STRAPS ADJUSTABLE SLEEPING BAG

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the present invention relates to sleeping bags and in particular to a top cover for a sleeping bag and a sleeping bag comprising such a top cover.BACKGROUND

[0002] A variety of conventional sleeping bags exist, including rectangular sleeping bags, semi-rectangular sleeping bags, and mummy-type sleeping bags. Larger bags are more comfortable and allow more freedom of movement, but smaller bags are more thermally efficient due to a smaller interior volume that must be heated by the user's body heat. A user is therefore forced to compromise, or to acquire multiple different bags suitable for different temperature conditions; a given conventional sleeping bag cannot be readily adapted to even a moderate range of temperature conditions. Even if a larger bag is suitable for the temperature conditions, a sleeping bag is still more restrictive and less comfortable than traditional bedding, and does not readily accommodate a full range of different sleeping positions.

[0003] A sleeping bag is typically used in conjunction with a sleeping pad. Movement of the user while sleeping can result in the user in the sleeping bag rolling or sliding off of the sleeping pad. The sleeping pad typically provides at least some degree of thermal insulation under the sleeper, which is well, because the compressible insulation of the sleeping bag loses its thermally insulating properties when compressed by the weight of the user. The weight of the sleeping bag insulation that ends up beneath the user is effectively dead weight. Document US5321862A discloses a top cover according to the preamble of claim 1.SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention is set out in the appended claims.

[0005] Objects and advantages pertaining to sleeping bags may become apparent upon referring to the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the following written description or appended claims.

[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figs. 1A, 1 B, and 1C are schematic top views of examples of a sleeping pad, a bottom sheet, and a top cover, respectively. An inventive sleeping bag includes a bottom sheet and a top cover; a sleeping pad can be included as well, or provided separately. Fig. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the example bottom sheet on the example sleeping pad. Fig. 3 is a schematic bottom view of the inventive top cover. Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic top views of an example of an inventive sleeping bag. Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic top views of other examples of a sleeping pad and a bottom sheet. Fig. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the other example bottom sheet on the other example sleeping pad. Figs 9A and 9B illustrate schematically a user occupying an example of an inventive sleeping bag while lying on his or her back with the top cover in expanded and wrapped configurations, respectively. Figs 10A and 10B illustrate schematically a user occupying an example of an inventive sleeping bag while lying on his or her side with the top cover in expanded and wrapped configurations, respectively.

[0008] The embodiments depicted are shown only schematically; all features may not be shown in full detail or in proper proportion, certain features or structures may be exaggerated relative to others for clarity, and the drawings should not be regarded as being to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, the terms top, bottom, up, down, above, below, and so forth are defined relative to a generally horizontal surface (e.g., the ground) on which a sleeping pad 100 and the inventive sleeping bag are positioned for a user to occupy the sleeping bag. For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, the terms "headward" and "footward" designate opposite longitudinal directions along the length of the inventive sleeping bag or its components, with headward indicating the direction toward which the head of a user occupying the sleeping bag typically would be positioned, and footward indicating the opposite direction, toward which the feet of the user occupying the sleeping bag typically would be positioned. For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, "transverse" indicates directions generally horizontal and generally orthogonal to the headward / footward directions. For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, "lateral" indicates a position along a structure or object that is located farther transversely from a longitudinal midline of the sleeping bag, while "medial" indicates a position along the structure or object that is located closer transversely to the longitudinal midline of the sleeping bag. For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims, movement or conversion "between" a first configuration or arrangement and a second configuration or arrangement includes both (i) movement or conversion from the first configuration or arrangement to the second configuration or arrangement and (ii) movement or conversion from the second configuration or arrangement to the first configuration or arrangement.

