U.S. patent application number 15/289908 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-20 for magnetic sleeping bag.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joseph Budusky, Michael Tarpey. Invention is credited to Joseph Budusky, Michael Tarpey.
Application Number | 20170105556 15/289908 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58522638 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170105556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tarpey; Michael ; et
al. |
April 20, 2017 |
MAGNETIC SLEEPING BAG
Abstract
A sleeping bag for providing easy and carefree exit and entry
for a user, for providing comfort for the user by having an ability
to extend appendages of the user out of the sleeping bag without
having to open the sleeping bag in its entirety, and for providing
a no-fail engage or disengage exit for potential emergency
situations. The sleeping bag includes a lower layer, an upper
layer, and a magnetic closure. The upper layer overlies the lower
layer so as to form a user space therebetween for the user. The
magnetic closure replaceably attaches a portion of the upper layer
to a corresponding portion of the lower layer and provides the easy
and carefree exit and entry for the user, provides comfort for the
user by having an ability to extend appendages of the user out of
the sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in its
entirety, and provides a no-fail engage/disengage exit for
potential emergency situations.
Inventors: |
Tarpey; Michael; (Lansdale,
PA) ; Budusky; Joseph; (Schwenksville, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tarpey; Michael
Budusky; Joseph |
Lansdale
Schwenksville |
PA
PA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58522638 |
Appl. No.: |
15/289908 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62241587 |
Oct 14, 2015 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2200/106 20130101;
A47G 2009/004 20130101; A47G 9/086 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/08 20060101
A47G009/08 |
Claims
1. A sleeping bag for providing easy and carefree exit and entry
for a user, for providing comfort for the user by having an ability
to selectively extend appendages of the user out of the insulated
sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in its
entirety, and for providing a no-fail engage or disengage exit for
potential emergency situations, comprising: a) a lower layer; b) an
upper layer; and c) a magnetic closure; wherein said upper layer
overlies said lower layer so as to form a user space therebetween
for a user; and wherein said magnetic closure replaceably attaches
a portion of said upper layer to a corresponding portion of said
lower layer for providing the easy and the carefree exit and the
entry for the user, for providing the comfort for the user by
having the ability to selectively extend the appendages of the user
out of the sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in
its entirety, and for providing the no-fail engage/disengage exit
for the potential emergency situations.
2. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein said lower layer is
waterproof for protection if the support surface is wet.
3. The sleeping bag of claim 2, wherein said perimeter of said
lower layer is generally rectangular-shaped, and as such, has: a) a
pair of long edges; and b) a pair of short edges.
4. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein said upper layer overlies
said lower layer to define said user space therebetween.
5. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein said upper layer overlies
said lower layer and a remaining portion of said perimeter of said
upper layer is affixed to said corresponding remaining portion of
said perimeter of said lower layer.
6. The sleeping bag of claim 5, wherein said portion of said
perimeter of said upper layer and said corresponding portion of
said perimeter of said lower layer are normally open for the user,
but selectively close by said magnetic closure.
7. The sleeping bag of claim 6, wherein said corresponding portion
of said perimeter of said lower layer includes one short edge of
said perimeter of said lower layer and an adjacent long edge of
said perimeter of said lower layer.
8. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein said magnetic closure
comprises a pair of material strips.
9. The sleeping bag of claim 8, wherein each material strip of said
magnetic closure forms a generally L-shape.
10. The sleeping bag of claim 8, wherein each material strip of
said magnetic closure is flat.
11. The sleeping bag of claim 8, wherein one material strip of said
magnetic closure extends along said corresponding portion of said
lower layer,
12. The sleeping bag of claim 11, wherein the other material strip
of said magnetic closure extends along said portion of said upper
layer, in alignment with said one material strip of said magnetic
closure.
13. The sleeping bag of claim 12, wherein said magnetic closure
comprises a pair of a plurality of magnets.
14. The sleeping bag of claim 13, wherein said pair of said
plurality of magnets of said magnetic closure are disk-shaped.
