CUSTOMIZABLE-WEIGHTED BLANKETS

Abstract

A weighted blanket that includes: a first side; a second side; a series of channels along a length or a width of the blanket; at least one weighted panel adapted for placement in one of the series of channels; and a means to seal each channel adapted to secure a weighted panel within each respective channel. The first side and second side both preferably include a zipper or hook and loop connector along the length thereof. Each weighted panel may further include a means to seal at each end of the weighted panel.

Claims

1. A weighted blanket comprising: a. a first side; b. a second side; c. a series of channels along a length or a width of the blanket; d. at least one weighted panel adapted for placement in one of the series of channels; and e. a means to seal in each channel adapted to secure a weighted panel within each respective channel.

2. The weighted blanket according to claim 1, where the means to seal includes hook and loop connectors, buttons or snaps.

3. The weighted blanket according to claim 1, where the first side includes a zipper and the second side includes a zipper.

4. The weighted blanket according to claim 1, where each weighted panel includes a hook and loop connector at each end of the weighted panel.

5. The weighted blanket according to claim 1, where the weight panels vary in weigh.

6. A weighted blanket comprising: a. a first side; b. a second side; c. a series of channels along the length of the blanket; d. a weighted panel in each of the channels, where each panel includes a distinct weight; and e. hook and loop connectors in each channel adapted to secure a weighted panel within each respective channel.

7. A method of creating a weighted blanket comprising the steps of: a. sectioning a blanket into a series of channels, where each channel is adapted to receive a weighted panel; and b. inserting a weighted panel into at least one channel.

8. The method of creating a weighted blanket according to claim 6, wherein a weighted panel is inserted into each channel and each panel is a distinct weight.

9. The method of creating a weighted blanket according to claim 6, wherein a weighted panel is inserted into each channel and each panel is the same weight.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a weighted blanket in accordance with the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the weighted blanket on a mattress in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a customizable weighted blanket that uses channels adapted to receive weighted panels to create a customized weighted blanket. The weighted panels may be evenly distributed across the blanket and as a result evenly distribute weight across a person's body. Alternatively, a user may place panels in desired channels therefore varying the weight distribution in the weighted blanket. A series of openings are provided along two parallel sides of the blanket to receive the weighted panels. This system provides a user with an opportunity to insert weighted panels in key positions along the length or width of the blanket as desired. The panels may come in a variety of weight choices and therefore heavy or lighter panels may be used. Ideally the weighted panels should be about 10% plus one to two pounds of the individual's ideal body weight. The overall weight of the blanket may be increased or decreased as desired by the user. So if the blanket used by a child, additional weight may be added as the child grows. Further, a user my find an ideal weight for the blanket by adding or removing weighted panels as needed.

[0008] In reference to FIG. 1, a top view of a weighted blanket 100 is depicted. The weighted blanket 100 includes a zipper 35 along each side of the blanket 100. The zipper 35 seals the panels 37, shown in FIG. 2, into channels 30 along the length of the blanket. Hook and loop connectors may be used in place of the zipper 35 in an alternative closure means in an alternative embodiment. The channels 30 are shown along the length of the blanket and have a strip of hook and loop connectors 32 within each channel 30 to secure the weighted panel 37 within the particular channel 30 for receiving the panel 37. The channels 30 may also run along the width of the blanket. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the Blanket 100. In this perspective view, an individual panel 37 is shown with a strip of hook and loop connectors at each end of the panel 37, further buttons or snaps may be used as an alternative means to fasten each end of the panel 37. This panel 37 is placed into a channel 30 of the blanket 100. Each channel 30 is capable of receiving a weighted panel 37 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0009] The panels slide within the appropriate channel and hook and loop connectors, buttons or snaps join the panel to the channel. The panels may be removed as needed to remove the weighted effect of the blanket. As can be seen the panels may be placed in each channel provided along the length of the blanket to provide an even distribution of weight as characterized by the traditional weighted blanket. Or alternatively, a user may be limit the number of the channels that receive a panel for weighting purposes. Further a user could use a different weighted panel for each channel if so desired, where lighter panels cover the user's upper torso and heavier panels cover the lower torso and legs. Conversely heavier panels may be used on the user's upper torso and lighter panels cover the lower torso and legs. The user may effectively increase or decrease the overall weight of the blanket. As such this flexibility provides a customizable weighted blanket as desired by the user to achieve the therapeutic results as desired.

[0010] Another feature of this blanket includes the ability to wash the blanket with greater ease in a conventional washer and dryer. Standard home washers and dryers are not capable of handling larger heavier blankets and therefor conventional weighted blankets need to be washed in commercial machines. The present invention enables the user to take the weighted panels out of the blanket and wash the blanket and weighted panels in smaller loads that a conventional washer and dryer may easily handle.

[0011] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.