Sleeping Bag

Abstract

A sleeping bag structure including a mattress-like base section with an upper head supporting portion and central body supporting portion and a lower leg supporting portion, a quilt-like cover section with an upper body covering portion, a central leg covering portion and a lower foot covering portion and dual connecting means releasably connecting adjacent edges of the section together to define a closed draft proof bag. Said connecting means including outer primary zipper type primary fastening means at and along related edges of the sections and inner secondary releasable fastening means between the adjacent edge portions of the sections inward of and parallel with the primary fastening means and holding said adjacent portions of the sections in draft and heat sealing engagement with each other. Said upper body portion of the cover section having a pair of laterally spaced extensions with interconnecting means at the free ends to define an upwardly and laterally extending arch supported on the head portion of the base section and defining a head accommodating hood.

Description

This invention has to do with an improved sleeping bag and is more particularly concerened with a novel sectional sleeping bag structure comprising a bottom mattress section, a top cover section, novel means for releasably securing the sections together and a structure incorporating novel head receiving head means and novel foot accommodating means.

The ordinary sleeping bag structure provided by the prior art includes a large, flat, rectangular quilt, filled with a resilient compressible, low density, heat insulating material such as down, and having releasable fastening means at its opposite horizontal side edges and its lower, transverse edge to secure said edges together when the quilt is folded double and so as to establish an upwardly opening bag-like structure in which a person can arrange himself for rest or sleep, protected from the cold and/or elements of the ambient atmosphere. The fastening means employed in such bags commonly include lineal slide-type fasteners commonly referred to as zippers or zipper-type fasteners.

The heat insulating characteristics of such sleeping bags is a direct function or the ability of such bags to provide a dead air layer between the person using them and the surrounding environment, which is the most effective means of inhibiting heat transfer and is generally measured in terms of "loft". Since the insulating filler material of most sleeping bags must be resilient, compressible and of low density to satisfy weight, bulk, and comfort requirements, the user's or sleeper's weight tends to compress the underlying portions of the bags to such a degree that they lose substantially all their loft and their capacity to provide adequate insulation and support necessitates the use of an additional piece of equipment to compensate for such losses. The most common solution is the provision and use of a mattress of less compressible, insulating materials, such as polyethylene foam, to achieve the required degree of support and insulation beneath the sleeper.

The above leads to the obvious conclusion that the underlying portion of a conventional sleeping bag fails to perform its desire or intended functions and represents little more than excess, costly and undesirable material and weight.

An object and feature of the present invention is to provide a novel sleeping bag structure wherein the ineffective and inefficient underlying portion commonly provided or present in conventional sleeping bag structures is eliminated and wherein a soft, compressible, heat insulating top bag section is cooperatively related and releasably secured to a less soft, body supporting, heat insulating, mattress-like, bottom section.

It is another object and feature of my invention to provide a sleeping bag structure of the character referred to above having an integrated mattress defined by the noted bottom section whereby inadvertent or accidental movement or displacement of the sleeper from supporting engagement on the mattress cannot occur, as is the case where separate sleeping bags and mattresses are employed.

In the ordinary or conventional sleeping bag structures, the pull-type or zipper fastening means employed to secure adjacent edges of the structures together afford little or no heat insulation at the seams or lines of joinder established thereby with the result that the heat insulating capacity of such bags is materially reduced. Further, zippers are not airtight and considerable draft occurs at and through the noted zipper secured seams of the ordinary sleeping bag, further reducing its efficiency and effectiveness.

To reduce such loss of heat and prevent such drafts, the prior art has provided draft curtains or flaps at and along the zipper secured seams of bags which flaps are of extremely limited and questionable effectiveness and add considerably to the weight, cost and bulk of such bags.

An object and feature of my invention is to provide a sleeping bag of the character referred to above having novel and improved heat insulating, draft proof releasable fastening means at, along and between the adjacent, related and releasably secured edges or seams of the construction.

It is a further object and feature of my invention to provide releasable fastening means between adjacent related edges of a sleeping bag structure comprising outer primary and inner secondary fastening means along said edge portions, which means cooperate to releasably hold and maintain specially formed edge portions of the bag in sealing relationship with each other.

Yet another object and feature of my invention is to provide novel releasably fastening means of the character referred to above which is such that the amount of insulating effect and the amount of draft at and along the fastened seams or lines of joinder of the bag can be easily and effectively varied and controlled as desired or as circumstances require, thereby materially extending the range of use of the bag, as regards the climatic conditions in which it is intended for use.

