Combination carrying pack and blanket and pillow

Abstract

The present invention comprises a blanket and pillow that can be easily converted into a backpack. When configured as a blanket, the device can be secured to the child's legs and the shoulder straps can be used as a pillow. To convert the device into a backpack, side portions are zipped against the side walls of the blanket portion, and a sack is created. A flap can open and close, and the flap is preferably secured with a hook-and-loop type fastening material. When in the backpack configuration, the device remains secure on the child. The device is intended for children, and as such, may include a fanciful animal head plush toy incorporated at the front, a plush animal tail in the rear, and animal paws around the waist when configured as a backpack.

1 . A combination backpack, blanket and pillow comprising:
 a flexible web that includes a generally rectangular blanket portion having two side edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the flexible web further including two side panels each fixed with one of the side edges of the blanket portion proximate the top edge of the blanket portion, each side panel having a first part of a first two-part fastener around a peripheral edge thereof, a second part of the first two-part fastener fixed along the adjacent side edge of the blanket portion, the top edge and the bottom edge of the blanket portion each including one part of a second two-part fastener;   a pair of shoulder straps each having a proximal end fixed with the top edge of the blanket portion and terminating at a distal end with a first part of a third two-part fastener, each shoulder strap having a padded portion;   a pair of lateral straps each having a proximal end fixed with one of the side edges of the blanket portion proximate the bottom edge thereof and terminating at a distal end with a second part of the third two-part fastener;   whereby with the first and second parts of each two-part fastener mutually unfastened, the flexible web and straps may be configured into a substantially flat blanket configuration wherein the padded portion of each shoulder strap may be used as a pillow, and with the first and second parts of each two-part fastener mutually fastened, the flexible web and straps may be configured into a backpack configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the rectangular blanket portion and two side panels are integrally formed with the flexible web. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein each strap is non-removably fixed with the blanket portion. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the first two-part fastener is a zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the second and third two-part fasteners are hook-and-loop type fastening material. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein a front side of the blanket portion includes a pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the front side of the blanket portion includes a plush toy animal head projecting away therefrom. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein the blanket portion further includes a plush animal tail fixed thereto proximate the bottom edge thereof and projecting away therefrom. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein each distal end of each strap terminates with a padded paw-shaped cushion. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein a rear surface of the blanket portion further includes a selectively openable water-impervious bag selectively fixed therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein each lateral strap includes a length adjustment buckle, such that the length of each lateral strap may be adjusted. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the flexible web is made from a soft textile material. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein each strap includes at least one elastic portion. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of one of the lateral straps terminates with the first part of the third two-part fastener, and wherein the distal end of the other of the lateral straps terminates with the second part of the third two-part fastener, such that when the combination is in the blanket configuration, the lateral straps may be mutually secured together behind a user's legs, thereby maintaining the position of the blanket portion of the combination on the user.