阅读说明：本技术 睡袋封闭物 (Sleeping bag closure ) 是由 M·格莱文 于 2019-07-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：能够被选择性地作为睡袋使用的被子,该被子包括：第一对分立的、配合的底部紧固件元件和第二对分立的、配合的底部紧固件元件,每一对内的底部紧固件元件适于选择性地彼此接合和解除接合,第一对的一个紧固件元件横向地定位在第二对之间,并且第二对的一个紧固件元件横向地定位在第一对之间；至少一个内部被子紧固件元件附接到被子内表面；并且至少一个外部被子紧固件元件附接到被子外表面,其中,内部被子紧固件元件和外部被子紧固件元件被协作地布置为使得：在被子被包裹在重叠的足盒包裹的布置中的情况下,每个内部被子紧固件元件被配置为基本上与相应的、配合的外部被子紧固件元件对齐并且接合。(A quilt capable of being selectively used as a sleeping bag, the quilt comprising: a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements and a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements, the bottom fastener elements within each pair being adapted to be selectively engaged and disengaged with one another, one fastener element of the first pair being positioned laterally between the second pair, and one fastener element of the second pair being positioned laterally between the first pair; at least one inner quilt fastener element attached to the inner surface of the quilt; and at least one outer quilt fastener element attached to the outer quilt surface, wherein the inner quilt fastener element and the outer quilt fastener element are cooperatively arranged such that: with the comforter wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, each inner sub-fastener element is configured to substantially align with and engage a corresponding, mating outer sub-fastener element.)

1. A quilt capable of being selectively used as a sleeping bag, said quilt comprising:

an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge;

a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along the bottom edge, the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements adapted to selectively engage and disengage from each other;

a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along the bottom edge, the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fasteners adapted to selectively engage and disengage from each other, one of the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements positioned laterally between the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements, and one of the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fasteners positioned laterally between the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements;

at least one inner quilt fastener element attached to said inner quilt surface; and

at least one outer quilt fastener element attached to the quilt outer surface, wherein the inner quilt fastener element and the outer quilt fastener element are cooperatively arranged such that: with the comforter wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, each inner comforter fastener element is configured to substantially align with and engage a corresponding, mating outer comforter fastener element.

2. A comforter as in claim 1 further comprising a pull cord disposed adjacent said bottom edge.

3. A comforter as in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements and said second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements includes a loop of cord and a hook structurally arranged so as to engage and retain said loop of cord.

4. A quilt as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said at least one inner quilt fastener element and said at least one outer quilt fastener element comprises a continuous quilt fastener element.

5. A quilt as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one inner quilt fastener element comprises a first zipper half and said at least one outer quilt fastener element comprises a second zipper half, said second zipper half being adapted to engage said first zipper half.

6. A quilt as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one inner quilt fastener element comprises a plurality of discrete quilt fastener elements disposed on the inner surface along an inner quilt attachment path, and the at least one outer quilt fastener element comprises a plurality of discrete quilt fastener elements disposed on the outer surface along an outer quilt attachment path.

7. A quilt as recited in claim 6, wherein each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said inner surface includes a loop and each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said outer surface includes a hook structurally arranged so as to engage and retain a corresponding one of said loops.

8. A quilt as recited in claim 6, wherein each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said outer surface includes a loop and each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said inner surface includes a hook structurally arranged so as to engage and retain a corresponding one of said loops.

9. A quilt as recited in claim 6, wherein each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said outer surface includes a first snap fastener element, and each discrete quilt fastener element disposed on said inner surface includes a second snap fastener element that mates with the first snap fastener element of the corresponding quilt fastener element disposed on said outer surface.

10. A comforter as in claim 6 wherein said set of discrete comforter fastener elements disposed on said outer surface comprises: at least one sub-fastener element of a first fastener element type, and at least one sub-fastener element of a second fastener element type, and each discrete sub-fastener element disposed on the inner surface comprises a sub-fastener element of the same fastener element type as a corresponding fastener element disposed on the outer surface.

11. A sleeping bag, comprising:

a quilt, comprising:

an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge;

a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along the bottom edge, the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fasteners adapted to selectively engage and disengage from each other;

a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along the bottom edge, the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fasteners adapted to selectively engage and disengage from each other, one of the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements positioned laterally between the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements, and one of the second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements positioned laterally between the first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements;

at least one inner quilt fastener element attached to said inner quilt surface;

at least one outer quilt fastener element adapted for selective engagement and disengagement with the at least one inner quilt fastener element, the at least one outer quilt fastener element attached to the quilt outer surface, wherein the inner quilt fastener element and the outer quilt fastener element are cooperatively arranged such that: with the comforter wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, each inner comforter fastener element is configured to substantially align with and engage a corresponding, mating outer comforter fastener element; and

a pull cord disposed adjacent the bottom edge;

and

a flap configured to selectively engage and disengage with the comforter.

12. The sleeping bag of claim 9, further comprising at least one additional quilt fastener element attached to the quilt outer surface and at least one flap fastener element attached to the flap outer surface, wherein the additional quilt fastener element and the flap fastener element are cooperatively arranged such that: each additional quilt fastener element is configured to substantially align with and engage a corresponding, mating flap fastener element when the flaps are engaged with the quilt.

13. In combination, the sleeping bag of claim 9 and a sleeping mat, the sleeping mat being adapted to underlie the flap and the comforter.

14. The combination of claim 10, wherein said flap is configured to selectively engage and disengage with said sleeping pad.

15. A comforter comprising an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge spaced from the first lateral edge, the comforter being selectively configurable from a flat comforter position to a sleeping bag position wherein at least a portion of the first lateral edge overlaps the second lateral edge to define a foot box adjacent the bottom edge, the comforter further being selectively configurable in the sleeping bag position between a foot box expanded arrangement and a foot box wrapped arrangement.

16. A comforter as in claim 12, further comprising a pull cord disposed adjacent said bottom edge, said pull cord being adapted to move said comforter at least partially between said footbed expanded arrangement and said footbed wrapped arrangement in said sleeping bag position.

17. A quilt as recited in claim 12, further comprising a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along said bottom edge, said first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements being adapted to be selectively engaged and disengaged from each other, said first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements being disengaged in said quilt position and engaged in said sleeping bag position.

18. A quilt as recited in claim 14, further comprising a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached along said bottom edge, said second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements being adapted to be selectively engaged and disengaged from each other, said second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements being disengaged in said quilt position and engaged in said sleeping bag position.

19. A quilt as recited in claim 15, wherein one discrete, mating bottom fastener element of said first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements is positioned laterally between said second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements, and one discrete, mating bottom fastener element of said second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements is positioned laterally between said first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements.

20. A quilt as recited in claim 12, further comprising at least one inner quilt fastener element attached to the inner quilt surface and at least one outer quilt fastener element attached to the outer quilt surface, the inner quilt fastener element and the outer quilt fastener element being cooperatively arranged such that: with the quilt in the sleeping bag position, each inner quilt fastener element is substantially aligned with and engaged by a corresponding, mating outer quilt fastener element.

Technical Field

The field of the invention relates to sleeping bags. In particular, disclosed herein are various closure devices for sleeping bags.

Disclosure of Invention

The first invention article includes: a quilt usable as a sleeping bag, a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements and a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements, an inner set of one or more quilt fastener elements, an outer set of one or more quilt fastener elements, and a pull cord. The bottom fastener elements being attached to the comforter along the comforter bottom edge; one discrete bottom fastener element of the first pair is positioned between one discrete bottom fastener element of the second pair, and one discrete bottom fastener element of the second pair is positioned between one discrete bottom fastener element of the first pair. The bottom fastener elements thereby defining a first quilt bottom edge transverse section, a second quilt bottom edge transverse section, and a quilt bottom edge central section, wherein the first quilt bottom edge transverse section is located between the first pair of bottom fastener elements but not between the second pair of bottom fastener elements; the second quilt bottom edge transverse section is located between the second pair of bottom fastener elements but not between the second pair of bottom fastener elements; the quilt bottom edge central section is located between the two pairs of bottom fastener elements. The inner set of quilt fastener elements are attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of a linear or curved inner quilt attachment path; the outer set of quilt fastener elements are attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of a linear or curved outer quilt attachment path. The inner quilt attachment path extends from the first quilt transverse edge to the first quilt bottom edge transverse section and defines an inner quilt overlap area section on the inner quilt surface bounded by the inner quilt attachment path, the quilt bottom edge and the first quilt transverse edge. The outer quilt attachment path extends from the second quilt transverse edge to the second quilt bottom edge transverse section and defines an outer quilt overlap area section on the outer quilt surface, the outer quilt overlap area section being bounded by the outer quilt attachment path, the quilt bottom edge and the second quilt transverse edge.

