Convertible Bed and Suitcase Apparatus

Abstract

A convertible bed and suitcase apparatus includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each surrounding respective first and second partial cavities; wherein each of the first and second enclosures are joined at respective proximal ends; a raised perimeter lip extending along the distal end and the first and second sides; the first and second enclosures being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; first and second exterior fasteners each including a first exterior attachment member for securing the first and second enclosures in the closed configuration; and the first enclosure including first and second interior fasteners for securing the first and second enclosures in the open configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to children's beds and, more particularly, children's beds that are convertible into a suitcase for transportation and storage purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Young children often require naps as well as an assortment of items. Accordingly, there exists a need for a convertible bed and suitcase apparatus that is adapted for selectable interchangement by a user between a closed suitcase configuration and an open bed configuration suited for a young child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one form of the present invention there is provided a convertible bed and suitcase apparatus including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each of the first and second enclosures including a distal end, a proximal end, a floor, and opposing first and second sides extending between the distal and proximal ends and surrounding respective first and second partial cavities; wherein each of the first and second enclosures are joined at respective proximal ends; a raised perimeter lip extending along the distal end and the first and second sides; the first and second enclosures being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; first and second exterior fasteners each including a first exterior attachment member; the first and second sides each including a second exterior attachment member; each of the first exterior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective second exterior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the closed configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the closed configuration; and the first enclosure including first and second interior fasteners; each of the first and second interior fasteners including a first interior attachment member; the second enclosure including a second interior attachment member; each of the first interior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with a respective one of the second interior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the open configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the open configuration.

In accordance with another form of the present invention there is provided a convertible bed and suitcase apparatus including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each of the first and second enclosures including a distal end, a proximal end, a floor, and opposing first and second sides extending between the distal and proximal ends and surrounding respective first and second partial cavities; wherein each of the first and second enclosures are joined at respective proximal ends; a raised perimeter lip extending along the distal end and the first and second sides; a mattress that is sized and configured for receipt within the first and second partial cavities; the first and second enclosures being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; first and second exterior fasteners each including a first exterior attachment member; the first and second sides each including a second exterior attachment member; each of the first exterior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective second exterior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the closed configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the closed configuration; and the first enclosure including first and second interior fasteners; each of the first and second interior fasteners including a first interior attachment member; the second enclosure including a second interior attachment member; each of the first interior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with a respective one of the second interior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the open configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the open configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus in between the closed configuration and an open configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus in the open configuration;

FIG. 10 is front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof; and

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus of the present invention is shown and described herein and is generally indicated as 10.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7, the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus 10 includes first and second enclosures 12 and 14. Enclosures 12 and 14 are joined at respective proximal ends 40 and each includes a floor 13 and a raised perimeter lip 15 extending from respective distal ends 50 and opposing first and second sides 42 and 44. Extending from the proximal ends 40 and adjacent the first and second sides 42 and 44 of the enclosures 12 and 14 are first and second exterior fasteners 16, each of which includes a first exterior attachment member 18 structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective first and second sides 42 and 44 at respective second exterior attachment members 19. Enclosure 14 further includes first and second interior fasteners 20, each of which includes a first interior attachment member 22 structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective second interior attachment members 23 on enclosure 12. Each enclosure 12 and 14 may include opposing handle members 24 and, in accordance with some embodiments, one of the handle members 24 includes a handle wrap member 26 for securing the opposing handle members 24 together. In one embodiment, the handle members 24 are on respective distal ends 50 of each of the first and second enclosures 12 and 14.

Generally, the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 are selectively operable between an open configuration (FIGS. 9-15) and a closed configuration (FIGS. 1-7). In the closed configuration, the exterior fasteners 16 each extend at least partially across both the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 at respective sides 42 and 44. Each first exterior attachment member 18 is sized and configured for congruent receipt with respective second exterior attachment members 19 for securing the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, the interior fasteners 20 each are sized and configured to extend between the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 at respective sides 42 and 44. Each first interior attachment member 22 is sized and configured for congruent receipt with respective second interior attachment members 23 for securing the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 in the open configuration. The exterior fasteners 16 may be formed from a cloth-like material such that they may be tucked under the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 when the apparatus 10 is in the open configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, during selective operation between the closed and open configurations, each of the exterior fasteners 16 and interior fasteners 20 are unfastened.

