US3508284A - One-piece blanket with halves of different warmth characteristics - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1970 E. R. T. MARQUETTE 3,503,284

ONEFPIECE BLANKET WITH HALVES OF DIFFERENT WARMTH CHARACTERISTICS Filed Jan. 10, 1968 Fig. 2

0.. m u m a M I R m a m E INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,508,284 ONE-PIECE BLANKET WITH HALVES 0F DIF- FERENT WARMTH CHARACTERISTICS Edmond R. T. Marquette, P.O. Box 709,

Houma, La. 70360 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 680,916, Nov. 6, 1967. This application Jan. 10, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. A47g 9/00 US. Cl. -334 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 680,916 filed Nov. 6, 1967 for Blanket With Interchangeable Halves.

The present invention generally relates to a blanket for a double bed for two occupants and is of one-piece construction with the blanket being constructed with two halves having different warmth characteristics in order to satisfy the warmth requirements of the occupants covered by the respective halves of the blanket.

As disclosed in my prior Patent No. 3,331,088 issued July 18, 1967 and in the above mentioned copending application, blanket structures have been provided in which additive panels may be mounted on an underlying blanket or sheet so that the effective thickness or warmth characteristics of one half of the blanket may be varied in order that the warmth requirements of the two occupants may be satisfied. This is also accomplished by providing blankets with interchangeable halves having different warmth characteristics in order to satisfy the warmth requirements of each occupant.

The present invention represents improvements and modifications of the structure disclosed. previously in which the two halves of the blanket are contiguous and of unitary construction with the difference in the warmth characteristics being accomplished by a difference in the structural characteristics of the two halves of the blanket. For example, the process by which the blanket is formed may be varied so that one-half of the blanket has a particular structural characteristic while the other half of the blanket has a different structural characteristic. This may be accomplished by setting up a loom in a conventional weaving process so that the weave in one half of the blanket will be different from the weave in the other half of the blanket. This technique is well known in the weaving industry and enables the Warmth characteristics of the two halves of the blanket to be varied and yet retain the blanket of unitary construction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a double blanket for a double bed or a blanket of a size to cover two occupants of a bed with the blanket being of unitary, one-piece construction with the two halves of the blanket having different warmth characteristics with the blanket being simple in construction and easy to construct by employing standard manufacturing techniques thus rendering the blanket relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter de- 3,508,284 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 scribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the double blanket of the present invention assembled on a bed in a conventional manner.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse, sectional view taken along section line 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating the structural details of the blanket and the relationship thereof to the components of the bed.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the centerline of the blanket illustrating schematically the difference in the weave characteristics of the two halves of the blanket and also illustrating the one-piece unitary construction thereof.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates theblanket of the present invention which is illustrated in use on a conventional bed generally designated by the numeral 12 and which includes the usual mattress and springs assembly 14, supporting legs 16, headboard 18 and other structural features normally employed in a bed construction.

The blanket 10 includes an enlarged panel of unitary one-piece construction of a size to properly fit the bed with the edges thereof depending over the side edges of the mattress and spring assembly and the foot end depending over the foot end of the mattress and spring assembly and the head end terminating in spaced relation to the headboard 18. The shape and size of the blanket may vary in accordance with the shape and size of the bed with it being a requirement that the blanket serves to cover two occupants of the bed.

As is well known, the two occupants of a bed may and frequently do have different requirements of warmth in order for them both to sleep comfortably. The blanket 10 of the present invention satisfies the different warmth requirement by providing two half panels 20 and 22 with the panel 20 normally covering one occupant and the panel 22 normally covering the other occupant of the bed with the panels 20' and 22 being continuous and of unitary construction with each other and having different warmth characteristics. The area between the panels 20 and 22 extends along the centerline of the blanket and is normally indiscernible although for purposes of illustration, tis area of juncture between the panels 20 and 22 is designated by numeral 24 and as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel 20 is thicker in construction than the panel 22 by virtue of the weave of the fabric from which the blanket is formed being of different characteristics. As illustrated, the weave in the panel 22 may be a tight relatively thin weave whereas the weave in panel 20 is a relatively loose and thicker weave as illustrated in FIG. 3.

It is a conventional technique to set up weaving looms so that the pattern of weaving or the tightness of the weave may be varied wherever desired when forming fabric with a weaving operation. Thus, the tightness of the weave may be varied thus varying the warmth characteristics of the two panels of the blanket. The weave characteristics may be varied by varying the tension on the Warp threads in the weaving process, varying the characteristics of the filling or weft threads in the weaving operation or other techniques well known in the weaving industry.

Blankets constructed in accordance with the present invention may be supplied with proper designation of the warmth characteristics of the two panels so that a partition may determine the difference in the warmth characteristics between the two halves of the blanket. Also, the peripheral edge of the blankets may be finished in a conventional manner and any decorative pattern may be incorporated into the blanket when it is manufactured.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the. principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A blanket comprising a flexible rectangular panel having a continuous peripheral edge and adapted to continuously cover two occupants of a bed with the two occupants having different warmth requirements, said panel being of unitary one-piece construction throughout its Width and length and includingtwo half panels of identical area, each of said half panels having predetermined Warmth characteristics commensurate with the warmth requirements of the respective occupants covered,the area of the blanket joining the two half panels extending con tinuously along the centerline' of the panel with the half panels being symmetrical and the blanket being symmetrical about a centerline, the structural characteristics of one half panel being dilferent from the structural characteristics of the other half panel, blanket being constructed of a woven material with the weave in one half panel '4 being closer than the. weave in the other half panel thereby accounting for the difference in warmth characteristics.

2. In a blanket construction, a flexible panel of material having warmth characteristics, said panel being of one-piece, unitary construction throughout its area with one portion thereof having different warmth characteristics from other portions to satisfy different warmth requirements, said panel being a woven textile with the characteristics of the weave being different in said one portion of the blanket as compared with the other.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1926 Lau-ry 5334 1/1963 Quenneville 5-334 XR U.S. Cl. X.R. 5--347'

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