Abstract:
A sleeping bag system for providing all items necessary to provide shelter, comfort and protection from the elements for outdoor sleeping. The sleeping bag system includes a sleeping bag with its own attached canopy which includes a top cover, two side panels with mesh windows, window rain flap protection and an end panel with two-way storage pocket. The sleeping bag has a slot underneath it for receiving an air-mattress or pad. The canopy is held into position during use with two support poles. These support poles are held into place with support pole sleeves attached to the top of the canopy. The canopy includes attached tie down straps. Compartments within the canopy are used for storing poles, stakes and other items when the canopy is not in use. The entire system can be folded and rolled up for easy storage and transport.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to outdoor sleeping equipment and more specifically it relates to a sleeping bag system for providing those items necessary to provide optimum space, comfort and protection from the elements for outdoor sleeping. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Outdoor portable sleeping equipment has been in use for years. Typically, outdoor portable sleeping equipment requires an individual to carry separately a tent, sleeping bag, and air-mattress or pad. Existing shelter systems do not traditionally combine all necessary elements into one system. Additionally, those systems which attempt to combine some or all of the elements of a tent, sleeping bag and air mattress or pad provide limited space for the occupant once the structure is erected. Current systems mostly provide a ground cover connected to an inflatable or self-supporting shelter. 
     In an effort to minimize size and weight the prior art combination systems consistently provide limited internal space for the occupant. Current designs are limited in their ability to provide the benefits of side mesh windows allowing cross-flow air ventilation and insect protection. Additionally, prior art current systems have semi-circular support structures which minimize comfort and storage space for the occupant. 
     Examples of patented devices which are related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,832 to Russel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,029 to Russel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,146 to Gregg; U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,935 to Gustafson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,980 to Ebert; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,919 to Middleton. 
     Russel (U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,832) discloses a self-supporting outdoor sleeping system. Russel teaches a ground cover sheet to which a tent cover is attached to the form of a body section and a head section. 
     Russel (U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,029) discloses a self-supporting outdoor sleeping system similar in structure to the previous patent using flexible rods to provide a semi-circular enclosure. 
     Gregg (U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,146) discloses a portable shelter system. Gregg teaches a one-person shelter with an internal support structure to hold the structure open. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing those items necessary to provide optimum space, comfort and protection from the elements for outdoor sleeping. All current combination systems are erected in a semi-circular position attempting to minimize weight and size of the system. By using a semicircular design these systems fail to benefit from the advantages available in the current design. The prior art systems do not provide the space necessary to sit within the structure. Current combination systems are limited to providing the occupant a place to sleep and be protected from the elements. 
     In these respects, the sleeping bag system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing all items necessary to provide shelter, comfort, security and protection from the elements for outdoor sleeping. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of outdoor sleeping equipment now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new sleeping bag system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing those items necessary to provide shelter, comfort and protection from the elements for outdoor camping. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new sleeping bag system that has many of the advantages of the combination outdoor sleeping equipment mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new sleeping bag system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art outdoor sleeping equipment, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a sleeping bag with its own attached canopy which includes a top cover, two side panels with mesh windows, window rain flap protection and an end panel with two-way storage pocket. The sleeping bag has a slot underneath it for receiving an air-mattress or pad. The canopy is held into position during use with two support poles. These support poles are held into place with support pole sleeves attached to the top of the canopy. The canopy includes attached tie down straps. Compartments within the canopy are used for storing poles, stakes and other items when the canopy is not in use. The entire system can be folded and rolled up for easy storage and transport. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a sleeping bag system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide a sleeping bag system for providing those items necessary to provide shelter, comfort and protection from the elements for outdoor sleeping. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that allows using either an air-mattress or a pad. 
     An additional object is to provide a sleeping bag system that is compact when not in use. 
     A further object is to provide a sleeping bag system that includes storage compartments for all items necessary to erect and set-up the system. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that is convenient to use and easy to erect. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that allows the canopy to be placed into a number of different configurations. 
     A further object is to provide a sleeping bag system that allows proper ventilation of the system when the canopy section is erected and closed. 
     An additional object is to provide a sleeping bag system that allows the use of an extra or attached ground cloth. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that includes tie downs for added stability during inclement weather. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that includes sufficient interior space to allow the occupant to sit-up within the system. 
