DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIGS. 1 through 4(d) depict one embodiment of a mat 10 contemplated by the present disclosure wherein an articulable pillow 2 is placed in a first position. As used herein, “articulable” means that the pillow is moveable between first and second positions, which are described further below. The mat 10 generally comprises a closed body portion 3, which includes a top layer 4 and a bottom layer 5, a blanket 6 attached along one side edge of the closed body portion 3 and the articulable pillow 2. The closed body portion 3 includes an upper edge 15, a lower edge 16, a right side edge 17 and a left side edge 18, and may be made of any machine-washable material providing a surface that will be-comfortable to a user. Such machine-washable materials include, for example, 100% nylon formed on an insulating base, plush material and fabric. Two pieces of the selected material may be joined together to form the top layer 4 and bottom 5 layer of the closed body portion 3 according to any joining method known to those of skill in the art, e.g., sewing. In another embodiment, the closed body portion may fabricated from one piece of material folded in half lengthwise to form a top layer and a bottom layer, with the three open edges then being joined or closed according to any method known to those of skill in the art, e.g., sewing.

[0029] The blanket 6 of the mat 10, which can be made of a material similar to that forming the closed body portion 3, may be attached to the closed body portion 3 by any method known to those of skill in the art, for example, sewing. In the embodiment shown, the blanket 6 is attached along the left side edge 18 of the closed body portion 3. However, the blanket 6 may alternatively be attached to the right side edge 17 of the body portion 3. The blanket 6 is attached along only a portion of the selected edge of the closed body portion 3 such that an open area 7 on the top layer 4 that is partially bordered by the upper edge 15, a portion of the right side edge 17 and a portion of the left side edge 18 remains uncovered when the blanket 6 is extended across the top layer 4 as shown in FIG. 2(a). In FIG. 2(a) the open area of the top layer is designated generally as 7.

[0030] When folded over a user, blanket 6 provides both comfort and warmth. In addition, as the blanket 6 is attached to only a single edge of the closed body portion 3, the user reclining on the closed body portion 3 can easily uncover himself by throwing back the blanket 6. This feature can be particularly important where the user is a small child, who can thus extricate himself from between the closed body portion 3 and the blanket 6 with minimal effort. Accordingly, the mat 10 differs from a sleeping bag, for example, wherein a user may be required exert considerable effort to successfully remove himself from the sleeping bag envelope.

[0031] The articulable pillow 2, which has a right edge 23, left edge 24, upper edge 21 and lower edge 22, includes a cover 8 that may be made from a material similar to that of the closed body portion 3 and the blanket 6. The pillow cover 8 may be formed by placing a first piece of material on a second piece of material and then joining the pieces together along three edges by sewing or any other known joining method. In this way, an interior volume is provided within the pillow cover 8. The remaining edge of the pillow cover 8 of the articulable pillow 2 may includes a closure, such as a zipper 9, which allows access to the interior volume and through which a pillow insert (not shown) may be inserted and removed. In one of many possible forms, the pillow insert (not shown) is made from various materials and filled with a fiber composite.

[0032] The articulable pillow 2 may rotated or “folded” about its connection to the upper edge 15 of the closed body portion 3 to assume either a first position or a second position. In the first position, the articulable pillow 2 is folded inwardly about its connection with the upper edge 15 and rests on the open area 7 of the top layer 4 of the closed body portion 3. The articulable pillow 2 is shown clearly in the first position in, for example, FIGS. 1, 2(a), 4(a), 4(b) and 11. In the second position, the articulable pillow 2 is folded outwardly about its connection with the upper edge 15, extends from the upper edge 15 and does not rest on the open area 7 of the closed body portion 3. The articulable pillow 2 is shown clearly in the second position in, for example, FIGS. 5-10.

[0033] FIG. 2(b) depicts, in cross-section, an embodiment of a mat for sleeping and otherwise reclining contemplated by the present disclosure. The pillow 2, blanket 6, top layer 4 and bottom layer 5 are all shown. The top 4 and bottom 5 layers provide a cushioned surface of double thickness without the need to provide for an additional pad, cushion or other similar object within the closed body portion 3. Notably, the sleeping mat 10 contemplated by the present disclosure may be placed, as a single unit, in a washing machine; the only component may require removal is the pillow insert (not shown) if such insert is not machine-washable.

[0034] FIGS. 5-10 depict an embodiment of a mat 10 contemplated by the present disclosure wherein the articulable pillow 2 is disposed in the second position described above. When the articulable pillow is disposed in the second position and extends outwardly from the closed body portion 3, the open upper area 7 of the closed body portion 3 is completely revealed, and additional space on the top layer 4 is thereby available to accommodate taller persons. Further, a small child reluctant or unable to use the articulable pillow 2 may place the pillow in the second position and lie on the top layer 4 with her head on the open upper area 7.

