US20010032357A1

US20010032357A1 - User embracing body and mattress cover

Info

Publication number: US20010032357A1
Application number: US09/732,146
Authority: US
Inventors: Dinah Fuentes; Gladys Garcia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-10
Filing date: 2000-12-07
Publication date: 2001-10-25

Abstract

A body cover for a bed mattress includes a sheet of flexible material having a sheet upper surface and a sheet longitudinal axis, dividing the sheet into two lateral regions; two lateral edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each lateral edge extending adjacent to one of the sheet lateral regions; a head region at a first end of the sheet and a head edge adjacent to the head region; a foot region at a second end of the sheet and a foot edge adjacent to the foot region; and an arm portion extending laterally from one of the lateral regions beyond the adjacent the lateral edge; so that the body cover creates a visual impression of a represented individual. The arm portion edge preferably is shaped and preferably is marked on both side of the sheets to resemble the configuration of an appendage of the represented individual.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sleeping equipment including beds, sleeping bags, sheets, blankets and comforters. More specifically the present invention relates to a body cover including a sheet of flexible material having a longitudinal axis along which the user reclines and two lateral edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each lateral edge extending adjacent to a sheet lateral region, a head edge adjacent to a sheet head region and a foot edge adjacent to a sheet foot region. Each lateral region includes an arm portion extending laterally from or adjacent to its lateral edge, each arm portion having a remote end. The arm portions are shaped or marked to resemble arms or legs of a represented individual such as a person or an animal, or a cartoon character and are wrapped over the top of and around the user, creating the sense in the user of being embraced by the represented individual. The arm portion remote ends preferably include fastener means such as hook and loop fasteners which removably join the arm portions together to hold them engaged around the user. The lateral edges are either folded down around and underneath the edges of a mattress on which the cover may rest, or remain loose so that the lateral regions together with the arm portions are wrapped over the top of the user. Alternatively the sheet is a cushion or pad so that the cover functions as a sleeping bag. The head region preferably includes a pillow removably secured to the upper surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have long been covers such as sheets and blankets for placing the body of a person resting in a bed, and sleeping bags for supporting and covering a person reclining on a surface other than a bed. These covers have served to retain body heat and prevent exposure, and some have been decorated with ornamental patterns and cartoon images. Yet the designs of these covers have fallen short of creating the sense and illusion of actually being embraced by a character represented on the decorated surface, and thus providing a warm response and a sense of security, particularly in children.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a body cover which includes a representation of a living or hypothetical individual, such as a person in the form of a movie star, an animal or a cartoon character, having lateral appendages configured to resemble the arms of the individual for wrapping around a person reclining on the cover to create the sense and illusion of being embraced by the represented individual.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cover which includes fastening means on the lateral appendages to hold them in place as they embrace the person.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a cover which includes a pillow fixed against substantial movement relative to the cover and thus against substantial movement relative to the embraced user, so that the pillow does not cover the face of an infant user and diminishes the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the pillow including a representation of a represented individual's head.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a cover which keeps a child covered throughout the night, provides an easy transition for the child from sleeping in a crib to sleeping in a bed, which prevents a child from falling off a bunk bed or baby change table, which comforts a child afraid of the dark or of being alone, and for which the pillow stays on the bed.

It is a still additional object of the present invention to provide such a cover which can take the form of a blanket, a quilt, a comforter, a bedsheet, linens, a towel or a fur cover, which can be designed to fit any size bed, bunk bed, crib, baby change table, baby bassinet, or sleeping bag.

It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a cover which is comfortable and economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification.

A body cover is provided, including a sheet of flexible material having a sheet upper surface and a sheet longitudinal axis, dividing the sheet into two lateral regions; two lateral edges extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each lateral edge extending adjacent to one of the sheet lateral regions; a head region at a first end of the sheet and a head edge adjacent to the head region; a foot region at a second end of the sheet and a foot edge adjacent to the foot region; and an arm portion extending laterally from one of the lateral regions beyond the adjacent the lateral edge; so that the body cover creates a visual impression of a represented individual.

The arm portion of the body cover preferably is connected to and extends from a lateral edge of the at least one lateral region. Each of the lateral edges preferably is configured to represent the lateral contour of the represented individual. The arm portion has an arm portion edge and the arm portion edge preferably is shaped and preferably is marked to resemble the configuration of an appendage of the represented individual on both sides of said arm portions.

The body cover preferably includes two of the arm portions, one of the arm portions extending from each of the lateral edges, which are removable and re-attachable from the lateral edges of the sheet with hook and loop fasteners, and one of the arm portions preferably extends laterally from and beyond each of the lateral regions and the arm portions preferably include a fastener for releasibly joining the arm portions together while the arm portions wrap around a user body.

The sheet of flexible material optionally includes a cushion extending substantially the length and width of the sheet; so that the cover defines and functions as a sleeping bag. The body cover preferably additionally includes a pillow removably secured relative to the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material. The pillow optionally is removably secured to the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material at the head region. In this instance, the pillow preferably includes a representation of the head of the represented individual. The body cover preferably additionally includes a pillow pocket secured to the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material and a pillow contained within the pillow pocket. The pillow pocket preferably is secured to the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material at the head region. The pillow preferably is removably contained within the pillow pocket. In this instance the pillow pocket preferably includes a representation of the head of the represented individual. Alternatively, the upper surface of the sheet of flexible material includes a representation of the head of the represented individual. In all of these instances, the representation of the head of the represented individual optionally includes pigments on the upper surface of the flexible sheet. In all of these instances, the pillow preferably is rounded to resemble the shape of the head of the represented individual on both sides of said pillow.

A method is provided of using the body cover described above, including the steps of the user lying on top of the sheet of flexible material substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sheet, and placing the user head on the head region; and wrapping at least one of the arm portions over the top of and around the user body. The method preferably includes the additional step of securing one said arm portion to the other arm portion with the arm portion fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: [0017]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive cover, showing hook and loop arm fastener patches at portion ends for removably holding the arms wrapped around a child. [0018]
FIG. 2 is a view of another embodiment of the cover in the form of a fitted sheet, shown fitted over a mattress, and having the hook and loop arm fastener patches of FIG. 1 and having the optional character foot markings at the foot end of the cover. [0019]
FIG. 3 is a view as in FIG. 2, with the arm portion free ends disconnected from each other and spread outwardly to the sides of the mattress. [0020]
FIG. 4 is a top view of a bird embodiment of the inventive cover, where the arm portions take the equivalent form of bird's wings. [0021]
FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the cover, for which the side regions are removed at the head region so that the head is not covered by the cover when the cover is wrapped around the child. [0022]
FIG. 6 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 5, shown wrapped such as to embrace a child, with the arm portion fasteners engaged, and showing how the head region remains uncovered. [0023]
FIG. 7 is a top view of the cover as in FIG. 5, but containing padding to function as a sleeping bag. [0024]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover having the character face representation marked on the pillow. [0025]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover showing the optional pillow pocket and pillow. [0026]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the head region of a cover, having a character face representation marked in place of a pillow. [0027]
FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 5, showing arm portions, head portion and pillow which are removable and re-attachable with hook and loop fasteners.[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. [0029]
Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals. [0030]

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. [0031] 1-11, a body cover 10 is disclosed including a sheet 12 of flexible material having a longitudinal axis L along and onto which the user reclines and two lateral edges 36 and 38 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L, each lateral edge 36 or 38 extending adjacent to a sheet lateral region 26 or 28, a head edge 32 adjacent to a sheet head region 22 and a sheet foot edge 34 adjacent to a sheet foot region 24.
Each [0032] lateral region 26 and 28 includes an arm portion 46 and 48 extending laterally from its respective lateral edge 36 or 38 and being either removably or permanently connected to the lateral edge or to the upper or lower surface of the corresponding lateral region 26 or 28 adjacent to the lateral edge. If arm portions 46 and 48 are to be connected removably to the lateral regions 26 and 28, hook and loop fastener patches 54 preferably are secured to the arm portions and lateral region upper or lower surfaces, as shown in FIG. 11; and if arm portions 46 and 48 are connected permanently, conventional sewn connections preferably are used. Arm portions 46 and 48 are shaped or marked to resemble arms or legs of a living or imaginary represented individual such as a person, an animal or a cartoon character, and are wrapped over the top of and around the reclining user, creating a sense in the user of being embraced by the represented individual. Arm portions 46 and 48 may be narrow or may be wide, defining flaps, or where the represented individual is a bird, arm portions 46 and 48 may be shaped or marked to define wings on both sides of said arm portions. See FIG. 4. The term “arm portions” will, for purposes of this application, be understood to include all of these configurations, including wings. Lateral edges 36 and 38 are optionally configured to match the side contours of the represented individual, so that the open cover 10 defines an approximate silhouette of the represented individual. Arm portions 46 and 48 include arm remote ends 46 a and 46 b, respectively, having mating fastening means 60 such as corresponding hook and loop fastener patches or snap fastener halves which removably join the free ends of arm portions 46 and 48 together to hold them releasibly engaged around the user. Lateral regions 26 and 28 are either folded down, around the sides of and underneath a mattress M on which the cover 10 and user rest. Alternatively, lateral regions 26 and 28 remain loose so that regions 26 and 28 as well as arm portions 46 or 48 are wrapped over the top of the reclined user. See FIGS. 5 and 6. Sheet 12 may contain a cushion 52 so that cover 10 functions as a sleeping bag 50. See FIG. 7. So that lateral regions 26 and 28 do not wrap over the face of the user, for these versions sheet head region 22 is cut to be narrower than the remainder of sheet 12, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIG. 7. Head region 22 also is optionally separable for providing a choice of various different represented individual face images and head region 22 outer edge shapes. The head region is removably attached with fastener means, such as hook and loop fastener patches as arm regions 26 and 28 optionally are. The head region 22 preferably includes a pillow 62 removably secured to the sheet 12 upper surface such as with hook and loop fasteners. See FIGS. 1-8. The pillow 62 preferably has the shape and painted or embroidered features of a head and face of the represented individual, defining a face representation 68. A foot or paw representation 72 may be sewn or otherwise added to the sheet foot region 24, and hand or paw representations 74 may be sewn or otherwise added to arm portions 46 and 48. See FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, a pillow case-sized and shaped pocket 64 is sewn to the sheet 12 upper surface at the head region 22 for receiving, preferably removably, and retaining an unadorned pillow 66. See FIG. 9. In this latter instance, pocket 64 preferably has the shape and painted or embroidered features of the head and representation 68 of the face of the represented individual. The inserted pillow 62 may be a generally conventional round pillow, sized to fit snugly into pocket 64 to fill out pocket 64 to take the general shape of the head of the represented individual. Still alternatively, the pillow 62 includes the painted or embroidered pigments simulating the head and producing the face representation 68, and pocket 64 is transparent. Whether pillow 62 itself, or pillow pocket 64, is styled to represent the head of the represented individual, the pillow 62 or pocket 64 serves the dual purpose of comfortably supporting the head of the user and of creating the sense of being embraced head to head by the represented individual. A lower cost variation of cover 10 omits the pillow 62 or 66 and replaces it with a painted or embroidered representation 68 of a face on the head region 22 upper surface. See FIG. 10.
It is contemplated that markings on the cover suggesting a represented individual are optionally printed on both faces of the [0033] sheet 12, so that the same or a different represented individual is displayed simply by inverting the cover 10. For this variation, it is preferred that the pillow 62 or 66 be removable and attachable to the upturned face of the sheet head region 22 with hook and loop fasteners, as above described. It is noted generally that the several above-described embodiments might rest on a bed, a chair, the floor, or the ground.

Method

In practicing the invention, the following method may be used. The user lies on top of the [0034] cover 10, generally along the longitudinal axis L of cover 10 with the user head at head region 22. Then the reclined user wraps at least one and preferably both of the arm portions 46 and 48 over the top of the user and preferably secures the arm portion 46 or 48 to the other arm portion 48 or 46 with fastening means 60. Optionally, where lateral regions 26 and 28 are not anchored underneath a mattress, the lateral regions 26 and 28 as well as the attached arm portions 46 and 48 are wrapped over the top of the reclined user, embracing and enclosing the user generally in the manner of a cocoon.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended. [0035]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A body cover, comprising:

a sheet of flexible material;

a head region at a first end of said sheet;

a foot region at a second end of said sheet;

two lateral edges of the sheet substantially parallel to each other and extending between the head and foot regions; and

arm portions extending laterally beyond the lateral edges.

2. The body cover of

claim 1

, which further comprises indicia to create a visual impression of a represented individual.

3. The body cover of

claim 2

, wherein each lateral edge is configured to represent a lateral contour of the represented individual.

4. The body cover of

claim 2

, wherein each arm portion has an arm portion edge shaped to resemble a configuration of an appendage of the represented individual.

5. The body cover of

claim 2

, wherein at least one arm portion further comprises indicia that resembles the configuration of an appendage of the represented individual.

6. The body cover of

claim 1

, wherein the arm portions further comprise fastener means for releasibly joining the arm portions together when the arm portions wrap around a user body.

7. The body cover of

claim 1

, wherein the sheet of flexible material further comprises a cushion extending substantially the length and width of the sheet;

such that the cover defines and functions as a sleeping bag.

8. The body cover of

claim 1

, additionally comprising:

a pillow removably secured relative to an upper surface of the sheet at the head region.

9. The body cover of

claim 1

, additionally comprising a pillow pocket secured to the sheet and a pillow contained within the pillow pocket.

10. The body cover of

claim 9

, wherein the pillow is removably contained within the pillow pocket.

11. The body cover of

claim 8

, wherein the pillow comprises a representation of a head of a represented individual.

12. The body cover of

claim 9

, wherein the pillow pocket comprises a representation of a head of a represented individual.

13. The body cover of

claim 1

, wherein an upper surface of the sheet comprises a representation of a head of a represented individual.

14. The body cover of

claim 13

, wherein the representation of the head of the represented individual further comprises pigments on an upper surface of the sheet.

15. The body cover of

claim 2

in which different indicia may be on either side of the sheet.

16. The body cover of

claim 15

in which the sheet is reversible.

17. The body cover of

claim 11

, wherein the pillow is rounded to resemble a shape of the head of the represented individual.

18. The body cover of

claim 12

, wherein the pillow is rounded to resemble the shape of the head of the represented individual.

19. A method of using a body cover having a sheet of flexible material with a head region at a first end of the sheet and a foot region at a second end of the sheet, having two lateral edges of the sheet substantially parallel to each other and extending between the head and foot regions, and with arm portions extending laterally beyond the lateral edges, comprising the steps of:

a user lying on top of the sheet of flexible material placing the user's head and feet respectively on the head and foot regions; and

wrapping at least one of the arm portions over the top of and around the user's body.

20. The method of

claim 20

comprising the additional step of:

securing one arm portion to the other arm portion with arm portion fastening means.