Abstract:
A sleeping bag ( 20 ) having a top ( 24 ), a bottom ( 26 ), a primary attachment structure ( 28 ) for attaching the top to the bottom so as to form a bag, and a secondary attachment structure ( 34 ), independent of the primary attachment structure, that is releasable to create an opening to provide access to an inside of the sleeping bag and that is closable to close the opening. A mesh panel ( 40 ) covers the opening when the secondary attachment structure is released.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/916,464, filed May 7, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In general, a sleeping bag is a bag that is warmly lined or padded for sleeping outdoors, for example in a tent. Sleeping bags may also be used for sleeping on a floor inside a house, such as for a sleepover, or may be used as convenient bedding material when traveling or for guests. 
         [0003]    Sleeping bags typically include a bottom portion, upon which an individual lies, and a top portion which extends over the individual to cover the individual. Often, the top and bottom portions are made of a single, large rectangular insulated or padded fabric that is folded and attached along foot end and side edges to form the sleeping bag. The attachment is typically made by a zipper. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of some embodiments that are presented later. 
         [0005]    In accordance with an embodiment, a sleeping bag is provided having a mesh panel. The mesh panel may be enclosed behind an attachment structure, such as a zipper. The attachment structure may be released to form an opening, with the mesh panel covering the opening. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, the attachment structure is separate from a primary zipper that attaches the top and bottom of the sleeping bag. The attachment structure may be, for example, a zipper that is attached to the primary zipper of the sleeping bag. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment, the mesh panel is positioned at the foot portion of the sleeping bag. However, the mesh panel may be positioned at other locations on the sleeping bag, including along one or both sides. 
         [0008]    Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an end perspective view of a section of a foot end of a sleeping bag in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a end perspective view of the sleeping bag of  FIG. 1 , with a secondary zipper opened to expose a mesh panel; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an end perspective view of the sleeping bag of  FIG. 1 , with the secondary zipper closed and a primary zipper for the sleeping bag opened to expose an interior of the sleeping bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted. or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. In addition, to the extent that orientations of the embodiments are described, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “right,” and the like, the orientations are to aid the reader in understanding to embodiment being described, and are not meant to be limiting. 
         [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an end view of a foot end  22  of a sleeping bag  20 . The sleeping bag  20  includes a top  24  and a bottom  26 . 
         [0014]    The sleeping bag  20  shown in the drawings is of a standard configuration, and in the embodiments shown in the drawings is a generally rectangular bag formed by the top  24  being folded over the bottom  26 , and connection of the top and the bottom by a primary zipper  28 . This type of structure is conventional, and is known in the art. A sleeping bag may include a variety of other features, or may be shaped in another manner. 
         [0015]    Although the configuration of the sleeping bag  20  in the drawings utilizes a fold-over construction with connection by a zipper, many other configurations may be utilized. For example, a bag may be formed in which a connection is made at the top or bottom of the sleeping bag, instead of along the side edges. A sleeping bag may be closed by an attachment structure other than a zipper. In addition, a sleeping bag may be folded and sewn or otherwise permanently connected. The top and bottom of the sleeping bag may be formed of two different pieces, and may be connected along their edges to form a sleeping bag. Furthermore, although shown as a rectangle, the sleeping bag may have any shape, including a mummy shape, a more square, or “double” shape, or other configurations. 
         [0016]    As is conventional in sleeping bags, the primary zipper  28  includes upper and lower zipper tapes  30 ,  32  that are typically sewn to the top  24  and the bottom  26 , respectively. In accordance with an embodiment, a secondary attachment structure is provided on the sleeping bag  20 . The secondary attachment structure is a mechanism that permits the sleeping bag  20  to be opened without opening the primary zipper  28 . This secondary attachment structure may be, for example, hook and loop fasteners, toggle and loop fasteners, clasps, clips, buttons, snaps, or other suitable fasteners. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment, the secondary attachment structure is a zipper  34 . 
         [0018]    The secondary zipper  34  includes an upper zipper tape  36  and a lower zipper tape  38 . In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lower zipper tape  38  for the secondary zipper  34  is attached to the upper zipper tape  30  for the primary zipper  28 , and the upper zipper tape  36  of the secondary zipper is connected to the top  24  of the sleeping bag  20 . Thus, the secondary zipper  34  and the primary zipper  28  extend side-by-side. In an alternate embodiment, the secondary zipper  34  is attached between the lower zipper tape  32  for the primary zipper  28  and the bottom  26  of the sleeping bag. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the secondary zipper  34  is positioned at the foot end  22  of the sleeping bag  20 . However, the secondary zipper  34  or other suitable secondary attachment structure may continue beyond the foot end  22 , and/or may be positioned at another location on the sleeping bag, such as along one or both of the sides of the sleeping bag, or at a portion of the top of the sleeping bag. In addition, the secondary zipper  34  or other suitable secondary attachment structure may be positioned away from the primary zipper  28 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the secondary zipper  34  may be opened to provide ventilation for the sleeping bag  20 . This ventilation may be provided without opening of the primary zipper  28 . 
         [0021]    In accordance with an embodiment, a mesh panel  40  ( FIG. 2 ) is connected to the back side of the upper and lower zipper tapes  36 ,  38  for the secondary zipper  34 . In the embodiment shown in the drawings, when the secondary zipper  34  is closed, the mesh panel  40  is positioned inside the sleeping bag  20 . However, the mesh panel  40  may alternatively be positioned outside the sleeping bag  20  or in a pocket (not shown) on or in the sleeping bag. When the secondary zipper  34  is opened, the mesh panel  40  connects the top  24  of the sleeping bag  20  to the bottom  26  (via the primary zipper  28 ). 
         [0022]    The mesh panel  40  may be formed of a suitable mesh or screen material that allows air circulation into the sleeping bag  20  when the secondary zipper  34  is opened. By providing a mesh panel  40 , air circulation may be provided, but the top  24  and bottom  26  of the sleeping bag  20  remain connected together, preventing a loss of shape of the sleeping bag and a limb of an occupant of the sleeping bag from extending out of the opening. The mesh panel  40  also provides blocking of insects, rodents, snakes, and other animals when the secondary zipper  34  is opened. 
         [0023]    When the secondary zipper  34  is closed, the mesh panel  40  folds against itself, and is stored at the foot end  22  of the sleeping bag. The primary zipper  28  may be opened, such as shown in  FIG. 3 , to provide access to the inside of the sleeping bag  20  in a conventional manner. 
         [0024]    The secondary zipper  34  provides. Ventilation for the sleeping bag  20  without requiring opening of the primary zipper  28 . Use of the mesh panel  40  permits air to circulate through the sleeping bag  20  while maintaining a connection between the top  24  and bottom  26  of the sleeping bag, and preventing a user from sliding out of the sleeping bag. In addition, protection against insects and small animals from entering the sleeping bag while open is provided by the mesh panel  40 . 
         [0025]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0026]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0027]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.