US20220007860A1

US20220007860A1 - Novel sleeping bag

Info

Publication number: US20220007860A1
Application number: US17/363,955
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary Robert Clayton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-11
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2022-01-13

Abstract

A multi-use sleeping bag is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a bottom bag portion of reduced insulation relative to the other portions of the bag. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes an intermediate layer disposed within the bag such as to create two sleep chambers, one above the intermediate layer and one below the intermediate layer. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes an intermediate layer disposed within the bag, the intermediate layer including a hood portion with a face opening and the bag including a hood portion with multiple face openings, and the intermediate layer and the bag each including one or more baffles that are selectively positionable to cover the face openings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/050,784, filed on Jul. 11, 2020.

BACKGROUND

This invention pertains generally to technology for improving functionality of sleeping bags. More specifically, the invention is directed to a multi-climate, multi-purpose, sleeping bag.
In general, a sleeping bag is an insulated structure medially folded upon itself to form a sleeping chamber having a closed lower foot end and an open upper head end. A sleeping bag may include a hood at the upper end. In use, the user enters the sleeping chamber and is thereby substantially encompassed by the insulated material forming the bag. This serves to keep the user warm while sleeping.
Different materials or amounts of insulation are required for different ambient temperatures. More, or more effective, insulation is required for colder ambient temperatures. Less is required for warmer temperatures. As a result, users (such as campers) may be required to own more than one sleeping bag to serve multiple needs. The expense required for multiple bags may decrease participation in camping activities. For example, youth participation in scouting groups that camp in multiple climates can be decreased because of the sleeping-bag expense.
The inconvenience of climate-specific sleeping bags is exacerbated when a single use (such as a multi-day hiking trip) involves sleeping in different climates. For example, hiking through mountains often involves campsites at different elevations, each with its own climate. Higher-elevation campsites typically have a lower ambient temperature than lower-elevation campsites. This temperature difference can be tens of degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the user typically has the choice of using a single bag that is either too warm for the higher-temperature sites or too cold for the lower-temperature sites, carrying two (or more) bags, or carrying a so-called convertible sleeping bag with multiple top panels. The first option leads to discomfort at the off-temperature sites. The second option increases the weight and volume the user's pack, or requires the user to carry fewer other items (such as food). The third option adds the inconvenience of having to modify the bag at different campsites to prepare it for use.
Some climates are so cold that the user's head must also be encompassed by the bag. For such use, a sleeping bag may include an integral hood such as in a mummy bag. The bags are designed for the user to sleep supine, with the user's head substantially encompassed by the integral hood but leaving his or her face somewhat open. This design is inconvenient and uncomfortable for users that prefer to sleep in other positions. They must either forgo the insulating benefits of the hood or sleep in an other-than-preferred position.
Accordingly, there is a need for technology to improve the function of sleeping bags to enable more efficient use of a single bag.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to technology to enable a sleeping bag to efficiently serve a broader function than do prior-art bags.
In one aspect of the invention, an intermediate layer is disposed within the chamber of a sleeping bag such as to create two sleep chambers. The first sleep chamber is defined by the space between the intermediate layer and the bottom of the bag. (The “bottom” of the bag is that portion of the bag that is oriented downward when in typical use.) The first sleep chamber thus has two layers of insulation above the user. The first layer defined by the intermediate layer, the second layer defined by the bag material itself (the outer layer). The second sleep chamber is defined by the space between the intermediate layer and the top of the bag. (The “top” of the bag is that portion of the bag that is oriented upward when in typical use.) The second sleep chamber thus has only one layer of insulation above the user, namely, the bag material. The first sleep chamber is appropriate for lower-temperature locations (e.g., high-altitude campsites). The second sleep chamber is appropriate for higher-temperature locations (e.g., low-altitude campsites). Thus, the bag is suitable for convenient use in multiple climates.
In another aspect of the invention, a portion of the bottom of a sleeping bag includes less insulation than other portions of the bag. This reduces the weight and the volume of the bag. And the overall insulating efficacy of the bag (and thus the temperature rating) is minimally impacted since insulation at the bottom of the bag is compressed during use and is therefore of less import than insulation at other portions of the bag. Thus, the bag achieves a higher insulating effect per unit volume and a higher insulating effect per unit weight than does a standard bag that has a substantially uniform amount of insulation at the top and bottom of the bag.
In another aspect of the invention, an intermediate layer is disposed within the chamber of a sleeping bag such as to create a multi-position hood. The bag includes a hood portion with multiple face openings (e.g., one on the top portion of the bag, and one on each side of the bag) and one or more selectively positionable baffles that can selectively cover one or more of the multiple face openings and thereby limit egress of warm air from the bag, or ingress of cold air into the bag, through the covered face opening. The baffles may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, as a flap portion that folds or flaps over the opening, or panel portions that overlap to cover the opening. The intermediate layer includes a hood portion complementary to the bag hood portion in that the intermediate-layer hood portion includes a face opening and one or more baffles that may be used to cover the intermediate-layer-hood-portion face opening and a bag-hood-portion face opening. The bag hood portion and the intermediate-layer hood portion cooperate to form a user-configurable hood that the user may configure for his or her particular sleep preference (e.g., a side sleeper may use the baffles to cover all face openings except one on the side portion of the bag). Thus, the bag enables effective hood insulation for the user while allowing the user to sleep as he or she chooses.
In another aspect of the invention, one or more baffles are integrated into the outer layer of a sleeping bag to form a multi-position hood. The bag includes a head opening at the head end of the bag. The outer layer of the bag includes a baffle portion that extends down from the head end of the bag to cover the head opening and overlap with the outer layer that is toward the foot end of the bag from the head opening (the overlapped portion), thus forming a hood for the user. The baffle portion may be secured to the overlapped portion of the bag to keep the hood in place and may be shaped to provide two or more areas of overlap where the user can selectively separate the baffle portion from overlapped portion to provide a face opening. The baffle portion and the overlapped portion cooperate to form a user-configurable hood that the user may configure for his or her particular sleep preference (e.g., a side sleeper may use the baffle portion to cover the entire head opening except for once section on the side portion of the bag to provide a face opening). Thus, the bag enables effective hood insulation for the user while allowing the user to sleep as he or she chooses.
In another aspect of the invention, multiple straps are disposed on the outside surface of the bottom of a sleeping bag. The straps are configured to define a loop to accept a sleeping pad and thereby secure the sleeping pad to the outside surface of the bottom of the bag. Advantageously, the straps are disposed such that they are neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag (the head-to-foot direction). In one embodiment, two straps may form a roughly “X” shaped on the bottom of the bag.
In another aspect of the invention, a baffled opening is positioned in a sleeping bag toward the foot portion of the bag. This enables the user to selectively regulate temperature by positioning a foot or leg through the opening and outside of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIGS. 1A-1G are various views illustrating an exemplary sleeping bag according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are various views illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with a selectively configurable hood according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with straps to secure the bag to a sleeping pad according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with baffles integral to the bag to form a selectively configurable hood according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary sleeping bag with straps to secure the bag to a sleeping pad according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with a baffled leg opening according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with a baffled leg opening according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with baffled leg openings in the bag's outer layer and in a liner according to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the summary above, and in the description below, reference is made to particular features of the invention in the context of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The features are described in the context of the exemplary embodiments to facilitate understanding. But the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. And the features are not limited to the embodiments by which they are described. The invention provides a number of inventive features which can be combined in many ways, and the invention can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. Unless expressly set forth as an essential feature of the invention, a feature of a particular embodiment should not be read into the claims unless expressly recited in a claim.
Except as explicitly defined otherwise, the words and phrases used herein, including terms used in the claims, carry the same meaning they carry to one of ordinary skill in the art as ordinarily used in the art.
Because one of ordinary skill in the art may best understand the structure of the invention by the function of various structural features of the invention, certain structural features may be explained or claimed with reference to the function of a feature. Unless used in the context of describing or claiming a particular inventive function (e.g., a process), reference to the function of a structural feature refers to the capability of the structural feature, not to an instance of use of the invention.
Except for claims that include language introducing a function with “means for” or “step for,” the claims are not recited in so-called means-plus-function or step-plus-function format governed by 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Claims that include the “means for [function]” language but also recite the structure for performing the function are not means-plus-function claims governed by § 112(f). Claims that include the “step for [function]” language but also recite an act for performing the function are not step-plus-function claims governed by § 112(f).
Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear from context, the inventive methods comprising or consisting of more than one step may be carried out without concern for the order of the steps.
The terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “including,” “includes,” “having,” “haves,” and their grammatical equivalents are used herein to mean that other components or steps are optionally present. For example, an article comprising A, B, and C includes an article having only A, B, and C as well as articles having A, B, C, and other components. And a method comprising the steps A, B, and C includes methods having only the steps A, B, and C as well as methods having the steps A, B, C, and other steps.
Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” and “roughly” are used herein to denote features that satisfy their technological purpose equivalently to a feature that is “exact.” For example, a component A is “substantially” perpendicular to a second component B if A and B are at an angle such as to equivalently satisfy the technological purpose of A being perpendicular to B.
Except as otherwise stated herein, or as is otherwise clear from context, the term “or” is used herein in its inclusive sense. For example, “A or B” means “A or B, or both A and B.”
An exemplary sleeping bag 100 according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F. The bag 100 includes a face opening 112 on the top portion of the bag and a zone 110 of reduced insulation (relative to other portions of the bag) on the bottom portion of the bag. As with a conventional bag the bag 100 includes a surface-defining and insulating layer 102 and a fabric fastener 106 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). An intermediate layer 104 is disposed within the bag 100 and secured to the inside surface of the surface-defining and insulating layer 102 through fabric fasteners 108 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). The fasteners 108 are periodically positioned along the length (head-to-foot) of the bag and intermediate layer 104.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1C-1D, the bag-disposed intermediate layer 104 may be selectively positioned in the bag 100 to create a first sleep chamber with two insulating layers on top: the surface-defining and insulating layer 102 and the intermediate layer 104. In this first-chamber configuration, the user simply enters the bag under the intermediate layer 104. As illustrated in FIGS. 1E-1F, the bag-disposed intermediate layer 104 may be positioned in the bag 100 to create a second sleep chamber with one insulating layer on top: the surface-defining and insulating layer 102. In this second-chamber configuration, the user simply enters the bag above the intermediate layer 104. Thus, the user may select the first-chamber configuration for more insulation (in relatively colder climates) and may select the second-chamber configuration for less insulation (in relatively warmer climates). And the selection is little more than choosing where to place one's feet when entering the bag.
While the bag 100 is illustrated with a single intermediate layer 104, it is possible to include additional intermediate layers to define additional sleep chambers. For example, an additional intermediate layer may be disposed in the bag 100 such that a first chamber includes three insulating layers above the user (bag layer 102, the first intermediate layer 104, and the additional intermediate layer), a second chamber includes two insulating layers above the user (bag layer 102 and intermediate layer 104), and a third chamber includes a single insulating layer above the user (bag layer 102). FIG. 1C illustrates an intermediate layer 104 having fasteners 109 to engage another intermediate layer. FIG. 1G illustrates that the intermediate layer 104 may be reversible. Thus, multiple intermediate layers may be configured such that all are oriented the same way or some may be reversed.
The region 110 of reduced insulation has less insulation than insulating layer 102. This lowers the overall volume and weight of the bag 100 compared to a bag with a uniform layer of insulation. When combined with the intermediate layer 104, this enables a multi-climate bag without significant (or any) increase in weight or volume over a standard bag of similar temperature rating.
Another exemplary sleeping bag 200 according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. The bag 200 includes a face opening 212 on the top portion of the bag. The bag 200 also includes two face openings 224 a, 224 b on the sides of the bag 200 and two baffles 222 a, 222 b, each configured to selectively cover one of the side face openings 224 a, 224 b. An intermediate layer 204 is disposed within the bag 200 and secured to the inside surface of the surface-defining and insulating layer 202 through fasteners, in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1F. The intermediate layer 204 includes a hood portion comprising a face opening 204 c and a baffle 204 a configured to selectively cover the face opening 204 c (as illustrated, the bag 200 may also include a second baffle 204 b that is configured to selectively cover the face opening 204 c). The face opening 204 c is located on the intermediate layer 204 such that it is oriented to the top face opening 212. In use, the user can choose to orient his or her face to any of the face openings and to use the appropriate baffle(s) to cover the unused face openings. For example, a back sleeper may choose the top face opening 204 c/212 (for a back sleeper) and cover the side face openings 224 a, 224 b with the side baffles 222 a, 222 b. A right-side sleeper may choose the right-side face opening 224 a, and cover the other face openings 204 c/212, 224 b with the respective baffle(s) 204 a, 222 b. This enables the user to benefit from hood insulation without the need to sleep on his or her back.
The baffles in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C are implemented as flaps attached to the bag (outer) layer or the intermediate layer. Equivalently, the baffles may be implemented as overlapping portions of the panel defining the opening. For example, the intermediate-layer material immediately adjacent to and defining intermediate-layer face opening may selectively overlap, and, when overlapped, cover the face opening to limit ingress and egress of air.
Another exemplary sleeping bag 300 according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. As with a conventional bag the bag 300 includes a surface-defining and insulating layer 302 and a fabric fastener 306 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). An intermediate layer 304 is disposed within the bag 300 and secured to the inside surface of the surface-defining and insulating layer 302 through fabric fasteners 308 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). The fasteners 308 are periodically positioned along the length (head-to-foot) of the bag and intermediate layer 304. The bag 300 also includes one or more sleeping-pad-retention straps 330 attached to the outer surface of the bottom portion of the bag 300. The sleeping-pad-retention straps 330 are configured to loop around a sleeping pad 332 and thereby secure the sleeping pad 332 in position relative to the bag 300. This limits movement of the sleeping pad 332 while in use so as to keep it in position under the user while the user sleeps. The sleeping-pad-retention straps 330 may be fit to a particular size sleeping pad or they may be elastic or adjustable to accommodate a range of sizes. For example, the straps may comprise hooks and loops with a variety of positions, or they may comprise Velcro™ strips, or they may comprise strips of snaps or buttons, or the like.
As depicted in FIG. 5, a sleeping bag 500 may include sleeping-pad-retention straps 530 that are oriented at an angle other than 0 or 90 degrees to the longitudinal (head-to-foot) axis of the bag 500. This may limit movement of the sleeping pad relative to the bag 500 during use.
Another exemplary sleeping bag 400 according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B. In this embodiment, the bag 400 includes a head opening 412 at the head end of the bag 400. A baffled bag portion 422 is integral to the outer layer 402 of the bag 400 at the head end of the bag 400 and is positioned to selectively cover the head opening 412. The baffled portion 422 may include extended sections 422 a, 422 b that extend further to the foot end of the bag. The baffled portion 422 of the bag overlaps with the lower edge 413 of the head opening 412 and may be fastened to the outer layer 402 of the bag at the overlap using the extended sections 422 a, 422 b (e.g., with a snap or button). Sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c of the overlap remain unfastened but baffled portion 422 provides a baffle to limit the ingress or egress of air at those unfastened sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c. The user may selectively move the baffled portion 422 relative to the lower edge 413 of the head opening to provide a face opening at one (or more) of the unfastened sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c. This enables the user to benefit from hood insulation without the need to sleep on his or her back.
Another exemplary sleeping bag 600 according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B. In this embodiment, the bag 600 includes a baffled foot opening 624 placed through the bag's outer layer 602 such that a user can place a foot or leg outside the bag to help regulate temperature. A selectively positionable baffle 622 allows the user to cover the opening 624 when it is not in use. The opening 624 in this embodiment is placed on the bottom of the bag 600 but may be placed on the top or side of the bag 600. The baffle 622 in this embodiment is positioned inside the bag 600 but may be placed on the outside of the bag 600. The bag 600 may include fasteners (e.g., button, snap, etc.) such that the baffle 622 may be fastened in place relative to the outer layer 602.
FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a bag 700 with a foot opening 724 oriented roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag. The bag 700 includes a baffle 722 that is positionable to selectively cover the opening 724. FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a bag 800 with a liner 804 a/804 b. The bag 800 includes a foot opening 824 in the bag 800 and a foot opening 828 in the liner 804 a/804 b. The liner 804 a/804 b includes a baffle 826 implemented as an overlap of an upper liner portion 804 a and a lower liner portion 804 b. The bag 800 also includes a baffle 822 implemented as an overlap of two portions of the bag's outer layer. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, the user may elect to place his feet through the liner's foot opening 828 but not through the foot opening 824 in the bag's outer layer. In such a configuration, the lower liner portion 804 b provides additional insulation above the user's feet, which remain enclosed within the bag 800 and would serve to keep the user's feet warmer than when his feet are positioned above the lower liner portion 804 b. Thus, the liner foot opening 828 in conjunction with the outer layer foot opening 824 can be utilized to either provide either a warmer or cooler environment for the user's feet.
While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the basic scope of the invention. And features described with reference to one embodiment may be combined with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above, without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A sleeping bag comprising:

(a) an outer layer having a top portion, a bottom portion, two side portions, a head portion, and a foot portion, wherein the outer layer is shaped to define a chamber bounded by the top portion, bottom portion, side portions, and foot portion; and

(b) an intermediate layer disposed in the chamber of the outer layer between the top portion and bottom portion of the outer layer and fastened to a surface of the outer layer such that the intermediate layer subdivides the chamber of the outer layer.

2. The sleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of straps attached to the bottom portion of the outer layer outside the chamber of the outer layer.

3. The sleeping bag of claim 2 wherein at least two of the plurality of straps are oriented to cross each other.

4. The sleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) at least two outer-layer baffles attached to the outer layer; and

(b) an intermediate-layer baffle attached to the intermediate layer;

(c) wherein the head portion of the outer layer comprises a hood having at least two face openings;

(d) wherein the intermediate layer includes a hood having at least one face opening that corresponds to one of the head-portion-hood's face openings;

(e) wherein the outer-layer baffles are configured to selectively cover the head-portion-hood's face openings; and

(f) wherein the intermediate-layer baffle is configured to selectively cover at least one face opening of the intermediate-layer hood.

5. The sleeping bag of claim 1 wherein the head portion of the outer layer includes a head opening and a hood configured to selectively overlap the head opening.

6. The sleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a first foot opening in the outer layer;

(b) a second foot opening in the intermediate layer;

(c) a first foot-opening baffle attached to the outer layer, wherein the first foot-opening baffle is configured to selectively cover the first foot opening; and

(d) a second foot-opening baffle attached to the intermediate layer, wherein the second foot-opening baffle is configured to selectively cover the second foot opening.