The raised perimeter lip 15 on respective first and second enclosures 12 and 14 surrounds respective partial cavities 17A and 17B. When in the closed configuration, the respective raised perimeter lips 15 of first and second enclosures 12 and 14 are in congruent abutment, thereby forming a full enclosure including each of the partial cavities 17A and 17B. It is contemplated that a user's belongings can be stowed within the full enclosure formed by partial cavities 17A and 17B when the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus 10 is in the closed configuration.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9, an inner mattress 30 may be included. The inner mattress 30 may be removable or affixed to the first and second enclosures 12 and 14 and, in either case, is transferrable within the full enclosure formed by respective raised perimeter lips 15 when the convertible bed and suitcase apparatus 10 is in the closed configuration. In one embodiment, the mattress 30 is a tri-folding inner mattress.

While the first and second exterior attachment members 18 and 19 and first and second interior attachment members 22 and 23 are shown throughout the drawings as being hook and loop fasteners, it is contemplated that other fasteners known in the art would be suitable, such as, but not limited to, zipper closures and snap closures.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A convertible bed and suitcase apparatus comprising: a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each of the first and second enclosures including a distal end, a proximal end, a floor, and opposing first and second sides extending between the distal and proximal ends and surrounding respective first and second partial cavities; wherein each of the first and second enclosures are joined at respective proximal ends; a raised perimeter lip extending along the distal end and the first and second sides;the first and second enclosures being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;first and second exterior fasteners each including a first exterior attachment member; the first and second sides each including a second exterior attachment member; each of the first exterior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective second exterior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the closed configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the closed configuration; andthe first enclosure including first and second interior fasteners; each of the first and second interior fasteners including a first interior attachment member; the second enclosure including a second interior attachment member; each of the first interior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with a respective one of the second interior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the open configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the open configuration.

2. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second exterior attachment members are hook and loop attachment members.

3. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second interior attachment members are hook and loop attachment members.

4. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a mattress that is sized and configured for receipt within the first and second partial cavities.

5. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a handle at the distal end of the first enclosure.

6. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a handle at the distal end of the second enclosure.

7. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first handle member at the distal end of the first enclosure and a second handle member the distal end of the second enclosure; and a handle wrap member structured and disposed for securing the first and second handle members together.

8. A convertible bed and suitcase apparatus comprising: a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each of the first and second enclosures including a distal end, a proximal end, a floor, and opposing first and second sides extending between the distal and proximal ends and surrounding respective first and second partial cavities; wherein each of the first and second enclosures are joined at respective proximal ends; a raised perimeter lip extending along the distal end and the first and second sides;a mattress that is sized and configured for receipt within the first and second partial cavities;the first and second enclosures being selectively operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration;first and second exterior fasteners each including a first exterior attachment member; the first and second sides each including a second exterior attachment member; each of the first exterior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with respective second exterior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the closed configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the closed configuration; andthe first enclosure including first and second interior fasteners; each of the first and second interior fasteners including a first interior attachment member; the second enclosure including a second interior attachment member; each of the first interior attachment members being structured and disposed for selective attachment with a respective one of the second interior attachment members when the first and second enclosures are in the open configuration for securing the first and second enclosures in the open configuration.

9. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the first and second exterior attachment members are hook and loop attachment members.

10. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the first and second interior attachment members are hook and loop attachment members.

11. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the mattress is selectively removable.

12. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the mattress is integrally formed with the first and second enclosures.

13. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a handle at the distal end of the first enclosure.

14. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a handle at the distal end of the second enclosure.

15. The convertible bed and suitcase apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a first handle member at the distal end of the first enclosure and a second handle member the distal end of the second enclosure; and a handle wrap member structured and disposed for securing the first and second handle members together.