AU2013101175A4 - A portable sleeping unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable sleeping unit including a base support frame with a pair of hollow channels each with an open slot, a swag having a base sheet of comparable size such that opposing side edges of said base sheet are adapted to engage the open slot of each hollow channel when in use. Wherein opposing side edges of the swag base sheet include a stitched rope cord which is adapted to slot into the open slot of each hollow channels of the base support frame such that a pair of locking rods are adapted to be inserted into each hollow channel to engage the roped edged so as to confine and position the edge of the base sheet within the hollow channel of the support frame when the portable sleeping unit is in use. 14a Figure 1

Description

A PORTABLE SLEEPING UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This invention relates to a portable sleeping unit but more importantly to a unique frame supported swag that provides a single bundle of the portable sleeping unit that can be conveniently constructed and unfolded into its sheltered configuration such that the occupant may rest comfortably off the ground. BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [002] Portable sleeping units, often colloquially referred to, notably in Australia and New Zealand, as a swag, are brought to a location wherein a preferred sleeping place has been determined, wherein the swag is adapted to unfold to provide a convenient sheltered tent type construction. [003] For the most part the swag would have a base waterproof canvas sheet adapted to engage the ground and in order to improve the comfort of the occupant a thin base mattress would also be included as part of the bundle of material which is rolled out as part of the swag. [004] As any camper will let it be known, sleeping on the ground for the most part does not provide the most comfortable of sleeps, as the ground is often damp and/or cold and wet. Albeit any good modern commercial swag includes a mattress, there comes a limit in the thickness of such cushioning if the swag is going to be easy enough to handle and construct. [005] In order to try and combat the requirement of increasing the thickness of the mattress to the extent to make for a comfortable sleep but easy to form part of a swag, efforts have been made to provide a base support frame which would be unfolded at first instance and constructed to then have the swag positioned thereupon. 1 [006] While the base support frame (stretcher) raises the swag off the ground hitherto the suppliers of the swag and that of the base support frame both required separate configurations in order to establish the unfolded swag in its sleeping sheltered configuration and the frame support itself. [007] As the base support frame and the swag have their own structural support means that the rolled up swag with the base support frame becomes much larger making it potentially bulkier, heavier, less aesthetically pleasing and more importantly, cumbersome to handle and construct. [008] Accordingly it would be particularly advantageous if it was possible to come up with a unique combination wherein the structural support for the base support frame could also be used to combine with construction supports for the swag portion of the portable sleeping unit and vice versa. [009] Advantageously by trying to combine both the modern day swag which is able to expand out and provide for sheltered sleeping accommodation in the outdoor, with a raiseable base support frame so as to keep the sleeping occupant off the ground, would be able to provide a portable sleeping unit that need not necessarily have an excessively thick mattress in order to provide comfort. [010] Because the base support frame will be able to keep the sleeping occupant off the ground away from the cold and damp and as inherent features within the swag in combination with the base support frame will allow these two parts to be combined and assist in the construction and unfolding of one with the other, means that a very compact, aesthetically pleasing and modern rolled up swag can be provided in establishing an appropriate portable shelter suitable for camping as required. [011] It is an object of this invention to provide such a portable sleeping unit that can overcome the problems and shortcomings referred to above. [012] Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a complete reading of the specification. 2 [013] FIELD OF THE INVENTION [014] In one form of the invention there is provided a portable sleeping unit including; [015] a base support frame having opposing sides characterised with longitudinal substantially hollow channels with an open slot running along the length of said hollow channel; [016] a swag having a base sheet of comparable size such that opposing side edges of said base sheet are adapted to engage the open slot of each of the respective hollow channels of a constructed and/or folded out base support frame when in use; [017] said side edges of the swag base sheet include along the peripheral edge an enclosed or joined rope, cord and/or flexible tubing which is adapted to slot into and along the length of the open slot of each of the respective hollow channels of the base support frame; [018] a pair of locking rods adapted to run along at least part of the length of each hollow channel of the base support frame, said locking rods characterised by being adapted to engage the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing of the edge of the base sheet of the swag so as to confine and position the edge of the base sheet within the hollow channel of the support frame away from the slot when the portable sleeping unit is configured in its expanded sheltered configuration for camping and/or outdoor sleeping. [019] In preference each hollow channel is substantially tetrahedral or circular in cross-section with the open slot presented on the upper periphery of the channel so as to provide two upper shoulders, wherein preference the open slot is configured slightly offset such that one upper shoulder extends across to the other slightly longer so that when the locking rod engages the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing along the side edge of the base sheet of the swag, the locking rod is able to push and confine 3 in place said rope, cord and/or flexible tubing up under the extended shoulder of the hollow channel. [020] In preference the locking pin has a substantially rounded C shape cross section configuration with an internal contour matching the peripheral shape of the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing defined by the edge of the base sheet of the swag such that the matching of the internal contoured of the locking rod, preferably curved in shape, enables enhanced entrapment and securing of the edges of the swag away from the open slot of the channel so as to more robustly fix and hold in place side edges of the swag to the base support frame when the portable sleeping unit is in use. [021] An advantage of such an arrangement is that for the first time it is possible to combine both the base support frame (stretcher) and the swag into one convenient portable sleeping unit which as both the swag and the base support frame utilise the same overall construction in establishing the shelter for sleeping within above the ground, the portable unit can be provided in its rolled up configuration in a convenient and easy to handle format for the camper. [022] As the swag is used in combination with the base support frame this means that mattresses of reduced thickness can be utilised in the portable sleeping unit without any compromising of the comfort for the sleeping occupant. [023] The unique rope, cord and/or flexible tubing mechanism that would be preferably stitched to the side edges of the swag can be placed into purposely extruded outer housing which also has the outer frame of the stretcher base. Once the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing is located inside the extruded outer housing the locking bar and/or rod is slid inside the outer extrusion locking the edges into place allowing a large lateral force to be applied to the base of the swag. [024] Advantageously as the portable sleeping unit includes the base support frame (stretcher) to support the sleeping occupant's body weight, only a 40mm mattress is 4 generally required for a comfortable sleep whereas conventionally a 75mm mattress would be required if the swag was directly laid out upon the ground. [025] As the mattress used in the swag can be reduced to 40mm to