create a purse for conveniently carrying identification material in addition to accessories and/or valuables when away from the stadium blanket. 
         [0008]    It is another object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved stadium blanket kit which provides a stadium blanket having at least one pouch provided with and configured to retain the hat of a user, the gloves of a user, and/or a scarf of a user. Potentially, in some embodiments, all three set of articles are provided so that a user can take one simple package to a stadium or other location and enjoy the sporting event or other activity and the gloves, hat, scarf and/or the stadium blanket can be employed as desired in an effort to regulate the temperature of the user. After use, the articles can be conveniently repackaged. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, in accordance with many presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, an improved kit is provided having an improved stadium blanket in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, possibly in combination together with at least some of a hat, gloves and/or a scarf. 
         [0010]    In order to accomplish the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stadium blanket provided for at least some embodiments provides what is believed a unique folding configuration whereby the blanket can fold to a compact state and provide a pouch for receiving such things as identification material and possibly holding small articles such as keys and/or wallets which can be folded to be disposed internally for protection when in the storage configuration and also preferably cover over an externally directed pocket in the storage condition which receives the gloves, hat and/or scarf to provide the kit form. 
         [0011]    The blanket can have seams as shown to facilitate the intended folding locations to facilitate a user being able to repackage the device once opened in a quick and convenient manner. One or more handles or straps can also be provided to provide a shoulder strap and/or a handle for carrying in the compact storage configuration. The accessories may be removed as desired and worn by the user and/or the blanket may be deployed as desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the blanket in an unfolded configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view thereof; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a back elevational view thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a bottom elevational view thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top elevational view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view thereof in a folded storage configuration; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a exploded perspective view showing the installation of components in kit form. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Starting with  FIG. 8 , an exploded view of a kit form of the presently preferred embodiment shows a kit  10 . Kit  10  preferably includes a stadium blanket  12  and possibly at least one, if not a plurality of, hat  14 , scarf  16 , and gloves  18 . 
         [0022]    Scarf  16 , gloves  18 , and hat  14  can be of various constructions as are known in the art. 
         [0023]    The hat  14  is preferably a skull style hat and can be made of fleece or other fabric such as wool, etc., of a desired weight. The scarf  16  could be made of similar or dissimilar material as the hat, as could the gloves  18 . Furthermore, with branding opportunities, logos such as first and second logos  20 , 22  similar or dissimilar, could be provided by a coordinated configuration particularly in combination with the other logos which could be provided with the blanket  12  such as logo  37  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0024]    In addition to providing first closure  26  which may assist in enclosing the pocket  24  with another (not shown) on the other surface  30  of blanket  12 , an external receiving connector  32  is useful particularly in combination with flap connector  34  to secure the flap  36  to the receiving external connector  32  to further secure the articles such as hat  14 , scarf  16 , gloves  18  in the pocket  24  in a convenient carrying configuration. 
         [0025]    A carrying strap  38  may be stored internal to the flap  36  in a storage configuration. An external handle  40  as is shown in  FIG. 7  and others may also be utilized. Further configurations may have other handles or shoulder strap configurations, if they are utilized. 
         [0026]    With the articles stored in the kit  10 , the articles may be transported such as is shown in  FIG. 7 . No other manufacturer is believed to provide a blanket  12  which not only receives and stores, but is also provided with a hat  14 , scarf  16 , and/or gloves  18 . 
         [0027]    This configuration is particularly attractive for outdoor stadium events such as football games and the like. The stadium blanket is configured to have a width W and/or a length L to conveniently fit within the confines of major league stadium seating as well as NFL stadium seating in virtually all, if not all, newer professional team stadiums across America. The blanket  12  when in a storage configuration as shown can be loaded with the accessories in the form of the hat  14 , scarf  16 , and/or gloves  18 , while allowing the user to relatively easily sit on the blanket  12  in the storage configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . When expanded, the width-2 W 2  and length-2 L 2  having preferred dimensions of at least 42″×60″ and more preferably dimensions such as about 62″×44″. Other embodiments may provide other dimensions. The blanket  12  for many embodiments preferably has sufficient dimensions to cover at least over a portion of a person if not persons when in use. 
         [0028]    Although there are other blankets available in the marketplace that could be carried to a stadium, none are believed to provide the unique folding characteristic of blanket  12  particularly in relationship to be able to store accessories for maintaining a user warm at many outdoor events. 
         [0029]    The extended blanket  12  is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . In preferred embodiments, the blanket has a width-2 W 2  of roughly 44″ but little less than on average 9″ per segment S with the frame segment S 2 , preferably having a larger width than that of the remaining segments. Segments S can be distinguished by seams such as seam  42  which could be a single, double, or other appropriate seam to facilitate in having the user refold the blanket  12  after use. As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the first segment  44  can be first folded onto the frame segment  46  and then the second segment  48  preferably folded over the seam  42  onto third segment  50 . These two can then be folded over seam  52  onto fourth segment  54  which can then be folded over seam  56  onto frame segment  46  such as atop or under segment  44 . In this way, the flap  36  can remain external to the folded segments during this process. As can be seen from the figures, it is possible that the internal surface  58  of blanket  12  could be fleece, wool, wool-blend, or other appropriate fabric while the external surface  60 , such as shown in  FIG. 3  could be a waterproof surface or other appropriate surface. 
         [0030]    Of course, it is also possible to fold the second  48 , third  50 , and fourth segments  54  onto the frame segment  46  and then to fold the first segment  44  over top thereof for many embodiments. 
         [0031]    After making these folds, it is anticipated that the blanket  12  will be folded along the length-2 L 2  such as by starting at end  62  and then folding over and over. It is anticipated folding three folds before reaching the pocket  24  and then another fold after the pocket  24  such as would then leave second pocket  69  available for use for at least some embodiments as is shown in  FIG. 8 . Pocket  69  may or may not have the placket  28  as provided for pocket  24  such as shown in  FIG. 8 . Other embodiments may have a different number of folds or even fold differently than the preferred embodiment. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows a first compartment  64  or pouch internal to the flap  36  which could hold an identification card (i.e., a drivers&#39; license, etc.) such as by providing a window  66 . Furthermore, a second compartment  68  could be provided which could also hold money, credit cards, cell phones, or other small items and/or valuables. In some embodiments, at least one compartment is designed to be optionally detachable, such as by using a connector pair located on the back of the compartment and the internal side of the flap  36  (e.g., a Velcro® or other appropriate means), to provide a purse for a convenient way to carry an identification card and/or valuables when away from the stadium blanket. The detachable purse preferably can be securely closed by zipper, magnet, button, hook and loop, or other appropriate means. The purse can optionally have a window  66  on the front of the purse. Flap  36  is shown overlapping a portion of the blanket  12  as is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  in the folded/storage configuration to assist in retaining material in the compartment or compartments  64 , 68 . 
         [0033]    When in the closed or open configurations of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , respectively, the blanket  12  provides a relatively convenient location for storing the accessories such as a scarf  16 , hat  14 , and gloves  18  therein. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the handle  40  provides a convenient carrying means for carrying the blanket  12  or storing the blanket  12  in a storage location. Further, the shoulder strap  38  may be deployed and utilized as will be understood by those skilled in the art as provided. 
         [0034]    Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiments of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.