GB2427819A

GB2427819A - Device usable as a container for an object or as a shelter

Info

Publication number: GB2427819A
Application number: GB0511357A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Roger Stoate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-03
Also published as: GB0511357D0; GB2427819B

Abstract

A device 1 usable as a container for at least one object such as a surfboard vulnerable to impact damage or as a shelter, comprising an inflatable inner surface 5 that protects the at least one object when the device is used as a container and as a mattress when the device is used as a shelter. The shelter 7 is formed from fabric supported by rigid and flexible rods 8, may form a windbreak or tent and may be stored in a compartment of the device when not in use. Straps 2 may be secured around the container so as to compress it and help it to maintain its shape when the inner surface is inflated.

Description

I

INFLATABLE SURFBOARD BAG WITH BUILT-IN SHELTER

The invention relates to firstly to a bag for carrying outdoor leisure equipment such as a surfboard of the type suitable for protection against damage caused in travelling; secondly to a tent or lightweight shelter suitable for personal protection from the elements; and thirdly to one or more mattresses suitable for sleeping on.

Whether on a day outing, or on a surfing holiday, the surfer needs not only to transport his board safely to the beach, but also to have some form of shelter, in which he can sleep or simply avoid excesses of sun, wind or rain. When in the shelter the surfer will likely benefit from something comfortable to lie on. The bag, the shelter and the mattress are all well known individually, but to carry all three means that the traveller is faced with the prospect of transporting separate packages for each piece of equipment, which can be both cumbersome and heavy.

A bag with inflatable cells is also known, but has not been adapted for use as a mattress.

The object of the invention is to provide a bag for surfboards or other equipment combined with a built in tent or shelter. The further object of the invention is to provide a bag for surfboards or other equipment whether or not combined with a shelter or tent as previously described, with inflatable interior panels to serve as mattresses when the bag is open. The inflatable mattresses also compress and hold secure the surfboard(s) and other contents when the bag is closed.

Preferably the bag will be made out of or a combination of strong, waterproof and washable materials and benefit from the following features: * The bag should be able to hold 1-2 surfboards.

* The bag should be strong enough to withstand the abuse inflicted during long distance travel.

* The bag should be easy to handle i.e. light, compact and comfortable to carry.

* The bag should protect the surfboard(s) well enough as not to need extra padding.

* The bag should be versatile enough to be used day to day i.e. not something to be used just once a year.

* The bag should be suitable hold a wet suit and other essential gear as well as the surfboard(s).

* The bag should be suitable to accommodate different shapes of surfboard.

* The shelter should be suitable to sleep 1-2 persons.

* The shelter should be suitable for pitching on sand or grass.

* The shelter should be waterproof and windproof.

The shelter may take the form of a simple enclosing canopy as described below or a more sophisticated tent, such as one with inner lining and groundsheet.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (shown in perspective except where otherwise stated) in which: FIGURE 1 shows the bag in its closed position.

FIGURE 2 shows a cross section of the closed bag through the long axis with a surfboard inside.

FIGURE 3 shows an inflating nozzle for the mattress.

FIGURE 4 shows the bag open.

FIGURE 5 shows the shelter supports and shelter material as it may be packed within the bag.

FIGURE 6 shows the flexible shelter support rods being extracted from the rigid support tubes.

FIGURE 7 shows a method of attachment of the shelter support rods to the strap ends.

FIGURE 8 shows the method of securing the transverse shelter support rods to the bag.

FIGURE 9 shows the open bag with shelter drawn halfway over.

FIGURE 10 shows the shelter fully closed.

As shown in Figure 1 the bag is of the "coffin" variety and is closed by means of a fastener such as a zip 1 around a large part of the circumference of the bag, so that it can opened out flat like a book. The bag is also held closed by compression straps 2 that will also serve as anchoring points for the shelter supports (see below). The compression straps stop the bag from warping when inflated. A handle 3 may be incorporated to facilitate carrying of the bag.

Figure 2 shows that the bag comprises an outer layer 6 made preferably from a semi-rigid material. The top and bottom halves of the bag are each fitted with a number of inflatable panels 5 in the form of an airbed or mattress and which may or may not be independent from each other. The outer surfaces of the panels may be made form a material such as rubberised cotton as is commonly used for airbeds. When the bag is open the inflated panels will serve as mattresses. When inflated when the bag is closed they will hold one or more surfboards and/or other equipment securely in place.

