Multi-Functional, Convertible Blanket

Abstract

A multi-functional, convertible blanket that can be used in a blanket configuration or in a wrap configuration. An insulated blanket panel retains first and second hand-receiving structures, such as insulated pockets. Each pocket has a secondary opening between an entrance and an end such that a hand can be selectively retained within the pocket or passed at least partially through the secondary opening. A connected location disposed along the secondary opening can separate the secondary opening into first and second segments for separately receiving the thumbs and fingers of the wearer. An outer wall of each pocket can be formed by first and second overlapping panels with the secondary opening comprising a passage therebetween. An integrated storage pouch with first and second shells is fixed to the blanket panel for storing articles when in a retracted configuration and for storing the blanket panel when in an extended configuration.

We claim as deserving the protection of Letters Patent: 
     
         1 . A multi-functional, convertible blanket comprising:
 a blanket panel;   first and second pockets retained by the blanket panel wherein the first pocket is spaced from the second pocket with a portion of the blanket panel interposed between the first and second pockets, wherein each of the first and second pockets has an entrance opening, an inner volume, and an end, and wherein a secondary opening is disposed in each pocket between the entrance opening and the end;   whereby the convertible blanket can be used in a blanket configuration or in a wrap configuration; and   whereby a hand of a wearer can be caused to pass through the entrance opening of one of the first and second pockets and then selectively retained within the inner volume of the pocket or passed at least partially through the secondary opening of the pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pockets has a first wall and a second wall and wherein the secondary opening spans laterally across the first wall of each of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 2 , wherein the first walls of each of the first and second pockets has a localized width in alignment with the secondary opening and wherein the secondary opening spans across substantially the entire localized width in alignment with the secondary opening. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein each secondary opening has a length and further comprising a connected location along the secondary opening where the pocket is connected to separate the secondary opening into first and second segments. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 4 , wherein the first segment is smaller than the second segment. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second pockets has a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall comprises first and second panels, wherein the second panel overlaps the first panel over an overlapping portion, and wherein the secondary opening comprises a passage between the overlapping portion between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 6 , wherein the secondary opening spans laterally across the first wall of each of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 7 , wherein the first walls of each of the first and second pockets has a localized width in alignment with the secondary opening and wherein the secondary opening spans across substantially the entire localized width in alignment with the secondary opening. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 6 , wherein the blanket panel is rectangular, wherein the first and second pockets are retained to extend from corners of the blanket panel, wherein the first panel comprises a triangular panel fixed along legs thereof to the blanket panel to extend from corners of the blanket panel to form a distal portion of the pocket, and wherein the second panel comprises a band with mitered ends fixed to the blanket panel to form a proximal portion of the pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second panels of the first wall are formed with insulative material. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second panels have different thermal resistance values. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein each secondary opening has a length and further comprising a connected location where the outer wall is connected to separate the secondary opening into first and second segments. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 12 , wherein the first segment is smaller than the second segment. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein the blanket panel is rectangular, wherein the first and second pockets are retained to extend from first and second corners of the blanket panel, and further comprising a third pocket retained by the blanket panel wherein the third pocket extends from a third corner of the blanket panel and wherein the third pocket has an inner volume and an entrance opening, an end, and a secondary opening between the entrance and the end. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated storage pouch fixed to the blanket panel wherein the storage pouch has a first shell fixed to the blanket panel, wherein the first shell has an inner volume and a mouth, wherein the storage pouch has a second shell, and wherein the mouth is shared by the first shell and the second shell. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 15 , further comprising a double-sided zipper closure operable to close the mouth of the storage pouch selectively. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 1 , wherein the blanket panel is rectangular with opposed upper corners and opposed lower corners. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 17 , wherein the blanket panel is formed with one or more exterior layers that envelop one or more insulative central layers. 
     
     
         19 . A multi-functional, convertible blanket comprising:
 a blanket panel;   first and second hand-receiving structures retained by the blanket panel wherein the first hand-receiving structure is spaced from the second hand-receiving structure with a portion of the blanket panel interposed between the first and second hand-receiving structures, wherein each of the first and second hand-receiving structures has an entrance opening, wherein each hand-receiving structure has a width, and wherein the width of the hand-receiving structure is divided by a connected location into at least first and second segments for separately receiving the thumb and fingers of a user;   whereby the convertible blanket can be used in a blanket configuration or in a wrap configuration and whereby the first segment of each hand-receiving structure can receive a thumb of a user and the second segment of each hand-receiving structure can receive the fingers of the user with the connected location disposed between the fingers and thumb of the user.   
     
     
         20 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second hand-receiving structures comprise first and second pockets wherein each of the first and second pockets has an inner volume and an end. 
     
     
         21 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 20 , further comprising a secondary opening in each of the first and second pockets between the entrance and the end of each of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         22 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 21 , wherein each of the first and second pockets has a localized width in alignment with the secondary opening and wherein the secondary opening spans across substantially the entire localized width in alignment with the secondary opening. 
     
     
         23 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 21 , wherein each of the first and second pockets has a first wall and a second wall and wherein the secondary opening spans laterally across the first wall of each of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         24 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 19 , wherein the first segment of the secondary opening is smaller than the second segment of the secondary opening. 
     
     
         25 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second hand-receiving structures comprise first and second pockets, wherein each of the first and second pockets has an inner volume bounded by a first wall and a second wall, and wherein the first wall comprises first and second panels wherein the second panel overlaps the first panel over an overlapping portion 
     
     
         26 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 25 , wherein each of the first and second pockets further comprises a secondary opening in each of the first and second pockets between the entrance opening and an end of each of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         27 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 26 , wherein the secondary opening comprises a passage between the overlapping portion between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         28 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 26 , wherein the first walls of each of the first and second pockets has a localized width in alignment with the secondary opening and wherein the secondary opening spans across substantially the entire localized width in alignment with the secondary opening. 
     
     
         29 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 26 , wherein the blanket panel is rectangular, wherein the first and second pockets are retained to extend from corners of the blanket panel, wherein the first panel comprises a triangular panel fixed along legs thereof to the blanket panel to extend from corners of the blanket panel to form a distal portion of the pocket, and wherein the second panel comprises a band with mitered ends fixed to the blanket panel to form a proximal portion of the pocket. 
     
     
         30 . The multi-functional, convertible blanket of  claim 19 , further comprising an integrated storage pouch fixed to the blanket panel wherein the storage pouch has a first shell fixed to the blanket panel, wherein the first shell has an inner volume and a mouth, wherein the storage pouch has a second shell, and wherein the mouth is shared by the first shell and the second shell.