Sleeping bag with enhancements

Abstract
A sleeping apparatus has an outer layer having an inner liner superimposed and coextensive with the outer layer and connected to each other, and an amusement feature provided on either the outer surface of the inner liner or the outer surface of the outer layer. A rigid pad can be positioned between the inner liner and the outer layer, or coupled to the outer surface of either the inner liner or the outer layer. As an alternative, the sleeping apparatus can have a panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. This sleeping apparatus also includes a blanket portion coupled to the panel in a manner to define an internal sleeping space.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to sleeping or slumber bags, or related sleeping mats.




2. Description of the Prior Art




A conventional sleeping bag usually has an outer case and a co-extensive inner liner. The case and liner are secured together along their edges with the space between those layers filled with insulation or padding of one kind or another to form a pad. Usually, mating zipper slides are secured to the side and bottom edges of the pad so that when the pad is folded in half from side to side, a zipper slider may be pulled along the slides to form the sleeping bag which may be entered through the opening at the head of the bag.




Sleeping bags have become increasingly popular with children for home use, travel, and for overnight visits with friends and family. Manufacturers of children's sleeping bags have made use of familiar indicia, graphics, and designs, as well as toy and cartoon characters, which are printed on the outer case and inner liners of the sleeping bags to attract attention and to make the sleeping bag more endearing to children.




Despite the attempts to provide visual enhancements to conventional sleeping bags, there is still a need to provide additional fun and activity to sleeping bags.




SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE




The present invention provides a sleeping apparatus that has an outer layer having an inner liner superimposed and coextensive with the outer layer and connected to each other, and an amusement feature provided on either the outer surface of the inner liner or the outer surface of the outer layer. A rigid pad can be positioned between the inner liner and the outer layer, or coupled to the outer surface of either the inner liner or the outer layer.




The present invention also provides, in another embodiment, a sleeping apparatus having a panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. This sleeping apparatus also includes a blanket portion coupled to the panel in a manner to define an internal sleeping space.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a sleeping bag according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the inner pad that is used with the sleeping bag of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is perspective cutaway view of the sleeping bag of

FIG. 1

illustrating how the inner pad is fitted inside the sleeping bag.





FIGS. 4A-4D

,


5


,


6


and


7


are perspective views of sleeping bags according to different embodiments of the present invention.





FIGS. 8-9

illustrate different ways of electrically coupling the features of the sleeping bag of FIG.


8


.





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of a sleeping bag according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 11

is a partial cut-away view of the section A of the structure of

FIG. 10

illustrating a frame member retained within a sleeve.





FIGS. 12A through 12D

illustrate how the panel of

FIG. 10

may be twisted and folded for compact storage.





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the sleeping bag of

FIG. 1

illustrating the liner.





FIG. 14

illustrates how two of the sleeping bags from

FIG. 7

can be electronically coupled.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view of a sleeping mat according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 16

illustrates the sleeping mat of

FIG. 15

in a rolled-up orientation for storage.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-3

and


13


, a sleeping bag


20


according to one embodiment of the present invention has a generally rectangular outer layer


22


(also referred to as “case”) that is made of a suitable water-resistant sheet material, and a co-extensive inner rectangular layer or liner


24


that is preferably of a nappy material such as flannel. The layers


22


and


24


are connected together around their perimeters by stitching


26


to form a two-layer panel. The air space between the layers


22


and


24


provides a certain amount of insulation. If additional insulation is required, conventional insulating material or padding (not shown) may be inserted between the layers


22


and


24


and held in place by additional stitching extending across the layers


22


and


24


at spaced apart locations thereon.




A relatively rigid pad


28


can be positioned between the layers


22


and


24


to form a solid or rigid backing for a game board or other feature


30


that is to be provided on the outer surface of either or both of the case


22


and the liner


24


. The pad


28


can be positioned between the layers


22


and


24


before they are stitched together. It is also possible to stitch the pad


28


to certain predetermined locations on the two layers


42


,


44


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, the pad


28


can be provided in a corrugated form or with pre-folds


32


to allow the pad


28


to be folded when the sleeping bag


20


is folded for storage. The pad


28


can be made from a lightweight material that is capable of providing sufficiently rigidity to function as a game board or to support an activity thereon, and can include materials such as, but not limited, to cardboard, plastic, a thin metal sheet (such as aluminum), wood, fiberglass, resin and foam, among others. The pad


28


can be provided in any desired size, including a size up to the size of the two layers


