Backpack frame convertible to an adjustable mattress supporting cot with a tent supporting structure

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to camping equipment and more particularly to a new and improved backpack frame which is convertible to an adjustable camp cot having a vertically extendible structure for supporting a tent.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various types of backpack frames which can be converted into a cot frame or a combination cot and tent frame are well known in the art. Generally, such prior art convertible backpacks have proven unsatisfactory because they are too flimsy to support any substantial weight as a sleeping cot, too heavy to be readily transportable as a backpack, uncomfortable when used either as a backpack or a sleeping cot, and too complicated and expensive to make and use.

[0005] There is a current need to provide a backpack frame which can be converted to a combination sleeping cot and tent supporting frame that can be comfortably carried on the back as a backpack, can be easily and quickly converted to a sleeping cot having an adjustably taut, level sleeping surface which is sufficiently long and wide to accommodate an adult comfortably, and which is formed as a unit composed of connected parts, while retaining the simplicity and cost associated with the design and manufacture of such convertible backpack frames within the same range as presently experienced with prior art convertible backpack frames.

[0006] While prior art convertible backpack frames are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,158,299; 3,620,428; 3,619,827; 3,757,360; 3,828,992; 3,846,855; 3,912,138; 3,971,495; 5,056,857; 4,511,071; 4,885,812; 4,914,768; 4,947,498; and 5,489.052, none of the convertible backpack frames of the types disclosed except U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,052 addresses this need.

[0007] The present invention, like U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,052, provides a unitary backpack frame which is formed as a unit composed of connected parts that can be converted to a combination sleeping cot and tent supporting frame, which can be comfortably carried on the back as a backpack, and which can be easily and quickly converted to a sleeping cot having a taut, level sleeping surface of sufficient length and width to comfortably accommodate an adult. In addition, the present invention provides a greater ratio of extension, a means for adjusting cot tautness, a means for vertically extending the tent support, all of which are accomplished with fewer moving parts than the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved backpack frame which is convertible to a camp cot having a structure for supporting a tent that has all, and more, of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0009] To attain this purpose, representative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings. The convertible backpack frame of the present invention makes use of a unitary frame which is formed as a unit composed of connected parts. The frame sections telescope between a compact position defining a backpack frame configuration and an extended position defining a cot configuration with opposing hollow side members. Each of the hollow side members has an open end, and the respective hollow side member open ends are disposed diagonally opposite each other. The side members are also each provided with a plurality of support members.

[0010] A tent support assembly is storable in each hollow side member as a connected part of the unit. Each of the tent support assemblies is extendible from a respective side member open end to define an obliquely disposed strut. Each tent support assembly also includes a strut support slideably retained in the respective hollow side members, and each strut is extendible.

[0011] The strut supports are each provided with a slotted hole, and each strut includes a strut connector portion which is pivotable on a pivot pin slidable in the respective strut support slotted holes. The struts are each pivotable on the respective slidable pivot pins between the obliquely disposed strut position and a substantially horizontally disposed position. In the horizontally disposed position, the struts are receivable in the respective hollow side members

[0012] The frame forming the unitary frame of the present invention includes telescoping side members and telescoping cross members. The side members are locked in the extended or collapsed position by means of pin connectors, while the cross members telescope part way and screw together to provide a means of adjusting the tautness of the cot mattress.

[0013] Each leg provided on the respective side members is rigidly affixed to said side member. Legs may also include threaded levelers for adjusting the vertical height to level the cot. Additionally, a foldable tent cover may be provided which can inclose the extended frame.

[0014] This outline focuses on the more important features of the invention in order that a detailed description which follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and being carried out in various ways.

[0015] It is to be further understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and are not to be regarded as limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing the structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. The claims are regarded as including such equivalent constructions so long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0016] From the foregoing summary, it is apparent that an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved backpack frame which is convertible to a camp cot having a structure for supporting a tent which has all the advantages, and more, of prior art convertible backpack frames and none of the disadvantages.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved design for a convertible backpack frame which is more reliable and functional than those presently available.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible backpack frame which is sturdy and capable of supporting substantial weight when used as a sleeping cot, while at the same time being light weight and easily transportable as a backpack frame.

[0019] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible backpack frame which conforms comfortably to the shape of a person's back when collapsed into a compact position for use as a backpack, yet can be extended and expanded laterally for use as a sleeping cot to accommodate a full grown adult comfortably.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible backpack frame which is formed as a unit of connected parts which cannot be misplaced or lost.

[0021] These, together with other objects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0023]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame of the present invention in a compact position defining a backpack frame.

[0024]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame of the present invention in an extended position defining a cot frame.

[0025]
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the horizontal portion of the cross members of the convertible backpack frame shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026]
FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the mattress.

[0027]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the convertible backpack frame of the present invention in the extended position defining a cot frame and tent support configuration.

[0028]
FIG. 6 is elevation views of the tent support.

[0029]
FIG. 7 is elevation views of the strut stop.

[0030]
FIG. 8 is elevation views of the strut connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, the convertible backpack frame shown generally as 2 includes telescoping side members 4 and telescoping cross members 6 which have a compact position defining a backpack frame configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and an extended position defining a sleeping cot configuration as shown in FIG. 2.

[0032] Both side members 4 include a center side member 8, a small end side member 7, a large end side member 9, and two pin connectors 3. Two pin connectors 3 are attached to the outside of the center side member 8 and the pin portion of the connector is inserted to hold the side members in place or withdrawn to allow the side members to telescope to another position. Both the small end side member 7 and the large end side member 8 have two holes to receive the pin connectors 3. One hole is for the compact position and the other hole is for the extended position. In the compact position the large end side member 9 is seated inside the center side member 8 and the small end side member 7 is seated inside the large end side member 9.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, each cross member 6 includes two legs 12, two braces 14, one left threaded tube 13, one right threaded tube 10, and one adjusting tube 11. The legs 12 are threaded internally to accommodate levelers. Each leg 12 and its associated brace 14 are connected to their associated threaded tube 10 or 13 to form a rigid triangle, and this triangle is rigidly connected to the side member 4. FIG. 3 shows details of the right threaded tube 10, the adjusting tube 11, and the left threaded tube 13. In the compact position, the right threaded tube 10 telescopes inside the left threaded tube 13 and the adjusting tube 11 telescopes in side both the left and right threaded tubes 10, 13. To extend the cross member, the left and right threaded tubes 10, 13 are slid apart until they encounter the threaded portions of the adjusting member 11. The adjusting member 11 is then rotated to engage the threads of both threaded tubes 10, 13.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 2. the levelers 24 are threaded into the legs 12 to allow adjustment for uneven terrain. Each leveler has a pad 26 at the bottom to protect the tent floor.

[0035] The mattress 27 detailed in FIG. 4 is fabric of sufficient strength to support a person of average weight and is secured to the side members by means of Velcro or similar product. Hooks 29 are sewn into the fabric at intervals to hold the fabric in place while the wrap 30 is used to secure the mattress 27 to the side member 4. Once the mattress 27 is secure it is made taut by additional rotations of the adjusting tube 11.

[0036] A tent support assembly shown generally as 19 in FIG. 5 is storable in each small end side member 7. Tent support assemblies 19 are each extendible from respective small end side member to define an obliquely disposed strut 15 complete with an extension 17 that telescopes from said strut. Tent support assemblies 19 also each include a strut support 22, FIG. 6, slideably retained in each of small end side members 7 and a strut stop 20 that controls how far the strut support 22 may protrude from the small end side member and also controls the angle of the strut support 22 when it protrudes the maximum allowed length. Finally each tent support assembly includes a strut connector 24 which is shown in FIG. 8. The strut connector 24 is a continuation of strut 15. A pin (not shown, but obvious) passes through the slots of the strut connector 24 and the strut support 22 so that the two pieces may pivot and slide within the limits of the slots. To extend the tent support assembly 19 the strut 15 is pull straight out of the small end side member 7 until the strut support 22 is fully seated in the strut stop 24. Then the strut is pivoted until it is perpendicular to the small end side member then it is slid down so the strut connector 24 spans the end of the small end side member 7. The close tolerances of these pieces hold the strut connector 24 snugly against the end of the small end side member 7. Finally the extension 17 is telescoped out and held in place with pin connector 3.

[0037] The tent may be made with any number of appropriate fabrics such as nylon. It preferably has a waterproof floor. It must have zippers that provide sufficient opening to receive a fully extended frame. It preferably has convenient doors to protect against insects while allowing or preventing ventilation.

[0038] The entire convertible backpack frame of the present invention is formed of a unit composed of connected parts.

[0039] Obviously, any number of materials may be used to form the backpack frame and its components described herein, and exceptional success has been experienced by the use of aluminum and rigid plastic material, although other materials may be utilized, any light weight sheet material such as nylon or canvas may be used for the tent cover and mattress.

[0040] With respect to the descriptions set forth above, optimum dimensional relationship for the parts of the invention (to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use) are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed herein. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims are deemed within the present inventive concept.

Backpack frame convertible to an adjustable mattress supporting cot with a tent supporting structure

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