In the case of a comforter wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, (i) a portion of the outer comforter overlap region section facing the inner surface of the comforter, (ii) a portion of the inner comforter overlap region section facing the outer surface of the comforter, (iii) each of the comforter fastener elements of the inner group being substantially aligned with a respective, mating comforter fastener element of the outer group, and (iv) engagement of the respective, mating comforter fastener elements of the inner and outer groups with one another retains at least the foot-facing portion of the comforter in the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement. In the case of a comforter being wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, (i) a first pair of cooperating bottom fastener elements are positioned so as to engage each other, (ii) a second pair of cooperating bottom fastener elements are positioned so as to engage each other, and (iii) the engagement of the first pair of bottom fastener elements with each other and the engagement of the second pair of bottom fastener elements with each other retains at least the comforter bottom edge in the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement with the first comforter bottom edge transverse section and the second comforter bottom edge transverse section overlapping each other. The pull rope is jointed with the bottom edge of the quilt. By: engagement of the first pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, engagement of the second pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, and engagement of the respective sub-fastener elements of the inner group and the respective sub-fastener elements of the outer group with one another, retains the quilt in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, pulling the drawstrings to gather the sub-bottom edges to form the closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

The second inventive article comprises a flap adapted for use with a sleeping bag, a first set of one or more flap fastener elements, and a second set of one or more flap fastener elements. The flap is structurally arranged to be secured to the sleeping pad. The first and second sets of sheet fastener elements are attached to the outer surface of the sheet and are structurally arranged along respective linear or curved first and second sheet attachment paths on the outer surface of the sheet. The first and second attachment paths are structurally arranged generally longitudinally along at least respective foot-facing portions of the respective first and second lateral edges of the flap. The flap fastener elements and the first and second flap attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: (i) a first set of the flap fastener elements and a corresponding first set of the quilt fastener elements of a quilt that can be used as a sleeping bag are engaged with each other, and (ii) a second set of the flap fastener elements and a corresponding second set of the quilt fastener elements of the quilt are engaged with each other. With the comforter in an unenclosed arrangement, the first and second sets of comforter fastener elements are disengaged from one another, and the quilt is positioned over the flaps with the inner quilt surface facing the outer flap surface, (i) each of the quilt fastener elements of the first set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the first set, (iii) each of the quilt fastener elements of the second set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the second set, and (iv) the engagement of the respective first set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another and the engagement of the respective second set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another retains at least the foot-facing portion of the quilt secured to the flap in the foot-box expanded arrangement.

Objects and advantages associated with sleeping bags may become apparent with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following written description or appended claims.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Drawings

Fig. 1A and 1B are schematic exterior and interior views, respectively, of an exemplary quilt of the sleeping bag of the present invention in a flat arrangement.

Fig. 2A and 2B are schematic inside and bottom views, respectively, of the exemplary comforter of fig. 1A/1B in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement. FIG. 2C is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary quilt of FIGS. 2A/2B, wherein the bottom edge is collected by a drawstring to form a closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Fig. 3A and 3B are schematic outside and inside views, respectively, of another exemplary quilt of the sleeping bag of the present invention in a flat arrangement.

Fig. 4A and 4B are schematic outside and inside views, respectively, of another exemplary quilt of the sleeping bag of the present invention in a flat arrangement.

FIG. 5A is a schematic exterior view of an exemplary flap of the sleeping bag of the present invention secured to a sleeping mat. Fig. 5B is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary quilt of fig. 4A/4B attached to the exemplary flap of fig. 5A in a foot-box expanded arrangement. FIG. 5C is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary quilt of FIG. 5B, wherein the bottom edge is collected by a drawstring to form a closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic outside and inside views, respectively, of another exemplary quilt of the sleeping bag of the present invention in a flat arrangement.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic exterior views of another exemplary comforter and another exemplary flap of the sleeping bag of the present invention.

Fig. 8A is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary comforter of fig. 7A in an open, foot box wrapped arrangement. Fig. 8B is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary comforter of fig. 7A in a closed, foot box wrapped arrangement.

Fig. 9A is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary quilt of fig. 7A attached to the exemplary flap of fig. 7B, with the quilt in an open, foot-box expanded arrangement. Fig. 8B is a schematic bottom view of the exemplary quilt of fig. 7A attached to the exemplary flap of fig. 7B, with the quilt in a closed, foot box expanded arrangement.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic exterior views of another exemplary comforter and another exemplary flap of the sleeping bag of the present invention.

FIG. 11A schematically illustrates partially engaged zipper half fastener elements. Figure 11B schematically illustrates engaged eye and hook fastener elements.

The depicted embodiment is shown only schematically; in the interest of clarity, not all features may be shown in full detail or in proper proportion, some features or structures may be exaggerated relative to other features or structures, and the drawings should not be considered to be to scale. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure or the appended claims.

Detailed Description

The sleeping bag of the present invention is shown schematically in fig. 1A/1B and includes a quilt 100 that can be used as a sleeping bag, a first pair of bottom fastener elements 121A/121B, a second pair of bottom fastener elements 122a/122B, an inner set of one or more quilt fastener elements 131, an outer set of one or more quilt fastener elements 141, and a drawstring 160 (omitted from fig. 1A/1B to avoid cluttering the drawings). If there is only one single inner quilt fastener element, it is referred to herein as an inner quilt fastener element 131; if there are multiple inner sub-fastener elements, they are referred to individually as inner sub-fastener elements 131a/131b/, and collectively as inner sub-fastener elements 131. Similarly, if there is only one single outer sub-fastener element, it is referred to herein as outer sub-fastener element 141; if there are multiple outer sub-fastener elements, they are referred to individually as outer sub-fastener elements 141a/141b/., and collectively as outer sub-fastener elements 141.

The comforter has a cephalad top edge 100a, a plantar bottom edge 100b, a first lateral edge 100c, a second lateral edge 100d, an exterior surface 100e, and an interior surface 100 f. In some examples, comforter 100 is substantially trapezoidal in shape, with top and bottom edges 100a/100b substantially parallel, and bottom edge 100b being shorter than top edge 100 a; in other examples, quilt 100 is substantially rectangular; other suitable shapes may be used. Comforter 100 generally comprises a sewn structure, i.e., two layers of fabric with some soft matter (e.g., wool, down, or other natural or synthetic insulation) between the two layers of fabric and in a pattern or tufted through the entire thickness to prevent migration of the fill (the light dashed lines in the drawings indicate stitches). Although stitches are shown in the drawings, the term "comforter" is used herein to generally indicate any comforter-like or blanket-like item suitable for use as all or part of a sleeping bag; the use of the term "comforter" is not intended to imply that the so-named article must necessarily include sewing or be completely or partially sewn, although the term "comforter" as used herein includes such articles. Comforter 100 may be formed in any suitable manner from any one or more suitable materials. The sleeping bag (or sheet of the invention; see below) of the present invention may be constructed using any one or more materials (e.g., textiles or insulation) suitable for use in constructing conventional sleeping bags. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to: nylon, polyester, silk, cotton, plain weave, nylon weave, cocoon silk, flannel, microfiber, gores (Gore-Tex), or wool; natural fluff, synthetic insulation, or other insulating materials; or a metal coated polymer film, or other heat shielding material, or heat reflecting material. The comforter (and/or the sheet; see below) may include heating elements, such as electrical heating elements or chemical heating elements, if needed or desired.

Discrete bottom fastener elements 121a/121b/122a/122b are attached to the comforter along comforter bottom edge 100 b; the first pair includes mating bottom fastener elements 121a/121b and the second pair includes mating bottom fastener elements 122a/122 b."along the quilt bottom edge 100 b" includes the following arrangements: wherein the bottom fastener elements 121a/121b/122a/122b are attached at the quilt bottom edge 100b, and wherein those fastener elements are slightly displaced from the quilt bottom edge 100b to leave a narrow strip of the quilt along the quilt bottom edge 100b to serve as a barrier. "discrete" fastener elements will be contrasted with "continuous" fastener elements. The continuous fastener elements are attached together along a continuous attachment line to different portions of the quilt or flap without leaving significant gaps along the attachment line. Examples of continuous fastener elements include, but are not limited to: for example, the mating halves of the zipper 701 (fig. 11A), hook and loop fasteners (e.g.,) Or a mating strip of hook and loop material, or a magnetic plastic strip (e.g., such as for ice bin stickers). The discrete fastener elements attach together different portions of the comforter or flap only at localized attachment points or localized attachment regions along the attachment path, leaving gaps between those localized attachment points or localized attachment regions. Examples of discrete fastener elements include, but are not limited to: such as a loop 801 and hook 802 (fig. 11B) to retain the loop, mating male snap (snap) and female snap elements, mating button and button holes, mating male and female snap (buckle) or clasp (clasps) elements, mating circumscribing pieces of hook and loop material of hook-and-loop material, or a magnet pair. Note that the loop 801 and hook 802 (i.e., a single loop 801 of elastic or inelastic cord material, and a hook 802 arranged to engage and retain the loop 801; as shown in fig. 11B) contrast with hook loop material (e.g.,) The difference between them, hook and loop material includes numerous tiny loops and tiny hooks arranged on strips or pieces. In the drawings showing all or part of a comforter or flap, the cooperating or corresponding pair of fastener elements consists of an "X" for one fastener element (e.g., hook) and a "X" for the other fastener elementAn "O" designation of another fastener element (e.g., a loop of rope). Each "X" or each "O" in a given figure is not intended to necessarily indicate the same type of fastener element, although this may sometimes be the case.

Two pairs of discrete bottom fastener elements 121a/121b and 122a/122b are arranged along quilt bottom edge 100b such that only one discrete bottom fastener element 121b of the first pair is positioned between discrete bottom fastener elements 122a/122b of the second pair, and only one discrete bottom fastener element 122b of the second pair is positioned between discrete bottom fastener elements 121a/121b of the first pair. The bottom fastener elements 121a/121b/122a/122b will thus be divided by the quilt bottom edge 100b into a first quilt bottom edge transverse section 100b-1, a quilt bottom edge central section 100b-2, and a second quilt bottom edge transverse section 100 b-3. First sub-bottom edge transverse section 100b-1 is located between first pair of bottom fastener elements 121a/121b, but not between second pair of bottom fastener elements 122a/122b (and thus between bottom fastener elements 121a and 122 b); second sub-bottom edge transverse section 100b-3 is located between the second pair of bottom fastener elements 122a/122b, but not between the first pair of bottom fastener elements 121a/121b (and thus between bottom fastener elements 121b and 122 a); quilt bottom edge central section 100b-2 is located between two pairs of bottom fastener elements 121a/121b and 122a/122b (and thus between bottom fastener elements 121b and 122 b). In some examples, bottom fastener elements 121a are positioned where the first quilt transverse edge 100c meets the quilt bottom edge 100b (e.g., at one bottom corner of a rectangular or trapezoidal quilt 100), and bottom fastener elements 122a are positioned where the second quilt transverse edge 100d meets the quilt bottom edge 100b (e.g., at another bottom corner of a rectangular or trapezoidal quilt 100). In such an example, the comforter bottom edge sections 100b-1, 100b-2 and 100b-3 include the entire comforter bottom edge 100 b.