provide an appropriate comfortable sleep for the occupant, means that the portable sleeping unit can be easily rolled up into a compact easy to handle unit. [026] In preference the locking rod, which preferably may be a single and/or series of joinable sections extends along the length of the hollow channel and includes a locking pin at each distal end wherein the locking pin is adapted to receive a hollow dome pole of the swag so as to secure the swag to the frame and allow for the simple and convenient construction of the swag in its unfolded sleeping configuration. [027] In preference the portable sleeping unit further includes a resilient steel pole that is adapted to be fastenable to the base support frame at one end and at the other end expand out the sheltered portion of the swag. [028] Advantageously the use of the pin at each of the distal ends of the locking rod when it is positioned within the hollow channel provides a place where the hollow dome poles of the swag can be secured in the frame along with the use of the resilient rod attachable to the base support frame to extend out other flaps or extensions of the waterproof canvass material of the swag, means that the actual sleeping sheltered compartment of the portable sleeping unit can all be constructed without ropes and/or pegs which would have to engage the ground and come seperate in order to provide the integrity and robust support to the unfolded swag ready for sleeping. [029] In preference the portable sleeping unit further includes a mountable fly and/or awning wherein support for the fly and/or awning derives from support poles which can be mounted to the base support frame and through the use of guy ropes which in preferred embodiments can be fittable to the base support frame. 5 [030] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a preferred embodiment will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text. [031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of the constructed portable sleeping unit in a preferred embodiment of the invention focusing on the engagement of the side edges of the base sheet of the swag within the confines of the hollow channel of the unfolded expanded out base support frame. [033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of side edges of the base sheet of the swag within the confines of the hollow channel of the base support frame. [034] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are schematic representations of the general procedure of securing in place the base sheet of the swag with the base support frame of the portable sleeping unit in a preferred embodiment of the invention. [035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the portable sleeping unit in its sleeping configuration wherein the preferred embodiment also includes the addition of the mounted fly and/or awning. [036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [037] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail wherein as best seen in Figure 4 the portable sleeping unit shown generally as (10) is in its unfolded, expanded and/or constructed configuration so as to provide a sheltered protection for a sleeping occupant. [038] The portable sleeping unit (10) includes a base support frame (12) which as best seen in Figure 3a, for a double sleeping berth swag, includes the longitudinal hollow channels (14a) and (14b). 6 [039] In the preferred embodiment shown in the illustrations the portable sleeping unit (10) can accommodate two sleeping occupants and accordingly the base support frame includes the additional central support (16) along with series of diagonal cross bars (18) and (19). [040] Nonetheless this invention applies to single berths and/or other multiple berth configurations wherein for the single berth the opposing longitudinal hollow channels would not be separated by the intermediate support panels. [041] While not relevant to the invention, the double berth base support frame (12) including the central support pole (16) in the middle of the swag may be potentially uncomfortable, so to combat the protruding support pole (16) in preferred embodiments the sleeping area would include two single mattresses that are fitting one to each other so as to rise over the support pole (16) meaning that the support pole (16) no longer protrudes into the inside of the constructed swag. [042] As introduced above the single swag embodiment of the invention would require no central support pole so this aspect of the invention as the use of two single mattresses for the double berth need not be considered. [043] The portable sleeping unit includes the main swag (23) which has the base sheet (21) which includes the stitched side edges (28) which in this preferred embodiment is a rope that has been stitched into the base sheet or platform (21) of the swag (23). [044] As will be discussed in greater detail the main focus of this invention is the entrapment of this stitched side edge (28) of the base sheet or platform (21) of the swag (23) withinside the open slot (32a) and (32b) on respective longitudinal hollow channels (1 4a) and (1 4b) of the base support frame (12). [045] In the preferred embodiment resilient steel poles (25a) and (25b) (not shown) can be positioned on the base support frame (12) to extend out the flap (27) of the 7 swag (23) all without the requirement of any additional ropes and/or pegs that would need to engage the ground and/or be provided separately. [046] In the embodiment shown the swag (23) also includes a mounted fly (31) which is supported at the corner edges by the support pole (37) mounted to the base support frame (12) as well as through the use of the guy ropes (35) attached by way of springs (33) to the main base support frame (12). [047] As best seen in Figures 1 and 2 the locking rod (22) includes a pin (24) at each distal end which is adapted to engage the hollow dome pole (26) so that the swag (23) can be extended out into its required configuration. [048] The longitudinal hollow channels (14a) and (14b) for the most part have a tetrahedral cross-sectional configuration but the same functionality in order to entrap the edge of the swag (23) within the confines of the hollow channel can also be achieved through other configurations notably circular and the like in that at the top of the tetrahedral cross-sectionally shaped channel there is an open slot (32a) and (32b) that runs along the entire length of the corresponding hollow channels (14a) and (14b). [049] Again as best seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the contoured inner shape (29) of the locking rod (22) assists in accommodating the peripheral circumferential edge of the rope (28) so as to push the rope up into the extended out upper shoulder (38). [050] As best seen in Figure 2 the two upper shoulders (38) and (39) have the central slots (32a) and (32b) of each of the hollow channels (14a) and (14b) slightly offset and once again this assists in the positioning of the locking rod (22) and its ultimate engagement and entrapment of the roped side edges (28) that have been stitched into the main swag (23) section of the portable sleeping unit (10). [051] Referring to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c wherein the starting position of the base support frame (12) is unfolded out to present the two opposing side hollow channels (14a) and (14b) to which then as best seen in Figure 3b the swag shown generally as 8 (20) can have the base sheet or portion and its respective side edges which includes the stitched enclosed rope (28) which is able to be slotted in along the open slot (32a) and (32b) of each of the hollow channels (14a) and (14b) of the base support frame (12). [052] Once the stitched side edges (28) of the base sheet (21) of the swag (23) have been slotted into the hollow channels (1 4a) and (1 4b) of the base support frame (12) the locking rod (2) can then be inserted along the length of the respective hollow channels (14a) and (14b) so as to push the stitched roped edges (28) up into the confined corner or side so as to entrap the side edges in place allowing a large lateral force to be applied to the base of the swag. [053] Finally, as introduced above and illustrated in Figure 4, the portable sleeping unit (10) can provide a fully integrated swag arrangement with the base support frame all without the requirement of ground engaging ropes and pegs. [054] The complete unit can be bundled up into an easy to carry aesthetically looking swag that can be rolled out and without trouble provide an appropriately sheltered swag wherein the occupant sleeps off the ground. 9