15. The sleeping bag of claim 13, wherein one plurality of magnets
of said magnetic closure extend along said one material strip of
said magnetic closure and are spaced thereapart.
16. The sleeping bag of claim 15, wherein said one plurality of
magnets of said magnetic closure are spaced apart from each other a
distance equal to a distance that the other plurality of magnets of
said magnetic closure are spaced apart from each other for proper
engagement when said magnetic closure is closed.
17. The sleeping bag of claim 15, wherein adjacent ones of each of
said pair of plurality of magnets of said magnetic closure have
opposite polarities for assuring a uniform closure of said magnetic
closure; and wherein one magnet is positive and said magnet
directly adjacent thereto is negative.
18. The sleeping bag of claim 17, wherein a distance between
adjacent ones of said pair of plurality of magnets of said magnetic
closure is proportional to magnetic strength of said pair of a
plurality of magnets of said magnetic closure for preventing
adjacent ones of said pair of plurality of magnets of said magnetic
closure from being attracted to each other, especially because of
said opposite polarities of said adjacent ones of said pair of
plurality of magnets of said magnetic closure.
19. The sleeping bag of claim 18, wherein said magnetic closure
comprises stitches.
20. The sleeping bag of claim 19, wherein said stitches of said
magnetic closure hold said one material strip of said magnetic
closure to said corresponding portion of said lower layer and hold
the other material strip of said magnetic closure to said portion
of said upper layer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The instant non-provisional patent application claims
priority from provisional patent application No. 62/241,587, filed
on Oct. 14, 2015, entitled MAGNETIC SLEEPING BAG, and incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a
sleeping bag, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present
invention relate to a sleeping bag for providing easy and carefree
exit and entry for a user, for providing comfort for the user by
having an ability to selectively extend appendages of the user out
of the sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in its
entirety, and for providing a no-fail engage/disengage exit for
potential emergency situations.
[0004] Description of the Prior Art
[0005] A sleeping bag is an insulated covering for a person,
essentially a lightweight quilt that can be closed with a zipper or
similar apparatus to form a tube, which functions as a lightweight
and portable bedding in situations where a person is sleeping
outdoors, e.g., when camping, hiking, hill walking, or
climbing.
[0006] The sleeping bag's primary purpose is to provide warmth and
thermal insulation through its synthetic or down insulation. It
also typically has a water resistant or water repellent cover that
protects - to some extent - against wind chill and light
precipitation. The bottom surface also provides some cushioning and
may be moderately water repellent.
[0007] There are a range of sleeping bag models designed for
different purposes. Very lightly insulated sleeping bags are
designed for summer camping use or for indoor use by children
during slumber parties. Well-insulated bags are designed for cold
weather use.
[0008] The most well-insulated and lightweight sleeping bags--which
are designed for serious hikers and adventurers--are more expensive
than lightly insulated sleeping bags. One subcategory of
cold-weather sleeping bag, the mummy bag, is so named because it
has an insulated hood for the head. A bivouac sack (bivy) is a
waterproof cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a
tent by minimalist and experienced hikers. A bivy bag may also be
carried by day hikers as a backup or emergency shelter to be used
if they cannot make it back to their starting point by nightfall
due to inclement weather or getting lost.
[0009] The state of the sleeping bag art has many drawbacks, a few
include:
[0010] 1. Doesn't provide easy and carefree exit and entry for a
user;
[0011] 2. Provides less comfort for the user by not having an
ability to extend appendages of the user out of the sleeping bag
without having to open the sleeping bag in its entirety;
[0012] 3. Does not provide a no-fail engage or disengage exit for
potential emergency situations;
[0013] 4. Zipper mechanism may jam upon entry and exit.