Figure 3 shows that the top internal mattress is inflated and deflated by means of a nozzle 4 of known design on the top of the bag, which may be concealed under a flap when not in use. There will be similar nozzle for each independent panel of each mattress within the bag. Inflation may be achieved either orally or by means of a pump.

Figure 4 shows the bag open with the straps 2 laid out to receive the shelter supports by way of connectors such as "D" rings 12 at the end of each strap. The shelter material 7 is shown stowed within the bag.

Figure 5 shows how the longitudinal support rods 8 may be enclosed within casings sewn into the shelter material 7, as they may be packed in the bag. The longitudinal rods 8 are also placed over hollow receivers 10 in the bag, with the shelter material outside so as to enable the shelter to be pulled out over the transverse support rods when in place. The shelter material 7 will be pulled over As shown in Figure 6 the longitudinal support rods comprise hollow tubes (8A) along what will be the roof of the shelter, into which are inserted flexible support rods (8B) of a material such as fibreglass. The fibreglass rods are folded back against the tubes when in storage and separation may be avoided by the use of elasticated cord. The fibreglass rods are held within the tubes by means of connectors 9 of known design. The fibreglass rods are also terminated with connectors 9 and with split rings 11.

Figure 7 shows the means by which the ends of the longitudinal support rods 8 may be connected to the "D" rings 12 on the bag straps 2. The connection may be achieved by means of a connector such as a spring clip 13 attached to the split ring 11 on the end of the support rod, and which clips into the "D" ring 12. An eyelet 14 may be provided in the strap to enable the structure to be pegged to the ground using tent pegs. Similar eyelets may also be incorporated at suitable points along the edges of the shelter material 7 and bag (not shown).

The transverse support rods may be made up of a number of flexible support rods (8B) connected together. One end of each rod may be terminated as for the longitudinal rods as above, and the other end without connectors so that it may be inserted in the hollow receiver 10 as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 9 shows that once the support rods are in place, the shelter material 7 can be pulled over the hoops formed by the transverse support rods (8B), the material being held in place by the longitudinal support rods 8. The shelter may be left partially open as a windbreak, and partially opened and closed so as to allow occupants to enter and exit.

As shown in figure 10, the shelter fully closed will form a sleeping compartment, or enable moveable possessions to be stored out of sight.

Although the embodiment of the invention described relates to a bag for a surfboard, the invention may be adapted to suit other vulnerable types of equipment, typically of the sort used for outdoor sport or leisure.

Claims

I. A multifunction protective container for object(s) which are vulnerable to impact damage, comprising a coffin shape to fit approximately the largest of such object(s) to be protected and adapted firstly to present to the object(s) within an inner surface which can be inflated to bring it into intimate contact with the object(s) to be protected and adapted secondly so that when not used as a container an integral collapsible fabric shelter may be extended and supported by a number of rods to provide shelter for occupants and adapted thirdly so that when not used as a container and whether or not used as a shelter the inflatable inner surfaces of the container may be used as a mattress or mattresses.
2. A multiffinction protective container as described in claim 1 wherein there is a chamber or section into which the collapsible fabric structure of the shelter may be packed with the shelter support rods when the shelter is not in use.
3. A multifunction protective container as described in claim 1 or 2 wherein the ends of the longitudinal support rods of the shelter are held in place by connection to straps which when laid out on the ground define the base of the shelter.
4. A multifunction protective container as described in claim 3 whereby the means of attachment of the flexible rods to the straps is achieved by the use of spring clips on the one part connected to "D" rings on the other part.
5. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the inner ends of the transverse support rods are held in place by sockets within the container itself and the outer ends are held in place as described in claim 4 above.
6. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal support rods within the fabric of the collapsible shelter may pulled over the transverse support rods either partially so as to form a windbreak or fully so as to fonn a tent.
7. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal support rods with the fabric of the collapsible shelter may pulled over the transverse support rods so as to allow access to and egress from the enclosed structure.
8. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the straps comprising the base of the collapsible shelter are fitted with eyelets to enable the structure to be fixed to the ground by means of tent pegs.
9. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the straps are capable of being secured around the container when closed by means of a buckle or clasp so as to compress the container and maintain its shape when inflated.
10. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim wherein the inflatable chambers in each half of the container will when fully inflated take the form of an air bed or mattress.
11. A multifunction protective container as described in any preceding claim adapted to open completely flat with the inflatable chambers uppermost.
12. A multifunction protective container substantially as described above with reference to figures ito 10 of the accompanying drawings or any of them.