EP2540197A1

EP2540197A1 - Sleeping / seat apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2540197A1
Application number: EP12174166A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Neil Shinner
Original assignee: Worlds Apart Ltd
Current assignee: Worlds Apart Ltd
Priority date: 2011-07-01
Filing date: 2012-06-28
Publication date: 2013-01-02
Also published as: GB201111227D0

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus (2) comprising an inflatable mattress (18) and sheet material envelope (4) therefore. The sheet material envelope (4) also include storage means (30) formed as a part thereof and the mattress (18), and at least a portion of the sheet material (4) can be moved into the storage means (30) when in a storage condition or rolled out from the same and moved into an in-use position when the mattress (18) is inflated. The mattress (18) and sheet material (14) when in an inuse condition may, in one embodiment, also be moved between first and second configurations.

Description

The invention which is the subject of this application relates to sleeping apparatus of a type which particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, includes a core or mattress which is inflatable.
The provision of sleeping means which include an inflatable mattress is known, with the mattress being used on it's own, when inflated, as a mattress, with the person lying on top of a sheet or bedspread placed on top of the inflated mattress or lying in a sleeping bag placed on top of the mattress.
It is also known to provide an inflatable mattress within a cover of fabric or other flexible material which forms an envelope in which the mattress sits, and then to provide a movable cover on top of the envelope which can be moved to allow the person to lie on top of the envelope and then be covered by the movable cover which forms the sleeping area.
While it has been found that the above style of product has been commercially successful, problems are still experienced with the same, one of the main problems being with regard to the fact that, conventionally the article is provided as a mattress to sleep on which means that the same, when inflated is laid flat across a floor and can take up a significant amount of floor space. While this is acceptable when the same is being used as a sleeping mattress, when it is not in use the floor space taken up can be inconvenient especially when one considers that one of the common reasons for the same being used is that there is limited space available, such as in a small house, or in a tent when camping.
Conventionally this problem has been overcome by the deflation of the mattress when the same is not in use and the rolling up and packaging of the same into a retaining bag so that the same can be stored in a much smaller size. However the requirement to do this can be time consuming and can lead to the sleeping means not being used at all as the process of unrolling and inflating the same for use and then deflating and rolling the same after use is regarded as being too much trouble to make it worth doing at all. As a result, the sleeping means may not be used even when there is a clear need for the same.
A further problem which can be experienced is with regard to the provision of the storage of the apparatus. It is found that in practice and over time, a separate storage bag can be damaged so that it cannot be used or is quite simply lost and cannot be used thereafter. In either case the lack of an appropriate storage bag often means that the storage size of the sleeping means is significantly larger than it needs to be.
A first aim of the invention is to provide a sleeping means with a storage capability which allows the storage capability to be available for use as and when required. A second aim of the invention is to provide a sleeping means in a form which allows the same to be adaptable so as to be provided for use in at least two configurations and thereby increase the utility of the same
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in sleeping and/or seating, said apparatus including a mattress which is selectively inflatable for use, and deflatable for storage, a sheet material forming an envelope in which the mattress is at least partially housed, and a storage means for use to store the mattress and at least part of the sheet material in a storage condition and wherein the storage means is formed as an integral part of the sheet material envelope.
Typically the sheet material envelope includes at least one cover portion which, when moved to an enclosed position, defines a sleeping area and which can be moved to a second position to allow access to be gained to or from the sleeping area.
In one embodiment the storage means is located at the foot or head of the mattress.
Typically the mattress is retained within the sheet material envelope in both in use and storage positions.
In one embodiment the mattress is in the deflated condition when in, and being moved to or from, the storage means.
In one embodiment the mattress and sheet material are rolled up towards the storage means to move the same into the storage position and unrolled from the storage means to move the same from the storage position.
In one embodiment the storage means is provided with any or any combination of a handle and/or retaining means in order to allow the same to be stored effectively.
In one embodiment said apparatus is adaptable between a first configuration in which the mattress is provided with a single depth along its length and a second configuration in which the mattress is provided with at least a double depth along at least part of it's length.
Typically, the first configuration of the apparatus is provided to allow the apparatus to be used as a sleeping means with a person lying along the length of the mattress and in the second configuration the apparatus is provided to act as a sitting means with the person sitting on the double depth portion of the mattress
In one embodiment, when the apparatus is in the second configuration, retaining means are provided which act to retain the mattress in position in terms of lateral movement of the respective portions of the mattress which overlie each other.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising a mattress, and a sheet material defining at least an envelope in which the mattress is at least partially enclosed when in use, wherein said apparatus is adaptable between a first configuration in which the mattress is provided with a single depth along its length and a second configuration in which the mattress is provided with at least a double depth along at least part of it's length.
In one embodiment the first configuration of the apparatus is provided to allow the apparatus to be used as a sleeping means with a person lying along the length of the mattress. Typically, in the second configuration the apparatus is provided to act as a sitting means with the person sitting on the double depth portion of the mattress.
In one embodiment when the apparatus is in the second configuration, retaining means are provided which act to retain the mattress in position in terms of lateral movement of the respective portions of the mattress which overlie each other. The retaining means can also be used to act against or prevent any bias which the mattress may have to return to the first configuration.
Typically the mattress used is an inflatable mattress which is inflated in both first and second configurations and preferably also during transition between first and second configurations.
In one embodiment the mattress includes a head portion which is of greater depth than the remainder of the mattress and, in one embodiment is upstanding in a substantially vertical plane. Typically the head portion remains in the same position whether the mattress is in either of the first or second configurations.
In one embodiment the movement of the mattress between the first and second configurations is achieved by moving portions of the mattress about a fold line and typically the fold line is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mattress. In one embodiment the portion of the mattress which defines the fold line is not inflated or is inflated to a lesser depth than the portions of the mattress on either side of the same.
Typically the retaining means are provided as part of the sheet material used to enclose the mattress and therefore are available and accessible to the user to allow them to engage and release the same as they move the apparatus between the two configurations.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein;