[0014] Numerous innovations for sleeping bags have been provided in
the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order
to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein
in their entirety by reference thereto. Even though these
innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to
which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the embodiments
of the present invention, in that they do not teach a sleeping bag
for providing easy and carefree exit and entry for a user, for
providing a no-fail closure mechanism comprised of alternating
polarity magnets on each strip, for providing comfort for the user
by having an ability to selectively extend appendages of the user
out of the sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in
its entirety, and for providing a no-fail engage/disengage exit for
potential emergency situations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,791 to Simon
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,791--issued to Simon on Nov. 2, 1976 in
US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag having double
shells: an inner shell and an outer shell, both open at one and the
same side, each, preferably, differentially cut, so that the
sleeping bag is narrow at the bottom or foot end than at the upper
end, and has insulating material between the shell. The shells are
closed along the open side by a pair of off-set slide fasteners.
The off-sets provide closing off of any leakage through the
fasteners of warmed air inside the sleeping bag, entry of cold air
from the outside, and provides both a dead air space between the
pair of off-set slide fasteners and insulated pads to cover the two
closures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,001 to Kern
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,001--issued to Kern on Jul. 5, 1977 in
US class 2 and subclass 83--teaches a sleeping bag having a hood
back part with a pair of arm and hand portions extending from
opposite sides thereof. A lower back part is affixed to, and
extends from, the hood back part. A hood front part has a face
opening therein and a pair of arm and hand portions extending from
opposite sides thereof and corresponding to the arm and hand
portions of the hood back and affixed to the hood back part to
accommodate the head, upper chest area, and arms of a user of the
bag. A lower front part is affixed to, and extends from, the hood
front part and is affixed to the lower back part to accommodate the
remaining torso of a user of the bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,472 to Maguire
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,472--issued to Maguire on Mar. 21, 1978
in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag having a
pillow pocket at the head thereof, a bag portion extending along
less than one-half the length of the sleeping bag, and a foot
portion having a longitudinally extensible and laterally expandable
section within the bag portion of the sleeping bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,682 to Schultz
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,682--issued to Schultz on May 13, 1986
in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag including
first and second panels, with one of the panels overlying the other
panel, and with the panels having a lower portion, an upper
portion, and side edges. The bag has a first closing device for
closing the side edges of the first and second panels, with the
upper portion of the panels being inverted and tucked between the
adjoining portion of the panels to define a pocket and an opening
communicating with the pocket to receive and stow articles. The bag
has a second device for closing the opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,303 to Scherer
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,303--issued to Scherer on Dec. 5, 1989
in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag including a
pad and a cover, with the cover including an upper and a lower
section, each including a layer of cushiony thermal insulation
material, and an intermediate section including a layer of
elastically stretchable material sandwiched between the upper and
lower sections of the cover extending from one side of the cover to
the other and secured at the side margins thereof to the cover. The
intermediate elastically stretchable layer is operable to draw the
lower section against the user in the bag to maintain the lower
section in relatively close form-fitting relation to the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,878 to Roach
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,878--issued to Roach on Jan. 23, 1990 in
US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag including an
outer shell, an inner liner, and a plurality of longitudinally
extending insulating batts therebetween secured along their
longitudinal edges to the shell and to the liner in an overlapping
and shingled arrangement. The circumferential dimension of the
liner can be reduced by connecting spaced-apart zipper elements
fastened to the liner, thus causing an increased overlap of the
batts resulting in increased thermal insulation. A cord casing at
the head hole is secured to the liner along a line spaced-apart
from the seam joining the shell and the liner at the head hole, so
that when the draw string is pulled taut, creasing and other
deformation of the shell surrounding the head hole is minimized so
to reduce any decrease in thermal insulation. The head and foot of
the bag define three dimensional cavities sized to generally
conform to the user's head and feet to minimize compression of the
bag. The access zipper extends beneath the user to minimize heat
loss.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,725 to Ando et al.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,725--issued to Ando et al. on Jun. 24,
1997 in US class 5 and subclass 413AM--teaches a sleeping bag whose
bag body is free from slipping off an air mattress laid
therebeneath, and whose air pillow is also free from slipping off
the bag body, etc., so that there is no fear of comfortable sleep
being disturbed. The bag body is composed of a mattress portion and
a coverlet portion. The mattress portion and the coverlet potion
are joined to each other, so that the coverlet potion is folded
over the mattress. The insides of the mattress portion and the
