Patent Publication Number: US-2004045086-A1

Title: Sleeping apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to sleeping apparatus, and in particular, to sleeping assemblies that can be easily and conveniently folded or collapsed to a smaller size for storage.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] Portable mattresses, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, futons and similar bed-like products have become very popular in recent times. These products are often used as temporary beds and as such, are useful in accomodating house guests, in camping or on short trips. Given these uses, it is important for these temporary beds to be convenient to use and convenient to store.  
       [0005] Sleeping bags have long been a popular choice for campers and overnight guests. Sleeping bags provide a covering that functions effectively as a blanket. In addition, sleeping bags are usually made entirely from a soft cloth-like or similar material which are rather comfortable for sleeping in, and which allows the sleeping bags to be easily rolled up for storage. Unfortunately, most sleeping bags have a soft base which the user lies on, and a soft base can be uncomfortable when compared with a conventional mattress. This is because the user is essentially sleeping on the ground and can often feel the different bumps and other rough spots on the ground.  
       [0006] Sleeping mats are similar to sleeping bags except that no covering is provided. Thus, sleeping mats not only suffer from the same drawbacks as sleeping bags, but also do not provide any blanket or covering.  
       [0007] Portable inflatable mattresses provide a firmer base for the user to sleep on, so the user does not feel like he or she is sleeping on the ground. In addition, the inflatability of these portable mattresses allows them to be deflated and then folded into a small configuration that is easy to move around and to store. Unfortunately, most portable inflatable mattresses do not provide any blanket or covering.  
       [0008] Futons are arguably more comfortable than inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and sleeping mats because they are actually very similar to a mini-mattress. Unfortunately, futons do not provide any blanket or covering, and cannot be folded or collapsed so that they become bulky and therefore difficult to move around and to store.  
       [0009] Thus, there still remains a need to provide temporary bedding that are comfortable, convenient to use, and easy to store.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bedding apparatus that is comfortable to the user.  
       [0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a bedding apparatus that is convenient to use and easy to store.  
       [0012] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a bedding apparatus that has an inflatable base and a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag can have a base portion and a cover that define a sleeping space between the base portion and the cover. In one embodiment, the base portion of the sleeping bag is attached to the top surface of the inflatable base. In another embodiment, the base is retained inside the sleeping bag. The base can be folded into a different configuration and retained in this folded configuration for use as a different article of use. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bedding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bedding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the apparatus of FIG. 2.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bedding apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bedding apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating modifications made to the apparatus of FIG. 4.  
     [0018]FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of bedding apparatus according to other embodiments of the present invention.  
     [0019] FIGS.  8 - 9  are perspective views illustrating how any of the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 7  can be folded to create a different article of use.  
     [0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating how the apparatus of FIGS.  2 - 3  can be folded to create a different article of use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0021] The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
     [0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a bedding apparatus  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  20  has a base  22  and a bag  24  that can be removably attached to the base  22 . The base  22  and bag  24  can both be provided with similar configurations so that the apparatus will appear to be unitary structure after the base  22  and bag  24  have been attached. The base  22  is inflatable, and is made from an inflatable material (e.g., PVC, leather and nylon) that has an interior chamber for receiving air or fluid that is introduced through an air inlet  26 . Another example of a possible material for the base  22  is a soft fabric that is lined with a plastic coating. In this regard, the base  22  can be similar to a conventional inflatable mattress.  
     [0023] The bag  24  can be similar to a conventional sleeping bag. In this regard, the entire bag  24  is preferably made from a soft cloth-like material, and can include soft paddings, down and any other conventional material that is typically used to provide sleeping bags with a soft and fluffy feel. The bag  24  has a base portion  28  and a cover  30  that acts as a blanket. The length of the cover  30  is shorter than the length of the base portion  28  so that the user can place his or her head on the exposed portion  32  of the base portion  28 . The base portion  28  and the cover  30  define a sleeping space therebetween for the user&#39;s body. The bag  24  can be formed by providing one large piece of material, and folding the material into half so that one half forms the base portion  28  and the other half forms the cover  30 . The opposing edges, such as  34  and  36 , of the piece of material can be either permanently attached (e.g., by stitching), or removably attached (e.g., by VELCRO™ pads, a zipper, hooks, and similar mechanisms).  
