Detachable vestibule for bivy sack

Abstract

A personal shelter device configured to be detachably coupled to a bivy sack that includes a canopy having a first end configured to be proximate to the bivy sack when the personal shelter device is coupled to the bivy sack and a second end opposing the first end, at least one bivy sack coupling device coupled to the first end of the canopy, and a guy line coupling device arranged on the second end of the canopy.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to personal shelters and, more specifically, to personal shelters that may be coupled to another form of personal shelter, such as bivy sacks.Description of the Related Art

[0002] A bivy sack is a single-person shelter commonly used by outdoor recreators such as backpackers and mountaineers in the backcountry and alpine environments. Bivies are lightweight and provide a smaller pack size in comparison to a backpacking tent or similar shelter. However, there are some luxuries of alternate shelters that the bivy sack does not provide, such as vestibule space to keep boots, packs, and other gear sheltered from the elements. While the bivy sack provides the user with a dry, warm, and protected structure to sleep or weather out a storm, a user may not be outside of the bivy sack while staying protected from the elements, making the livability of the bivy sack limited.

[0003] In some examples, multi-part shelter systems have been developed that include setting up a pitched tarp above a bivy sack. These tarps are often within the dimensions of at least 6′×6′ and 10′×10′. Previous multi-part shelter systems require a setup process involving pitching multiple stakes and guy lines and adjusting the stakes and guy lines to the proper tension, which can be complicated, time-consuming, and challenging. Additionally, the process of pitching a tarp requires a large area with ground that is usable for staking or trees that guy lines can be tied to. This type of area can be difficult to find in some backcountry environments, and the setup process is time-consuming and inconvenient in the case of a sudden storm or the need for an emergency shelter.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a personal shelter device configured to be detachably coupled to a bivy sack is provided. The personal shelter device includes a canopy. The canopy includes a first end configured to be proximate to the bivy sack when the personal shelter device is coupled to the bivy sack and a second end opposing the first end. The personal shelter device further includes at least one bivy sack coupling device coupled to the first end of the canopy. The personal shelter device further includes a guy line coupling device arranged on the second end of the canopy.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the canopy further includes four fabric panels arranged such that the four fabric panels meet at a quadripoint. A first pair of the four fabric panels extend from the first end and a second pair of the four fabric panels extending from the second end.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the canopy further includes a fabric flap extending from the first pair of fabric panels at the first end. The fabric flap is structured to be deployable in an extended position.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to be covered by the fabric flap when the fabric flap is deployed in the extended position.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the canopy further comprises a steeple point reinforcement layer arranged on a portion of each of the four fabric panels at the quadripoint and surrounding area.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a personal shelter device configured to be detachably coupled to a bivy sack at a boundary is provided. The personal shelter device includes a canopy configured to prevent liquid from flowing therethrough. The canopy includes a steeple point configured to receive a structural post. The personal shelter device further includes at least one bivy sack coupling device arranged on the canopy. The at least one bivy sack device is configured to detachably couple the personal shelter device to the bivy sack at the boundary. The personal shelter device further includes a guy line coupling device arranged on the canopy. The guy line coupling device is configured to couple the personal shelter device to a guy line. The canopy is configured to be placed under tension when the structural post is received in the steeple point and when the guy line is coupled to the guy line coupling device and is placed under tension.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a bivy sack system is provided. The bivy sack system includes a personal shelter device configured to be coupled to a bivy sack. The personal shelter device includes a canopy configured to receive a structural post. The canopy includes a first end configured to be proximate to the bivy sack when the personal shelter device is coupled to the bivy sack and a second end opposing the first end. The canopy further includes at least one bivy sack coupling device coupled to the first end of the canopy. The at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to couple the personal shelter device to the bivy sack. The personal shelter device further includes a guy line coupling device arranged on the second end of the canopy. The guy line coupling device is configured to be coupled to a guy line. The personal device is configured to create a vestibule space encompassing at least a portion of the bivy sack when the at least one bivy sack coupling device couples the personal shelter device to the bivy sack, when the guy line is placed under tension, and when the canopy receives the structural post.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a bivy sack vestibule coupled to a bivy sack in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the bivy sack vestibule of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bivy sack vestibule of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views of a bivy sack attachment device of the bivy sack vestibule.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a fabric flap deployed in an extended position of the bivy sack vestibule of FIGS. 1-3.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a corner of a canopy of a bivy sack vestibule.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a corner of a canopy of a bivy sack vestibule including a staking device.

[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged axonometric view of a guy line coupler of a bivy sack vestibule coupled to a guy line.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed implementations. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or components or both associated with bivy sacks and vestibules have not been shown or described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the implementations.

[0021] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” The foregoing applies equally to the words “including” and “having.”

[0022] Reference throughout this description to “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one implementation” or “in an implementation” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations.

