US20120297539A1

US20120297539A1 - Sleeping Bag System

Info

Publication number: US20120297539A1
Application number: US13/115,616
Authority: US
Inventors: Adam Like; Dan Bergeron
Original assignee: PROPPER INTERNATIONAL Inc
Current assignee: PROPPER INTERNATIONAL Inc
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-29

Abstract

A sleeping bag system includes two sleeping bags each having a facial cowl in a hood portion of the bag. Each bag has attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl. Each attachment member is configured for connection with a corresponding attachment member of the other bag to provide one of a plurality of flexible connections between at least the hood portions when one of the bags is positioned inside the other bag. The attachment members can prevent or minimize shifting of one of the bags inside the other bag.

Description

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Like the weather encountered during a camping trip, the quality of a camper's sleeping bag can enhance or detract from the experience of sleeping outside.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a sleeping bag system including first and second sleeping bags each having a facial cowl in a hood portion of the bag. Each bag has a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl. Each attachment member is configured for connection with a corresponding attachment member of the other bag to provide one of a plurality of flexible connections between at least the hood portions when one of the bags is positioned inside the other bag.
In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a sleeping bag system including first and second sleeping bags each having an outer perimeter, and a facial cowl defining a facial opening in a hood portion of the bag. Each bag has a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl and outer perimeter of the bag, the attachment members of the first bag corresponding to the attachment members of the second bag. Each of the bags is configured to be selectively attached in and to the other bag using the attachment members.
In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a sleeping bag system including first and second sleeping bags. Each bag has a hood portion having a facial cowl that defines a facial opening. Each of the bags has a slide fastener operable to at least partially open and/or close the bag along a generally frontal slit extending from the facial opening. The first bag has a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl of the first bag and is configured, with a plurality of corresponding attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl of the second bag, to provide a plurality of flexible connections between the bags when one of the bags is attached in and to the other bag.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an inner sleeping bag of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an outer sleeping bag of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of an open snap tab of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of a closed snap tab of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of toggle and loop attachment members of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a partial front perspective view of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial front perspective view of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a partial top perspective view of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure, shown with part of an outer sleeping bag hood portion turned downward; and

FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view of a sleeping bag system in accordance with one implementation of the disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
One configuration of a sleeping bag system is indicated generally in FIG. 1 by reference number 10. The system 10 includes two sleeping bags 12 a and 12 b, which may selectively be nested as shown in FIG. 1 or each used alone. It is also possible for more than two sleeping bags to be provided and nested in various configurations in accordance with the disclosure. The order of nesting may be a matter of choice by the user. Specifically, the bag 12 a may be attached in and to the bag 12 b, or vice versa (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-3).
In the present exemplary configuration the bag 12 b is fabricated as an inner sleep bag, and the bag 12 a is fabricated as an outer protective bag. The inner bag 12 b optionally has smooth inner and/or outer surfaces to provide comfort to a user and/or convenience in inserting and removing the bag 12 b from the bag 12 a. The outer bag 12 a optionally has one or more weather-protective surfaces. Either or both bags 12 a and 12 b may have tubes, channels, and/or panels (not shown in FIGS. 1-3) partially or completely filled, e.g., with down, foam, and/or other insulating material.
The sleeping bags (12 a, 12 b) each have a hood portion (14 a, 14 b) in which a facial cowl (16 a, 16 b) defines a facial opening (18 a, 18 b). A cowl may have various widths and thicknesses in various configurations. In the exemplary configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cowls (16 a, 16 b) are narrow edgings or edges. In some configurations discussed below, a cowl may be comparatively broad and thick to provide warmth around the facial opening of a bag. Each bag (12 a, 12 b) has a slide fastener (20 a, 20 b) operable to at least partially open and/or close the bag (12 a, 12 b) along a slit (22 a, 22 b) extending from the facial opening (18 a, 18 b).
Each of the bags (12 a, 12 b) also has a plurality of attachment members 24 on or adjacent the facial cowl (16 a, 16 b) and adjacent an outer perimeter (26 a, 26 b) of the bag (12 a, 12 b). Each attachment member 24 is configured for connection with a corresponding attachment member 24 of the other bag to provide one of a plurality of flexible connections 28 between at least the hood portions (14 a, 14 b) when one of the bags (12 a, 12 b) is positioned inside the other bag (12 a, 12 b).
The inner bag 12 b and outer bag 12 a are shown respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3. The attachment members 24 of the outer bag 12 a include a plurality of anchoring attachment members, e.g., a pair of toggles 32 on or adjacent the facial cowl 16 a of the outer bag 12 a, e.g., on opposite sides 34 a of the slide fastener 20 a of the outer bag 12 a. A snap tab 36 also is provided generally on or adjacent a top 38 a of the facial cowl 16 a of the outer bag 12 a. The corresponding attachment members 24 of the inner bag 12 b include a plurality of recipient attachment members, e.g., loops (40 a, 40 b, 40 c) of an elastic member, e.g., a shock cord 42. The shock cord 42 extends, e.g., through a channel 44 at least partially around the facial cowl 16 b of the inner bag 12 b. The shock cord 42 terminates in loops 40 a and 40 b, which are configured to receive the toggles 32. The snap tab 36 is configured to flexibly anchor the outer bag 12 a to the inner bag 12 b through the loop 40 c. The snap tab 36 is configured to be attached to itself via snap components 46 a and 46 b upon being inserted through the loop 40 c.
It should be noted generally that anchoring attachment members could alternatively or additionally include buttons, knots, and/or other devices that can provide a flexible connection between the bags 12 a and 12 b when the bags are nested and attached to one another. Recipient attachment members could alternatively or additionally include a buttonhole, an eyelet, a tab affixed to a bag and in which a buttonhole or eyelet is provided, etc.
When the hood portions 14 a and 14 b are flexibly connected as described herein, the sleeping bags 12 a and 12 b tend to maintain their relative positioning while a user sleeps in the nested bags 12 a and 12 b and/or when the user is getting into or out of the nested bags 12 a and 12 b. Additionally or alternatively, a user may selectively adjust the size of the facial cowl (16 a, 16 b) and/or relative spacing of attachment members 24 on or adjacent the facial cowl (16 a, 16 b) of each bag as further described below. Such adjustment(s) may be made to one bag (12 a, 12 b) independently of the other bag (12 a, 12 b).
In the present exemplary configuration, the slide fasteners 20 a and 20 b are at least partially offset from each other when the bags (12 a, 12 b) are nested as shown in FIG. 1. Offsetting the slide fasteners 20 a and 20 b can serve to prevent drafts and loss of heat through the slide fasteners 20 a and 20 b. It should be noted, however, that configurations are possible in which slide fasteners are not offset.
The loops 40 a and 40 b are provided on opposite sides 34 b of the slide fastener 20 b of the inner bag 12 b. Further, the loops (40 a, 40 b) and toggles 32 are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of both of the slide fasteners 20 a and 20 b when one of the bags (12 a, 12 b) is positioned in and attached to the other of the bags (12 a, 12 b). Such positioning of the loops (40 a, 40 b) and toggles 32 can promote ease of operation of the slide fasteners (20 a, 20 b), e.g., by constraining or preventing movement of sleeping bag fabric into contact with teeth (not shown) of the slide fasteners (20 a, 20 b).
