The present invention relates generally to the field of outdoor equipment and more particularly to the fields of backpacks and sleeping cots.
People have long carried loads on their backs as a means of more efficiently carrying loads from location to location. Over time, the backpack emerged as a means of carrying the loads. It is common for one carrying a load to require a respite from carrying the load in the form of a nap or sleeping, such as by night. Often, the person carrying the load will take the respite outdoors or otherwise away from the comforts of a bed. As such, he or she, whether with a sleeping bag or tent, must ultimate sleep on the ground. Sleeping on the ground can be uncomfortable for many reasons. First, the ground is hard and may not be level. Second, the ground may be wet or become wet with precipitation. Third, animals and insects as well as poisonous or undesirable plant life are typically located close to the ground. Thus, there is a need in the art of backpacking, hiking, and long distance travel for a device enabling comfortable respite of the traveler, at a location above the ground, which may be easily carried along with the load of the traveler.
Similarly, as with sleeping in the field of backpacking, hiking, and carrying loads outdoors, it is common in the art for articles in the load being carried to be negatively impacted by the elements. For instance, the load could become wet or damaged by precipitation, animals or insects could enter the backpack and damage articles inside. Similarly, articles in a backpack may have an odor or scent that may attract animals or insects. Thus, there is a need in the art for a backpack which seals the contents of the backpack from exposure to the elements.
When traversing terrain carrying a load as discussed, it is not uncommon for a hiker to encounter a situation where flotation is required. The hiker may have to ford a river, swim across a lake, save a drowning companion or stranger, or survive a sudden deluge of the elements. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a backpack device which also functions as a flotation device.
It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide a backpack that includes a cot for sleeping. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a backpack that provides a sealed container for storage and carrying of the load. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a backpack which may serve as a flotation device. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a backpack which provides a cot, a sealed container for storage and carrying of a load, and a flotation device.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a backpack cot, which unfolds into a cot for sleeping, having a sealable, removable, water tight storage container which may serve as a flotation device. The backpack cot unfolds from a backpack position to a cot position. The backpack cot has a frame which serves both as the frame for the cot and also as the frame for the backpack. A sleeping surface is attached to the frame. In the backpack position, the backpack may be attachable to a wearer via shoulder straps and a waist belt. The backpack may have a padded back portion which functions with the waist belt and the shoulder straps to aid in carrying a load. In the cot position, the straps, the waist belt, and the padded back portion may form all or a portion of the sleeping surface. The frame of the backpack cot includes a plurality of hinged connections which unfold as the backpack cot moves from the backpack position to the cot position.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage container is made from plastic, has a rectangular shape and has as removable, sealable lid.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the backpack cot has a carriage area which accommodates the storage container. The carriage area may be made of a cloth material and may function as a carriage area in the backpack position and as a portion of the sleeping surface in the cot position. The carriage area may conform to the shape of the storage container in the backpack position and be substantially planar in the cot position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the frame is made of aluminum.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the frame has a plurality of legs which unfold in the cot position so that the frame and the sleeping surface are elevated above the ground.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the legs of the frame have runners.
The present invention is best understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
It is to be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention. The following example is provided to further illustrate the invention and is not to be construed to unduly limit the scope of the invention.
Referring to
The backpack cot 10 has a frame 20. Preferably the frame is made from aluminum but it may be made from any metal, wood, or plastic. The frame has a head portion 26 and a foot portion 24. The head and foot portions are preferably attached to the main body of the frame via hinges 22. The frame also has legs 28 which are also attached via hinges 22.
In the backpack position of
In the backpack position of
The storage container 30 is carried by the frame 20 via a carriage area 40. The carriage area 40 is preferably made from a lightweight fabric. Side straps 48 may help hold the storage container 30 in the carriage area 40.
When the backpack cot 10 is unfolded from the backpack position of
An alternate configuration of the legs 28 of the backpack cot 10 is shown in
A backpack cot 10 according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160113380 A1 | Apr 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62069034 | Oct 2014 | US |