CA2109387A1

CA2109387A1 - Sleeping bag adaptor

Info

Publication number: CA2109387A1
Application number: CA002109387A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Rob A. Judge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-27
Filing date: 1993-10-27
Publication date: 1995-04-28
Also published as: US5735003A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention concerns an adaptor which removably fastens together with ordinary sleeping bags to make them larger and less susceptible to use-related wear. In the preferred embodiment, the adaptor resembles a sleeve which may encase a sleeping pad (or lightweight camping mattress) incorporating one half of a normal sleeping bag zipper along each side.

Description

~ 2~3~7 SLEEPING BAG ADAPTOR
The present invention relates to an adaptor for fastenins~ a sleeping bag to a camping pad.

Usually, in quality lightweight camping gear, a sleeping bag surrounds a sleeper and a closed cell foam pad or a pad of open cell foam in an airtight sheath rests under the sleeper and bay. E~ecause sleeping bag fill is highly compressible, that portion of the sleeping bag which lies directly under the sleeper is compressed and has very little insulative value. So the sleeping pad is designed to provide thermal insulation as well as comfort under the sleeper's weight. This system has the following drawbacks: (1) That portion o~ the sleeping bag which lO remains compressed under the weight of the sleeper is essentially "dead weight"
ie, it adds weight and bulk to the sy~tem without providing much utility. (2~
Compressing any part of the g~ill reduces its longevi~y, also, sweat drips down into the fill further deteriorating it. ~3) Lightweight sleeping bags are small and restrict occupant movement. This is particularly a problem to ITild claustrophobics and adventurers who can become trapped in tents for extended periods by blizæards, etc. ~4) Because light camping mattresses are only about 50 cm wide, and also due to the slipperiness of the synthetic m~terials involved, the sleeping bag sometimes slides off the mattress leaving the sleeper directly on snow or rock, etc. (5~ If more than one mattress is used (ie stacked ver~ically for extra thickness ao or laid out for extra length) they can drift askew. (6) To avoid some of the above problems, campers will sometimes open a sleeping bag up along the z~pper line and open it up to use as a quilt. The drawback with this method is th~t draughts aredifficult to seal out.

The invention may consist of a sleeve into which a Ilormal camping pad may be ~nserted. A normal sleep~ng bag can then be ltemporarily attached to a zipper orother elongated fasteIler provided on the sleeve for t~is purpose. Alternately, the ~nvention may be a pad with an elongated fastener incorporated.
To pxevent draft~ intruding through the longitudinal fastener, either an underlap or a ba~le system may be used. With the underlap, the longitudinal 30 fastener is routed so that an attached sleeping bag would underlap the edge of the pad/adaptor. Wi~h the baffle, a sem~-rigid material i~ enclosed in the baffle which is attached to the adaptor in such a way as to lie against the longitudinal fastener and therefore touching the edge o~ any attached ~leeping bag.
The invention, when attached to a sleep~ng bag and a pad (if applicable) provides an envelope with the pad on the bottom and the sleeping bag across khe top. The sleeping bag is at~ached along each side and across the foot end to theadaptor.
The invention may be produced in either single or double versions to accommodate a .qingle person or a couple. The single version engages a sleeping ~o bag to e3ither side of a single pad. The double engages a sleepiIlg bag so as to span ? 8 ~

