Portable sheltered environments

Abstract

Provided herein is a device which can be worn about the back of a person, as a backpack, to carry various and sundry items associated with outdoor recreation, to a location at which persons desire to travel. A device according to the invention simultaneously provides a floor that can be spread across the ground, and a canopy support and canopy that shelters the floor. In a preferred embodiment, the floor and canopy are integral with the backpack itself, and a sheltered environment can be setup in a very short time, that shields its users from the effects of sun, rain, and other environmental elements. The floor portion may also include a seating means integrated therewith.

1 ) A device useful for providing a portable, retractable sheltered environment which comprises a backpack that comprises:
 i) a main body portion having an interior space, a top portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a bottom portion;   ii) a floor stowage compartment disposed on said interior surface, said floor stowage compartment having an interior space;   iii) a floor portion disposed within said floor stowage compartment,   
     wherein said floor portion is attached to said backpack;
 iv) a canopy stowage compartment disposed on said top portion, said canopy stowage compartment having an interior space; and 
 v) a canopy disposed within said canopy stowage compartment, 
 
     wherein said canopy portion is attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       2 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said floor portion is attached to said backpack at any location within said interior space of said floor stowage compartment. 
   
   
       3 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said floor portion is removably attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       4 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said floor portion is attached to said backpack by means of a floor attachment flap, which floor attachment flap is attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       5 ) A device according to  claim 4  wherein said floor portion is removably attached to said attachment flap. 
   
   
       6 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said canopy portion is attached to said backpack at any location within said interior space of said canopy stowage compartment. 
   
   
       7 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said canopy portion is removably attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       8 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said interior space of said backpack comprises a thermally-insulated space. 
   
   
       9 ) A device according to  claim 1  wherein said top portion of said backpack is hingeably attached to said body portion of said backpack. 
   
   
       10 ) A device according to  claim 1  further comprising an audio speaker disposed on said external surface of said backpack. 
   
   
       11 ) A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a seating means disposed on said floor portion. 
   
   
       12 ) A portable sheltered environment comprising:
 a) a floor portion;   b) a support frame disposed above said floor portion;   c) a canopy portion, supported in place by said support frame; and   d) a backpack having:
 i) a top portion; 
 ii) a bottom portion; 
 iii) an interior surface; 
 iv) an exterior surface; and 
 iv) an interior space, 
   
     wherein said floor portion and said canopy portion are each attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       13 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said floor portion comprises a sheet of material selected from the group consisting of: natural fibers and polymeric fibers. 
   
   
       14 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said floor portion is substantially rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       15 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said canopy portion is effectively contoured to provide said floor portion shade from an overhead light source sufficient to shield at least 50% of the surface area of said floor portion from said light source when said canopy portion is disposed over said support frame. 
   
   
       16 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said backpack is disposed atop said floor portion. 
   
   
       17 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said top portion of said backpack is hingeably attached to said backpack. 
   
   
       18 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said interior space comprises thermal insulation. 
   
   
       19 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  wherein said exterior surface further comprises an audio speaker disposed thereon. 
   
   
       20 ) A portable sheltered environment according to  claim 12  further comprising a seating means disposed on said floor portion.