Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with diverse-type art device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-07
2001-11-06
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with diverse-type art device
C002S069000, C062S003700, C219S528000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313438
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to heated sleeping bags and, more particularly, to a heated sleeping bag having heating elements powered by a battery that is rechargeable by energy from a solar cell.
Sleeping bags are used primarily by campers for sleeping in an outdoor environment. When used in a very cold environment, however, maintaining sufficient heat therein during the nighttime hours is a daunting task. Several devices have been proposed in the art for heating an otherwise conventional sleeping bag. As conventional forms of electricity are typically unavailable, such devices are powered by rechargeable batteries. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, existing apparatuses do not utilize a form of energy that is often readily available to the camper for recharging batteries, that is, solar energy. In addition, existing devices do not provide for selectively heating desired regions of the sleeping bag so as to conserve energy.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a solar heated sleeping apparatus having heating coils that are powered by a battery that is recharged as solar rays impinge upon a solar cell. Further, it is desirable to have a solar heated sleeping apparatus in which various regions of a sleeping bag may be selectively heated. In addition, it is desirable to have a solar heated sleeping apparatus in which the solar cell is mounted upon a flexible panel that may be selectively coupled to the sleeping bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A solar heated personal sleeping apparatus according to the present invention includes a sleeping bag having rectangular lower and upper portions. The lower and upper portions are partially connected along corresponding edges and partially fastened together by a zipper along the remaining edges in a conventional manner. A plurality of heating elements are disposed within an inner liner of the upper portion and are spaced apart from one another therein. The sleeping apparatus further includes a solar cell mounted to a flexible panel, the flexible panel being removably attached to the upper portion of the sleeping bag with snaps or the like. The solar cell comprises a plurality of small, solar modules such that the flexible panel may be rolled up with the sleeping bag for storage without damaging the solar cell. In use, the solar cell is connected to a conventional inverter for regulating the solar energy received from the solar cell and converting the solar energy to electricity. The inverter is connected to at least one rechargeable battery for recharging the battery. The flexible panel with the solar cell may be positioned atop a plurality of adjustable support legs for receiving solar rays thereon at an optimal angle.
The apparatus includes a control unit fixedly attached to an edge of the sleeping bag for regulating the flow of electricity between the rechargeable battery and the heating elements. The control unit includes controls for energizing all or part of the heating elements within the inner liner of the upper portion of the sleeping bag. Thus, the entire space between the upper and lower portions may be heated or just specific regions, as desired (e.g. the torso region or the feet region).
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus for heating a sleeping bag having heating coils disposed therein.
Another object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, that is powered by a rechargeable battery.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, having a solar cell for providing electrical power upon solar rays impinging thereon.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the solar cell is mounted upon a flexible panel that is removably coupled to the sleeping bag and may be rolled up therewith for transport or storage.
A further object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, having a control unit for selectively energizing predetermined heating elements within the sleeping bag.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the sleeping bag is waterproof.
A particular object of this invention is to provide a heated personal sleeping apparatus, as aforesaid, that is easy to manufacture and use.
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Fastovsky Leonid M
Ream Dale J.
Walberg Teresa
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