two pads with the single sleeping bag. A convertible version of the invention isused by either a single person or a couple. This version has three longitudinal fastening elements. If a conventional zipper is being used, this version uses three halves of a zipper, two along the edges as with a normal adaptor, and a third half would run along the centre of the bottom of the adaptor. For use by a couple, the central fastening element is ignored. For use by a single person, half of the adaptor is bunched up inside the sleeping bag and the central fastening element is attached to one side of the sleeping bag. In this mode a pad is only inserted into one side of the adaptor or with an integral pad version, one side i5 le~t deflated.
I D All versions may be Fitted with a system for drawing the sleeping bag snugly about the user's neck (or users' necks). The preferred system has the centre of a drawstring attached to the adaptor below the user's neck(s). At each end of the drawstring is a small device such as a hook, which engages with the zipper's slider (or corresponding part on another type of fastener), and a small toggle or cord clamp, This toggle allows the fastener and hence the sleeping bag to be drawn tightly about the user's neck(s) and held there. It also prevents inadvertent unfastening during the night. In the event of an emergency this typeof clamp would submit to a strong push by the user.
In order for this drawing system to work, an area of the top she~s must be ao free at each side to be pulled in toward the centre, on sleeve type versions this is allowed for by extending the top sheet toward the head end further than the bottom sheet or set of straps. On integral pad versions, a portion of top sheet to which the head end of the fastener attaches may be provided.
On double wide versions, an area between the necks is potentially left open to dr,~ts. To obviate this problem an insulating yoke may be provided which could removably attach to the adaptor or simply secure about the necks of the users.
This yoke both shoulders of the users and could incorporate a pair of hoods for extra warmth.
Since the top sheet extends beneath the head of a user, providing a pocket in 30 this region of the top sheet would create a convenient pillow case.
Tn some cases, particularly single versions, the edges of the sleeping bag may roll out sideways and contact wet snow or dirt, etc. To prevent this, moisture resistant skirts may be provided which will attach to the adaptor and lie along eac}l side of it.
The invention may be constructed difEerently to accommodate different types of sleeping bags. For "barrel" style sleeping bags, the foot section may be an insulated pad carrying the lower end of the zipper or fastener which is contiguous with that sewn to the sleeve. For "Mummy" style sleeping bags, the foot section may be tapered to accommodate the Eastener opening found along the ~o side of most mummy bags. For any particular style, size and shape of sleeping bag available in the marketplace, a version of the invention most suited to that particular sleeping bag may be produced incorporating a fa~tener routing best suited to adapt that sleeping bag to any particular sleeping pad. This routing may or may not involve the use of a padded foot section to optimally provide a com~ortable assembly using any particular sleeping bag style or 3ize.

FIG.'s 1,2 and 3 are a sequence of perspective views of the sleeping bag adaptor of this invention being prepared for use.
FIG. 1 illustrates the "single mummy" version of this invention in perspective, adjacent to a commercial camping pad.
FIG. 2 shows the pad inserted into the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a commonly available "mummy" style sleeping bag attached using its zipper and that provided on the invention to the assembly shown in FIG.

