Abstract:
Described is a multipurpose overnight bag which includes a storage body and a sleeping bag coupled thereto, and which includes one or more shoulder straps connectable to the storage body to enable the multipurpose overnight bag to be carried by a user when it is configured in a “travel mode.” The multipurpose overnight bag is configured such that when put into the travel mode the sleeping hag wraps completely around and cushions the storage body, thereby protecting the contents of the storage body and providing a plush and comfortable carrying experience for a user carrying it via the one or more shoulder straps.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Overnight bags are frequently used to carry a small number of items in a convenient manner. Backpacks are commonly used for this purpose, in many situations (e.g., overnight camping trips; child sleepovers) a sleeping bag is also needed. Sleeping bags can he cumbersome to carry separately and if stuffed into a backpack or other overnight bag, there is little room left for other items (clothes, books, stuffed animals, etc.). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Described is a multipurpose overnight bag which includes a storage body and a sleeping bag coupled thereto, and which includes one or more shoulder straps connectable to the storage body to enable the multipurpose overnight bag to be carried by a user when it is configured in a “travel mode” The multipurpose overnight bag is configured such that when put into the travel mode the sleeping bag wraps completely around and cushions the storage body, thereby protecting the contents of the storage body and providing a plush and comfortable carrying experience for a user carrying it via the one or more shoulder straps. 
         [0003]    In an alternative embodiment, the storage body is made of a rigid material or is made of a soft material that is rendered semi-rigid via the inclusion of stiffening elements within the material. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the storage body includes at least one flat side that lies flat a surface on which the sleeping bag is in a “deployed mode,” and is connected to the sleeping bag at one end thereof, thus forming a “headboard” at an open end of the sleeping bag which can be leaned upon buy a user and/or provide easy access to items placed within storage body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a multipurpose overnight hag according to the present invention in a fully deployed mode configuration; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a partial perspective view of a multipurpose overnight bag according to the present invention, showing a pillow removed, revealing a storage pocket for same; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a multipurpose overnight bag according to the present invention in a travel mode configuration; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate partial perspective view of a multipurpose overnight bag according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows an enlarged view of a decorative head of the present invention, illustrating a zipper pocket therein; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a multipurpose overnight bag according to the present invention, in which D rings are attached to the bottom portion of the storage body, and connection means, e.g., spring hooks, boltsnaps, carabiner clips, etc,, are provided for connecting straps to allow interconnection in a well-known manner; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a light element that can be provided at the tip of tail as shown with a zipper provided to enable the insertion of batteries to allow the operation of the light. 
           [0012]    The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions: 
           [0013]    As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
           [0014]    Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean, About can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value, Unless otherwise clear from context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term about. 
           [0015]    As used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like. 
           [0016]    Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of I to  50  is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 (as well as fractions thereof unless the context clearly dictates otherwise). 
           [0017]    Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “or” is understood to be inclusive. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , a multipurpose overnight bag  100  is shown.  FIG. 1  best shows the multipurpose overnight hag  100  in a fully deployed mode configuration, and  FIG. 3  best shows the multipurpose overnight hag  100  shown in its travel mode configuration. 
         [0019]    Referring first now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the overnight bag  100  includes a sleeping bag  102  and a storage body  104 , The sleeping hag  102  has a first end  106  (see  FIG. 2 ), a second end  108 , a first side  110  and a second side  112 , Sleeping bag  102  also has a top surface  114  and a bottom surface  116  (which abuts the floor/ground when displayed as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Sleeping hag  102 , in the broadest embodiment, is a typical sleeping bag as is well known, e.g., a cloth “pouch” preferably filled with polyester fiber padding, down, or other such material and having a zipper around the perimeter on at least two sides, e.g., bottom  108  and second side  112 . As described in more detail below, various modifications to this “typical” sleeping bag can be included to provide additional functionality and/or decorative features. 
         [0020]    Storage body  104  includes a first end  105  and a second end  136  (see  FIG. 4 ). An imaginary longitudinal axis  120  extends through storage body  104  as shown in  FIG. 1 . An imaginary longitudinal axis  118  extends through sleeping bag  102  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 , sleeping bag  102  is coupled to storage body  104 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the first end  108  of sleeping bag  102  is coupled to storage body  104  along the longitudinal axis  120  of storage body  104 , such that the longitudinal axis  118  of sleeping bag  102  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  120  of storage body  104 , in a preferred embodiment, the first end  106  of sleeping bag  102  is connectable to storage body  104  via a zipper  130  (See  FIG. 2 ). It is understood that any connection means can be used in place of zipper  130 , e.g., simple hooks, ties, Velcro®, buckle clips, or the like. 
         [0021]    As shown in the figures, in a preferred embodiment, the storage body  104  has at least one flat side,  107  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, the storage body  104  is generally trapezoidal shaped as shown in the figures, However, it is understood that in the preferred embodiment, only side  107  need be flat, and the remainder of the surface can be any shape, e.g., curved rather than trapezoidal, resembling essentially a tube with one flat side to sit on the ground when deployed. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in the Figures, storage body  104  has two points of entry so that items can be stowed therein and accessed when needed. A first point of entry is formed by providing a zipper  109  on first end  105 , As shown in  FIG. 2 , this zipper  109  can be positioned around a portion of the perimeter of first end  105 , A second point of entry as shown in  FIG. 2  is formed by placing a zipper  111  on a side of the storage body  104  that is easily accessible by a user of the sleeping bag sitting or lying on it, e.g., on a side of the storage body  104  that faces the sleeping bag, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Placing zipper  111  in this location gives easy access to the contents of the storage body  104  when the sleeping bag is in the deployed mode configuration. 
         [0023]    The storage body  104  can be made of any material capable of being formed into a shape having a generally flat side  107 . The material can be a softer less-rigid materials such as cloth, rip-stop nylon, sheet plastic, or like materials. It can also be a more rigid material such as high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or like materials. If softer less rigid materials are used, “stiffeners” can be included in seams or in inserts to add rigidity to the storage body  104  so that it can essentially “stand” on its own, even when unfilled with items, 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, a pillow  124  is also included for use by a user of the sleeping bag  110 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , if desired, a pocket or slot  132  can be provided into which the pillow  124  can he stored when not in use. 
         [0025]    At the second end  108  of sleeping bag  102 , in a preferred embodiment, fasteners  128  are provided which interact, when in the travel mode configuration, with corresponding fasteners  134  (see  FIG. 3 ) situated on the bottom side of sleep bag  102 , By way of example, for a sleeping bag  102  that is approximately 5 feet in length, used with a storage body  104  which has dimensions of approximately 18 inches in length by 8 inches in width by 6.5 inches in height, the complimentary fasteners  134  should be situated approximately 27-28 inches from the top of the sleeping hag, As noted above,  FIG. 3  best illustrates the overnight bag of the present invention in the travel position. As can be seen, the sleeping bag is rolled around the storage body  104  and is fastened in place by fasteners  128  coupled to corresponding fasteners  134 , Any type of fastener can he used, for example, simple hooks, ties, buckle clips, or the like, 
         [0026]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  are straps  136 , As shown in.  FIG. 3 , only a single strap  136  is shown. However, as can be seen in  FIG. 6 , multiple straps (two arc shown) can be attached to make the device function as a backpack if desired, As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, D ring  140  are attached to the bottom portion of the storage body  104 , e,g., approximately at the four corners of the flat side  107  of storage body  104 , and connection means, e.g., spring hooks, boltsnaps, carabiner clips, etc., are provided for connecting straps  136  to allow interconnection in a well-known manner. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, the sleeping bag  102  can include first and/or second decorative elements  122  and  126 , such as a stuffed animal head and a stuffed animal tail configured as shown. As can best be seen in  FIG. 4 , the head and tail (in this example) are attached on the sides of the sleeping bag  102 , next to the top of the sleeping bag  102  and extending outward from the first side  110  and second side  112 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, they are detachably connected, e.g., through the use of zippers or other fasteners, so that they may be removed when the sleeping bag is to be washed. In a preferred embodiment, the head  122  includes a zipper  138  on its hack of the head, which opens to provide a storage area within the head for a child or other user of the device. 
         [0028]    Further, as best seen in  FIG. 7 , if desired, a light element  142  can be provided at the tip of tail as shown with a zipper  144  provided to enable the insertion of batteries  146  to allow the operation of the light  142 . The materials used for the sleeping bag  102  and storage element  104  are preferably decorated with prints or other markings that are consistent with the decorative elements, for example, if a tiger head and tail are used, the material used for the sleeping bag  102  could have tiger stripes printed thereon, as could the storage element  104 . The light  142  can comprise any portable light (battery operated; solar powered, etc.) that can be situated within the tail  126  and emit light outward from the tail as shown, for example, in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0029]    The head and tail shown in the drawings are shown for the purpose of example only, and it is understood that many other decorative add-ons, e.g., lion, horse, cat, alligators, moose, panda, elephant, pig, cow, sheep, raccoon, seal, koala, hippo, frog, bunny, zebra, whale, kangaroo, bear, dolphin, butterfly, bumblebee, buffalo, duck, dragon, shark, kitten, dog, puppies, unicorns, monkeys, turtles, leopards, giraffes, ladybugs, penguins, dinosaurs; or sports related decorative items, e.g., baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and the like could be used and all such decorative add-ons are considered to be covered by the appended claims. 
         [0030]    To put the overnight bag in the travel position, the sleeping bag is rolled around the storage body, through the straps  136 , and fastened using fasteners  128 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . This provides the user with an easily carryable overnight bag which includes a sleeping bag and storage facilities for minor sundries, clothing, etc., that might be included on an overnight stay. 
       EQUIVALENTS 
       [0031]    The functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements, or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations or functions than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements (e.g., modules, computers, fasteners, straps and the like) shown as distinct for purposes of illustration can be incorporated within other functional elements, separated in different hardware, or distributed in a particular implementation. 
         [0032]    While certain embodiments according to the invention have been described, the invention is not limited to just the described embodiments. Various changes and/or modifications can be made to any of the described embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Also, various combinations of elements, steps, features, and/or aspects of the described embodiments are possible and contemplated even if such combinations are not expressly identified herein.