Patent Publication Number: US-11639611-B2

Title: Personal pop-up pods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to pending U.S. Patent Application No. U.S. Ser. No. 16/394,622, titled “Personal Pop-Up Pods,” which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/662,445, titled “Personal Pop-Up Pods,” filed on Apr. 25, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/821,415, titled “Personal Pop-Up Pods,” filed on Mar. 20, 2019, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to personal pop-up pods. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to pop-up pods that accommodate a single user, which allows the user to remain mobile while protecting the user from the elements or providing privacy for the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are novel personal pop-up pods designed for a single user. The personal pop-up pods can provide a user with privacy and/or protection from the surrounding elements. The personal pop-up pods are designed such that a user can remain mobile, i.e., able to move from one location to another while using a personal pop-up pod. The personal pop-up pods are designed such that a user can selectively gain access to the area surrounding the pop-up pod by opening windows and other points of access. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe example embodiments of the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus. Where appropriate, like elements are identified with the same or similar reference numerals. Elements shown as a single component can be replaced with multiple components. Elements shown as multiple components can be replaced with a single component. The drawings may not be to scale. The proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG.  1    schematically illustrates a perspective view of a personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  2    schematically illustrates another perspective view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    schematically illustrates a front view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    schematically illustrates a rear view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    schematically illustrates a left side view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    schematically illustrates a right side view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    schematically illustrates a top view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    schematically illustrates a bottom view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a photograph depicting a bottom view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  10    is a photograph depicting a top view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  11    is a photograph depicting a rear view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  12    is a photograph depicting a side view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  13    is a photograph depicting a perspective view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  14    is a photograph depicting a front view of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  15    is a photograph depicting an arm hole of the personal pop-up pod; 
         FIG.  16    is a photograph depicting a front view of the personal pop-up pod as carried by a user; 
         FIG.  17    is a photograph depicting a front view of another personal pop-up pod as carried by a user; 
         FIG.  18    is a photograph depicting a perspective view of the personal pop-up pod as carried by a user; 
         FIG.  19    is a photograph depicting a side view of the personal pop-up pod as carried by a user; 
         FIG.  20    is a photograph depicting a rear view of the personal pop-up pod as carried by a user; and 
         FIG.  21    is a photograph depicting a rear view of another personal pop-up pod as carried by a user. 
         FIG.  22    schematically illustrates an exemplary front perspective view of a personal pop-up pod that accommodates one user. 
         FIG.  23    schematically illustrates an exemplary front perspective view of a personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  22   , where the user is seated next to another person. 
         FIG.  24    schematically illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  25    schematically illustrates an exemplary front perspective view of another personal pop-up pod that accommodates one user. 
         FIG.  26    schematically illustrates a perspective view of the personal pop-up pod of  FIG.  25   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The apparatus, systems, arrangements, and methods disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatus, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, method, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, method, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be and should not be construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Selected examples of apparatus, arrangements, and methods for using a personal pop-up pods are hereinafter disclosed and described in detail with reference made to  FIGS.  1 - 26   . 
     Disclosed herein are novel personal pop-up pods designed for a single user, which can provide the user with protection from the surrounding elements while allowing the user to remain mobile, i.e., allow the user to move from location to location by walking, jogging or any other common mobile methods. In addition, the pop-up pod can include safety features, that will be subsequently described, to offer protection to the user. In summary, the personal pop-up pods disclosed herein are designed for various purposes. For example, the personal pop-up pod can be used by a worker that is required to work outside in the elements such as a crossing guard, a security guard, a laborer, a fast-food worker delivery meals purchased at a drive through window, and many other circumstances. The personal pop-up pod can also be used for practical or recreation purposes to protect a user against inclement weather. For example, a user that enjoys walking or jogging can use a personal pop-up pod in inclement weather to enjoy this recreational pastime. In the spring, an avid gardener may be able to more consistently enjoy that activity with the use of a personal pop-up pod. A student that needs to await a bus to transport the student to school can use a personal pop-up pod while awaiting the bus. It will be understood that these are mere examples of the myriad of uses for personal pop-up pods as disclosed herein. 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 8   , a personal pop-up pod  100  can be designed with four sides (e.g., a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side), a top and a bottom. The four sides, top, and bottom can be a combination of clear and opaque materials. Two of the sides, such as the left side and right side, can include arm holes  102  and  104  that provides the user of the personal pop-up pod  100  with the opportunity to extend his or her arms outside the personal pop-up pod  100  when the personal pop-up pod  100  is carried by a user. Multiple sides (such as the front side, left side, and right side) can include zippers  106 ,  108 , and  110  that can be zipped and unzipped and allow a flap of material to be moved to either expose or seal the inside of the personal pop-up pod  100  from the surrounding environment. It will be understood that one or more of the zippers  106 ,  108 , and  110  can be unzipped at the user&#39;s discretion to configure the personal pop-up pod  100  to suit the user&#39;s needs for access to the environment surrounding the user and the personal pop-up pod. 
     The personal pop-up pod  100  can include a series of safety features such as reflective tape  112  that will visually alert those around the user of the personal pop-up pod  100  of the presence of the user. It will be understood that if the personal pop-up pod  100  is used for a potentially dangerous task such as a police officer directing traffic, a parking lot attendant surveying a parking lot, or a jogger jogging along a roadway, the reflective tape  112  will reflect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and greatly increase the chances of drivers seeing the user and thus, greatly decreasing the chances of an accident involving the user. The material used for the side, top and bottom panels can be constructed of brightly colored material to add additional safety to the use of the personal pop-up pod. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  8   , the bottom of the personal pop-up pod  100  includes an opening  114 . The opening  114  can include an elastic band  116  about the perimeter of the opening  114 . The opening  114  allows a user to slide the personal pop-up pod  110  over the user&#39;s head and downward until the user is situated in the personal pop-up pod  100 . The elastic band  116  can fit snuggly about the user&#39;s legs to further protect portions of the user&#39;s body from the elements. It will be understood that the user can remove the personal pop-up pod in a similar fashion by moving the personal pop-up pod upwardly over the user&#39;s head until the personal pop-up pod is removed from the user. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the personal pop-up pod  100  includes a harness  118 . The harness  118  is secured to the inside surface of the rear side of the personal pop-up pod  100 . When a user slides the personal pop-up pod  110  over the user&#39;s head and downward, the user can place an arm through each side of the harness  118  and position the harness  118  on the user&#39;s shoulder in a manner such that the personal pop-up pod  100  is fully supported by the engagement of the harness  118  and the user&#39;s shoulders. The harness  118  can include pull tabs (not shown) that can be pulled to take up any slack in the harness  118  and snuggly secure the harness  118  to the user&#39;s shoulders. 
     Once the harness  118  is snuggly secured to the user&#39;s shoulders, it will be understood that the personal pop-up pod  100  will generally move with the user, including moving in the same direction and distance as the user&#39;s forward and backward motion, side to side motion, twisting or rotating motion, and up and down motion. When the user is engaged with the harness  118  and the personal pop-up pod  100  is “carried” by the user, it will be understood that the rear side of the personal pop-up pod  100  will generally be in contact with or very close to the user&#39;s back and there will be gaps or spaces between the user&#39;s body and the front side, left side, and right side of the personal pop-up pod  100 . 
     While the attachment mechanism of the personal pop-up pod is illustrated and described as a harness, it will be understood that other attachment mechanisms can be used. For example, two independent straps can be used in place of a harness. 
       FIG.  10    is a photograph of a personal pop-up pod with an opaque top, where the material is a bright yellow (i.e., safety yellow), which provides additional safety for the user of the pod. Similar to the reflective tape, such a color can better alert those proximate to the user of the user&#39;s presence. In addition to safety yellow, other colors such as orange and red can be used as safety colors. 
       FIG.  11    is a photograph of a personal pop-up pod taken from the rear perspective. The photograph shows the top half of the personal pop-up pod with clear panels so that the user can have a 360 degree view of his or her surroundings. The bottom half of the personal pop-up pod includes opaque panels, again in a safety yellow, and a reflective tape.  FIG.  12    is a photograph of the personal pop-up pod taken from a side perspective. The photograph show the arm holes in the left and right sides. The arm holes include slits that allow for the user to place his or her arms through the slits to access the surrounding environment with his or her arms.  FIG.  13    is a photograph of the personal pop-up pod taken from a front perspective view. The photograph shows the features previously discussed.  FIG.  14    is a photograph taken from a front perspective. The photograph shows the harness that a user utilizes to secure the personal pop-up pod to the user&#39;s body.  FIG.  15    is a photograph of an arm hole. As is shown, the slit of the armhole can include two edges that have elastic bands running along the edges. As will be understood, when a user passes his or her arm through the slit, the elastic bands will snuggly conform to the user&#39;s arm so that the elements, including rain, snow, and wind will be blocked from entering the personal pop-up pod through the arm holes. 
       FIGS.  16 - 21    are photographs of a user carrying a personal pop-up pod.  FIG.  16    is a photograph taken from a front perspective showing a user carrying a personal pop-up pod with clear panels on the top half of the personal pop-up pod and opaque safety yellow panels with reflective tape on the bottom half of the personal pop-up pod. The harness can be seen across the user&#39;s shoulders, and the user has his arms extending through arm holds on either side of the personal pop-up pod. As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , in one embodiment, the height of the personal pop-up pod is about 54 inches and the width is about 22 inches.  FIG.  17    is similar to  FIG.  16   , but the personal pop-up pod includes full clear panels. The full clear panels provides better visibility for the user and provides a more complete view of the user for those around the user. The reflective tape and safety yellow trim at the intersections of the side panels provides safety features for the user.  FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the user carrying the personal pop-up pod shown in  FIG.  17   . In this view, the user is demonstrating the range of motion of his arms as they extend though the arm holes. It will be understood that the range of motion provided by the arm holes and the personal pop-up pod in general, allows the user to accomplish any number of physical tasks. For example, if the user is tasked with directing traffic with a flag or other instrument, the personal pop-up pod provides the range of motion required for such a task. Additionally, as shown in  FIG.  18   , the zipper in the front side is unzipped to provide a passage through the front panel of the personal pop-up pod. Such a passage in the front panel can be useful if the user is employed by a fast food restaurant and tasked with delivering meals to customers parked in automobiles who ordered via a drive through window. In such a situation, the user can protect the meals from inclement weather by keeping the meal within the personal pop-up pod. When the user approaches the automobile, the user can unzip the zipper in the front panel and hand the meal to the waiting customer.  FIGS.  19 - 21    show additional views of a user carrying a personal pop-up pod. 
     As will be understood, the side panels, top panel, and bottom panel are made of material that resists the penetration of water and wind so that the personal pop-up pod protects the user from inclement elements such as snow, rain, sleet, and gusts. With regard to the harness, a top portion and bottom portion of the harness are attached at the rear panel of the personal pop-up pod. In such an arrangement, the user can slide his or her arms through each side of the harness (such is commonly done for a backpack) and tighten the straps to secure the personal pop-up pod to the user&#39;s shoulders and back. The user can then freely walk about with the personal pop-up pod secured to the user. 
     As previously noted, the personal pop-up pod can be used by workers that have to work in the elements. In one example, a crossing guard can use a personal pop-up pod to perform his or her duties in assisting children and other persons crossing busy streets. The zippers in the side panels can be unzipped to create windows, where the windows can allow the user of the personal pop-up pod to use a hand held stop sign that is common for crossing guards. In another example, a worker at a fast food restaurant can use a personal pop-up pod to move from vehicle to vehicle and take and deliver orders for customers in inclement weather. Again, the zippers can be used to open and close windows in the front and side panels to provide the user with the flexibility to hand out orders and take payment, while still remaining protected by from the elements. 
     Further disclosed herein are novel personal pop-up pods designed for a single user, which can provide the user with protection from the surrounding elements and provide the user with privacy. In summary, the personal pop-up pods disclosed herein are designed for various purposes. For example, a personal pop-up pod can be designed to accommodate a user that is seated in a generally crowded environment with other persons seated next to the user, such as for example in a sports stadium (i.e., a “stadium pod”). In such an example, a stadium pod can protect the user from the surrounding elements, such as rain, snow, wind, and cold, while allowing the user to view the event. In another example, a personal pop-up pod can be designed to accommodate a user that is seated in a generally crowded environment with other persons seated next to the user, such as for example an airplane, train, bus, subway, and the like (i.e., a “travel pod”). In such an example, a travel pod can provide the user with privacy in an otherwise crowded area. In another example, a personal pop-up pod can be designed to accommodate a user that needs to move from one location to another, such as a worker that needs to work outside in the elements (i.e., a “mobile pod”). 
       FIGS.  22 - 24    illustrate an embodiment of a stadium pod. The stadium pod includes four transparent side panels and a top panel, which can be either transparent or, as illustrated in the figures, opaque. The transparent side panels and the top panel are made of materials that resist the penetration of water, thus, protecting the user in rainy or snowy weather. Additionally, the side panels and top panel hold in body heat, which increases the temperature within the stadium pod as compared to the ambient temperature. The transparent side panels provide the user with 360 degree viewing so that the user can observe the surrounding activities, such as a sporting event. The side panels can include windows that can be opened and closed using a one or more fasteners, such as zippers, so that the user can communicate with persons seated next to the user or receive items, such as food and drink, through the windows. Additionally, a window can be opened to increase ventilation within the stadium pod if desired by the user. The bottom of the stadium pod can be generally open, or can include a flap of material that the user can sit on when seated in a stadium chair or on a stadium bleacher. As illustrated in  FIG.  23   , the stadium pod is designed so that it accommodates a user, but is not obstructive to those seated next to the user. Additionally, the transparent side panels allow for any person seated behind the user to see though the stadium pod. 
       FIGS.  25 - 26    illustrate an embodiment of the travel pod. The travel pod includes four opaque side panels and an opaque top panel. Multiple of the side panels can include windows that are opened and closed using fasteners such as zippers. The opaque side panels and top panel can provide the user with privacy as the user travels via publicly available transportation such as airplanes, trains, buses, subways, and the like. Additionally, the side panels and top panel can provide the user with protection against germs and viruses that are commonly spread when person congregate in crowded and enclosed areas. The user can open and close the window are desired. The user can open a window to communicate with persons seated next to the user or to receive items, such as food and drink, through the windows. The bottom of the travel pod is generally open. The travel pod is designed so that it accommodates a user, but is not obstructive to those seated next to the user. The materials used for the side panels and top panels can be arranged to allow the pod to “breath.” That is to say that the material allows air to pass through the material to ventilate the travel pod, but does not allow of germs and viruses to penetrate the material. 
     A mobile pod can be designed generally like the stadium pod; however, the mobile pod can include a support mechanism that is connected to the inside of the mobile pod and engage the user such that the mobile pod is supported by such engagement and remains position about the user as the user moves from one location to another location. The mobile pod includes four side panels and a top panel. The one or more side panels can be transparent. The side panels and top panel are made of material that resists the penetration of water so that the mobile pod protects the user from inclement elements such as snow, rain, and sleet. In one example, the support mechanism can be a pair of straps similar to that of a backpack. A top portion and bottom portion of each strap is attached at the back panel of the mobile pod. In such an arrangement, the user can slide his or her arms through the straps (such is commonly done for a backpack) and tighten the straps to secure the mobile pod to the user&#39;s shoulders and back. The user can then freely walk around with the mobile pod secured to the user. 
     In another example, the support mechanism can be a pair of straps. However, in this example, one end of each strap is attached to the front panel of the mobile pod and the opposite end of each strap can be secured to the back panel of the mobile pod. The straps can be secured in a manner where the user can place the straps on his or her shoulders so that the mobile pod is supported about the user. In another example, the support mechanism can include a waist strap attached to the pair of straps, which is secured about the user&#39;s waist. In such an arrangement, the user can then freely walk around with the mobile pod secured to the user. 
     As previously noted, the mobile pod can be used by workers that have to work in the elements. In one example, a crossing guard can use a mobile pod to perform his or her duties in assisting children and other persons crossing busy streets. The windows can allow the user of the mobile pod to use a hand held stop sign that is common for crossing guards. In another example, a worker at a fast food restaurant can use a mobile pod to move from vehicle to vehicle and take and deliver orders for customers in inclement weather. Again, the windows provide the user with the flexibility to hand out orders and take payment, while still remaining protected by from the elements. 
     The foregoing description of examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The examples were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various examples as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art.