Description

This invention relates to a foldable and transportable camp bed.

More particularly, this invention relates to a modular, foldable and transportable camp bed or cot based on flat, shaped elements combined and arranged in such a way as to cooperate with each other.

In the sector of leisure-time furnishings, camping and beach articles, military supplies and socio-medical, rescue and emergency supplies, etc., foldable devices are known such as sun beds, camp beds, beach chairs, mats, air mattresses and the like, made of lightweight and weather resistant materials, suitable to be compacted and such as to be arranged and stored by the user in any place, taking up little space when not in use and easily and economically transportable.

These devices are generally designed to provide a temporary bed for camping, beaches, military camps etc., or in any case in conditions where there is an extraordinary need for a comfortable bed. These devices, in the simplest case, exclusively comprise a mattress or mat surface, made of flexible, spongy material, suitable to be placed directly in contact with the ground. Inflatable devices are also known, such as mats and the like, comprising an air-chamber element made of a flexible and elastic material, suitable to be filled by a pressurised fluid, generally compressed air. In the operating condition of use, the internal pressure of the fluid, which is greater than the atmospheric pressure, is such as to extend and expand the external surfaces of the device and ensure the structural support strength of the device. Said devices are provided with a valve for the inlet and outlet of the air and, when they are empty, they are advantageously foldable and transportable and can be stowed in a small space. More complex composite devices are also known, such as foldable beds, chairs or camp beds, which generally comprise a support structure that is extendable and foldable on itself by means of rigid elements hinged to each other at multiple rotation points and tilting with respect to them.

An example embodiment of one of these known devices is described in European patent EP 0832585 (Bl) which claims an inflatable element, for example a bed formed by thin walls made of a flexible material synthetic, for example PVC. Said device is constituted by a central part having, along its contours, at least one separate inflated part, so that the same inflated parts delimit a square area. The inflated parts are arranged along at least a part of the contour of the square area by means of a part raised with respect to the rest of said square area. With a device of this shape, the user can obtain a comfortable use, for example on a sandy surface and, at the same time, protect himself and his personal effects from the surrounding sand. It is also possible to fix a beach towel or similar to the inflatable device.

However, said known devices have limitations and functional drawbacks. A typical drawback of the above-mentioned devices comprising a mattress or mat made of flexible, spongy material is that of not being comfortable, particularly on terrain that is uneven or stony or with vegetation. Moreover, being directly in contact with the ground, they do not provide the user adequate hygiene and adequate thermal insulation and protection from moisture in the ground.

A typical drawback of the above-mentioned inflatable devices is due, instead, to the fact of being inflated under pressure and requiring special inflation devices, in addition to needed to be deflated after use. A further drawback of these conventional inflatable devices is due to the fact of being subject to pressure losses and easily pierceable when disposed outdoors in contact with rocks and plants and also being difficult to wash and subject to the accumulation of moisture inside the air chamber and the formation of bacteria, mould and mildew.

A further disadvantage of conventional devices such as mattresses or mats made of flexible material and inflatable devices is due to the fact of not being able to allow the elevation of a backrest.

While a typical drawback of the above-mentioned composite devices, comprising an extendable support structure foldable on itself by means of individual rigid elements hinged to each other is due to the fact of being more complex to construct and made with a variety of different materials more expensive to produce and with greater weight. Said devices also comprise rigid parts articulated with each other that, in any case, make them more bulky when folded and more subject to damage during transport and storage.

Other known solutions are described in JP H84 112654, JP S50 102458, JP 3 194 505 U and DE 689 929 C; moreover, all of these prior examples relate to beds with heavy support structures, inflexible as to use, with stabilisation problems in opening conditions and such as not to be adaptable with precision to the ground on which they rest. The purpose of this invention is to overcome the drawbacks listed above.

More particularly, the purpose of this invention is to provide a lightweight, foldable and transportable camp bed such as to occupy the least space possible when folded and with a volume of elementary shape that is easily and quickly storable in large quantities.

A further purpose of this invention is to provide to the user a comfortable foldable and transportable camp bed that adapts to uneven ground even outdoors and that provides the user adequate thermal insulation and protection from moisture and dirt.

A further purpose of this invention is to provide to the user a foldable and portable camp bed that can be easily and quickly put in place without the use of any special equipment or tools and that is also easily washable.

A further purpose of this invention is that of allowing the production of a foldable and transportable camp bed made with parts obtainable from a single semi-finished material.

A still further purpose of this invention is to allow the production of a foldable and transportable camp bed that can be easily decorated by means of printing and silk-screening with various motifs such as trademarks, logos or advertising messages.

A further purpose of this invention is to make available to users a foldable and transportable camp bed suitable to provide a high level of durability and reliability over time and also such as to be easily and economically produced. A further purpose of this invention is to provide to the user a foldable and portable camp bed as to allow the elevation of a backrest with respect to the plane of the camp bed.

These and other purposes are achieved by the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention according to the main claim.

The constructive and functional characteristics of the foldable and transportable camp bed will be better understood from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings that illustrate a preferred and non-limiting embodiment and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a plan view of the support surface of the horizontal plane of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a plan view of the connection surface of the horizontal plane of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention;

Figures 3a and 3b are a schematic representation of a plan view of the side surfaces of a vertical element;

Figures 4a and 4b are a schematic representation of a plan view of the side surfaces of a spacer element;

Figures 5a and 5b are a schematic representation of a plan view of, respectively, the upper and lower surfaces of the side surfaces of a table; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a plan view of the upper surface of the horizontal plane of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention, provided with a covering upholstery; Figures 7a and 7b are a schematic representation of two axonometric views, from different perspectives, of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of die invention in the fully folded configuration;

Figures 7c and Id are a schematic representation of two axonometric views, from different perspectives, of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of the invention in the open, partially extended configuration; Figure 8a is a partial schematic representation of an axonometric view of the vertical structure of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of the invention, in the extended configuration;

Figure 8b is a partial schematic representation of an axonometric view of the vertical structure of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of the invention, in the extended configuration with the spacer elements in position;

Figures 9a and 9b are. further partial schematic representations of two axonometric views of the support structure f liy extended and locked by the spacer elements;

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of an axonometric view of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of the invention, in the optional configuration of flat use;

Figure 1 l is a partial schematic representation of an axonometric view of the foldabie and transportable camp bed of the invention, in the step of lifting the liftabie portion of the support surface and arrangement, of the table;

Figures 12a and 12b are partial schematic representations of axonometric views of the foldahle and transportable camp bed of the invention in the arrangement of the table in cooperation with d e backrest.

Figures 13a and 13b ate partial schematic representations of axonomettic views of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention, with the shaped portions and openings for die arrangement and the support of objects.

Figure 14a is a partial schematic representation of an axonomettic view of the foldable and transportabl camp bed of the invention, with the support surface of the table;

Figure 14b is a schematic representation of an axonomettic view of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention, in operation with the backrest in open position.

Figures 15a and 15b are further partial schematic representations of axonomettic views of the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention, with the backrest in raised position and defining an inner compartment;

Figure 16 is a partial schematic representation of an axonomettic view of the vertical structure of die foldable and transportable, camp bed of the invention _} in the embodiment with the annular element and die locking element derived from a single vertical element.

With initial reference to Figures ?a to 7d, and 10 to 14b, the foldable and transportable camp bed of the invention, indicated as a whole by 10 in die above-mentioned figures, comprises a foldable horizontal plane 12 defining an upper support surface 12' and a lower connection surface of 12", said horizontal plane 12 being suitable to be arranged and stabilised, with removable fasteners 70, on a support structure 40. Said horizontal plane 12 is further connected to one end of the same bearing structure 40, in correspondence of an end edge 16, with third fastening means 16'. Said third fastening means 16' preferably comprise openings passing through the elements to be joined, in which are preferably disposed snap buttons, but can also comprise stitching, Velcro elements, magnetic elements, joints, rivets, staples, bands, clips etc. With particular reference to Figures 7a to 9b, said support structure 40 comprises a plurality of annular elements 42 linearly stabilised to each other with known fixing means and deformably approachable to each other, in such a way as to define a "bellows" configuration of said support structure 40, said support structure 40 being suitable to be compacted and closed in a pack, as shown in Figure 7c, and to be rolled up in cooperation with said horizontal plane 12. Said known fastening means of said annular elements 42 preferably comprise openings passing through the elements to be joined, in which are preferably disposed snap buttons, but can also comprise stitching, Velcro elements, magnetic elements, joints, rivets, staples, bands, clips etc.

Said horizontal plane 12, having a slab-like shape with a substantially rectangular plan and corresponding in dimensions to said support structure 40, is suitable to roll up on itself, as shown in Figures 7a to 7c, and be locked, so as not to unroll, with known locking means, such as for example Velcro or the like. With particular reference to Figures 3a and 3b, each annular element 42 comprises one or more vertical elements 22, having a slab-like shape with a substantially rectangular plan, with two side surfaces 22', 22" and two flexible end 26, 26'. Said vertical elements 22 are generally stabilised to each other, with known joining means (not shown), in correspondence of said flexible end 26, 26', and define a deformable geometric unit forming the base element of said bellows structure. Said known joining means preferably comprise hot welding, but gluing, stitching, snap buttons, joints, rivets, staples, bands, clips etc., can also be similarly used. With particular reference to Figures 4a and 4b, each annular element 42 linearly stabilised with the other annular elements 42 in correspondence of the surfaces 22' or 22" of said vertical elements 22, further comprises at least one spacer element 28, having a slab-like shape with a substantially rectangular plan, which defines two side surfaces 28',28" and two flexible end 32,32'. Said spacer element 28 is foldable combined and stabilised, with known joining means, and disposed in correspondence of the inner surface of said annular element 42, alongside said vertical elements 22. Said spacer element 28, when disposed in a diametrical position, has a triangular conformation with said flexible ends joined at a vertex with known locking means (not shown), such as for example Velcro, said element 28 being suitable to cooperate with said annular element 42 in order to keep it in the open position with the vertical walls 22 separated from each other.

With reference now to Figures 1 and 2, said horizontal plane 12 is foldably deformable in correspondence of a plurality of transverse grooves 14 defining a plurality of preferential bending lines. Said transverse grooves 14 are linearly and transversely formed on the support surface 12' and on the connection surface 12" of said horizontal plane 12

With .reference now to Figures Sa and 3b, said vertical elements 22 ate fel ably deformable in correspondence of a plurality of transverse grooves 24 defining a plurality of preferential bending lines. Said transverse grooves 24 are linearly and transversely formed on the side surfaces 22',22" of said vertical element 22, With reference now to

plurality of preferential bending lines where said transverse grooves 30 are linearly and transversely formed on said side surfaces 28', 28". On at least one of said flexible ends 32,32' can also be formed -at least one fixing flap 34 foldabk and suitable to cooperate, with the first fixing means 36,36 ^s , generally interlocking grooves or Velero, integrall with the other flexible end.

With reference again to Figures 1 and 2, said horizontal plane 12 comprises a liftable portion 13 defining a backrest 15, foldabiy deformable in correspondence of a transverse groove 14 ^* , and at least, two side tabs 17,17' suitable to be arranged vertically in contact with, said support structure 40, as shown in Figure 12b. Said side tabs 17,17' define two vertical wails delimiting said backrest 5 and are foldablv deformable in correspondence of at least two oblique grooves 18, having preferably an arched development, and defining at least two preferential bending lines, said grooves being obliquely formed on said connection surface 12", in proximity to said liftable portion 13 of said horizontal plane 12. With reference to Figures 1.1. to 15, said liftable portion 13, defining the backrest 15 and the side tabs 17,17', is suitable to cooperate in combination with a table 50 having a slab-like shape with a substantially rectangular plan, disposed between said horizontal plane 12 and said support structure 40 in correspondence of an upper surface 54 and a lower surface 54'. Said table 50 defines a first and a second fixing end 58,58', said ends being foldably deformable in correspondence of a plurality of transverse grooves 56 defining a plurality of preferential bending lines, linearly and transversely formed on said surfaces 54,54', with said flexible second end 58', which further comprises at least two first transverse interlocking grooves 60,60', structurally suitable to cooperate by interlocking with at least two second grooves 80,80' formed on the lower support edge of said side tabs 17,17', as shown in particular in Figure 12a.

With reference to the same figures, said table 50 is stabilised with second fixing means 59 to said structure 40 in correspondence of said first flexible end 58 and said second flexible end 58' is suitable to cooperate, in correspondence of said transverse grooves 60,60', with said side tabs 17,17' of said liftable portion 3 of the horizontal plane 12. Said second fixing means 59, with reference also to Figures 5a and 5b, preferably comprise openings passing through the elements to be joined, in which are preferably disposed snap buttons, but can also comprise stitching, Velcro elements, magnetic elements, joints, rivets, staples, bands, clips etc.

With reference to Figures 12a, 12b, 14a, 15 a and 15b, said backrest 15, said side tabs 17,17' and said table 50 define in cooperation define a housing 100 suitable to be closed by flaps 19,19' and 15', formed on the edge end of said liftable portion 13, as also shown in Figures 1 and 2. Said foldable flaps 19,19' are provided with known removable locking means, preferably of the type of Velcro elements but can also comprise snap buttons, magnetic elements, joints, bands, clips etc.

With reference now to Figures 5a, 5b, 13a, 13b and 14a, said second flexible end 58' of said table 50 and said side tabs 17,17' are advantageously provided with one or more shaped portions 110 and openings 110' formed on its exposed edge of said flexible end 58' and suitable to accommodate stored articles and allow the passage of cables. With particular reference to Figure 8a, in an alternative embodiment, said flexible ends 32,32' of the spacer element 28 can advantageously be provided with elastic actuation elements 27, preferably comprising bands or elastomeric ties, placed in cooperation with said flexible ends 32,32', in such a way to allow them to automatically move into position with the progressive deviation of the side walls 22 of the annular element 42. Said elastic actuation elements 27 can be stabilised, in correspondence of the same flexible end 32,32' of the spacer element 28 with known joining means such as staples, stitching, gluing, etc.

With particular reference now to Figures 1, 2, 6, 7d, 9a and 9b, the said fasteners 70 of said horizontal plane 12 to the support structure 40 comprise a plurality of belts laterally developed and stabilised with known joining means of the type of gluing, stitching, snap buttons, rivets, staples, bands, clips, etc., to said connection surface 12", said belts being provided with known locking and tensioning means, preferably of the type Velcro and the like.

With particular reference to Figure 6, said horizontal plane 12 of the camp bed 10 can be provided with an upholstery 120 disposed on the support surface 12' and stabilised in it, in a removable or fixed manner, with known locking means, for example gluing, Velcro , snap buttons, rivets, staples, bands, clips, etc.

Said upholstery 120 can advantageously be a layer of synthetic or natural material, spongy, absorbent, non-slip and shockproof.

The component elements of the camp bed 10, in particular the horizontal plane 12, the vertical elements 22, the spacer elements 28 and the table 50, are advantageously derived and formed from a single semifinished product preferably formed of sheets or slabs of extruded alveolar material, traditionally of polymeric plastic material of type polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and the like, but also advantageously of recycled material of natural or vegetable origin of type bio-polymers or composite materials of natural or paper fibres.

The camp bed 10, in an alternative embodiment, is provided in correspondence of one end of an inflatable cushion (not shown), stabilised to the support surface by known joining means of type Velcro, gluing, stitching, snap buttons, rivets , staples, bands, clips etc.

From the description of the foldable and transportable camp bed 10 of the invention, one can infer its operation, described below.

With initial reference to Figures 7a to 7d, the foldable and transportable camp bed 10 of this invention can be marketed and distributed completely or partially assembled in the folded configuration and with the horizontal plane 12 wrapped around the packed bearing structure 40. The overall dimensions of the camp bed 10 in the folded position can be chosen in such a way as to be a sub-multiple of standard dimensions used in traditional logistical supports of type pallets, containers, etc., allowing a complete and optimal filling.

The component elements of said camp bed 10, advantageously made and formed from flexible slabs of honeycomb extruded material, are induced to bend preferentially in correspondence with suitably formed grooves on their surfaces following the desired bend lines. Again with reference to the same figures, said plane 12 is unrolled in the extended position with the support surface 12 facing downwards to free the same bearing structure 40. With reference now to Figures 8a to 9b, said bearing structure 40 is freely disposed on one end of the connection surface 12" of said horizontal plane 12 and can be stretched like a "bellows" progressively expanding the annular elements 42, deforming them progressively moving away from each other the central parts of the vertical elements 22. During the stretching, with particular reference to Figure 8a, said structure 40 is increased in length and consequently reduces in width until the length reaches a measure substantially corresponding to the length of the horizontal plane 12. When said vertical structure 40 is extended to a length substantially corresponding to said horizontal plane 12, as shown in Figure 9b, the user locks the same structure 40, preventing the elastic folding of the annular elements 42, by acting on the flexible ends 32,32' of the spacer elements 28 by bending them in correspondence of the grooves 30 until making said ends 32,32' converge with each other to define a triangle and stabilise them to each other by locking the fixing flap 34 on the opposite end through the first fixing means 36,36', as shown in Figure 8b. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 8a, the flexible ends 32,32' of the spacer element 28 are provided with band type elastic elements 27, which can advantageously carry the same flexible ends 32,32' automatically in position and joined at a vertex of a triangle, simply by stretching the support structure 40, without the user's manual intervention.

Once stretched and locked in position on said horizontal plane 12, the support structure 40 can be constrained and made integral to the same plane by the user by means of the belt fasteners 70; the camp bed 10 thus assembled is then turned over and placed for use, as shown in Figure 10. The annular elements 42 of the bearing structure 40, deformable and concatenated with each other, allow it to adapt to non- planar and irregular types of ground, typical of natural environments, beaches etc. Again with reference to Figure 10, the camp bed 10 can be advantageously provided with an upholstery 120, which has the function of spongy and absorbent cloth removably fixed to the horizontal plane 12.

In an alternative embodiment, with reference to Figures 11 to 15b, the camp bed 10 is provided with a liftable portion 13, disposed in the vicinity of one end of the horizontal plane 12. The user raises said liftable portion 13, making it rotate, with respect to the preferential bending line identified by the groove 14' (Figure 1), of an angle with respect to the horizontal plane 12, as represented in Figure 11. Once the liftable portion 13 is raised, the user joins said foldable flaps 19,19', overlapping them in such a way as to simultaneously bend said side tabs 17,17' by about 90° downwards until they lock stably in cooperation with the second fixing end 58' of the table 50, bringing in cooperation the first transverse grooves 60,60' with the second transverse grooves 80,80' of said side flaps 17,17'. With reference to the same figures and in particular to Figure 14a, once the backrest 15 is in position, the table 50 defines on its exposed upper surface 54 a support surface useful for storing various articles, such as glasses, bottles and other containers. With particular reference also to Figures 12a, 12b and 14a to 15b, the backrest 15, side tabs 17,17' and the table 50, delimit an inner compartment 100 useful for storing and keeping various articles as wallets, documents, electronic devices etc., particularly advantageous in the use of the camp bed at campsites or beaches. Said compartment 100 is easily accessible by lifting the whole liftable portion 13 with the backrest 15 and the side tabs 17,17' folded downwards, with said foldable flaps 19,19' locked and overlapped with known locking means, type Velcro the like, in the closed position, said flaps 19,19' possibly functioning as access doors to said compartment 100. With particular reference to Figures 13a and 13b, on the second fixing end 58' of the table 58 and on the side tabs of said horizontal plane 12 are advantageously formed shaped portions 110 and openings 110' useful to support and store eyeglasses and earplugs for electronic equipment and allow the passage of cables even when the latter are placed inside the compartment 100. In a further alternative embodiment, the camp bed 10 can be optionally provided, in proximity of one end of said horizontal plane 12, with an inflatable cushion stabilised to it.

In a further and improved embodiment, with particular reference to Figure 16, each annular element 42 can be realised and comprises a single vertical element 22 defining the deformable ring geometric structure, advantageously folded on itself and generally, but not lirnitingly, having a polygonal shape; said vertical element 22 is also provided with two ends 26 and 26', facing towards the inside of said deformable ring, also defining a spacer element 29 folded substantially in the shape of an M being provided with locking means 29', when said deformable ring structure is open as in Figure 16. Said spacer element 29 can be provided with locking means 29', for example of the interlocking hole type, suitable to lock in place the two ends 26 and 26' of the vertical element 22 with the perimeter portion of said vertical element 22 of the annular element 42, said spacer element 29 being direcdy formed on the same annular element 42.

In all the embodiments, said horizontal plane 12 can also be advantageously edged with a ribbon or edge upholstery (not shown) suitable to protect the part of the perimeter edge of said horizontal plane and prevent scratches or abrasions to the user due to sharp or pointed burrs of the edge.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the advantages achieved by this invention are clear.

The foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is particularly advantageous for the fact of providing users with a camp bed of very light weight such as to be folded into a small volume and elemental form without empty parts inside and thus being easily and conveniently handled and stored.

A further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is due to the fact of having a raised support structure, able to easily adapt to the unevenness of the ground, providing high comfort, even when placed in environments with vegetation or stones, and greater thermal insulation and protection from moisture and dirt.

A further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is that of being easily and quickly usable and assemblable without the use of any special equipment or tools and being hygienic and easily washable.

A further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is that of being completely made of a single semi- finished and fully recyclable material.

A further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is that of being completely printable and advantageously used as an advertising or demonstration medium.

A further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is that of being strong and reliable over time and being easy and economical to manufacture.

A still further advantage of the foldable and transportable camp bed of this invention is that it can be easily disposed and positioned in camping tents of reduced height and size, since it occupies little space thanks to the limited height of the camp bed itself.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to a preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example, many modifications and variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art in light of the above description. Therefore, this invention intends to embrace all the modifications and variants falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.