GB2395424A

GB2395424A - A self-inflatable sleeping bag.

Info

Publication number: GB2395424A
Application number: GB0227183A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maistre Julian Le
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-21
Filing date: 2002-11-21
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: GB0227183D0

Abstract

A sleeping bag comprises an inflatable mattress, cushion, pad or the like 'b' provided with an integral inflation device 'e'. The inflatable mattress, cushion, pad or the like may comprise one or more inflatable pockets, the or each inflatable pocket being double walled and acting as a thermal barrier which is also a barrier to moisture. The sleeping bag may further comprise an inflatable pillow or head rest 'c'.

Description

SELF-INFLATABLE SLEEPING BAG

This invention relates to a 'self-inflatable sleeping bag'.

Background

1. 'Sleeping bag' is taken to mean the well-known wrap of material, typically opening and closing by means of a zip or other fastening, to form roughly the shape of a bag, of varying dimensions dependent upon the design, and which serves as a place for one or more people to keep warm and dry during rest or sleep.

2. Sleeping bags are often used in conjunction with a separate malt, cushion, mattress, inflatable bed or similar such barrier to provide a cushioning layer between the bag and the ground, floor or other surface. The purpose of a cushioning layer is to provide a more comfortable surface on which to rest or sleep and also to better insulate the bag, and the person/s occupying the bag, from cold and/or wet. However, these cushioning layers are usually cumbersome, need to be purchased from specialist suppliers and take up a good deal of space. Accordingly they are generally only purchased when regular or prolonged use of a sleeping bag is necessary, such as for camping and other outdoor pursuits. For the majority of times sleeping bags are used on an occasional, one-offbasis and as such owners tend not to use this additional cushioning layer, putting up with the floor or other hard surface for these infrequent occasions.

Essential features This invention is for a sleeping bag that features 'a self inflation mechanism integral to an inflatable seam ' thereby allowing the user quickly and easily to trap, retain and release their own cushioning pocket of air into the area of the sleeping bag that comes between the user and the surface upon which it is being used as illustrated in Fig 1 a. The inflatable seam and inflation mechanism are integral to the sleeping bag and to one another rather than separate or in the form of external attachment/s. This provides an improvement over traditional sleeping bags and inflatable products typically sold as individual components.

Example

1. The integral inflation mechanism integrates with the lower fold of the inflatable sleeping bag and is integral to the fabrication of the lower fold thus providing an easy, ever-present method of inflating the inflatable seam. Fig l.e illustrates a lengthways cross-section of the integral inflation mechanism.

2. The inflatable seam extends across the area of the sleeping bag that would be situated between the user when on or inside the bag, and the ground, floor or any other sleeping platform. Fig 1. a. Illustrates a lengthways cross-section with the inflatable seam fabricated into the lower fold of the sleeping bag.

l

3. The inflatable seam is constructed in such a way as to be made up from one or more individual pockets or layers, which are capable of trapping and retaining air and from which air can be released. Fig 2. a. illustrates an end on cross-section of the inflatable seam. 4. The inflatable seam is fabricated from an interior and exterior wall of materiaUs. These materials have air retaining and insulating properties. Fig 1. d. Illustrates interior lining materiaUsearn wall. Fig 1 b. illustrates the exterior lining material/seam wall.

5. The pocket/s or layer/e of air within the inflatable seam serve as an effective thermal barrier and a barrier to moisture. Fig 2. a and Fig 3 a illustrate the location of the seam within which the pockets are fabricated. Although typically extending across the area of the sleeping bag that might be described as the lower fold, as illustrated in Fig 3, the inflatable seam may also be fabricated into to the sides, end and upper fold of the sleeping bag to form an all embracing inflatable seam.

6. The inflatable seam features an integral inflation mechanism through which air may be entered and released when required. Fig 3 e.

7. The inflatable sleeping bag also features an inflatable head restlpillow, which is integral to the fabrication of the sleeping bag. Fig 1. c. and Fig 3 c.

NB Diagrams are not to exact scale and are not exact and precise technical drawings.

3 Diagrams illustrated Figl. Fig2. Fig3.

Claims

( Claims

1. A sleeping bag that features a seyinflation mechanism integrated to an integral inflatable seam that allows a cushioning pocket of air to be retained into and released from the area of the sleeping bag that comes between the user and the surface upon which the sleeping bag is being used.

2. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein the inflatable seam extends across the area of the sleeping bag that would be typically, though not exclusively, situated between the user when on or inside the bag, and the ground, floor or any other sleeping platform.

3. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein the inflatable seam may be constructed in such a way as to be made up from one or more individual pockets or layers which are capable of trapping and retaining air and from which air can be released.

4. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein inflatable seam is fabricated from an interior and exterior wall of materials that have air retaining and insulating properties.

5. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein the pocket/s or layer/e of air within the inflatable seam serve as an effective thermal barrier and a barrier to moisture. Although typically extending across the area of the sleeping bag that might be described as the lower fold the inflatable seam may also be fabricated into to the sides, end and upper fold of the sleeping bag to form an all embracing inflatable seam.

6. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein the inflatable seam features an integral inflation mechanism through which air is entered and released when necessary.

7. A sleeping bag as claimed in 1. wherein the inflatable sleeping bag may also feature an inflatable head rest/pillow as integral to the fabrication of the sleeping bag.

8. A sleeping bag substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.