     A further object is to provide a sleeping bag system that allows the sleeping bag element to be detachable. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that includes a two-way storage pocket so that the closed canopy does not need to be opened to get items previously stored. 
     Another object is to provide a sleeping bag system that includes a water and fire resistant floor covering and canopy. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated oblique side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated rear oblique side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a elevated oblique side view as in  FIG. 2  with the side panels opened. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention with the side panel removed. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating the stake tie down locations. 
         FIG. 7 . is a sectional view of the system taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 2  showing internal support poles, pad and sleeping bag. 
         FIGS. 8   a – 8   c  illustrate the folding and storage of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 8   c  illustrate a sleeping bag system  10 , which comprises a sleeping bag  60 , a canopy with walls  20 , a ground cloth  40 , support poles  30  and  32 , and tie-down ropes  34  with stakes  36 . The sleeping bag  60  is fastened to the ground cloth  40 . The sleeping bag  60  has an insertion slot  52  between the sleeping bag  60  and the ground cloth  40  which permits the insertion of an air mattress or pad  50 . Attached along the four sides of the ground cloth  40  is the canopy comprising two side panels  21 , a top panel  23  and an end panel  29 . Both the top panel  23  and the end panel  29  contain storage compartments  24  and  27 . The canopy  20  when erected is given its structure by two internal support poles  30  and  32 . 
     The external shell  64  of the sleeping bag  60  is preferably constructed using standard sleeping bag construction fabric. The sleeping bag shell  64  may be filled with standard sleeping bag insulating material. As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the sleeping bag  60  is attached on two sides to the ground cloth  40  with fasteners  62 . The head-end side of the sleeping bag  60  is not attached to the ground cloth  40 . The fasteners  62  may be constructed from hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or any other suitable fastening material. The sleeping bag  60  is preferably constructed to be shorter in length than the ground cloth  40 . Located between the head-end side of the sleeping bag  60  and the ground cloth  40  is an insertion slot  52  for an air mattress or pad  50 . When an air-mattress or pad  50  is inserted into the insertion slot  52  it is sandwiched between the sleeping bag  60  and the ground cloth  40  section of the sleeping bag system. 
     The ground cloth  40  is preferably made from a waterproof or water resistant material. Attached to the foot-end of the ground cloth  40  are two end rings  26  which are best seen in  FIG. 1 . The ground cloth  40  can be secured to the ground using stakes  36  inserted into the two end rings  26 . Attached to the ground cloth  40  on all four sides is the canopy structure  20 . The ground cloth  40  may be attached to the canopy structure using zippers or some other suitable fastener. The canopy structure  20  consists of two side panels  21 , one top panel  23  and one end panel  29 . The canopy structure  20  is preferably made from water resistant material. The canopy structure  20  may be constructed with camouflage patterned material. However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other embodiments of the present invention may include canopy structures  20  made from material with other physical properties and appearance. 
     The side panels  21  are attached to the ground cover  40 , the end panel  29 , and the top panel  23  by zippers  28  or some other suitable fasteners. Located on each side panel  21  is a window  22 . The window  22  is preferably made from mesh material or some other suitable material which will keep insects out of the sleeping bag system, but allow air to flow through the window. Each window  22  preferably has a rain flap  72  which covers the window  22  when the rain flap  72  is allowed to hang down freely. The rain flap  72  may be secured about each window  22  by conventional securing systems. The rain flap  72  can be rolled out of the way of the window  22  and secured in the rolled up position with rain flap straps  74  or some other suitable fastening system. 
     The top panel  23  is attached to the ground cover  40 , the side panels  21  and the end panel  29  by zippers  28  or some other suitable fasteners. Located along the foot end of the top panel  23  is a storage compartment  27  where the stakes  36 , support poles  30  and miscellaneous other items can be stored when the sleeping bag system  10  is not erected. Affixed to the front corners of the top panel  23 , as best seen in  FIG. 1 , are two tie down straps  34 . The tie down straps  34  are secured to the ground with stakes  36  when the sleeping bag system  10  is erected. However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the stability of the erected sleeping bag system  10  may be obtained using other stabilization methods. 
