Patent Publication Number: US-9850681-B2

Title: Portable bed apparatus and method of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional No. 62/083,350 filed Nov. 24, 2014 under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a portable bed apparatus and method of use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable bed rolls are known in the art for camping and inflatable mattresses for home use are known in the art; however, a comfortable self-contained portable bed apparatus that can include insect netting is lacking in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter described herein includes a portable bed apparatus, and method of use the portable bed apparatus. The portable bed apparatus features an insect resistant frame made of a base and a dome. In one embodiment, the insect resistant frame is made of a plurality of generally rectangular shaped members and a plurality of connecting members, wherein each end of the plurality of rectangular shaped members are positioned in one of the plurality of connecting members. In the compressed position, the plurality of rectangular members are substantially perpendicular to the plurality of connecting members. In the extended position, at least two of the plurality of generally rectangular members are substantially parallel to the plurality of connecting members forming a base to receive the bedding and to retain a net; and at least two of the plurality of rectangular members of the plurality of rectangular members form a dome to define a space above the bedding and to retain the insect non-permeable net. 
     Another embodiment of this invention includes a storage container for a foldable bed frame and sleeping ware and a foldable bed frame made of a plurality of bed panel frames, each of the plurality of bed panel frames being joined by a plurality of hinges, preferably a pair of hinges. The storage container is expandable to form an insect resistant frame having a base and a dome. The insect resistant frame has a base and a dome which can be transformed into a storage container defined by four long side panels and two short top panels, the storage container is sized to contain a foldable bed frame, when the foldable bed frame is in the folded position; wherein the four long side panels have a plurality of re-sealable openings located between the long side panels, and wherein the storage container expands to form an insect resistant frame having a base and a dome, when the re-sealable openings located between the long side panels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a portable bed apparatus of the present invention in the extended configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a portable bed apparatus of the present invention with an exemplary dome. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of an adjustable rod. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exemplary embodiment of one of the plurality of the connecting members. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exemplary embodiment of one of the plurality of the connecting members. 
         FIG. 2C  is an exemplary embodiment of a connecting hinge. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of frame in the compressed configuration of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of frame in the folded configuration of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of a portable bed apparatus of the present invention showing an exemplary embodiment of the storage container. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the storage container. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the storage container. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the storage container. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the foldable bed frame. 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the foldable bed frame. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dome. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary view of a connecting hinge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly by one ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1A-C  and  2 C a portable bed apparatus  2  is made of an insect resistant frame  3  and a plurality of connecting members  14 . In this exemplary embodiment, the insect resistant frame  3  is made of a plurality of generally rectangular shaped members  16 ,  17 ,  19 . Each end of the plurality of generally rectangular shaped members  16 ,  17 ,  19  is positioned in one of the plurality of connecting members  14 . A first set of rectangular shaped members  16  are fixed in the plurality of connecting members  14 . A second set of rectangular shaped members  17  are flexibly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14  and can pivot 45 degrees relative to the first set of rectangular shaped members  16 . A third set of rectangular shaped members  19  are flexibly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14  and can pivot 90 degrees relative to the first set of rectangular shaped members  16 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2C , a hinge  34  includes a slot  39  that is configured to receive the end of plurality of generally rectangular shaped members  16 ,  17 ,  19  to facilitate the formation of a generally rectangular shape. In an exemplary embodiment, one leg of the U shaped hinge  34  is shorter than the other so that one leg can be folded over the other. 
