Abstract:
A bag/bed assembly comprising a first layer, which first layer receives and stores a second layer, and a third layer housed entirely within the second layer. Said first layer, when storing said second layer, serves as a seating apparatus. When you remove the second layer from the first layer, the second layer, is spaced out in a fully open position, having a substantially rectangular configuration that serves as a portable bed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a bag/bed assembly, that is a portable bedding, that when stored according to the methods of the present invention, is a seating apparatus. 
   2. Background Information 
   Various forms and designs of seating devices are readily available. As is various forms and designs of beds. Further, and becoming more popular, are various forms of beds which are marketed as portable bedding. One such form of portable bedding is an air mattress often comprising of a plastic or vinyl cover, and a mechanical means for delivering air to the cover, before the apparatus is suitable for sleeping upon. This is not convenient, and is relatively cumbersome. Further, the mechanical means often requires a source for electricity which may not be available. 
   The bag/bed assembly according to the present invention departs from the conventional portable bedding concepts and designs, and in doing so, provides an assembly primarily developed for the purpose of providing a portable seating and bedding apparatus without the requirement of either mechanical means or power source. It should be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved assembly that is a portable seating and bedding apparatus. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is designed to provide a portable bedding, that when stored according to the methods of the present invention, is a seating apparatus, comprising a first layer which receives and stores a second layer, which second layer includes therein a third layer of foam-type material. Said first layer including a first side, a second side, a cavity, and a closure. 
   Said first layer, when storing said second layer, serves as a seating apparatus. When you remove the second layer having the third layer contained therein from the first layer, the second layer is spaced out in a fully open position, wherein the second layer has a substantially rectangular configuration that serves as a bed. 
   The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings, which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bag/bed assembly, where the second and third layers are received by the first layer. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , where the closure of the first layer is open showing the second layer therein. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , where a portion of the second layer has been removed through the closure of the first layer. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of the second layer of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , and further illustrates the third layer contained within the second layer. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the second layer (having the third layer contained therein) being prepared for storing within the first layer by diagonally folding the second layer into a substantially triangular configuration. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a further folding of the second layer. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the second and third layers contained within the first layer. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a bag/bed assembly  1  made in accordance with the present invention. The assembly  1  includes a first layer  10 , a second layer  20 , and a third layer  30 , which third layer  30  is contained entirely within the second layer  20 . The first layer  10  being formed by a first side  10 A and a second side  10 B. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the first side  10 A having a first edge  13 A, and the second side  10 B having a second edge  13 B, said edges  13 A,  13 B forming a closure  13  disposed at the upper portion of the first layer  10 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , the first layer  10  defines a container of elongated configuration having upper and lower circular ends, with fastening means located in one of the circular ends, with the fastening means spaced from the circumference of the circle defining a circular end. 
   The first layer  10  further includes a hollow interior cavity  12  formed on the inner sides of the first side  10 A and the second side  10 B of the first layer  10 . The closure  13  defining an access opening  13 C to the cavity  12  within the first layer  10 , said access opening  13 C adapted to receive the second layer  20  as will be further discussed. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the second layer  20  when spaced out in a fully opened positioned, has a substantially rectangular configuration, and is provided with corners  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D. 
   The cavity  12  is formed on the inner side of the first and second sides  10 A,  10 B of the first layer  10 , and is easily accessable through the closure  13  of the first layer  10 . The closure  13  includes a fastening means  40 , said fastening means  40  preferably including a first fastening member  40 A and a second fastening member  40 B, said fastening means  40  preferably a VELCRO—type material having a strip of loop material (not shown) and a matching strip of hook material (not shown). For example, the strip of loop material, representing the second fastening member  40 B, may be positioned on the outer side of the first edge  13 A, and the hook material, representing the first fastening member  40 A, is transversely positioned along the inner side of the second edge  13 B. It should be noted that the hook-and-loop materials can be interchangeably positioned. It is further understood by one skilled in the art that the fastening means  40  of the closure  13  may further consist of any other fastening means common in the art, such as a zipper, snaps, buttons, and the like. 
   The cavity  12  receives the second layer  20  for storage of the second layer  20 . The second layer  20  is then secured in position within the first layer  10  by said fastening means  40 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first edge  13 A of the first side  10 A is fastened to the second edge  13 B of second side  10 B thereby closing the closure  13  as best shown in FIG.  1 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second layer  20  is removed from the first layer  10  by separating the edges  13 A and  13 B thereby opening the closure  13 , exposing the second layer  20 . Once exposed, the second layer  20  is accessible, and may be removed from the cavity  12  of the first layer  10  as shown in FIG.  3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , once the second layer  20  is removed, the second layer  20  is spaced out in a fully open position, wherein the second layer  20  is shown having a substantially rectangular configuration. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third layer  30  is contained entirely within the second layer  20 , said third layer  30  is a foam-type material, preferably a shredded foam-fill material. Such foam material of the third layer  30  further suitable to conform to the said rectangular configuration of the second layer  20  when the second layer  20  is not stored within the first layer  10 . Such foam material of the third layer  30  further suitable to conform to the shape of the first layer  10  when storing the second layer  20  therein. As such, the third layer  30  is a foam padding inside the second layer  20  when the second layer  20  is used as a bed; and when the second layer  20  is stored within the first layer  10 , the third layer  30  is a foam padding for when the first layer  10  is used as a seating apparatus. It should be understood that the thickness of the second layer  20  is dependent upon the volume of foam material forming the third layer  30 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the method of folding and storing the second layer  20  within the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 , comprises generally the steps of diagonally folding the second layer  20  and inserting the folded second layer  20  within the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . The folding starts by diagonally folding the second layer  20  into a substantially triangular configuration, by folding said corner  20 B on top of corner  20 D forming new folded corners  21 A and  22 A as shown in FIG.  5 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, either said new folded corner  21 A or said new folded corner  22 A of the folded second layer  20  is then slidably inserted into the hollow interior cavity  12  of the first layer  10  by separating the first and second edges  13 A,  13 B, thereby opening the closure  13  and inserting one of the said new folded corners. When inserting one of the said new folded corners, insert approximately one-half (½) of the folded second layer  20  into the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 , so that approximately one-half (½) of the folded layer  20  remains exposed and the balance of the folded second layer  20  is within the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . Next, rotate the said exposed portion of the second layer  20  approximately 90 degrees thereby in effect, rotating the entire folded second layer  20  said approximately 90 degrees. The remaining balance of the folded second layer  20  is then inserted into the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . 
   Once the second layer  20  is completely inserted within the cavity  12 , the first side  10 A and second side  10 B will enclose the now folded balance of the second layer  20 . Once fully enclosed, the second layer  20  is secured in position within the first layer  10  by connecting the first edge  13 A of the first side  10 A to the second edge  13 B of the second side  10 B and applying the fastening means previously described. The flexible and resilient nature of the material construction of the hollow interior cavity  12  of the first layer  10  causes a friction fit between the second layer  20  and the inner side of the first layer  10 , causing the second layer  20  to be retained therein. When the second layer  20  is received within the first layer  10 , the second layer  20  completely fills the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . The second layer  20  is now stored and the first layer is a seating apparatus as shown in FIG.  1 . 
   A user may obviously use any number of folding steps in order to insert the second layer  20  in the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . What is critical is that in storage, the second layer  20 , when stored within the first layer  10 , completely fills the cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first layer  10  is constructed of a cloth material, preferably corduroy; however, any cloth, vinyl, cotton material obvious to one skilled in the art would be acceptable. Similarly, the second layer  20  is constructed of a cloth material, preferably a cotton material. 
   Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, it should be obvious that the shape of the first layer  10  may be of any shape, not merely the shape as displayed in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . Likewise, the dimensions of the first and second layers  10  and  20  may vary. As previously stated, when the second layer  20  is received in the first layer  10 , the second layer  20  completely fills the hollow interior cavity  12  of the first layer  10 . As such, if the size of the hollow interior cavity  12  of the first layer  10  is increased, the size of the second layer  20  will increase accordingly. 
   Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.