[0010] An example of an inventive sleeping bag is shown in Figs. 1B and 1C and comprises a top cover 300 and a bottom sheet 200; an inventive sleeping bag can further include a sleeping pad 100 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 1A), or a sleeping pad can be provided separately. In U.S. App. No. 62 / 444,228 cited above, the top cover 300 is referred to as a quilt or comforter, and the bottom sheet 200 is referred to simply as a sheet. The top cover 300 can be arranged to act as a thermal insulator or can include any suitable or desired insulating material. The bottom sheet 200 is structurally arranged so as to be secured to the sleeping pad 100, and includes a sheet portion 201 and a pair of flexible opposing lateral flaps 220, which are each connected along their corresponding medial edges 223 to the sheet portion 201. In U.S. App. No. 62 / 444,228, the sleeping pad 100 is also referred to as a mattress, and the lateral flaps 220 are referred to as hinges or hinge elements. With the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100 (e.g., as in Figs. 2 and 8), the lateral flaps 220 are positioned along corresponding opposite lateral edges of the sleeping pad 100. Attachment "along" a lateral edge of the sleeping pad 100 can denote attachment directly on the lateral edge (e.g., as in Figs. 7 and 8), or attachment generally paralleling the lateral edge but displaced only slightly medially (e.g., as in Figs. 1B and 5). "Generally paralleling" can include deviation up to, e.g., about 5° or about 10° from parallel to the lateral edge; displaced "slightly medially" can include medial displacement from the lateral edge of up to, e.g., about 1 inch, about 5.08 cm (2 inches), about 7.62 cm (3 inches), or about 12.7 cm (5 inches). Attachment can be by sewing, adhering, thermal or ultrasonic bonding or welding, or any other suitable attachment method. Suitable materials for forming the lateral flaps 220 can include one or more of stretchable materials, non-stretchable materials, thermally insulating materials, or non-insulating materials. In some examples, the lateral flaps 220 and the sheet portion 201 can comprise the same one or more materials. In the inventive sleeping bag, the transverse distance along each lateral flap 220 between its medial and lateral edges 223 and 225 (i.e., the flap width) is greater than or about equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches), and can be greater than or about equal to 5 inches, greater than or about equal to 15.24 cm (6 inches), greater than or about equal to 17.78 cm (7 inches), greater than or about equal to 22.86 cm (9 inches), greater than or about equal to 27.94 cm (11 inches), or even larger. In some examples the flap width is substantially constant along the length of the lateral flap 220 (i.e., the flap length); in other examples the flap width can vary along the flap length, e.g., monotonically increasing or decreasing with increasing footward distance along the flap length, or exhibiting some more complicated width variation along the flap length. A given flap width variation (or lack thereof) can be selected to provide desired fit characteristics for the inventive sleeping bag.

[0011] The top cover 300 and the pair of lateral flaps 220 are structurally arranged so as to enable attachment, detachment, and reattachment of each lateral flap 220 along its corresponding lateral edge 225 to the outer surface 301 of the top cover 300. The lateral edge 225 of each lateral flap 220 is attached to the top cover 300 along a corresponding curved or linear attachment path 335 along the outer surface 301 of the top cover 300. The outer surface 301 is the surface of the top cover 300 that faces generally away from a user occupying the sleeping bag, while the inner surface 302 is the surface of the top cover 301 that faces generally toward the user occupying the sleeping bag. Each attachment path 335 is displaced medially from a corresponding lateral edge 303 of the top cover 300. The medial displacement of the attachment paths 335 in the inventive sleeping bag is greater than or about equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches), and can be greater than or about equal to 12.7 cm (5 inches), greater than or about equal to 15.24 cm (6 inches), greater than or about equal to 17.78 cm (7 inches), greater than or about equal to 22.86 (9 inches), greater than or about equal to 27.94 cm (11 inches), or even larger.

[0012] Such large medial displacements of the attachment paths 335 from the lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300 are substantially larger than a displacement resulting from use of a typical zipper baffle such as might be employed with an edge zipper (e.g., typically less than about 5.08 or 7.62 cm (2 or 3 inches) of displacement of the edge zipper from a corresponding edge; an example of a typical zipper baffle is shown on the lower right edge 345 of the top cover 300 in Fig. 1C).