The foot-facing portion of comforter 100 may be wrapped or folded into an overlapping foot-box wrapped arrangement (e.g., as in fig. 2A/2B/2C; the stitching has been omitted to avoid cluttering the figure). In this arrangement, the quilt bottom edge transverse sections 100b-1 and 100b-3 overlap one another. In this arrangement, the mating, discrete bottom fastener elements 121a/121b are also positioned opposite one another, and the mating, discrete bottom fastener elements 122a/122b are positioned opposite one another. The engagement of bottom fastener elements 121a/121B with one another and the engagement of bottom fastener elements 122a/122B with one another will maintain at least the quilt bottom edge 100B in an overlapping, foot-box wrapped arrangement, with the first and second quilt bottom edge transverse sections 100B-1 and 100B-3 overlapping one another (which may be referred to herein as a spiral or helical arrangement of the quilt bottom edge 100B; best seen in fig. 2B).

The inner set of one or more quilt fastener elements 131 are attached to the inner quilt surface 100e along at least a portion of the linear or curved inner quilt attachment path 130. The inner quilt connection path 130 extends from the first quilt transverse edge 100c to the first quilt bottom edge transverse section 100B-1 and defines an inner quilt overlap area section 103 on the quilt inner surface 100e, the inner quilt overlap area section 103 being bounded by the inner quilt attachment path 130, the quilt bottom edge 100B and the first quilt transverse edge 100c (fig. 1B). The outer set of one or more quilt fastener elements 141 are attached to the quilt outer surface 100f along at least a portion of a linear or curved outer quilt attachment path 140, the outer quilt attachment path 140 extending from the second quilt transverse edge 100d to the second quilt bottom edge transverse section 100b-3 and defining an outer quilt overlap area section 104 on the quilt outer surface 100f, the outer quilt overlap area section 104 being defined by the outer quilt attachment path 140, the quilt bottom edge 100b and the second quilt transverse edge 100d (fig. 1A). Note that: the portions of attachment paths 130 and 140 that extend to the edges of quilt 100 may in some examples be only virtual extensions of the attachment paths defined by the respective fastener elements. In other examples, the fastener elements may be positioned at the edges of quilt 100. In some examples in which a comforter is sewn, attachment paths 130 and 140 may optionally be provided along seams of the pattern being sewn. In some examples, the inner and outer child attachment paths 130/140 are substantially linear; in some examples, inner and outer sub-overlap region segments 103/104 are substantially triangular. When the comforter 100 is wrapped or folded into an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, the outer comforter overlap region section 104 faces a portion of the comforter inner surface 100e and the inner comforter overlap region section 103 faces a portion of the comforter outer surface 100f (shown in FIG. 2A, although those region sections will not be visible; as will be most clearly seen in FIG. 2B). In this arrangement, each of the sub-fastener elements 131 of the inner set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating sub-fastener 141 of the outer set. The engagement of the respective, mating quilt fastener elements 131/141 of the inner and outer sets with one another maintains the quilt 100 in at least the foot-box wrapped arrangement (the position of engaged quilt fastener elements 131/141 shown in fig. 2A/2B, although they will not be visible) at least partially in the overlapping foot box.

The drawstring 160 engages the quilt bottom edge 100 b; in some examples, drawstring 160 extends substantially completely across quilt bottom edge 100 b. The drawstring 160 may be of any suitable or conventional type or arrangement. The comforter is held in the overlapping comforter-foot-box wrapped arrangement by (i) engagement of bottom fastener elements 121a/121b with one another, (ii) engagement of bottom fastener elements 122a/122b with one another, and (iii) engagement of respective comforter fastener elements 131/141 of the inner and outer sets with one another, and then pulling on drawstring 160 to collect comforter-bottom edge 100b to form a closed foot-box of the sleeping bag (fig. 2C). To secure the closed foot box of the sleeping bag, in some examples, one or both of the drawstring 160 or the quilt bottom edge 100b may be structurally arranged so as to secure the drawstring 160 with the gathered quilt edge 100 b. In some of those examples, the drawstring 160 may include a retention member 161, the retention member 161 securing the drawstring 160 with the collected quilt bottom edge 100 b. One example of such a retaining member 161 is a conventional cord lock of any suitable type that can be slid along the draw cord 160 and then locked in place at selected locations along the draw cord 160.

In some examples, the inner set of quilt fastener elements 131 includes a continuous quilt fastener element 131, the continuous quilt fastener element 131 being attached to the quilt inner surface 100e along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path 103 (fig. 3B). Similarly, in those examples, the outer set of sub-fastener elements 141 includes a continuous sub-fastener element 141, the continuous sub-fastener element 141 being attached to the sub-cover outer surface 100f along at least a portion of the outer sub-cover attachment path 140 (fig. 3A). In some examples, the continuous fastener elements 131/141 can extend to the respective quilt side edges 100c/100d, or, in other examples, can extend only partially toward those edges. Continuous fastener elements 131/141 generally do not extend all the way to quilt bottom edge 100 b; instead, their respective foot-facing ends are displaced in a cephalad direction from the quilt bottom edge 100 b. Continuous fastener elements 131/141 may be of any suitable type or arrangement, including those described above (e.g., mating zipper halves, mating strips of hook and loop material, or magnetic plastic strips).

In some examples, the inner set of quilt fastener elements 131 includes a plurality of discrete inner sets of quilt fastener elements 131a/131B/… that are attached to the quilt inner surface 100e along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path 130 (fig. 1B). Similarly, in those examples, the outer set of one or more of the sub-fastener elements 141 comprises a plurality of discrete outer sets of sub-fastener elements 141a/141b/… that are attached to the sub-cover outer surface 100f along at least a portion of the outer sub-cover attachment path 140. The inner and outer sets of quilt fastener elements 131/141 and the inner and outer quilt attachment paths 130/140 are structurally arranged such that: each discrete sub-fastener element 131a/131b of the inner set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating, discrete sub-fastener element 141a/141b of the outer set, with the sub-cover 100 being wrapped in an overlapping foot-cover-wrapped arrangement. In some examples, the topmost, discrete sub-fastener element 131a of the inner group is positioned on the first sub-lateral edge 130 and the topmost, discrete sub-fastener element 141a of the outer group is positioned on the second sub-lateral edge 100 d. In other examples, the topmost sub-fastener elements 131a/141a are displaced from the respective sub-lateral edges 130/140. The bottommost, discrete sub-fastener elements of the inner and outer sets (sub-fastener elements 131c/141c in the example in the drawings) are generally displaced in the cephalad direction from the sub-bottom edge 100 b. The discrete sub-fastener elements 131/141 may be of any suitable type or arrangement, including those described above (e.g., a cord loop and hook, mating male and female snap fastener elements, mating button and button hole, mating male and female snap or clasp elements, mating circumscribing pieces of hook and loop material, or a magnet pair).

In many examples, all of the discrete sub-fastener elements 131 of the inner set are of one type (e.g., all cord loops, or all male snap fastener elements), and all of the discrete fastener elements 141 of the outer set are of a corresponding one of the other types that mate with or correspond to the discrete fastener elements of the inner set (e.g., all hooks if the inner set is all cord loops, or all female snap fastener elements if the inner set is all male snap fastener elements). Further, in many of those examples, the fastener element type selected for sub-fastener element 131/141 is the same as the fastener element type selected for bottom fastener elements 121a/121b/122a/122b, although this need not be the case. Such an arrangement may be advantageous, for example, by simplifying the manufacturing process used to produce the sleeping bag of the present invention, however, those conditions are not necessary. It is only necessary that for each corresponding pair of inner and outer sub-fastener elements (131a/141a, 131b/141b, etc.), the two fastener elements be of a mating or corresponding type that can engage and be retained with one another. Thus, the inner sub-fastener elements 131A/131b/. can be "mixed and matched" with the outer sub-fastener elements 141A/141b along the inner attachment path 130 in any desired mix and sequence of fastener types. This mixed type set of inner and outer quilt fastener elements 131/141 may be advantageous, for example, by guiding the user to engage the inner and outer quilt fastener elements with each other in the correct pair when unfolding the sleeping bag. This mixed type set of inner and outer sub-fastener elements 131/141 is intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims.

The above-described closure arrangement of the invention for the foot-facing portion of comforter 100 is used to form a closed foot box of a sleeping bag formed by comforter 102. The closure arrangement of the present invention can be particularly advantageous when a plurality of discrete fastener elements are employed rather than a continuous fastener element. A common problem with the use of discrete fasteners in sleeping bag closures is that the sections of the sleeping bag joined by discrete fastener elements can still be separated from one another along the gap between adjacent engaged pairs of fastener elements. Movement of an occupant of the sleeping bag tends to cause intermittent separation along those gaps, and those separations cause heat to escape from the sleeping bag, reducing its performance. The arrangement of the present invention, including the overlapping arrangement (i.e., the so-called spiral arrangement or helical arrangement; best seen in fig. 2B/2C) of the bottom quilt edge transverse sections 100B-1 and 100B-3, the inner and outer sets of quilt fastener elements 131/141 arranged along attachment path 130/140 (which slopes inwardly and downwardly from the quilt transverse edges 100C/100 d), the quilt overlap area sections 103/104 facing the respective quilt outer/inner surfaces 100f/100e, and the drawstrings 160 along the quilt bottom edge 100B all work together to form a closed foot box for a sleeping bag in the following manner: wherein separation of the joined portions of quilt 100 (which form the foot boxes of the sleeping bag) is resisted, reduced, and in some cases eliminated, even as the occupant moves about therein.