In the prior art, the ordinary sleeping bag is not provided with means to support and protect the sleeper's head against the cold. Accordingly, the sleeper must be provided with a pillow or use available extra clothing or the like to support his head and must either draw his head into the bag or use such clothing or other available means to protect his head from the cold.

In those cases where a hood has been provided by the prior art to protect the sleeper's head from the cold, the hoods have been integrally and permanently formed and established in the bags in such a manner that they cannot be put out of use if desired. Further, such hoods have characteristically been heavy, bulky and costly to make structures.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a sleeping bag structure of the general character referred to wherein the bottom, mattress section has an upper head supporting portion and wherein the top cover section has extensions or hood forming portions which are such that they can be formed and releasably secured to each other and with the head supporting portion of the base section to establish an effective head protecting hood.

In the prior art, the ordinary sleeping bag is made sufficiently large, from one end to the other, to provide adequate interior space at its upper end to comfortably accommodate the large, upper torso of the sleeper and at its lowermost end to confortably accommodate the feet of the sleeper. As a result of the above, more than adequate space is provided for the leg portions of the sleeper. This results in the use of more materials than is required and in substantial unnecessary weight.

In certain cases, to conserve material and to reduce the weight and bulk of sleeping bags, the lower leg receiving portions of the bags have been tapered down. In such cases, inadequate space was provided for the sleeper's feet. To compensate for the noted inadequacy, the prior art cut the bags specially and arranged inserts at the lower ends thereof to provide adequate foot space. The resulting foot accommodating structures presented unusual and undesirable bulk which impeded neat rolling and compacting of the bags for storage and transport and added materially to the cost of the bags. An overall reduction of size and weight was effected.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a sleeping bag structure of the character referred to wherein the lower leg portion of the structure is tapered to effect a reduction in materials used and in weight of the bag and a bag structure having novel foot accommodating means at its lower foot end, which means is easy and economical to make and use and which presents no undesirable distribution of materials which might adversely affect the making, handling and/or use of the construction .

The foregoing and other objects and features of my invention will be fully understood and will be apparent from the following detailed description of a typical, preferred form and embodiment of the invention throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my new sleeping bag;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2--2 on FIG. 1 and showing related structure in one position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing related structure in another position;

FIG. 4 is a top plane view of the base section of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plane view of the top section of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 1, showing the upper portion of the structure in another position; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 1, showing the lower portion of the structure in another position.

Referring to the drawings, the sleeping bag structure that I provide includes, generally, a bottom or base section B, a top or cover section T, connecting means M to releasably secure the section B and T together, foot accommodating means F and head accommodating or hood means H.

The base section B is a normally flat, horizontal, soft, and flexible elongate unitary section having an upper head end portion 10, a central body portion 11 and a lower leg portion 12. The portions 10 and 11 are rectangular in plane configuration with straight, parallel, longitudinal side edge 14 and a straight laterally extending upper edge 15. The lower leg portion 12 is downwardly tapered, with straight downwardly tapered side longitudinal edges 14' and a straight transversely extending lower edge 16.

The section B has flat top and bottom surfaces 17 and 18.

The section B is established on a case C of soft, flexible, heat insulating body supporting material and a cover or envelope E of tough, durable fabric. The core can be established of any suitable material, but is preferably established of a unitary flat sheet of inter connected cellular polyethylene foam which can be approximately one inch thick and of sufficient shore hardness to provide comfortable, and soft support for the sleeper's head and body. The envelope E is preferably established of top and bottom sheets of a suitable fabric, such as nylon.

The top and bottom surfaces 17 and 18 are defined by the fabric sheets. The sides 14, 14', 15 and 16 are straight, flat, vertical outwardly disposed sides defined by the sides of the core C and the edge portions of the top fabric sheet, which are turned down to overlay the sides of the core.

In addition to the above, the section B is provided with flexible, flat outwardly projecting flanges D about its central and lower portions 11 and 12 which flanges occur on a common plane with the bottom 18 of the section B and project outwardly, normal to the adjacent vertical edge of the section. The flanges D and adjacent portions of the sides of the section establish elements, parts or portions of the connecting means M between the sections B and T.

The flanges D are preferably established by related edge or marginal portions of the envelope sheets and suitable sticking therebetween.

