TENT WITH MATTRESS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to tents, and more particularly, it relates to a tent with an integral mattress.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Camping has become increasingly popular as a social and family activity.

However, one of the main challenges with camping is providing an appropriate shelter that offers a good balance between protection from the elements, portability, comfort, and adequate storage space for other equipment, gear, or personal effects.

Ongoing advances and developments to improve the practicality and livability of tents continue to progress. Many of such advances have focused on new materials to reduce tent weight for improved ease of carrying and on structural improvements to simplify tent assembly and disassembly. However, the problems that continue to plague campers are availability of useable space and comfort level without having to sacrifice the other improvements made to currently available tents.

Unfortunately, tents currently available are not designed to efficiently use the already limited useable floor space or to maximize either the versatility or the comfort of persons sleeping in the tent. For example, the mattresses, pads and sleeping bags currently available are not designed to make maximum use of the available floor space in tents. Such conventional sleeping gear essentially covers the majority of the floor space of a tent and requires reasonable effort to fold, remove, store, or otherwise manipulate in order to clear the floor space. The task therefore becomes an annoying routine morning chore for the duration of the camping experience. If users elect not to clear their sleeping gear in the morning, another problem arises in relation to known mattress and/or pad

arrangements for tents, especially of the inflatable variety. Such mattress and/or pads are exposed to damage by people stepping thereon when entering the tent throughout the day.

Improvements on tent livability have focused mainly on providing ideal sleeping means without regard to and even at the detriment of preserving useable floor space for storage or living purposes. For example, United States Patent Application No.

10/012,234 filed on December 11, 2001 by Cornist discloses a detachable mattress tent.

An air mattress is secured to the inner base portion of the tent by snaps. However, the detachable mattress virtually covers the entire floor space of the tent and fails to provide user with any useable floor space to stand, walk, or stow any other camping related gear.

United States Patent No. 6,167,898 issued on January 2, 2001 to Larga et al. describes a tent with integral air mattress. At least one inflatable air mattress is attached to the top of the bottom layer of the base of the tent. A portion of the bottom layer of the base of the tent adjacent the door of the tent is exposed, forming a flat area. The size of the mattress is necessarily compromised to a smaller size (compared to a similarly sized tent having a mattress that typically covers virtually the entire floor space) in order to provide room for such flat area in the tent. To accommodate a larger sized mattress, a larger tent would be required to provide for more space for the larger air mattress, thereby compromising weight and portability.

United States Patent No. 585,834 granted July 6, 1867 to Ruth discloses an expansible and collapsible air tight mattress. However, the patent does not contemplate integrating such mattress with a tent or teach or suggest the advantageous and novel function of providing for useful floor space in a tent.

None of the aforementioned patents disclose a new tent with an integral inflatably deflatable mattress. In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. While numerous other attempts at improved tents have been made, none provide for comfortable sleeping arrangements and useable floor space. A need for an improved tent therefore exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tent that is comfortable to sleep in, remains portable, and provides sufficient useable floor space for living and storing gear and equipment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tent with a mattress that may be conveniently inflated for use and deflated when not in use.

hi accordance with the invention, a tent having an integral mattress is provided, the tent comprising a base, a support frame extending upward from the base, a shell attachable to the base and the support frame, and a collapsible inflatable mattress attached to the base wherein when the inflatable mattress is collapsed, the mattress may be secured to the base by way of fasteners so as to form a part of the base.

According to another aspect of the invention, a mattress insert that may be incorporated in virtually any existing tent is provided, the insert comprising a collapsible inflatable mattress securable to the base of the existing tent wherein when the inflatable mattress is collapsed, the mattress may be secured to the base of the existing tent by way of fasteners so as to form a part of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects or advantages of the invention will be apparent after reviewing the drawings and description there of wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent with mattress according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mattress of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the mattress;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mattress;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tent with mattress of FIG.l wherein the mattress is deflated; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tent with a first and a second mattress wherein the first mattress is inflated and the second mattress is deflated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a tent 1 with mattress 50 comprises a base 10 having mattress 50 thereon, a support frame 20 extending upwardly from base 10, and a shell 30 attachable to base 10 and support frame 20 to form a conventional tent.

Base 10 may ¹ be made of any durable and water resistant material such nylon, polyester, rubber or any like material known and currently used in the art to construct tents or the base of tents. Base 10 comprises a bottom surface 12 which may rest directly upon the ground or a material such as a tarp placed on the ground and may be constructed so as to provide cushioning and insulation as well as protection from the elements. In an embodiment of the invention, bottom surface 12 of base 10 includes an insulation layer, such as a layer of air or a layer of insulating material configured to trap air in the fibers of the material so as to retain heat inside the tent by minimizing the transfer of heat energy by reducing conduction. Furthermore, bottom surface 12 may be suitably textured to prevent slippage when base 10 rests on the ground or material and to permit water and air to pass between bottom surface 12 and the ground.

