(en)An oversize beach blanket with a large pocket in each corner and Velcro closures for the pockets to hold beach articles for security and to also hold the beach blanket in place. Tie-down loops at the corners may also hold the beach blanket using stakes. The blanket is of sufficient size to accommodate users completely within the inner user space not occupied by the pockets.

1.ApplicationNumber: US-88644004-A
1.PublishNumber: US-2005005355-A1
2.Date Publish: 20050113
3.Inventor: MARKS MELISSA Y.C.
MARKS SEAN C.

4.Inventor Harmonized: MARKS MELISSA Y C(US)
MARKS SEAN C(US)

5.Country: US
6.Claims:
(en)An oversize beach blanket with a large pocket in each corner and Velcro closures for the pockets to hold beach articles for security and to also hold the beach blanket in place. Tie-down loops at the corners may also hold the beach blanket using stakes. The blanket is of sufficient size to accommodate users completely within the inner user space not occupied by the pockets.

7.Description:
(en)CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefits of prior filed, co-pending provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/485,621 filed on Jul. 8, 2003.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to portable ground coverings for one or more users to sit or recline on the ground, and more particularly relates to an improved beach blanket with pockets to be used for multiple purposes and for convenience of the user.
Probably the most well known example of a ground covering for seated or reclining users is the beach blanket. As is well known, beach blankets are spread out over sandy surfaces to use for sunning, drying, eating or playing games while protecting the users from the sand at the beach. Since beach-going entails carrying along many objects such as cameras, sandals, cosmetics, bathing wear, games and miscellaneous other things, there is a need to keep these items organized and under control. Moreover, it is often desired to leave valuables such as purses, wallets, cameras and jewelry in a location out of view of passers-by.
Another well known problem with beach blankets is a tendency to become disarranged, or even blown away by the wind and sometimes scatter objects in the sand.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved beach blanket with pockets adapted to hold articles so as to prevent damage or pilferage.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved beach blanket with means to hold the beach blanket in place against the wind.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved beach blanket of sufficient size to accommodate users despite the existence of pockets for storage for beach accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the invention comprises an improved beach blanket comprising a rectangular fabric member having four corners surrounding an inner user space, each of the four corners having a fabric pocket with an open end adapted to receive articles. The articles hold the beach blanket in place as well as protecting the article from damage or pilferage. The blanket is dimensioned to be of sufficient size to accommodate users within the inner user space not occupied by the pockets.
Preferably the open ends of the pockets are provided with closure means such as Velcro, zippers or snap fasteners for added security. Preferably the corners of the beach blanket are also provided with tie-down loops arranged to receive stakes to hold the corners down.


DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved beach blanket illustrating a typical use thereof,
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beach blanket,
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one corner of the beach blanket illustrating one type of use,
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of another corner of the beach blanket illustrating another mode of use,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of yet another corner of the beach blanket illustrating a third mode of use, and
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines VI-VI of FIG. 5 .


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a beach blanket shown generally as 10 is spread on the sand for a user 12 . The beach blanket includes rectangular pockets 14 , 16 , 18 , and 20 disposed in the respective four corners of the beach blanket 10 which is rectangular. At each of the four corners of the beach blanket, a tie-down loop is provided as indicated by the respective reference numerals 22 , 24 , 26 and 28 . Loop 22 is held in place by a stake 30 . Pocket 18 contains sandals 32 and pocket 20 contains beach accessories 34 .
Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, beach blanket 10 is oversize and much larger than the conventional beach blanket. It is composed of cotton fabric, preferably with a colored pattern (not shown). A suitable beach blanket according to the present invention might be on the order of 76″ by 86″ and constructed of high quality 100% combed cotton terry (Coton). Beach blanket 10 has conventional hems along its four sides, and the pockets 14 , 16 , 18 and 20 comprise additional pieces of the same material matching the pattern on the beach blanket proper and sewn into the hems at the corners of the beach blanket. Additional stitching as at 36 closes the third side of the pocket, leaving an open end 38 as illustrated with respect to the pocket 14 . The other pockets are all constructed in the same manner. A suitable size for the pockets is 12″ by 12″, so as to provide ample interior space to receive articles. The loops 22 , 24 , 26 and 28 are preferably made of cloth and stitched in at the corners of the blanket 10 , but could also be plastic rings.
It is important to note that the blanket is dimensioned to be of sufficient size to accommodate users within the inner space not occupied by the pockets. For example, given the dimensions recited above, it would provide a linear dimension of 6′ 9″ as indicated by reference number 40 between opposed diagonal corners of pockets 14 , 20 . Thus the very large beach blanket size can accommodate one or more users within the inner user space not occupied by the pockets.
Referring to FIGS. 3-6 of the drawing, different uses are illustrated for pockets. In FIG. 3 , a pocket 18 is shown with an enlarged partial view of pocket 10 . Pocket 18 has an open end 42 receiving a camera 44 . In addition to organizing personal belongings and providing a space for storage, the weight of camera 44 serves to hold the corner of beach blanket 10 in place against the wind.
Referring to FIG. 4 , on another corner of the beach blanket shown in partial view as 10 , pocket 20 is empty. However the loop 28 may be secured in place with a stake 46 which holds the corner in place against the wind. Alternatively, pocket 20 may simply be filled with sand and the weight of the sand will accomplish the same function as placing a stake in the loop 28 .
Lastly, the plan view of FIG. 5 and accompanying cross section of FIG. 6 show another form of the invention with a modified pocket 48 . Pocket 48 has an open end 54 , which is provided with a closure member 52 . Closure member 52 is of the type which may be selectively opened and closed. Typical closure members include zippers, snap fasteners, and Velcro attachments, all well known in the art. Preferably closure member 52 comprises a pair of Velcro fasteners sewn to the underside of pocket 48 and to the upper surface of beach blanket 10 . In this manner, an article of value such as a wallet 50 may be placed in pocket 48 and enclosure member 52 fastened to retain it secure from view from passers-by and also to function to weight down the corner of beach blanket 10 .
While the article shown is depicted and described as a beach blanket, it is equally useful as a ground covering in other places such as a back yard, playground or similar recreational areas. Also other materials than the preferred 100% combed cotton terry textiles are useful, either patterned or unpatterned.
While there has been described what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is desired to secure all such modifications within the scope of the present disclosure.