The section B further includes a pair of elongate zipper elements Z' and Z.sup.a, each fixed to and extending longitudinally along the outer free edge of the flange D at one side of the section B and each having a lower end portion extending laterally inwardly along the edge of the flange at the lower end of the section B and terminating at the central longitudinal axis of the section or between the ends of the said lower end flange.

The zipper elements Z' and Z.sup.a are elements of the means M as well hereafter be described.

The section B next includes a plurality of fastening elements or pads V' and V.sup.a spaced longitudinally of the vertical side and bottom edges of the section B. The elements or pads V' and V.sup.a are spaced laterally inward of and above the adjacent zipper elements Z' and Z.sup.a and are disposed laterally outwardly.

The elements or pads V' and V.sup.a are elements of the means M and are preferably elements of a press to make and pull to release type fastening device. In practice, V' and V.sup.a might be elements of snap type fastening devices, but in practice, it is preferred that they be in the form of small, flexible, pads of Velcro stiched and/or cemented to the sides of the section (Velcro is the tradename for that form of fabric having a pile of looped and cut loops mono filament fibers which is such that when the pile of two pieces of the fabric are urged together, yieldingly, a releasable, mechanical connection is established therebetween).

The base next includes an arcuate series of fastening elements or pads V.sup.10 on the top surface 17 of the head portion 10 of the base which are elements of the hood means H as will hereafter be described. The elements V.sup.10 are preferably Velcro pads.

Finally, the section can include a zipper Z.sup.10 at upper edge 15 of the envelope E to enable insertion of the core C into the envelope and removal of the core therefrom, if desired.

It will be apparent that the base B is such that it is an easy and economical to make structure and is such that it requires a small amount of material, is light and can be easily and conveniently rolled into a small, neat and compact cylindrical tubular package and deposited into a stuff bag or the like for storage and transport.

The top or cover section T that I provide is a soft, flexible and light weight, heat insulating quilted cover unit or section. The section T is a normally flat, horizontal, elongated unit with an upper body portion 21, a central leg portion 22 and a lower foot portion 23 extending longitudinally from the portion 22.

The body and leg portions 21 and 22 are equal in longitudinal extent and are greater in lateral exent than the body and leg portions 11 and 12 of the base section B. The portion 21 has straight parallel side edges 24 and the leg portion 22 has downwardly convergent edges 24'. The lowermost foot portion has side edges 24" continuing from the edges 24' of the portion 22 and equal to one-half the lateral extent of the lower edge of the section B and has a transversely extending lower edge 25.

The section T has top and bottom surface 26 and 27 defined by top and bottom fabric sheets, the sides of which are stiched together to establish the several and various edges of the section.

The interior of the section T is filled with a suitable, soft, flexible, light weight, heat insulating filler I, such as dacron fibers or down. In accordance with common practice, the section T is provided with a plurality of partitions to maintain the filler properly distributed.

In the case illustrated, the section T is provided with a longitudinally extending partition 28 extending longitudinally of the sides of the body and leg portions 26 and 27 and defining filler stuffed longitudinal tube portions 20 along the opposite sides of the section and is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partitions 28' through the remainder of its planar extent to maintain the filler in place.

The upper portion 21 of the section T is provided with a pair of soft, down filled, laterally spaced, elongate, hood extensions 20 extending upwardly from the upper side portions of the body portion 21 and havng transversely extending upper edges 30, outer side edges 24.sup.a continuing upwardly from the side edges 24 of the body portion 21 and spaced opposing inside edges 31, the lower ends of which intersect or join the ends of the upper edge 32 of the portion 21 which occurs between the extensions 20.

The section T next includes a pair of zipper elements Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.b, each fixed to, and extending longitudinally of, the edges 24, 24' and 24" at one side of the section T, the elements Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.b being complimentary or mating elements for the zipper elements Z' and Z.sup.a, respectively.

The section T next includes a plurality of fastening elements or pads V.sup.2 and V.sup.b on the bottom surface 27 of the section in longitudinal and lateral inward spaced, parallel relationship with the elments Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.b, which pads are complimentary or mating elements or pads for the elements or pads V' and V.sup.a on the base section B.

The zipper elements Z' and Z.sup.2 and the elements Z.sup.a and Z.sup.b cooperate to establish outside, primary connecting means of the means M and are such that when they are interengaged or made up, they releasably secure the side edges 24, 24' and 24" of the top cover section with the flanges D at and along their related side edges 14 and 14' of the base section B and with the portion of the flange along their related one-half of the lower edge 16 of the base section.

