Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/087,021, filed Nov. 12, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/734,576 filed Dec. 7, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/847,590, filed Jul. 18, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application relates to a cover having sleeves that allow the cover to function as a cape. 
         [0003]    Covers such as blankets or towels may be used in the conventional way, for example, for warmth, and may also be used as a cape by children or adults. In order to be used as a cape, the cover may include neckbands, zippers, snaps, buttons, or other fasteners to secure the cape. These fasteners may present a hindrance to the wearer by requiring extra steps to be performed in converting the cover into a cape, and may also be uncomfortable to the wearer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A convertible cover according to an example of the present disclosure includes a cover and first and second nonrectangular panels. The first and second nonrectangular panels each have a generally horizontal set of opposing sides and a generally vertical set of opposing sides. The generally horizontal set of opposing sides is attached to the cover and the generally vertical set of opposing sides is not attached to the cover. 
         [0005]    An alternate convertible cover according to an example of the present disclosure includes a cover having a top edge and first and second side edges, a first nonrectangular sleeve in a first quadrant of the cover, and a second nonrectangular sleeve in a second quadrant of the cover adjacent to the first quadrant, a generally horizontal set of opposing sides and a generally vertical set of opposing sides. The generally horizontal set of opposing sides is attached to the cover and the generally vertical set of opposing sides is not attached to the cover. 
         [0006]    A method of converting a blanket into a cape according to an example of the present disclosure includes providing first and second nonrectangular sleeves arranged in first and second corners of a blanket. Each of the sleeves has a generally horizontal set of opposing sides and a generally vertical set of opposing sides. The generally horizontal set of opposing sides is attached to the cover and the generally vertical set of opposing sides is not attached to the cover. The method also includes inserting first and second arms of a wearer completely through the first and second sleeves, respectively, and manoeuvring the first and second arms outward from the wearer such that the cover is extended into a cape via the sleeves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a back side of a cover. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a front side of the cover of  FIG. 1 , including sleeves. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   b  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a , including dimensions of the cover. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of a wearer wearing the cover of  FIGS. 1-2   b  as a cape. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the wearer wearing the cover of  FIGS. 1-3  as a cape. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the wearer wearing the cover of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate front view of the wearer wearing the cover of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates an alternate cover in an unattached position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   b  illustrates an alternate cover in an attached position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8   a  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a  with circular gauntlets. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8   b  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a  with oblong gauntlets. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8   c  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a  with triangular gauntlets. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8   d  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a  with pentagonal gauntlets. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8   e  schematically illustrates the cover of  FIG. 2   a  with hexagonal gauntlets. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    A cover  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1  and has gauntlets or sleeves  22  attached to one side of the cover  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a - b . The cover  20  can be, for example, a blanket or a towel. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the cover  20  is a blanket. The blanket  20  can alternate as a blanket for warmth or, when a wearer inserts his arms through the gauntlets  22 , the blanket  20  functions like a cape, such as a superhero&#39;s cape as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The blanket  20  functions as a warm blanket but also wears as a cape without the hindrance of a neckband, zipper, snaps, buttons, etc. to secure the cape. In another example, the blanket  20  may be a towel and may be made of a terry cloth material. 
         [0022]    When used for a child, the blanket may be approximately 40 inches by 47 inches although obviously other sizes can be utilized, for example, for children, adults, or dolls. A design  21  may be sewn on an opposed, or back, side of the blanket  20  from the gauntlets  22 . The design  21  may vary, but in the illustrated embodiment, it is a superhero design. As examples, the design  21  could be angel&#39;s wings, bat wings, airplane wings, etc. The design  21  could also be team sports logos, animals, other licensed logos, custom &amp; corporate designs, home decor or patterned fabrics, etc. The design  21  could also allow the blanket  20  to serve as a Halloween costume or may be another seasonal design. It should be understood that the design  21  illustrations provided herein are only exemplary and that other designs  21  may be used. In another example, the blanket  20  may not include the design  21  and may serve as a home fashion accessory. 
         [0023]    The gauntlets  22  may be formed from panels attached to the interior, or front side, of the blanket  20 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 6 , the gauntlets  22  are rectangular and are attached to the blanket  20  at first and second opposing sides  24   a,    24   b.  However, in another example, the gauntlets  22  may be another shape such as triangular, circular, octagonal, etc. Additionally, more than two gauntlets  22  may be attached to the blanket  20  at various positions to allow for rotation of the blanket  20  when converting the blanket  20  into a cape, which will be discussed in more detail below. For example, the gauntlets  22  may be sewn to the blanket  20  along the opposing sides  24   a,    24   b.  It should be understood that the gauntlets  22  could vary from those in the Figures. As an example, it may be that the gauntlets  22  would be adjustable. The gauntlets  22  could be a panel sewn at one side  24   a,  with a Velcro® (Velcro Industries B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands) attachment, drawstring, elastic band, or another type of adjustable attachment, to the underlying blanket at the opposed side  24   b  such that the size can vary. In another example, the gauntlet  22  may be sewn to the blanket  20  at the side  24   b  and may be adjustably attached to the blanket  20  at the opposed side  24   a.  Alternatively, the gauntlets  22  could be formed of some form of elastic material, or a material with elastic bands at some location, such that the sides of the gauntlets  22  can vary. 
