FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conversion kit for turning a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot, and such a tiered cot assembled using components from the conversion kit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tiered cots, with one cot positioned above another cot, are well known. The following United States patents are examples of tiered: U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,401 (Davis 1963), U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,367 (Bradford 1969) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,327 (Severson 1976). The use of tiered cots enables more personnel or more gear to be positioned in a confined area, such as a tent, by taking advantage of available vertical space.
The most common form of cot presently in use is a cross-legged folding cot. The cross-legged folding cot has supplanted other cot configurations, due to their ability to fold into a relatively compact form. There is no known tiered cot configuration that uses cross-legged folding cots.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot.
According to the present invention there is provided a kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot, which includes at least four stilt legs having a longitudinal axis, a top end and a bottom end. A female coupling is positioned at the top end of each of the at least four stilt legs. Each female coupling is offset from the longitudinal axis by between 45 degrees and 65 degrees, and is adapted to receive a leg from a first cross-legged folding cot. With each female coupling holding a leg of a first cross-legged folding cot, the first cot is effectively elevated such that a second cross-legged cot can be positioned in the space provided beneath the first cot between the stilt legs.
Although beneficial results have been obtained through the use of the kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot as described above, the use of cross-bracing and the addition of two more stilt legs for a total of six stilt legs improves the stability of a tiered cot especially if it is larger in dimension or intended for heavier individuals.
Although beneficial results have been obtained through the use of the kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained where the stilt legs are telescopically adjustable allowing for adjustments to the height of the first cot.
Although beneficial results have been obtained through the use of the kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot as described above, even more beneficial results may be obtained where additional features are provided. The addition of a step adapted as a drink receptacle and the addition of hooks to the stilt legs improve the utility of the tiered cot. The further addition of a tarp with tie straps allows for the enclosure of the second cot on one side. Where the tarp is repositioned, it also functions as a back support for persons seated on the second cot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot in unassembled form according to the teachings of the present invention FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the kit illustrated in FIG. 1 elevating a first cross-legged folding cot.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the kit illustrated in FIG. 1 in fully assembled form configuring two cross-legged folding cots.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the assembled kit illustrated in FIG. 3 with adjustable legs and a tarp.
FIG. 5 labelled as PRIOR ART is a perspective view of a cross-legged folding cot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5.
In order to place the present invention in context there will first be described the cross-legged folding cots which kit 10 was designed to configure. Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-legged folding cot generally referred to as numeral 100 has two opposed ends 48, two opposed sides 50, a surface 52 and at least two cross-legged assemblies 54 each having two legs 56 which support surface 52. It will be appreciated that various methods of constructing cross-legged cots may exist. In the illustrated embodiment, cross-legged cot 100 utilizes canvas stretched over square tubing.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIG. 1, kit 10 includes at least four stilt legs 12 each having a longitudinal axis 14, a top end 16 and a bottom end 18. A female coupling 20 is positioned at top end 16 of each of stilt legs 12. Each of female couplings 20 is offset from longitudinal axis 14 by approximately by between 45 degrees and 65 degrees depending upon the make of cot. The more common offset is approximately 55 degrees. At least two of the at least four stilt legs 12 are adapted with attachment points 22. In the illustrated embodiment, six stilt legs 12 are shown, three being adapted with attachment points 22. Referring to FIG. 4, each of female couplings 20 is adapted to receive a leg 56 from a cross-legged folding cot 100. In the illustrated embodiment, stilt legs 12 may also be adapted with telescopically adjustable leg extensions 24. Leg extensions are secured in a selected telescopic position by pins 25 which engage aligned apertures 27. Referring to FIG. 3, stilt legs 12 are adapted such that, once configured, a second cross-legged cot 102 may be may be slid between stilt legs 12 and positioned underneath first cross-legged cot 100. Referring to FIG. 1, kit 10 further includes cross-bracing 26, a step 28 having at least one receptacle 30 adapted to serve as a drink holder, a tarp 32 with straps 34 and hooks 36 positioned on each of female couplings 20. In the illustrated embodiment, tarp 32 has a pair of parallel short sides 38, a pair of parallel long sides 40 and is adapted with a slot 42. Referring to FIG. 2, cross-bracing 26 attaches to attachment points 22 in a cross configuration. Referring to FIG. 1, multiple holes 29 are provided on cross-bracing 26, in order to accommodate different makes and sizes of cots. Slot 42 is adapted to accommodate an intermediate pair of stilt legs 12. Referring to FIG. 3, step 28 supported by strap 31 attaches to one of stilt legs 12 at a level convenient both for stepping and holding beverages in receptacles 30. Referring to FIG. 4, tarp 32 is attached with straps 34 tied to one of opposed sides 50 of first cross-legged folding cot 100 and either second crossed-legged folding cot 102 or the stilt legs 12. Hooks 36 are oriented upwards in alignment with longitudinal axis 14.
Operation:
The use and operation of a kit for converting a cross-legged folding cot into a tiered cot generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5. Referring to FIG. 5, at least one of cross-legged cot 100 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, a configuration forming a two tiered cot utilizing two cross-legged foldable cots will be described. Referring to FIG. 1, the various components of kit 10 are provided as shown and as described above. For the purposes of this description, a configuration with three pairs of stilt legs 12 (six stilt legs) will be described. Referring to FIG. 2, each pair of stilt legs is connected with cross-bracing 26 at attachment points 22. Each of legs 56 of cross-legged foldable cot 100 is fitted within each of female couplings 20 of each stilt leg 12 thereby elevating cot 100 to an upper tiered position. Referring to FIG. 3, once first cot 100 is elevated, second cot 102 may now be slipped between stilt legs 12 and positioned beneath first cot 100. Step 28 may also be attached. Step 28 is maintained in position through friction. However, as a safety measure, strap 31 is hooked over one of hooks 36 to ensure that no movement occurs. Referring to FIG. 4, tarp 32 is tied to one of two opposed sides 50 of first cot 100 and second cot 102, partially enclosing second cot 102. Items 44 may also be hung from hooks 36.
Variations:
Referring to FIG. 4, tarp 32 may be re-attached so as to form a second position 46. In this orientation, tarp 32 functions as a back support for persons seated on second cot 102. Referring to FIG. 2, slot 42 allows this variation by accommodating an intermediate pair of stilt legs 12 as shown. Referring to FIG. 4, a further variation is possible where stilt legs 12, adapted with telescopically adjustable extensions 24, are adjusted so as to vary the height of the two tiered cot assembly by adjusting the height of first cot 100 over second cot 102. This adjustment may be required to accommodate different sizes of individual, leave additional room to stow gear or, alternatively, to accommodate for uneven ground.
In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the claims.
Patent Application
20050011002