It is to be noted that the edges 24, 24' and 24" of the portions 21, 22 and 23, when secured or connected with the base section, are coextensive with the edge flange of the base section and that the lower transverse edge 25 of the foot portion 23 of the top section is free or not connected to the base and is urged into a folded or doubled condition and in such a manner that the cover section provides additional surface area at the lower end of the structure and provides sufficient and desired foot accommodating space within the structure.

When the primary, outside, connecting means is made up in the above manner, the lower, inside portions of the longitudinal tube portions 29 at the sides of the section T are drawn down and into the corners defined by the vertical edges of the base section and the flanges related thereto and so that the complimentary, related connecting elements or pads V'-V.sup.2 and V.sup.b are moved into cooperating relationship and engagement with each other so as to hold the edge portions of the top section in the noted corner and in snug draft and heat sealing engagement with the base.

The section T is next provided with and includes connecting means 40 along its lower edge 25 to releasably secure the opposite halves of that edge together and close the lower end of the section T when that end is folded doubled as described above and is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawings.

The means 40 is preferably a zipper, related to the foot portion 23 and the zipper connecting means which includes a primary or outer connecting means which includes a primary or outer connecting means in the form of a zipper Z.sup.20 and a secondary, inner connecting means in the form of space related pairs of Velcro pads V.sup.20 on the bottom surface 27 and spaced upward of and parallel with the zipper 40 and adapted to engage with each other and releasably hold the portions of the section adjacent to and inward of the zipper together to seal against drafts through the zipper and assure desired heat insulation.

The section T next includes releasably connecting means 45 to connect the edges 30 of the hood extensions at the upper head portion of the section together, which connecting means preferably includes related complimentary zipper elements 46 and 47 fixed to and extending longitudinally of the edges 30.

Each hood extension 20 of the section T is next provided with Velcro pads or connecting elements V" arranged along the outer edge portions of the extensions and adapted to cooperatively engage the pads V.sup.10 on the top of the head portion 10 of the base section when the extensions are connected together in an arched fashion and are urged down into engagement with the head portion 10 of the base, whereby an upwardly opening head accomodating hood is established at the upper end of the construction.

Finally, the section T is provided with a draw string means S at and along the edges 31 and 32 to extend about the upper open end of the hood and such that the sleeper can, by pulling the draw strings, gather and reduce the upper opening of the hood.

In practice, when the structure is used in warm weather, the hood structure need not be made up or established as set forth above; instead, the hood extensions of the section T can be folded outwardly as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

Further, in practice, the inner, secondary, Velcro, connecting means are such that they will not establish a connection without or in the absences of suitably applied manual pressure; accordingly, in warm weather, the draft seals and added insulation afforded by those connecting means can be dispensed with if desired.

Still further, with the structure that I provide, the top and bottom sections can be secured together by the inner secondary connecting means only and the outer primary connecting means need not be employed, such use of the structure is most effective when the weather is quite warm and maximum ventilation and minimum insulation is desired.

It is to be understood that each related pair of zipper elements referred to above, and as illustrated in the drawings is provided with a suitable pull for making and breaking the connection to be established thereby and the direction of pull to make or break the connection can be established as desired or as circumstances might require.

When the structure is not in use, the base section is rolled in neat, compact, cylindrical, tubular form and placed in a stuff bag. The top section is then stuffed within the contained base section to form a small, neat and compact package.

In practice, the zipper Z.sup.10 at the upper edge 15 of the envelope E can be replaced with a hood flap, in the nature of an extension of the bottom sheet of the envelope and which is normally folded over the upper edge of the core C and above the head portion of the core and tucked, flat, beneath the upper, head portion of the top sheet of the envelope.

When such a hood flap is provided, the connecting elements or Velcro pads V, otherwise fixed to the top surface of the envelope can be fixed to and carried by the hood flap whereby the connecting elements are normally hidden below or covered by the noted top sheet of the envelope where they are out of the way and create no discomfort or the like.