2.
FIG. 4 illustrates an adaptor similar to that portrayed in FIG.'s 1-3, except that lO this is the double version, and has straps instead of a solid bottom.
FIG. 5 portrays the version of FIG. 4 as it would appear in use: with two camping pads inserted and one mummy sleeping bag attached.
FIG.'s 6-8 illustrate a sequence similar to that in FIG.'s 1-3 e~cept that this version is designed to mate with a "barrel" or l'rectanS ular" style sleeping bag.
FIG.'s 9 and 10 portray a double sleeping bag adaptor designed for the barrel or rectangular style sleeping bag.
FIG. 11 is a perspective from the foot end of the same version of the invention as is portrayed in FIC:.'s 6-8 except that the underside is fashioned of straps instead of a solid sheet.
~o FIG. 12 is a perspective from the foot end of the same version portrayed in figures 9 and 10.
FIG. 13 is an underside elevation of the single mummy version similar to that inFIG.'s 1-3.
FIG. 14 is an underside elevation of the single mummy version with straps instead of a solid bottom.
FIG. 15 is an underside elevation of the single barrel version similar to that shown in FIG.'s 6-8.
FIG. 16 is an underside elevation of the single barrel version with straps instead of a solid bottom.
FIG. 17 is an underside elevation oE the double barrel version with a solid bottom.
FIG. 18 is an underside elevation of the double mummy version with a solid bottom.
FIG. 19 is an underside elevation oE the double barrel version with straps instead of a soLid bottom.
FIG. 20 is an underside elevation of the double mummy version with straps instead of a solid bottom.
FIG. 21 illustrates a double barrel solid bottom version of the present invention with the addition of a third longitudinal fastening element to provide a to convertible embodiment oE the inveIltion. FIG. 21 also illustrates an insulating neck yoke removably attached.
FIG. 22 illustrates removable moisture impermeable skirts attached in this case to a single mummy version.
FIG. 23 is a cross section of the preferred embodiment oE either single version.FIG. 24 is a cross section of the preferred embodirnent of either double versio with a removably attaclha~le insulating yoke shown in section.
FIG. 25 illustrates in large scale, a hook assembly used as a means for drawing the sleeping bag about a userls neck.
FIG. 26 portrays in perspective an adaptor according to the invention in which the cushiorling pad and side dra~t baffle~ are integral parts of the adaptor which in this case is a single barrel version.
FIG.27 illustrates an adaptor in perspective very similar to that in FIG.26 except that the side draft baffles are located just inboard of the longitudinal fasteniny elements.
FIG.28is a cross section of the adaptor shown in FIG.26.
FIG.29is a cross section of the adaptor shown in FIG.27.
FIG.30is a cross section of the assembly shown in FI~. ~2.
FIG. 31 is a longitudinal section of the adaptor/pad/sleeping bag combination of FIG.3 or 5 with the ad~ition of a pi~low case.
IQ FIG.32is a longitudinal section very similar to FIG.31 except that the pad is integral with the adaptor and no pillow case is provided.
FIG.33is a longitudinal section of the adaptor/neck yoke/pad/sleeping bag combination seen in figure 21.
FIG.34is a longitudinal section of a sleeping bag combined with an integral pad barrel version of the invention as seen in FIG.'s 26 and 27.
FIG.35is a cross section of the underlapping sleeping bag embodiment of the invention as in FIG.'s 13 or 15 with a sleeping bag attached.
FIG. 36 illustrates a cross section of a side draft baffle according to the present invention, drawn to a large scale.
FIG.37 shows the same ba~le as 36 drawn to a smaller scale and showing its attachment to a double-wide adaptor and two pads.
FIG. 38 is a sleeping bag in cross section attached to the assembly of FIG 37.
FIG.39 portrays in cross section, a resilient tube style elongated fastener used as an alternative to a zipper. No adaptor bottom is apparent as the section is taken between straps on a strap-bottom version.
FIG. 40 is a detail in section of FIG. 39.
FIG. 41 illustrates the same detail as FIG.40 removably attached to the zipper element of a sleeping bag also shown in section The present invention essentially comprises four chief versions of the 30 preferred embodiment. The first, 100 (FIG. 1), adapts a "mummy'/ style sleeping bag 501 to a camping pad 500 in a manner which provides increased interior volume hence increased spaciousness for a single camper. The second, 120 (FIG.
4), adapts a mummy bag 501, to two pads laid side by side thereby providing sufficient interior space for two campers. The third, 140 (FIG 6), adapts a "barrel"
or "rectangular" style sleeping bag 502, to a single pad for increased space for a single camper and the fourth embodiment, 160 (FIG. 9), adapts a "barrel" or "rectangular" bag 502, to two pads to accommodate two campers.
In ~se, a commercially available camping pad 500, is slid into the sleeve formedby the adaptor, and a conventional sleepins~ bag is zipped or attached to the ~ resulting combination. FIG.'s 1-3 illustrate this sequence for the single mummy version. The se~uence is repeated slightly conflated in FIG.s 4-5 for the doublemummy version, repeated again for the single barrel version in FIC.'s 6-8, and repeated agi2in conflated for the double barrel version in FIG.'s 9-10.
In reference to all these versions, FIG.'s 1-12, an adaptor 100, 120,140 or 160 comprises: a sleeve preferably made of fabric, essentially comprising a lower element ~uch as a sheet, 102,122,142 or 162 or a series o~ straps, 103,123,143, or 163, and an upper element or sheet, 104, 124, 144, or 164. Common to the four .... .. . . ..