         [0024]    The gauntlets  22  lay relatively flat against the blanket  20 . The flat gauntlets  22  allow the blanket  20  to function as an ordinary blanket without any awkward interruptions or protrusions in the flow of the blanket  20  fabric. This allows the blanket  20  to be folded and/or lay flat as an ordinary blanket would. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2   a - b , the gauntlets  22  may be attached to the blanket  20  at adjacent corners  20   a,    20   b  of the blanket  20 . The gauntlets  22  may be positioned about the periphery of the blanket  20  or closer to the center of the blanket  20 . In one example, the gauntlets  20  may be positioned between 1 and 10 inches from either side of the blanket  20  which meet at the corners  20   a,    20   b.  For example, the gauntlets  22  may be between 1 and 10 inches inward from the top edge  26  of the blanket  20  and between 1 and 10 inches inward from either of the side edges  28   a,    28   b  of the blanket  20 . As is shown in  FIG. 2   b , the top edge  26  of the blanket  20  may have a length d 1  and the side edges  28   a,    28   b  may have a length d 2 . The bottom edge  24   a  of the gauntlet  22  may be positioned a distance d 3  from the top edge  26  of the blanket  20 . In one example, the ratio of the distances d 3 :d 2  may be less than 0.5. More particularly, the ratio may be less than 0.4. 
         [0026]    While the top and bottom edges  24   a,    24   b  of the gauntlet  22  are shown parallel to the top edge  26 , they need not be. Rather, they may merely extend along the top edge  26 . The edges  25   a,    25   b  of the gauntlet  22  are perpendicular to the edges  24   a,    24   b.  The inner perpendicular edge  25   a  may be positioned a distance d4 from the side edge  28   b  of the blanket  20 . In one example, the ratio of the distances d 4 :d 1  may be less than 0.6. More particularly, the ratio of the distances d 4 :d 1  may be less than 0.45. The ratio of the distances d 3 :d 2  may be less than 0.5. More particularly, the ratio of the distances d 4 :d 1  may be less than 0.4. In another example, the ratio of the distances d 3 :d 4  may be between 0.3 and 2.0. More particularly, the ratio of the distances d 3 :d 4  may be between 0.5 and 1.5. For instance, the positioning of the gauntlets  22  may be based on the size of the blanket  20 . While the edges  25   a,    25   b  are shown perpendicular to the top and bottom edges  24   a,    24   b,  they need not be. Rather, they merely need to extend along the side edges  28   a,    28   b.  The ratios d 4 :d 1 , d 3 :d 2 , and d 3 :d 4  vary according to the size of a wearer of the blanket  20 . 
         [0027]    In use, the gauntlets  22  provide a sleeve for the wearer of the blanket  20 . The backside of the sleeve is provided by the blanket  20  while the front side is provided by the gauntlet  22 . In another example, the gauntlet may include an additional panel insert (not shown) attached to the blanket, such that either the backside or the front of the sleeve is provided by the additional panel insert. In the example shown in  FIGS. 2   a - b , the edges  24   a,    24   b  of the gauntlet  22  which are attached to the blanket  20  are parallel to the top edge  26 . The perpendicular edges  25   a,    25   b  are not attached to the blanket  20 , allowing the wearer to extend his or her arms completely through the sleeve for hands-free use of the blanket  20 . When the wearer maneuvers his or her hands outward from his or her body, the blanket  20  edges extend outward and the blanket  20  acts as a cape. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the gauntlets  22  are attached to the blanket  20  at the top and bottom edges  24   a,    24   b,  but are spaced apart from the blanket. That is, the top and bottom edges  24   a,    24   b,  are attached to the blanket  20  at attachments. A distance between the attachments is less than a distance between the top and bottom edges  24   a,    24   b,  leaving a space, or “tunnel” between the gauntlets  22  and blanket  20 . Still, the gauntlets  22  lay relatively flat against the blanket  20  such that the blanket  20  can be folded and/or lay flat as an ordinary blanket would. 
         [0029]    In another example, the blanket  20  may additionally include a hood (not shown). 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   b  show an alternate example cover  120  where the gauntlets  122  are an integral part of the cover  120 . As is shown in  FIG. 7   a , the gauntlets  122  are tabs extending from a top edge  126  of the cover  120 . In  FIG. 7   a , the gauntlets are in an unattached position. The gauntlets  122  are shown as rectangular, but in another example, the gauntlets  122  can be another shape, such as triangular, circular, octagonal, etc. As is shown in  FIG. 7   b , the gauntlets  122  are in an attached position. The gauntlets  122  are folded down and attached to the cover  120  via a bottom edge  124   a  of the gauntlet  122 , for example, by sewing. 
         [0031]    Generally, the basic idea is the sleeve or gauntlets  22  provide the ability to attach a blanket  20  to the arms so it becomes a cape. This allows a “hands free” way of creating a cape from a blanket  20 . Additionally, the blanket  20  is free from any potential choking hazards. When the wearer has his or her arms outstretched to turn the blanket  20  into a cape, he can simulate pretending to fly. Finally, the gauntlets  22  make it easy for a child to wrap himself in the blanket to wear it like a bathrobe or piece of clothing. 
         [0032]    Although an embodiment of this disclosure has been explained, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that various materials or fabrics can be used, such as fleece, quilt-like materials, materials with satin borders, etc. The materials can also be complex materials including multiple types of fabrics. Additionally, as is shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   e,  respectively, non-rectangular (such as circular, oblong, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.) shapes may be used for the cover  20 ,  120  or gauntlets  22 ,  122 . The above description and the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as examples illustrating the inventive concept and shall not be construed as limiting the invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

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