[0023] In accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure, and with reference initially to FIGS. 1-3, a bivy sack system 20 including a bivy sack 22 and a personal shelter device 24 is provided. The personal shelter device 24 is configured to provide a vestibule space 26 therein for a user of the bivy sack 22, such as a camper or a hiker (not shown). The personal shelter device 24 is configured to couple to the bivy sack 22, such that the personal shelter device 24 and the bivy sack 22 form a continuous shelter.

[0024] The personal shelter device 24 includes a canopy 28, at least one bivy sack coupling device 30, and a guy line coupling device 32. The canopy 28 is configured to prevent liquid from flowing therethrough. The canopy 28 includes a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 is configured to be proximate to the bivy sack 22 when the personal shelter device 24 is coupled to the bivy sack 22. The second end 36 opposes the first end 34. The at least one bivy sack coupling device 30 is coupled to the first end 34 of the canopy 28. The guy line coupling device 32 is arranged on the second end 36 of the canopy 28.

[0025] In some implementations, the canopy 28 includes first, second third, and fourth fabric panels 38, 40, 42, 44 arranged such that the four fabric panels 38, 40, 42, 44 meet at a quadripoint 46. The first and second fabric panels 38, 40 extend from the first end 34 of the canopy 28. The third and fourth fabric panels 42, 44 extend from the second end 36 of the canopy 28.

[0026] The canopy 28 further includes a steeple point 48. The steeple point 48 is configured to receive a structural post 50. The structural post 50 is a rigid member that, when received at the steeple point 48, extends to a ground or a floor. Reception of the structural post 50 in the steeple point 48 causes the canopy 28 to extend in a vertical direction D1. In some implementations, the steeple point 48 is coincident with the quadripoint 46, though such coincidence is not required. The steeple point 48 is positioned such that the vestibule space 26 is shaped in a selected configuration.

[0027] In some implementations, the canopy 28 further includes a steeple point reinforcement layer 52. The steeple point reinforcement layer 52 is configured to strengthen the canopy 28 at the steeple point 48 in order to prevent, or minimize, damage to the canopy 28 due to use of a structural post 50. In some implementations, the steeple point reinforcement layer 52 is partially arranged on each of the four fabric panels 38, 40, 42, 44 at the quadripoint 46 and surrounding area 56.

[0028] The canopy 28 further includes a fabric flap 58 extending from the first end 34 of the canopy 28, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The fabric flap 58 extends from both the first and second fabric panels 38, 40. The fabric flap 58 is structured to be deployable in a withdrawn position, such as in FIG. 4. When not in the withdrawn position, the fabric flap 58 is deployed in an extended position, as is shown in FIG. 5. When the fabric flap 58 is deployed in the extended position, the fabric flap covers the bivy sack coupling device 30. Additionally, when the fabric flap 58 is deployed in the extended position, the fabric flap 58 covers a boundary 60 that the bivy sack 22 and the personal shelter device 24 meet at when the bivy sack 22 and the personal shelter device 24 are coupled. The fabric flap 58 is configured to prevent liquid flowing between the bivy sack 22 and the personal shelter device 24 when the bivy sack 22 and the personal shelter device 24 are coupled to each other.

[0029] The at least one bivy sack coupling device 30 is configured to detachably couple the personal shelter device 24 to the bivy sack 22 at the boundary 60. In some implementations, the at least one bivy sack coupling device 30 is a G-hook extending from the canopy 28 toward the bivy sack 22. The bivy sack coupling device 30 is shaped to receive a corresponding coupling element 62, such as a loop, extending from the bivy sack 22. When the bivy sack coupling device 30 receives the corresponding coupling element 62, therein, the bivy sack 22 is coupled to the personal shelter device 24.

[0030] One or more of the coupling devices 30 extends in a circumferential direction D2 from the canopy 28, as is shown in FIG. 6. The coupling devices 30 extending in a circumferential direction D2 couples to a corresponding coupling element 62 as described above and places the canopy 28 in tension in a circumferential direction D2 when coupled to the bivy sack 22.

[0031] The second end 36 of the canopy 28 includes a first side 64 and a second side 66. The first side 64 of the canopy 28 includes a corner 68 where the first side 64 intersects the second end 36 and the second side 66 of the canopy 28 includes a corner 70 where the second side 66 intersects the second end 36.

