GB2183148A - Sleeping bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A sleeping bag Fig. 1 is in the form of an enlarged shoe 10 wherein the shoe upper defines a sleeping space sufficiently large to accommodate a person, and fastening means 18 are provided to ensure ease of access to and from said space. The sleeping space is large enough to accommodate at least a child. The sleeping bag is preferably able to convert to a seat Fig. 6 by "doubling over" on itself such that the toe portion meets the heel portion and is retained in this position by suitable closure means 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fun bed This invention relates to beds, and more particularly to a bed having the appearance of a shoe.

Conventional beds which are widely used at present are permanent pieces of furniture which are usually bulky and heavy and fairly difficult to move when the need arises. They also need to be "made" every morning after having been slept in the night before. Furthermore, it is quite possible, especially for children who tend to "toss and turn" in their sleep, to fall out of such a bed and injure oneself.

It is intended that the present invention should provide a bed, intended to be used primarily by children, which overcomes or reduces the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a bed in the form of an enlarged shoe wherein the shoe upper defines a sleeping space sufficiently large to accomodate a person, and fastening means are provided to ensure ease of access to and from said space.

The space is intended to be large enough to accommodate at least a child.

Preferably the bed is able to convert to an occasional seat by "doubling over" on itself such that the toe portion meets the heel portion and is retained in this position by suitable closure means. Such means preferably comprises a zip fastener, but it will be appreciated that other means, such as velcro, could be used just as effectively.

The bed is preferably constructed from textile material in nylon, PVC or suitable woven or knitted fabrics or any combination of these.

Preferably the sole portion is filled via a zipped opening in the side thereof.

The filling is preferably compactable and may be polyurethane, or polyurethane foam in block or granulated form, or polyester fibre.

More preferably, the filling is polystyrene bead.

Preferably the fastening means provided on the upper portion of the bed is a lace closure, although other means such as velcro straps, zip fasteners or the like can be used without detracting from the ambit of the invention.

Preferably the 'shoe' has a 'tongue' which is an integral part of the shoe upper, said tongue is located below said fastening means and acts as a counterpane.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a close up of a preferred fastening means; Figure 4 illustrates an alternative fastening means taking the form of a zip fastener; Figure 5 illustrates yet another fastening means taking the form of velcro straps; and Figure 6 is a view of the bed when folded up to form an occasional seat.

Although the bed according to the invention will be described in terms of a tranining shoe, it will be appreciated that the bed can take the form of any type of shoe or boot.

A bed 10, having the general appearance of a training shoe, has a sole portion 12 which acts as a mattress. The sole portion 12 is filled with a compactable filling, preferably polystyrene bead. Alternative fillings are polyurethane, block or granulated polyurethane foam or polyester fibre. An upper portion 14 is attached to the sole portion 12 and this upper portion has the basic appearance as depicted in Fig. 1. The pocket formed between the top surface of the sole portion 12 and the interior of the upper portion 14 provides sleeping space for a user. An opening 16 provides means for entry into and exit from the bed 10. A lace 18 engages with either side of the upper portion 14 to effect opening and closing of the bed 10. A tongue (not shown), which is an integral part of the upper portion 14 and which acts as a counterpane, is located below the lace 18.The bed is able to be folded up to form an occasional seat as shown in Fig. 6, and a zip fastener 20 is provided to retain the bed in this position. A zip fastener (not shown) is also provided in the sole portion 12 of the bed 10 so that said sole portion may be filled or emptied easily. This makes transport of the bed much simpler.

The upper portion 14 comprises both flexible and stiffened portions stitched together such that said upper portion will stand up of its own accord. This ensures that the bed 10 has a similar appearance to that of a training shoe.

An alternative fastening means is shown in Fig. 4 whereby the bed 10 is opened and closed by means of a zip fastener 22.

Fig. 5 depicts a further alternative fastening means whereby opening and closing is effected by velcro straps 24.

A distinct advantage of the bed according to the invention is that it is lighter, and therefore more manoeuverable. Furthermore it is inherently safer than a conventional bed since a child can not fall out thereof. Children will also find the bed much more fun than a normal bed and parents, therefore, will have less trouble putting children to bed at the appropriate time.

1. A bed in the form of an enlarged shoe wherein the shoe upper defines a sleeping

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fun bed This invention relates to beds, and more particularly to a bed having the appearance of a shoe. Conventional beds which are widely used at present are permanent pieces of furniture which are usually bulky and heavy and fairly difficult to move when the need arises. They also need to be "made" every morning after having been slept in the night before. Furthermore, it is quite possible, especially for children who tend to "toss and turn" in their sleep, to fall out of such a bed and injure oneself. It is intended that the present invention should provide a bed, intended to be used primarily by children, which overcomes or reduces the above disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a bed in the form of an enlarged shoe wherein the shoe upper defines a sleeping space sufficiently large to accomodate a person, and fastening means are provided to ensure ease of access to and from said space. The space is intended to be large enough to accommodate at least a child. Preferably the bed is able to convert to an occasional seat by "doubling over" on itself such that the toe portion meets the heel portion and is retained in this position by suitable closure means. Such means preferably comprises a zip fastener, but it will be appreciated that other means, such as velcro, could be used just as effectively. The bed is preferably constructed from textile material in nylon, PVC or suitable woven or knitted fabrics or any combination of these. Preferably the sole portion is filled via a zipped opening in the side thereof. The filling is preferably compactable and may be polyurethane, or polyurethane foam in block or granulated form, or polyester fibre. More preferably, the filling is polystyrene bead. Preferably the fastening means provided on the upper portion of the bed is a lace closure, although other means such as velcro straps, zip fasteners or the like can be used without detracting from the ambit of the invention. Preferably the 'shoe' has a 'tongue' which is an integral part of the shoe upper, said tongue is located below said fastening means and acts as a counterpane. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a close up of a preferred fastening means; Figure 4 illustrates an alternative fastening means taking the form of a zip fastener; Figure 5 illustrates yet another fastening means taking the form of velcro straps; and Figure 6 is a view of the bed when folded up to form an occasional seat. Although the bed according to the invention will be described in terms of a tranining shoe, it will be appreciated that the bed can take the form of any type of shoe or boot. A bed 10, having the general appearance of a training shoe, has a sole portion 12 which acts as a mattress. The sole portion 12 is filled with a compactable filling, preferably polystyrene bead. Alternative fillings are polyurethane, block or granulated polyurethane foam or polyester fibre. An upper portion 14 is attached to the sole portion 12 and this upper portion has the basic appearance as depicted in Fig. 1. The pocket formed between the top surface of the sole portion 12 and the interior of the upper portion 14 provides sleeping space for a user. An opening 16 provides means for entry into and exit from the bed 10. A lace 18 engages with either side of the upper portion 14 to effect opening and closing of the bed 10. A tongue (not shown), which is an integral part of the upper portion 14 and which acts as a counterpane, is located below the lace 18.The bed is able to be folded up to form an occasional seat as shown in Fig. 6, and a zip fastener 20 is provided to retain the bed in this position. A zip fastener (not shown) is also provided in the sole portion 12 of the bed 10 so that said sole portion may be filled or emptied easily. This makes transport of the bed much simpler. The upper portion 14 comprises both flexible and stiffened portions stitched together such that said upper portion will stand up of its own accord. This ensures that the bed 10 has a similar appearance to that of a training shoe. An alternative fastening means is shown in Fig. 4 whereby the bed 10 is opened and closed by means of a zip fastener 22. Fig. 5 depicts a further alternative fastening means whereby opening and closing is effected by velcro straps 24. A distinct advantage of the bed according to the invention is that it is lighter, and therefore more manoeuverable. Furthermore it is inherently safer than a conventional bed since a child can not fall out thereof. Children will also find the bed much more fun than a normal bed and parents, therefore, will have less trouble putting children to bed at the appropriate time. CLAIMS

1. A bed in the form of an enlarged shoe wherein the shoe upper defines a sleeping space sufficiently large to accommodate a person, fastening means being provided to ensure ease of access to and from said space.

2. A bed according to claim 1 which is convertable to an occasional seat by "doubling over" on itself such that the toe portion meets the heel portion and is retained in this position by suitable closure means.

3. A bed according to claim 2 in which the closure means comprises a zip fastener.

4. A bed according to any of claims 1 to 3 which is constructed from textile material in nylon, PVC or suitable woven or knitted fabrics or any combination of these.

5. A bed according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sole portion has a zipped opening in the side thereof to facilitate filling of said sole portion.

6. A bed according to any of the preceding claims in which the filling is compactable.

7. A bed according to any of the preceding claims in which the fastening means provided on the upper portion of the bed is a lace closure.

8. A bed according to any of the preceding claims wherein the shoe upper comprises a "tongue", said tongue being located below said fastening means and acting as a counterpane.

9. A bed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A bed according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described.