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US5487240A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Compact sleeping unit

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-11-18
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2014-11-18
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Abstract

Abstract A compact sleeping unit is provided which can be mated with similarly configured sleeping units to form a grouping for use in a wide range of situations and settings. Each unit includes a horizontal platform and mattress for the compact sleeping of an occupant and a vertically oriented area for dressing and changing which is accessible to each sleeping area through a passage. The compact sleeping unit of the present invention provides a safe, clean, secure, private, inexpensive, portable and easily erected structure to service humans in a wide range of applications.

Inventors

  • 👤 Frederick H. Miller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 22:29
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H3/00; E04H3/02; E04H1/00; E04H1/12; E04H1/1205

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim 153 words
A structure suitable for human habitation comprising: a generally rectangular, vertically oriented cell, said vertical cell having a back wall spaced from a front wall and a pair of spaced side walls, said vertical cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for a person to stand upright therein; a generally rectangular, horizontally oriented cell, said horizontal cell having a ceiling spaced from a floor and a pair of spaced side walls, said horizontal cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for the person to recline therein; a platform in said horizontal cell upon which the person can recline; said horizontal and vertical cells being connected to form a unit so that a portion of one of said horizontal cell side walls is juxtaposed to a portion of one of said vertical cell side walls; and a passage between said cells through which the person can move to and between said cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 153 words
A structure suitable for human habitation comprising: a generally rectangular, vertically oriented cell, said vertical cell having a back wall spaced from a front wall and a pair of spaced side walls, said vertical cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for a person to stand upright therein; a generally rectangular, horizontally oriented cell, said horizontal cell having a ceiling spaced from a floor and a pair of spaced side walls, said horizontal cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for the person to recline therein; a platform in said horizontal cell upon which the person can recline; said horizontal and vertical cells being connected to form a unit so that a portion of one of said horizontal cell side walls is juxtaposed to a portion of one of said vertical cell side walls; and a passage between said cells through which the person can move to and between said cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising: a doorway and a door on said vertical cell front wall through which the person can enter and exit said unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 46 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising: an opening on said horizontal cell side wall opposite from said horizontal cell side wall which is juxtaposed to said vertical cell, said opening providing access to said platform and the person reclining thereon from outside of said unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The structure of claim 3 further comprising: a closure for said opening, said closure being capable of selective opening and closing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said closure is at least partially translucent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising: a table connected to an interior surface within said vertical cell, said table being collapsible for conversion to and between a collapsed position for storage and an erected position for use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 6 wherein said interior surface is a wall surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said interior surface is a wall surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising: a chair connected to an interior surface within said vertical cell, said chair being collapsible for conversion to and between a collapsed position for storage and an erected position for use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising: a mattress on said platform and a storage compartment under said platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 10 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said units are portable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 10 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said units are prefabricated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 56 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein a pair of said units are mated together to form a block, said units being mated such that said horizontal cells of each said unit are vertically aligned with one positioned on top of the other and said vertical cell back walls of said units are juxtaposed to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 75 words
The structure of claim 13 wherein said portion of said horizontal cell side wall of a first said unit juxtaposed to said portion of said vertical cell side wall of a second said unit are each mounted for conversion to and between open and closed positions, said open and closed positions permitting and inhibiting, respectively, access for the person between said vertical cell of said second unit and said horizontal cell of said first unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 22 words
The structure of claim 14 wherein said open position blocks said passage between said horizontal and vertical cells of said second unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 48 words
The structure of claim 13 wherein a pair of said blocks are mated together to form a grouping, said blocks being mated such that said horizontal cells of a first said block and said horizontal cells of a second said block are on opposite sides of said grouping.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 16 further comprising: a roof positioned atop said grouping.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 227 words
A structure suitable for human habitation comprising: a generally rectangular, vertically oriented cell, said vertical cell having a back wall spaced from a front wall and a pair of spaced side walls, said vertical cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for a person to stand upright therein; a generally rectangular, horizontally oriented cell, said horizontal cell having a ceiling spaced from a floor and a pair of spaced side walls, said horizontal cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for the person to recline therein; a platform in said horizontal cell upon which the person can recline; said horizontal and vertical cells being connected to form a unit so that a portion of one of said horizontal cell side walls is juxtaposed to a portion of one of said vertical cell side walls; a passage between said cells through which the person can move to and between said cells; a doorway and a door on said vertical cell front wall through which the person can enter and exit said unit; an opening on said horizontal cell side wall opposite from said horizontal cell side wall which is juxtaposed to said vertical cell, said opening providing access to said platform and the person reclining thereon from outside of said unit; and a closure for said opening, said closure being capable of selective opening and closing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 227 words
A structure suitable for human habitation comprising: a generally rectangular, vertically oriented cell, said vertical cell having a back wall spaced from a front wall and a pair of spaced side walls, said vertical cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for a person to stand upright therein; a generally rectangular, horizontally oriented cell, said horizontal cell having a ceiling spaced from a floor and a pair of spaced side walls, said horizontal cell having an internal volume of sufficient size for the person to recline therein; a platform in said horizontal cell upon which the person can recline; said horizontal and vertical cells being connected to form a unit so that a portion of one of said horizontal cell side walls is juxtaposed to a portion of one of said vertical cell side walls; a passage between said cells through which the person can move to and between said cells; a doorway and a door on said vertical cell front wall through which the person can enter and exit said unit; an opening on said horizontal cell side wall opposite from said horizontal cell side wall which is juxtaposed to said vertical cell, said opening providing access to said platform and the person reclining thereon from outside of said unit; and a closure for said opening, said closure being capable of selective opening and closing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said closure is at least partially translucent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 41 words
The structure of claim 18 further comprising: a table connected to a wall surface within said volume of said vertical cell, said table being collapsible for conversion to and between a collapsed position for storage and an erected position for use.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 41 words
The structure of claim 18 further comprising: a chair connected to a wall surface within said volume of said vertical cell, said chair being collapsible for conversion to and between a collapsed position for storage and an erected position for use.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 19 words
The structure of claim 18 further comprising: a mattress oil said platform and a storage compartment under said platform.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 10 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said units are portable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 10 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein said units are prefabricated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 56 words
The structure of claim 18 wherein a pair of said units are mated together to form a block, said units being mated such that said horizontal cells of each said unit are vertically aligned with one positioned on top of the other and said vertical cell back walls of said units are juxtaposed to each other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 75 words
The structure of claim 25 wherein said portion of said horizontal cell side wall of a first said unit juxtaposed to said portion of said vertical cell side wall of a second said unit are each mounted for conversion to and between open and closed positions, said open and closed positions permitting and inhibiting, respectively, access for the person between said vertical cell of said second unit and said horizontal cell of said first unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 22 words
The structure of claim 26 wherein said open position blocks said passage between said horizontal and vertical cells of said second unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 48 words
The structure of claim 25 wherein a pair of said blocks are mated together to form a grouping, said blocks being mated such that said horizontal cells of a first said block and said horizontal cells of a second said block are on opposite sides of said grouping.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 13 words
The structure of claim 28 further comprising: a roof positioned atop said grouping.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-01-29 1999-07-31 2000-01-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-01-29 2003-07-31 2004-01-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-01-29 2007-07-31 2008-01-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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