Base 10 also comprises a top surface 15 opposing bottom surface 12. As seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, at least one mattress 50 may be attached with top surface 15 or formed from top surface 15. In an embodiment of the invention, an insulation layer such as a

layer of insulating material is positionable between top surface 15 and mattress 50. The insulation layer may be configured to reduce or minimize the transfer of heat energy by reducing conduction from the ground to mattress 50. Preferably, mattress 50 is an inflatable mattress attached with top surface 15 by any known attachment means such as bonding, stitching or adhesive means. Inflatable mattress 50 is defined by an inflatable hollow interior and may be made of any durable and flexible material capable of holding air such as rubber, PVC, vinyl, or any other like material known in the art and presently used to manufacture inflatable devices.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, in an embodiment of the invention, inflatable mattress 50 comprises a generally rectangular top 52, a corresponding generally rectangular bottom 54 opposing top 52, a first end 56a and a corresponding second end 56b opposing first end 56a, and a first side 58a and a corresponding second side 58b opposing first side 58a so as to define an enclosed chamber typical of a conventional inflatable mattress. Top 52, bottom 54, first and second ends 56a, 56b, and first and second sides 58a, 58b may be secured together along the edges so as to form a box-like structure having first and second end 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b at approximately right angles to top 52 and bottom 54 when mattress 50 is inflated.

Bottom 54 may be attached with top surface 15 of base 10 such that top surface

15 forms a part of bottom 54 of mattress 50 and bottom 54 forms a part of base 10 of tent 1. Bottom 54 may be fixedly attached with top surface 15 by way of any known attachment means, such as but not limited to using an adhesive or stitching. Alternatively, bottom 54 may be removably attached with top surface 15 by way of known detachable attachment means such as but not limited to snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners. In the further alternative and preferably, the insulating layer may be positionable between bottom 54 and top surface 15 of base 10. The insulating layer may be attached with top surface 15 of base 10 on a first side and attached with bottom 54 on a second side. Alternatively, the insulating layer may be formed from top surface 15 or bottom 54.

Top 52 comprises an extension 60 extending from the edge 55 of top 52. Extension 60 comprises a male or female member of a fastening means such as a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, slide fastener, or button. Alternatively, extension 60 may comprise of a male or female member of a combination of such fastening means. Preferably, extension 60 comprises a male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener extending from edge 55. Male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener may be attached directly with edge 55 to form extension 60. Alternatively, male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener may be secured to any type of material and the material secured with edge 55 such that the material and male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener forms at extension 60. hi a preferred embodiment of the invention, extension 60 comprises male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener secured to a first side of a durable and water resistant material, such as the same material as base 10, so as to enable male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener to mate with a corresponding female member 65b of a hook and loop fastener secured to base 10 such that male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener may mate with female member 65b of a hook and loop fastener to secure top 52 to base 10 when mattress 50 is deflated, as explained in greater detail below.

Ln a preferred embodiment of the invention and without intending to be limiting, extension 60 extends between half an inch to one inch from edge 55. Extension 60 may extend from edge 55 and surround the entire perimeter of top 52 as seen in Figs. 1 to 3. Alternatively, a plurality of individual extensions 60 of a predetermined size may extend from edge 55 at regular intervals around the perimeter of top 52. For example, and without intending to be limiting, an individual extension extending between three to five inches along edge 55 may extend from edge 55 every two inches around the entire perimeter of top 52. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, extension 60 extends from edge 55 and surrounds the entire perimeter of top 52 such that the entire perimeter of top 52 may be completely secured to base 10 when male member 65a of a hook and loop fastener mates with female member 65b of hook and loop fastener on base 10.

Top 52 may be covered with a protective layer made of a durable and water resistant material such as the material used for base 10 or any like material known and

currently used in the art to construct tents. Preferably, top 52 is made of the same durable material as base 10 such that when mattress 50 is collapsed and secured to base 10, a user may walk on top 52 as if it is a part of base 10. Top 52 may also include an insulation layer between top 52 and the protective layer, such as a layer of air or a layer of insulating material configured to trap air in the fibers of the material so as to retain heat by minimizing the transfer of heat energy by reducing conduction of cold air from mattress 50 to the user when mattress 50 is inflated for use. In addition to or in place of the insulation layer, top 52 may also include a comfort layer such as a layer of foam or any known cushioning material for added comfort.

