Reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus

Abstract

A reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus having an elongated body. The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus is readily reconfigurable between a chair configuration, a sleeping configuration and a storage configuration by bending the elongated body. The invention thereby provides a highly useful product for people who have children.

1 . A reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated body that is defined by a first end, a second end and a pair of sides that extend between the first end and the second end;    a first fastening surface attached to the elongated body proximate the first end;    a second fastening surface attached to the elongated body proximate the second end; and    a third fastening surface attached to the elongated body intermediate the first end and the second end, wherein the first fastening surface is capable of releasably engaging the third fastening to retain the first end in a stationary relationship with respect to an intermediate position on the elongated body to which the third fastening surface is attached and thereby define a seat region, and wherein the second fastening surface is capable of releasably engaging the third fastening to retain the second end in a stationary relationship with respect to an intermediate position on the elongated body to which the third fastening surface is attached and thereby define a back region.    
   
   
       2 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises: 
 a foam core;    a cover layer than substantially encompasses the foam core; and    at least one deformable rod attached to the cover layer along one of the sides.    
   
   
       3 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body comprises: 
 a foam core;    a cover layer than substantially encompasses the foam core; and    at least one deformable sheet that at least partially extends through the foam core.    
   
   
       4 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising a safety belt attached to the seat region proximate the back region.  
   
   
       5 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one storage compartment attached to the back region.  
   
   
       6 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a first panel pivotally attached thereto that opens to reveal a waterproof diaper changing region.  
   
   
       7 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a series of second panels pivotally attached thereto, wherein the series of second panels pivot away from the elongated body to define an enclosed region.  
   
   
       8 . A reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated body that is defined by a first end, a second end and a pair of sides that extend between the first end and the second end;    a first fastening band extending from the first end, wherein the first fastening band comprising a first fastening surface extending from a first side thereof and a second fastening surface extending from a second side thereof that is opposite the first side;    a third fastening surface attached to the elongated body proximate the second end; and    a fourth fastening surface attached to the elongated body intermediate the first end and the second end, wherein the first fastening surface is capable of releasably engaging the fourth fastening surface and the second fastening surface is capable of relaeasably engaging the third fastening surface to retain the first and second ends in a stationary relationship with respect to an intermediate position on the elongated body to which the fourth fastening surface is attached and thereby define a seat region and a back region.    
   
   
       9 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated body comprises: 
 a foam core;    a cover layer than substantially encompasses the foam core; and    at least one deformable rod attached to the cover layer along one of the sides.    
   
   
       10 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated body comprises: 
 a foam core;    a cover layer than substantially encompasses the foam core; and    at least one deformable sheet that at least partially extends through the foam core.    
   
   
       11 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated body has a first panel pivotally attached thereto that opens to reveal a waterproof diaper changing region.  
   
   
       12 . The reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated body has a series of second panels pivotally attached thereto, wherein the series of second panels pivot away from the elongated body to define an enclosed region.  
   
   
       13 . A method of operating a reconfigurable seating and sleeping apparatus, the method comprising: 
 providing an elongated body in a rolled storage configuration by extending at least one strap around the elongated body, wherein the elongated body is defined by a first end, a second end and a pair of sides that extend between the first end and the second end;    unrolling the elongated body to a sleeping configuration where the elongated body is substantially flat;    curving the first end to an intermediate position to define a seat region;    engaging the first end to the intermediate location with a first removable fastening device;    curving the second end to the intermediate position to define a back region; and    engaging the first end to the intermediate location with a second removable fastening device.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising urging the intermediate position to a location that is elevated with respect to a lower surface of the seat region.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising mounting at least one of a deformable rod, a deformable sheet and a spring with respect to the elongated body.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising pivoting a first panel away from the elongated body to reveal a waterproof diaper changing surface.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising pivoting a series of second panels away from the elongated body to define an enclosed region.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated body comprises a foam core and a cover layer than substantially encompasses the foam core.