GB2606559A

GB2606559A - A travel blanket

Info

Publication number: GB2606559A
Application number: GB2106842.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwards Emma; Martin Leonie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-13
Filing date: 2021-05-13
Publication date: 2022-11-16
Also published as: GB202106842D0

Abstract

A travel blanket 99 for a seat comprises a continuous back 3 with a headrest 2, a cover 4 connected to the continuous back and means for receiving a safety belt 105. The back may be substantially rectangular, the headrest provided at an upper edge and the cover extends from a side edge(s). Preferably the headrest defines a pocket for a pillow (2A, Fig 5a), which may be inflatable. The headrest includes a hole through which a valve (12, Fig 5a) for inflating the pillow extends. The means for receiving the safety belt may comprise an aperture (5, Fig 3a) and / or loop (20, Fig 3a). The headrest preferably includes a layer(s) of wadding. The blanket may include a handle (41, Fig 7F). The blanket may include a connector(s) or clip(s) (40, Fig 7F) for holding the blanket when stowed. The cover may attach to the back along a lower edge and at least part of a side edge to provide a pocket for a user’s legs. Preferably the blanket is formed from a synthetic fleece or cotton fabric and / or the edges hemmed and / or stitched in different colour to that of the blanket.

Description

A TRAVEL BLANKET

Field of Invention

The present invention discloses a travel blanket, in particular but not exclusively, a blanket with a padded region for the head and that is adapted to receive a safety belt.

Summary of Invention

The present invention discloses a travel blanket adapted to be provided on a seat comprising: a continuous back with a headrest; a cover connected to the continuous back and a means for receiving a safety belt.

In this way a user can wrap them self in a blanket when seated in a vehicle such as car, train, bus, aeroplane or vessel and the blanket is adapted to provide a cushioned headrest and a means for receiving a safety belt, so that the safety belt can be worn with the blanket and can optionally be seen without requirement to remove the blanket.

In use the continuous back is arranged on the seat and behind a user. The continuous back is a continuous piece of material and is preferably substantially rectangular. The back is intended to substantially match the height of a user. It is appreciated that the blanket may be provided in different sizes to accommodate different users. For example, a small/medium/large size corresponding to child/female/male may be provided.

In preferred embodiments the headrest is provided at an upper edge of the back to correspond with where a user's head is located when seated. Preferably the 30 headrest has some form padding to comfort and support a user's head. Examples of the types of padding are provided later in this document.

In some embodiments the headrest may include a means for securing the headrest to the seat, for example ties, an elasticated band or a tab of material that extends over the seat.

A cover also extends from the back. Preferably the cover is attached along at least one long side edge of the back. In this way when a user is seated against the continuous back, the cover can be placed over the user.

The cover may be substantially the same shape and dimensions as the 10 continuous back.

In some embodiments the cover may also be attached along a lower edge of the back so as to define a pocket into which a user's feet and at least part of their lower legs is located in use.

In yet a further embodiment the cover may also be attached along at least part of the opposed long side. In this way a user's feet and at least part of their lower legs may be completely contained within the pocket.

Preferably the cover may be attached to edges of the back by stitching or by means of an adhesive.

In some embodiments the back and cover may be formed from one piece of material that is folded in use so that the back is under a user and the cover is 25 over a user.

In some embodiments the cover has a fastening means, for example a zipper, hook and loop material such as Velcro (RTM) or press studs or buttons. In this way it may be envisaged that the cover may be fastened to itself and/or the back so as to provide more comfort and/or heat retention, and/or so as to allow the user to exit the device easily.

In preferred embodiments the headrest defines a pocket for receiving a pillow. In this way a pillow can be added and removed from the pocket of the headrest.

The pillow may be a traditional pillow that is inserted to the headrest to provide 5 a padded region for the user's head.

Preferably the pillow is an inflatable pillow so that the pillow can be deflated when not in use to a more compact configuration. For an embodiment with an inflatable pillow the headrest may include a hole through which a valve for the inflatable pillow extends to enable inflation and deflation of the inflatable pillow whilst in the pocket. Thereby avoiding the requirement for the inflatable pillow to be removed.