Figures 1a- b illustrate a first embodiment of the invention in which the apparatus is moved between storage and in use conditions.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a further embodiment of the apparatus of Figures 1a and b with the apparatus in a first and a second configuration respectively;
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the mattress of the apparatus of Figures 2 and 3 in the first and second configurations respectively;
Figure 6 illustrates one form of retaining means in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 2 and 1a and b there is illustrated a first aspect of the invention which can be utilised separately, or in conjunction with, the second aspect of the invention which is described subsequently.
Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus 2 which includes a fabric sheet material cover 4 which includes an envelope or base portion 6 and a top cover 8. The top cover has a free edge 10 which can be attached by zip 12 to the envelope to form a sleeping area 14 which extends along the length of the apparatus when it is in the in use condition shown and into which a person can lie to sleep, with the base of the sleeping area formed by the upper surface of the material envelope and the inner surface of the cover 8. As stated Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus in a an in use condition with the mattress 18 inflated and the cover portion provided to define the sleeping area for a person.
In accordance with the invention, when the sleeping use has been completed and there is a desire to store the apparatus, the mattress is deflated. However rather than have to look for a storage bag which may not be available or may have been misplaced, in accordance with the invention a storage means 30 is provided as an integral part of the sheet material at one end of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1a. This means that with the mattress deflated, the mattress and sheet material can be rolled up from the opposite end of the apparatus towards the storage means, as indicated by arrow 32 in Figure 1a, and placed into the storage means 30 as illustrated in Figure 1b to form a neat and enclosed storage condition. The storage means can also be provided with means 34 for retaining the same in position and a handle 36 for carrying the storage means. In order to move the apparatus from the storage condition to the in-use condition the mattress and cover portions are rolled out in the opposite direction to arrow 32 and when fully extended, the mattress can be inflated for use.
As the storage means is provided as part of the overall apparatus so the same is always available for use and retrieval when required.
Referring now to Figures 2-5 the apparatus 2 again includes a fabric sheet material cover 4 which includes an envelope or base portion 6 and a top cover 8. The top cover has a free edge 10 which can be attached by zip 12 to the envelope to form a sleeping area 14 which extends along the length of the apparatus when it is in the first configuration shown in Figures 2 and 4 and into which a person can lie to sleep, with the base of the sleeping area formed by the upper surface of the material envelope and the inner surface of the cover 8. In accordance with the invention the apparatus is capable of being moved to a second configuration to act as a seat as shown in Figures 3 and 5 and in both cases a head portion 16 is provided.
In order to illustrate the manner in which the change in configuration of the apparatus is achieved, only the mattress 18 of the apparatus is shown in Figures 4 and 5 without the sheet material envelope and cover. The mattress is inflatable and is formed with two elongate portions 20, 22 and head or pillow portion 16. The portions 20 and 22 are separated by a fold line portion 24 which in this embodiment is not inflated. The fold line 24 acts as the means by which the configuration of the mattress and hence the apparatus can be changed. In Figure 4 the mattress is shown in the sleeping configuration in which the portions 20 and 22 lay flat and the mattress is of a single depth so that a person can lie along the same and sleep.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention, rather than the apparatus having to be deflated and stored away when not used for sleeping, the configuration of the same can be changed to act as a seat, as shown in Figure 5, in which case the portion 20 is folded about fold line 24 to lie under the portion 22 as shown in Figure 5 and provide a double mattress depth on which a person can sit. This also allows the apparatus to take up significantly less floor space and still have a use.
Figure 6 illustrates the provision of retaining means 26, 28 which include a buckle arrangement as shown. When the buckle arrangement is engaged as shown, with the apparatus in the second configuration, the first and second portions 20, 22 of the mattress are restrained and held in that configuration. Typically the restraining means are formed on the sheet material envelope or cover so as to be readily accessible by the user of the apparatus.