[0032] The canopy 28 includes at least one staking device 72 coupled to the first side 64 or the second side 66 of the canopy 28. Such a staking device 72 is shown in FIG. 7. Each staking device 72 is configured to receive a respective stake therethrough. In some implementations, the canopy 28 includes at least two staking devices 72; one disposed on the first side 64 of the canopy and one disposed on the second side 66 of the canopy 28. Each staking device 72 is positioned in the corner 68, 70 of the respective first side 64 or the second side 66. In some implementations, a first staking device 72 is positioned in the corner 68 of the first side 64 and a second staking device 72 is positioned in the corner 70 of the second side 66. In some implementations, staking devices 72 are positioned on one of the first side 64 and the second side 66 in a position not in the respective corner 68, 70. In some implementations, each staking device 72 is ideally in the form of a cord loop 73 extending outward from the canopy 28. In such implementations, the cord loop 73 of the staking device 72 is configured to receive a stake therethrough.

[0033] In some implementations, the canopy 28 includes at least one corner reinforcement layer 74 in at least one of the corners 68, 70. A corner reinforcement layer 74 is shown in FIG. 7. The corner reinforcement layer 74 is configured to strengthen the canopy 28 at the respective corner 68, 70 in order to prevent, or minimize, damage to the canopy 28. In some implementations, a corner reinforcement layer 74 is disposed in each of the corners 68, 70.

[0034] In some implementations, a staking device 72 is coupled to a corner reinforcement layer 74. In such implementations, the staking device 72 extends from the corner reinforcement layer 74. In some implementations, the canopy 28 includes at least two staking devices 72 coupled to the canopy 28, with each staking device 72 being coupled to a respective corner reinforcement layer 74.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows the guy line coupling device 32. The guy line coupling device 32 is configured to couple a first end 75 of a guy line 76 to the second end 36 of the canopy 28. When the guy line 76 coupled to the guy line coupling device 32 is placed under tension, such as being coupled to a ground, a tree, etc., the canopy 28 is placed under tension in a longitudinal direction D3 when coupled to the bivy sack 22 and when the structural post 50 is received in the steeple point 48. Although the guy line 76 of the implementation shown in FIGS. 1-3 extends only in the longitudinal direction D3, it should be understood that the guy line 76 may extend at an angle such that the guy line at least partially extends from the guy line coupling device 32 in a lateral direction D4. The guy line 76 may be any material, including, but not limited to, nylon, polyester fabric, or any other item which may be used to place the canopy 28 under tension in the longitudinal direction D3.

[0036] The personal shelter device 24 described herein is deployed by the steps listed below. It should be understood that such steps may be completed in an order that differs from the order in which the steps are described below.

[0037] To begin, the canopy 28 is coupled to the bivy sack 22 by the bivy sack coupling device 30. After coupling the canopy 28 to the bivy sack 22, the fabric flap 58 is deployed in the extended position to the cover the boundary 60 of the bivy sack 22 and the personal shelter device 24.

[0038] A stake (not shown) is installed in each staking device 72, such that the personal shelter device 24 is coupled to a ground. For example, in some implementations, stakes extend through the respective cord loops 73 of the staking device 72. The installation of the stake(s) in the staking device(s) 72 places the personal shelter device 24 in tension in the vertical direction D1.

[0039] Next, the first end 75 of the guy line 76 is coupled to the guy line coupling device 32. A second end 78 of the guy line 76 is coupled to an anchor, such as the ground or a tree.

[0040] The structural post 50 is then received in the steeple point 48, and a first end 80 of the structural post is placed in contact with the ground. The first end 80 of the structural post 50 is opposite an end of the structural post 50 received in the steeple point 48. The installation of the guy line 76 and the structural post 50 places the personal shelter device 24 in tension in the longitudinal direction D3.

[0041] When the personal shelter device 24 is coupled to the bivy sack 22 and is placed under tension in the vertical, circumferential, and longitudinal directions D1, D2, D3, the vestibule space 26 is created within the personal shelter device 24. The vestibule space is easily accessible to a user of the bivy sack 22 due to the bivy sack partially being within the vestibule space 26. Therefore, a user may simply open the bivy sack 22 and enter the vestibule space 26.

[0042] The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and / or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the implementations can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further implementations. These and other changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. A personal shelter device configured to be detachably coupled to a bivy sack, the personal shelter device comprising:a canopy comprising:a first end configured to be proximate to the bivy sack when the personal shelter device is coupled to the bivy sack; anda second end opposing the first end;at least one bivy sack coupling device coupled to the first end of the canopy; anda guy line coupling device arranged on the second end of the canopy.

2. The personal shelter device of claim 1, wherein the canopy further comprises:four fabric panels arranged such that the four fabric panels meet at a quadripoint, a first pair of the four fabric panels extending from the first end and a second pair of the four fabric panels extending from the second end.

3. The personal shelter device of claim 2, wherein the canopy further comprises a fabric flap extending from the first pair of fabric panels at the first end, the fabric flap structured to be deployable in an extended position.

4. The personal shelter device of claim 3, wherein the at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to be covered by the fabric flap when the fabric flap is deployed in the extended position.