[0013] The relatively large medial displacement (e.g., greater than or about equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches) or more, as noted above) of the attachment paths 335 from the corresponding lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300, and the transverse distance across each lateral flap 220 (e.g., flap width greater than or about equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches) or more, as noted above), enable the inventive sleeping bag (with the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100, and with the lateral flaps 220 attached to the top cover 300 along the attachment paths 335) to assume different arrangements according to the desires of a user occupying the sleeping bag, and to be converted between those different arrangements while the user occupies the sleeping bag. A headward portion the top cover 300 (i.e., that portion extending in a headward direction from footward ends of the attachment paths 335 and the attached lateral flaps 220) can assume both wrapped and expanded configurations, and can be converted between those configurations while the user occupies the sleeping bag.

[0014] Figs. 9A / 9B and 10A / 10B are schematic views in a footward direction from the headward end of the inventive sleeping bag occupied by a user having a head 99a and torso 99b; in Figs. 9A / 9B the user lies on his or her back, while in Figs. 10A / 10B the user lies on his or her side. In the wrapped configuration (e.g., as in Figs. 5, 9B, and 10B; also referred to as the reduced-girth configuration), the headward portion of the top cover 300 is arranged with portions of the top cover outer surface 301, that are disposed laterally relative to the attachment paths 335, turned under and positioned against the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200; those lateral, headward portions of the top cover 300 can extend beneath a portion of the torso 99b of the user occupying the sleeping bag, and can even overlap one another if wrapped sufficiently tightly. The wrapped configuration might be desirable for a user having a petite or slight build, or to reduce or minimize the interior volume of the sleeping bag to keep the user warmer in colder conditions. In the expanded configuration (as in Figs. 4, 9A, and 10A; also referred to as increased-girth configuration), each one of the lateral flaps 220, and laterally disposed portions of the top cover 300, extend upward or laterally away from the corresponding lateral edges of the sleeping pad 100. In some examples, little or none of those lateral, headward portions of the top cover 300 remains in contact with the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200. In some other examples, some lateral, headward portions of the top cover 300 can remain in contact with the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 (albeit substantially less than in the wrapped arrangement). The expanded configuration might be desirable for a user having a bulkier build, or to increase or maximize the interior volume of the sleeping bag to adapt to warmer conditions or to allow more freedom of movement or more comfortable sleep for the user occupying the sleeping bag (e.g., on the user's back as in Figs. 9A / 9B or on the user's side as in Figs. 10A / 10B). In many examples, distance along the top cover 301 from each attachment path 335 to the corresponding lateral edge 303 of the top cover 300 typically is greater than, or at least about equal to, distance along each lateral flap 220 from its medial edge to its lateral edge 225. Those relative distances result in the headward portion of the top cover 300 reaching the sleeping pad 100 and the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 even when in the expanded configuration, so that the user can be completely encircled by a combination of the headward portion of the top cover 300 and the sheet portion 201 and sleeping pad 100, if desired, thereby maintaining thermal integrity of the sleeping bag.

[0015] By enabling conversion between wrapped and expanded configurations, the inventive sleeping bag provides the new and useful result that the sleeping bag can be used comfortably by users of various different builds (e.g., with the headward portion of the top cover 300 in the wrapped configuration for a user with a slender build, or in the expanded configuration for a user with a stout build) or under different temperature conditions (e.g., with the headward portion of the top cover 300 in the wrapped configuration for colder conditions, or in the expanded configuration for warmer conditions or to provide more freedom of movement for the user). A single inventive sleeping bag can take the place of multiple different conventional sleeping bags that are each suitable for only a relatively narrow range of temperature conditions. Conventional sleeping bags of multiple different sizes for accommodating users of different sizes can be replaced by inventive sleeping bags of relatively fewer different sizes, or even only a single size (so-called one-size-fits-all or one-size-fits-most scenarios). Weight can also be reduced relative to a conventional sleeping bag, because a portion of thermally insulating material that would necessarily end up underneath the user in a conventional sleeping bag can be omitted from the inventive sleeping bag, while still providing increased freedom of movement with the top cover in its expanded configuration. The attachment of the top cover 300 to the lateral flaps 220 also serves to prevent, in most instances, the user from sliding or rolling off of the sleeping pad 100; the lateral flaps 220 obstruct such movements of the user.

