US20100083995A1

US20100083995A1 - Air mattress with inflatable canopy

Info

Publication number: US20100083995A1
Application number: US12/287,273
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-07
Filing date: 2008-10-07
Publication date: 2010-04-08

Abstract

A sleeping bag having a mattress comprising a bottom insulating water-proof layer, which rests upon ground or camping surface. The mattress further includes a material filled layer attached to the top mattress surface. The sleeping bag is made with an inflatable canopy for further protecting a user, or to permit the mattress to be integrated within a tent. The canopy is inflated by means of introducing air into air tubes configured and integrated into the canopy. The inflatable canopy, optionally, has a vestibule for storing or keeping items for the user of the sleeping bag. The sleeping bag has a canopy, which may be drawn over the mattress to enclose a sleeper using the sleeping bag. The canopy is attached to the mattress by two-way zippers operable the full circumference of the mattress. The two way zippers and mattress are configured to attach and include the mattress within the tent. The canopy that deploys by means of two air tubes that, when inflated, causes the canopy to arch over a user reclining upon the mattress. The vestibule may be made so that inflation of the canopy also causes the vestibule, when attached, to deploy and inflate to receive objects for storage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Field

The present invention is related to camping and hiking equipment; more specifically the present invention is disclosed in a exemplary embodiment as a combination tent sleeping bag comprising an inflatable air mattress having an inflatable canopy and means for integrating a tent.

BACKGROUND

A sleeping bag is a protective “bag” for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where it is impractical to carry around a full bed. Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and insulation. It also protects, to some extent, against wind, precipitation, and exposure to view, but a tent performs those functions better. The bottom surface also provides some cushioning, but a sleeping pad is usually used for that purpose. A bivouac sack is a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a tent for lightweight travelers or as a backup if inclement weather occurs.
Many different insulating materials are available for sleeping bags. Outdoor professionals usually prefer either synthetic fill, such as PrimaLoft, or down, and have debated the merits of these materials for years. Synthetic fill does not readily absorb water, dries easily, and provides some warmth even when thoroughly soaked. These properties may save the owner's life if, for example, the sleeping bag is accidentally dropped into water on a cold day. Synthetic material is also firm and resilient, so it insulates well even underneath a person's weight. Synthetics also have the ability to loft faster than down, allowing the sleeping bag to provide the insulation faster than a down bag. On the flipside, synthetic fill cannot be compressed as much as down, causing such bags to take up more space when not in use. Down fill weighs less than synthetic and retains heat better, but usually costs more. Down must be kept dry; a soaked down sleeping bag may provide even less insulation than no sleeping bag at all, leading to hypothermia. Newer, more technically advanced sleeping bags often have water-resistant shells and can be used in damper conditions. It is also recommended to keep a sleeping bag in a larger sack (storage sack) as opposed to the small traveling sack (compression bag) during long periods of storage. However, many regular backpackers and hikers agree that hanging a sleeping bag, taking care to move the position of the bag on the hanger at intervals so as to not create a “dead spot” (a spot where the fill has been crushed so that it is no longer useful), is the best method of storing a bag for long durations.
Other materials, notably cotton and wool, have also been used for sleeping bags. Wool repels water nicely and also resists compression, but it weighs much more than any alternative. Cotton suffers from high water retention and significant weight, but its low cost makes it an attractive option for uses like stationary camping where these drawbacks are of little consequence.
In summary, campers and users of sleeping bag are looking for a spacious, comfortable and quick-to-set up sleepers that fold to a compact form.

OBJECTS

According to the needs of campers for better sleeping bags, herein is disclosed a novel sleeping bag having numerous features that benefit the user.
A first object of the present invention is a sleeping bag that may be deployed quickly.
A second object is a sleeping bag that comprises an inflatable canopy for covering the sleeper.
A third object is a vestibule that attaches to and, optionally, may be deployed by the inflating canopy.
Other benefits and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustrating a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made in details of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

SUMMARY

According to the objects and advantages of the present invention, herein is disclosed, in a exemplary embodiment, comprising a sleeping bag having a mattress with a bottom insulating water-proof layer, which rests upon ground or camping surface. The mattress further includes a material filled layer attached to the top mattress surface. A user of the exemplary embodiment sits or reclines upon the material-filled layer, which is made to provide comfort to the user.
The exemplary embodiment is made with an inflatable canopy for further protecting a user, or to permit the mattress to be integrated within a tent. The inflatable canopy, optionally, has a vestibule for storing or keeping items for the user of the sleeping bag.
The canopy is attached to the mattress by a two-way zippers operable the full circumference of the mattress. The two way zippers and mattress are configured to attach and include the mattress within the tent.
The canopy that deploys by means of two air tubes that, when inflated, causes the canopy to arch over a user reclining upon the mattress. The vestibule may be made so that inflation of the canopy also causes the vestibule, when attached, to deploy and inflate to receive objects for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows the general form and arrangement of the invention, when configured as a sleeping bag without tent canopy.

FIG. 1B shows the general configuration and arrangement of the exemplary embodiment of the mattress when with tent canopy deployed and ready for use.

FIG. 2 shows the canopy with inflatable air tubes, the canopy displayed inflated form. An optional vestibule is shown.

FIG. 3 shows another view of the sleeping bag with canopy attached.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the sleeping bag with canopy.

FIG. 5A shows the sleeping bag with canopy as viewed from the foot-end of the sleeping bag.

