Sleeping Bag System with Selectively Adjustable Insulating Baffles

Abstract

A sleeping bag system with selectively interchangeable insulating baffles. The baffles are configured to be inserted into either or both of an upper layer and a bottom layer of the sleeping bag shell. The shell and baffles have one or more fasteners configured to engage with each other to hold the baffles in place inside the shell during use. The system allows a single sleeping bag to be used in varying ambient temperatures and allows the user to customize the warmth of the bag by adding or removing various insulating baffles from different sections of the shell.

1 . A sleeping bag system comprising:
 a shell comprising an upper layer, bottom layer, a body space disposed between the upper layer and bottom layer and an entry closure allowing a user access to the body space;   the upper layer and bottom layer of the shell each comprising a separate baffle pocket further comprising a plurality of longitudinally disposed sections including at least foot, middle and head sections, each section of each baffle pocket being configured to receive at least one separate insulating baffle;   at least one insulating baffle; and   a plurality of fasteners configured to maintain each at least one insulating baffle within a desired section.   
     
     
         2 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  wherein the upper layer comprises a first upper fabric layer and a first bottom fabric layer with a first baffle pocket disposed between the first upper and first bottom fabric layers; and
 wherein the bottom layer comprises a second upper fabric, layer and a second bottom fabric layer with a second baffle pocket disposed between the second upper and second bottom fabric layers. 
 
     
     
         3 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 2  wherein the upper layer comprises a first baffle closure that is selectively positionable between an open position, allowing access to the first baffle pocket to add or remove the one or more insulating baffles, and a closed position; and
 wherein the bottom layer comprises a second baffle closure that is selectively positionable between an open position, allowing access to the first baffle pocket to add or remove the one or more insulating baffles, and a closed position. 
 
     
     
         4 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 3  wherein the shell comprises a plurality of fasteners and at least one insulating baffle comprises at least one fastener configured to engage a fastener of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 2  wherein at least one of the fasteners comprises a fabric strip attached to the first upper and first bottom fabric layers or attached to the second upper and second bottom fabric layers. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  wherein at least some of the fasteners are selected from either hook and loop tape or snaps. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 5  wherein each at least one insulating baffle comprises a slot and a selectively positionable gate, the slot configured to receive the fabric strip and the gate configured to hold the fabric strip inside the slot until it is released. 
     
     
         8 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of insulating baffles including at least one insulating baffle for each of the foot, middle and head sections. 
     
     
         9 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  comprising at least two insulating baffles stackable in at least one of the foot, middle and head sections of at least one of the baffle pockets. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  comprising at at least two insulating baffles having different shapes. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  wherein each at least one baffle comprises a perimeter edge section and a central section, wherein the perimeter edge section is thinner than the central section. 
     
     
         12 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 1  comprising at least first, second and third longitudinally aligned insulating baffles disposed in a baffle pocket,
 wherein a portion of a perimeter edge of the first baffle overlaps a first portion of a perimeter edge of the second insulating baffle when both baffles are inserted in one of the upper layer and bottom layer of the shell; and 
 wherein a second portion of a perimeter edge of the second insulating baffle overlaps a portion of a perimeter edge of the third insulating baffle when the insulating baffles are inserted in the shell. 
 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The sleeping bag system according to  claim 12  wherein slots are located on the overlapping portions of the perimeter edges of the insulating baffles. 
     
     
         15 . A set of insulating baffles comprising a plurality of insulating baffles useable in the sleeping bag system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A set of insulating baffles comprising a plurality of insulating baffles useable in the sleeping bag system of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         17 . A set of insulating baffles comprising a plurality of insulating baffles useable in the sleeping bag system of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         18 . A set of insulating baffles comprising a plurality of insulating baffles useable in the sleeping bag system of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         19 . A set of insulating baffles comprising a plurality of insulating baffles useable in the sleeping bag system of  claim 7 .