     When the insect resistant frame  3  is in the extended position shown in  FIG. 1A , the third set of rectangular shaped members  19  are substantially parallel to the plurality of connecting members  14  and form a generally rectangular base  20  area configured to receive the associated sleeping ware, such as a bed cushion  50 , cover sheet  60 , blanket (not shown) and pillow  37 . 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a portable bed apparatus  2  of the present invention with the insect resistant frame  3  having an insect resistant covering to form a dome  72 . The second set of rectangular shaped members  17  are flexibly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14 , pivot 45 degrees relative to the first set of rectangular shaped members  16  to form a dome  72 . A first set of rectangular shaped members  16  are fixed in the plurality of connecting members  14  and form the top portion of dome  72 . The first set of rectangular shaped members  16  and the second set of rectangular shaped members  17  form a dome  72  to define a space above the bedding and to retain the insect resistant net  74 . It is understood that the insect resistant frame  3  can include additional rectangular shaped members between the first set of rectangular shaped members  16  and third set of rectangular shaped members  19  to further define the dome  72 . In one exemplary embodiment, the insect resistant net  74  is affixed to the dome  72  by ties or tabs. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1C , the insect resistant frame  3  can include telescoping sections  61  that can be used to adjust the length of the insect resistant frame  3 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C  various connecting mechanism are show to connect sections of the insect resistant frame  3 . In one exemplary embodiment as shown in MG.  2 A, each of the plurality of connecting members  14  is made of a retaining block to allow the first set of rectangular shaped members  16  to be fixedly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14 . The each end of first set of rectangular shaped members  16  is fixed in first slot  81 . 
     A second set of rectangular shaped members  17  are flexibly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14  and can pivot 45 degrees relative to the first set of rectangular shaped members  16 . Each end of the second set of rectangular shaped members  17  are fixed in second slot  82  in the first movable member  84 . In one embodiment, the first movable member  84  is a rectangular block with second slot  82  at one end and a pivoting connection to the plurality of connecting members  14  at the other end. 
     A third set of rectangular shaped members  19  are flexibly attached to the plurality of connecting members  14  and can pivot 90 degrees relative to the first set of rectangular shaped members  16 . Each end of the third set of rectangular shaped members  19  are fixed in third slot  85  in the second movable member  86 . In one embodiment, the second movable member  86  is a rectangular block with a third slot  85  at one end and a pivoting connection to the plurality of connecting members  14  at the other end. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2B , in this exemplary embodiment the plurality of connecting members  14  includes a connecting hinge  31  made of hooks  32  configured to releasably attach to the plurality of connecting members  14 . In this embodiment, release of the hooks  32  from the connecting hinge  31 , allows the frame  3  to fold for storage. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2C , a “U” shaped hinge  34  in provided. The “U” shaped hinge  34  can be used in an exemplary embodiment to connect plurality of generally rectangular shaped members that make up the frame  3 . The “U” shaped hinge  34  includes flexural element such as bearing  36  to allow the rectangular shaped members of frame  3  to bend or flex to less than 90 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, one leg of the U shaped hinge  34  is shorter than the other so that one leg can be folded over the other. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3A  the framed  3  is in the compressed position as shown. In the compressed position, the generally rectangular shaped members  16 ,  17 , and  19  are perpendicular to the plurality of connecting members  14  and are in the same orientation having a U shape. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3B-3C  the sequence of steps to show the folding of the frame is provided. In this embodiment, sections of the insect resistant frame  3  are joined a “U” shaped hinge  34  to allow the frame to flex to less than 90 degrees to fold for storage The insect resistant frame  3  is folded by pivoting one side of a first group of rectangular shaped members  41  inwardly, by first flexing the “U” shaped hinge  34  whose length is shorter attached to the corner of the rectangular shaped members of insect resistant frame  3  to less than 90 degrees. Similarly, one side of a second group of rectangular shaped members  42  is moved inwardly, by flexing the “U” shaped hinge whose length is longer  34  attached to the corner of the rectangular shaped members of insect resistant frame  3  to less than 90 degrees. The folded frame  38  as shown in  FIG. 3C  is configured to form a base for a storage container  5  with handle  15 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 4  A-C, and  6  an alternative embodiment of the portable bed apparatus, generally as  2  is shown. In this embodiment, the insect resistant frame  70  having a base  20  and a dome  72  can be transformed into a storage container  5  of a generally rectangular shape defined by four long side panels  6  and two short top panels  9 , the storage container  5  being sized to contain a foldable bed frame  21 , when the foldable bed frame  21  is in the folded position; wherein the four long side panels have a plurality of re-sealable openings  8  located between the long side panels, and wherein the storage container  5  expands to form an insect resistant frame  70  having a base  20  and a dome  72 , when the re-sealable openings  8  located between the long side panels  6  are in the open position. 
     The storage container  5  has four long side panels  6  and two smaller top panels  9 . The four long side panels  6  can include reinforcing rods  7  in the junctions between four long side panels  6 . The reinforcing rods  7  help the storage container  5  maintain a generally rectangular shape, when not deployed to form the dome  72 . In this configuration, the storage container  5  is sized to accommodate a portable bed frame  21  in the folded position. 
     A plurality of re-sealable openings  8  is located between the four long side panels  6 . The re-sealable openings  8  are preferably zippers. One of the two smaller panels  9  is a fixed panel  11 , while the second smaller panels  9  form an openable panel  12  with closing tab  13 , positioned to secure the openable panel  12  to the storage container  5 . The storage container  5  includes a handle  15  that can be secured to the one of the four long side panels  6  or one of the two top panels  9 . The storage container  5  is preferably made of a strong mesh. 
     In  FIG. 4C  and  FIG. 6  the re-sealable openings  8  are configured to open to allow the four long side panels  6  to expand to form a dome  72 . In this embodiment, a middle frame section  76  has attached thereto two middle vertical sections  78  and two middle horizontal sections  77 , two middle horizontal sections  77  are attached to the two middle vertical sections  78 . The insect resistant frame  70  has a base  20  and a dome  72 . The generally rectangular base  20  area is configured to receive the associated sleeping ware, such as a bed cushion  50 , cover sheet  60 , blanket (not shown) and pillow  37 . 
     The insect resistant frame  70 , with insect proof net  74  is released to cover the dome  72  that can completely cover the foldable bed frame  21 , in the unfolded position. A plurality of openings  75  allows a user to enter and exit the dome  72 . The frame  70  is configured in the extended portion to form a trapezoid. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5A-B  the foldable bed frame  21  of the portable bed apparatus  2  is shown in the partially folded position  FIG. 5A  and in the unfolded position  FIG. 5B . In this embodiment, the foldable bed frame  21  is made of a plurality of bed panels  25 , each made of plastic or an aluminum material. Each of the plurality of bed panels  25  are generally rectangular shaped and are arranged in a linear array. The foldable bed frame  21 , in the preferred embodiment, is formed of separate bed panels  25  with PVC or EVA-foam tiles that cover the center of each of the plurality of bed panels  25 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the plurality of bed panels  25  is joined by a hinge  28 , preferably a pair of hinges. A plurality of bed panels  25 , each of the plurality of bed panels  25  having an interior tile, an “L” shaped hinge connected each of the plurality of bed panels  25 , wherein a hinge on one of the bed panels  25  is connected to a hinge  28  on another of the bed panels  25 . In an alternate embodiment, the bed panel  25  is made of a foldable bed cushion  50  that is sufficiently flexible to be folded. 
     The portable bed apparatus  2  further includes sleeping ware such as a bed cushion  50 , cover sheet  60 , blanket (not shown) and pillow  37 . A hinge  28 , in one embodiment, forms an “L” shape and is connected to each other, to allow the bed panel  25  to pivot with respect to each other. As the hinge  28  is flexed to the open position, foldable bed frame  21  achieves the flat position. When the hinge  28  is flexed to the closed position, the foldable bed frame  21  forms a rectangular shape. 
       FIG. 7  shows the attachment of a hinge  28  to two of the plurality of bed panel frame panels  25 . Each of the hinges  28 , in the preferred embodiment, form an “L” shape and are connected to each other, to allow the bed panel frames  25  to pivot with respect to each other. As the hinge  28  is flexed to the open position, the foldable insect resistant frame  70  achieves the flat position. When the entire hinge  28  is flexed to the closed position, the foldable insect resistant frame  70  forms a rectangular shape. 
     It is intended that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims.