Backpack/pillow assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved backpack assembly configured for multiple uses. The backpack assembly includes a compressible foam material enclosed within one or both of its front and rear panels, and it further includes a blanket support structure for releasably attaching a blanket. The backpack assembly thereby is specially adapted for use by a user, especially a child who is traveling, for convenient use in carrying various articles for work and play, e.g., books and toys, as well as a blanket and pillow for use while napping or resting.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A backpack assembly comprising:
 a pouch having a front panel and a rear panel secured to each other along a lower edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge, forming an interior compartment and an open upper end;   a strap assembly secured to the pouch and configurable to define left and right shoulder straps sized to receive a user's arms, with the pouch supported on the user's back;   wherein one or both of the pouch's front and rear panels includes a compressible pillow, to enable the backpack assembly to function as a head pillow when not being supported on a user's back;   a blanket sized and configured to be rolled or folded into a compact form; and   a blanket support mounted at or near the pouch's lower edge and configured to carry the blanket.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the strap assembly comprises a single elongate strap. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the backpack assembly further comprises left and right bracket rings mounted at spaced-apart locations along the upper edge of the front panel; and the single elongate strap of the strap assembly attaches at its two ends to the pouch at or near the pouch's lower edge, adjacent the pouch's left and right side edges, with a mid-portion of the single elongate strap extending through the left and right bracket rings.   
     
     
         4 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the strap assembly is configurable as a single loop by extending the portion of the single elongate strap located between the left and right bracket rings, whereby the backpack assembly can be carried over just one of a user's shoulders. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising a releasable closure secured to the upper end of the pouch, for use in selectably closing the interior compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the releasable closure comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear panels of the pouch each include a compressible pillow extending over substantially the panel's entire extent. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the compressible pillows of the front and rear panels each are sealed within the panel. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blanket support comprises a blanket pouch sized to receive and store and blanket and configured to have a closable opening. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the blanket pouch comprises a zipper for closing the closable opening. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blanket support comprises a plurality of blanket straps configured to wrap around and carry the blanket. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of blanket straps comprises a releasable fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the releasable fastener of each of the plurality of blanket straps includes a releasable snap fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear panels of the pouch comprise sections of fabric that are sewn to each other at the pouch's lower edge, left side edge, and right side edge. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising one or more pockets mounted on the front panel of the pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The backpack assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the backpack assembly is free of a rigid support structure. 
     
     
         17 . A backpack assembly comprising:
 a main pouch having a front panel and a rear panel secured to each other along a lower edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge, forming an interior compartment and an open upper end;   a strap assembly secured to the main pouch and comprising a single elongate strap and left and right bracket rings mounted at spaced-apart locations along an upper edge of the front panel, wherein the single elongate strap attaches at its two ends to the main pouch at or near the pouch's lower edge, adjacent the pouch's left and right side edges, with a mid-portion of the single elongate strap extending through the left and right bracket rings;   wherein the strap assembly is configurable to define left and right shoulder straps sized to receive a user's arms, with the main pouch supported on the user's back, by extending the sections of the elongate strap located between its two ends and the left and right bracket rings;   wherein the strap assembly further is configurable to define a single loop by extending the portion of the single elongate strap located between the left and right bracket rings, whereby the backpack assembly can be carried over just one of the user's shoulders;   wherein one or both of the main pouch's front and rear panels includes a compressible pillow, to enable the backpack assembly to function as a head pillow when not being supported on a user's back;   a blanket sized and configured to be rolled or folded into a compact form; and   a blanket pouch mounted at or near the main pouch's lower edge and configured to have a closable opening, wherein the blanket pouch further is sized and configured to carry the blanket   and wherein the backpack assembly is free of a rigid support structure.