US20150305523A1

US20150305523A1 - Separable Blanket for Couples

Info

Publication number: US20150305523A1
Application number: US14/634,754
Authority: US
Inventors: Todd Zimmermann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2015-02-28
Publication date: 2015-10-29

Abstract

A couple's blanket used to cover a couple while sleeping, sitting on a couch, sitting in a sports stadium. The device has a left half and right half that are attachable along a centerline with one or two rows of buttons or other fasteners. The left and right halves are partially separable by unbuttoning one or more of the buttons. Typically, the left and right halves are sewed together over a small region at the bottom to keep the parts from totally separating. This prevents a mix-up as to which is left or right or top or bottom. The width and length of the blanket or cover can be sized to fit a double bed, queen-size bed or a king-size bed, couch or any other system. Optionally, the left and right halves each can have a unique monogram or sports logo.

Description

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/945,962 filed Feb. 28, 2014. Application Ser. No. 61/945,962 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to blankets for queen, double or king sized beds and more particularly to a couple's blanket that is partially or totally separable.
2. Description of the Problem Solved
Blankets are common for queen, double or king sized beds designed for two people sleeping. The problem is that a single large blanket is not good for most couples. Research shows that temperatures that interrupt sleep vary from person to person, but that in most cases temperatures below 54 degrees F. and above 75 degrees F. will interrupt sleep. Research also shows that each party of a couple generally has quite different temperature requirements during sleep, with one partner tending to be cold and the other tending to be hot. In fact, one of the partners is normally a “heat seeking partner”.
Being too cold or too hot can cause poor sleep or lack of sleep in either or both partners. It is well known that lack of sleep can lead to accidents, serious health problems, reduction in sex drive, depression, forgetfulness and weight loss. While electric blankets, even those with dual controls known in the art, can control temperature to some extent, they require plugging into an electrical supply (which could in some rare cases be dangerous), and they can only provide an increase in temperature, not a decrease. If a partner is too warm, an electric blanket is of little help.
It would be advantageous to have non-electric blanket that could be separately adjustable for each sleep partner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a covering device like a blanket used to cover a couple while sleeping, sitting on a couch, sitting in a sports stadium or the like. The device typically has a left half and right half that are attachable along a centerline with one or two rows of buttons or other fasteners. The left and right halves are partially or totally separable by unbuttoning one or more of the buttons or fasteners. Typically, the left and right halves are sewed together over a small region at the bottom to keep the parts from totally separating. This acts as a hinge and keeps the device intact by preventing a mix-up as to which is left or right or top or bottom. The preferred buttons are soft buttons. The width and length of the blanket or cover can be sized to fit a double bed, queen-size bed, king-size bed, couch or any other system. Optionally, the left and right halves each can have a unique monogram or sports logo.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is directed to several drawings that illustrate features of the present invention:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention buttoned together on a bed.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with half the blanket folded partially back on one side.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the half the blanket folded back on one side.

FIG. 4 shows locations of double buttons on particular embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the double buttons of FIG. 4 with one side partially folded back.

FIG. 6 shows a sewed area at the bottom of the blanket in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention used as a couple's sitting blanket.

FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 with one side partially folded back.

Several illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a couple's blanket that can be used efficiently on a double, queen or king sized bed, or any sleeping arrangement where a couple would sleep together. Alternatively, the blanket can be used as a couple's sitting blanket for watching television, listening to music or at sporting events. Embodiments of the invention include a blanket that is divided somewhere near the center into overlapping left and right halves. Several soft buttons can fasten the left half to the right half. Soft buttons are preferred so that they feel comfortable. Buttons can be in a single or double row along a partial length of the blanket. The preferred overlap between the two halves is around six inches; however, any overlap is within the scope of the present invention. As stated, the blanket can be divided from its top down to around ten inches from the bottom. While ten inches is preferred, different distances may be used including two completely divided pieces. The blanket can be stitched continuously at the bottom.

KEY TO FIGS.