[0035] When the articulable pillow 2 is in the first position, the blanket 6 will not lie over a child's face when extended fully across the top layer 4 because the pillow is within the open area 7. Likewise, when the articulable pillow is in the second position and the child's face lies on the top layer 4 within the open area 7, the blanket 6 will not lie over the child's face. This feature of the mat 10 may be particularly beneficial in cases where small children use the mat 10. By way of example, and without intending to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto, when the articulable pillow is in the first position, the sleeping mat may accommodate a child up to approximately 50 inches in height. As a further nonlimiting example, when the articulable pillow is in the second position, the sleeping mat may accommodate a child up to approximately 60 inches in height.

[0036] The mat contemplated by the present disclosure may be of any size suitable to accommodate the body of a person, such as a child. By way of example, and without intending to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto, in one form the closed body portion may be about 23 inches by about 42 inches. As a further non-limiting example, the closed body portion of the mat may have dimensions of about 28 inches by about 42 inches. Again, a vast number of sizes are possible for the mat contemplated herein, including those sizes providing a mat sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate an adult. The various components of the mat, i.e., the top and bottom layers of the closed body portion, the blanket and the pillow may be joined together by any method known to those of skill in the art, as discussed above.

[0037] The sleeping mat described herein may be modified in any number of ways. For example, it may include a carrying bag or fastener, such as a hook and fastener arrangement (e.g., Velcro®. Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries of the Netherlands Antilles), a loop, snaps or any other type of gather, allowing the sleeping mat to be fixed in a rolled up condition so as to be easily transportable and storable. Those of skill in the art will be aware of techniques to readily employ such gathers and thereby provide the mat with ease of transport and storage.

[0038] In addition to the foregoing, during construction of the sleeping mat, the bottom layer may be turned inside out prior to attachment of the pillow. By turning the bottom layer inside out, the sewing seam may be hidden from view, making the sleeping mat more aesthetically appealing and avoiding a possible source of irritation to a user's skin.

[0039] The zipper may be located at any location on the pillow cover allowing for easy insertion and removal of the stuffed pillow insert. For example, the zipper may be located along the left edge, right edge or top edge of the pillow cover.

[0040] The blanket may be attached to either the left side or the right side of the closed body portion. Further, a label, or any other suitable means, may be added to a portion of the sleeping mat allowing for markings to be placed thereon identifying the owner, e.g., the owner's name. For example, such tag may be placed on the bottom layer of the closed body portion.

[0041] The sleeping mat contemplated by the present disclosure may be made according to any method known to those of skill in the art. One such procedure, without intending to limit the present disclosure in any way, is as follows. A material is cut into sections as follows: the bottom layer of the closed body portion is cut into a 23 inch by 54 inch section; the top layer of the closed body portion is cut into a 23 inch by 54 inch section; a 23×42 blanket is cut; a first pillow cover section (11 by 18 inch) and a second pillow cover section (11×18 inch) are cut, placed on top of one another and sewn together to form the pillow cover; a first stuffed pillow shell section (11 by 18 inch) and a second stuffed pillow shell section (11 by 18 inch) are cut to form the stuffed pillow shell. In addition, a 10-inch zipper is provided. The zipper is sewn into the pillow cover and the closed body portion, formed from the top layer and bottom layer, is overedged and lockstitched on three edges. After the zipper is sewn into the pillow cover, the pillow is sewn on the top edge and the edge opposite the zipper (3 edges total). The pillow cover is turned inside out to hide seams. The pillow cover and blanket are then attached to the top layer and bottom layer forming the closed body portion by overedging and lockstitching. The pillow goes on first, then the blanket, then the remaining edges of the body portion are closed. The remaining edge of the pillow and blanket are sealed when they are attached, e.g., sewn, to the bottom mat. The first stuffed pillow shell section is placed on top of the second stuffed pillow shell section and they are joined together by being sewn on three sides. Twelve ounces of fiber is then inserted into the shell, for example, by blowing, and the final side is sewn. The stuffed pillow insert is inserted into the pillow cover and the zipper is moved into the closed position.

[0042] It is to be understood that the present description illustrates those aspects relevant to a clear understanding of the disclosure. Certain aspects that would be apparent to those skilled in the art and that, therefore, would not facilitate a better understanding have not been presented in order to simplify the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will, upon considering the foregoing disclosure, recognize that many modifications and variations may be employed. It is intended that all such variations and modifications are covered by the foregoing description and following claims.