WO2019215609A1

WO2019215609A1 - Underlay for a sleeping accessory

Info

Publication number: WO2019215609A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/053729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Sergio SMARGIASSO
Original assignee: Smargiasso Luca Sergio
Priority date: 2018-05-07
Filing date: 2019-05-07
Publication date: 2019-11-14

Abstract

The invention relates to an underlay for a sleeping accessory. The underlay includes an elongate, flexible major panel having a first side for resting on the ground, and a second side on which the sleeping accessory can rest. The major elongate panel has a first end and a second opposite end. A first elongate, flexible minor panel extends from or proximate to the first end of the major panel on the second side of the major panel, the first minor panel extends across the major panel so that the former and latter define a first pocket. A second elongate, flexible minor panel extends from or proximate to the second end of the major panel on the second side of the major panel, the second minor panel extends across the major panel so that the former and latter define a second pocket. A securing arrangement is also provided for securing the sleeping accessory to the underlay.

Description

UNDERLAY FOR A SLEEPING ACCESSORY

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS invention relates to underlays used in camping, and in particular to an underlay for a sleeping accessory such as a sleeping pad, sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses or sleeping pads have proven to be quite useful for most campers in order to protect the camper against the harsh cold weather of the camping site and to provide a certain measure of comfort.

However, on a night where a camper tosses and turns during his/her sleep, or is sleeping on a sloped piece of land, the sleeping pad or mattress and sleeping bag will gradually slip out of alignment with one another, typically resulting in the camper’s sleeping bag lying against the cold ground of the camping site.

There has been a long felt want for a device or arrangement that will restrict the free movement of the sleeping bag and sleeping pad or inflatable mattress, during use. The present invention seeks to address this.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an underlay for a sleeping accessory, the underlay including: an elongate, flexible major panel having a first side for resting on the ground, and a second side on which a sleeping accessory can rest, the major elongate panel having a first end and a second opposite end;

a first elongate, flexible minor panel extending from or proximate to the first end of the major panel on the second side of the major panel, the first minor panel extending across the major panel so that the former and latter define a first pocket or sleeve for accommodating an upper end portion of the sleeping accessory;

a second elongate, flexible minor panel extending from or proximate to the second end of the major panel on the second side of the major panel, the second minor panel extending across the major panel so that the former and latter define a second pocket or sleeve for accommodating a lower end portion of the sleeping accessory; and

a securing arrangement for securing the sleeping accessory to the underlay or for facilitating the securing of the sleeping accessory to the underlay.

In an embodiment, the underlay may comprise a pair of opposite elongate side walls interconnecting the first and second minor panels to the sides of the major panel.

In an embodiment, the first elongate, flexible minor panel may comprise a pair of opposite upper and lower longitudinal edges and a pair of lateral edges, wherein the pair of lateral edges are connected to, for example seamed along, the longitudinal edges proximate the first end of the major panel, and the upper longitudinal edge is seamed along the lateral edge of the major panel at or near the first end of the major panel, so as to cover an upper portion of the major panel, with a first entry zone being defined between the lower edge and a portion of the second side of the major panel that is in register with the lower edge, which first entry zone leads into the first pocket.

In another embodiment, only the lateral edges of the first minor panel may be connected to the major panel, such that the first minor panel and major panel define the first sleeve for accommodating an upper portion of the sleeping accessory. In an embodiment, the second elongate, flexible minor panel may comprise a pair of opposite upper and lower longitudinal edges and a pair of lateral edges, wherein the pair of lateral edges are connected to, for example seamed along, the longitudinal edges at the second end of the major panel, and the lower longitudinal edge is seamed along the lateral edge of the major panel at or near the second end of the major panel, so as to cover a lower portion of the major panel, wherein a second entry zone being defined between the upper longitudinal edge of the second minor panel and a portion of the second side of the major panel that is in register with the upper edge of the second minor panel, which second entry zone leads into the second pocket.

In another embodiment, only the lateral edges of the second minor panel may be connected to the major panel, such that the second minor panel and major panel define the second sleeve for accommodating an upper portion of the sleeping accessory.

In an embodiment, the securing arrangement may comprise an arrangement of clips extending from the sides of the underlay for securing the sleeping accessory to the underlay.

In an embodiment, the securing arrangement may comprise an arrangement of securing members defining eyelets to which corresponding securing members, such as cords or strings, on the sleeping accessory can be secured to the underlay, or which securing members can facilitate the securing of the sleeping accessory to the underlay.

In an embodiment, the securing arrangement may comprise restraining means for restraining the sleeping accessory to the underlay. In an embodiment, the restraining means may be elastic straps that extend across the underlay on the second side of the major panel, the elastic straps being arranged to overlay and impart a downward holding force against the sleeping accessory, once the sleeping accessory has been accommodated in the underlay, in use.

In an embodiment, the underlay may be made from fabric material such as Gore- Tex, canvass, or other suitable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an underlay in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the underlay of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the underlay of FIG.1 , and a first sleeping accessory such as inflatable sleeping mattress that is to be accommodated in the underlay;

FIG. 4 shows the top perspective view of FIG. 3 with the inflatable sleeping mattress tucked into the underlay, and also shows a second sleeping accessory such as sleeping bag on the side of the underlay; and

FIG. 5 shows the top perspective view of FIG. 4 with the sleeping bag lying on the sleeping mattress, and both the sleeping bag and mattress being shown secured to the underlay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

According to the invention there is provided an underlay for a sleeping item/accessory used by campers, the underlay is designated generally by reference numeral 10. The underlay 10 includes an elongate, flexible major panel 12 that defines the base of the underlay 10. The base 1 2 has a first outer planar side 14, as shown in Figure 2, for resting on the ground, and a second opposite planar side 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, on which a first sleeping accessory such as a sleeping mattress 50 can be rested. The base/major panel 12 has a first end 1 8 and a second opposite end 20. The base 12 has a generally rectangular outer perimeter as can be seen in the drawings.

The underlay 10 further includes a first elongate, flexible minor panel 22 extending from the first end 18 of the base 12 on the second side 1 6 of the base 12. The first minor panel 22 extends across the second side 16 of the base 1 2 so as to define a first pocket/pouch 24 for accommodating an upper end portion 52 of a sleeping mattress 50, for example, in use, as will be described further below with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The underlay 10 further includes a second elongate, flexible minor panel 26 extending from the second end 20 of the base 12 on the second side 16 of the base 12. The second minor panel 26 extends laterally across the base 12 so as to define a second pocket/pouch 28 for accommodating a lower end portion 54 of the sleeping mattress 50, in use, as will be described further below with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. In the shown embodiment, the first minor panel 22 and second minor panel 26 are integrally formed with the base 12, and are connected to each other longitudinally by side walls 28, 30 that extend peripherally upwardly from the major panel 12 and connect the first and second minor panels 22, 26 to the sides of the major panel 12, as can be seen in the drawings.

In another embodiment (not shown), the first minor panel 22 and second minor panel 26 may be connected, for example seamed, to the base 1 2 and to the side walls 28, 30.

The free longitudinal edges 22.2, 26.2 of the first and second minor panel 22, 26, respectively, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, along with their corresponding aligned surfaces on, or portions of, the second side 16 of the base 12, define first and second entry zones 23, 25 to the first and second pouches 24, 28 of the underlay 10.

As can be seen in the drawings, the free edges 22.2, 26.2 and side walls 28, 30 define an opened upper portion 70 of the underlay 10 to receive the sleeping mattress 50, in use.

The underlay 10 further includes a securing arrangement 35, as shown in Figure 3, that includes restraining means, in the form of a pair of first and second elastic straps 36, 38. The first strap 36 extends laterally across the opening 70, between the side walls 28, 30, and is disposed proximate the free longitudinal edge 26.2 of the second minor panel 26. The second strap 38 extends laterally across the opening 70, between the side walls 28, 30, and is disposed proximate the free longitudinal edge

22.2 of the first minor panel 22. As can be seen in Figures 1 , 3, and 4 of the drawings, the ends of each of the straps 36, 38 are fixedly attached, i.e. sewn, to the side walls 28, 30 via seams 36.2, 36.4, 38.2, 38.4.

In an embodiment, the securing arrangement 35 further comprises securing members in the form of an arrangement of flaps 40, 42, 44, 46 defining eyelets 40.2, 42.2, 44.2, 46.2, for facilitating the securing of corresponding securing members, such as cords or strings 56, 58, 60, 62 extending from a sleeping bag 80, to the underlay 10, as will be described when making reference to Figure 5 of the drawings. In the shown embodiment, the flaps 40, 42 and 44, 46 define the respective ends of the first and second straps 36 and 38.

In an embodiment, the securing arrangement 35 may further comprise clips (not shown) or other similar securing members for securing or facilitating the securing of the underlay to the sleeping accessory.

In use, the sleeping mattress 50, as shown in Figure 3, is tucked into the underlay 10 through the opening 70, such that the upper end 52 and lower end 54 portions of the sleeping mattress 50 are received in the first and second entry zones 23, 25 respectively, which lead into the first and second pouches 24, 28 respectively, and the upper and lower end portions 52, 54 are subsequently snugly accommodated in the first and second pouches 24, 28 respectively, as shown in Figure 4. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the sides of the sleeping mattress 50 are partly covered by the curved sidewalls 28, 30 of the underlay 10. In other embodiments of the invention, the sidewalls 28, 30 can be shaped and sized so as to fully cover the sides of the sleeping mattress 50.

The upper surface of the middle portion 64 of the sleeping mattress 50 extends across, and partly protrudes from, the opening 70 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. The elastic straps 36, 38, in use, impart a downward holding force against the sleeping mattress 50 to secure, and thereby restrain, the sleeping mattress 50 within the underlay 10 so as to restrict/restrain the sleeping mattress 50 from moving once located in position.

The strings 56, 58, 60, 62 on the sleeping bag 80, as shown in Figure 5, are looped through respective eyelets 38.2, 40.2, 44.2, 46.2 and tied thereto, i.e. knotted at their free ends 56.2, 58.2, 60.2, 62.2 with knots of a size larger than the diameter of the eyelets to 38.2, 40.2, 44.2, 46.2, to lock the strings to the underlay 10, so as to prevent the strings from detaching from the underlay 10. Alternatively, the ends of the strings 56, 58, 60, 62 may be fitted with toggles to secure them to the eyelets. A second seeping accessory, such as a sleeping bag 80 is accordingly laid on top of the straps 36, 38, and sleeping mattress 50 that is accommodated in the underlay. Once the sleeping bag 80 is secured to the underlay 10, the user can slide into the sleeping bag 80 by opening and closing the sleeping bag 80 through the manipulation of a zip 82 that is arranged to run on a track arrangement 84 provided on the side of the sleeping bag 80.

It will be appreciated that although not shown in the present drawings, a third sleeping accessory, such as a sleeping pad, can be first fitted in the underlay 10 for providing a comfortable sleeping platform/support on which the sleeping mattress 50 can rest, in use. Once the sleeping pad (not shown) is received in the underlay 10 and overlapped by the sleeping mattress 50, the restraining means 36, 38 of the securing arrangement 35 will restrain and hold the sleeping pad (not shown) and sleeping mattress 50 to the underlay 10 as described above. The user will accordingly secure the strings 56,58, 60, 62 on the sleeping bag 80 to the eyelets 38.2, 40.2, 44.2, 46.2 of the securing arrangement 35, as described above.

Claims

1 . An underlay for a sleeping accessory, the underlay including:

an elongate, flexible major panel having a first side for resting on the ground, and a second side on which a sleeping accessory can rest, the major elongate panel having a first end and a second opposite end;

2. The underlay according to claim 1 , comprising sidewalls to cover the sides of the sides of the sleeping accessory accommodated by the underlay.

3. The underlay according to claim 2, wherein the sidewalls, major panel, first and second elongate panels are integrally formed.

4. The underlay according to claim 2, wherein the sidewalls, major panel, first and second elongate panels are seamed to one another.

5. The underlay according to claim 1 , wherein the securing arrangement comprises an arrangement of securing members to which corresponding securing members on the sleeping accessory can be secured to the underlay.

6 The underlay according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of securing members include flaps defining eyelets.

7. The underlay according to claim 1 , wherein the securing arrangement comprises restraining means for restraining the sleeping accessory to the underlay.

8. The underlay according to claim 7, wherein the restraining means comprises elastic straps that extend across the underlay on the second side of the major panel, the elastic straps being arranged to overlay and impart a downward holding force against the sleeping accessory, once the said sleeping accessory has been accommodated in the underlay, in use.

9. The underlay according to claim 1 , made from fabric material.