Convertible backpack and cot apparatus

Claim 2

A convertible packpack and cot apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangularly shaped frame having a pair of end members, a pair of side members, and first and second pairs of elbow members forming the corners of said frame, each of said elbow members being telescopically connected to one of said end members and one of said side members to define an adjustable extension of the associated end member and side member, at least one of the end frame members being rotatable relative to the associated elbow members telescopically connected therewith, and releasable lock means operably interconnecting said end frame member and the associated elbow members for securing the said end frame member relative to the associated elbow members in a selected angularly related position, leg members connected to said end members and rotatable relative to said elbow members along with the end members so that said leg members can be positioned to elevate said frame from a supporting surface, and a cot sheet attached to said frame along the periphery of the frame.

Claim 3

The convertible packpack and cot apparatus of claim 2, wherein said leg members operably connected to said end members comprise rigid extensions away from said end members to provide rigid supports for said frame.

Claim 4

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 2, wherein said elbow members are slidably received within said end frame members and wherein each of said leg members associated with the end members comprises a U-shaped normal projections away from the associated end member.

Claim 5

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 2 further including a leg member operably connected to said side frame members which includes a pair of L-shaped elements, each L-shaped element having a first leg extending normally away from an associated side frame member and a second leg extending normally away from the first leg in a general direction toward the opposite side frame member, said second leg of one L-shaped element telescopically mating with the second leg of the other L-shaped element whereby the leg member associated with the side frame members is extensible transversely of the frame.

Claim 6

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 3 wherein said elbow members are slidably received within said side frame members.

Claim 7

The convertible packpack and cot apparatus of claim 5 further including releasable lock means interconnecting the side frame members and the associated elbow members to retain the respective members In a selected position.

Claim 8

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 6 wherein said one end frame member is rotatable about the associated elbow members between a plurality of fixed positions and wherein said releasable lock means are operative to prevent relative rotation between the said one end frame member and the associated elbow members when the said one end member is in one of the fixed positions.

Claim 9

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 1 further including support means operably connected to said frame and adapted to be passed over the shoulder of a user to support the apparatus on the user''s back.

Claim 10

The convertible backpack and cot apparatus of claim 8 wherein said cot sheet includes a plurality of looped means on its periphery adapted to receive said frame whereby said cot sheet can be retained and supported in a taught condition by said frame.

Claim 11

A convertible backpack and cot apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangularly shaped frame having a pair of hollow cylindrical end members, a pair of hollow cylindrical side members, said end members and side members having the same inner diameters, and first and second pairs of identical elbow members having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the end and side members, each elbow member having a short leg and a long leg, the short leg being received in an end member for relative axial and rotatable movement and the long leg being received in a side member for relative axial movement whereby said frame is expandable and contractible by relative sliding movement of the elbow members with the end and side members, a U-shaped end leg member rigidly affixed to each end member so as to be rotatable with the end member about the short legs of the associated elbow members, a U-shaped center leg interconnecting the side members, said center leg including a pair of L-shaped elements, each L-shaped element having a first leg extending normally away from an associated side member and a second leg extending normally away from the first leg in a general direction toward the opposite side member, said second leg of one L-shaped element telescopically mating with the second leg of the other L-shaped element whereby the leg member associated with the side members is extensible, releasable lock means interconnecting the side members and the associated elbow members to retain the side members and elbow members in selected relative axially spaced positions, releasable lock means interconnecting the end members and the associated elbow members to retain the side members and elbow members in selected relative axially spaced positions and angularly related positions, a cot sheet operably attached to said side, end and elbow members by loop means around the periphery of the cot sheet, a knapsack releasably connected to the side frame members, and a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap being connected at one end to a U-shaped end leg member and at its opposite end to a side member so as to provide a comfortable means for suspending the apparatus from the shoulders of a user.

Claim 12

A convertible backpack and cot apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangularly shaped frame having a pair of hollow cylindrical end members, a pair of hollow cylindrical side members, said end members and side members having the same inner diameters, and first and second pairs of identical elbow members having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the end and side members, each elbow member having a short leg and a long leg, the short leg being received in an end member for relative axial and rotatable movement and the long leg being received in a side member for relative axial movement whereby said frame is expandable and contractible by relative sliding movement of the elbow members with the end and side members, a U-shaped end leg member rigidly affixed to each end member so as to be rotatable with the end member about the short legs of the associated elbow members, a U-shaped center leg interconnecting the side members, said center leg including a pair of L-shaped elements, each L-shaped element having a first leg extending normally away from an associated side member and a second leg extending normally away from the first leg in a general direction toward the opposite side member, said second leg of one L-shaped element telescopically mating with the second leg of the other L-shaped element whereby the leg member associated with the side members is extensible, releasable lock means interconnecting the side members and the associated elbow members to retain the side members and elbow members in selected relative axially spaced positions, releasable lock means interconnecting the end members and the associated elbow members to retain the side members and elbow members in selected relative axially spaced positions and angularly related positions, a cot sheet operably attached to said side, end and elbow members by loop means around the periphery of the cot sheet, a knapsack releasably connected to the side frame members, and a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap being connected at one end to a U-shaped end leg member and at its opposite end to a side member so as to provide a comfortable means for suspending the apparatus from the shoulders of a user.