Claims

Apparatus for use in sleeping and/or seating, said apparatus including a mattress which is selectively inflatable for use, and deflatable for storage, a sheet material forming an envelope in which the mattress is at least partially housed, and a storage means for use to store the mattress and at least part of the sheet material in a storage condition and characterised in that the storage means is formed as an integral part of the sheet material envelope.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sheet material envelope includes at least one cover portion which, when moved to an enclosed position, defines a sleeping area and which can be moved to a second position to allow access to be gained to or from the sleeping area.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage means is located at the foot or head of the mattress.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mattress is retained within the sheet material envelope in both in use and storage positions.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mattress is in the deflated condition when in, and being moved to or from, the storage means.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mattress and sheet material are rolled up towards the storage means to move the same into the storage position and unrolled from the storage means to move the same from the storage position.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage means is provided with any or any combination of a handle and/or retaining means in order to allow the same to be stored effectively.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus is adaptable between a first configuration in which the mattress is provided with a single depth along its length and a second configuration in which the mattress is provided with at least a double depth along at least part of it's length.
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first configuration of the apparatus is provided to allow the apparatus to be used as a sleeping means with a person lying along the length of the mattress and in the second configuration the apparatus is provided to act as a sitting means with the person sitting on the double depth portion of the mattress
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein when the apparatus is in the second configuration, retaining means are provided which act to retain the mattress in position in terms of lateral movement of the respective portions of the mattress which overlie each other.
Apparatus comprising a mattress, and a sheet material defining at least an envelope in which the mattress is at least partially enclosed when in use, wherein said apparatus is adaptable between a first configuration in which the mattress is provided with a single depth along its length and a second configuration in which the mattress is provided with at least a double depth along at least part of it's length.
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first configuration of the apparatus is provided to allow the apparatus to be used as a sleeping means with a person lying along the length of the mattress and in the second configuration as a sitting means with the person sitting on the double depth portion of the mattress.
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein when the apparatus is in the second configuration, retaining means are provided which act to retain the mattress in position.
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the mattress includes a head portion which remains in the same position whether the mattress is in either of the first or second configurations.
A method of using and/or storing apparatus including an inflatable mattress and a sheet material envelope therefore, and a storage means for use to store the mattress and at least part of the sheet material in a storage condition and characterised in that the storage means is formed as an integral part of the sheet material envelope and the mattress is deflated and the mattress and sheet material portion are rolled up towards the storage means in order to place the same in the storage means into the storage condition and the mattress and said sheet material portion are removed from the storage means and rolled out and the mattress inflated to move the apparatus to an in use condition.
A method according to claim 15 wherein the mattress and portion of sheet material, when in the in use condition can be moved between first and second configurations for use by moving a portion of the mattress about a fold line which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mattress.