Convertible cushion and method of using same

Abstract

A convertible cushion comprising a flexible body having first and second surfaces bordered by a perimeter wherein the flexible body exhibits a longitudinal centerline that bisects the flexible body into first and second sides; first releasable fastening means disposed on the flexible body for retaining the flexible body in a folded configuration; and second releasable fastening means disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible body for retaining the flexible body in a sleeping configuration when the flexible body is folded along the longitudinal centerline. The cushion may also be converted into a blanket and a parka.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A convertible cushion comprising: 
 a flexible body having first and second surfaces bordered by a perimeter, said flexible body exhibiting a longitudinal centerline that bisects said flexible body into a first side and a second side;    first releasable fastening means disposed on said flexible body for retaining said flexible body in a folded configuration; and    second releasable fastening means disposed about at least a portion of said perimeter of said flexible body for retaining said flexible body in a sleeping configuration when said flexible body is folded along said longitudinal centerline.    
     
     
         2 . The convertible cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said first releasable fastening means comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         3 . The convertible cushion of  claim 2 , wherein said first zipper includes a first interlocking track disposed on said first side of said second surface and a second interlocking track disposed on said second side of said second surface, 
 said first interlocking track having first, second, and third contiguous portions wherein said first and third contiguous portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said second contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced a first distance from said longitudinal centerline between said first and third contiguous portions,    said second interlocking track having fourth, fifth, and sixth contiguous portions wherein said fourth and sixth contiguous portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said fifth contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced said first distance from said longitudinal centerline between said fourth and sixth contiguous portions; and    such that when said first zipper is engaged, said first contiguous portion interlocks with said third contiguous portion, said second contiguous portion interlocks with said fifth contiguous portion, and said third contiguous portion interlocks with said sixth contiguous portion.    
     
     
         4 . The convertible cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said second releasable fastening means comprises a zipper.  
     
     
         5 . The convertible cushion of  claim 4 , wherein said second zipper includes a third interlocking track disposed on said first side of flexible body and a fourth interlocking track disposed on said second side of flexible body, 
 said third interlocking track having first and second contiguous portions wherein said first contiguous portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said second contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal centerline,    said fourth interlocking track having third and fourth contiguous portions wherein said third contiguous portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said fourth contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal centerline,    such that when said second zipper is engaged, said first contiguous portion interlocks with said third contiguous portion and said second contiguous portion interlocks with said fourth contiguous portion.    
     
     
         6 . The convertible cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible body further comprises an opening extending through said flexible body for admitting the head of said individual when in a parka configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The convertible cushion of  claim 6 , further comprising means for releasably sealing said opening.  
     
     
         8 . The convertible cushion of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a pocket disposed on said first surface proximate said opening in said flexible body, said pocket having a pocket opening;    a hood coupled to said pocket; and    means, coupled to each of said pocket and said first surface, for releasably sealing said pocket opening, wherein said hood is stowed in said pocket when said cushion is in said folded configuration, and said hood is removable from said pocket when said cushion is converted to said parka.    
     
     
         9 . The convertible cushion of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible body comprises an insulation layer interposed between first and second moisture repellant layers.  
     
     
         10 . The convertible cushion of  claim 9 , wherein said insulation layer comprises a polyethylene foam material.  
     
     
         11 . A convertible cushion comprising: 
 a flexible body having first and second surfaces bordered by a perimeter when in an unfolded configuration, said flexible body exhibiting a longitudinal centerline that bisects said first surface into a first side and a second side;    a first zipper disposed on said second surface for retaining said flexible body when in a folded configuration which defines said cushion, said first zipper including a first interlocking track disposed on said first side on said second surface and a second interlocking track disposed on said second side on said second surface; 
 said first interlocking track having first, second, and third contiguous portions wherein said first and third contiguous portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said second contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced a first distance from said longitudinal centerline between said first and third contiguous portions;  
 said second interlocking track having fourth, fifth, and sixth contiguous portions wherein said fourth and sixth contiguous portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said fifth contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced said first distance from said longitudinal centerline between said fourth and sixth contiguous portions; and  
 such that when said first zipper is engaged, said first contiguous portion interlocks with said third contiguous portion, said second contiguous portion interlocks with said fifth contiguous portion, and said third contiguous portion interlocks with said sixth contiguous portion;  
   a second zipper disposed about at least a portion of said perimeter of said flexible body for retaining said flexible when said flexible body is folded along said longitudinal centerline to define a sleeping configuration, said second zipper including a third interlocking track disposed on said first side of flexible body and a fourth interlocking track disposed on said second side of flexible body; 
 said third interlocking track having first and second contiguous portions wherein said first contiguous portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said second contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced a second distance from said longitudinal centerline;  
 said fourth interlocking track having third and fourth contiguous portions wherein said third contiguous portion is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline and said fourth contiguous portion is oriented substantially parallel to and displaced said second distance from said longitudinal centerline;  
 such that when said second zipper is engaged, said first contiguous portion interlocks with said third contiguous portion and said second contiguous portion interlocks with said fourth contiguous portion.  
   
     
     
         12 . The convertible cushion of  claim 11 , wherein said flexible body comprises an insulation layer interposed between first and second moisture repellant layers.  
     
     
         13 . The convertible cushion of  claim 12 , wherein said insulation layer comprises a polyethylene foam material.  
     
     
         14 . The convertible cushion of  claim 13 , wherein said polyethylene foam material exhibits floatation properties thereby permitting an individual to use said cushion as a flotation device.  
     
     
         15 . The convertible cushion of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second moisture repellant layers comprise a nylon material.  
     
     
         16 . The convertible cushion of  claim 11 , wherein said flexible body further comprises an opening extending through said flexible body for admitting the head of said individual when in a parka configuration.  
     
     
         17 . The convertible cushion of  claim 16 , wherein said flexible body exhibits a length and a width, said length being greater than said width, and said opening is a slot oriented substantially parallel to said width.  
     
     
         18 . The convertible cushion of  claim 16 , further comprising means for releasably sealing said opening.  
     
     
         19 . The convertible cushion of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a pocket disposed on said first surface proximate said opening in said flexible body, said pocket having a pocket opening;    a hood coupled to said pocket; and    means, coupled to each of said pocket and said first surface, for releasably sealing said pocket opening, wherein said hood is stowed in said pocket when said cushion is in said folded configuration, and said hood is removable from said pocket when said cushion is converted to said parka.    
     
     
         20 . The convertible cushion of  claim 19 , wherein said pocket and said hood are formed from a moisture repellent material.  
     
     
         21 . The convertible cushion of  claim 11 , wherein said cushion further comprises a handle disposed on said second surface.  
     
     
         22 . The convertible cushion of  claim 2 , further comprising fastening means disposed on said second surface to create arm openings when said flexible body is in said parka configuration.