Blanket With Tie Straps

Abstract

A multipurpose baby blanket with integrated straps and storage pocket. The blanket is composed of several materials, and is therefore suitable for many tasks. Integrated straps with hook and loop fasteners provide an easy method of securing the blanket in place. An integrated pocket provides storage for baby supplies and paraphernalia.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part, claiming priority from US Provisional Patent 60 / 908,880, filed Mar. 29, 2007, and entitled Blanket With Tie Straps.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to blankets and more particularly to a blanket with improvements for securing the blanket to strollers, wheelchairs, or other objects. The invention is a blanket with straps at the corners for securing the blanket in place. The straps may be tied, secured with hook and loop fasteners, or snapped in place. In addition, the blanket may include a pocket for storage, and may be composed of multiple materials to serve a multipurpose use.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]New parents face many unique challenges in caring for their babies. Some of these challenges include keeping the baby protected from the elements, providing all the necessary baby supplies, and transporting these supplies from plac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]A blanket with integrated straps is described. This blanket is an improvement over the prior art because it is capable of being securely fastened into place covering a baby, reduces the amount of baby accessories a parent must carry. Additional embodiments provide further improvements. An embodiment composed with multiple materials provides additional functionality, while another embodiment provides storage through the addition of an integrated pocket. Although described with strollers, larger embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use by others than babies, who are confined to a wheelchair.

[0019]Straps extend from each corner of the blanket. Each strap is capable of connection back to itself either by tying, using snaps, hook and loop connectors, buttons or hook and eye closures. In an additional embodiment, each corner has a pair of straps, and each pair of straps are similarly capable of connection to each other. These straps allow for easily securing the blanket into position. Although the straps could extend from the edge of the blanket, the corner location is preferable for at least two reasons. First, when securing the blanket over a small child, the corner straps facilitate securing the blanket with its top half folded over, to reduce the total length of the blanket. Second, corner placement of the straps is more versatile than edge placement. For example, this improves the ability of the blanket to function as a sunshade on a stroller.

[0021]The straps are particularly useful for securing the invention onto a stroller. For example, two sets of straps can be attached to the side bars of the stroller and two sets of straps can be attached to the lower bars of the stroller just above the wheels. This placement allows the blanket to easily remain in place covering the child. For very small children, the top of the blanket may be folded down before the straps are attached to the bars. Notably, the straps will maintain the blanket in position even in high winds, or if the child is kicking.

[0022]Alternatively, the straps may be attached to the handlebars and sidebars of a stroller to function as a semi-permanent canopy over a stroller. The corner straps facilitate the canopy use because they are in a favorable position to attach to the stroller handlebars. By attaching the straps in this fashion the user can block the sun and wind from the top, front and sides of the stroller.

Problems solved by technology

Some of these challenges include keeping the baby protected from the elements, providing all the necessary baby supplies, and transporting these supplies from place to place.

One of the challenges facing new parents is to keep the child protected from the cold, wet, or excessive sunlight.

For example, the baby can kick off the blanket, the blanket can become tangled in the wheels of a stroller, or snagged on another impediment.

Another challenge is in protecting the young child from excess sun or wind exposure.

In particular, most strollers are open at the front and / or the top of the stroller, providing no protection from the sun or wind.

Some strollers provide sunshades that block the rays of the sun from overhead, but do not protect from the sun or wind from the sides.

Another difficulty facing new parents is that of anticipating and providing for the needs of the infant.

Assembling and transporting the plethora of articles necessary for these eventualities presents a substantial problem for the new parent.

In particular, transportation of the various articles is a burden, leading to the proliferation on the market of baby bags and carry-alls.

As a result, blankets covering a baby in a stroller often fail to remain on the baby, either because they are kicked or blown off, or because they become tangled in the wheels of the stroller.

Furthermore, blankets in the prior art do not provide integrated storage.

In the prior art, blankets were generally only stored; they did not provide storage.

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