22


,


24


. However, the pad


28


should have a size that is at least large enough to provide a backing and support for the intended feature


30


.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, the feature


30


can be a game board that is provided on a portion of the outer surface


44


of the case


22


so that the user can use the sleeping bag


20


as a game board for playing chess or checkers. The game board can be a fabric piece that is stitched on to the outer surface


44


of the case


22


, or can be formed by a stitch pattern that makes up the desired game board design. Here, the game board is provided on half of the outer surface


44


of the case


22


, which is the upper half of the outer surface of the case


22


after the sleeping bag


20


has been folded over. The game board can also occupy most of the outer surface


44


of the case


22


or most of the entire outer surface


46


of the liner


24


if a larger game board were desired. For example,

FIG. 13

illustrates a smaller game board


30




a


positioned at about the center of the outer surface


46


of the liner


24


. Thus, the sleeping bag


20


can provide two separate and different game boards


30


and


30




a


on its two opposite surfaces


44


and


46


.




Zipper slides


36


and


38


can be secured by stitching


26


to the opposite side edges of the panel, and to the bottom of the panel on opposite sides of a vertical centerline


40


, so that when the panel is folded along the centerline


40


, the zipper slides


36


and


38


may be joined together by a zipper slider to form the sleeping bag


20


shown in FIG.


1


. It is possible to use other fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, and the like, in lieu of the zipper. Access to the interior of the sleeping bag


20


can be through the open head


48


of the bag


20


.





FIG. 4A

illustrates another embodiment of a sleeping bag


50


according to the present embodiment. The sleeping bag


50


is the same as sleeping bag


20


, except that the pad


28


is omitted from the sleeping bag


50


, and in its place, an external pad


52


(which can have the same characteristics as the pad


28


) can be removably or permanently attached to the outer surface


54


of the outer layer or case


56


. For example, the external pad


52


can be stitched to the outer surface


54


, or can be removably coupled by opposing VELCRO™ pads


58


. A desired game board design can be provided on the external pad


52


.





FIG. 4B

illustrates a modification that can be made to the sleeping bag


50


in FIG.


4


A. In

FIG. 4B

, a fabric piece


59


having a feature or pattern (e.g., a game board) provided thereon can be stitched to the outer surface


54


of the sleeping bag


50


in a manner to form a sleeve


60


. In particular, opposing edges


61


and


62


can be stitched to the outer surface


54


, and an external pad


52


(which can be the same as the pad


52


in

FIG. 4A

) can be slid into the sleeve


60


to function as a support for the game board. The pad


52


can be removed when the sleeping bag


50


is to be folded up for storage.





FIG. 4C

illustrates another modification that can be made to the sleeping bag


50


in FIG.


4


A. In

FIG. 4C

, instead of the VELCRO™ pads


58


, four corner pieces


63


can be positioned on the outer surface


54


of the sleeping bag


50


. An external pad


64


(which can be the same as the pad


52


in

FIG. 4A

) having a pattern or feature (e.g., a game board) provided on a top surface


65


can be fitted into the space defined by the corner pieces


63


, and retained by the corner pieces


63


. The pad


64


can be removed when the sleeping bag


50


is to be folded up for storage.





FIG. 4D

illustrates a modification that can be made to the sleeping bags


50


in

FIGS. 4A and 4B

. In

FIG. 4C

, the outer surface


66


of the liner


67


is provided with a fabric piece


68


forming a sleeve


69


. A pattern or feature (e.g., a game board, an electronic game as illustrated in

FIGS. 7-9

below, etc.) can be provided on the top surface of the fabric piece


68


. The external pad


52


in

FIGS. 4A and 4B

can be slid into the sleeve


69


to function as a support for the pattern or feature. The pad


52


can be removed when the sleeping bag


50


is to be folded up for storage.




Although

FIGS. 1-4C

illustrate the feature


30


as being a game board, it is possible for the feature to include any design, item, element or feature that promotes an activity. For example,

FIG. 5

illustrates a sleeping bag


70


that is the same as sleeping bag


20


, except that a plurality of three-dimensional objects (such as stuffed toys


72


) can be removably (e.g., using VELCRO™ pads) or permanently attached (e.g., by stitching) to the outer surface


74


of the outer layer or case


76


.