It should be noted that in other configurations, other or additional attachment members may be provided adjacent sleeping bag slide fastener(s) 20 a and/or 20 b. Additional attachment members 24 could be spaced, e.g., alongside a slide fastener 20 a or 20 b to stabilize sleeping bag fabric adjacent the slide fastener and/or to generally stabilize one bag (or a portion thereof) relative to another bag (or a portion thereof).
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the outer bag 12 a includes at least one interior attachment member, e.g., at least one snap tab 50 provided on or adjacent the outer perimeter 26 a of the outer bag 12 a. The snap tab(s) 50 are accessible inside the outer bag 12 a. The inner bag 12 b has at least one corresponding exterior attachment member, e.g., at least one loop 52 on or adjacent the outer perimeter 26 b of the inner bag 12 b. The loop(s) 52 are accessible outside the inner bag 12 b. Thus, flexible connections between the bags (12 a, 12 b) may be provided, for example, at opposite sides (54 a, 54 b) and/or opposite ends (56 a, 56 b) of the outer and inner bags (12 a, 12 b) when one of the bags is attached in and to the other of the bags (12 a, 12 b).
In general, attachment members 24 could be spaced in corresponding fashion on or alongside outer perimeters (26 a, 26 b) of the bags (12 a, 12 b) to provide flexible connections between the bags (12 a, 12 b). Attachment members 24 on or alongside the outer perimeter 26 a or 26 b of one of the bags could include, e.g., one or more loops, eyelets, and/or buttonhole tabs, and attachment members 24 on or alongside the outer perimeter 26 a or 26 b of the other bag could include, e.g., one or more snap tabs, buttons, and/or toggles.
An open snap tab 50 and a closed snap tab 50 are shown in greater detail respectively in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A toggle 32 attached, e.g., in the loop 40 a is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5. A particular attachment member 24 may be configured on or adjacent the outer perimeter 26 a or 26 b of a bag 12 a or 12 b to provide a particular type of flexibility appropriate to the particular bag location. For example, each of the loops 52 at a head end 58 and opposite sides 54 b of the inner bag 12 b has a shape, length, orientation, and degree of flexibility that would allow a predetermined amount of movement of the inner bag 12 b relative to the outer bag 12 a on and/or alongside the outer perimeters (26 a, 26 b) of the bags (12 a, 12 b). In contrast, a loop 60 at a foot end 62 of the inner bag 12 b has a shape, length, orientation, and degree of flexibility that would tend to resist movement of the inner bag 12 b relative to the outer bag 12 a on and/or alongside the outer perimeters (26 a, 26 b) of the bags (12 a, 12 b). Additionally or alternatively and in another configuration, an inner bag could have one or more snap tabs or other anchoring member(s) accessible outside the inner bag and configured for attachment with one or more corresponding recipient members accessible inside an outer bag.
Another configuration of a sleeping bag system in accordance with the disclosure is indicated generally in FIGS. 6-9 by reference number 100. The system 100 includes an outer bag 112 a and an inner bag 112 b, each of which includes portions at least partially filled with, e.g., down, foam, and/or other insulating material.
The sleeping bags 112 a and 112 b each have a hood portion (114 a, 114 b) in which a facial cowl (116 a, 116 b) defines a facial opening (118 a, 118 b). In the present exemplary configuration, the cowls 116 a and 116 b are configured to provide warmth near the facial openings 118 a and 118 b. Each bag 112 a and 112 b has a slide fastener (120 a, 120 b) operable to at least partially open and/or close the bag (112 a, 112 b). Each slide fastener (120 a, 120 b) has a pull (130 a, 130 b) for operating the fastener (120 a, 120 b). At least the facial cowl 116 b has a snap closure 182 above the slide fastener 120 b.
The outer bag 112 a includes a pair of toggles 132 on or adjacent the facial cowl 116 a. As shown in FIG. 7, a snap tab 136 also is provided generally on or adjacent a top 138 a of the facial cowl 116 a of the outer bag 112 a. (So that relationships among various elements might be clearly shown in FIG. 7, the length of the snap tab 136 is exaggerated in FIG. 7.) The corresponding attachment members of the inner bag 112 a include a plurality of recipient attachment members, e.g., loops (140 a, 140 b, 140 c) of an elastic member, e.g., a shock cord 142. The shock cord 142 extends through a channel 144 at least partially around the facial cowl 116 b of the inner bag 112 b. The loops 140 a and 140 b are configured to receive the toggles 132. The snap tab 136 is configured to flexibly anchor the outer bag 112 a to the inner bag 112 b through the loop 140 c, which extends from the channel 144 through eyelets 170.
In some configurations a user may adjust the length of the shock cord 142 and size of the loop 140 c, e.g., using adjustment mechanisms 172 and 174 at the loop 140 c. Thus, the user may selectively adjust the size of the facial cowl 116 b and/or relative spacing of the toggles 132 and snap tab 136. Additionally or alternatively, the user may adjust the size of the facial cowl 116 a and relative spacing of the loops (140 a, 140 b, 140 c) by using an adjustment device 176 to change the length of a cord 178 extending through a channel 180 in the facial cowl 116 a, as shown in FIG. 8.
Advantageously, various attachment members can be provided in accordance with various implementations of the disclosure to prevent relative shifting of nested sleeping bags while preserving insulating capabilities of the bags. Attachment members in accordance with various implementations can provide flexible yet secure connections between nested sleeping bags. Further, some configurations can provide sleeping bag connections that are elastic as well as flexible.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A sleeping bag system comprising:

first and second sleeping bags each having a facial cowl in a hood portion of the bag;

each bag having a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl, each attachment member configured for connection with a corresponding attachment member of the other bag to provide one of a plurality of flexible connections between at least the hood portions when one of the bags is positioned inside the other bag.

2. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein:

the attachment members of the first bag comprise a plurality of anchoring attachment members; and

the corresponding attachment members of the second bag comprise a plurality of loops of an elastic member that extends at least partially around the facial cowl of the second bag, the loops configured to receive the anchoring attachment members.

3. The sleeping bag system of claim 2, wherein the anchoring attachment members comprise at least one of the following: a toggle, a snap tab, and a button.

4. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein:

the first bag further comprises at least one interior attachment member on or adjacent an outer perimeter of the first bag and accessible inside the first bag, and

the second bag further comprises at least one corresponding exterior attachment member on or adjacent an outer perimeter of the second bag and accessible outside the second bag.

5. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein a size of the facial cowl and/or relative spacing of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl of each bag are selectively adjustable independently of the other bag.

6. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the flexible connections are provided at opposite sides and/or opposite ends of the first and second bags when one of the bags is attached in and to the other of the bags.

7. The sleeping bag system of claim 1, wherein each bag is configured to be selectively used without the other bag.

8. A sleeping bag system comprising:

first and second sleeping bags each having an outer perimeter, and a facial cowl defining a facial opening in a hood portion of the bag;

each bag having a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl and outer perimeter of the bag, the attachment members of the first bag corresponding to the attachment members of the second bag;

each of the bags configured to be selectively attached in and to the other bag using the attachment members to provide one or more flexible connections between the bags.

9. The sleeping bag system of claim 8, each bag further comprising a slide fastener reversibly operable to at least partially open and/or close the bag along a slit extending from the facial opening of the bag;

the attachment members comprising anchoring attachment members and recipient attachment members, the first bag having a plurality of anchoring attachment members on opposite sides of the slide fastener;

the second bag having an elastic member extending alongside at least a portion of the facial cowl and terminating in a pair of recipient attachment members for receiving the anchoring attachment members of the first bag to provide flexible connections between the bags on opposite sides of the slide fasteners when one of the bags is attached in and to the other of the bags.

10. The sleeping bag system of claim 9, wherein the slide fasteners are at least partially offset from each other when one of the bags is attached in and to the other of the bags.

11. The sleeping bag system of claim 9, wherein the attachment members comprise a tab of the first bag on or adjacent a top of the facial cowl of the first bag, the tab configured to be attached to itself upon being inserted through a loop in the elastic member of the second bag.

12. The sleeping bag system of claim 8, wherein the attachment members comprise recipient attachment members accessible outside at least one of the bags atop the hood portion, at opposite sides, and/or at a foot portion of the at least one of the bags, the recipient attachment members configured to receive a plurality of corresponding anchoring attachment members accessible inside the other bag.

13. The sleeping bag system of claim 8, wherein:

the attachment members comprise a plurality of anchoring attachment members including a toggle, tab and/or button; and

the attachment members further comprise a plurality of recipient attachment members including a loop, buttonhole, and/or eyelet.

14. The sleeping bag system of claim 8, each of the bags configured to selectively be used without the other bag.

15. A sleeping bag system comprising:

first and second sleeping bags, each bag having a hood portion having a facial cowl that defines a facial opening;

each of the bags having a slide fastener operable to at least partially open and/or close the bag along a generally frontal slit extending from the facial opening;

the first bag having a plurality of attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl of the first bag and configured with a plurality of corresponding attachment members on or adjacent the facial cowl of the second bag to provide a plurality of flexible connections between the bags when one of the bags is attached in and to the other bag.

16. The sleeping bag system of claim 15, wherein each bag is configured to be selectively used without the other bag.

17. The sleeping bag system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of attachment members spaced along an outer perimeter of the first bag and configured for connection with a plurality of corresponding attachment members spaced along an outer perimeter of the second bag when one of the bags is attached in and to the other bag.

18. The sleeping bag system of claim 17, wherein:

the attachment members along the perimeter of one of the bags comprise one or more loops and/or buttonhole tabs, and

the attachment members along the perimeter of the other bag comprise one or more snap tabs, buttons, and/or toggles.

19. The sleeping bag system of claim 15, wherein:

the first bag comprises a pair of toggles on or adjacent the facial cowl of the first bag on opposite sides of the slide fastener of the first bag;

the second bag includes an elastic member extending at least partially around the facial cowl of the second bag and terminating in a pair of loops for receiving the toggles of the first bag; and

the loops and toggles are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of both of the slide fasteners when one of the bags is positioned in and attached to the other of the bags.

20. The sleeping bag system of claim 4, wherein the first bag comprises a snap tab on or adjacent a top of the facial cowl of the first bag, the snap tab configured to flexibly anchor the first bag to the second bag through a corresponding loop in the elastic member.