SLUMBER SEPARATOR
A structure includes a collapsible frame, a skin configured to be supported by the collapsible frame, a divider arranged to divide an interior of the structure into at least two compartments, and a mattress attachment structure secured to at least one of the collapsible frame and the skin.
Tents are structures that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONIn general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention are directed to a structure comprising: a collapsible frame; a skin configured to be supported by the collapsible frame; a divider arranged to divide an interior of the structure into at least two compartments; and a mattress attachment structure secured to at least one of the collapsible frame and the skin.
In another aspect, one or more embodiments disclosed herein relate to a tent structure comprising: a frame having a first support, a second support, and at least two members, the first support, the second support, and the two members being connected using connections; a skin configured to be supported by the frame, the skin comprising a window and an entrance; an elasticized periphery; and a divider arranged to divide an interior of the tent structure into at least two compartments.
In yet another aspect, one or more embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for providing selective privacy on a mattress, the method comprising: placing an elasticized periphery around the mattress, wherein the elasticized periphery is attached to a skin; and erecting a collapsible frame such that the collapsible frame and the skin form an enclosure having a divider therein, the divider comprising a central panel that is movable between a first position and a second position.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
Specific embodiments of a multifunctional, collapsible, and portable structure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the various figures (also referred to as FIGS.) are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the structure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that these embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
The first and second supports 101A, 101B and the members 103 may be structurally rigid poles capable of collapsing. The poles may be formed from any material known in the art, such as plastic, aluminum, graphite, among others. The members 103 and supports 101A, 101B may each comprise multiple sub-members (not shown) connected to one another to form the entire member. The sub-members may be connected internally by an elastic cord or similar structure to facilitate assembly into the entire member.
The first and second supports 101A, 101B and the members 103 may be connected by connections such as connectors 107 so as to form a frame that defines a volume and that supports the skin 105. The connections may be of different types or different configurations at different locations of the frame. At some or all connection points, the connections may be an interlocking arrangement between two or more members or supports, as opposed to a separate physical connector 107. For example, clips may be formed in or attached to the ends of the members 103 that are sized so as to clip to the first and second supports 101A, 101B. When connected as in the embodiment shown in
In one or more embodiments, the members 103, when engaged with the supports 101A, 101B, may be disposed at a first predetermined height. In one or more embodiments, when the frame comprises four members 103, two of the four members may be disposed at a first predetermined height and the other two of the four members may be disposed at a second predetermined height when the members are engaged with the supports. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that many other configurations of the frame are possible within the scope of this disclosure. That is, the number of supports and/or the number of members may vary depending on the structure being erected. For example, one or more embodiments of the present invention include a third support (not shown) disposed parallel to and in between the first support 101A and the second support 101B. If such a third support is used, the members 103 may be connected to the third support using connections, or alternatively may be connected only to the supports 101A, 101B and thus may bypass the third support. Further, as shown in
The connections between the supports 101A, 101B and the members 103 may be those shown in, for example,
The skin 105 is supported by the frame formed by the first and second supports 101A, 101B, the members 103, and the connectors 107. The skin 105 may be disposed substantially outside the frame, so as to cover or envelop the frame. Alternatively, the skin 105 may be disposed substantially inside the frame, so that portions of the frame are visible from the outside. In still another embodiment, the skin 105 may comprise a plurality of layers so as to sandwich the frame. In some embodiments, sleeves 131 may be formed in or connected to the skin, through which the supports 101A, 101B and the members 103 may pass to secure the skin to the frame.
The skin 105 may be formed of a single piece, but the invention is not limited to this. The skin may comprise one or more panels that are connected together by any permanent means such as stitching or glue, or by any temporary means such as zippers, Velcro®, or the like.
The skin 105 may be made from a material that is waterproof or windproof. The skin may comprise one or more panels that are connected together by zippers, Velcro®, or the like. The skin 105 may be made from a material that is windproof or waterproof. The skin 105 may be made from a material that has reasonable breathability. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the skin 105 may be made from at least one of nylon, polyester, spandex, norva, textured yarns, and fabric or the like.
In the embodiment shown, the skin 105 has openings that form an entrance 117A and an entrance 117B. In the embodiment shown, the two entrances are provided at opposite sides of the structure, where one entrance (entrance 117A) is shown in the open state and the other (entrance 117B) is shown in the closed state. The entrances provide a way to access the interior of the structure 100 and also provide ventilation for those who occupy the structure 100. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, it is not necessary that there be two entrances. One entrance, such as entrance 117A, may be sufficient to gain access to the interior of the structure. Alternatively, more than two entrances may be provided. For entrance 117A shown in
The skin may be provided with additional openings, such as a side window 113, a roof window 115, or simply a slit (not shown) that one can utilize for the purpose of connecting an electronic accessory inside the structure 100 to a power source (not shown) outside of the structure 100.