Further, in practice, the connecting means for and between the head portion 10 of the base section and the hood extensions 20 can, if desired, include a pair of zippers or the combination of a zipper and Velcro pads, or snap fastener, rather than the previously referred to pads above, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Still further, while I have shown the hood extensions as simple, straight, rectangular extensions, it will be apparent that they can be tapered or otherwise appropriately contoured to impart a particular desired contour in the hood structure they form, if desired, and without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Claims

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal base section with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supporting portion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supporting portion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible, resilient, heat insulating body supporting foam plastic and a flexible fabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal, soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heat insulating material overlying the base section and defining top and bottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and lower edges and having an upper body covering portion and a central leg covering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateral extent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base section and having a lower foot portion; and, releasable connecting means securing the side edges of the body and leg portions of the top sections with adjacent side edges of the body and leg portions of the base section and securing laterally spaced portions of the edges of the foot portion to the opposite and related one-half portions of the lower edge of the base portion and releasable fastening means securing the portion of the edges of the foot portion, between said laterally spaced portions thereof, together in folded relationship.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spaced longitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upper ends at the upper end of the body covering portion of the top section to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces of the head supporting portion of the base section and connecting means releasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together in substantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining an upwardly opening head accommodating hood.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2 and which further includes releasable connecting means between and releasably securing the portions of the hood extensions opposing the top surface of the head supporting portion to said top surface.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the releasable connecting means includes elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and between the related edges of the construction and inner secondary fastening means at and between the edge portions of the sections adjacent the outer primary fastening means and releasably securing the said edge portions together inward of said primary fastening means and to insulate against loss of heat between related connected portions of the sections.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means includes elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and between the related edges of the construction and inner secondary fastening means at and between the edge portions of the sections adjacent the outer primary fastening means and releasably securing the said edge portions together inward of said primary fastening means to seal against drafts through the primary fastening means and to insulate against loss of heat between related connected portions of the sections.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the edges of the base section are substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and said base section has substantially flat, horizontal flanges at its bottom surface and projecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasable connecting means including elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges and related edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means at and between the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacent opposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holding said edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealing engagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and their related flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the outer primary fastening means include mating, elongate zipper elements on related edges of the structure and pulls related to said elements, said inner secondary fastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairs of interengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by the sections.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spaced longitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upper ends projecting at the upper end of the body covering portion of the top section to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces of the head supporting portion of the base section and connecting means releasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together in substantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining an upwardly opening head accommodating hood, the edges of the base section are substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and said base section has flanges at its bottom surface and projecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasable connecting means including elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges and related edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means at and between the vertical side edges of the base sections and adjacent opposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holding said edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealing engagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and their related flanges, inward of theprimary fastening means.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spaced longitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upper ends projecting at the upper end of the body covering portion of the top section to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces of the head supporting portion of the base section and connecting means releasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together in substantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining an upwardly opening head accommodating hood, releasable connecting means between and releasably securing the portions of the hood extensions opposing the top surface of the head supporting portion to said top surface, the edges of the base section are substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and said base section has substantially flat, horizontal flanges at its bottom surface and projecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasable connecting means including elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges and related edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means at and between the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacent opposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holding said edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealing engagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and their related flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the outer primary fastening means include mating, elongate zipper elements on related edges of the structure and pulls related to said elements, said inner secondary fastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairs of interengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by the sections.

11. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal base section with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supporting portion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supporting portion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible, resilient, heat insulating body supporting foam plastic and a flexible fabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal, soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heat insulating material overlying the base section and defining top and bottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and lower edges and having an upper body covering portion and a central leg covering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateral extent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base section and, releasable connecting means securing side edges of the body and leg portions of the top sections with adjacent edges of the body and leg portions of the base section, said releasable connecting means including elongate zipper assemblies at and between adjacent related edges and a plurality of releasably engageable fastening elements on opposing surfaces of the sections in longitudinal and lateral spaced relationship from each of said edges and said zipper assemblies and releasably holding the edge portions of said sections adjacent said edges in juxtaposition.

12. A structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said edges of the base section define substantially vertical surfaces, said base section has flanges projecting outwardly from said edges on a plane substantially common with the bottom surface of said section, said zipper assemblies having elements fixed to the outer edges of said flanges, said fastening elements on the base section being fixed to said vertical surfaces, said interengageable fastening elements releasably holding the edge portions of the top section downwardly and laterally inwardly in the corners established by the vertical surfaces and the flanges.

13. A structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein the releasably engageable fastening elements comprise registerable, opposing Velcro pads fixed to the sections.