Weight is an important limitation in designing outdoor equipment, particularly if the equipment is to be carried by a person who is walking a long distance (e.g., during backpack outages). Lightweight materials and specialized construction techniques have been developed over the years to produce lighter items of equipment such as tents and sleeping bags. As weight limits are being pressed lower and lower, finding ways to further cut down the weight becomes correspondingly more difficult.

In so-called ultra-light sleeping bags or comforters, the zipper represents a significant percentage of the total weight, in some cases from about 10% to about 20%, or even more. A zipperless sleeping bag arrangement can potentially eliminate this weight, thereby enabling further weight savings in the sleeping bag, or replacing the weight of the zippers with, for example, more or denser filler to enhance the thermal performance of the sleeping bag, or with heavier cover materials to improve durability. Unfortunately, as noted above, the use of a lighter set of discrete fasteners to simply replace the zipper (i.e., continuous zipper) in conventional sleeping bag closure arrangements may result in: as the occupant of the sleeping bag moves about, the attachment portions of the sleeping bag separate from one another between the discrete fasteners. Such separation allows heat to escape from the sleeping bag and may severely degrade its performance in cold conditions. It is desirable to provide a zipperless sleeping bag that includes a quilt and various discrete fasteners that are structurally arranged such that: the portions of the quilt that are joined by the discrete fasteners do not separate, or do not separate as easily, as an occupant of the sleeping bag moves about. The sleeping bag foot box closure arrangement of the present invention described above provides a new and useful function.

The above-described foot box closed arrangement of the sleeping bag of the invention (referred to herein as an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement) may be employed when using the sleeping bag without attaching it to another article (e.g., a flap such as a sleeping pad) toward the foot portion. In some cases, a user may want to expand the foot box of the sleeping bag and attach it to the sleeping mat, typically by attaching it to a flap on the sleeping mat. The sleeping bag of the present invention described above may be further adapted to provide additional, new and useful functions.

Additional sets of one or more quilt fastener elements 151 can be attached to the quilt outer surface 100f along at least a portion of a linear or curved additional quilt attachment path 150 (fig. 4A/4B). The additional attachment path 150 extends from the first quilt outer lateral edge 100c to the first quilt bottom edge lateral section 100b-1 and defines an additional quilt overlap area section 105 on the quilt outer surface 100f, the additional quilt overlap area section 105 being bounded by the additional outer quilt attachment path 150, the quilt bottom edge 100b and the first quilt lateral edge 100 c. The additional quilt attachment path 150 generally, but not necessarily, follows the same path on the outer quilt surface 100f as the inner quilt attachment path 130 follows on the inner quilt surface 100 e; in this case, the additional quilt overlap area section 105 replicates the size, shape and location of the inner quilt overlap area section 103 on the inner quilt surface 100e on the outer quilt surface 100 f. The flap 200 (fig. 5A/5B/5C) is structurally arranged in any suitable manner to be secured to any suitable type, size and shape of sleeping mat 299, for example by being arranged as an assembled flap, or by including straps or ties for wrapping around the sleeping mat 299, or by enclosing the entire sleeping mat 299 in a manner similar to a pillow case enclosing a pillow. The sheet 200 includes a first set of one or more sheet fastener elements 241 and a second set of one or more sheet fastener elements 251 on an outer surface thereof, the first set of one or more sheet fastener elements 241 being structurally arranged along a respective linear or curved first sheet attachment path 240, and the second set of one or more sheet fastener elements 251 being structurally arranged along a respective linear or curved second sheet attachment path 250. The first and second attachment paths 240/250 are structurally disposed generally longitudinally along at least respective legged portions of the respective first and second lateral edges of the flap 200. In some examples, the first and second flap attachment paths 240/250 are positioned on respective first and second flap lateral edges; in other examples, the first and second flap attachment paths 240/250 are displaced inward from the respective first and second flap lateral edges.

To use comforter 100 in the foot-box expanded arrangement, bottom fastener elements 121a/122b are disengaged from one another, bottom fastener elements 122a/122b are disengaged from one another, and the inner and outer sets of comforter fastener elements 131/141 are disengaged from one another. With all of these fastener elements disengaged, quilt 100 can be opened or unfolded into a foot-box-unfolded arrangement and positioned over flap 200 with the quilt inner surface 100e facing the flap outer surface (fig. 5B/5C). The quilt overlap area sections 104 and 105 on the outer surface 100f of the quilt are rolled or folded underneath to face respective portions of the outer surface of the sheet (fig. 5B/5C). As positioned and arranged, each minor fastener element 141 of the outer set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, cooperating flap fastener element 241 of the first set, and each minor fastener element 151 of the additional set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, cooperating flap fastener element 251 of the second set. At least the foot-facing portion of comforter 100 is retained and secured to flap 200 in the footbed-expanded arrangement (fig. 5B/5C) by engaging respective outer sets and first sets of respective mated comforter and flap fastener elements 141/241 with one another and respective additional sets and second sets of respective mated comforter and flap fastener elements 151/251 with one another. In colder conditions, when a closed foot box may be desired, the drawstring 160 may be pulled to gather the bottom edge 100b and form a closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag (fig. 5C). Alternatively, in warmer conditions, when an open foot box may be desired, the quilt bottom edge 100B may remain uncollected so that the foot box remains open in its foot box expansion arrangement (fig. 5B). To transition back to the closed, overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, child fastener element 141 and flap fastener element 241 are disengaged from each other, and child fastener element 151 and flap fastener element 251 are disengaged from each other. Quilt 100 may then be returned to the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement described above.

The type or types and arrangement of flap fastener elements 241 are selected to mate with or correspond to the type or types and arrangement of outer sub-fastener elements 141 such that those fasteners can engage each other (e.g., loop of cord corresponds to hook, or vice versa, or button corresponds to button hole, or vice versa, and so forth for other fastener element types). The type and arrangement of flap fastener elements 251 are selected to cooperate or correspond with one or more of the types and arrangements of additional sub-fastener elements 151 so that those fasteners can engage one another. The type or types and arrangement of the additional sub-fastener elements 151 can in principle be arbitrarily selected from any continuous or discrete fastener element type (including any one or more of those described above). Alternatively, the flap fastener elements 251 may be arbitrarily selected, and then the additional sub-fastener elements 151 may be selected to mate or correspond. More typically, however, one or more of the additional sub-fastener elements 151 are selected to be of the same type and arrangement as one or more of the inner sub-fastener elements 131 or one or more of the outer sub-fastener elements 141.

If outer and additional sub fastener elements 141/151 are of the same type or types and arrangement as one another, then flap fastener elements 241/251 must also be of the same type or types and arrangement as one another and correspond to sub fastener elements 141/151. In one such example, inner quilt fastener elements 131 are both eyes, outer and additional quilt fastener elements 141/151 are both hooks, and first and second flap fastener elements 241/251 are both eyes. Such an arrangement may be advantageous to simplify the manufacture of the flap 200 and quilt 100.

If the inner and additional sub fastener elements 131/151 have one or more of the same type and arrangement as each other, then the flap fastener elements 241/251 will differ from each other with respect to one or more fastener types and arrangements while mating with or corresponding to respective sub fastener elements 141/151. In one such example, inner and additional quilt fastener elements 131/151 are both loops, outer quilt fastener elements 141 are both hooks, first flap fastener elements 241 are both loops, and second flap fastener elements 251 are both hooks). Such an arrangement is advantageous for guiding the assembly of the comforter 100 with the flaps 200 (since they can only be brought together in one way). Also, in some examples employing such an arrangement of discrete sub-fastener elements, the topmost inner sub-fastener element 131a may also be the topmost additional sub-fastener element 151a (fig. 4A/4B).

Any of the various continuous or discrete type(s) and arrangements for inner/outer sub-fastener elements 131/141 described above can be used to attach sub-fastener elements 151 and first/second panel fastener elements 241/251, including, for example, continuous fastener elements (fig. 6A/6B and 10B), discrete fastener elements (fig. 4A/4B and 5A), groups of only individual fastener element types, mixed types of fastener elements, and the like.

The arrangement of the additional quilt fastener elements 151 and flap fastener elements 241/251 provides new and useful functions in which a quilt 100 that can be used as a sleeping bag can be easily converted between (i) an arrangement having a self-contained, closed foot box and (ii) an arrangement having an extended foot box that is attached to a flap 200 (and thus also typically indirectly attached to a sleeping mat 299 on which the flap 200 is deployed). The enclosed foot box of the above-described example, in conjunction with the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement of the present invention, provides a new and useful function of attaching a flap, expanded foot box. However, the arrangement of the attached flaps, the expanded foot boxes, may be achieved independently of the arrangement of the overlapping, foot box wraps, and in some examples, the flaps of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with a conventional comforter that may be used as a sleeping bag. Thus, the flaps which may be used to provide the flap attachment, extending the arrangement of the foot box, may be provided together with the comforter as a set, or may be provided separately from the comforter as an accessory or retrofit.

A flap 300 suitable for use with a sleeping bag is shown in FIG. 7B. The flap 300 is structurally arranged to be secured to any suitable type, size and shape of sleeping mat 399 in any suitable manner, including those described above. A first set of one or more flap fastener elements 341 are attached to an outer surface of the flap 300; the flap fastener elements 341 are structurally arranged along a linear or curved first flap attachment path 340 on the outer surface of the flap. A second set of one or more flap fastener elements 351 are attached to the flap outer surface; the flap fastener elements are structurally arranged along a linear or curved second flap attachment path 351 on the outer surface of the flap. The first and second attachment paths 340/350 are structurally disposed generally longitudinally along at least respective legged portions of the respective first and second lateral edges of the flap 300. In some examples, the first and second flap attachment paths 340/350 may be positioned on respective first and second flap lateral edges; in other examples, the first and second flap attachment paths 340/350 may be displaced inward from the respective first and second flap lateral edges. Flap attachment paths 340 and flap fastener elements 341 are arranged such that flap fastener elements 341 and a corresponding first set of quilt fastener elements 441 (attached along attachment paths 440 on a quilt 400 that may be used as a sleeping bag; fig. 7A) are engageable with one another. Similarly, the flap attachment paths 350 and the flap fastener elements 351 are arranged so that the flap fastener elements 351 and the corresponding second set of sub-fastener elements 451 (attached along a second sub-attachment path 450 on the sub-cover 400; FIG. 7A) can engage one another.

The quilt fastener elements 441/451 are generally arranged as: when not used in conjunction with flaps 300 (an open, expanded foot box as shown in figure 8A, or a closed foot box as shown in figure 8B, formed by pulling drawstring 460), engage one another and retain at least the foot-facing portion of quilt 400 in a wrapped, folded, or closed arrangement (optionally, but not necessarily, overlapping). With the comforter 400 in the unwrapped arrangement, the comforter 300 can be positioned over the flaps 400 with the comforter inner surface facing the flap outer surface when the first and second sets of comforter fastener elements 441/451 are disengaged from one another (fig. 9A/9B). Each sub-quilt fastener element 441 of the first set is then substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element 341 of the first set, and each sub-quilt fastener element 451 of the second set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element 351 of the second set. Engaging the respective cooperative quilt and flap fastener elements 341/441 with one another and engaging the respective cooperative quilt and flap fastener elements 351/451 with one another retains at least the foot-ward portion of the quilt 400 secured to the flap 300 in a foot-box expanded arrangement (fig. 9A/9B; similar to the quilt 100 and flap 200 described above and shown in fig. 5B/5C).

Any of the various continuous or discrete one or more types and arrangements for interior/exterior sub-fastener elements 131/141 described above can be used for first/second panel fastener elements 341/351 and first/second sub-fastener elements 441/451, including, for example, continuous fastener elements (fig. 10A/10B), discrete fastener elements (fig. 7A/7B), groups of only a single fastener element type, mixed types of fastener elements, and the like.

As described above, the sheet 300 and the comforter 400 may be provided together as a set. Alternatively, the flap 300 may be provided as an accessory or retrofit for the comforter 400, and the comforter 400 may or may not be intended for use with the flap 400.

If comforter 400 includes a pull cord 460 across its bottom, foot-facing edge, the pull cord is typically used with comforter fastener elements 441/451 engaged with one another to collect the comforter bottom edge into the closed foot box of the sleeping bag (fig. 8B); a cord retaining member 461 may be employed. The closed foot box may include the wrapped arrangement described above, or may include non-overlapping attachment of attachment paths 440/450 to form a closed foot box (fig. 8A/8B) when quilt 400 is unattached to sheet 300. Upon disengagement of the quilt fastener elements 441/451 from one another, and attachment of the quilt 400 to the flap 300 in the foot box expansion arrangement (fig. 9A/9B) as described above, pull cord 460 is pulled to gather the quilt bottom edge to form a closed, expanded foot box (fig. 9B) of the sleeping bag. Depending on the conditions, the user may prefer to keep the expanded foot pod open by not pulling the pull cord 460 (fig. 9A).

The described arrangement enables a comforter 400 (including a conventional comforter, but not necessarily intended to be used as such) that can be used as a sleeping bag to be easily converted between (i) an arrangement having a self-contained, closed foot box and (ii) an arrangement having an extended foot box attached to the sheet 300 (and thus typically to the sleeping pad 399 on which the sheet 300 is disposed).

In addition to the foregoing, the following examples are within the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims:

example 1. An article, comprising: (a) a comforter that can be used as a sleeping bag, the comforter having (i) an inner comforter surface, (ii) an outer comforter surface, (iii) a cephalad comforter top edge, (iv) a plantar comforter bottom edge, (v) a first comforter transverse edge, and (vi) a second comforter transverse edge opposite the first comforter transverse edge; (b) a first pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements and a second pair of discrete, mating bottom fastener elements attached to the comforter along the comforter bottom edge and structurally arranged such that (i) only one discrete bottom fastener element of the first pair is positioned between the discrete bottom fastener elements of the second pair, (ii) only one discrete bottom fastener element of the second pair is positioned between the discrete bottom fastener elements of the first pair, and (iii) the first and second pairs of bottom fastener elements thereby define a first comforter bottom edge transverse section, a second comforter bottom edge transverse section, and a comforter bottom edge central section, wherein the first comforter bottom edge transverse section is located between the first pair of bottom fastener elements but not between the second pair of bottom fastener elements, a second quilt bottom edge transverse section located between the second pair of bottom fastener elements but not between the first pair of bottom fastener elements, the quilt bottom edge central section located between the two pairs of bottom fastener elements; (c) an inner set of one or more quilt fastener elements attached to a quilt inner surface along at least a portion of a linear or curved inner quilt attachment path extending from a first quilt transverse edge to a first quilt bottom edge transverse section and defining an inner quilt overlap area section on the quilt inner surface bounded by the inner quilt attachment path, the quilt bottom edge, and the first quilt transverse edge; (d) an outer set of one or more quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt outer surface along at least a portion of a linear or curved outer quilt attachment path extending from the second quilt transverse edge to the second quilt bottom edge transverse section and defining an outer quilt overlap area section on the quilt outer surface, the outer quilt overlap area section bounded by the outer quilt attachment path, the quilt bottom edge and the second quilt transverse edge; and (e) a drawstring engaged with the bottom edge of the comforter, wherein: (f) the inner and outer sets of quilt fastener elements and the inner and outer quilt attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: in the case of a comforter wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, (i) a portion of the outer comforter overlap region section facing the inner surface of the comforter, (ii) a portion of the inner comforter overlap region section facing the outer surface of the comforter, (iii) each of the comforter fastener elements of the inner set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating comforter fastener element of the outer set, and (iv) engagement of the corresponding, mating comforter fastener elements of the inner and outer sets with one another retains at least the foot-facing portion of the comforter in the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement; (g) in the case of a comforter being wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, (i) a first pair of cooperating bottom fastener elements are positioned so as to engage each other, (ii) a second pair of cooperating bottom fastener elements are positioned so as to engage each other, and (iii) the engagement of the first pair of bottom fastener elements with each other and the engagement of the second pair of bottom fastener elements with each other retains at least the comforter bottom edge in the overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement with the first comforter bottom edge transverse section and the second comforter bottom edge transverse section overlapping each other; and (h) the drawstrings and comforter are structurally arranged such that: by: engagement of the first pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, engagement of the second pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, and engagement of the respective quilt fastener elements of the inner and outer sets with one another such that the quilt is held in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, pulling the drawstrings to gather the quilt bottom edges to form a closed foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 2. The article of example 1, wherein either: (i) the comforter is substantially trapezoidal with the top and bottom edges substantially parallel and the bottom edge being shorter than the top edge; or (ii) is substantially rectangular.

Example 3. The article of any one of examples 1 or 2, wherein the drawstring or comforter bottom edge is structurally arranged such that: the drawstring is secured to the bottom edge of the quilt which is collected, thereby securing the closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 4. The article of any one of examples 1-3, wherein the drawstring comprises a retention member structurally arranged for securing the drawstring with the gathered quilt bottom edge, thereby securing the closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 5. The article of any one of examples 1 to 4, wherein: (i) the inner sub-quilt attachment path and the outer sub-quilt attachment path are substantially linear, or (ii) the inner sub-overlap region segment and the outer sub-overlap region segment are substantially triangular.

Example 6. The article of any one of examples 1 to 5, wherein: (i) a discrete bottom fastener element of the first pair is positioned where the first quilt transverse edge meets the quilt bottom edge, (ii) a discrete bottom fastener element of the second pair is positioned where the second quilt transverse edge meets the quilt bottom edge, and (iii) the drawstring extends substantially completely through the quilt bottom edge.

Example 7. The article of any one of examples 1-6, wherein each pair of bottom fastener elements comprises a loop and a hook structurally arranged to engage and retain the loop.

Example 8. The article of any one of examples 1-6, wherein each pair of bottom fastener elements comprises: (i) a male snap member and a female snap member structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap member, (ii) a button and a button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (iii) a male snap ring or snap ring member and a female snap ring or snap ring member structurally arranged to engage and retain a male snap ring or snap ring member, (iv) circumscribed fragments of hook material and circumscribed fragments of loop material of hook and loop material, or (v) a magnet pair.

Example 9. The article of any one of examples 1 to 8, wherein: (c') the inner set of quilt fastener elements includes continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; and (d') the outer set of quilt fastener elements includes continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path.

Example 10. The article of example 9, wherein: (c') the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprises a first half of a zipper attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; and (d') the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprises a second half of a zipper attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path.

Example 11. The article of example 9, wherein: (c') the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; and (d') the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path.

Example 12. The article of example 9, wherein: (c') the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprises a strip of a first magnetic plastic material attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; and (d') the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprises a second strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path.

Example 13. The article of any one of examples 1 to 8, wherein: (c') the inner set of one or more quilt fastener elements comprises a plurality of discrete inner sets of quilt fastener elements attached to the inner quilt surface along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; (d') the outer set of one or more quilt fastener elements comprises a plurality of discrete outer sets of quilt fastener elements attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path; (f') the inner and outer sets of quilt fastening elements and the inner and outer quilt attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: in the case of a quilt being wrapped in an overlapping foot box wrapped arrangement, each discrete quilt fastener element of the inner set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating, discrete quilt fastener element of the outer set.

Example 14. The article of example 13, wherein the topmost, discrete sub-fastener elements of the inner group are positioned on the first sub-lateral edge and the topmost, discrete sub-fastener elements of the outer group are positioned on the second sub-lateral edge.

Example 15. The article of any one of examples 13 or 14, wherein the bottommost, discrete quilt fastener elements of the inner and outer groups are displaced in a cephalad direction from the quilt bottom edge.

Example 16. The article of any one of examples 13 to 15, wherein: (i) each discrete quilt fastener element of the inner set includes a loop or hook structurally arranged to engage and retain a loop, (ii) for each loop in the inner set, a corresponding aligned, mated, discrete quilt fastener element of the outer set includes a hook, and (iii) for each hook in the inner set, a corresponding aligned, mated, discrete quilt fastener element of the outer set includes a loop.

Example 17. The article of any one of examples 13 to 15, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the inner set comprises a male snap fastener element or a female snap fastener element structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap fastener element, (ii) for each male snap fastener element of the inner set, the corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set comprises a female snap fastener element, and (iii) for each female snap fastener element of the inner set, the corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set comprises a male snap fastener element.

Example 18. The article of any one of examples 13 to 15, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the inner group includes a button or button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (ii) for each button of the inner group, a corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer group includes a button aperture, and (iii) for each button aperture of the inner group, a corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer group includes a button.

Example 19. The article of any one of examples 13 to 15, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the inner set comprises a male snap ring or snap ring element, or a female snap ring or snap ring element structurally arranged so as to engage and retain the male snap ring or snap ring element, (ii) for each male snap ring or snap ring element of the inner set, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set comprises a female snap ring or snap ring element, and (iii) for each female snap ring or snap ring element of the inner set, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set comprises a male snap ring or snap ring element.

Example 20. The article of any one of examples 13 to 15, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the inner group comprises either an circumscribed fragment of hook material or an circumscribed fragment of loop material, (ii) for each fragment of hook material of the inner group, a corresponding aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer group comprises a fragment of loop material, and (iii) for each fragment of loop material of the inner group, a corresponding aligned, mated, discrete sub-fastener element of the outer group comprises a fragment of hook material.

Example 21. The article of any one of examples 13-15, wherein each discrete sub-fastener element of the inner and outer sets comprises a magnet.

Example 22. The article of any one of examples 13 to 21, further comprising: (a) an additional set of a plurality of discrete quilt fastener elements attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of a linear or curved additional quilt attachment path extending from the first quilt transverse edge to the quilt bottom edge and defining an additional quilt overlap area section on the outer quilt surface bounded by an additional outer quilt attachment path, the quilt bottom edge and the first quilt transverse edge; and (b) a flap structurally arranged to be secured to the sleep mat and including first and second pluralities of discrete flap fastener elements on a flap outer surface thereof, the first and second pluralities of discrete flap fastener elements structurally arranged along respective linear or curved first and second flap attachment paths, wherein: (c) the first and second attachment paths are arranged substantially longitudinally in structure along at least respective foot-facing portions of respective first and second lateral edges of the flap; (d) the outer set of discrete quilt fastener elements and the additional set of discrete quilt fastener elements, the outer quilt attachment path and the additional quilt attachment path, the first set of discrete sheet fastener elements and the second set of discrete sheet fastener elements, and the first sheet attachment path and the second sheet attachment path are structurally arranged such that: (1) a first pair of bottom fastener elements and a second pair of bottom fastener elements are disengaged from each other, (2) an inner set of sub-quilt fastener elements and an outer set of sub-quilt fastener elements are disengaged from each other, and (3) a sub-quilt in a foot-box expanded arrangement and positioned with the sub-inner surface facing the outer surface of the panel, (i) the outer sub-overlap region section and the additional sub-overlap region section facing respective portions of the outer surface of the panel, (ii) each discrete sub-quilt fastener element of the outer set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mated, discrete panel fastener element of the first set, (iii) each discrete sub-quilt fastener element of the additional set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mated, discrete panel fastener element of the second set, and (iv) the respective outer set and the corresponding, mated, discrete panel fastener element of the first set, The engagement of the cooperating quilt and flap fastener elements with one another and the respective additional and second sets of corresponding cooperating quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another retain the quilt secured to the flap in at least the foot-box expanded arrangement; and (e) the drawstrings and comforter are structurally arranged such that: by: the engagement of the respective outer sets and the respective mated, discrete quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements of the first set with one another, and the engagement of the respective additional sets and the respective mated, discrete quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements of the second set with one another, such that the quilt is held in the expanded arrangement of the foot box, pulling the drawstrings to gather the bottom edge of the quilt to form the closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 23. The article of example 22, wherein the first and second flap attachment paths are (i) positioned on or (ii) displaced inward from the respective first and second flap lateral edges.

Example 24. The article of any one of examples 22 or 23, wherein the topmost, discrete sub-fastener element of the inner group is also the topmost, discrete sub-fastener element of the additional group.

Example 25. The article according to any one of examples 22-24, wherein (i) each discrete quilt fastener element of the outer and additional groups comprises a loop, or a hook structurally arranged so as to engage and retain a loop, (ii) for each loop in the outer and additional groups, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first or second group comprises a hook, and (iii) for each hook in the outer and additional groups, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first or second group comprises a loop.

Example 26. The article of any one of examples 22 to 24, wherein: (i) each discrete sub fastener element of the outer set and the additional set comprises a male snap fastener element or a female snap fastener element structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap fastener element, (ii) for each male snap fastener element of the outer set and the additional set, the corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sheet fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a female snap fastener element, and (iii) for each female snap fastener element of the outer set and the additional set, the corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete sheet fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a male snap fastener element.

Example 27. The article of any one of examples 22 to 24, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set and the additional set includes a button or button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (ii) for each button of the outer set and the additional set, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-fastener element of the first set or the second set includes a button aperture, and (iii) for each button aperture of the outer set and the additional set, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-fastener element of the first set or the second set includes a button.

Example 28. The article of any one of examples 22 to 24, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set and the additional set comprises a male snap ring or snap ring element or a female snap ring or snap ring element structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap ring or snap ring element, (ii) for each male snap ring or snap ring element of the outer set and the additional set, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete tab fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a female snap ring or snap ring element, and (iii) for each female snap ring or snap ring element of the outer set and the additional set, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete tab fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a male snap ring or snap ring element.

Example 29. The article of any one of examples 22 to 24, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the outer set and the additional set comprises an circumscribed fragment of hook material or an circumscribed fragment of loop material of hook loop material, (ii) for each fragment of hook material of the outer set and the additional set, a corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a fragment of loop material, and (iii) for each fragment of loop material of the outer set and the additional set, a corresponding, aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first set or the second set comprises a fragment of hook material.

Example 30. The article of any one of examples 22-24, wherein each discrete sub-panel fastener element of the outer and additional sets comprises a magnet, and each discrete sheet-form fastener element of the first and second sets comprises a magnet.

Example 31. The article of any one of examples 13 to 21, further comprising: (a) an additional set of one or more quilt fastener elements attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of a linear or curved additional quilt attachment path extending from the first quilt transverse edge to the first quilt bottom edge transverse section and defining an additional quilt overlap area section on the outer quilt surface, the additional quilt overlap area section bounded by an additional external quilt attachment path, a quilt bottom edge and a first quilt transverse edge, and (b) a flap structurally arranged to be secured to the sleeping pad and comprising a first set of one or more flap fastener elements and a second set of one or more flap fastener elements on a flap exterior thereof, the first set of one or more flap fastener elements and the second set of one or more flap fastener elements structurally arranged along respective linear or curved first and second flap attachment paths, wherein: (c) the first and second attachment paths are structurally arranged along at least respective foot-facing portions of respective first and second lateral edges of the flap; (d) the outer and additional sets of quilt fastener elements, the outer and additional quilt attachment paths, the first and second sets of sheet fastener elements, and the first and second sheet attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: (1) the first and second pairs of bottom fastener elements are disengaged from each other, (2) the inner and outer sets of sub-fastener elements are disengaged from each other, and (3) the comforter is in a foot-box expanded arrangement and positioned over the sheet with the comforter inner surface facing the outer surface of the sheet, (i) the outer sub-overlap region section and the additional sub-overlap region section facing respective portions of the sheet outer surface, (ii) each sub-fastener element of the outer set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating, sheet-fastener element of the first set, (iii) each sub-fastener element of the additional set is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating sheet-fastener element of the second set, and (iv) the engagement of the respective outer set and the respective, mating sub-fastener element of the first set with each other and the respective additional set and the respective panel-fastener element of the second set, The engagement of the cooperating quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another retains at least the foot-facing portion of the quilt secured to the flap in a foot-box expanded arrangement, and (e) the drawstring and the quilt are structurally arranged so as to be formed by: the engagement of the respective outer sets and first sets of corresponding, cooperative quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, and the engagement of the respective additional sets and second sets of corresponding, cooperative quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, retains the quilt in the expanded arrangement of the foot box, and pulls the drawstrings to gather the bottom edge of the quilt to form the closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 32. The article of example 31, wherein the first and second flap attachment paths are (i) positioned on or (ii) displaced inward from the respective first and second flap lateral edges.

Example 33. The article of any one of examples 31 or 32, wherein: (i) the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprising continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the inner quilt surface along at least a portion of an inner quilt attachment path; (ii) the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprising continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of an outer quilt attachment path; (iii) the additional set of quilt fastener elements includes continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of an additional quilt attachment path; (iv) (iv) the first set of sheet fastener elements comprises continuous sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a first sheet attachment path, and (v) the second set of sheet fastener elements comprises continuous sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 34. The article of example 33, wherein: (i) the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprising zipper halves attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; (ii) (ii) the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprises zipper halves attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path, (iii) the additional set of quilt fastener elements comprises zipper halves attached to the outer quilt surface along at least a portion of the additional quilt attachment path; (iv) (iv) the first set of flap fastener elements comprises a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path, and (v) the second set of flap fastener elements comprises a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a second flap attachment path.

Example 35. The article of example 33, wherein: (i) the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprising a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; (ii) the outer set of quilt fastening elements comprising strips of hook material and strips of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path; (iii) the additional set of quilt fastener elements comprising a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the additional quilt attachment path; (iv) the first set of flap fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (v) a second set of the flap fastener elements comprising a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the flap outer surface along a second flap attachment path.

Example 36. The article of example 33, wherein: (i) the inner set of quilt fastener elements comprising a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the inner surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the inner quilt attachment path; (ii) the outer set of quilt fastener elements comprising a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the outer quilt attachment path; (iii) the additional set of quilt fastener elements comprising a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the outer surface of the quilt along at least a portion of the additional quilt attachment path; (iv) the first set of flap fastener elements includes a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (v) the second set of sheet fastener elements includes a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 37. A method for using the article of any one of examples 22 to 36, the method comprising: (A) positioning the comforter with the comforter inner surface facing the sheet outer surface, wherein: (i) in an extended arrangement with the comforter in the foot box, (ii) the outer sub-overlap region section and the respective portions of the additional sub-overlap region section facing the sheet outer surface, (iii) each sub-fastener element of the outer group is substantially aligned with a respective, cooperating sheet fastener element of the first group, and (iv) each sub-fastener element of the additional group is substantially aligned with a respective, cooperating sheet fastener element of the second group; and (B) engaging respective outer and first sets of corresponding, cooperating, sub-quilt fastener elements and panel fastener elements with one another, and respective additional and second sets of corresponding, cooperating sub-quilt fastener elements and panel fastener elements with one another, thereby retaining at least a foot-facing portion of a quilt secured to the panel in a foot-box-deployed arrangement.

Example 38. The method of example 37, further comprising: prior to part (a), (i) the first and second pairs of bottom fastener elements are disengaged from each other, and (ii) the inner set of sub-fastener elements and the outer set of sub-fastener elements are disengaged from each other.

Example 39. The method of any of examples 37 or 38, further comprising, after part (B), pulling the pull cord so as to gather a quilt bottom edge to form a closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 40. A method for using the article of any one of examples 22 to 36, the method comprising: (A) disengaging the respective, mating sub-and flap fastener elements of the outer and first sets, respectively, from one another; (B) disengaging respective, mating sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements of the additional and second sets, respectively, from one another; (C) wrapping at least the foot-facing portion of the comforter into an overlapping foot-box wrapped arrangement, wherein: (i) a portion of the outer quilt overlap area section facing an inner surface of the quilt, (ii) a portion of the inner quilt overlap area section facing an outer surface of the quilt, (iii) the inner quilt attachment path and the outer quilt attachment path are substantially aligned with each other, and (iv) each of the quilt fastener elements of the inner set are substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating quilt fastener element of the outer set; (D) engaging a first pair of bottom fastener elements with one another and a second pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, thereby retaining at least the sub-bottom edge in an overlapping foot box wrap arrangement; (E) engaging respective, mating quilt fastener elements of the inner and outer sets with one another, thereby retaining at least a foot-facing portion of the quilt in an overlapping foot-box wrapping arrangement; and (F) pulling the drawstring to collect the quilt bottom edge and form a closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 41. A method for using the article of any one of examples 1 to 36, the method comprising: (A) wrapping at least the foot-facing portion of the comforter into an overlapping foot-box wrapped arrangement, wherein: (i) a portion of the outer quilt overlap area section facing the inner surface of the quilt, (ii) a portion of the inner quilt overlap area section facing the outer surface of the quilt, and (iii) each of the quilt fastener elements of the inner set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating quilt fastener element of the outer set; (B) engaging a first pair of bottom fastener elements with one another and a second pair of bottom fastener elements with one another, thereby retaining at least the quilt bottom edge in an overlapping foot box wrap arrangement with the first and second quilt bottom edge transverse sections overlapping one another; (C) engaging respective, mating quilt fastener elements of the inner and outer sets with one another, thereby retaining at least a foot-facing portion of the quilt in an overlapping foot-box wrapped arrangement; and (D) pulling the drawstring to collect the quilt bottom edge and form a closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 42. An article for use with a sleeping bag, the article comprising: (a) a flap structurally arranged to be secured to the sleeping pad; (b) a first set of one or more sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface and structurally arranged along a first linear or curved sheet attachment path on the sheet outer surface; and (c) a second set of one or more sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface and structurally arranged along a linear or curved second sheet attachment path on the sheet outer surface, wherein: (c) the first and second attachment paths are arranged substantially longitudinally in structure along at least respective foot-facing portions of respective first and second lateral edges of the flap; (d) the first and second sets of sheet fastener elements, and the first and second sheet attachment paths are structurally arranged to enable: (i) a first set of the flap fastener elements and a corresponding first set of the quilt fastener elements of a quilt that can be used as a sleeping bag are engaged with each other, and (ii) a second set of the flap fastener elements and a corresponding second set of the quilt fastener elements of the quilt are engaged with each other; and (e) the first and second sets of sheet fastener elements, and the first and second sheet attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: with the quilt in an unwrapped arrangement, the first set of quilt fastener elements and the second set of quilt fastener elements are disengaged from one another, and the quilt is positioned over the flaps with the inner quilt surface facing the outer flap surface, (i) each of the quilt fastener elements of the first set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the first set, (iii) each of the quilt fastener elements of the second set being substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the second set, and (iv) the engagement of the respective first set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, and the engagement of the respective second set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, will be secured to at least the foot-facing portion of the flap in the foot-box expanded arrangement.

Example 43. The article of example 42, wherein the first and second flap attachment paths are (i) positioned on or (ii) displaced inward from the respective first and second flap lateral edges.

Example 44. The article of any one of examples 42 or 43, wherein: (i) the first set of sheet fastener elements includes a continuous sheet fastener element attached to the sheet outer surface along a first sheet attachment path; and (ii) the second set of sheet fastener elements comprises continuous sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 45. The article of example 44, wherein: (i) the first set of flap fastener elements includes a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (ii) the second set of flap fastener elements includes a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a second flap attachment path.

Example 46. The article of example 44, wherein: (i) the first set of flap fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (ii) a second set of the sheet fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 47. The article of example 44, wherein: (i) the first set of flap fastener elements includes a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (ii) the second set of sheet fastener elements comprises a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 48. The article of any one of examples 42 or 43, wherein: (i) the first set of sheet fastener elements includes a first plurality of discrete sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a first sheet attachment path; and (ii) the second set of sheet fastener elements includes a second plurality of discrete sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 49. The article of example 48, wherein: (i) each discrete sheet fastener element of the first group comprises a loop of rope or a hook structurally arranged to engage and retain a loop of rope, and (ii) each discrete sheet fastener element of the second group comprises a loop of rope or a hook structurally arranged to engage and retain a loop of rope.

Example 50. The article of example 48, wherein: (a) each discrete sheet fastener element of the first group includes: (i) a male snap member or a female snap member structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap member, (ii) a button or a button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (iii) a male snap ring or snap ring member or a female snap ring or snap ring member structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap ring or snap ring member, (iv) circumscribed fragments of hook material of hook and loop material, or (v) circumscribed fragments of loop material of hook and loop material, or (b) a magnet, and (b) each discrete flap fastener element of the second set comprises: (i) a male snap member or a female snap member structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap member, (ii) a button or a button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (iii) a male snap ring or snap ring member or a female snap ring or snap ring member structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap ring or snap ring member, (iv) circumscribed fragments of hook material or circumscribed fragments of loop material of hook loop material, or (v) a magnet.

Example 51. The article of any one of examples 42 to 50, further comprising: (a) a quilt which can be used as a sleeping bag, (b) a first set of one or more quilt fastener elements which are attached to the quilt and which are structurally arranged along a first quilt attachment path which is linear or curved on the quilt; and (c) a second set of one or more quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt and structurally arranged along a second, linear or curved, quilt attachment path on the quilt, wherein: (d) the first and second sets of sub-quilt fastener elements and the first and second sub-quilt attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: with at least the foot-ward portion of the comforter in the foot-box wrapped arrangement, engagement of the first set of comforter fastener elements and the second set of comforter fastener elements with one another retains at least the foot-ward portion of the comforter in the foot-box wrapped arrangement; and (e) the first and second sets of sub-fastener elements and the first and second sub-attachment paths are structurally arranged such that: with the comforter in the unwrapped arrangement, the first set of comforter fastener elements and the second set of comforter fastener elements are disengaged from one another, and the quilt is positioned over the flaps with the inner quilt surface facing the outer flap surface, (i) each sub-quilt fastener element of the first group is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the first group, (iii) each sub-quilt fastener element of the second group is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the second group, and (iv) the engagement of the respective first set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another and the engagement of the respective second set of corresponding, cooperative sub-fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another retains at least the foot-facing portion of the quilt secured to the flap in the foot-box expanded arrangement.

Example 52. The article of example 51, wherein the first quilt attachment path and the second quilt attachment path are (i) positioned on the respective first and second quilt transverse edges, (ii) displaced inwardly from the respective first and second quilt transverse edges on the inner quilt surface, or (iii) displaced inwardly from the respective first and second quilt transverse edges on the outer quilt surface.

Example 53. The article of any one of examples 51 or 52, further comprising a draw cord engaged with and extending through at least a portion of the bottom-to-foot edge of the quilt, wherein: (a) the drawstrings and comforter are structurally arranged such that: holding the quilt in the foot box wrapped arrangement by engagement of the first set of quilt fastener elements and the second set of quilt fastener elements with one another, pulling the drawstring to collect the bottom edge of the quilt to form a closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag; and (b) the drawstrings and comforter are structurally arranged such that: by: the engagement of the respective first set of corresponding, cooperative quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, and the engagement of the respective second set of corresponding, cooperative quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements with one another, retains the quilt in the expanded arrangement of the foot box, and pulling the drawstring gathers at least a portion of the bottom edge of the quilt to form the closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 54. The article of example 53, wherein the drawstring extends substantially completely through the quilt bottom edge.

Example 55. The article of any one of examples 53 or 54, wherein the drawstring or comforter bottom edge is structurally arranged to: the drawstring is secured to the bottom edge of the quilt being collected, thereby securing the closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 56. The article of any one of examples 53 to 55, wherein the drawstring comprises a retention member structurally arranged for securing the drawstring with the gathered quilt bottom edge, thereby securing the closed, wrapped foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 57. The article of any one of examples 51 to 56, wherein: (i) the first set of quilt fastener elements comprises successive quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt along a first quilt attachment path; (ii) the second set of quilt fastener elements comprises continuous quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt along a second quilt attachment path; (iii) the first set of sheet fastener elements includes a continuous sheet fastener element attached to the sheet outer surface along a first sheet attachment path; and (iv) the second set of sheet fastener elements comprises continuous sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 58. The article of example 57, wherein: (i) the first set of quilt fastener elements comprises zipper halves attached to the quilt along a first quilt attachment path; (ii) the second set of quilt fastener elements comprises zipper halves attached to the quilt along a second quilt attachment path; (iii) (iii) the first set of flap fastener elements comprises a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path, and (iv) the second set of flap fastener elements comprises a zipper half attached to the flap outer surface along a second flap attachment path.

Example 59. The article of example 57, wherein: (i) the first set of quilt fastener elements comprises strips of hook material or strips of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the quilt along a first quilt attachment path; (ii) the second set of quilt fastener elements comprises strips of hook material or strips of loop material of hook and loop material which are attached to the quilt along a second quilt attachment path; (iii) the first set of flap fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (iv) the second set of flap fastener elements comprises a strip of hook material or a strip of loop material of hook and loop material attached to the flap outer surface along a second flap attachment path.

Example 60. The article of example 57, wherein: (i) the first set of quilt fastener elements comprises a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the quilt along a first quilt attachment path; (ii) the second set of child fastener elements comprising strips of magnetic plastic material attached to the child along a second child attachment path; (iii) the first set of flap fastener elements includes a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the flap outer surface along a first flap attachment path; and (iv) the second set of sheet fastener elements comprises a strip of magnetic plastic material attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 61. The article of any one of examples 51 to 56, wherein: (i) the first set of quilt fastener elements comprises a first plurality of discrete quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt along a first quilt attachment path; (ii) the second set of quilt fastener elements comprises a second plurality of discrete quilt fastener elements attached to the quilt along a second quilt attachment path; (iii) the first set of sheet fastener elements includes a first plurality of discrete sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a first sheet attachment path; and (iv) the second set of sheet fastener elements includes a second plurality of discrete sheet fastener elements attached to the sheet outer surface along a second sheet attachment path.

Example 62. The article of example 61, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the first and second sets includes a loop or hook structurally arranged to engage and retain a loop, (ii) for each loop of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first or second set includes a hook, and (iii) for each hook of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first set or the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the second set includes a loop.

Example 63. The article of example 61, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the first and second sets comprises a male snap fastener element or a female snap fastener element structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap fastener element, (ii) for each male snap fastener element of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first or second set comprises a female snap fastener element, and (iii) for each female snap fastener element of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener element of the first or second set comprises a male snap fastener element.

Example 64. The article of example 61, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the first and second sets includes a button or button aperture structurally arranged to engage and retain the button, (ii) for each button of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-material fastener element of the first or second set includes a button aperture, and (iii) for each button aperture of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-material fastener element of the first or second set includes a button.

Example 65. The article of example 61, wherein: (i) each of the discrete sub-fastener elements of the first and second sets comprises a male snap ring or collar element, or a female snap ring or collar element structurally arranged to engage and retain the male snap ring or collar element, (ii) for each of the male snap ring or collar elements of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-material fastener elements of the first or second sets comprise female snap ring or collar elements, and (iii) for each of the female snap ring or collar elements of the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the respective aligned, mated, discrete sheet-material fastener elements of the first or second sets comprise male snap ring or collar elements.

Example 66. The article of example 61, wherein: (i) each discrete sub-fastener element of the first and second sets comprises an circumscribed fragment of hook material or an circumscribed fragment of loop material, (ii) for each fragment of hook material in the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener elements of the first or second set comprise a fragment of loop material, and (iii) for each fragment of loop material in the first and second sets of discrete sub-fastener elements, the corresponding aligned, mated, discrete flap fastener elements of the first or second set comprise a fragment of hook material.

Example 67. The article of example 61, wherein each discrete sub-fastener element of the first and second sets comprises a magnet, and each discrete sheet-fastener element of the first and second sets comprises a magnet.

Example 68. A method for using the article of any one of examples 51 to 67, the method comprising: (A) positioning the comforter with the comforter inner surface facing the sheet outer surface, wherein: (i) the comforter is in a foot-box-expanded arrangement, (ii) each sub-quilt fastener element of the first group is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the first group, and (iii) each sub-quilt fastener element of the second group is substantially aligned with a corresponding, mating flap fastener element of the second group; and (B) engaging respective, cooperating sub-quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements of the respective first set with one another, and respective, cooperating sub-quilt fastener elements and flap fastener elements of the respective second set with one another, thereby retaining at least a foot-facing portion of a quilt secured to the flap in the boxed arrangement.

Example 69. The method of example 68, further comprising: prior to part (a), the sub-fastener elements of the first and second sets are disengaged from each other.

Example 70. The method of any one of examples 68 or 69, the method comprising: after portion (B), the drawstring is pulled so as to collect at least a portion of the bottom edge of the comforter to form a closed, expanded foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 71. The method of any one of examples 68 to 70, the method comprising: after portion (B), the drawstring is pulled so as to collect at least a portion of the bottom edge of the comforter to form a closed foot box of the sleeping bag.

Example 72. The method of any one of examples 68 to 70, further comprising: after part (B): (C) disengaging respective first sets of sub-fastener elements and panel fastener elements from each other; (D) disengaging respective second sets of sub-fastener elements and panel fastener elements from each other; (E) wrapping or folding at least the foot portion of the comforter into a foot box wrapped arrangement; and (F) engaging the quilt fastener elements in the first and second sets with one another, thereby retaining at least a foot-facing portion of the quilt in a foot-box wrapped arrangement.

Equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments and methods are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure or the appended claims. It is intended that the disclosed exemplary embodiments and methods and their equivalents be modified within the scope of this disclosure or the appended claims while remaining within that scope.

In the foregoing detailed description, various features may be grouped together in several exemplary embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in respective claims. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed exemplary embodiment. Thus, the disclosure is to be interpreted as implicitly disclosing any embodiment having any suitable set of one or more features shown, described, or claimed in the disclosure, including those sets that may not be explicitly disclosed herein. An "appropriate" feature set includes only features that are neither incompatible with nor mutually exclusive of any other feature of the set.

Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate disclosed embodiment. Furthermore, each of the appended dependent claims should be construed for disclosure purposes only as incorporating the claims into the detailed description as if written in multiple dependent forms and dependent on all previous claims not inconsistent herewith. It should be further noted that the scope of the appended claims may, but does not necessarily, encompass all subject matter disclosed in this application.

For purposes of this disclosure and the appended claims, the conjunction "or" should be interpreted inclusively (e.g., "dog or cat" will be interpreted as "dog, or cat, or both"; e.g., "dog, cat, or mouse" will be interpreted as "dog, or cat, or mouse, or any two, or all three), unless: (i) also, expressly stated, for example, by using "either.. or", "only one", or similar language; or (ii) two or more of the listed alternatives are mutually exclusive within a particular context, in which case an "or" would include only those combinations involving non-mutually exclusive alternatives. For the purposes of the claims appended to this disclosure, the words "comprise," "include," "have," and variants thereof are to be construed as open-ended terms, having the same meaning as if the phrase "at least" were appended after each instance thereof, unless expressly stated otherwise. For purposes of this disclosure or the appended claims, when terms such as "about equal to," "substantially equal to," "greater than about," "less than about," and the like are used, with respect to numerical values, standard conventions relating to measurement accuracy and significant figures should be applied unless a different interpretation is explicitly stated. For zero numbers described by phrases such as "substantially prevent", "substantially absent", "substantially eliminate", "about equal to zero", "negligible", each such phrase will represent the following: the number of instances in which such is discussed has been reduced or minimized to the extent that, for purposes of practice, the overall behavior or performance of the device or method is indistinguishable from what would occur if the zero number had actually been completely removed, exactly equal to zero, or otherwise completely zero, in the context of the intended operation or use of the device or method as disclosed or claimed.

For purposes of this disclosure and the appended claims, any labeling (e.g., first, second, etc., (a), (b), (c), etc., or (i), (ii), (iii), etc.) of elements, steps, limitations, or any other portion of an embodiment, example, or claim is for clarity purposes only and should not be construed as implying any order or priority order to such labeled portions. Any such ordering or prioritization, if desired, is to be explicitly recited in an embodiment, example, or claim, or in some cases it is implicit or inherent to the specifics of the embodiment, example, or claim. In the appended claims, the word "device" will appear in the device claims if it is desired to invoke the provisions of 35USC 112(f) in the device claims. If it is desired to invoke those provisions in a method claim, then the word "step for …" will appear in that method claim. Conversely, if the word "means" or "step for …" is not present in a claim, it is not intended that the claim call for the provision of 35USC 112 (f).

To the extent that any one or more of these disclosures conflict with one another, and if so incorporated by reference herein, and in part or in whole, or in part, or in scope, the disclosure controls broader disclosure or broader term definition. If such incorporated disclosures conflict in part or in whole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dated disclosure governs.

Summaries are provided on demand as an aid to searching for specific subject matter within the patent literature. However, the abstract is not intended to imply that any of the elements, features, or limitations described therein are necessarily encompassed by any particular claim. The scope of the subject matter encompassed by each claim will be determined solely by the recitation of that claim.