FIG. 5B shows the sleeping bag with canopy as viewed from the head-end of the sleeping bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary Embodiment

An exemplary embodiment is shown and described with reference to the included drawings. The exemplary embodiment is exemplary and described to teach the principles of the invention. The exemplary embodiment is not intended to restrict the inventive concept, which is most adequately defined by the claims that follow.
FIG. 1A illustrates the sleeping bag having a mattress 1100, which is made of multiple layers 1110, constructed to be soft and comfortable when used on rough or uneven surfaces. At least one layer is comprised of an inflatable plenum that may be inflated by an external air supply, which accompanies the sleeping bag.
In FIG. 1A, the sleeping bag 1130 is opened and closed by means of a zipper 1232. Zipper 1234 attaches the sleeping bag 1130 to the mattress. The mattress 1100 also is configured with a zipper 1230, by which a canopy or tent is attached to the mattress 1100. The canopy is shown attached to the mattress in FIG. 1B
In FIG. 1B, the mattress 1100 is shown with the canopy 1200, under which a user may lay. The canopy 1200 is attached to the mattress 1100 by the zipper 1230, and by which the canopy 1200 may be removed for cleaning. FIG. 1B shows the zipper line 1232 along which the canopy 1200 is zipped to attach or detach the canopy 1200 from the mattress 1100.
In FIG. 1B, the canopy 1200 is made of pliant materials, which are amendable to folding or rolling and may be stored in a compact form after the canopy 1200 is removed or detached by means of the zipper 1230.
With reference to FIG. 1B, the canopy 1200 has inflatable air chambers 1220, which are configured to receive air from an air supply or pump, and are made to be held as shown in the canopy 1200. When inflated, the air chambers 1220 suspend or hold the canopy 1200 over a person lying on the mattress 1100, and therefore provide a comfortable chamber within which the person resides.
The air chambers 1220 have sealed ends 1222 that are made so that when the canopy 1200 is closed, the ends 1222 rest upon locations 1102 on the top of the mattress 1100. The canopy 1200, when closed, is held in place by the zipper 1230, and when closed provides shelter to the person using the apparatus.
Again with respect to FIG. 1B, the canopy 1200 is made with an opening 1240, in the form of a flap, for access to the mattress or for fresh air. The flap 1240 may be opened for access by means of a zipper 1234 as shown.
Turning to FIG. 2, the exemplary embodiment is shown having the canopy 2200 with capped air tubes, when inflated, rest upon the mattress (see description above and FIG. 1A.) In FIG. 2, transparent viewing panels 2250 are shown placed at the head and foot of the exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 2, the canopy 2200 is made with flaps 2230 are shown, wherein the flaps 2230 are shown opened. Flaps 2230 are sewn at the top and are held in place by Velcro or a zipper along the side and bottom of the flap 2230, as required. The center 2234 of each flap may be held open by a cord or elastic band (not shown), which is attached to the canopy 2200.
In FIG. 2, each end of the canopy 2200 is made with a opening 2250, through which a person inside may look out. The openings 2250 may be furnished with a transparent viewing panel. The opening 2250 is closed by a flap (not shown), which is zipped and unzipped from inside the canopy 2200 by a zipper indicated by notation 2255.
Further in FIG. 2, a vestibule 2300 is shown, which optionally may be made part of the exemplary embodiment. The vestibule 2300 is structured to store shoes, clothes or other items needed by the user of the inflatable mattress apparatus. The vestibule 2300 may be provided as an optional attachment and fixed or attached to the canopy 2200 by a zipper 2320.
In FIG. 2, anchoring means 2210 for the mattress and anchoring means 2310 for the vestibule 2300 are shown. The anchoring means 2210 and 2310 comprise tabs or flaps or the like through which a stake may be driven to anchor the mattress and the vestibule to the surface upon which the inflatable mattress apparatus rests.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment, showing the vestibule 3300, flap 3230 and viewing panels 3250.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment, showing the vestibule 4300, flaps 4230 and the viewing panels 4250.
FIG. 5A shows the exemplary embodiment viewed from the foot end. FIG. 5B shows the exemplary embodiment from the head end.

DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

In the foregoing description, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is taught. In the following claims, the scope and breadth of the exemplary embodiment plus other possible embodiments are defined.

Claims

1. A sleeping bag comprising:

an inflatable mattress, and

an inflatable canopy removably attached to the mattress, the canopy configured with a plurality of inflatable air chambers to keep the canopy in a shape to accommodate a user of the sleeping bag.

2. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein the mattress is configured to receive a vestibule for storing camping or personal items, the vestibule in communication with the plenum of the canopy.

3. The sleeping bag of claim 2, wherein the vestibule may be attached and detached.

4. A sleeping bag comprising:

an inflatable mattress, and

an inflatable canopy removably attached to the mattress, the canopy configured with a plurality of inflatable air chambers to keep the canopy in a shape to accommodate a user of the sleeping bag, the inflatable canopy further having a detachable vestibule for storing clothing and other articles.

5. The sleeping bag of claim 4, wherein the vestibule comprises air chambers inflated by the inflation of the mattress.

6. The sleeping bag of claim 5, further including view panels, which may be opened and closed.

7. A tent for covering a user, the tent comprising inflatable chambers, and including a detachable bottom portion configured as a sleeping bag.

8. The tent of claim 7, further including a detachable vestibule for storing user items.