5. The personal shelter device of claim 2, wherein the canopy further comprises a steeple point reinforcement layer arranged on a portion of each of the four fabric panels at the quadripoint and surrounding area.

6. The personal shelter device of claim 1, wherein the canopy further comprises a fabric flap extending from the first end, the fabric flap structured to be deployable in an extended position.

7. The personal shelter device of claim 6, wherein the at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to be covered by the fabric flap when the fabric flap is deployed in the extended position.

8. The personal shelter device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the canopy includes a first side, andwherein the canopy further comprises a first corner reinforcement layer arranged on the first side of the second end of the canopy.

9. The personal shelter device of claim 8, further comprising a first staking device coupled to the first corner reinforcement layer.

10. The personal shelter device of claim 8, wherein the second end of the canopy further includes a second side, the second side opposing the first side, andwherein the canopy further comprises a second corner reinforcement layer arranged on the second side of the second end of the canopy.

11. The personal shelter device of claim 9, wherein the second end of the canopy further includes a second side, the second side opposing the first side,wherein the canopy further comprises a second corner reinforcement layer arranged on the second side of the second end of the canopy, andwherein the personal shelter device further comprises a second staking device coupled to the second corner reinforcement layer.

12. A personal shelter device configured to be detachably coupled to a bivy sack at a boundary, the personal shelter device comprising:a canopy configured to prevent liquid from flowing therethrough, the canopy comprising:a steeple point configured to receive a structural post;at least one bivy sack coupling device arranged on the canopy, the at least one bivy sack coupling device configured to detachably couple the personal shelter device to the bivy sack at the boundary; anda guy line coupling device arranged on the canopy, the guy line coupling device configured to couple the personal shelter device to a guy line;wherein the canopy is configured to be placed under tension when the structural post is received in the steeple point and when the guy line is coupled to the guy line coupling device and is placed under tension.

13. The personal shelter device of claim 12, wherein the canopy further comprises:a fabric flap configured to cover the boundary at which the personal shelter device and the bivy sack are coupled.

14. The personal shelter device of claim 12, further comprising at least two staking devices coupled to the canopy, each staking device of the at least two staking devices configured to receive a respective stake.

15. A bivy sack system comprising:a personal shelter device configured to be coupled to a bivy sack, the personal shelter device comprising:a canopy configured to receive a structural post, the canopy comprising:a first end configured to be proximate to the bivy sack when the personal shelter device is coupled to the bivy sack;a second end opposing the first end;at least one bivy sack coupling device coupled to the first end of the canopy, the at least one bivy sack coupling device configured to couple the personal shelter device to the bivy sack;a guy line coupling device arranged on the second end of the canopy, the guy line coupling device configured to be coupled to a guy line,wherein the personal device is configured to create a vestibule space encompassing at least a portion of the bivy sack when the at least one bivy sack coupling device couples the personal shelter device to the bivy sack, when the guy line is placed under tension, and when the canopy receives the structural post.

16. The personal shelter device of claim 15, wherein the canopy further comprises:four fabric panels comprising first, second, third, and fourth fabric panels that are arranged to meet at a quadripoint, the first and second fabric panels extending from the first end and the third and fourth fabric panels extending from the second end.

17. The personal shelter device of claim 16, wherein the canopy further comprises a fabric flap extending from the first end, the fabric flap structured to be deployable in an extended position.

18. The personal shelter device of claim 17, wherein the at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to be covered by the fabric flap when the fabric flap is deployed in the extended position.

19. The personal shelter device of claim 16, wherein the canopy further comprises a steeple point reinforcement layer arranged on a portion of each of the four fabric panels at the quadripoint and a surrounding area, andwherein the canopy is configured to receive the structural post at the quadripoint.

20. The personal shelter device of claim 15, wherein the canopy further comprises a fabric flap extending from the first end, the fabric flap structured to be deployable in an extended position.

21. The personal shelter device of claim 20, wherein the at least one bivy sack coupling device is configured to be covered by the fabric flap when the fabric flap is deployed in the extended position.

22. The personal shelter device of claim 15, wherein the second end of the canopy includes a first side, andwherein the canopy further comprises a first corner reinforcement layer arranged on the first side of the second end of the canopy.

23. The personal shelter device of claim 22, further comprising a first staking device coupled to the first corner reinforcement layer.

24. The personal shelter device of claim 22, wherein the second end of the canopy further includes a second side, the second side opposing the first side, andwherein the canopy further comprises a second corner reinforcement layer arranged on the second side of the second end of the canopy.

25. The personal shelter device of claim 23, wherein the second end of the canopy further includes a second side, the second side opposing the first side,wherein the canopy further comprises a second corner reinforcement layer arranged on the second side of the second end of the canopy, andwherein the personal shelter device further comprises a second staking device coupled to the second corner reinforcement layer.

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