US-20260123739-A1 - BIVOUAC SLEEP SYSTEM AND ATTACHABLE COMPANION MODULE

US20260123739A1US 20260123739 A1US20260123739 A1US 20260123739A1US-20260123739-A1

Abstract

A bivouac sleep system is provided, including a primary bivouac configured to conform to anatomy of a primary user, and a companion module configured to conform to anatomy of a companion of the primary user. The primary bivouac can include a primary attachment area that is releasably couplable to a companion attachment area of the companion module to attach the components together, forming the bivouac sleep system. The primary bivouac and/or companion module can further include a modular attachment system configured to receive and operably couple an accessory thereto, where the modular attachment system includes alternating mechanical fastening components.

Inventors

Olivia Alice Brown

Assignees

Olivia Alice Brown

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251106

Claims (20)

1 . A bivouac sleep system, comprising: a primary bivouac configured to conform to anatomy of a primary user of the bivouac sleep system, the primary bivouac including a headbox area, a footbox area, and a main body portion, and having a primary attachment area; and a companion module configured to conform to anatomy of a companion of the primary user, the companion module including a companion headbox area, a companion footbox area, and a companion main body portion, and having a companion attachment area, wherein the primary attachment area is releasably couplable to the companion attachment area to attach the primary bivouac and the companion module, forming the bivouac sleep system.
2 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the releasable coupling between the primary attachment area and the companion attachment area is a mechanical coupling with each area comprising mating components of snaps, buttons, zippers, hook and loop, clasps, or magnets.
3 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the primary bivouac further comprises a modular attachment system configured to receive and operably couple an accessory thereto, wherein the modular attachment system includes alternating mechanical fastening components.
4 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 3 , wherein the alternating mechanical fastening components comprise snaps, buttons, hook and loop, clasps, or magnets.
5 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 3 , wherein the alternating mechanical fastening components comprise snaps, and wherein the snaps are arranged in a quadrant layout, having: a first male snap in a first quadrant; a first female snap in a second quadrant lateral to the first quadrant; a second female snap in a third quadrant lateral to the first quadrant and diagonal to the second quadrant; and a second male snap in a fourth quadrant lateral to the second and third quadrants and diagonal to the first quadrant.
6 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 3 , further comprising a pouch accessory having a second modular attachment system that operably couplable to the modular attachment system of the primary bivouac.
7 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the primary bivouac further comprises a closure portion permitting ingress and egress of the primary user into the main body portion, and wherein the closure portion includes mechanical fastening components to selectively enclose the headbox area, the footbox area, and the main body portion from environment exterior to the primary bivouac.
8 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 7 , wherein the companion module further comprises a closure portion permitting ingress and egress of the companion into the main body portion, and wherein the closure portion includes mechanical fastening components to selectively enclose the headbox area, the footbox area, and the main body portion from environment exterior to the companion module.
9 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the companion module includes a deployed configuration, in which the companion module is couplable to the primary bivouac and the companion can occupy an interior of the companion module, and a stowed configuration, compacting the companion module into a smaller format configured for transport.
10 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 9 , wherein the companion module further comprises a stowing retention flap to maintain the companion module in the stowed configuration.
11 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 9 , wherein the companion module further comprises a harness system for arranging the companion module onto the companion for companion carrying of the companion module.
12 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the primary bivouac and the companion module are made from non-synthetic materials comprising cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, silk, felt, flax, bamboo, wool, or sisal.
13 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the primary bivouac includes a vent to permit airflow between interior portions of the primary bivouac and environment external to the primary bivouac.
14 . The bivouac sleep system of claim 1 , wherein the primary bivouac includes an integrated anchor loop to tether securement devices for anchoring the primary bivouac.
15 . A pouch accessory having a modular attachment system, the accessory pouch comprising: a pouch body; an upper opening atop the pouch body; and a pouch bottom on an opposite end of the pouch body from the upper opening, wherein the modular attachment system is arranged on the pouch body and includes alternating mechanical fastening components, and wherein the modular attachment system is configured to operably couple to a corresponding module attachment system of a secondary component.
