PORTABLE OUTDOOR SLEEP SYSTEM

Abstract

A sleep system includes a first padding layer, a second padding layer, and a sleeping quilt. The first padding layer connects to the second padding layer and the second padding layer connects to the sleeping quilt.

Claims

1. A sleep system, comprising a first layer of padding, comprising open cell foam, the first layer of padding including at least a portion of a connector on a first side and a second side of the first layer of padding; a second layer of padding, the second layer of padding including at least a portion of a connector on a first side and a second side of the second layer of padding which are complementary and connectable, respectively, to the portion of the connector on the first side and the portion of the connector on the second side of the first layer of padding, the second layer of padding further including at least a portion of a third connector on the first side and a portion of a fourth connector on the second side, which are disposed above the portion of the connector on the first side and the second side of the second layer of padding; and a sleeping quilt, the sleeping quilt including a portion of the third connector and a portion of the fourth connector which are complementary and connectable, respectively, to the third connector on the first side of the second layer of padding and the fourth connector on the second side of the second layer of padding.

2. The sleep system of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed in the first layer of padding.

3. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the second layer of padding is a viscoelastic foam.

4. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the second layer of padding includes a hood.

5. The sleep system of claim 4, wherein the hood includes a cinch cord.

6. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the sleeping quilt is formed into a bag.

7. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the first layer of padding is twice the thickness of the second layer of padding.

8. The sleep system of claim 1, wherein the sleeping quilt includes a footbox.

9. The sleep system of claim 8, wherein the footbox extends past a termination of the third connector and the fourth connector.

10. The sleep system of claim 8, wherein the footbox is tapered to have a width that is less than a width of the sleeping quilt.

11. A system, comprising: a first layer of padding, the first layer of padding including an open cell foam; a second layer of padding, the second layer of padding including a viscoelastic foam; a sleeping quilt, the sleeping quilt comprising an insulated blanket; wherein the first layer of padding is connectable to the second layer of padding and to the sleeping quilt; wherein the second layer of padding is connectable to the first layer of padding and to the sleeping quilt; and wherein the sleeping quilt is connectable to the first layer of padding or to the second layer of padding.

12. The sleep system of claim 11, further comprising a valve disposed in the first layer of padding.

13. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the first sleeping quilt is further connectable to a second sleeping quilt.

14. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the second layer of padding includes a hood.

15. The sleep system of claim 14, wherein the hood includes a cinch cord.

16. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the sleeping quilt is formed into a bag.

17. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the first layer of padding is twice the thickness of the second layer of padding.

18. The sleep system of claim 11, wherein the sleeping quilt includes a footbox.

19. The sleep system of claim 18, wherein the footbox extends past a termination of the third connector and the fourth connector.

20. The sleep system of claim 18, wherein the footbox is tapered to have a width that is less than a width of the sleeping quilt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of a portable camping sleep system.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable camping sleep system.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the portable camping sleep system.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a topper layer of a portable camping sleep system.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a topper layer of a portable camping sleep system.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a sleeping quilt for a portable camping sleep system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such as particular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the hammock strap disclosed herein. While the techniques and embodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the techniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similar apparatuses.

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is further noted that elements disclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted to only those embodiments in which they are described. For example, an element described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may be alternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless of whether or not those elements are shown or described in another embodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may be interchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein, whether shown or not.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable camping sleep system 100. Portable camping sleep system 100 may also be referred to as system 100 or sleep system 100. Sleep system 100 may include a plurality of layers. For example, sleep system 100 may include a self-inflating layer 105. Self-inflating layer 105 may include a valve which allows air to enter self-inflating layer 105. The air may be drawn into self-inflating layer 105 by open cell foam which may be disposed within self-inflating foam layer 105 when the valve is open. Air may fill the foam causing the foam to inflate or expand. Self-inflating layer 105 may also optionally be implemented as a pad which is inflated or assisted in inflation by use of a manual or electric pump and. It is preferable that self-inflating layer 105 be self-inflating but may also simply be an inflatable pad which is inflated by a manual or electric pump, or by blowing into the pad through the valve.

[0021] Self-inflating layer 105 may further include a connector 120A which connects self-inflating layer 105 to a topper layer 110. Connector 120A may be any suitable connector known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, connector 120A may be implemented as a zipper, one side of which is attached to self-inflating layer 105 and one side of which is attached to topper layer 110. A zipper pull may cause teeth in the zipper to interlock when pulled in a first direction and unlock when pulled in a second direction opposite the first direction. In this manner, self-inflating layer 105 may be selectively connected to topper layer 110. As will be discussed below, corresponding connector 120C is disposed on an opposing side of self-inflating layer 105 which allows self-inflating layer 105 and topper layer 110 to be connected on two sides.

[0022] Topper layer 110 may be constructed using a second type of padding, such as memory foam, which is known to conform to a user's body and therefore increase comfort as a type of viscoelastic foam. Topper layer 110 may be encased in a cotton or linen material which is similar to what is conventionally used in bed sheets to provide additional comfort by using similar materials to that which a camper is generally accustomed to at home. In a preferred embodiment, self-inflating layer 105 may generally have a thickness of about 4 inches while topper layer 110 may generally have a thickness of about 2 inches which provides about 6 inches of padding between a user and the ground. This thickness of padding and two different materials providing the padding provides insulative properties to prevent cold in the ground from drawing heat from a camper while sleep system 100 is in use.

[0023] Topper layer 110 may further include a connector 120B which connects a sleeping quilt 115 to a topper layer 110. Connector 120B may be any suitable connector known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, connector 120B may be implemented as a zipper, one side of which is attached to sleeping quilt 115 and one side of which is attached to topper layer 110. A zipper pull may cause teeth in the zipper to interlock when pulled in a first direction and unlock when pulled in a second direction opposite the first direction. In this manner, sleeping quilt 115 may be selectively connected to topper layer 110. As will be discussed below, corresponding connector 120D is disposed on an opposing side of topper layer 110 which allows sleeping quilt 115 and topper layer 110 to be connected on two sides in one embodiment. It is also noted that connector 120B may attach to a second one of sleep system 100 by a complementary connector 120B. In particular, a topper layer 110 of one of sleep system 100 may connect by connector 120B to another topper layer 110 of another one of sleep system 100, effectively connecting two of topper layers 110 together. Corresponding sleeping quilts 115 may also be zipped together allowing two or more sleep systems 100 to be joined together, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0024] Topper layer 110 may further implement a hood 125, as will be discussed below, which may provide additional insulation for a head of a camper and serve to close gaps between sleeping quilt 115 and hood 125 which may allow warm air inside sleeping quilt 115 to escape and allow cold air into sleeping quilt 125. Hood 125 may further include a cinch cord to draw hood 125 closed and eliminate gaps between sleeping quilt 115 and hood 125.

[0025] Sleeping quilt 115, which will be discussed in more detail below, may be an insulated blanket fitted with a footbox 135 and connect to topper layer 110 by connector 120B and a corresponding connector 120D, which will be discussed below, and depending on whether or not another one of sleep systems 100 is connected to topper layer 110. Sleeping quilt 115, thereby forms a bag, in one example, which is formed by connecting the insulated blanket of sleeping quilt 115 to topper layer 110 by connector 120B. Topper layer 110 becomes a back of the bag while sleeping quilt 115 forms a front of the bag.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of portable camping sleep system 100. Sleep system 100 includes a self-inflating layer 105, a topper layer 110, and a sleeping quilt 115. Self-inflating layer 105 may connect by connector 120A to topper layer 110. Topper layer 110 may connect to sleeping quilt 115 by connector 120B. Thus, each of self-inflating layer 105, topper layer 110, and sleeping quilt 115 may be connected.

[0027] The side view of sleep system 100 shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the relative thickness of the various layers of sleep system 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a thickness of self-inflating layer 105 may be twice or double of a thickness of topper layer 110. For example, if self-inflating layer 105 is 4 inches thick, topper layer 110 may be 2 inches thick. This relationship between the relative thicknesses of self-inflating layer 105 and topper layer provides cushion for comfortable sleeping but also provides stability between the layers to ensure sleep system 100 remains flat on the ground, particularly in uneven terrain.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of topper layer 110 of sleep system 100. Topper layer 110 may include connector 120A and connector 120B. As previously discussed, connector 120A and connector 120B may be any connector known in the art. In one preferable embodiment, connector 120A and connector 120B may be zippers which each have a first side and a second side of interlocking teeth which may be selectively joined by a zipper pull. Thus, a first side of a zipper implemented as connector 120A may be attached to a side of topper layer 110 to interact with a second side of connector 120A attached to self-inflating layer. Similarly, a first side of zipper implemented as connector 120B may be attached to a side of topper layer 110 above connector 120A to interact with a second side of connector 120B attached to sleeping quilt 115.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, a hood 125 may be integrated into topper layer 125 to provide a hood as part of sleep system 100. Hood 125 may accommodate a pillow and may be sized to accommodate a user's head on a pillow within hood 125. Hood 125 may further include a cinch string that may tighten hood 125 about a user's head to ensure heat within hood 125 or within sleeping quilt 115 may be retained within hood 125 or within sleeping quilt 115.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a topper layer 110 of sleep system 100. Topper layer 110, shown in FIG. 4 includes connector 120A, connector 120B, connector 120C and connector 120D. Connector 120A may be disposed under connector 120B on a first side of topper layer 110 while connector 120C and may be disposed under connector 120D on a second side of topper layer 110. As previously discussed, connector 120A, connector 120B, connector 120C, and connector 120D may be any connector known in the art.

[0031] In one preferable embodiment, connector 120A, connector 120B, connector 120C, and connector 120D may be zippers which each have a first side and a second side of interlocking teeth which may be selectively joined by a zipper pull. Thus, a first side of a zipper implemented as connector 120A may be attached to a side of topper layer 110 to interact with a second side of connector 120A attached to self-inflating layer 105. A first side of a zipper implemented as connector 120C may also be attached to a side of topper layer 110 (opposite of connector 120A) to interact with a second side of connector 120C attached to self-inflating layer 105 Similarly, a first side of a zipper implemented as connector 120B may be attached to a side of topper layer 110 above connector 120A to interact with a second side of connector 120B attached to sleeping quilt 115. In the same fashion, a first side of a zipper implemented as connector 120D may be attached to a side of topper layer 110 (opposite of connector 120B) above connector 120C to interact with a second side of connector 120C attached to sleeping quilt 115. Connector 120A, connector 120B, connector 120C, and connector 120D may have a length that extends from hood 125 and terminates before an end of a length of topper layer 110 (i.e., each one of connector 120A, connector 120B, connector 120C and connector 120D end before an end of topper layer 110) to accommodate flexibility in footbox 135, discussed in FIG. 5.

[0032] As previously discussed, topper layer 110 may further include a hood installed as part of topper layer 110. Hood 125 may accommodate a pillow and may be sized to accommodate a user's head on a pillow within hood 125. Hood 125 may further include a cinch string that may tighten hood 125 about a user's head to ensure heat within hood 125 or within sleeping quilt 115 may be retained within hood 125 or within sleeping quilt 115.

[0033] Topper layer 110 may further include a pocket 130 which may be suitable for holding sensitive electronics, wallets, keys, or other valuables. Pocket 130 may be positioned partially under hood 125 but may also be positioned anywhere else on sleep system 100, including between topper layer 110 and self-inflating layer 105.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a sleeping quilt 115 for a portable camping sleep system 100. As shown in FIG. 5, connector 120B and connector 120D are positioned on an outside edge of sleeping quilt 115. Connector 120B and connector 120D are shown as a complementary side of interlocking teeth of a zipper to connector 120B and connector 120D shown in FIG. 4, for example. Connector 120B and connector 120D allow a user to attach sleeping quilt 115 to topper layer 110. As shown in the preferable embodiment of FIG. 5, connector 120B and connector 120D do not extend the entire length of sleeping quilt 115. On a top end of sleeping quilt 115, connector 120B and connector 120DE are installed below a top seam of sleeping quilt 115 to allow a user to fold down a section of sleeping quilt 115, as shown in FIG. 1, during warm weather camping. On a bottom end of sleeping quilt 115, connector 120B and connector 120B terminate before footbox 135 to allow a user more freedom of movement in their feet. Footbox 135 is allowed to move freely as untethered and unconnected to topper layer 110.

[0035] Footbox 135 may be tapered as shown in FIG. 5 such that a width of sleeping quilt 115 at footbox 135 may be less than a width of sleeping quilt 115 at a top of sleeping quilt 115. Footbox 135 may further include a liner with additional insulation to prevent a user's feet from getting cold during a camping experience.

[0036] It is noted that it has been conceived, that topper layer 110, sleeping quilt 115, and self-inflating layer 105 may be modular in nature. For example, topper layer 110 may connect to sleeping quilt 115 without first being connected to self-inflating layer 105. Likewise, sleeping quilt 115 may attach directly to self-inflating layer 105 without topper layer 110 and self-inflating layer 105 could connect to topper layer 110 without sleeping quilt 115. Thus, one or more parts of system 100 may be used singly or in combination with one or more of the other parts disclosed herein. It is also noted that this configuration may allow a user to use system 100 without having all of the elements of system 100. For example, a user may choose to use a self-inflating layer 105 and topper 110 with a conventional sleeping bag instead of sleeping quilt 115. It is also noted that connector adapters may be provided which may position connectors on 3.sup.rd party sleeping pads, that may allow one or more of self-inflating layer 105, topper layer 110, and sleeping quilt 115 to connect to the 3.sup.rd party sleeping pads by the connector adapters.

[0037] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. For example, components described herein may be removed and other components added without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein or the appended claims.

[0038] Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.