Claims (5)

1. A portable sleeping unit including; a base support frame having opposing sides characterised with longitudinal substantially hollow channels with an open slot running along the length of said hollow channel; a swag having a base sheet of comparable size such that opposing side edges of said base sheet are adapted to engage the open slot of each of the respective hollow channels of a constructed and/or folded out base support frame when in use; said side edges of the swag base sheet include along the peripheral edge an enclosed or joined rope, cord and/or flexible tubing which is adapted to slot into and along the length of the open slot of each of the respective hollow channels of the base support frame; a pair of locking rods adapted to run along at least part of the length of each hollow channel of the base support frame, said locking rods characterised by being adapted to engage the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing of the edge of the base sheet of the swag so as to confine and position the edge of the base sheet within the hollow channel of the support frame away from the slot when the portable sleeping unit is configured in its expanded sheltered configuration for camping and/or outdoor sleeping.

2. The portable sleeping unit of claim 1 wherein each hollow channel is substantially tetrahedral or circular in cross-section with the open slot presented on the upper periphery of the channel so as to provide two upper shoulders, wherein preference the open slot is configured slightly offset such that one upper shoulder extends across to the other slightly longer so that when the locking rod engages the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing along the side edge of the base sheet of the swag, 10 the locking rod is able to push and confine in place said rope, cord and/or flexible tubing up under the extended shoulder of the hollow channel.

3. The portable sleeping unit of claim 1 wherein the locking pin has a substantially rounded C shape cross-section configuration with an internal contour matching the peripheral shape of the rope, cord and/or flexible tubing defined by the edge of the base sheet of the swag such that the matching of the internal contoured of the locking rod, preferably curved in shape, enables enhanced entrapment and securing of the edges of the swag away from the open slot of the channel so as to more robustly fix and hold in place side edges of the swag to the base support frame when the portable sleeping unit is in use.

4. The portable sleeping unit of claim 1 wherein the locking rod, which preferably may be a single and/or series of joinable sections extends along the length of the hollow channel and includes a locking pin at each distal end wherein the locking pin is adapted to receive a hollow dome pole of the swag so as to secure the swag to the frame and allow for the simple and convenient construction of the swag in its unfolded sleeping configuration and/or wherein the portable sleeping unit further includes a resilient steel pole that is adapted to be fastenable to the base support frame at one end and at the other end expand out the sheltered portion of the swag.

5. The portable sleeping unit of claim 1 wherein the portable sleeping unit further includes a mountable fly and/or awning wherein support for the fly and/or awning derives from support poles which can be mounted to the base support frame and through the use of guy ropes which in preferred embodiments can be fittable to the base support frame. 11