[0016] The sleeping pad 100 can be of any suitable type or arrangement, including but not limited to a foam pad or an inflatable pad. Typical widths include widths from about 50.8 cm (20 inches) to about 76.2 cm (30 inches); other suitable widths can be employed outside of that range. Typical lengths includes lengths from about 91.44 cm (36 inches) to about 203.2 cm (80 inches), typically from about 152.4 cm (60 inches) to about 203.2 cm (80 inches) for adults; other lengths outside those ranges can be employed. The sleeping pad 100 can act as a thermal insulator or can include any suitable or desired thermally insulating material. The sleeping pad can be roughly rectangular (e.g., as in Fig. 6), or can have a mummy-like shape (i.e., similar to the shape of a conventional mummy-type sleeping bag; e.g., as in Fig. 1A), or can have any other suitable or desired shape. The sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 is suitably sized and shaped according to the size and shape of the sleeping pad 100 with which it is intended to be used. Typically, the bottom sheet 200 and the sleeping pad 100 are separate articles. In that case the sleeping pad 100 can be one article of a set that also includes the bottom sheet 200 and the top cover 300 of an inventive sleeping bag, or can be an item that is acquired by a user separately from acquiring the inventive sleeping bag. In some other examples, however, the bottom sheet 200 and the sleeping pad 100 can be integrally formed (i.e., the sheet portion 201 forms a surface of the sleeping pad 100, so that the lateral flaps 220 are attached directly to the sleeping pad 100). In that instance, the sleeping pad 100 is necessarily acquired by the user as a part of the inventive sleeping bag.

[0017] In examples wherein the sleeping pad 100 and the bottom sheet 200 are separate articles, the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 can be arranged so as to be secured to the sleeping pad 100 in a fitted-sheet arrangement (e.g., as in Figs. 2 and 8). Accordingly, the sheet portion 201 can include corner pockets or end pockets arranged to receive corresponding portions of the sleeping pad 100 and hold the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100. In addition to the corner or end pockets, in some examples the sheet portion can include elastic or a draw cord arranged to maintain the sheet portion 201 in the fitted-sheet arrangement. In addition to the corner or end pockets, in other examples the bottom sheet 200 can include one or more straps 205 arranged to maintain the sheet portion in the fitted-sheet arrangement. Each strap 205 can be arranged so that, with sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100 in the fitted-sheet arrangement, each strap 205 is connected to opposite edges of sheet portion 201 and passes underneath the sleeping pad 100. One or more of the straps 205 can be positioned along the length of the sheet portion 201 so as to fall within the lengthwise span of the lateral flaps 220; thus arranged, the straps 205 are advantageously positioned to prevent tension on the lateral flap 220 from pulling a side edge of the sheet portion 201 off of the sleeping pad 100 as a user-occupant moves around within the sleeping bag. Any suitable or desired number of straps 205 can be employed; two straps 205 are shown in the examples of Figs. 2 and 8. Instead of (or in addition to) a fitted-sheet arrangement, the bottom sheet 200 can be secured to the sleeping pad 100 in any suitable or desired way, e.g., using zippers, sets of fasteners, or other methods of attachment.