coverlet portion are stuffed with cotton or feather paddings having
adiabatic property. The other sides of the respective mattress
portion and the coverlet portion, as well as the foot ends thereof,
are provided with slide fasteners continuously therealong, so that
a generally envelope shaped structure is formed. The air mattress
is inserted through the air mattress inlet formed along the foot
end of the mattress portion into the inside of the mattress
portion. The head end side of the mattress portion is opened, with
an air pillow inlet that allows insertion of the air pillows into
the head portion of the mattress portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,221 to Hope
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,221--issued to Hope on Jan. 1, 2002 in
US class 2 and subclass 69.5--teaches a sleeping bag including a
main body for substantially enclosing the trunk of a user, and at
least one body portion attached or attachable to the main body. The
at least one body portion is adapted to separately enclose
substantial portions of other body part(s) of the user. The at
least one body portion may be integrally formed with the main body
or releasably attachable to same. The provision of the at least one
body portion allows for greater mobility of a user while still
within the sleeping bag. Furthermore, the embodiment that has at
least one releasably attachable body portion allows for a degree of
flexibility in terms of use and accessories.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,787 to Thorne
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,787--issued to Thorne on Sep. 17, 2002
in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches an adjustable-warmth
sleeping bag. The sleeping bag, typically, includes an outer shell
and a plurality of compartments filled with an insulative material.
The sleeping bag also, typically, includes a plurality of slots
positioned adjacent the outer shell. Each slot contains a
respective insulator. The insulators are typically configured to be
selectively inserted and removed from the slots to vary the warmth
of the bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,426 to Smith
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,426--issued to Smith on Jul. 15, 2003 in
US class 2 and subclass 69--teaches a sleeping bag configured to
represent a human or fantasy subject, such as, a sports-person,
e.g., a football and soccer player. The sleeping bag has arm and
leg portions and has surface decoration representing the subject,
e.g., the football strip of a particular club. The surface
decoration may be provided by printing and may include features,
such as, the bottoms of trousers and tops of socks represented by
pleats or tucks. The outer surface of the sleeping bag may
incorporate a pocket portion to permit over-printing of the
sleeping bag subsequent to manufacture, e.g., at the point of
purchase.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,263,730 to Crawford
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 7,263,730--issued to Crawford on Sep. 4, 2007
in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag that is an
insulated bag for covering and protecting the body of a user when
the user is seated. The bag is formed from front and rear fabric
sheets joined to one another and sized and shaped to receive the
body of the user. At least one pair of slots is formed through the
front fabric sheet to receive a seatbelt attached to a chair, such
as, an airplane seat, thus, selectively securing both the user and
the insulating bag to the seat. Alternatively, or in addition to
the seatbelt slots, a pair of slots may be formed through the front
fabric sheet for providing the user's hands free access to the
external environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,898 to Brun
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,898--issued to Brun on Jun. 17, 2008 in
US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag including
adjacent chambers that are formed by partition walls. The chambers
contain a filling material. The sleeping bag also includes a zipper
and inner and outer linings that cover the chambers. The outer
lining includes a waterproof material. The outer lining and the
partition walls or the outer lining and fixing stripes being
connected to the partition walls include a material that can be
sealed. The partition walls are sealed onto the outer lining from
the inside at the end of the walls or by way of the fixing
strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,343 to Hui
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,343--issued to Hui on Jun. 9, 2009 in US
class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches an article of bedding, such as,
a sleeping bag that is constructed so as to allow a user to
selectively and alternatively control the insulating properties of
the covering structure over the user's feet. Specifically, the
lower portion of a main cover layer of a blanket or main sleeping
bag cover is provided with an overlying top covering layer. Also, a
slit is defined transversely across the lower portion of the main
covering layer between about one foot and about three feet from the
foot extremities of the blanketing layers. The user selectively
inserts his or her feet either beneath both covering layers or
through the slit in the main covering layer. When the user's feet
are inserted through the slit, they are covered only by the top
covering layer below the slit. Preferably, the foot extremities of
the top covering layer and the main covering layer are provided
with an open-mesh ventilating panel therebetween. This permits air
circulation between the lower portion of the main cover layer and
the overlying top cover layer to prevent the user's feet from
becoming too warm. The foot extremities of the main cover layer and
the top covering layer may be releasably secured to the other by a
zipper or some other releaseable closure device.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,479 to Benninger
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,479--issued to Benninger on Apr. 29,
2014 in US class 5 and subclass 413R--teaches a sleeping bag
constructed so that its outer circumference is greater than its
inner circumference. The bag includes additional integrated
protuberances, or space fillers, that are added to the interior
lining of the sleeping bag to fill-in around the sleeper's body.
Making the circumference of the outside of the bag greater than the
inside maintains the thickness of the insulation in selected areas.
To maintain insulation thickness at other locations around the
sleeper's body, the insulation-containing space fillers are
incorporated into the interior of the bag and expand under the
influence of the insulation to fill-in around the sleeper for
reducing the internal volume of the bag. This construction can be
carried the length of the sleeping bag.
[0029] It is apparent that numerous innovations for sleeping bags
have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used.
Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the
specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless,
they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of
the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a sleeping
bag for providing easy and carefree exit and entry for a user, for
providing comfort for the user by having an ability to selectively
extend appendages of the user out of the sleeping bag without
having to open the sleeping bag in its entirety, and for providing
a no-fail engage/disengage exit for potential emergency
situations.
[0030] Thus, there exists a need for a sleeping bag for providing
easy and carefree exit and entry for a user, for providing comfort
for the user by having an ability to selectively extend appendages
of the user out of the sleeping bag without having to open the
sleeping bag in its entirety, and for providing a no-fail
engage/disengage exit for potential emergency situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention
is to provide a sleeping bag for providing easy and carefree exit
and entry for a user, for providing comfort for the user by having
an ability to selectively extend appendages of the user out of the
sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in its
entirety, and for providing a no-fail engage or disengage exit for
potential emergency situations, which avoids the disadvantages of
the prior art. Additionally, the alternating polarity magnets along
each strip provide a reproducible and proper closure, an
improvement over single polarity magnet strips.
[0032] Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the
present invention is to provide a sleeping bag for providing easy
and carefree exit and entry for a user, for providing comfort for
the user by having an ability to selectively extend appendages of
the user out of the sleeping bag without having to open the
sleeping bag in its entirety, and for providing a no-fail engage or
disengage exit for potential emergency situations. The sleeping bag
includes a lower layer, an upper layer, and a magnetic closure. The
upper layer overlies the lower layer so as to form a user space
therebetween for the user. The magnetic closure replaceably
attaches a portion of the upper layer to a corresponding portion of
the lower layer and provides the easy and carefree exit and entry
for the user, provides the comfort for the user by having an
ability to selectively extend appendages of the user out of the
sleeping bag without having to open the sleeping bag in its
entirety, and provides the no-fail engage/disengage exit for
potential emergency situations.
