Robe with fasteners

Oct. 27, 1953 v. l. Stephenson 2,656,540

ROBE WITH FASTENERS Filed Jan. 15, 1951 3 sheets-Sheet 1

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Oct. 27, 1953

Filed Jan. 15, 1951

V. L. STEPHENSON

ROBE WITH FASTENERS

2,656,540

Sheets-Sheet 2

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Oct. 27, 1953

Filed Jan. 15, 1951

V. L. STEPHENSON

ROBE WITH FASTENERS

2,656,540

Sheets-Sheet 3

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Patented Oct. 27, 1953

2,656,540

UNITED STATES PATENT

OFFICE

2,656,540 ROBE WITH FASTENERS Verne L. Stephenson, Goshen, Ind. Application January 15,1951, Serial No. 205,979 (Cl. 2—69.5)

Claims.

This invention relates to a robe with fasteners.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a robe which may be used in its extended flat condition as a covering upon a cot or bed, or as a seating pad when spread upon the ground at a beach or a picnic, and which also may be folded and fastened to form a bag or enclosure m which all or a part of the body of the user may fit to effectively cover and protect the user, particularly while in a reclining or in a seated position.

A further object is to provide a device of this character wherein a robe is provided with a plurality of fasteners so located and positioned as to form a bag or enclosure of any of a selected number of sizes and shapes to accommodate users of different sizes and weights, and which robe is so constructed that it may be extended to and used in flat position if desired.

A further object is to provide a device of this 20 character provided with slide fasteners so positioned and arranged as to form the robe into a bag or enclosure, which bag or enclosure may have a selected number of openings formed therein at desired positions and of selected size by 25 manipulation of said fasteners.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawings:

Fi&amp;. 1 is a plan view of the robe in its folded and fastened position to form an enclosure.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the robe shown in Fig. 1, with the fasteners released and the robe extended.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3—3 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the formation of an en- 35 closure of small size.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the arrangement of the parts to form an enclosure of larger size than that illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrat- 40 ing the formation of an enclosure of maximum size permitted by the construction of the device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 6—6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an enclosure formed by 45 a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a robe of the character illustrated in Fig. 7 in its extended form.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 9—9 of Fig. 8, illustrating the robe 50 folded to the condition shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the enclosure illustrated in Fig. 7 with the parts separated to provide a small opening in the enclosure.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly * ® which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a robe or blanket, preferably of rectangular shape and of any size found suitable, but preferably of the size commonly used in robes for use at picnics football games, and the like. The robe may have a fringe 12 at one end thereof as illustrated.

The robe will be provided with one or two elongated pieces of blanket material, preferably of the same material of which the robe 10 is formed. Ί\νο strips 14 are preferred, one located at each of the two longitudinal edges of the robe and extending for the major part of the length of the • robe. The strip or strips 14 preferably taper with the narrow part located at one end of the robe and the wide part thereof terminating short of the opposite end of the robe. Where a robe having a fringed end is provided, the wide part of each strip 14 will be positioned adjacent to but spaced from that fringed end, and the narrow part of the strip 14 will extend adjacent to but preferably will terminate slightly inwardly spaced from the opposite end of the robe. The strip (4 will be sewed to the robe by longitudinal lines of stitching 16 at its outer edge, as best illustrated m Fig. 6, the outer margin of the strip 14 being inset from the outer longitudinal edge of the robe 10, and the strip 14 lying fiat upon the robe to extend inwardly from the stitching line 16.

The opposite longitudinal margins of the robe 10 will have secured thereto the tapes 18 of slide fasteners, which tapes 18 are sewed or stitched at 20 at the margin thereof opposite that margin which mounts the fastener teeth 22. The tape 18 will be so secured and positioned with relation to the robe 10 that the fastener teeth 22 will project slightly outwardly beyond the outer margins of the robe 10, as best seen in Fig. 6, and the portions of the robe 10 and of the tape 18 positioned outwardly of the stitching 20 are preferably free from one another so that the slider expend along the teeth to engage the same with the teeth of a complementary strip or to disengage them from the teeth of a complementary strip. The tape 18 will preferably be positioned in contact with the face or surface of the robe 10 which is contacted or engaged by the adjacent flap or strip 14.

