The present invention is related to camping and hiking equipment; more specifically the present invention is disclosed in a exemplary embodiment as a combination tent sleeping bag comprising an inflatable air mattress having an inflatable canopy and means for integrating a tent.
A sleeping bag is a protective “bag” for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where it is impractical to carry around a full bed. Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and insulation. It also protects, to some extent, against wind, precipitation, and exposure to view, but a tent performs those functions better. The bottom surface also provides some cushioning, but a sleeping pad is usually used for that purpose. A bivouac sack is a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag that may be used in place of a tent for lightweight travelers or as a backup if inclement weather occurs.
Many different insulating materials are available for sleeping bags. Outdoor professionals usually prefer either synthetic fill, such as PrimaLoft, or down, and have debated the merits of these materials for years. Synthetic fill does not readily absorb water, dries easily, and provides some warmth even when thoroughly soaked. These properties may save the owner's life if, for example, the sleeping bag is accidentally dropped into water on a cold day. Synthetic material is also firm and resilient, so it insulates well even underneath a person's weight. Synthetics also have the ability to loft faster than down, allowing the sleeping bag to provide the insulation faster than a down bag. On the flipside, synthetic fill cannot be compressed as much as down, causing such bags to take up more space when not in use. Down fill weighs less than synthetic and retains heat better, but usually costs more. Down must be kept dry; a soaked down sleeping bag may provide even less insulation than no sleeping bag at all, leading to hypothermia. Newer, more technically advanced sleeping bags often have water-resistant shells and can be used in damper conditions. It is also recommended to keep a sleeping bag in a larger sack (storage sack) as opposed to the small traveling sack (compression bag) during long periods of storage. However, many regular backpackers and hikers agree that hanging a sleeping bag, taking care to move the position of the bag on the hanger at intervals so as to not create a “dead spot” (a spot where the fill has been crushed so that it is no longer useful), is the best method of storing a bag for long durations.
Other materials, notably cotton and wool, have also been used for sleeping bags. Wool repels water nicely and also resists compression, but it weighs much more than any alternative. Cotton suffers from high water retention and significant weight, but its low cost makes it an attractive option for uses like stationary camping where these drawbacks are of little consequence.
In summary, campers and users of sleeping bag are looking for a spacious, comfortable and quick-to-set up sleepers that fold to a compact form.
According to the needs of campers for better sleeping bags, herein is disclosed a novel sleeping bag having numerous features that benefit the user.
A first object of the present invention is a sleeping bag that may be deployed quickly.
A second object is a sleeping bag that comprises an inflatable canopy for covering the sleeper.
A third object is a vestibule that attaches to and, optionally, may be deployed by the inflating canopy.
Other benefits and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosure to follow. In the disclosure reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustrating a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made in details of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
According to the objects and advantages of the present invention, herein is disclosed, in a exemplary embodiment, comprising a sleeping bag having a mattress with a bottom insulating water-proof layer, which rests upon ground or camping surface. The mattress further includes a material filled layer attached to the top mattress surface. A user of the exemplary embodiment sits or reclines upon the material-filled layer, which is made to provide comfort to the user.
The exemplary embodiment is made with an inflatable canopy for further protecting a user, or to permit the mattress to be integrated within a tent. The inflatable canopy, optionally, has a vestibule for storing or keeping items for the user of the sleeping bag.
The canopy is attached to the mattress by a two-way zippers operable the full circumference of the mattress. The two way zippers and mattress are configured to attach and include the mattress within the tent.
The canopy that deploys by means of two air tubes that, when inflated, causes the canopy to arch over a user reclining upon the mattress. The vestibule may be made so that inflation of the canopy also causes the vestibule, when attached, to deploy and inflate to receive objects for storage.
An exemplary embodiment is shown and described with reference to the included drawings. The exemplary embodiment is exemplary and described to teach the principles of the invention. The exemplary embodiment is not intended to restrict the inventive concept, which is most adequately defined by the claims that follow.
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The air chambers 1220 have sealed ends 1222 that are made so that when the canopy 1200 is closed, the ends 1222 rest upon locations 1102 on the top of the mattress 1100. The canopy 1200, when closed, is held in place by the zipper 1230, and when closed provides shelter to the person using the apparatus.
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In the foregoing description, an exemplary embodiment of the invention is taught. In the following claims, the scope and breadth of the exemplary embodiment plus other possible embodiments are defined.