1. Left half of blanket.
2. Right half of blanket.
3. Overlap section of blanket.
4. Buttons.
5. Bottom section of blanket
6. Sewed seam.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention with the two halves buttoned together and overlapped on a bed. The present invention does not have to be used only on a bed, but rather can be used on a couch, stadium seats or any other place where a couple may want to be totally or partially covered. The right half 2 overlaps the left half 1 toward the center in an overlapped region 3 that, as stated, can be about six inches wide. Buttons (not shown in FIG. 1) can hold the two halves together. While FIG. 1 shows the left half overlapping the right half, this is not critical and can be the opposite. While soft buttons are preferred, any fastening method may be used including zippers, loops, hook-loop material or any other fastening means. The bottom of the blanket 5 can have a connected region that typically is around ten inches.
FIG. 2 shows the present invention on a bed with the right half 2 folded toward the bottom thus allowing the partner on this side to be cooler than the other partner. This can be effected by simply unbuttoning some or all of the buttons.
Optionally, the blanket of the present invention can be supplied with two or more layers on each side to provide at least three levels of comfort. Also, optionally, each side of the blanket may be monogrammed with names like “His”, “Hers”, “Mom”, “Dad”, “Jack”, “Jill” and the like. Also, each side could include favorite sports logos.
FIG. 3 shows the present invention with the right half 2 totally folded down where one partner desires having almost no cover.
FIG. 4 shows details of buttons 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, two rows of buttons are shown used. Buttons or other fasteners can be used in one, two or more rows from the top of the blanket to a point nearer the bottom. The buttons or fasteners can be in any desired arrangement.
FIG. 5 shows two rows of buttons with right half 2 of the blanked partially folded down.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with a lower section sewed 6 to both halves to act as a hinge or connection between the blanket halves 1, 2.
FIG. 7 shows a couple using an embodiment of the present invention to enjoy a movie or to watch television. In this figure, both individuals desire maximum coverage. The length of the blanket is typically long enough to cover from the shoulders down over the feet; however, any length is within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows the couple of FIG. 7 with one of the partners desiring maximum cover with the other partner desiring less cover by partially separating their half and pulling it down.
The couple's blanket of the present invention can be made from any material with standard wool or synthetic blanket material being preferred.
It should be noted that while the embodiments shown in the figures are sewed or otherwise attached at the bottom, or are part of one continuous piece that has been partially cut, it is also within the scope of the present invention to have the two halves be totally separable.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A couple's blanket with top and bottom ends comprising a left half and a right half, the left and right halves divided near a centerline with an overlap region between the left and right halves from the top to a fixed distance from the bottom end, the left and right halves attachable with a plurality of fasteners in said overlap region, the left and right halves sewed to each other over said fixed distance near the bottom end.

2. The couple's blanket of claim 1 wherein the buttons fasteners are soft buttons.

3. The couple's blanket of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fasteners forms two rows.

4. The couple's blanket of claim 1 also having width and length, the width and length adapted to fit a double bed, queen-size bed or a king-size bed.

5. A couple's blanket having a length and width with top, middle and bottom sections comprising two halves removably attachable together longitudinally along a majority of the length, wherein the blanket is adapted to allow one of the halves to be disconnected from the other half at the top, at the top and middle, or at the top, middle and bottom; and wherein a bottom portion of the two halves are fixedly attached to one-another.

6. The blanket of claim 5 wherein the two halves are removably attached to one-another with soft buttons at the top, middle and bottom.

7. The blanket of claim 5 wherein the bottom portion of the two halves are sewed to one-another.

8. The blanket of claim 5 wherein the length and width are adapted to fit a double bed, queen-size bed or a king-size bed.

9. The blanket of claim 5 wherein each of the two halves has a unique monogram.

10. The blanket of claim 5 wherein each of the two halves has a unique sports logo.

11. A covering device configured to cover a couple while sleeping, sitting on a couch or sitting in a sports stadium, the device comprising in combination a left and right half attachable along a centerline with a plurality of buttons, the left and right halves partially separable by unbuttoning one or more of the buttons.

12. The covering device of claim 11 wherein the buttons are soft buttons.

13. The covering device of claim 11 wherein the left and right halves are fixedly attached to one-another at a bottom end.

14. The covering device of claim 11 also having width and length, the width and length adapted to fit a double bed, queen-size bed or a king-size bed.

15. The covering device of claim 11 wherein the left and right halves each has a unique monogram.

16. The covering device of claim 11 wherein the left and right halves each has a unique sports logo.