     [0024] The bag  24  can be removably attached to the base  22  by a removable attachment mechanism, such as opposing VELCRO™ pads  38  provided on the bottom of the base portion  28  and the top of the base  22 . Other removable attachment mechanisms can be used, including but not limited to zippers, hooks and clasps, among others. Thus, the bag  24  can be removed from the base  22  so that the bag  24  can be washed separately from the base  22 .  
     [0025] The apparatus  20  can be used like a sleeping bag, with the added benefit that the base  22  can provide a firmer support for the back and body. The firmness of the base  22  can also be adjusted by inflating or deflating the base  22  more or less to provide a softer or firmer back support. The bag  24  can provide a soft base portion  28  that is comfortable to lie on, and a cover  30  that can function as a blanket. The apparatus  20  can be easily and conveniently packed for storage by removing the bag  24  from the base  22 , and then folding the bag  24  in the same manner as folding a conventional sleeping bag, and then deflating the base  22 . Once the base  22  has been completely deflated, it can be folded into a small configuration. For example, a pouch (not shown) can be provided for holding the folded bag  24  and folded base  22 . The pouch can then be conveniently carried around by the user.  
     [0026]FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate another bedding apparatus  50  that is similar to the apparatus  20  of FIG. 1. The apparatus  50  in FIGS. 2 and 3 also has an inflatable base  52  and a bag  54  that can be the same as the base  22  and bag  24 , respectively, of FIG. 1, except for the differences noted below. One primary difference is that the base  52  can be provided with a plurality of different segments  56   a - 56   d , each having its own interior chamber for holding air or fluid. Each segment  56   a - 56   d  can be made from any of the materials, and has the same characteristics as, the base  22  described above. In addition, each segment  56   a - 56   d  has its own corresponding air inlet  58   a - 58   d  throughout which air or fluid can be introduced and removed. Referring to FIG. 3, the base  52  can have a single support board  60 , with the segments  56   a - 56   d  secured (e.g., by glue, heat weld, etc.) to the bottom of the board  60 . The bag  54  can be removably attached to the board  60  of the base  52  using any of the removable attachment mechanisms described above, or can be permenently attached (e.g., by glue, stitching, etc.) to the base  52  as shown in FIG. 2.  
     [0027] The plurality of different segments  56   a - 56   d  allows for the base  52  to have varying firmness throughout. As a non-limiting example, the user can inflate selected segments  56   a  and  56   b  more than the other segments  56   c  and  56   d , so as to obtain a firmer support for the back, neck and head regions than for the leg regions. The plurality of different segments  56   a - 56   d  also allows for the apparatus  50  to be foldable to form a different article of use, as explained in greater detail in connection with FIGS.  8 - 10  below.  
     [0028]FIG. 4 illustrates another bedding apparatus  70 . The apparatus  70  in FIG. 4 has an inflatable base  72  that is removably retained inside a bag  74 . The base  72  can be the same as the base  22  in FIG. 1. The bag  74  has a base portion  76  that has an internal receiving space  78  defined therein for receiving the base  72 . The bag  74  also has a cover  80  that can be folded to cover the base portion  76 . The opposing edges  82  and  84  of the base portion  76  and the cover  80 , respectively, can be removably attached (e.g., by VELCRO™ pads, a zipper, hooks, and similar mechanisms). A sleeping space is defined between the cover  80  and the base portion  76 . An opening  86  can be provided along any edge of the base portion  76  to access the internal space  78 , so that the base  72  can be slid through the opening  86  into the internal space  78 .  
     [0029] A pillow  88  can be provided adjacent the top of the base portion  76 . The pillow  88  can be an inflatable pillow made of the same material as the base  22  and attached (e.g., by sewing) to the base portion  76 , or can be a conventional soft cloth-like pillow attached (e.g., by sewing) to the base portion  76 . If the pillow  88  is inflatable, the base portion  76  can be provided with a pillow housing that is made of the same material as the base portion  76 , with the pillow housing having an interior accessed by an opening that can be closed by VELCRO™ pads, a zipper or the like. The inflatable pillow  88  can then be inserted into, or removed from, the interior of the pillow housing via the opening. The pillow  88  itself can be provided with an air inlet  90  through which air or fluid can be introduced or removed.  
     [0030] Thus, the apparatus  70  in FIG. 4 is very similar to the apparatus  20  in FIG. 1, except that the apparatus  70  removably attaches the base  72  and bag  74  in a different manner. In other words, the apparatus  20  in FIG. 1 removably attaches the bag  24  to the base  22  by using a removable attachment mechanism, while the apparatus  70  in FIG. 4 removably attaches the bag  74  to the base  72  by removably retaining the base  72  inside the base portion  76  of the bag  74 . Otherwise, the construction, materials, features and uses for the bag  74  and the base  72  in the apparatus  70  of FIG. 4 is very similar to those for the bag  24  and the base  22  in the apparatus  20  of FIG. 1.  
     [0031]FIG. 5 illustrates a bedding apparatus  100  that includes a modification that can be made to the apparatus  70  of FIG. 4. The apparatus  100  in FIG. 5 is essentially the same as the apparatus in FIG. 4, in that the apparatus  100  also has an inflatable base (not shown) that is retained inside the base portion  102  of a bag  104 . The apparatus  100  differs from the apparatus  70  in that the pillow  106  now extends from the top edge  108  of the base portion  102 . The pillow  106  can be a conventional soft cloth-like pillow attached (e.g., by sewing) to the top edge  108  of the base portion  102 . Alternatively, the pillow  106  can be housed in a pillow housing that is made of the same material as the base portion  102  and stitched to the top edge  108  of the base portion  102 , with the pillow housing having an interior accessed by an opening that can be closed by VELCRO™ pads, a zipper or the like. The inflatable pillow  106  can then be inserted into, or removed from, the interior of the pillow housing via the opening.  
     [0032]FIG. 6 illustrates another bedding apparatus  120 . The apparatus  120  in FIG. 6 has a inflatable base  122  that is removably retained inside the sleeping space  124  defined by the base portion  126  and the cover  128  of the bag  130 . The base  122  can be the same as the base  22  in FIG. 1, and the bag  130  can be the same as the bag  24  in FIG. 1. The opposing edges  132  and  134  of the base portion  126  and the TM cover  128 , respectively, can be removably attached (e.g., by VELCRO™ pads, a zipper, hooks, and similar mechanisms) to enclose the sleeping space  124 . Thus, in this embodiment, the user actually lies directly on top of the top surface  136  of the base  122 . For this reason, the top surface  136  of the base  122  can be lined or otherwise provided with a fabric material that is soft and pleasant to touch. A pillow  138  can be formed as part of the base  122 , and is therefore inflatable together with the base  122 . In use, the user can insert the base  122  between the base portion  126  and the cover  128 , and then lie down on the base  122  between the base portion  126  and the cover  128 . To store the apparatus  120 , the user removes the base  122  from the interior (i.e., sleeping space  124 ) of the bag  130 , and deflates the base  122 . The user then folds the bag  130  and the base  122 , either separately or together.  
     [0033]FIG. 7 illustrates another bedding apparatus  150 . The apparatus  150  differs from the other embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 - 6  in that the base and the bag is combined together. In particular, the apparatus  150  has a base  152  that can be the same as the base  22  described above, except that the base  152  is not retained inside a bag. As a result, the user will lie on the top surface  154  of the base  152  when using the apparatus  150 . For this reason, the top surface  154  of the base  152  can be lined or otherwise provided with a fabric material that is soft and pleasant to touch. In addition, an inflatable pillow  156  can be attached to the top surface  154  of the base  152  (as shown in FIG. 7), or can be formed as part of the base  152  so that it is inflatable together with the base  152 . A cover  158 , which is preferably made of the same material as the bag  24  described above, is attached (e.g., by stitching) along one side edge  160  to a side edge  162  of the base  152 . The other edges  164  and  166  of the cover  158  are releasably attached to the other edges  168  and  170  of the base  152  by a releasable attachment mechanism  172 . In FIG. 7, the releasable attachment mechanism  172  is a zipper, but other mechanisms such as hooks and clasps, and VELCRO™ pads, can also be used. In use, the user can partially separate the cover  158  from the base  152  by releasing a certain portion of the attachment mechanism  172 . The user then crawls into the sleeping space defined between the base  152  and the cover  158 . To store the apparatus  150 , the user simply deflates the base  152  and then folds the cover  158  together with the base  152 . Thus, the apparatus  150  is more convenient and faster to use when compared with the embodiments in FIGS.  4 - 6 , but suffers from the drawback that the base  152  is not covered or otherwise protected from the user or the external environment, so that it is easier for the base  152  to get dirty. On the other hand, the embodiments in FIGS.  4 - 6  all retain the base inside the bag, so that the base is less likely to be dirtied by the external environment and/or the user.  
     [0034] The inflatable nature of the base of the apparatus according to the present invention allows the apparatus to be configured for different uses other than for use merely as a temporary bedding. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus  200  that has a base  202  and a bag  204  that can be the same as any of the bases and bags for any of the embodiments above. A pillow  206  can be provided on one end of the base  202 . The base  202  is shown in FIG. 8 after it has been inflated. When in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus  200  can be used as a temporary bed in the same manner disclosed above for any of the embodiments in FIGS.  1 - 7 . Alternatively, the base  202  of the apparatus  200  can be folded in half, as shown in FIG. 9, so that the apparatus  200  can now be used as a chair, with the pillow  206  functioning as a small backrest. Removable attachment mechanisms can be provided to retain the base  202  in its folded position for use as a chair. For example, opposing VELCRO™ pads  208  can be provided on opposite ends of the bottom surface  210  of the base  202  to removably attach the opposite ends of the base  202 . Alternatively, straps  212  can also be provided on opposite ends of the base  202  to removably attach the opposite ends of the base  202 . Thus, the apparatus  200  can serve a dual purpose in that it can be used as temporary bedding and as a chair, while being capable of being deflated, folded and collapsed into a small configuration for storage.  
     [0035]FIG. 10 extends the principles illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 even further. The apparatus  220  in FIG. 10 can be similar to the apparatus  50  in FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the base  222  can be provided in the form of a plurality of segments  224   a ,  224   b  and  224   c , and having a bag  236  attached to the top of the base  222 . The base  222  can be folded at locations where adjacent segments meet. For example, the segment  224   b  can be pivoted upwardly (with respect to the segments  224   a ,  224   c ) at its opposite ends (see the locations  226  and  228 ) where the segment  224   b  is adjacent the segments  224   a  and  224   c , respectively. The segment  224   b  can itself be folded at about the middle. One or more straps  230  can be provided along the sides of the segments  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  to secure the segments  224   a ,  224   b  and  224   c  at their desired orientations. FIG. 10 illustrates the segments  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  configured to resemble a recliner, with the segment  224   a  acting as the seat, half of the segment  224   b  acting as a recliner backrest, and the segment  224   c  acting as a base support on the other side of the seat (i.e., segment  224   a ). Each of the segments  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  can be the same as any of the segments  56   a - 56   d  in FIGS.  2 - 3 .  
     [0036] Thus, the present invention provides temporary bedding apparatus that are more comfortable than sleeping bags and sleeping mats because (1) the inflatable base provides a back and body support whose firmness can be adjusted by the user, and (2) the inflatable base provides a more effective buffer between the user&#39;s body and the ground. In addition, the present invention provides temporary bedding apparatus that retain the convenience afforded by conventional sleeping bags in that the apparatus of the present invention can be easily and conveniently folded for storage. The present invention affords yet another benefit in that the apparatus can be folded to create different articles of use.  
     [0037] While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.