To permit and effect collapsibility of mattress 50 to secure to base 10, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b are creased or bent longitudinally to form a crease 80a on first and second ends 56a, 56b and a crease 80b on first and second sides 58a, 58b as seen in Fig. 2. For greater clarity, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b are creased on lines parallel to edge 55 of top 52 to form crease 80a and crease 80b, respectively. When mattress 50 is inflated, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b each present a generally unbroken surface. When mattress 50 is deflated, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b each collapse or fold inwards in a depressed fold along crease 80a, 80b respectively in a closely adjacent fold, in a manner generally like an accordion, thus enabling top 52 to virtually rest on bottom 54 such that top 52 is generally flush or level with base 10. For greater clarity, when mattress 50 is deflated, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b each collapse or fold along crease 80a, 80b respectively in a closely adjacent fold such that a first side a engages a second side b.

In an embodiment of the invention as seen in Fig. 3, to collapse each of the four corners 59 of mattress 50 such that the upper edge 59a of corner 59 is in close proximity with the lower edge 59b of corner 59, an end fold 82 may be formed at each corner 59 of first and second ends 56a, 56b wherein the depressed inward fold along crease 80b causes end fold 82 to project inwardly towards crease 80a on first and second ends 56a, 56b.

Alternatively, end fold 82 may be formed at each comer 59 of first and second sides 58a, 58b wherein the depressed inward fold along crease 80a causes end fold 82 to project inwardly towards crease 80b on first and second sides 58a, 58b. When mattress 50 is completely deflated, top 52 virtually becomes a part of base 10. Preferably, top 52 is secured to base 10 when mattress 50 is deflated by mating male member 65a with female member 65b. Advantageously, top 52 forms a part of base 10 and provides a generally flat floor area of tent 1 which may be walked on, used for placement or stowage of camping gear, equipment or any camping related items, used as a generally flat surface for setting up, for example, a chair and/or table for any conventional use, or for any other purposes such floor space would be needed for. Unlike any of the prior art, the present invention provides users with storage and or living space within tent 1 when mattress 50 is not required for sleeping.

To ensure mattress 50 is firmly secured to base 10, in an embodiment of the invention, a male and a female fastening means such as a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, slide fastener or button may be secured to first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b. For greater clarity, and without intending to be limiting, a male fastening means 96, such as a male member of a hook and loop fastener, may be secured with a first side a of each of first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b above crease 80. A corresponding female fastening means 98, such as a female member of a hook and loop fastener, may be secured with a second side b of each of first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b below crease 80 such that when mattress 50 is deflated and when first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b collapse or fold inwards toward the centre of mattress 50 along crease 80 in a closely adjacent fold, male fastening means 96 and female fastening means 98 secured to each of first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b mate such that deflated mattress 50 may be firmly secured together to assist in securing deflated mattress 50 in the collapsed position to base 10. In addition to top 52 being secured to base 10 when mattress 50 is deflated by mating male member 65a with female member 65b, male fastening means 96 and female fastening means 98 also mate to secure deflated mattress 50 to base 10 so as to reduce or eliminate the risk of mattress 50

unfastening or disengaging due to movement when users walk on, drag equipment and other belongings across, or otherwise create movement when using the floor space created by fastening deflated mattress 50 to base 10. Mattress 50 further comprises an air inlet valve of conventional configuration in communication with hollow the interior of mattress 50 to permit air to enter the hollow interior to inflate mattress 50. An air outlet valve of conventional configuration in communication with the hollow interior is also provided to permit air to exit the hollow interior to deflate mattress 50. Other known inflation/deflation systems such as are presently found in and used to inflate/deflate air mattresses may be incorporated into mattress 50 to facilitate the inflation and deflation of mattress 50.

Alternatively, mattress 50 maybe adapted or modified for use in virtually any existing tent. In an embodiment of the invention, as seen in Fig. 4, modified mattress 150 is constructed essentially the same as mattress 50. Modified mattress 150 comprises a generally rectangular top 152, a corresponding generally rectangular bottom 154 opposing top 152, a first end 156a and a corresponding second end 156b opposing first end 156a, and a first side 158a and a corresponding second side 158b opposing first side 158a so as to define an enclosed chamber typical of a conventional inflatable mattress. Top 152, bottom 154, first and second ends 156a, 156b, and first and second sides 158a, 158b may be secured together along the edges so as to form a box-like structure having first and second end 156a, 156b and first and second sides 158a, 158b at approximately right angles to top 152 and bottom 154 when mattress 150 is inflated.