[0018] The inventive sleeping bag can be arranged so that, with the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100, each lateral flap 220 extends in headward and footward directions to any suitable or desired positions along the sleeping pad 100, e.g., over the entire length of the sleeping pad 100 or over only a portion of the length of the sleeping pad 100. In some examples, the footward ends of the lateral flaps 220 extend no further than about a midpoint of the sleeping pad 100 (e.g., extend less than or about equal to 91.44 cm (36 inches) from the headward end of a 182.88 cm (72-inch) sleeping pad). In some examples (e.g., as in Figs. 1B and 7), neither lateral flap 220 extends in a headward direction as far as a headward end of the sleeping pad 100. With the top cover 300 attached to the bottom sheet 200 (by attachment of the lateral edges 225 of the lateral flaps 220 to the attachment paths 335 of the top cover 300), the headward portion of the top cover 300, i.e., the portion of the top cover 300 that can be arranged in the wrapped versus expanded arrangements described above, typically extends only as far footward as the footward ends of the lateral flaps 220, and typically extends headward beyond the headward ends of the lateral flaps 220. The combination of lateral flaps 220 that do not reach the headward end of the sleeping pad 100 and a headward portion of the top cover 300 that extends headward beyond the lateral flaps 220 enables a user occupying the sleeping bag to decide whether or how much to cover the user's arms, shoulders, upper torso, or head. In the example arrangement of Fig. 4 (in which the headward portion of the top cover 300 is in the expanded configuration), a portion of the top cover 300 that extends beyond the lateral flaps 220 is folded footward, so that a headward portion of the top cover inner surface 302 is exposed. In the example arrangement of Fig. 5 (in which the headward portion of the top cover 300 is in the wrapped configuration), the top cover 300 extends headward beyond the lateral flaps 220.

[0019] In some examples, the lateral edge 225 of each lateral flap 220 includes a zipper element that mates with a corresponding zipper element arranged along the corresponding attachment path 335 on the top cover 300. Those mating zipper elements enable the attachment, detachment, and reattachment of each lateral flap 220 along its lateral edge 225 to the outer surface 301 of the top cover 300 along the corresponding curved or linear attachment path 335 (typically linear). In some other examples, the top cover 300 and the bottom sheet 200 can include corresponding sets of mating fastener elements arranged along the lateral edges 225 of the lateral flaps 220 and along the attachment paths 335 that enable the attachment, detachment, and reattachment of each lateral flap 220 along its lateral edge 225 to the outer surface 301 of the top cover 300 along the corresponding attachment path 335. Examples of suitable fastener elements can include, e.g., snaps, clasps, hook-and-loop, buttons, ties or laces, and so forth.

[0020] As described above, a headward portion of the top cover 300 can be arranged in the wrapped or expanded configuration; that headward portion extends headward from the footward ends of the attachment paths 335 (and headward from the footward ends of the lateral flaps 220 when the top cover is attached to the bottom sheet 200). According to the invention, the footward portion of the top cover is structurally arranged to assume a tubular configuration as in Fig. 3 through 5; corresponding footward portions 345 of the opposite lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300 are secured together to form the tubular configuration. The footward portions 345 of the lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300 can, but need not, extend headward as far as the footward ends of the attachment paths 335, but typically no farther; in the example of Fig. 1C the footward portion (indicated by the presence of mating zipper elements along footward portions 345 the lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300) does not extend headward as far as the attachment paths 335. The footward portion of the top cover 300 is further arranged to enable separation of footward portions 345 of the lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300, so that the footward portion of the top cover 300 assumes a substantially flattened configuration (e.g., as in Fig. 1C). As already noted, in some examples the footward portions 345 of the lateral edges 303 of the top cover 300 can include mating zipper elements to enable those edges to be secured together or separated. In other examples, sets of mating fastener elements (e.g., snaps, clasps, buttons, hook-and-loop, ties or laces, and the like) can be employed for securing together those edge portions together (to assume the tubular configuration) or allowing them to separate (to assume a substantially flattened configuration). A footward end 347 of the top cover 300 can be further arranged to enable the footward end of the top cover 300 to be closed when it is arranged in the tubular configuration (e.g., as in Figs. 4 and 5). The footward end of the top cover 300 can include one or more zippers, fasteners, drawstrings, or other devices or arrangements for closing the footward end 347 of the top cover 300 when it is in the tubular configuration.

[0021] The different configurations described in the preceding paragraph for the footward portion of the top cover 300 provide additional options for a user occupying the inventive sleeping bag. In cooler conditions, footward portions 345 of the top cover lateral edges 303 can be secured together so that the footward portion of the top cover 300 is arranged in the tubular configuration; the footward end 347 of the top cover 300 can also be closed, if desired. In that way the lower portions of the user's body are completely encircled by the top cover 300. In conjunction with the wrapped arrangement of the headward portion of the top cover 300, maximal warmth is provided to the user occupying the sleeping bag. In warmer conditions, or if greater freedom of movement is desired, the footward portions 345 of the top cover lateral edges 303 can be separated and the footward portion of the top cover 300 can be arranged in the flattened configuration. The lower portions of the user's body can move unconstrained by the top cover 300, and can even move out from under the top cover 300. In conjunction with the expanded configuration of the headward portion of the top cover 300, increased freedom of movement is available to the user occupying the sleeping bag. If even more freedom of movement is desired, or if a given temperature is too warm for the user's comfort beneath the top cover 300, the top cover 300 can be detached from one or both lateral flaps 220 while the user occupies the sleeping bag. Detachment of the top cover 300 from one or both lateral flaps 220 enables the user to arrange the top cover 300 to cover, or leave uncovered, any desired portions of the user's body for achieving comfort under the given temperature conditions, in a manner similar to use of traditional bedding.

[0022] In some examples, the bottom sheet 200 of the inventive sleeping bag includes a hood 240 comprising a transverse hood segment and a pair of lateral hood segments. The hood 240 is attached to the sheet portion 201 of the bottom sheet 200 so that, with the bottom sheet 200 secured to the sleeping pad 100, (i) the transverse hood segment is positioned across a headward end of the sleeping pad 100, and (ii) the lateral hood segments are positioned along corresponding headward portions of corresponding opposite lateral edges of the sleeping pad 100. In some examples, the hood 240 can act as a thermal insulator or include thermally insulating material. In cooler conditions, the hood 240 can be arranged to surround the user's head and shoulders while occupying the sleeping bag (e.g., in conjunction with the headward portion of the top cover 300 being arranged in the wrapped configuration, and with the footward portion of the top cover 300 being arranged in the tubular configuration with the footward end closed; optionally part of the headward portion of the top cover 300 can be tucked into the hood 240, e.g., as in Fig. 5). In warmer conditions, the hood 240 can be folded down to act as a pillow for the user's head (e.g., in conjunction with the headward portion of the top cover 300 being arranged in the expanded configuration and optionally folded down over the lateral flaps 220 as in Fig. 5, or partly or wholly detached from the bottom sheet 200, or with the footward portion of the top cover 300 in the flattened configuration). A separate pillow 250 can be positioned within the hood 240 on the bottom sheet 200, if desired (e.g., as in Fig. 4).

[0023] In some examples (e.g., as in Figs. 1B, 2, 4, and 5), each lateral flap 220 can be integrally formed with a corresponding one of the lateral hood segments; one advantage of such an arrangement is a headward portion of the top cover 300 can be readily tucked into the hood 240 in cooler conditions. In other examples (e.g., as in Figs. 7 and 8), the hood 240 and the lateral flaps 220 are separate portions of the bottom sheet 200. In such examples, each lateral flap 220 can extend in a footward direction from a corresponding footward end of the corresponding lateral hood segment. In some examples, a headward portion of each lateral flap 220 and a corresponding footward portion of the corresponding lateral hood segment overlap one another; in some of those examples, the overlapping portions of the lateral hood segments are positioned medially relative to the corresponding overlapping portions of the lateral flaps 220, to maintain thermal integrity of the sleeping bag when the lateral flaps 220 are secured to the top cover 300.

