Patent Publication Number: US-7213278-B2

Title: Method of storing a sleeping bag with a clinching mechanism

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/791,072, filed Mar. 1, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,498, issued Jan. 10, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to sleeping bags, and more particularly to a sleeping bag that is rolled into a tight formation for storage and transportation. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, a sleeping bag is a bag that is warmly lined or padded for sleeping outdoors, for example in a camper or a tent. Sleeping bags may also be used for sleeping on the floor inside a house, such as on a sleepover, or may be used as convenient bedding material when traveling. 
   Sleeping bags typically include a bottom portion, upon which an individual within the sleeping bag lays, and a top portion which extends over the person to cover the individual. Often, the top and bottom portions are made of a single, large rectangular insulated or padded fabric that is folded and attached along bottom and side edges to form the bag. The attachment is typically made by a zipper. 
   Sleeping bags are often folded in half lengthwise and rolled into a tight ball for transportation and storage. After rolled, most rolled rectangular sleeping bags are tied with tie cords, compression straps, or elastic straps, or may be otherwise secured so that the sleeping bag does not become unrolled during transportation and storage. 
   One problem associated with rolling of sleeping bags is that once the sleeping bag is folded (for example, lengthwise), it is often difficult to roll the sleeping bag without the edges of the sleeping bag being forced apart during the rolling process. For this reason, many users find it difficult to roll the sleeping bags into a tight, tidy configuration so that closure may be secured for transportation and storage. Moreover, even if a user can roll the sleeping bag into the tight configuration, the user may find tying the bag difficult, because tying the cords requires two hands, leaving no hands for holding the bag in the tightly rolled configuration. Often a user has to sit on the bag while tying it, or drive his or her knees into the bag to keep it from unrolling. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
   In accordance with an embodiment, a sleeping bag is provided having a cinch mechanism that can be closed with a single hand. The cinch mechanism includes, for example, a loop and a cord attached at an end of the sleeping bag. When the sleeping bag has been rolled, the loop is pulled in one direction, while the cord is pulled in the other direction. The cord is then extended through the loop, and pulled back and attached to itself. For example, a clasp may be used to attach the cord to itself. 
   The loop provides a structure that extends across the folded sleeping bag and holds the folded and rolled sleeping bag in position after the cord has been attached to itself. The combined cord and loop system provide a quick and easy cinching mechanism for a sleeping bag. 
   In accordance with an embodiment, a clasp for attaching the cord to itself includes a hook which is extended around the cord and remains attached to the cord by friction. A thinner or narrowed portion may be provided so that the clasp fits a user&#39;s hand. Alternate embodiments of clasps may include more than one hook, providing a variety of different options for attaching the clasp to the cord. 
   Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view one embodiment of a sleeping bag; 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view showing the sleeping bag of  FIG. 1  folded and partially rolled; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the sleeping bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the sleeping bag fully rolled; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the sleeping bag of  FIGS. 1–3 , with a loop and cord system extending around the sleeping bag; 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the rolled sleeping bag of  FIG. 4 , with the cord attached to itself via a clasp; 
       FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a clasp in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side perspective of an alternate embodiment of a clasp in accordance the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of yet another alternate embodiment of a clasp in accordance with the invention, with the clasp being held in a user&#39;s hand; and 
       FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the clasp of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
   Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a sleeping bag  10  in accordance with an embodiment. The sleeping bag  10  includes a top  12  and a bottom  14 . Left and right edges  16 ,  18  extend along sides of the sleeping bag  10 . The sleeping bag  10  includes a foot  20  and a head  22 . A zipper  24  extends along the foot  20  and the right edge  18  of the sleeping bag  10 . 
   The sleeping bag  10  is of a standard configuration, and in the embodiment shown is generally a rectangular bag formed by the top  12  being folded over the bottom  14 , and connection of the top  12  and bottom  14  by the zipper  24 . Although the configuration of the sleeping bag  10  in the drawings utilizes a fold-over construction and connection by a zipper, many other configurations may be utilized. For example, a bag may be formed in which a connection is made at the top or bottom of the sleeping bag, instead of along the side edges. In addition, the bag may be folded and sewn or otherwise permanently connected. The top  12  and the bottom  14  may be formed of two different pieces, and may be connected along their edges to form a sleeping bag. Furthermore, although shown as a rectangle, the sleeping bag may have any shape, including a mummy shape, a more square, or “double” shape, or other configurations. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the sleeping bag  10  is folded such as is shown in  FIG. 2  and then is rolled for storage (partial rolling is shown in  FIG. 2  for the benefit of the reader). Although the embodiment shown in the drawings includes a sleeping bag  10  that is folded lengthwise, other embodiments may be folded in other ways: as nonlimiting examples, in thirds or fourths, folded along a diagonal, or folded both along a width and a length. 
