US20070180622A1

US20070180622A1 - Coloring pillow pad

Info

Publication number: US20070180622A1
Application number: US11/349,000
Authority: US
Inventors: James Zito
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-07
Filing date: 2006-02-07
Publication date: 2007-08-09

Abstract

A combination art pad and pillow system that allows one to comfortably write, draw, and/or color, while lying in a prone position, is provided. When not being used as an art pad, the art pad may be fully contained within the pillow and the pillow can simply be used for lying thereon. This system is portable and fully self-contained. The inventive art pad and pillow system includes a pillow having at least one cushion and a cover. At least one pocket having a predetermined size and shape is located within the cover. At least one opening is provided in the cover. This at least one opening is positioned adjacent the pocket. A foldable pad is positioned within the pocket. The pad is capable of being extended out of the pillow to form a flat surface for at least one of writing and/or coloring thereon.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a pillow and an art pad, and more particularly, to a portable, self-contained combination art pad and pillow system that allows one to comfortable write, draw, and/or color while lying in a prone position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children and adults alike enjoy drawing, coloring, and/or writing, oftentimes, as a relaxation technique, while lying in a prone position on the floor. In order to do this, they must gather all of the items necessary for comfortably performing these tasks. These items include a pillow, necessary writing implements, a tablet, coloring book, or other item on which to write and oftentimes an item having a hard surface, such as a pad or a book, to place underneath the item on which they are writing. This hard surfaced item is typically necessary to form a smooth writing surface, when one is lying on carpet or flooring having a rough surface, such as tile, wood, or concrete. Gathering of all of these items takes time and energy that can be better used for performing the enjoyable activity of drawing, coloring, or writing.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system that is a single, self-contained portable unit.
It is another object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system which allows one to comfortably write, draw and/or color while lying in a prone position.
It is another object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system that includes writing and/or coloring implements contained therein.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system that includes a writing surface formed integrally with the art pad.
It is still yet another object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system that includes a means for holding devices upon which writing and coloring can be completed.
It is another object of the invention to provide an art pad and pillow system that provides and attractive and comfortable pillow to can be used on the couch, floor and/or bed.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the forgoing objects, the invention comprises a combination art pad and pillow system that is portable and fully self-contained. This combination art pad and pillow system allows one to comfortably write, draw, and/or color while lying in a prone position. When not being used as an art pad, the pad may be fully contained within the pillow and the pillow can simply be used for lying thereon. The art pad and pillow system comprises a pillow having at least one cushion and a cover. At least one pocket having a predetermined size and shape is located within the cover. At least one opening is provided in the cover. This at least one opening is positioned adjacent the pocket. A foldable pad is positioned within the pocket. The pad is capable of being extended out of the pillow to form a flat and/or hard surface for at least one of writing and/or coloring thereon. The pad includes means for holding writing and/or coloring implements, as well as, means for holding at least one of a tablet, a coloring book, a chalkboard, a dry erase board, and paper. Additionally, the pad may include a dry erase surface and/or a chalkboard formed integrally therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the art pad/pillow system of the present invention wherein the art pad is folded within the pillow.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the art pad/pillow system of the present invention wherein the art pad is in an extended position.
FIG. 3 shows a view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1 showing the pad folded within the pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing the invention in detail, the reader is advised that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions have been marked where possible with the same reference numerals in each of the Figures provided in this document.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown the combination art pad and pillow system, generally indicated as 10, of the invention. The combination art pad/pillow system comprises a pillow 12 having at least one cushion 14 and a cover 16. The cover 16 can include any type of logo 17, such as a favorite sports team, cartoon character, and the like. The cover 16 can also be formed from any well-known material such as cotton, plush, and the like and can be formed of any color or color combination. At least one pocket 18 having a predetermined size and shape is located within the cover 16. At least one opening 20 is formed in the cover 16. This opening 20 is preferably positioned adjacent the pocket 18. A foldable art pad 22 is positioned within the pocket 18. This pad 22 is capable of being extended out of the pillow 12 through this opening 20 to form a flat and/or hard surface for at least one of writing and/or coloring thereon.
A closing means 24 is provided for closing the at least one opening 20 in the cover 16. This closing means 24 can be one of a zipper, buttons, snaps, and hook/loop fasteners. The closing means 24 may extend only along the one side of the cover 16 for closing the opening 20 adjacent to the pocket 18 or it may extend completely around all sides of the cushion 14.
The art pad 22 can include means for holding, generally indicated as 26, for holding writing and/or coloring implements 28. This means for holding 26 writing and/or coloring implements 28 comprises at least one first strap having a first 30 and second 32 end and a holding portion 34 extending there between. The first 30 and second 32 end is secured to the pad 22 such that the writing implements 28 may be held by the holding portion 34 during use and during storage of the pad 22 within the pillow 12. The first 30 and second 32 end of the means for holding 26, may be secured to the pad by any well known means such as gluing, sewing, fusing, and the like.
The pad 22 may also include means for holding, generally indicated 36, at least one of a tablet, a coloring book, a chalkboard, a dry erase board, paper and the like, generally indicated as 38. Similar to the writing implement holding means 26, this means for holding 36 articles for writing thereon comprises at least second strap having a first 40 and second 42 end and a holding portion 44 extending there between. The first and second end 40,42 are secured to the pad 22 such that the at least one of a tablet, a coloring book, a chalk board, a dry erase board and paper 38 may be held by the holding portion 44 during use thereof.
Additionally, the art pad 22 can include a dry erase surface 46 and/or a chalkboard 48 formed integrally therewith so that the user can write directly on the pad 22.
Means are provided for attaching the pad 22 to the pillow 12. This means can comprise an elastic strip 50 extending parallel with the pillow 12 and an end surface 52 of the pad 22.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the at least one cushion 14 can include a pocket 54 therein having a predetermined size and shape capable of holding and enclosing the pad 22 therein. Alternatively, the at least one cushion 14 comprises a pair of cushions 14A, 14B having a space 15 there between. This space 15 having a predetermined size and shape capable of holding and enclosing the pad 22 therein.
The pad 22 includes at least one rubber stopper 56 extending along at least one edge 58 of the pad 22 for preventing coloring and/or writing on a floor. Preferably, the at least one rubber stopper 56 extends parallel with the pillow 12 and the pair of holding means, 26, 36 as discussed above, extend along opposite edges 59,60 of the pad and perpendicular with the pillow 12 and the rubber stopper 56 to prevent coloring and/or writing on a floor.
The present invention provides a portable, fully contained pillow/art set combination that allows one to comfortably lie in a prone position on the floor to color, draw, and/or write at one's leisure.
The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A combination art pad and pillow system comprising:

(a) a pillow having at least one cushion and a cover;

(b) at least one pocket having a predetermined size and shape located within said cover;

(c) at least one opening in said cover, said opening being positioned adjacent said pocket; and

(d) a foldable pad positioned within said pocket, said pad capable of being extended out of said pillow to form a flat and/or hard surface for at least one of writing and/or coloring thereon.

2. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 including means for closing said at least one opening in said cover.

3. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for closing said at least one opening in said cover comprises one of a zipper, buttons, snaps, and hook/loop fasteners.

4. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes means for holding writing and/or coloring implements.

5. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for holding writing and/or coloring implements comprises at least one first strap having a first and second end and a holding portion extending there between, said first and second end being secured to said pad such that said writing implements may be held by said holding portion during use and during storage of said pad within said pillow.

6. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes means for holding at least one of a tablet, a coloring book, a chalkboard, a dry erase board, and paper.

7. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for holding comprises at least second strap having a first and second end and a holding portion extending there between, said first and second end being secured to said pad such that said at least one of a tablet, a coloring book, a chalk board, a dry erase board and paper may be held by said holding portion during use thereof.

8. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes a dry erase surface formed integrally therewith.

9. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes a chalkboard formed integrally therewith.

10. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 including means for attaching said pad to said pillow.

11. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for attaching said pad to said pillow comprises an elastic strip extending parallel with said pillow and an end surface of said pad.

12. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cover includes a zipper for securing it about said cushion.

13. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one cushion includes a pocket therein, said pocket having a predetermined size and shape capable of holding and enclosing said pad therein.

14. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one cushion comprises a pair of cushions having a space there between, said space having a predetermined size and shape capable of holding and enclosing said pad therein.

15. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes at least one rubber stopper extending along at least one edge of said pad for preventing coloring and/or writing on a floor.

16. A combination art pad and pillow system as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one rubber stopper extends parallel with said pillow and said pad further includes a pair of holding means extending along opposite edges of said pad and perpendicular with said pillow and said rubber stopper to prevent coloring and/or writing on a floor.