[0024] If needed or desired, one or more of the hood 240, the bottom sheet 200, or the top cover 300 can be provided with a storage pocket formed therein or thereon. Such a storage pocket can include a zipper, fastener, or other closure if needed or desired.

[0025] Any one or more materials (e.g., fabrics or insulators) suitable for constructing a conventional sleeping bag can be employed for constructing an inventive sleeping bag. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to: nylon, polyester, silk, cotton, taffeta, ripstop, pongee, flannel, microfiber, Gore-Tex, or fleece; natural down, synthetic insulation, or other insulating material; or metal-coated polymer film or other thermally shielding or thermally reflective material. If needed or desired, one or more of the sleeping pad, bottom sheet, or top cover can include heating elements, e.g., electrical or chemical heating elements.

Claims

1. A top cover (300) for a sleeping bag comprising: an inner surface (302), an outer surface (301) opposed to the inner surface, a first lateral edge (303), and a second lateral edge (303), each of the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge having a footward portion (345); a first attachment path (335) on the outer surface and displaced medially inboard from the first lateral edge; and a second attachment path (335) on the outer surface and displaced medially inboard from the second lateral edge, the first and second attachment paths each being selectively attachable to a bottom sheet of the sleeping bag; characterized in that the footward portions (345) of the first and second lateral edges (303) are selectively configurable between a tubular configuration, in which the footward portions (345) of the first and second laterals edges (303) are secured relative to each other, and a laid-flat configuration in which the footward portions (345) of the first and second laterals edges (303) are separated2. The top cover (300) of claim 1, further comprising mating fastener elements for securing the footward portions of the first and second lateral edges in the tubular configuration.

3. The top cover (300) of claim 2, wherein the mating fastener elements are mating zipper elements.

4. The top cover (300) of claim 1, wherein a footward end (347) of the quilt is configurable between a closed configuration and an opened configuration when the footward portions of the first and second laterals edge are in the tubular configuration.

5. The top cover (300) of claim 4, wherein the footward end of the quilt includes a drawstring for closing the footward end when the footward portions of the first and second lateral edges are in the tubular configuration.

6. The top cover (300) of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment paths of the quilt are curved or linear.

7. The top cover (300) of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment paths each include fastener elements that respective enable attachment, detachment, and reattachment of the first and second attachment paths to the bottom sheet.

8. The top cover (300) of claim 7, wherein the fastener elements of the first and second attachment paths include zipper elements, snaps, clasps, hook-and-loop, buttons, ties or laces.

9. A sleeping bag comprising: a bottom sheet (200) including a sheet portion (201) and a hood (240) attached to the sheet portion, the hood having a transverse hood segment and a pair of lateral hood segments; a top cover (300) as claimed in claim 1; and mating fastener elements arranged on the bottom sheet and each one of the cover attachment paths for selectively attaching and detaching each one of the cover attachment paths to the bottom sheet.

10. The sleeping bag of claim 9, wherein the mating fastener elements include zipper elements, snaps, clasps, hook-and-loop, buttons, ties or laces.

11. The sleeping bag of claim 9, wherein the hood is integrally formed with the bottom sheet.

12. The sleeping bag of claim 9, wherein, when the cover attachment paths are attached to the bottom sheet, a headward portion of the top cover is positionable within the hood.

13. The sleeping bag of claim 9, wherein, when the cover attachment paths are attached to the bottom sheet, a footward end (347) of the top cover is configurable between a closed configuration and an opened configuration.

14. The sleeping bag of claim 13, wherein the footward end of the top cover includes a drawstring for closing the footward end.

15. The sleeping bag of claim 9, wherein a medial displacement of each of the cover attachment paths and the respective one of the lateral cover edges is greater than or about equal to 10.16 cm (4 inches).