     The end panel  29  is attached to the ground cover  40 , the side panels  21  and the top panel  23  by zippers  28  or some other suitable fastener. Preferably located within the approximate center of the end panel  29 , is a two-way storage pocket  24 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the two-way storage pocket  24  has zippers  25  affixed to the top end of the storage pocket  24 . One zipper  25  is affixed to the outer wall of the end panel  29  when the sleeping bag system  10  is erected and one zipper  25  is affixed to the inner wall of the end panel  29  when the sleeping bag system  10  is erected. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the erected sleeping bag system&#39;s  10  physical structure is maintained by two support poles  30  and  32 . The support poles  30  and  32  are preferably made from aluminum or some other durable and lightweight material. The support poles  30  and  32  may be collapsible to allow their storage in the top panel&#39;s  23  storage compartment  27 . The support poles  30  and  32  have a length side and a width side which are connected at the corners with corner couplers  38 . The sleeping bag system&#39;s  10  mid-point support pole  30  may be maintained in position within the sleeping bag system  10  by sliding the mid-point support pole  30  through a sleeve  31  attached midway down the interior side of the top panel  23 . The sleeping bag system&#39;s  10  head-end support pole  32  may be maintained in position with the sleeping bag system  10  by sliding the head-end support pole  32  through a sleeve  33  attached at the head-end of the interior side of the top panel  23 . However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the support poles  30  and  32  may be temporarily affixed to the canopy structure  20  by other fastening methods. 
     By lengthening the width of the sleeping bag  60 , ground cloth  40 , the top panel  23  and the two support poles  30  and  32  the system can be modified to provide a sleeping bag system  10  for more than one person. 
     In use, the sleeping bag system  10  is rolled out on the camping location. The support poles  30  and  32 , and stakes  36  are removed from the top panel storage compartment  27 . Two stakes  36  are used to secure the foot end of the canopy structure  20  to the ground surface. The width section of the mid-point support pole  30  is inserted through the mid-point support pole sleeve  31 . The width section is connected to the length section of the support pole  30  with corner couplers  38  and placed to support the bottom half of the canopy structure  20 . The width section of the head-end support pole  32  is inserted through the head-end support pole sleeve  33 . The width section is connected to the length section of the support pole  32  with corner couplers  38  and placed to support the head end of the canopy structure  20 . The tie down straps  34  attached to the head-end of the top panel  23  are attached to the ground structure using stakes  36 . The top zipper  28  on the side panels  21  are connected along the length of the top panel  23 . The zipper  28  along the end panel  29  is connected to the two side panels  21  and the top panel  23 . The sleeping bag system  10  is now in its erected state. 
     To enter the sleeping bag system  10 , one of the side panels  21  can be zippered open as best seen in  FIG. 3 . Depending on the climate conditions, the side rain flaps  72  can be either rolled up and secured with the rain flap straps  74  or left down. Depending on the desires of the user, the side panels  21  and end panel  29  can be either closed, zippered partially open or zippered open all the way to the foot end of sleeping bag system  10 . 
     To take down and transport the sleeping bag system  10  the end panel  29  is unzippered from the two side panels  21  and the top panel  23  and laid flat on the ground structure. The side panels  21  are unzippered from the top panel  23  and laid flat on the ground. The tie down straps  34  are disconnected from the stakes  36 . The head-end support pole  32  is taken apart and the width section is removed from the head-end support pole sleeve  33 . The mid-point support pole  30  is taken apart and the width section is removed from the mid-point support pole sleeve  31 . The two stakes  36  used to hold the foot end of the canopy structure  20  to the ground are removed. The support poles  30  and  32  and stakes  36  are placed in the top panel storage compartment  27 . As best seen in  FIGS. 8   a  through  8   c , the two side panels  21  are folded over and on top of the ground cloth  40  and sleeping bag  60 . The end panel  29  is then folded over and on top of the ground cloth  40  and sleeping bag  60 . Beginning at the foot end of the sleeping bag system  10  the sleeping bag system  10  is rolled up towards the head end of the sleeping bag system  10 . The storage ties  70  are used to secure the sleeping bag system in the stored and rolled up position. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.