In a preferred embodiment with an inflatable pillow the valve has a release means such as a button to enable air to be released through the value. For example, the pillow may have a valve with a release means that is movable between and first and second position. In a first position the valve is closed, and deflation is prevented. For example, the valve may be in the first position during inflation so as to prevent escape of air. In a second position the valve is open so as to allow release of air so that the pillow can be deflated.

In some embodiments the headrest includes at least one layer of padding that may be one or more layer of wadding for additional comfort.

The pillow may be shaped and dimensioned to provide support to a user's head. For example, the pillow may include side supports to support a user's head and/or a dip in the centre for receiving the user's head.

In some embodiments the back may comprise a padded, filled or inflatable 30 backrest or backrests for additional comfort and support of the user. For example, the continuous back may include lumber support.

Preferably the means for receiving the safety belt are provided along where the back and cover are joined. The means located at a mid-point along the length of the blanket so as to correspond to where a safety belt passes over a user's lap.

The means for receiving the safety belt may comprise an aperture through which the safety belt can pass. In this way the blanket can be placed on the seat and the safety belt can pass through an aperture in the blanket. so that the safety belt can be fastened when seated on the blanket. To enable this the apertures are preferably elongate slots provided where the continuous back and cover join so that the safety belt can be easily passed through. By passing the safety belt through the aperture the belt is not fully visible when fastened as the safety belt passes under the cover.

In another embodiment the means for receiving the safety belt may comprise a loop or loops provided on a surface of the blanket through which the safety belt can pass. For example, a loop or loops may be provided on a rear face of the blanket, where the back and cover join so as to be at a user's side where a safety belt would pass. In this way when the blanket is wrapped around a user, the loops are revealed, and the safety belt may be passed through the loops and secured. By passing the safety belt through the selected loop(s) the belt is visible when fastened as the safety belt remains on an outer face of the cover.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments the blanket may include apertures 25 and loops for the safety belt to provide alternative methods of securing a safety belt through or over the blanket.

Advantageously the means for receiving a safety belt enables the blanket to be fixed in position during use and to ensure that the safety belt may be visible 30 when a user is using the blanket, so there is no requirement to remove the blanket to evidence that the safety belt is connected.

Preferably the travel blanket includes a handle so that the blanket can be easily carried when not in use. The handle is typically a strap attached to an outer face of the blanket.

Typically, the blanket is folded or rolled into a compacted configuration when not use. Ideally the blanket is compacted in such a way that the handle is revealed for carrying.

To assist with securing the blanket in the stowed configuration the travel blanket 10 may include at least one connector for holding the travel blanket in a stowed configuration. For example, the connector may be a clip or buckle that holds the travel blanket in the compacted configuration.

Preferably the connecter is attached to a length of material that also forms a 15 carry handle. In a preferred embodiment the material may be webbing, for example a polyester webbing (or similar).

Preferably the blanket is formed from a soft, durable, lightweight, machine washable material which will keep the user warm and is suitable for repeated 20 use. For example, the blanket may be formed from a synthetic polar fleece or cotton fabric.

For example, the blanket may be formed from manmade fibres such as fleece composition that is 100% Polyester. Of the blanket may also be formed from 25 natural fibres such as cotton.

Preferred properties of the material used for the blanket may include but are not limited to, anti-pilling, lightweight, anti-shedding, breathable, warm, comfortable, durable, stretchy material.

Ideally the blanket less than 700 grams and is preferably only 660 grams.

In some embodiments the blanket may further include pockets for a user's hands or pockets for storage, for example to hold a passport, mobile phone or wallet.

In some embodiments the blanket may further include a hood.

In some embodiments the blanket may comprise individual feet or leg sections.

The blanket edges may be finished with blanket or overlock stitching to seal raw 10 edges.

Typically edges of the blanket are hemmed. In some embodiments the hem may be stitched in different colour to that of the blanket. Preferably, all blanket stitching is in contrast colour to main fabric for example where main fabric is orange and the stitching details are yellow. The blanket may be provided in a variety of colour combinations.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures.

Brief Description of Fiqures

Figure 1 shows a sketch of an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in use; Figure 2 shows a sketch of an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in use on a chair; Figures 3A shows details of the means for receiving a safety belt; Figure 3B shows a valve for inflating an inflatable pillow in the headrest; Figure 3C shows a pocket for receiving a user's feet and lower legs; Figures 4A to 41 shows examples of use of the travel blanket; Figures 5A and 53 show an example of a pillow that may be inserted to the 5 headrest; Figures 6A, 63 and 6C show a sketch of a plan view, side view and detail sectional view of an example of a headrest with an inflatable pillow; Figures 7A, 73, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F show an example of how the travel blanket may be folded and stowed; Figure 8 shows an example of a headrest; Figure 9 shows a flat pattern plan of part of the blanket; Figure 10 shows a flat pattern of a preferred embodiment of the travel blanket; and Figure 11 shows a rear face of the blanket.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures there is generally shown an embodiment of the 25 travel blanket 99 comprising a cover 4, a continuous back 3, and a headrest 2.

The back 3 is arranged to extend between the cover 4 and headrest 2. The back 3 and headrest 2 is laid against the seat and the cover 4 is arranged to cover at least part of a user's body.

The headrest 2 is provided at an upper edge of the back 3.

The headrest 2 includes a pocket for receiving a pillow 2A (see Figures 6A, 6B and 6C).

The pillow 2A may be removable and/or compressible, for example formed from 5 a resiliently deformable material or inflatable. This enables the user to compress the blanket 99 for transport or storage.

The pictured embodiments include an inflatable pillow 2A that is inserted within the pocket of the headrest 2.

The pocket may include an entrance with a closure means such as a zipper, press-studs, buttons or similar to contain the pillow.

Where the continuous back 3 and cover 4 joins there is provided a means 20, 15 5 for receiving a safety belt (for example see Figure 2 or Figure 3A). The means comprise apertures 5 through which the safety belt 105 may pass and/or loops 20 through which the safety belt 105 may pass.

The means for receiving the safety belt 105 anchor the blanket 99 to the seat 20 200.

In the pictured embodiment the cover 4 and back 3 are attached by a shared seam to create a pocket into which the user can place their legs or body, so as to provide more comfort and/or heat retention.

With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the continuous back 3, is substantially rectangular, and a cover 4 is shown overlapping the back so as to form a pocket which contains the legs and lower torso of the user 100 in use (for example see Figure 1).

The headrest is inflatable, with a single point of inflation 12 is a valve which has a tethered bung (Figure 3B, Figure 4A, Figure 5A). In some embodiments the single point of inflation 12 may comprise a button deflate valve, where a button is pushed for quick and simple deflation.

The travel blanket 99 is for use when seated on a chair 200.

The travel blanket 99 includes apertures 5 and loops 20, through which the safety belt 105 passes.

If the safety belt 105 is passed through the apertures 5 the safety belt 105 may be hidden under the cover. If the safety belt 105 passes through the loops 20 the safety belt 105 is arranged over the cover 4 and visible in use. In this way when safety checks are carried out, for example on an aeroplane, the airline attendants are enabled to see the safety belt 105 at all times.

The apertures 5 may be finished with a tight zigzag or blanket stitch to seal any raw edges. Preferably stitching is in contrasting colour to match rest of stitching.

The loop 20 may be a strap sewn over it to create a loop for the seatbelt to go through when the blanket is closed, for example as shown in Figure 3a. In this 20 arrangement a seatbelt 105 can be fed through it when the blanket is closed over the user's body and remain visible.

The means 5, 20 for receiving the safety belt 105 are arranged where the continuous back and cover join so as to be at a side of the user when seated, 25 so that the safety belt can be easily passed through either an aperture or a loop.

The pocket which is defined by the cover 4 and back 3 in the lower regions of the embodiment when in use is provided by a seam 11 along two edges of the cover 4 and back 3, wherein the third edge of the cover is open, so as to allow 30 easy entrance into the pocket in use.

In this way the blanket 99 advantageously provides a comfortable cover 4 combined with head rest 2, which can be easily deployed in situation such as a long-haul flight, as well as easily stored when not in use, by collapsing and rolling. Furthermore, the blanket is easily attachable to luggage or can be carried using a handle.

As shown in Figures 7A to 7F the blanket 99 may be folded up and fastened with a clip 40 that is a squeeze buckle so it can be compact and portable with a carry handle formed from the strap 41. In this way the user can fold the blanket downward from the pillow and then in half and secure with the squeeze buckle 40. There is a gap in stitching left between the blanket and the strap 41 in the centre to create a carry handle once the blanket has been folded and clip 40 fastened.

Figure 7A shows the blanket 99 fully laid out with the cover 4 laid over the back (not visible) and the headrest 2 extending from an upper edge of the continuous 15 back.

Figure 7B shows the headrest 2 folded down over the cover 4 Figures 7C, 7D and 7E show how the blanket 99 may be further folded for 20 stowage.

Figure 7F shows the final stowed configuration in which the strap 41 is fastened by the clips 40 about the folded blanket 99.

Preferably the strap 41 and clip 40 colour matches the contrast stitch colour. The strap 41 may extend 3cm either side and be sewn 9cm from the bottom.

The headrest 2 may comprise a pillowcase which is padded with a double layer of padding in front of the pillow for added comfort (see Figure 6A).

As shown in Figure 60 it may be envisaged that the blanket 99 comprises a pillow 2A which is sewn into the blanket with two layers of wadding on the front of the pillow 2A.

In other embodiments the blanket comprises a removable pillow and envelope opening as shown in Figures 5A and 5B in the back of the pillowcase to enable the pillow 2A to be removed and the blanket washed.

The pictured embodiment of blanket 99 is branded with a logo 50.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show flat pattern pieces of the blanket. Figures 9 and 10 have the cover 4 shown as partly cutaway in order to reveal the back 3.

All edges of the blanket are overlocked and hemmed. The cover 4 and back 3 are only partially sewn up along the open long side, so as to define the pocket into which a user's feet and lower leg are received (see Figure 10).

The aperture 20 for the safety belt is stitched with zigzag stitch.

The flat patterns include some preferred dimensions, but it is appreciated that different dimensions may be used.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.A travel blanket adapted to be provided on a seat comprising: a continuous back with a headrest; a cover connected to the continuous back and a means for receiving a safety belt.
A travel blanket according to claim 1 wherein the back is substantially rectangular, the headrest is provided at an upper edge of the back and the cover extends from at least one side edge of the back.
A travel blanket according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the headrest defines a pocket for receiving a pillow.
A travel blanket according to claim 3 wherein the pillow is inflatable.
A travel blanket according to claim 4 wherein the headrest includes a hole through which a valve for the inflatable pillow extends to enable inflation and deflation of the inflatable pillow whilst in the pocket.
A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein the means for receiving the safety belt comprising an aperture through which the safety belt can pass.
A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein the means for receiving the safety belt comprises a loop through which the safety belt can pass.
A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein the headrest includes at least one layer of wadding.
9. A travel blanket according to any preceding claim including a handle.
10. A travel blanket according to any preceding claim including at least one connector for holding the travel blanket in a stowed configuration.
11. A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein the cover is attached to the back along a lower edge and at least part of a side edge to provide a pocket for a user's legs.
12. A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein the blanket is formed from a synthetic fleece or cotton fabric.
13. A travel blanket according to any preceding claim wherein edges of the blanket are hemmed.
14. A travel blanket according to claim 13 wherein the hem may be stitched in different colour to that of the blanket.