CONVERTIBLE JACKET SYSTEMS
The present invention provides a convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment. The convertible jacket system may be made from a lighter and more water resistant material. It may include various structural features to proportion and support the inertial loads of a sleeping bag compartment and a head covering canopy, each coupled to the convertible jacket system. By way of example, the head covering canopy may further include a bendable wire coupled to a fabric material such that the canopy may easily be popped open and then folded compactly enough to slide into a pouch coupled to a backside of the convertible jacket system.
This invention relates generally to an all-in-one jacket convertible between a wearable jacket to a personal sleeping environment, and more specifically to an all-in-one survival jacket to provide temporary shelter in emergency situations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious types of conventional convertible or modular jackets are commercially available for many different applications. Some of these applications include military, survival, hunting, camping, fishing, boating, etc. One such conventional jacket takes the form of modifiable rain jacket that is convertible into a poncho, short coat, long coat, sit shelter, sleeping bag cover, or even a shelter with a mosquito screen and is sold as the ECOTAT® Multi-Purpose Aircrew Survival Shelter (MASS). Another such conventional jacket takes the form of a multi-purpose jacket convertible into a sit shelter, sleeping bag cover, bivouac sack tent, a lean-to, a rescue litter, a tarp, an air marker panel of an emergency body bag and is sold as the ECOTAT® Multi-Purpose (TMP) Freedom Shelter. Both of the aforementioned conventional jackets are made by the Ecotat Systems Company.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally related to a convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment. The convertible jacket system includes many advantages over conventional systems described and other similar systems. For example, the convertible jacket system may be made from a lighter and more water resistant material. It may include various structural features to better proportion and support the inertial loads of a sleeping bag compartment and a head covering canopy, each coupled to the convertible jacket system. By way of example, the head covering canopy may further include a bendable wire coupled to a fabric material such that the canopy may easily be popped open and then folded compactly enough to slide into a compartment coupled to a backside of the convertible jacket system.
In one example of the invention, a convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment includes a jacket portion and a sleeping bag compartment. The jacket portion is configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region. The sleeping bag compartment is coupled to the jacket portion and operates between a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration. While in the sleeping configuration, the jacket portion is wearable by the user while at least a portion of the user's lower body is located in the sleeping bag compartment.
In another example of the invention, a convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment includes a jacket portion configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region. A sleeping bag compartment is coupled to the jacket portion and may be arranged into a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration. In one embodiment, shoulder straps are coupled to the jacket portion proximate the sleeping bag compartment to transfer at least a portion of the weight of the sleeping bag compartment to the user's shoulders when the jacket system is used as a wearable jacket.
In yet another example of the invention, a convertible jacket system is configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment. The jacket system includes a jacket portion configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region. A sleeping bag compartment is coupled to the jacket portion and may be arranged in a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration. A head covering canopy is coupled to the jacket portion and includes a bendable member, such as a wire, coupled to a fabric member. The head covering canopy may also be arranged into a folded configuration and a sleeping configuration. In the folded configuration, the bendable member is folded over at least once upon itself and sized to fit into a pouch coupled to the jacket portion. In the sleeping configuration, the bendable member is arranged in an arcuate shape to support the fabric member in the sleeping configuration.
The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings or images may not necessarily be to scale. For example, some elements may be arbitrarily enlarged or otherwise modified to improve clarity. Further, the illustrated shapes of the elements may not convey their actual shapes, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition. Various embodiments are briefly described with reference to the following drawings:
One preferred example of the invention takes the form of a convertible jacket system that is convertible from a wearable configuration to a sleeping configuration. A wearable configuration generally means the jacket system is arranged to be worn generally as a jacket, coat, poncho or similar apparel item. A sleeping configuration generally means an expanded configuration that functions as a sleeping environment or at least a resting environment in which the user is able to lie down in generally a horizontal position. The convertible jacket system may function as an all-in-one survival jacket that may be used as a first response item in emergency situations providing temporary shelter to disaster victims. However, the convertible jacket system may be used for a variety of purposes to include, but not limited to, military missions, camping, climbing, fishing, hunting, boating, etc.
The convertible jacket system 100 may be made from a variety of materials. In one embodiment, at least the covering portions of the jacket system 100 are made from a spun polyester material that may include dyed yarns. However, the covering portions or other portions of the jacket system 100 may be made from flexible, waterproof and breathable fabrics such as a GORE-TEX® fabric. Moreover, the jacket system 100 may be made from rip-stop materials making it difficult to tear and withstand a high amount of stress and wear. In addition, a coating of urethane may be applied to the jacket system 100 to provide a combination of breathability and water repellency. By way of example and depending on the types of materials, coatings and features of the jacket system 100, an overall weight of the jacket system 100 may be less than 2.0 pounds. Further, the jacket system 100 may be made in a variety of colors and may include various types of insulation.
Further illustrated in
Many other changes can be made in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all types of jackets, coats, sleeping environments, bivouac systems, and survival systems that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
Claims
1. A convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment, the jacket system comprising:
- a jacket portion configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region; and
- a sleeping bag compartment coupled to the jacket portion, the sleeping bag compartment having a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration, wherein while in the sleeping configuration the jacket portion is wearable by the user while at least a portion of the user's lower body is located in the sleeping bag compartment.
2. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, further comprising:
- shoulder straps coupled to the jacket portion proximate the sleeping bag compartment to transfer at least a portion of the weight of the sleeping bag compartment to the user's shoulders when the jacket system is used as a wearable jacket.
3. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a head covering canopy coupled to the jacket portion, the head covering canopy having a bendable member received in a fabric member, the head covering canopy having a folded configuration and a sleeping configuration, wherein the folded configuration includes the bendable member folded at least once upon itself, and wherein the sleeping configuration includes the bendable member arranged in an arcuate shape to support the fabric member in the sleeping configuration.
4. The convertible jacket system of claim 3, the bendable member is a wire.
5. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, further comprising suspenders having a first end coupled to the jacket portion and a second end coupleable to the user's leg covering apparel.
6. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, wherein the suspenders include clamps located at the second end.
7. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, wherein at least the jacket portion is coated with a waterproofing substance.
8. The convertible jacket system of claim 1, wherein the jacket portion and the sleeping bag compartment are made from the same material.
9. A convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment, the jacket system comprising:
- a jacket portion configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region;
- a sleeping bag compartment coupled to the jacket portion, the sleeping bag compartment having a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration; and
- shoulder straps coupled to the jacket portion proximate the sleeping bag compartment to transfer at least a portion of the weight of the sleeping bag compartment to the user's shoulders when the jacket system is used as a wearable jacket.
10. The convertible jacket system of claim 9, wherein the jacket portion is wearable by the user while the user's legs are located in the sleeping bag compartment.
11. The convertible jacket system of claim 9, further comprising:
- a head covering canopy coupled to the jacket portion, the head covering canopy having a bendable member received in a fabric member, the head covering canopy having a folded configuration and a sleeping configuration, wherein the folded configuration includes the bendable member folded at least once upon itself, and wherein the sleeping configuration includes the bendable member arranged in an arcuate shape to support the fabric member in the sleeping configuration.
12. The convertible jacket system of claim 11, the bendable member is a wire.
13. The convertible jacket system of claim 9, wherein at least the jacket portion is coated with a waterproofing substance.
14. The convertible jacket system of claim 9, wherein the jacket portion and the sleeping bag compartment are made from the same material.
15. A convertible jacket system configurable between a wearable jacket and a personal sleeping environment, the jacket system comprising:
- a jacket portion configured to be supported by a user's shoulders and extend substantially over the user's torso region;
- a sleeping bag compartment coupled to the jacket portion, the sleeping bag compartment having a retracted configuration and a sleeping configuration; and
- a head covering canopy coupled to the jacket portion, the head covering canopy having a bendable member coupled to a fabric member, the head covering canopy having a folded configuration and sleeping configuration, wherein the folded configuration includes the bendable member folded over at least once upon itself, and wherein the sleeping configuration includes the bendable member arranged in an arcuate shape to support the fabric member in the sleeping configuration.
16. The convertible jacket system of claim 15, wherein the jacket portion is wearable by the user while the user's legs are located in the sleeping bag compartment.
17. The convertible jacket system of claim 15, further comprising:
- shoulder straps coupled to the jacket portion proximate the sleeping bag compartment to transfer at least a portion of the weight of the sleeping bag compartment to the user's shoulders when the jacket system is used as a wearable jacket.
18. The convertible jacket system of claim 15, further comprising
- a pouch coupled to a backside of the jacket portion and configured to receive the head covering canopy when placed in the folded configuration.
19. The convertible jacket system of claim 15, wherein the jacket system includes adjustment members to selectively distribute an overall weight of the jacket system on the user.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 11, 2010
Inventor: Terry L. Jensen (Lynnwood, WA)
Application Number: 12/188,514
International Classification: A41B 13/06 (20060101); A41D 3/04 (20060101); A41D 3/02 (20060101); A47G 9/08 (20060101);