Football with Blanket Inside

Abstract

A toy product comprising a soft, plush football having a removable blanket contained therein such that the football, when stuffed with a blanket, is approximately the same size, shape, and weight as a real football, and is therefore, capable of being used as a typical football, but safer for children. At a picnic, or “tailgate,” the football can be unzipped to reveal the blanket, which can be used to keep the user warm and protected from the elements, The football of the present invention has been designed so that the blanket functions, in part, much as air would function in an actual football—to occupy the interior space of the football so that it is aerodynamic and can be used to play the game or toss the ball back and forth. The invention described herein may also be used as a novelty item or promotional product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy, comprising:
 a. a prolate spheroid shell defining a major axis, the prolate spheroid shell having opposite distal ends and an eccentricity substantially equivalent to that of an American football, the prolate spheroid shell having a first top panel, a second top panel, a first bottom panel, and a second bottom panel, connected together to define a cavity, the first top panel and second top panel laced together via a first longitudinal lace being affixed along at least a portion of the first top panel, and a second longitudinal lace being affixed along at least a portion of the second top panel and adjacent to the first longitudinal lace, wherein a plurality of transverse cross-laces perpendicular to the first longitudinal lace and the second longitudinal lace serve to join the first top panel and the second top panel, wherein the first and second top panels and the first and second bottom panels define an outer surface and an interior surface opposite the outer surface, the outer surface comprising a soft, pliable material, and the interior surface comprising an interior lining fastened to the interior surface and generally ,  coextensive with the interior surface, the interior lining comprising a pliable material;   b. a zipper spanning substantially from one distal end to the opposite distal end and connecting the first bottom panel to the second bottom panel; and   c. a blanket sized to substantially occupy the cavity defined by the first and second top panels and the first and second bottom panels.   
     
     
         2 . The by of  claim 1 , wherein when the blanket is stuffed inside the cavity, the toy looks substantially similar to and weighs substantially the same as a standard American football. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of one end of the blanket is connected to a portion of the interior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 3 , wherein the blanket is detachably connected to a portion of the interior surface. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 4 , wherein the interior surface of the prolate spheroid shell comprises a weatherproof material. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5 , wherein one side of the blanket comprises a second weatherproof material. 
     
     
         7 . A toy, comprising:
 a. a prolate spheroid shell having opposite distal ends and an eccentricity substantially equivalent to that of an American football that defines a major axis, the prolate spheroid shell having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface defining a cavity, wherein the prolate spheroid shell comprises a pair of edges that define an opening into the cavity;   b. a fastener operatively connected to the pair of edges to close the opening;   c. a longitudinal lace affixed along at least a portion of the first surface;   d. a plurality of transverse cross-laces perpendicular to the longitudinal lace each transverse cross-lace intermittently spaced apart along the longitudinal lace; and   e. a blanket sized to substantially occupy the cavity defined by the second surface sufficiently to cause the soft, pliable material to be taut.   
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of one end of the blanket is connected to a portion of the second surface. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 7 , Therein the blanket is detachably connected to a portion of the second surface. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the second surface of the prolate spheroid shell comprises a weatherproof material. 
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface comprises a soft, pliable material. 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 11 , wherein the soft, pliable material is non-elastic. 
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein one side of the blanket comprises a second weatherproof material. 
     
     
         14 . The by of  claim 7 , wherein when the blanket is stuffed inside the cavity, the toy looks substantially similar to and weighs substantially the same as a standard American football. 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a toy in the shape of a football defining a cavity configured to receive a blanket, comprising:
 a. connecting a plurality of lens-shaped panels to form a prolate spheroid-shaped shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a cavity two lens-shaped panels define an opening to provide access to the cavity; and   b. providing a blanket sized to be stuffed into the cavity, wherein when the blanket is stuffed inside the prolate spheroid-shaped shell, the prolate spheroid-shaped shell looks substantially similar to, and weighs substantially the same as, a standard American football.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising connecting a portion of the blanket to a portion of the prolate spheroid-shaped shell adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising connecting a portion of the blanket to a portion of the prolate spheroid-shaped shell adjacent to the opening with a detachable fastener. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the interior surface comprises a lining. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lining is weatherproof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein one side of the blanket is weatherproof.