As a further example,

FIG. 6

illustrates a sleeping bag


80


that is the same as sleeping bag


20


, except that a portable basket assembly


82


can be removably (e.g., using VELCRO™ pads) or permanently attached to the outer surface


84


of the outer layer or case


86


, and indicia


88


that represents a basketball court can be stitched or otherwise provided on the outer surface


84


to complement the basket assembly


82


. The basket assembly


82


can comprise two panels


90


and


92


that are provided in an inverted V-shaped configuration, with a panel


92


supporting a basket or hoop


94


. The basket assembly


82


can be embodied in any known form, and some examples are illustrated in

FIG. 8

of U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,281 and

FIGS. 2

,


4


,


6


and


8


of U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,300, whose disclosures are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein.




It is also possible for these features


30


to be electrical appliances or components (such as the light bulbs, antennas, screens, touch sensors, on-off pads, and speakers, among others) that may need to be coupled to a power source to be driven, and may need to be coupled to processors for receiving and/or transmitting control, data or other signals. These electrical components and features can be attached to the outer surface


44


of the case


22


by either stitching, glue or any other known connection mechanisms. If necessary, wires can be coupled to these electrical components and power sources and processors for ensuring the transmission of power and signals therebetween, as illustrated below in connection with

FIGS. 7-9

. These electrical components can even communicate with a computer that can be provided either on the case


22


or liner


24


of the sleeping bag


20


, or at a remote location and in wireless (e.g., RF) communication with an antenna that is coupled to the sleeping bag


20


.





FIG. 7

illustrates another sleeping bag


100


that can be the same as sleeping bag


20


, except that the game board feature


30


is now replaced by a plurality of touch pads


102


that are secured to the outer surface


104


of the outer layer or case


106


. Each touch pad


102


can carry a different indicia (e.g., character, letter, number, etc.), and all the touch pads


102


can together form a path for a game or activity. The variety and amusement value of these games and activities, including any computer-programmed games, will depend on the features


30


provided with the sleeping bag


20


. A screen (e.g.,


108


in

FIG. 7

) can even be used to display the results of these games, which can be measured by, for example, sensors on the touch pads


102


.




As yet another example, these features


30


can provide the basis for educational games. For example, a speaker


110


can broadcast tasks that require a child to do a broadcasted task several times, and having the child count the number of times that the task has been performed. As another example, numbered graphics can be provided on these touch pads


102


and coupled (via the conductive paths and wiring described in connection with

FIGS. 8 and 9

below) to a processor


111


, which can control a game in which the different numbered graphics are made to light up at different times, in which a child is to follow the lighted graphics in (a) moving about the path on the outer surface


104


, (b) recognizing and repeating the lighted numbers, and (c) adding the lighted number to the previous sum, among others. The speaker can make announcements, emit congratulatory praises, or emit any other desired sounds or music. Other variations and themes for games utilizing numbered graphics are also possible, and can vary based on the educational or other objective(s) that are intended to be accomplished.




As a further non-limiting example, the touch pads


102


, antenna


112


, processor


111


, screen


108


and speaker


110


can even be the components that make up an interactive computer system that is capable of communicating (via wireless transmission, or a linked communication as illustrated in

FIG. 14

below) with other computing systems. Thus, the sleeping bag


100


can actually form an “interactive” or “computing” station for a user, where the user can use the touch pads


102


as input devices, and the screen


108


as an output device, for playing games, doing word processing, surfing the Internet, and communicating with other computing systems. Other features


30


that can be incorporated with the sleeping bag


20


include cellular phones, microphones, musical instruments, radios, zippers, snaps, tethered balls, squeeze items, pinwheels or spinning wheels, sockets, slap items (i.e., items that emit sounds when slapped), buckles, corks, whistles, pedals, and doorbells, among others. Thus, the structures


20


and


100


in

FIGS. 1 and 7

provide the user with much added utility, educational value, and play variety.





FIG. 8

illustrates one method for electrically coupling the touch pads


102


and speaker


110


. The other electrical elements (e.g., the antenna


112


, screen


108


, processor


111


) can all be coupled using the same principles. A plurality of touch pads


102


are attached (e.g., by glue or stitching) to selected locations on the outer surface


104


of the case


106


, and connected by wires


118


to a power source


120


which can be a battery pack. A fabric or other cover


122


can be provided which is configured or cut to follow the path created by the touch pads


102


and the wires


118


. Specific indicia


124


can be stitched or otherwise attached to the locations on the cover


122


that would overlie the corresponding touch pads


102


. The cover


122


is then stitched (along stitch lines


126


) to the outer surface


104


of the case


106


to cover and protect the touch pads


102


and wires


118


. Instead of using stitching, the speaker


110


can be attached to the cover


122


by screws


128


.