16 . The accessory pouch of claim 15 , wherein the alternating mechanical fastening components comprise snaps, buttons, hook and loop, clasps, or magnets.
17 . The accessory pouch of claim 15 , wherein the alternating mechanical fastening components comprise snaps, and wherein the snaps are arranged in a quadrant layout, having: a first male snap in a first quadrant; a first female snap in a second quadrant lateral to the first quadrant; a second female snap in a third quadrant lateral to the first quadrant and diagonal to the second quadrant; and a second male snap in a fourth quadrant lateral to the second and third quadrants and diagonal to the first quadrant.
18 . The accessory pouch of claim 17 , wherein the accessory pouch is securable in a lengthwise folded configuration by operably coupling the first male snap to the first female snap and operably coupling the second male snap to the second female snap.
19 . The accessory pouch of claim 17 , wherein the accessory pouch is securable in a widthwise folded configuration by operably coupling the first male snap to the second female snap and operably coupling the first female snap to the second male snap.
20 . The accessory pouch of claim 15 , wherein the secondary component is a clothing garment having one or more corresponding modular attachment systems couplable to the modular attachment system of the accessory pouch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.: 63/717464 filed Nov. 7, 2024; the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. BACKGROUND Bivouacs (alternatively used herein: bivvy, bivy, bivi, bivvi), commonly referred to as temporary outdoor shelters, are essential for mountaineers, climbers, soldiers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Bivouacs are intended to provide protection from the elements when other shelters are unavailable or minimal shelter is preferable, and are compact, lightweight, and easy to deploy in challenging outdoor environments. These shelters are often used in mountainous or remote areas where weather conditions can change rapidly, and shelter is essential for safety and survival. Traditional bivouacs range from simple tarps and bivvy sacks to more sophisticated shelter designs; however, many of these options have limitations in terms of durability, ease of use, insulation, and weather resistance. Previous technology bivouacs are constructed from natural materials, e.g., tree branches and leaves, while current technology lightweight bivouacs rely on artificial materials such as nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene, which can lack adequate ventilation, leading to condensation buildup, and may offer limited protection from wind and rain. Furthermore, many standard bivouac designs can be difficult to set up in adverse conditions or on uneven terrain, posing challenges in emergency situations. Over the years, advancements have been made to improve the functionality of bivouac shelters, such as the addition of waterproof and breathable materials, reinforced stitching, and minimal pole structures. Despite these innovations, current technologies have significant drawbacks including a paradox of non-natural material for use in natural settings, environmental concern with extremely limited end-of-use onward value chain, high flammability, low tactility, and compromised ability to regulate body temperature and moisture wicking. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1A is a plan view of a bivouac sleep system with a primary bivouac and a companion module, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the companion module of FIG. 1A, shown in transition from a deployed to a stowed configuration, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 1C is an environmental view of the companion module of FIG. 1A, shown in the stowed configuration and carried by a companion, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIGS. 2A and 2B are front and back views of a pouch accessory having a modular attachment system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIGS. 2C and 2D are perspective views of two pouch accessories of FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown in a detached configuration in FIG. 2A and in an attached configuration in FIG. 2B; FIGS. 2E and 2F are perspective views of the pouch accessory of FIGS. 2A and 2B, shown in a lengthwise folded configuration in FIG. 2E and in a widthwise folded configuration in FIG. 2F; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a primary bivouac having a modular attachment system for securing an accessory, such as the pouch accessory of FIGS. 2A and 2B, to the primary bivouac, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4A-4C show front, back, and side views, respectively, of a clothing garment having a modular attachment system for securing an accessory, such as the pouch accessory of FIGS. 2A and 2B, to the clothing garment, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. As will be described in more detail below, the present disclosure provides examples of an outdoor overnight bivouac sleep system configured for individual human use in the primary bivouac, or alternatively with a connected second bivouac in a dual configuration with a companion module for sharing the bivouac sleep system, e.g., parent (primary) and child (companion), human (primary) and animal (companion), human (primary) and