Multi-Purpose Blanket

Abstract

A multi-purpose blanket has been designed that provides the owner with, among other things, a pillow, a blanket, a hammock, a tarp, a canopy, a poncho, a hammock liner and a hammock underquilt. The blanket has a base member having at least two opposing edges, each of the opposing edges having a casing along at least a portion thereof. A strap is inserted into each of the casings, each of the straps being secured to the base member at one end of the casing. The blanket also has a bag formed by a portion of one side of the base member and a bag panel attached to the one side of the base member. To allow for different configurations, there is a plurality of snap members disposed around a periphery of the base member.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-purpose blanket comprising:
 a base member having a width and a length and having at least two opposing edges, each of the opposing edges having a casing along at least a portion thereof;   a strap inserted into each of the casings, each of the straps being secured to the base member at one end of the casing, the straps having a plurality of webbing loops disposed along a length thereof;   a bag formed by a portion of one side of the base member and a bag panel attached to the one side of the base member, the bag panel being secured to the base member and leaving an opening along one side thereof; and   a plurality of snap members disposed around a periphery of the base member.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , wherein the base member has an inner layer, an outer layer, and a batting material disposed in between the inner and outer layers. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 2 , further comprising a hood attached to the inner layer of the base member adjacent the bag. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of accessory hoops disposed around a periphery of the base member, the loops having an opening therein to provide a location to attach fixation elements. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , wherein the casings are along the width of the base member. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , wherein the casings are formed along an edge by folding a strip of the base member inward and over the base member to form a new edge and securing the edge folded over the base member to the base member thereby forming an opening along the base member to receive the strap. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle affixed to one of the portion of one side of the base member and the bag panel. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 3 , wherein one portion of a zipper is attached to the bag panel along the one side and a second portion of the zipper attached to an outside portion of the hood, the first and second portions of the zipper to be connected when the hood is inserted into the bag. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , wherein connecting a first plurality of snap members configures the multi-purpose blanket into a poncho. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first sleeping bag zipper portion on a first portion of the base member and a second sleeping bag zipper portion on a second portion of the base member, whereby connecting the first portion and the second portion makes the multi-purpose blanket into a sleeping bag. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-purpose blanket comprising:
 a base member having a width and a length and having at least two opposing edges, each of the opposing edges having a casing along at least a portion thereof;   means for turning the multi-purpose blanket into a hammock;   means for turning the multi-purpose blanket into a sleeping bag;   a bag formed by a portion of one side of the base member and a bag panel attached to the one side of the base member, the bag panel being secured to the base member along a plurality of edges and leaving an opening along one side thereof; and
 a plurality of snap members disposed around a periphery of the base member. 
   
     
     
         12 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 11 , wherein the base member has an inner layer, an outer layer that is water-resistant, and a batting material disposed in between the inner and outer layers. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for turning the multi-purpose blanket into a hammock comprises straps disposed in casings along opposite sides of the base member. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for turning the multi-purpose blanket into a sleeping bag comprises one of the group of attachment members comprising snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks and eyelets, zippers, and buttons. 
     
     
         15 . A multi-purpose blanket comprising:
 a base member having a width and a length and having at least two opposing edges, each of the opposing edges having a casing along at least a portion thereof;   a strap inserted into each of the casings, each of the straps being secured to the base member at one end of the casing, the straps having a plurality of webbing loops disposed along a length thereof;   a bag formed by a portion of one side of the base member and a bag panel attached to the one side of the base member, the bag panel being secured to the base member along a plurality of edges and leaving an opening along one side thereof;   a hood attached to the inner layer of the base member adjacent the bag;   a plurality of accessory hoops disposed around a periphery of the base member, the loops having an opening therein to provide a location to attach fixation elements;   a handle affixed to one of the portion of one side of the base member and the bag panel; and   a plurality of snap members disposed around a periphery of the base member.   
     
     
         16 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 15 , wherein the base member has an inner layer, an outer layer that is water-resistant, and a batting material disposed in between the inner and outer layers. 
     
     
         17 . A multi-purpose blanket comprising:
 a base member having a width and a length and having at least two opposing edges, each of the opposing edges having a casing along at least a portion thereof;   a strap inserted into each of the casings, each of the straps being secured to the base member at one end of the casing, the straps having a plurality of webbing loops disposed along a length thereof; and   a plurality of snap members disposed around a periphery of the base member.   
     
     
         18 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 17 , further comprising pockets in at least two corners of the base member. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-purpose blanket according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a hood attached to an inner surface of the base member; and   a pocket member attached the inner surface of the base member adjacent the hood to received the hood therein.