FIG. 9

illustrates another method for electrically coupling the touch pads


102


and other electrical elements (e.g., speaker


110


). As with

FIG. 8

, a plurality of touch pads


102


are attached (e.g., by glue or stitching) to selected locations on the outer surface


104


of the case


106


, but the electrical connections are accomplished by conductive paths


134


. A fabric or other cover


122


can still be provided which is configured or cut to follow the path created by the touch pads


102


and the conductive paths


134


. Specific indicia


124


can be stitched or otherwise attached to the locations on the cover


122


that would overlie the corresponding touch pads


102


. The cover


122


is then stitched (along stitch lines


126


) to the outer surface


104


of the case


106


to cover and protect the touch pads


102


and conductive paths


134


. Each conductive path


134


can include the conductive lines, stripes, traces, compositions, inks, liquids, pastes, granules and colored inks, and can utilize the electrical systems and attachment techniques, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,749 to Ferber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,657 to Wiscombe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,948 to Ferber et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,420 to Kaiserman et al., as well as those that are known in the art. One non-limiting example of a material that can be used as a conductive ink is a material sold under the tradename 102-05F by Creative Materials of Tyngsboro, Mass. Other materials are described in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,749 to Ferber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,657 to Wiscombe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,948 to Ferber et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,420 to Kaiserman et al.





FIGS. 10 and 11

illustrate a sleeping bag


200


according to yet a different embodiment of the present invention. The sleeping bag


200


has a base panel


202


that is separate from a blanket portion


204


. The blanket portion


204


can be made in the same manner as the sleeping bag


20


(and its case


22


and liner


24


) described above in connection with

FIGS. 1-3

and


13


, with or without the pad


28


. The blanket


204


can be stitched or removably attached (e.g., via VELCRO™ pads, hooks, zippers, etc.) along one of its vertical sides


206


and its bottom side


208


to a vertical side


210


and bottom side


212


of the panel


202


to define an internal sleeping space. The other vertical sides


214


and


216


of the panel


202


and the blanket portion


204


, respectively, can be zippered in the same manner described about for sleeping bag


20


.




The panel


202


has a continuous frame retaining sleeve


220


that is provided along and traverses the four edges of the four sides


210


,


212


,


214


and


222


. The sleeve


220


is formed by folding a piece of fabric and applying a stitching


221


. Even though the panel


202


is illustrated as having four sides, it can have any number of sides, or each side can even be curved. A continuous frame member


224


is retained or held within the frame retaining sleeve


220


to support the panel


202


. The continuous frame member


224


can be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The continuous frame member


224


can be formed of flexible coilable steel having a memory, although other materials such as plastics, or a combination of plastics and metal, may also be used. The frame member


224


should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, the frame member


224


is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in

FIG. 10

, or a folded position in which the frame member is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position (see FIG.


12


D). It is also possible for the principles of the present invention to be utilized with frame members that do not have a memory characteristic (i.e., not foldable or coilable).




Fabric or sheet material


226


extends across portions of the panel


202


, and is held taut by the frame member


224


when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics or even films. The fabric should be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment by children. The frame member


224


may be merely retained within the frame retaining sleeve


220


without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve


220


may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame member


224


to retain it in position.





FIGS. 12A through 12E

describe the various steps for folding and collapsing the panel


202


(and its accompanying blanket portion


204


) for storage. In

FIG. 12A

, the opposite border of the panel


202


is folded in (see arrow


230


) to collapse the frame member


224


with the panel


202


. As shown in

FIG. 12B

, the next step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the panel


202


is reduced.

FIG. 12C

shows the next step with the frame member


224


and panel


202


collapsed on each other to provide for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members and layers of the fabric


226


so that the collapsed panel


202


has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial structure


202


, as shown in FIG.


12


D.




To re-open the panel


202


to its expanded configuration, the folded panel


202


is unfolded. The memory (i.e., spring-load) of the frame member


224


will cause the frame member


224


to uncoil on its own and to quickly expand the panel


202


to its expanded configuration shown in FIG.


10


.