embodiments is an elongated fastening element,usually a zipper,106 for the mummies and146 for the barrels,to which a conventional sleeping bagis attached using its own zipperOMeansllO,are provided for drawing the elon~ated fastening elements together thus gathering the sleeping bag about the neck of a user.This drawing means appears in greater detailin FIG.22.A portion of the top sheet at the head end104b,124b,1~4b,or164b may beleft free of attachment alongits sides to actin sympathy with the drawing means.If a portion of the top sheet adjacent to the user's head comprises a fabric pocket,this may act as a pillow case 320 as seen in Fig.
l~ 31.
The barrel or rectangular style of sleeping bag 502,is usually able to zip entirely open on two sides.Since itis already open across the top,it can unzip andlay flat ~ustlike a quilt or eiderdown.This style of sleeping bagis best shaped to accommodate users'feet when the foot end of the sleeping bagis attached to the periphery of a squarish foot pad,148 or 168,FIG.'s 6-12.FIG.33 shows a section of the preferred embodiment of such a pad.In the footpad,a fabric shell148a or168a can encase a closed cell foam element148b or168b and a baffle 148c or168c may be included for draft elimination along the bottom.A normaltype of baffle,ie a long fabric pouch stuffed with down or similarinsulating fill materialis toolimp to be ef~ective along the top and sides of the footpad where it meets the sleeping bag.This is why a semirigid substance like closed cellfoam is valuable.It holds the edges of the foot pad rigid out beyond the fastener so that the sleeping bag wraps around the edge of the foot pad to seal out draughts as seen at the top of the foot padin Fig.33.Fig.34illustrates how a very similar system worlss on integral pad versions.Fig.'s 11 and12 show how the footpad extends beyond the elongated fastener at the sides as wellas the top of the foot pad and how,due to this overlap~the fastener disappears under the edge o~ the ~ootpad atits bottom corners.
Thisis also the point where the fastenerleaves the footpad and joins the top sheet of the adaptor.Naturally"the foot padis only fastened to the adaptor between the fastening elements so that the sleeping bag may hook under the bottom outside edges of the foot pad.Extra thermalinsulation may also be includedin the foot pad.Again,referring to FIG.'s 6-12,The elongated fastening elements146,may incorporate a curve or curves adjacent to the foot pad to give the sleeping bag 502 an appropriate lie with no tight spots or drafts.The origins Gf the elongated fastening elements 196,start near the top centre of the foot pad onits tail end surface as seenin FIG.'sll and12.
~D FIG.'s 1~ to 20 show the undersides of the four preferred embodiments with solidlower elements and alternately with st.raps.The drawing means, llO,detailedin FIG.25~,are attached only near the centre of the adaptor so that the hook assemblies comprising a hookllOa,loopllOb and a toggle llOc, can slide up the main cordllOd,almost to the centre of the adaptor.FIG.25 illustrates a hook assemblyin detail.In the preferred mode of use,the hookllOa,engages the sliding tab o~ the zipper or fastener,performing the dual function of preventing the fastener!s slider from retreating down the fastener,and in cooler weather drawing the sleeping bag/adaptor combination about the user's necklike a drawstring.The toggle llOc allows 50 a user to control the position of the hook assemblyllO,and therefore the tightness of the sleeping bag about the neck or shoulders.In FIG.'s 13 and 15,the elongated fastening elements are routed along 2 ~

