Screened cot enclosure

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a net accessory for use with a cot includes (a) a net having an inner surface with a pair of open ended sleeves formed along the inner surface for receiving tension rods; and (b) a plurality of support straps for attachment to a frame of the cot. Each support strap has a feature that permits the strap to be tightened and secured to the frame, as well as a pocket formed proximate one end. The pocket is configured to receive an end of the tension rod so as to suspend and support the net above a sleeping area of the cot.

1 . A net accessory for use with a cot comprising: 
 a net having an inner surface with a pair of retaining members formed along the inner surface for receiving tension rods; and    a plurality of support straps for attachment to a frame of the cot, each support strap having a first end and an opposite second end, each strap having an opening formed proximate the first end and a pocket formed proximate the second end, wherein the opening is configured to receive the second end of the strap to permit the strap to be secured to the frame and the pocket is configured to receive one end of the tension rod.    
   
   
       2 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining members comprise open ended sleeves formed along the inner surface.  
   
   
       3 . A cot assembly with an insect barrier comprising: 
 a cot frame having a head end and a foot end with a first support cross member disposed at the head end and a second support cross member disposed at the foot end, each of the first and second support cross members having distal ends that extend beyond side support frame members;    a net having an inner surface with a pair of retaining members formed along the inner surface, the retaining members receiving flexible tension rods; and    a plurality of support straps for attachment to a frame of the cot, each support strap having a first end and a pocket formed proximate an opposite second end, wherein the strap includes a feature that permits it to be tightened and secured to the frame and the pocket is configured to receive an end of the tension rod so as to space and support the net above a sleeping area of the cot.    
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the retaining members comprise open ended sleeves.  
   
   
       5 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the straps are disposed at corners of the cot frame and in locations at the distal ends of the first and second support cross members outside of the side support members.  
   
   
       6 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the strap comprises an elongated fabric member formed of a synthetic material and the strap feature is in the form of a D-ring buckle construction that permits tightening of the strap for attachment to the frame.  
   
   
       7 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the strap feature is in the form of a slit formed in the strap to receive the second end of the strap therethrough for tightening the strap and attaching it to the frame.  
   
   
       8 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the straps are orientated such that the pockets thereof face in directions away from the cot frame.  
   
   
       9 . The cot assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a length of the slit is equal to or greater than a width of the strap.  
   
   
       10 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the straps are attached to the first and second support cross members with the second end of the strap being received through the strap feature such that the strap is wrapped around and securely attached to one of the first and second support cross members.  
   
   
       11 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the pocket is formed along one face of the strap.  
   
   
       12 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the tension rod extends between and is held within two straps disposed on the same side of the cot frame.  
   
   
       13 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the tension rod extends between and is held within two straps that are diagonally disposed with respect to one another.  
   
   
       14 . The cot assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the net is dimensioned so that when the net is mounted above the cot frame, an edge of the net extends to a ground surface.  
   
   
       15 . An assembly with an insect barrier comprising: 
 a flexible base cloth having a plurality of receiving members formed therewith in predetermined locations; and    a net structure having an inner surface with a pair of retaining members formed along the inner surface and a plurality of flexible tension rods that are received through the retaining members so as to be captured thereby, the tension rods having distal ends being received through the receiving members to suspend and support the net above the base cloth.    
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the base cloth comprises a sleeping surface and the receiving members are one of grommets and sockets provided in corners of the base cloth.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining members comprise open ended sleeves.  
   
   
       18 . A method of attaching an insect barrier to a cot frame assembly comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a net accessory relative to the cot frame assembly that includes a head end and a foot end with a first support cross member disposed at the head end and a second support cross member disposed at the foot end, each of the first and second support cross members having ends that extend beyond side support frame members;    attaching a plurality of support straps to the first and second support cross members of the cot frame assembly, wherein each support strap has a first end and a pocket formed proximate an opposite second end;    inserting one end of the tension rod into the pocket of one support strap, through one sleeve formed along the inner surface of the net and then inserting the other end of the tension rod into a pocket of another support strap;    repeating the above step until each tension rod is securely held within the pockets of two support straps; and    disposing the net over the tension rods which support the net above a sleeping area of the cot.