Any of the features


30


(including electrical components) described above can be provided on either surface


232


or


234


of the blanket portion


204


, or on either surface of the fabric


226


of the panel


202


. For example,

FIG. 10

illustrates a game board


238


provided on the top surface


232


of the blanket portion


204


, and another game board


240


provided on the inner surface of the fabric


226


. As a result, the panel


202


can be used as the supporting surface for any amusement feature or game board. Alternatively, the blanket portion


204


can include the pad


28


which acts as the supporting surface for any amusement feature or game board.





FIGS. 14 and 15

illustrate other embodiments of the present invention, which exemplify the wide variety of enhancements and features that are provided by the principles of the present invention. For example,

FIG. 14

illustrates two sleeping bags


100




a


and


100




b


, each of which can be the same as the sleeping bag


100


in FIG.


7


. The difference is that each sleeping bag


100




a


and


100




b


can be coupled to each other via straps


101




a


and


101




b


that are coupled to the electrical circuits in the sleeping bags


100




a


and


100




b


, respectively. Each strap


101




a


and


101




b


can carry a communication port


103




a


and


103




b


, respectively, that can be connected together to link the electrical systems in the two sleeping bags


100




a


and


100




b


. Additional straps (e.g.,


105




b


) can be provided for each sleeping bag (e.g.,


100




b


) to allow the sleeping bag to be electronically coupled to other sleeping bags.




Although most of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as being in the form of a sleeping bag, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to sleeping mats.

FIG. 15

illustrates a sleeping mat


300


that can be configured in the same manner as the sleeping bag


20


, in that it has an outer layer


302


(corresponding to the outer layer


22


) and a liner


304


(corresponding to the liner


24


) that are connected together to form a two-layer panel. The difference between the mat


300


and the sleeping bag


20


is that the mat


300


is not folded over about a centerline. The mat


300


can also have a pad


306


(which can be the same as pad


28


), shown in phantom in

FIG. 15

) provided between the outer layer


302


and the liner


304


. Any of the features described herein (e.g., game boards, electrical elements, touch pads, three-dimensional toys, sports, etc.) can be provided on the surfaces of the outer layer


302


and/or the liner


304


using the principles described hereinabove. For example, a speaker


308


is illustrated as being provided on the liner


304


. The mat


300


can be rolled up for storage, as shown in

FIG. 16. A

strap or band


310


can be used to tie the rolled-up mat


300


during storage. In fact, any of the sleeping bags


20


,


50


,


70


,


80


and


100


can be rolled up in the same manner for storage.




Thus, the embodiments of the present invention increase the applications and use of a conventional sleeping bag to provide the user with an unlimited source and variety of fun and entertainment. The enhancements and features allow numerous functions, operations, and games to be utilized or played in connection with the sleeping bag, and significantly extends the useful applications of the sleeping bag.




While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.



Claims
  • 1. A sleeping apparatus, comprising:a first layer having a peripheral edge and an outer surface; a second layer having an outer surface, and a peripheral edge that is attached to the peripheral edge of the first layer along the entirety of the peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed space between the first and second layers; a rigid pad positioned in the enclosed space between the first and second layers in a manner, wherein the pad has at least one pre-formed fold line; and an amusement feature provided on the outer surface of either the first layer or the second layer.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amusement feature is a game board.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amusement feature is removably attached to the outer surface of either the first layer or the second layer.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amusement feature is a three-dimensional toy.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amusement feature includes at least one electrical device.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the amusement feature includes a plurality of electrical devices coupled to each other by electrical coupling.
  • 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electrical coupling includes conductive path.
  • 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electrical coupling includes wires.
  • 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are made from a woven material.
  • 10. A sleeping apparatus, comprising:a first layer having a peripheral edge and an outer surface; a second layer having an outer surface, and a peripheral edge that is attached to the peripheral edge of the first layer along the entirety of the peripheral edges so as to define an enclosed space between the first and second layers; an amusement feature provided on the outer surface of either the first layer or the second layer; and a rigid pad coupled to the outer surface that the amusement feature is provided on, the rigid pad providing a support for the amusement feature, wherein the pad has at least one pre-formed fold line.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the amusement feature is removably attached to the outer surface of either the first layer or the second layer.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the amusement feature includes at least one electrical device.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the amusement feature includes a plurality of electrical devices coupled to each other by electrical coupling.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrical coupling includes conductive path.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electrical coupling includes wires.
  • 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second layers are made from a woven material.
  • 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the amusement feature is a game board.
  • 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the amusement feature is a three-dimensional toy.
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4972533 Brown Nov 1990 A
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