Mult-Part Combinable Sleeping Bag

Abstract

A multi-part sleeping bag for use in camping, backpacking, mountain climbing, and the like is disclosed. The sleeping bag comprises an elongated body having a bottom panel and a top panel, each panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a peripheral edge connecting the surfaces. The sleeping bag includes at least one closure means extending along at least a closable portion of the peripheral edge of each panel, adapted to selectively fix the closable portion to each other, or to selectively enable separation of each panel from the other making the bag convenient for household washing machines. The panels are rectangular in shape in plan view or taper in reducing width from a head end to a foot end. Further, a second closure means on each panel mutually joins another sleeping bag forming a two person sleeping bag.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sleeping bags, and more particularly to a multi-part, separable sleeping bag to fit into household washing machines.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Typically, sleeping bags are used in a wide variety of applications, including rock and ice climbing, camping, backpacking, mountain climbing, etc. These activities are carried on throughout the year in a range of climatic regions and weather conditions. Also, sleeping bags have become increasingly popular with children for overnight visits with family and friends, travel, camping, and even home use. Sleeping bags are generally designed with a weight adapted for a particular season, such as summer weight, fall weight, winter weight, or for a particular temperature range, such as 5-15 degrees Fahrenheit, 15-30 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.

Traditionally, sleeping bags were made double walled and filled with various types of insulating material. The sleeping bag has been generally of a rectangular or semi-rectangular configuration, or so-called “mummy bag” type design. There is a definite correlation between the insulating value of a sleeping bag and its shape. In general, the more tapered the shape of the sleeping bag, the quicker the air inside the bag will warm up. These types of sleeping bags may have various extra features, such as a zipper guard, draft tube, utility pocket, internal pocket and others. It is now generally conceded that an efficiently made sleeping bag provides a layer of dead air, i.e. insulation around one's body. However, the layer of insulation does not produce warmth, it simply traps body heat. The traditional bag design often allowed two of these bags to be unzipped, unfolded, stacked and then re-zipped together, forming a two person sleeping bag with a single expanded sleeping compartment of uniform width and length. This dual sleeping bag arrangement was often found to be advantageous for sharing body heat between the two individuals but does not result in any weight or pack volume reductions for two hikers.

Similarly, sleeping bags exemplified by the prior arts are primarily constructed for out-of-doors camping. Accordingly, such sleeping bags are constructed with special bulky materials to retain body warmth and of relatively rough-to-the-touch fabrics to withstand heavy abuse and are expensive. Because of this expensive form of construction and the unitary size thereof, when cleaning is required, the sleeping bag must be dry cleaned or washed in a commercial or oversized washer and dryer. Further, dry-cleaning and laundry service (including laundry mats) are expensive and time-consuming and are inconvenient for the user. When not in use, sleeping bags should either be hung or loosely folded or laid flat, which in turn acquires more space. If they are stored rolled-up or compressed in a sack, the insulating fibers can lose some of their lofting ability. This results in a decrease in the effectiveness of the insulation.

Therefore there is a need for a sleeping bag that permits the separation of the sleeping bag into two or more sections to fit into household washing machines. Such a multi-part sleeping bag would eliminate the washing problems associated with present sleeping bags. Further, such a multi-part sleeping bag would be capable of providing additional closure means for attaching another sleeping bag, if desired. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multi-part sleeping bag for use in camping, backpacking, mountain climbing, over-night visits, sleepovers, and the like. The sleeping bag comprises an elongated body having a bottom panel and a top panel, assembled by means of at least one closure means extending along at least a closable portion of the peripheral edge of each panel. Each panel of the sleeping bag includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a peripheral edge connecting the outer and inner surfaces. The closure means is adapted to selectively fix the closable portion of each panel mutually thereto, or to selectively enable separation of each panel from the other panel. The panels of the sleeping bag may be rectangular in shape in plan view, or tapered in reducing width from a head end to a foot end. Each of the panels can be removably attached to another panel to form the sleeping bag. As such, each panel may be washed separately in a household washing machine, for example.