the lower casing elements in from the edge of the adaptor so that an attached sleeping bag would underlap the edges of the adaptor/pad combination in order toseal out drafts. This adaptation is seen in section in Fl~. 35 and accords with claim 20.
To eliminate drafts between the necks of the two users of the double version, a draft baffling yoke 305 is removably attachable with attachment means such as a strap 306. This yoke is seen in perspective in FIG. 21, in l~teral section in FIG. 24 and in longitudinal section in FIG. 33. It comprises e~sentially a fabric shell stuffed with insulating material. This yoke could also extend around both ID shoulders of each user and open a~ ~he throat possibly including a pa~r of hoods.
FIG. 21 also illustrates a convertible embodiment with three instead of two longitudinal fastening elements. The central longitudinal fastening element runs generally up the centre of the bottom of this embodiment so that a single user can put a pad 500 in just one side of the adaptor and zip a sleepingbag on one side to the usual Eastening element and on the other side to the central fastening element for an effect roughly equivalent to that of the single versionportrayed in FIG.'s 6-8. This same adaptor ca!l be used as a double adaptor by ignoring the central longitudinal fastening element.
To eliminate the problem of the sleeping bag curving outward on each side dD with single versions and contacting wet snow or dirt, moisture impermeable skirts 300, can be removably attached on either side. Using straps or si~rilar fastening devices 301. FIG. 22 is a perspective of this assembly with an extra skirt laid alongside for clarity, and E'IG. 30 is the same assembly in section.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention integrates the camping pad and adaptor into a single unit to save weight, etc. The pad element may be the inflatable, open cell foam fiLled variety which is currently popular. FIG.'s 26 and 27 give a perspective of two embodiments of such an adaptor. Both have a free portion of upper sheet 204, attached along its tailmost eclge to the adaptor, and to which the drawing means 110, and the head end of the longitudinal Eastener are ~ attached so that the drawing means can operate freely. Both comprise an insulating open cell foam core encapsulated by an air tight sheath. a valve 203,controls ingress and egress of air from the chamber occupied by the foam. Both are shaped to provide baffles 205 and 215, aIong the longitudinal fastening element~ to prevent drafts. The former, sectioned in FIG. 28, has the baffle outboard of the fastener and the latter, sectioned in FIG. 29 has the baffle inboard of the fastener. FIG. 34 is a longitudinal section of ei~her FIG. 26 or ~7, and FIt:. 3~
is a longitudinal section 3f the mummy version oE the inte~ral pad embodiment. The idea of a semi-rigid baffle alongside the longitudinal fastener is a useful one and can be adapted to the sleeve type or preferred embodiment oE the invention since~D underlapping the adaptor with the sleeping bag, as seen in FIG.'s 13,15 and 35, decreases the total volume available to the reclining user, and exposes the edge of the sleeping bag to crushing and moisture, etc. FIG.'s 36-38 portray such a b~Ffle 310, in section. It can comprise a fabric sheLl 310a, a closed cell foam sti:Efener 310b, and a quanl:ity of insulation 310c. It can be attached to the adaptor by sewing and if the stitches go through the stifEener 310b, the baffle tends to lie flat against the fastener 106 or 146, 50 that an attached sleeping bag will be tightly held against the baffle 310 effectively sealing out draEts as in PIG. 38.

.9 ~

Not all varieties of commercially available sleeping bags have identical ~ippers.
An adaptor according to the present invention which collld mate universally withany type of zipper would incorporate a resilient "Ul' - shaped tube 315, as shown in FIG.'s 39-41, which can removably clamp onto each zipper element of the sleeping bag as in FIG. 41. The section in FIG. 39 is taken between the straps on a strap bottom model.

Claims

1. An adaptor for fastening a sleeping bag to a camping pad made of substantially flexible material comprising in combination:
a sleeve comprising substantially an upper casing sheet and a lower casing element attached generally to the edges of said upper casing sheet whereby a lower chamber may be defined beneath said upper casing sheet said lower chamber able to accommodate a camping pad; and elongated fastening means each fastening element of which is positioned generally along either side of said adaptor in a substantially symmetrical aspect along its head to tail axis whereby the zipper elements of a commercially available sleeping bag may removably attach to said adaptor thereby defining an upper chamber between said upper casing sheet and the sleeping bag with the upper chamber being generally symmetrical along its head to tail axis and suitable to accommodate a reclining person.

2. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said upper casing sheet and said lower casing element are attached together along both sides and said upper casing sheet having a free portion at its head end sufficiently free from such attachment to said lower casing element to permit lateral compression of said free portion effectively independent of the main bady of the adaptor.

3. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said lower chamber may assume a generally rectangular shape in cross section and is generally rectangular when viewed from above thereby able to accommodate a variety of commercially available camping mattresses and said upper chamber as circumscribed by said elongated fastening means generally widens as it draws away from the foot end being narrower at the foot end than at the head end said fastening means thereby allowing the sleeping bag to lie in a manner best suited to its shape and purpose.

4. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal fastening element on the left hand side of the adaptor is a zipper element and the longitudinal fastening element on the right side is a zipper element having the capability of mating with the zipper element on the left hand side of the adaptor. Said two zipper elements having the capability of mating with the left hand zipper element and the right hand zipper element respectively of a normal sleeping bag.

5. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said lower element comprises a plurality of straps defining a chamber between 40 and 120 centimetres wide.

6. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said lower element comprises substantially a second casing sheet defining a chamber between 40 an 120 centimetres wide.

7. An adaptor for attaching to a sleeping bag made of substantially flexible material comprising in combination:
a pad element; and elongated fastening means each fastening element of which is disposed generally along either side of said pad element in a generally symmetrical aspect along its head to tail axis whereby the zipper elements of a commercially available sleeping bag may removably attach to said adaptor thereby defining an upper chamber between said upper casing sheet and the sleeping bag with said upper chamber being generally symmetrical about its head to tail axis and suited to accommodate a reclining person.

8. An adaptor according to claim 7 comprising a flexible upper sheet free portion located adjacent to the head and neck region of the user and attached at its tail end to said adaptor and sufficiently free from such attachment at its sides to permit lateral compression of said free portion independent of the mainbody of the adaptor.

9. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein said mattress comprises an element of closed cell foam.

10. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein said mattress comprises an element of open cell foam surrounded by a sealable air impermeable casing.

11. An adaptor according to claim 10 wherein said impermeable casing comprises valve means to control the ingress and egress of air from chamber occupied by said open cell foam.

12. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said casing elements are fabric and selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, cotton, rayon, dacron, etc.

13. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein the termini and an adjoining portion of the head end of each of said fastening elements is attached to said upper sheet especially to said free portion of said upper sheet and generally free from attachment to the main body of said adaptor whereby said head ends may be drawn together independently of said adaptor and in sympathy with said free portion.

14. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said elongated fastening means is a zipper.

15. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said elongated fastening means comprises a resilient tube-like element generally "U"
shaped in cross section.

16. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said elongated fastening means comprises a series of clamps able to grip the zipper region of a commercially available sleeping bag.

17. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said elongated fastening means comprises a series of clamps able to grip a blanket near its periphery.

18. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 comprising an insulated baffle positioned adjacent to said elongated fastening means whereby drafts are prevented communication with said upper chamber.

19. An adaptor according to claim 18 wherein said baffle comprises an element of closed cell foam whereby said baffle will substantially stand taut against said elongated fastening means.

20. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a portion of the middle of said elongated fastening means follows a route on and is effectively fastened to said lower casing element whereby the edge of said adaptor may overlap said fastening means and a sleeping bag attached to said fastening means to prevent communication of said upper chamber with drafts.

21. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a peripheral portion of said upper sheet folds down around lower chamber.

22. An adaptor according to claim 21 wherein a central portion of said elongated fastening means is attached to said peripheral portion of said upper sheet whereby the edge of said adaptor may overlap said fastening means and a sleeping bag attached to said fastening means to prevent communication of said upper chamber with drafts.

23. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein a portion of the middle of each of said elongated fastening elements follow a route on and are effectively fastened to the lower surface of said mattress whereby the edge of said adaptor may overlap said fastening means and a sleeping bag attached to said fastening means to prevent communication of said upper chamber with drafts.

24. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein both of said two fastening elements originate substantially at the same spot on the head to tail axis of the adaptor near the tail end of the adaptor on said upper sheet and progress in a manner generally diverging from one another as they draw toward the head end of the adaptor until they each approximately join the opposite peripheral edges of the adaptor which they follow until encountering said free portion which they continue along until their termini whereby a "mummy" style sleeping bag may conveniently be removably attached.