Each strip 14 will have secured thereto a slide fastener part consisting of a tape 24 mounting a series of longitudinally spaced grippers or teeth 26 at one edge. The tape 24 is secured to the strip 14 at the edge portion thereof opposite that which mounts the teeth 26 by means of stitching 28. The tape 24 engages the surface of the strip

2,656,540

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which normally contacts the robe 10 so that when the parts lie in their natural extended position, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the tape 24 will be disposed between the robe IB and the strip 14. The teeth 25 will be positioned outwardly from the edge of the strip 14, and the portions of the strip 14 and the tape 24 located outwardly of the line of stitching 28 will be separate and free from one another, preferably.

At the end of the r.ob.e adjacent to the small or narrow ends of the strips 14 a plurality of fastener strips are secured. Each of these fastener strips preferably comprises a tape and a plurality of spaced projecting teeth of the character well known in the art. In the form of the embodiment shown, four such strips are provided, the same being strips 30, 32, 34 and 36. The strips 30 and 32 are mating strips, .and the strips 34 and 36 are mating strips. The strips a,?? preferably of substantially equal length. The tapes of these strips are preferably secured to the robe 10 at the same face of that robe 'which'is; engaged by' the longitudinai’tapes 18, arid’substantially the same arrangementrif-the strips 30, 32, 34 and 36 with respect 'to' the margin and edge of the robe is followed as has been described above with reference to the tape and fastener 18, 22; that is, the tapes'are' stitched' to the robe spaced inwardly from the edge' Of the robe and at the inner edge or margin Of the tape, arid the teeth of each fastener'strip are located in slightly outwardly projecting ‘ relation with''respect to the edge of the robe. ................

Where four fasteners 30, 32, 34, 36 are provided, each thereof is of a length slightly less than one-quarter of the lengthof the edge or marginal portion of the robe'to Which they are secured. Thus the outermost ends of 'the strips 30 and 36 are spaced'inwardly from'the side edges of the robe to which the' longitudihdl tape strips 18 are secured. The inner ends of the tape strips 32, 34 are spaced apart arid are substantially equispaced from the longitudinal center of the robe. The adjacent ends of theComplementary strips 30, 32, 34 and 36 are alsd'spaced apart. The ar- . rangement' and spacing of the strips is substahtially as illustrated in Fig.'2.'

The strips 30', 32, 34, 36 are preferably so oriented that the stariihg'ends thereof arej the ends' which are' adjacent to each Other when the robe is spread'flat. Thtis the Strips 30 arid 36. arri illustrated as the strips' with which the Slider elements 38 are permanently associated, and these sliders are illustrated'fit their starting prish tion.' It will be understood, however, that the fasteners are of the typb Which permit cpiriplefe separation of the complemeritary parts so that; the part 30 may be completely separated from the part 32, and the part 34 iriay. be’completely separated from the'pari‘36.

When it is desired tri form an enclosure, the robe 10 is folded substantially along the dotted lines 40 to position' thej Iprigitudinal. edges, of the robe adjacent to one'another. When so folded; the strips 30 and 32^r will' register arid, the strips 34 and 36 'will register; sri that'the sliders. 38 may be manipulated tri interengage said strips arid thereby substantially.'close the end of the robe iri the folded, position shown in Fig. 1.

After the end of the robe has. thus been closed, the usei’ can select the manner, in which the longitudinal fasteners will be engaged- In other, words, the user can select the size of enclosure which he'requires. The smallest size of enclosure illustrated in Fig. 3. can bp effected by inter10 locking the teeth 22 carried by the tapes 18 secured to the margins of the robe 10. It will be observed in this connection that a slider 42 is carried by and forms a permanent part of one of the two marginally mounted tapes and forms the means for securing the two fastener parts together. The starting position for the interlocking fasteners is preferably located at the end of the robe adjacent to the end fasteners 30, 32, 3.4, 3.6 so that the slider will be located near the fringe end of the robe when the fastener has been completely assembled.

In cases where two strips 14 are provided upon the robe, the fastener upon the inner edge of the strip 14, adjacent to whose outer edge is located the outer fastener carrying the slider 42, will have pefriianently associated therewith the slider ..4.4. -This slider will permit interlocking of the inqe£ margin of the strip 14, by which it is carried 'with either of the fastener strips at the opposite margins of the^Jrobe, that is, either with the faserier'strip located at the opposite margin of the.'blanket or With the fastener strip located at the inner edge of he strip 14 carried by the 25 opposite edge of the robe. It will be Understood, Pf course, that either Of the fastener sections carrying the sliders 42 or 44 may be associated with either of the two fastener sections positioned at' the' opposite ‘ margin of the robe. It is pre30 ferred that the fastener mouriting the slider 42

Will interlock with the' fastener mounted on the inner end of the strip 14 carried by the opposite sides' Of the robe where only one of the strips 14 is' tp be extended’ forincreasing the size of the 35 enclosure to its intermediate size, as illustrated ' in Wi 4. The reason for that arrangement is that the slider 44 is then positioned confined Within the 'enclosure; but this arrangement is not required; In'the Case where the enclosure, is to 40 be fully extended to'its greatest size, the slider ‘ 44 Will interlock to the fastener unit with which if is associated, the complementary fastener unit riiourited upon the inner margin of the opposite strip 14, asillustrated in Fig.'Ei.

It will'he apparent that the robe of the char*- acter illustrated’ in Figs;Tto'6, is. especially suited for use as a sleeping bag or as a blanket enclosure for use in ambulances or other occasions where the user assumes a reclining position. The enclosure insures that the user will be fully protected arid will not become uncovered incident to movement of the user within the enclosure. When the fasteners are engaged, marginal portions' of the' robe' material' extend in ’ substantial _6S edge engagement so that full protective value Of the'robe is provided and no large gaps or openings can occur. · - ........

The adjustment for size is advantageous, especially for use in ambulances or the like where dif₀₀ ferent persons use the blanket or robe. At the same time the robe is capable of use in its flat extended condition, thustendering the item a multiple, purpose item. in this, c.prinection, to the best of my knowledge, previous constructions of robes of this, character which form enclosures or. sleeping, bags have always been such that they have not been suitable for use in flat exterided form. The ability to. use the rpb.e in its flat form greatly 'increases, its. utility, and particularly makes it usable during, warin weather when picmc blankets or beach blahkets are usable. This robe can serve as such picnic blanket or beach blanket without alteration and merely by disconnecting the fasteners.

It w'fll be understood tflat the length of the

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This arrangement, while preferable, is, of course, not essential. It does, however, provide for a partial closure only of the complementary fasteners as illustrated in Fig. 10, thereby providing an opening in the enclosure, through which opening the user may extend his foot, if desired. The opening can be adjusted as to size so that it will not be of any larger size than is required for the leg to pass therethrough. In other words, after the user has extended his leg through the opening, the slider 74 may then be moved outwardly to reduce the size of the opening and to cause the robe to fit snugly around the user’s leg. In this way air cannot enter the interior of the enclosure through the opening around the leg of the user. The enclosure is then completed by engaging the longitudinal fastener strips 54, 56 and manipulating the slider to close the same.

This embodiment of the invention possesses substantially the same features, characteristics and advantages that are possessed by the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. The enclosure or bag formed is of smaller size than that shown in Fig. 1 for any given size of robe, and this especially suits the device for use as a foot and leg protector by persons who are watching athletic contests out-of-doors, such as football games, or by occupants of wheel chairs.

The Fig. 7 embodiment possesses several charteristics which are distinctive of it and in addition to those which are possessed by the Fig. 1 embodiment. Among these advantages are the fact that the return infolding of the parts 76 of the robe provides an internal flap construction 35 which cooperates with the slide fasteners 64, 66, 68 and 70 to seal the lower end portion of the enclosure against the entry of air. Another advantage of the construction is that the tapes 60 of the slide fasteners 64, 66, 68 and 70 which are —,, Xk/W is folded serve, especially when positioned externally as is preferred, as a wear strip to protect the robe at the point of fold against wear due to friction and due to contact with a supporting sur₄- face when pressed against such surface by the feet of the wearer.

Still another advantage of the construction is illustrated in Fig. 10 and has been mentioned above, namely that the construction provides for ₅₀ two or more access openings at the lower normally closed end of the device through which the feet of the user may extend in instances where the feet of the user must be accessible. One instance m which such usage would be advantageous would 55 , 2i^{Se by driver of a truck} or an automobile of the sport type, in cold weather, or of any other type m instances where the automobile heater was not functioning properly. This embodiment, like ^oi Possesses the dual addition, as well as folded to form an enclosure as7n the Fig. 7 position.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construc---n may be Made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.