The present invention may further include a second closure means that facilitates a second bag being mutually joined thereto for attaching two such sleeping bags together.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sleeping bag, illustrating a portion of a top panel partially folded over to show a bottom panel;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating an inner surface of the sleeping bag of FIG. 1 placed in an open and flat configuration;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating the panels of the sleeping bag as separated from each other;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a rectangular shaped sleeping bag, illustrating the top panel partially folded over to show a bottom panel;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating the inner surfaces of the sleeping bag of FIG. 4 placed in an open and flat configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the invention, illustrating two sleeping bags fixed together with a second closure means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a top-plan view of a multi-part sleeping bag 10 comprising an elongated body 20 having a bottom panel 40 and a top panel 30. Each panel 30,40 is made of an insulating material having an outer surface 80, an inner surface 70, and a peripheral edge 50 connecting the outer surface 80 and inner surface 70. The panels 30,40 may each be made from ripstop nylon, micro fiber, rubber or other suitable materials. The sleeping bag 10 also includes at least one closure means 60a, such as a zipper, hook-and-loop type fastening material, mechanical snaps, or the like, extending along at least a closable portion of the peripheral edge 50 of each panel. The closure means 60a is adapted to selectively fix the closable portion of the peripheral edges 50 of each panel to each other, or to selectively enable separation of each panel 30 from the other panel 40.

FIG. 2 shows a top-plan view of the inner surface 70 of the multi-part sleeping bag 10 with the closure means 60a fixed along exactly one side 110 of each panel, such that the sleeping bag 10 may be placed in an open and flat configuration. The closure means 60a extends along at least the closable portion of the peripheral edge 50 of each panel 30,40, facilitating the separation of each panel 30 from the other panel 40. Each panel 30,40 may taper in reducing width W_h from a head end 90 to a width W_f at a foot end 100 of the sleeping bag 10.

FIG. 3 shows a top-plan view of the inner surface 70 of the sleeping bag 10, and further illustrates the panels 30,40 of the bag 10 selectively separated from each other. As such, each panel may be sized to fit into a conventional household washing machine, for example. The closure means 60a also allows the sleeping bag 10 to be rolled up in separate sections in a rolled configuration (not shown), facilitating convenient carrying thereof. Further, additional closure means may be included (not shown), separating each panel 30,40 into sub-panels, if desired.

FIG. 4 shows a top-plan view of the sleeping bag 10, illustrating the bottom panel 40 and the top panel 30 each formed into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. One side 110 of each panel 30,40 of the bag 10 may further include at least one second closure means 60b, such as a zipper, for example, for mutually joining a second sleeping bag 10 thereto (FIGS. 5 and 6).

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, materials, structure, methods and the like that will fall within the scope of the invention. It should be clearly understood that other sleeping bag designs are also possible. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sleeping bag comprising:

an elongated body having a bottom panel and a top panel, each panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a peripheral edge connecting the outer and inner surfaces;

at least one closure means extending along at least a closable portion of the peripheral edge of each panel, the closure means adapted to selectively fix the closable portion of the peripheral edges of each panel to each other, or to selectively enable separation of each panel from the other panel;

whereby each panel may be separated from the other for separate washing thereof, and each panel may be fixed to the other to form the sleeping bag.

2. The sleeping bag of claim 1 wherein each panel tapers in reducing width from a head end to foot end.

3. The sleeping bag of claim 1 wherein each panel is substantially rectangular in shape in plan view.

4. The sleeping bag of claim 1 wherein the closure means may be fixed along exactly one side of each panel, whereby the sleeping bag may be placed in an open and flat configuration.

5. The sleeping bag of claim 1 wherein at least one panel further includes a second closure means, whereby a second sleeping bag may be mutually joined thereto.