   In accordance with an embodiment, one or more retainers  26  are provided for holding sections or layers of the sleeping bag  10  together after the sleeping bag has been folded. The retainers  26  are devices for holding the folded sections of the sleeping bag together. To this end, the retainers  26  may aid in maintaining alignment of the folded sections during rolling of the sleeping bag  10  along a fold line (i.e., the line formed at the fold of two sections or layers). That is, the retainers  26  limit lateral separation of the left and right edges  16 ,  18  of the folded sleeping bag  10  during rolling. In this manner, a desired even width roll of the sleeping bag  10  is facilitated, without a user being required to realign the folded layers of the sleeping bag  10  during rolling along a fold line. Although the shown embodiment includes retainers  26 , the invention may be practiced on a sleeping bag not having a retainer  26 . 
   In the embodiment shown, two retainers  26  are used on the sleeping bag  10 , but any number, including one or none, may be used. The retainers  26  each include a toggle  28  and a loop  29 , as can best be seen in  FIG. 1 . When the sleeping bag  10  is folded lengthwise, the toggles  28  are placed within the loops  29 , locking the upper layer of the folded portion of the sleeping bag  10  against the lower layer of the folded portion of the sleeping bag  10 . In this manner, the sleeping bag  10  may be rolled along its fold line, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , with only limited movement of the upper layer of the folded portion relative to the lower layer of the folded portion. Alternatively, if a retainer  26  is not used, a user may keep the upper section of the folded sleeping bag  10  aligned relative to the lower section by carefully controlling the rolling of the sleeping bag  10 . 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a cinching mechanism is provided for holding the sleeping bag  10  in the rolled position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the cinching mechanism includes the loop  30  and a cord  32 . The loop  30  and the cord  32  are attached at the foot  20  of the sleeping bag  10  but may alternatively be attached to the head  22  or at another location so that the loop  30  and the cord  32  are available after the sleeping bag  10  has been rolled. The loop  30  and the cord  32  may each be formed of the same material, or may be formed of different materials, but preferably are formed of elongate flexible material, such as rope, cord, fabric, or other suitable material. In addition, if desired, elastic may be used in one or both the loop  30  and the cord  32 . 
   In accordance with an embodiment, a clasp  34  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 ) is provided at the end of the cord  32 . The clasp  34  is configured so that it may be attached to the cord  32  without slipping. In the embodiment of the clasp  34  shown in  FIG. 6 , a hole  36  is provided at one end for attaching to the cord  32 , and first and second openings  38 ,  40  are positioned at a midway point at distal end, respectively, of the clasp  34 . 
   In use, a user rolls the sleeping bag  10  into a round configuration, such as is shown in  FIG. 3 . The loop  30  is then pulled tight around the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10 , preferably in the direction of rolling of the sleeping bag  10  (e.g., in the embodiment shown, continuing in the direction of the foot  20  in the rolled sleeping bag  10 ). The cord  32  is extended in the opposite direction and through the loop  30  ( FIG. 4 ). The end of the cord  32  to which the clasp  34  is attached is then attached to the portion of the cord  32  that extends along the outer surface of the rolled sleeping bag  10 . 
   Before attaching the clasp  34  to the cord  32 , a user may pull on the end of the cord  32  (e.g., by pulling on the clasp  34 ), tightening the loop  30  and the cord  32  against the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10  and pulling on the connection points where the loop  30  and the cord  32  are connected to the sleeping bag  10 , thus cinching the sleeping bag  10  into place. The clasp  34  may then be used to attach the end of the cord  32  to the portion of the cord  32  that is already extending around the sleeping bag  10 , locking the sleeping bag in the cinched position. 
   In the embodiment of the clasp  34  shown in  FIG. 5 , two hooks are formed by the first and second openings  38 ,  40 . Either of these openings  38 ,  40  may be extended around the portion of the cord  32  attached to the sleeping bag  10 . Alternatively, the cord  32  may be looped through both of the openings  38 ,  40 . 
   The clasp  34  is preferably of a size and thickness such that the tension in the cord  32 , the friction of the contact of the cord with the inside of the opening  38  and/or the opening  40 , and/or the bend in the cord formed by the clasp  34  prevents slippage of the clasp  34  relative to the cord  32  when the clasp  34  is attached. Slippage is also prevented by the contact of the clasp  34  with the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10  when the sleeping bag  10  is in the rolled configuration in  FIG. 5 . 
   After the sleeping bag  10  is in the position of  FIG. 3 , a user may grasp the clasp  34  with a single hand, run it through the loop  30  into the position in  FIG. 4 , and pull back and attach the clasp  34  in the position of  FIG. 5 . The other hand is left free to hold the sleeping bag  10  in position. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the loop  30  is attached adjacent to the left edge  16 , and the cord  32  is attached adjacent to the right edge  18 . Thus, when the sleeping bag  10  is folded in half ( FIG. 2 ), the loop  30  is attached to the lower half of the sleeping bag  10  and the cord  32  is attached to the upper half. In accordance with an embodiment, the two ends of the loop  30  are attached so that they extend approximately to the outer edges of the folded sleeping bag  10  so that when the sleeping bag  10  is rolled, the loop  30  supports the outer portions of the sleeping bag  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cord  32  is positioned approximately at the middle of the two ends of the loop  30 , so that it supports the central portion of the sleeping bag  10 . 
   If desired, the loop  30  may include more than two attachments to the sleeping bag  10  so that additional support for the sleeping bag  10  may be provided. Alternatively, the loop  30  may be formed of two or more lines that are attached to one another to form a loop structure. The cord  32  may be provided as a loop  30 , or may include more than one structure attached to the sleeping bag  10  so that additional support is provided for the rolled sleeping bag  10 . 
   If desired, the loop  30  and the cord  32  may both be attached to the bottom half of the sleeping bag  10  as folded in  FIG. 2 , or to the top half. In addition, the positions of the two may be switched so that the loop  30  is attached to the top half and the cord  32  is attached to the bottom half. However, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the loop  30  extends along the outside of the sleeping bag  10  in the same direction as the foot  30  is extending and is attached to the lower (outer) portion of the rolled sleeping bag. Thus, when pulled into place, the loop  30  tightens the rolled configuration of the sleeping bag  10 , and traps the upper (inner) portion of the sleeping bag inside the lower (outer) portion. As such, arranging the loop in this manner prevents material from the sleeping bag  10  from extending beyond the rolled configuration. 
   An alternate embodiment of a clasp  42  is shown in  FIG. 7 . This clasp  42  also includes a hole  44  for attaching to the end of the cord  32  and first and second openings  46 ,  48 . However, the first and first and second openings  46 ,  48  open on opposite edges of the clasp  42 , providing additional flexibility in attaching the clasp  42  to the portion of the cord  32  that is wrapped against the sleeping bag  10 . Specifically, the openings  46 ,  48  may individually be attached to the portion of the cord  32  that extends around the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10  by sliding the opening  46  to the right or by sliding the opening  48  to the left. Alternatively, the two openings  46 ,  48  may be aligned against the cord  32  and rotated so as to lock the clasp  42  into place. 
   An additional embodiment of the clasp  50  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . This clasp  50  includes a thicker portion  52  and a thinner or narrowed portion  54 . A hole  56  is located in the thinner portion  54  for attachment to the end of the cord  32 . An opening  58  extends into the thicker portion  52  for attachment to the portion of the cord  32  that extends around the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10 . 
   The thicker portion  52  provides an advantage in that it provides a greater surface area of the clasp  50  that is in contact with the portion of the cord  32  that extends around the outer surface of the sleeping bag  10 . In this manner, friction is increased and a greater bend is formed in the cord  32 , decreasing the likelihood that the clasp  50  may slip on the cord  32 . In addition, the arrangement of the thicker portion  52  and the thinner portion  54  makes the clasp  50  fit the hand H of a user well, in that the thinner portion  54  may be grasped between a thumb T and pad P of an index finger, as shown in  FIG. 8 . This arrangement provides a positive teaching aid in use of the clasp  50 , in that it suggests to a user the single-handed operability of attaching the cord  32  and loop  30  of the present invention. 
   Other clasps may be used, for example, ties, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, clips, clamps, or other devices that connect an end of the cord  32  to the remaining portion of the cord  32 . In addition, if desired, a clasp may be designed for attachment directly to the loop  30 , providing a loose attachment of the cord to the loop. However, this feature does not provide a cinching feature unless the clasp attachment may be varied, such as by use of a hook and loop fastener. Thus, for such an embodiment, the user may not roll the sleeping bag  10  tightly enough or may roll the sleeping bag  10  too tightly for the clasp to appropriately fit. The cord may also be tied to itself. If desired, a loop or other structure may be provided along the cord to which the free end of the cord may be tied. 
   Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
   All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
   The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
   Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.