BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a ski blanket to cover and keep a skier warm while the skier is riding the chair lift up to the top of the slope.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The use of a blanket for protection from the elements is well known. Skiers are exposed to the elements in a variety of situations, and particularly while riding on a ski lift. A blanket may be used to protect the skier from the elements while riding on the ski lift. However, there is no convenient and quick way to store the blanket so that the skier is relatively unencumbered by the blanket. Other large outer garments, such as coats, jackets, etc., are available which can be rolled into a pouch for compact storage. However, the related art does not show a blanket which can be rolled into a pouch and attached to the skier's body for compact storage while skiing. Further, the related art does not show such a blanket equipped with pockets so that the skier can insert his gloved hands into the blanket pockets to hold the blanket closely against the body while riding on a ski lift.

[0006] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0032360, published on Oct. 25, 2001, describes a blanket that covers only the chest, arms, and legs of a person while seated, lying down, or partly reclining. The blanket has a lower inner pocket to contain the legs, and an outer pocket for the hands and forearms of the user. The blanket has two pairs of braided lace on each upper side for fastening the blanket to a bed, a seat, or a deck chair.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,749, issued December 21, 199 to R. C. Sabo, describes a multiple use camouflage system for camouflaging a person that utilizes a rectangular sheet of camouflaged transparent mesh netting with spaced straps secured along one edge, and spaced D-rings on the opposite side edge. A slit extends from a bottom edge to enable strapping the two sections around the legs or the body. The netting can be used as a blind and folded into a fanny pack for storage or carrying.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 1,246,871, issued Nov. 20, 1917 to J. L. Cabelinsky, describes a thin raincoat having a pocket providing a bag for storing the raincoat. U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,474, issued Oct. 27, 1936 to J. R. Long, describes a combined raincoat and carrying bag having a zippered carrying bag incorporated into the inside surface of the rear portion of the raincoat.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,030, issued Feb. 23, 1937 to W. T. Damron, describes a combined raincoat and pocketbook in which the raincoat includes two pocketbook pockets in front and inside the raincoat. U.S. Pat. No. 2,292,347, issued Aug. 11, 1942 to P. H. Bailey, describes a jacket having a rectangular cloth sheet stitched to the inside surface of the jacket for storing the jacket.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,325,494, issued Jul. 27, 1943 to W. Fayer, describes a sportsman's jacket having a pocket on the rear of the jacket into which the jacket may be folded. Other garments having pockets or bags into which the garment may be folded are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,061, issued Nov. 9, 1943 to B. Berkman; U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,254, issued Apr. 16, 1963 to L. Cutler; U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,340, issued Jun. 20, 1972 to M. Walker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,687, issued Sep. 20, 1983 to M. Hager; U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,111, issued Nov. 24, 1992 to R. A. Lieberman; French Patent No. 1,434,108, published Feb. 28, 1966; and German Patent No. 2,208,503, published Aug. 23, 1973.

[0011] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0088830, published Jul. 11, 2002, describes a combination blanket and bottle carrier bag. The blanket is integrally formed with the carrier bag and may be folded to fit into the carrier bag. A plurality of straps are provided for carrying the bag.

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is a ski blanket that has pockets on one side large enough to allow gloved hands to be inserted therein. The ski blanket has a high collar to keep the user's face warm. The ski blanket has a strap extending laterally which can be secured around the skier's waist by patches of hook and loop fastening material at the ends of the strap. The ski blanket also has two additional straps extending from the bottom of the blanket with hook and loop fastener patches so that the blanket can be rolled up and secured to the skier's waist when not being used to keep the skier warm. The ski blanket is made of a wind and water resistant material for protection from the elements.

[0014] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a skier with a blanket that keeps the skier warm and stays in place.

[0015] It is another object of the invention to allow a skier to dress lighter since the ski blanket provides additional warmth when riding a ski lift.

[0016] It is a further object of the invention to provide a ski blanket that can also be used to carry the injured party or to wrap around the injured party until help arrives.

[0017] Still another object of the invention is to provide a ski blanket that provides aid to a lost skier, since the ski blanket can have a reflective layer or reflective SOS letters on one side.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.