[0033] The novel features considered characteristic of the
embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended
claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves,
however, both as to their construction and to their method of
operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of the
embodiments of the present invention when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying figures of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING
[0034] The figures of the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the sleeping
bag of the embodiments of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the
area generally enclosed by the dotted oval identified by ARROW 2 in
FIG. 1; and
[0037] FIG. 3 is diagrammatic perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the sleeping bag of the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE
DRAWING
Introductory
[0038] 10 sleeping bag of embodiments of present invention for
providing easy and carefree exit and entry for user, for providing
comfort for user by having ability to selectively extend appendages
of user out of sleeping bag without having to open sleeping bag in
its entirety, and for providing no-fail engage/disengage exit for
potential emergency situations
Overall Configuration of Sleeping Bag 10
[0039] 12 lower layer
[0040] 14 upper layer
[0041] 16 magnetic closure for providing easy and carefree exit and
entry for user, for providing comfort for user by having ability to
selectively extend appendages of user out of sleeping bag without
having to open sleeping bag in its entirety, and for providing
no-fail engage or disengage exit for potential emergency
situations
[0042] 18 user space for user
[0043] 20 portion of upper layer 14
[0044] 22 corresponding portion of lower layer 12
Specific Configuration of Lower Layer 12
[0045] 24 support surface
[0046] 26 perimeter of lower layer 12
[0047] 28 pair of long edges of perimeter 26 of lower layer 12
[0048] 30 pair of short edges of perimeter 26 of lower layer 12
Specific Configuration of Upper Layer 14
[0049] 32 perimeter of upper layer 14
[0050] 34 pair of long edges of perimeter 32 of upper layer 14
[0051] 36 pair of short edges of perimeter 32 of upper layer 14
[0052] 38 remaining portion of perimeter 32 of upper layer 14
[0053] 40 corresponding remaining portion of perimeter 26 of lower
layer 12
Specific Configuration of Magnetic Closure 16
[0054] 42 pair of material strips of magnetic closure 16
[0055] 44 pair of plurality of magnets of magnetic closure with
alternating polarity 16
[0056] 46 stitches of magnetic closure 16
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Introductory
[0057] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the sleeping bag
of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at
10 for providing easy and carefree exit and entry for a user, for
providing comfort for the user by having an ability to selectively
extend appendages of the user out of the sleeping bag 10 without
having to open the sleeping bag 10 in its entirety, and for
providing a no-fail engage or disengage exit for potential
emergency situations.
[0058] The sleeping bag 10 provides safe and easy operation for
users who are children and the disabled.
Overall Configuration of the Sleeping Bag 10
[0059] The sleeping bag 10 comprises a lower layer 12, an upper
layer 14, and a magnetic closure 16. The upper layer 14 overlies
the lower layer 12 so as to form a user space 18 therebetween for a
user. The magnetic closure 16 replaceably attaches a portion 20 of
the upper layer 14 to a corresponding portion 22 of the lower layer
12 for providing the easy and the carefree exit and the entry for
the user, for providing the comfort for the user by having the
ability to selectively extend the appendages of the user out of the
sleeping bag 10 without having to open the sleeping bag 10 in its
entirety, and for providing the no-fail engage/disengage exit for
the potential emergency situations.
[0060] The magnetic closure 16 replaces a zipper closure of a
conventional sleeping bag.
Specific Configuration of the Lower Layer 12
[0061] The lower layer 12 is for resting on a support surface 24,
is insulated for maintaining a desired temperature in the user
space 18, and is waterproof for protection if the support surface
24 is wet.
[0062] The lower layer 12 has a perimeter 26. The corresponding
portion 22 of the lower layer 12 is a part of the perimeter 26 of
the lower layer 12.
[0063] The perimeter 26 of the lower layer 12 is generally
rectangular-shaped, and as such, has a pair of long edges 28 and a
pair of short edges 30.
[0064] The corresponding portion 22 of the perimeter 26 of the
lower layer 12 includes one short edge 30 of the perimeter 26 of
the lower layer 12 and an adjacent long edge 28 of the perimeter 26
of the lower layer 12.
[0065] The corresponding remaining portion 40 of the perimeter 26
of the lower layer 12 includes the other short edge 30 of the
perimeter 26 of the lower layer 12 and the other long edge 28 of
the perimeter 26 of the lower layer 12.
Specific Configuration of the Upper Layer 14
[0066] The upper layer 14 is insulated for maintaining a desired
temperature in the user space 18, and overlies the lower layer 12
to define the user space 18 therebetween.
[0067] The upper layer 14 has a perimeter 32. The portion 20 of the
upper layer 14 is a part of the perimeter 32 of the upper layer
14.
[0068] The perimeter 32 of the upper layer 14 is generally
rectangular-shaped, and as such, has a pair of long edges 34 and a
pair of short edges 36.