When in an open position, such as that shown in
The skin 105 and the frame create an enclosure 109. The enclosure 109, which is the interior of the structure 100, may be divided into compartments 109A, 109B by a divider 111. The skin 105 and the divider 111 may be formed in one piece, or may be stitched or otherwise secured together from multiple panels in a conventional manner. Alternatively, the divider 111 may be separate from the skin 105 and the divider 111 may be attached to the skin 105 by, for example, Velcro® or some other attachment, such as clips, straps, buttons, or magnets.
Further, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, the divider 111 may comprise one or more pockets 125 for storing objects, and a central panel 119 enabling access from one compartment to another compartment without needing to exit the structure 100. The central panel 119 serves as a gateway between the two compartments when it is in an open position (as shown in
Embodiments of the present invention provide selective privacy to occupants who share a structure. For example, the invention may be used to provide privacy to two individuals who share a bed during a sleep-over. In some embodiments, the degree of privacy is selectable between a closed configuration where a divider is completely closed, an open configuration where the divider is open, and a middle configuration where the divider is closed but a window formed therein is open. Embodiments of the present invention may be used both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, the structure may be combined with a mattress to provide comfort, for example, during a sleepover or an outing.
Embodiments of the invention include a method of providing privacy on a mattress. In accordance with one or more of these embodiments, a user places a skin having an elasticized periphery on a mattress, and places the elasticized periphery around the mattress. If the supports and the members are formed from sub-members, the user then connects these sub-members to form the entire supports and the entire members. The members are fed through corresponding member sleeves in the skin. The supports are then fed through corresponding support sleeves in the skin, and the ends of the members are secured to the supports using connections such as clips, thus forming a frame and causing the frame and the skin together to form an enclosure.
While the disclosure includes a number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised that do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.
For example, although the present application only shows the central panel 119 to open and close in a vertical direction, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that the central panel 119 may open and close sideways. The same rationale is applied to other openings that include, but are not limited to, the entrances 117A, 117B, the side windows 113, and the roof window 115.
Further, although the figures herein show the structure 100 being attached to the mattress 121, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that the structure 100 may attach directly to the floor or attach to some other intermediary components not limited to the mattress 121.
Furthermore, although the present application shows the connectors 107 to connect the members 103 and the supports 101A, 101B, the connectors 107 may be configured to connect additional components not shown so as to connect multiple structures 101 together. For example, two such structures 100, as shown in
Claims
1. A structure comprising:
- a collapsible frame;
- a skin configured to be supported by the collapsible frame;
- a divider arranged to divide an interior of the structure into at least two compartments; and
- a mattress attachment structure secured to at least one of the collapsible frame and the skin.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible frame comprises a plurality of collapsible poles that are connected to one another using connections.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible frame comprises a first support, a second support, two members, and connections connecting the first support, the second support, and the two members.
4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein:
- the first support and the second support are parallel to one another, and
- the first support and the second support are perpendicular to the two members.
5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein:
- the collapsible frame further comprises a third member and a fourth member, and
- the third member and the fourth member are connected to and perpendicular to the first support and the second support.
6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein:
- the two members are disposed at a first height, and
- the third member and the fourth member are disposed at a second height.
7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the skin comprises an entrance.
8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the divider comprises a storage pocket.
9. The structure according to claim 1, wherein:
- the skin comprises a roof window,
- the roof window is configured to be folded and secured by an attachment device, and
- the roof window is distributed over the two compartments.
10. The structure according to claim 1, wherein:
- the divider comprises a central panel, and
- the central panel comprises a window.
11. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two compartments comprises a side window.
12. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible frame is substantially semi-cylinder-shaped.
13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the mattress attachment structure comprises an elasticized periphery.
14. The structure according to claim 13, wherein the skin comprises a bottom portion, and wherein the elasticized periphery is integral with the bottom portion.
15. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the skin comprises a plurality of sleeves through which at least some of the plurality of poles pass.
16. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the connections comprise connectors separate from the poles.
17. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the connections comprise interlocking portions of the poles.
18. A tent structure comprising:
- a frame having a first support, a second support, and at least two members, the first support, the second support, and the two members being connected using connections;
- a skin configured to be attached to the frame, the skin comprising a window and an entrance;
- an elasticized periphery; and
- a divider arranged to divide an interior of the tent structure into at least two compartments.
19. A method for providing selective privacy on a mattress, the method comprising:
- placing an elasticized periphery around the mattress, wherein the elasticized periphery is attached to a skin; and
- erecting a collapsible frame such that the collapsible frame and the skin form an enclosure having a divider therein, the divider comprising a central panel that is movable between a first position and a second position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2015
Publication Date: Jan 21, 2016
Inventor: Sean H. Gilmore (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 14/805,255