Bottom 154 may be attached with the top surface of the base of the existing tent. Bottom 154 may be fixedly attached with the top surface of the base of the existing tent by way of any suitable attachment means, such as but not limited to using an adhesive.

Alternatively, bottom 154 may be removably attached with the top surface of the base of the existing tent by way of known suitable detachable attachment means such as but not limited to snap fasteners or hook and loop fasteners.

Top 152 comprises an extension 160 extending from the edge 155 of top 152. Extension 160 is the same in construction as extension 60 discussed above and comprises of a male member 165 a of a hook and loop fastener. In an embodiment of the invention, bottom 154 comprises a second extension 130 extending from the bottom edge 120 of bottom 154. Second extension 130 corresponds to extension 160 and comprises a female member 165b of a hook and loop fastener. When modified mattress 150 deflates in the same manner as mattress 50, male member 165a of a hook and loop fastener mates with female member 165b of a hook and loop fastener of second extension 130 to secure modified mattress 150 together and to the base of the existing tent as modified mattress 150 is already secured to the top surface of the base of the existing tent. In an alternative embodiment, extension 130 may be secured with the top surface of the base of the existing tent in a manner that corresponds with extension 160 such that male member 165a of a hook and loop fastener mates with female member 165b of a hook and loop fastener such that deflated modified mattress 150 secures directly onto the base of the existing tent.

Operation

When mattress 50 is required for sleeping, an air device known in the art may be attached to an air inlet valve to inflate mattress 50. As discussed, a self-inflating mattress is also considered and within the scope of the present invention. Male member 65a and female member 65b and male fastening means 96 and female fastening means 98 may be detached such that the hollow interior of mattress 50 may fill with air. The outlet valve may be used to reduce the amount of air within mattress 50 to adjust for comfort.

When mattress 50 is not required, mattress 50 may be deflated through the outlet valve. As mattress 50 deflates, first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b fold inward along crease 80 such that first side a of each of first and second ends 56a, 56b and first and second sides 58a, 58b lie in a closely adjacent fold to second side b. In the embodiment where male fastening means 96 and female fastening means 98 are secured to first side a and second side b of each of first and second ends 56a, 56b

and first and second sides 58a, 58b, male fastening means 96 and female fastening means 98 mate to secure deflated mattress 50 together. When completely deflated, the inner surface of top 52 that forms the upper wall of the hollow interior of mattress rests on inner surface of bottom 54 that forms the lower wall of the hollow interior of mattress 50. Extensions 60 having male member 65a may then mate with corresponding female member 65b attached to base 10 around the perimeter of bottom 54. When male member 65a mates with corresponding female member 65b, top 52 becomes a part of base 10 to provide a generally smooth and flat floor area. Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a relatively flat smooth floor surface within tent 1 when mattress 50 is not in use and deflated such that users may safely walk on top 52 without damaging mattress 50 or tripping over excess bulk or material of deflated mattress 50. When mattress 50 is required, top 52 may be easily and quickly cleaned for inflation for use.

When mattress 50 is in its collapsed state and secured to based 10 by way of male member and corresponding female member 65b, crease 80 is generally cured such that when mattress is deflated from its inflated state, mattress 50 will have a normal tendency to fold and close together along crease 80 and collapse flat onto bottom 54 such that top

52 forms a part of base 10 when air is permitted to escape. The collapsing or folding of mattress 50 is virtually automatic as crease 80 has a natural tendency to assume a folded condition and will remain in such position until forced apart by air entering the hollow interior of mattress 50 through the air inlet valve.

Additional mattresses of similar construction may be attached to base 10 and similarly inflated and deflated and secured to base 10 so as to increase the sleeping capacity of tent 1. Not all mattresses need to be inflated or deflated at the same time. For example, mattress 50 may remain inflated while a second mattress 50b may be deflated and secured to base 10 such that one user may sleep on mattress 50 while a second user may use the floor space made available through top 52b of deflated second mattress 50b to set up a table and chairs to play a game.

Mattress 50 may be manufactured in virtually any conventional mattress size such as doubles, singles, a combination of both, or made to custom fit. Base 10 with mattress 50 may be made to custom fit virtually any tent. When ready to pack up tent 1, mattress 50 maybe deflated and attached to based 10 and tent 1 may be folded up or otherwise packed up with the mattress 50 inside, eliminating the need to pack separate sleeping gear and therefore eliminating the possibility of forgetting such gear at home. Mattress 50 also eliminates the need for storage space at home for separate sleeping gear and frees up space in a vehicle normally taken up by such gear while traveling.

The foregoing description is made for purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it should be clear that the present invention may be embodied in other forms other than those disclosed above without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The above described embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive.