Ergonomic sitting-comfort travel sack

Abstract

A travel sack includes a front panel and a back panel formed as unitary construction extending from a foot end to a head end. An access opening is formed across the head end and extends sufficiently towards the foot end to provide access to an interior of the travel sack for the body of the wearer. A shoulder anchoring structure extends across the access opening at the head end.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 621,294 filed Jan. 16, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a structure for surrounding a user to provide comfort and warmth while in a seated position, and more particularly to a travel sack for use while a user is in a seat, which stays in place while enabling sitting and maintaining the wearer covered and warm.

[0003] When traveling long distances such as on a plane, train or bus, the interior cabin can often be cold. Additionally, the seats are often uncomfortable. It is known in the art to provide blankets to passengers to provide some warmth, and in some cases comfort. However, these prior art blankets suffer from the disadvantage that they are one size fits all, and generally short and thin to preserve storage space on the plane, train or bus. The prior art blankets cannot be overly large so that dozens of them can be stored during nonuse. As a result, they do not cover the entire body of the wearer. This leaves limbs exposed to the cold.

[0004] Because the prior art blankets are thin, they do not provide comfort for the user, particularly while sitting in the cramped seats of an airplane.

[0005] Another potential prior art solution is using a quilt or a sleeping bag to provide warmth and comfort, however sleeping bags are generally designed for sleeping in a prone position, not for a user spending time in a more upright seated position. Additionally, prior art sleeping bags do not accommodate use of the arms while wearing, enabling the wearer to perform tasks such as reading and eating; activities usually not performed in a sleeping bag. Lastly, when someone is upright, rather than predominantly horizontal in a sleeping bag, the prior art bag tends to fall off, an undesired result to one trying to keep warm over time. In summary, prior art sleeping bags are designed for outdoor use, and are too bulky for airplane cabin use, including getting in and out for them.

[0006] Accordingly, a structure which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art is desired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A travel sack includes a front panel and a back panel formed as unitary construction extending from a foot end to a head end. An access opening is formed across the top and extends sufficiently towards the foot end to provide access to an interior of the travel sack for the body of the wearer. An adjustable strap extends across the access opening at the head end.

[0008] The travel sack includes an elastic cord disposed about a circumference of the opening. A clasp is disposed on the elastic cord at a position of the elastic cord adjacent the head end.

[0009] In one embodiment, a pouch is disposed on the front panel. A first opening and a second opening are disposed in the front panel, the openings extending to an interior of the enclosure to enable the arms of the user to extend therethrough.

[0010] In yet another embodiment a fastener such as snaps are disposed on the front panel. A hood is releasably secured to the enclosure at fasteners.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure will be better understood by reading the written description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a travel sack constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of a travel sack constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of a removeable pouch constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a personal enclosure, with the hood attached, constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of a personal enclosure, with the hood attached, constructed in accordance with the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a travel sack 10 includes a front panel 16 secured to a back panel 18. In a preferred non limiting embodiment front panel 16 and back panel 18 are formed as a unitary structure. Furthermore, in a preferred non limiting embodiment, the outer layer of panels 16, 18 are fabricated using high quality nylon or polyester fabrics as another and inner shell, providing excellent durability and water resistance. Additionally, in a preferred non limiting embodiment, an insulating layer within panels 16, 18 is provided and may be formed of lightweight synthetic fibers or ethically sourced down.

[0018] An opening 20 is formed in back panel 18 and extends across a portion of top 14 and extends towards foot end 12. Opening 20 is sufficiently sized (length and width) to enable a user to easily step into the enclosure formed by travel sack 10 and secure enclosure 10 across a user's shoulders and a portion of a user's back. A foot pocket may be formed in the interior of travel sack 10, at foot end 12.

[0019] To maintain enclosure of travel sack 10 about the shoulders of a user, and secure to their body, structures are provided to anchor top 14 about the shoulders of the wearer. In a first such mechanism a strap 24 extends across opening 20 to maintain opening 20 in closed position, anchored to a portion of the user's body; preferably across the shoulders. In preferred non limiting embodiment strap 24 includes a buckle having a first adjustable strap 26a affixed at one end of strap 26a to a first side of opening 20. A buckle 28a is affixed to the free end of adjustable strap 26a. A second adjustable strap 26b is affixed at one end of strap 26b to a second, opposed, side of opening 20. A buckle 28b is affixed to the free end of adjustable strap 26b and is positioned to releasably engage buckle 28a. When secure, buckle 24 anchors enclosure 10 to the body of the user, preventing the user from sliding through opening 20 during use.

[0020] In another securing structure, as shown in FIG. 1, a cord 29 extends along a top end of opening 20. A cinch 25 is connected to cord 29 to shorten the effective length of cord 29 about shoulders of a user. Cord 29 may be used instead of, or in addition to, strap 24. Cord 29 may be elastic.

[0021] A second elastic cord 22 may be disposed about a perimeter 23 of opening 20 to bias back panel 18 about the body of the user. This serves as an additional structure to maintain enclosure 10 about the body of a user during use. Additionally cord 22 terminates at ends 32a, 32b extending from opposed sides of opening 20 at top 14. Pulling at ends 32a, 32b shortens cord 22 about opening 20 having a net effect of shortening, shrinking, opening 20 and pulling foot end 12 towards top 14; effectively shortening travel sack 10.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 1, a first opening 32 extends through front panel 16. A second opening 34 extends through front panel 16. Preferably openings 32, 34 are disposed along front panel 16 to enable the arms of a user inside enclosure 10 to extend therethrough. In an alternative non limiting embodiment each of openings 32, 34 includes a respective double-sided zipper 36, 38 to enable the user to selectively open or close the openings 32, 34 from the interior or exterior of travel sack 10. Other fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners, buttons, or snaps may be used to selectively close openings 32, 34 by way of non limiting example.

[0023] In one preferred non limiting embodiment a pouch 40 is affixed to front panel 16, preferably adjacent openings 32, 34. Pouch 40 has an opening 44, selectively sealable by a drawstring 42. When travel sack 10 is not in use, travel sack 10 may be put into pouch 40. Pouch 40 is inverted so that a portion of front panel 16 would be affixed to an interior portion of pouch 40. The remainder to travel sack 10 is then put into pouch 40. By affixing pouch 40 to enclosure 10, the pouch does not get lost when not in use. In an alternative, non-limiting, embodiment pouch 40 may be affixed to an interior surface of front panel 16.

[0024] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3, 4 wherein use of a hood 60 with enclosure 10 in accordance with the convention is provided. Fasteners, such as snaps 52a, 52b in a preferred non limiting embodiment, are disposed at head end 14 adjacent opening 20. Hood 60 includes fasteners 62a, 62b, such as snaps in a preferred non limiting embodiment which engage snaps 52a, 52b at head end 14. An elastic cord 64 may also extend about a perimeter of hood 60. In a preferred non limiting embodiment elastic cord extends from hood 60 to enable cinching of the hood.

[0025] During use a user pulls travel sack 10 from the interior of pouch 40. They then adjust the length of travel sack 10 using chord 22. The user then unbuckles strap 24 and steps into travel sack 10. They would then extend their arms through openings 32, 34 to raise enclosure 10 about their shoulders and secure buckle 24 or cord 29 or both. They may then affix hood 60 to travel sack 10 by affixing snaps 62a, 62b to snaps 52b, 52a. The user is then ready to take their seat. In a preferred non limiting embodiment hood 60 to travel sack has an overhang portion 66 extending below the head of a wearer and across opening 20 to provide cushioning, coverage and comfort to the back of the wearer. In a vehicle the seatbelt may then be secured about the sack with the user therein. In this way the travel sack may be used without compromising the seat belt safety or visibility such as on an airplane.

[0026] The back opening provides seamless wearability in the sitting position, making it desirable for long journeys, flights, or naps on the go. By providing an opening in the back panel of the enclosure along with the releasable strap, easy access to the interior is provided to the user, while also preventing slipping during wear. The enclosure is secured in place about the shoulders of the user. The elastic circumference of the opening allows for easy height adjustment, accommodating various body types and preferences.

[0027] By providing a detachable hood, the versatility of enclosure 10 is further increased. Furthermore, making the hood detachable facilitates putting enclosure 10 on.

[0028] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0029] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A travel sack comprising:a front panel;a back panel formed as unitary construction with the front panel, the front panel and the back panel extending from a foot end to a head end;an access opening formed across the head end of the back panel and extends along the back panel towards the foot end to provide access to an interior of the travel sack for a body of a wearer; anda shoulder anchoring structure disposed across the access opening at the head end.

2. The travel sack of claim 1, further comprising a strap extending across the access opening adjacent the head end.

3. The travel sack of claim 2, wherein the strap comprises a fist strap affixed to a first side of the access opening, a first buckle disposed on an end of the first strap; a second strap affixed to a second side of the access opening; the second side being opposed to the first side; and a second buckle disposed on an end of the second strap; the first buckle selectively engaging the first buckle.

4. The travel sack of claim 1, further comprising a chord extending along the head end of the access opening, and a cinch disposed on the chord to operatively shorten the length of the chord about the access opening.

5. The travel sack of claim 1, further comprising a chord affixed to the back panel and extending along the access opening, the chord having a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end extending from the back panel at the head end if the access opening; the chord selectively shortening the access opening.

6. The travel sack of claim 1, further comprising a first opening disposed in the front panel, the first opening sized and configured to enable an arm of a user to be selectively disposed therethrough.

7. The travel sack of claim 6, further comprising a fastener disposed on the first opening to selectively close the first opening.

8. The travel sack of claim 6, further comprising a second opening disposed in the front panel, the second opening sized and configured to enable an arm of a user to be selectively disposed therethrough.

9. The travel sack of claim 8, further comprising a fastener disposed on the second opening to selectively close the second opening.

10. The travel sack of claim 6, further comprising a pouch affixed to the front panel, the pouch being disposed adjacent the first opening.

11. The travel sack of claim 1, Further comprising a hood, selectively attached to the front panel.

Images