25. An adaptor according to claim 24 wherein each of said two fastening elements is between 150 and 250 centimetres long.

26. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 comprising an insulated foot pad traversely attached by one edge to said top sheet near the foot end of the adaptor and generally centered on the longitudinal axis of the adaptor being able to stand generally vertically wherein said two fastening elements originatenear the top centre of said foot pad and generally follow a route near and parallel to the peripheral edge of said foot pad until breaking attachment with said foot pad near the bottom edge of said foot pad and assuming attachment with said upper sheet and progress in a manner generally diverging from one another as they draw toward the head end of the adaptor until they approximately join the peripheral edges of the adaptor which they follow until encountering said free portion, which they continue along until their termini whereby a "barrel" style sleeping bag may conveniently be removably attached.

27. An adaptor according to claim 26 wherein said foot pad comprises a semi-rigid element whereby said foot pad may maintain a substantially coplanar shape and extend upwards and sideways beyond said elongated fastening means to provide an effective baffle against drafts.

28. An adaptor according to claim 27 wherein said semi-rigid element comprises closed cell plastic foam.

29. An adaptor according to claim 26 wherein each of said two fastening elements are between 225 and 300 centimetres long.

30. An adaptor according to claim 24 or 26 comprising a plurality of chambers beneath said upper sheet whereby a plurality of mattresses may be positioned side by side substantially forming a double bed enclosed by a widened version of said adaptor and one or more sleeping bags.

31. An adaptor according to claim 24 or 26 wherein each of said two fastening elements generally meet within six centimetres of one another near their tail end termini.

32. An adaptor according to claim 30 comprising more than two of said fastening elements at least one of said elements being routed generally along the head to tail axis of said adaptor whereby said adaptor may be converted for use either by a single user or a couple.

33. An adaptor according to claim 30 comprising an insulated yoke generally shaped like a letter "H" laid on its side removably attached to said adaptor near the head end whereby drafts between the necks of two users may be eliminated.

34. An adaptor according to claim 33 wherein said yoke surrounds the necks of two users.

35. An adaptor according to claim 34 comprising two hoods whereby the heads of two users may by mostly covered.

36. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said upper sheet comprises an element of cushiony material so disposed as to lie under a user's head.

37. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 wherein said upper sheet comprises a pocket at the head end whereby an effective pillow case is formed.

38. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 further including means for drawing said elongated fastening elements close together in a region near the head end of said adaptor.

39. An adaptor according to claim 38 wherein said drawing means comprises a length of cord attached to said adaptor.

40. An adaptor according to claim 39 wherein said cord is provided with a hook shaped attachment whereby a sliding tab on a zipper may be engaged.

41. An adaptor according to claim 40 wherein said cord is provided with a means for clamping said cord to variably control the position of said hook along said cord.

42. An adaptor according to claim 41 wherein said clamping means is a cord toggle.

43. An adaptor according to claim 38 wherein said drawing means comprises a hook and loop fastening system.

44. An adaptor according to claim 7 further including one or more moisture impermeable skirts removably attached along each side of said adaptor whereby an attached sleeping bag is prevented contact with the ground wherever it might extend beyond the width of said adaptor.

45. An adaptor according to claim 44 wherein said skirts overlap said elongated fastening means on either side of said adaptor.

46. An adaptor according to claim 44 wherein said skirts comprise closed cell foam.

47. An adaptor according to claim 1 or 7 in combination with a sleeping bag formed from two overlying sheet portions of fabric material essentially stitchedtogether at their periphery and provided with an elongated fastening system generally following said periphery, and provided with a quantity of insulating material disposed generally between said sheet portions.

48. An adaptor according to claim 47 wherein said sleeping bag portion may be removed from said adaptor and attached to itself about its periphery to be used as a conventional sleeping bag.

49. An adaptor according to claim 47 wherein said elongated fastening system is a zipper.

50. An adaptor according to claim 47 wherein said overlying sheet portions are fabric and selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, cotton, rayon, dacron, etc.