[0069] The upper layer 14 overlies the lower layer 12 and a
remaining portion 38 of the perimeter 32 of the upper layer 14 is
affixed to a corresponding remaining portion 40 of the perimeter 26
of the lower layer 12, with the portion 20 of the perimeter 32 of
the upper layer 14 and the corresponding portion 22 of the
perimeter 32 of the lower layer 12 being normally open for the user
18, but selectively closed by the magnetic closure 16.
[0070] For clarity, the corresponding remaining portion 38 of the
perimeter 32 of the upper layer 14 is the perimeter 32 of the upper
layer 14 minus the portion 20 of the perimeter 32 of the upper
layer 14, and the corresponding remaining portion 40 of the
perimeter 26 of the lower layer 12 is the perimeter 26 of the lower
layer 12 minus the corresponding portion 22 of the perimeter 32 of
the lower layer 12.
[0071] The corresponding portion 22 of the perimeter 26 of the
lower layer 12 includes one short edge 30 of the perimeter 26 of
the lower layer 12 and an adjacent long edge 28 of the perimeter 26
of the lower layer 12.
[0072] The corresponding remaining portion 38 of the perimeter 32
of the upper layer 14 includes one short edge 36 of the perimeter
32 of the upper layer 14 and an adjacent long edge 34 of the
perimeter 32 of the upper layer 14.
Specific Configuration of the Magnetic Closure 16
[0073] The specific configuration of the magnetic closure 16 can
best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such, will be discussed with
reference thereto.
[0074] The magnetic closure 16 comprises a pair of material strips
42. Each material strip 42 of the magnetic closure contains
consecutive magnets with alternative polarity 16 forms a generally
L-shape, and is flat. One material strip 42 of the magnetic closure
16 extends along the corresponding portion 22 of the lower layer
12. The other material strip 42 of the magnetic closure 16 extends
along the portion 20 of the upper layer 14, in ideal alignment with
the one material strip 42 of the magnetic closure 16 due to the
lining up of alternative polarity of each strip 42.
[0075] The magnetic closure 16 further comprises a pair of a
plurality of magnets 44, and are, preferably, disk-shaped, and made
from high strength neodymium.
[0076] One plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16
extend along the one material strip 42 of the magnetic closure 16
and are spaced thereapart, while the other plurality of magnets 44
of the magnetic closure 16 extend along the other material strip 42
of the magnetic closure 16 and are spaced thereapart.
[0077] The one plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16
are spaced apart from each other a distance equal to a distance
that the other plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16
are spaced apart from each other for proper engagement when the
magnetic closure 16 is closed.
[0078] As shown on FIG. 2, adjacent ones of each of the pair of
plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16 have opposite
polarities so as to provide alternating polarities of each of the
pair of plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16 for
assuring a uniform closure of the magnetic closure 16. For example,
one magnet is positive, while the magnet directly adjacent thereto
is negative. As further shown on FIG. 2, a distance between
adjacent ones of the pair of plurality of magnets 44 of the
magnetic closure 16 is proportional to magnetic strength of the
pair of a plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure 16 for
preventing adjacent ones of the pair of plurality of magnets 44 of
the magnetic closure 16 from being attracted to each other,
especially in view of the opposite polarities of the adjacent ones
of the pair of plurality of magnets 44 of the magnetic closure
16.
[0079] The magnetic closure 16 further comprises stitches 46.
[0080] The stitches 46 of the magnetic closure 16 hold the one
material strip 42 of the magnetic closure 16 to the corresponding
portion 22 of the lower layer 12 and hold the other material strip
42 of the magnetic closure 16 to the portion 20 of the upper layer
14.
Impressions
[0081] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above or two or more together may also find a useful application in
other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0082] While the embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described as embodied in a sleeping bag for
providing ease of entry and exit, for providing emergency exit, and
for providing comfort by exposing various parts of appendages of a
user while sleeping but without having to fully open the sleeping
bag, nevertheless, they are not limited to the details shown, since
it will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the
embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their
operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing
in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0083] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others
can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various
applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of
prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *