SLEEPING BAG WITH INSULATED FOOT POCKET

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to sleeping bags, and more particularly to insulated sleeping bags.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A warm sleeping bag is essential to any camping or backpacking trip, especially in cold weather. To this end, many sleeping bags have been produced with lightweight and warm insulation. One problem with such sleeping bags is that, although they are generally warm, because they have fixed weights of insulation distributed evenly throughout them, there can be areas of a person's body, 'cool spots', that remain cool or cold while other body parts are warm. For example, the area surrounding the feet may be such a cool spot.

[0003] Therefore, a sleeping bag that provides additional thermal insulation at a designated area is needed.

SUMMARY

[0004] The invention overcomes the identified limitations and provides a sleeping bag with added thermal insulation at a designated area.

[0005] An exemplary embodiment of a sleeping bag includes a sleeping bag body configured to envelope a person lying within the sleeping bag body, and a section of thermal fleece material attached to the inside surface of the sleeping bag body at a designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the designated area. [0006] In one aspect of the invention, the designated area includes a foot area. In another aspect of the invention, the thermal fleece material is soft to touch. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a pillow coupled to the sleeping bag body configured to provide cushioning to the sleeping bag user's head. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a draft tube attached around a portion of the perimeter of the sleeping bag body, configured to prevent unwanted airflow into the sleeping bag. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a dry loop coupled to the sleeping bag body configured to

hang the sleeping bag for drying. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag body is configured to couple to another sleeping bag body to form a larger sleeping bag. In another aspect of the invention, the larger sleeping bag is configured to sleep two people. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a zipper configured to couple the sleeping bag body to the another sleeping bag body.

[0007] In another embodiment, a compound sleeping bag includes a first sleeping bag and a second sleeping bag. The first sleeping bag includes a first sleeping bag body configured to provide a bottom to the compound sleeping bag, and a first section of thermal fleece material attached to the inside surface of the first sleeping bag body at a first designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the first designated area. The second sleeping bag includes a second sleeping bag body configured to provide a top to the compound sleeping bag, and a second section of thermal fleece material attached to the inside surface of the second sleeping bag body at a second designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the second designated area. The first sleeping bag is configured to couple to the second sleeping bag to form the compound sleeping bag. In one aspect, the compound sleeping bag includes a draft tube attached around a portion of the perimeter of at least one of the sleeping bag bodies, configured to prevent unwanted airflow into the compound sleeping bag.

[0008] Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide added thermal insulation to a sleeping bag, as well as added comfort to a sleeping bag user, at a designated area of the sleeping bag.

DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: [0010] Fig. IA is a top view showing a compound sleeping bag formed by coupling two sleeping bags, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0011] Fig. IB is a top view showing the two sleeping bags, separated from one another in an open configuration, having sections of thermal fleece material at the foot areas, according to an embodiment of the invention; and [0012] Fig. 1C is a top view showing the two sleeping bags, separated from one another in

a closed configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detailed description of the invention. Variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, the invention is described with reference to thermal fleece material in a foot area, but the invention may also apply to thermal fleece material used in other areas of the sleeping bag, such as a chest area or mid-section area.

[0014] Fig. IA is a top view showing a compound sleeping bag 100 formed by coupling two sleeping bags 225 and 250, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, the compound sleeping bag 100 includes a first sleeping bag 225 and a second sleeping bag 250. The first sleeping bag 225 includes a first sleeping bag body 125 configured to provide a bottom to the compound sleeping bag 100, and a first section of thermal fleece material 160 attached to the inside surface of the first sleeping bag body 125 at a first designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the first designated area. The second sleeping bag 250 includes a second sleeping bag body 150 configured to provide a top to the compound sleeping bag 100, and a second section of thermal fleece material 160 attached to the inside surface of the second sleeping bag body 150 at a second designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the second designated area. The first sleeping bag 225 is configured to couple to the second sleeping bag 250 to form the compound sleeping bag 100.

[0015] In the embodiment described with reference to Fig. IA, the compound sleeping bag 100 also includes an optional set of pillows 115 coupled to the first sleeping bag body 125, configured to provide cushioning to the sleeping bag user's head. The sleeping bag may include zero, one, or two pillows 115. In the embodiment, the compound sleeping bag 100 also includes a zipper 122 configured to couple the first sleeping bag body to the second sleeping bag body. The compound sleeping bag 100 may also include a zipper stop comprising rough VELCRO™ portions 135 and soft VELCRO™ portions 141. In one aspect, the compound sleeping bag 100 is configured to sleep two people (a "queen" bag). [0016] Fig. IB is a top view showing the two sleeping bags 225 and 250, separated from

one another in an open configuration, having the sections of thermal fleece material 160 at the foot areas, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, each sleeping bag 225 and 250 includes the sleeping bag body 125 and 150, respectively, configured to envelope a person lying within the sleeping bag body, and a section of thermal fleece material 160 attached to the inside surface of the sleeping bag body at a designated area, configured to provide additional warmth to a sleeping bag user at the designated area.

[0017] In the embodiment, the designated area comprises a foot area. However, the section of thermal fleece material 160 may also be attached to other areas of the sleeping bag, such as a chest area or mid-section area. In one aspect, the thermal fleece material is soft to touch, making it more comfortable for the sleeping bag user's feet or other exposed body parts. [0018] In one aspect, the sleeping bag also includes a draft tube 143 attached around a portion of the perimeter of the sleeping bag body, configured to prevent unwanted airflow into the sleeping bag. In another aspect, the sleeping bag also includes a dry loop 116, coupled to the sleeping bag, configured to hang the sleeping bag for drying. In yet another aspect, the sleeping bag includes a band 118, made of elastic or other material, coupled to the sleeping bag configured to secure the sleeping bag in a rolled configuration.

[0019] Fig. 1C is a top view showing the two sleeping bags 225 and 250, separated from one another in a closed configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. That is, Fig. 1C shows the sleeping bags in a 'zipped-up' configuration, as would typically be done for an individual sleeping bag user.

[0020] It shall be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the techniques described herein may apply to individual sleeping bags (such as the first sleeping bag 225 and the second sleeping bag 250), or to compound sleeping bags (such as the compound sleeping bag 100), which include two or more individual sleeping bags. The generic term 'sleeping bag' is used herein to refer to individual sleeping bags and compound sleeping bags. [0021] Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide added thermal insulation to a sleeping bag, as well as added comfort to a sleeping bag user, at a designated area of the sleeping bag.

[0022] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode, modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the subject and

spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.