Hello all.
At https://www.pattakon...attakonCamp.htm the PattaCot, an unconventional camping cot (camping bed), is presented.
As in the sport autos (Autosport), the idea is to minimize weight/bulk/cost and maximize “performance” (in this case: comfort, usefulness, easy of use, etc).
The first aluminum PattaCot prototype weighs 1.5Kg (3.3lb), i.e. as much as 1.5 litter of water; when folded it forms a back pack sized 0.56mx0.23mx0.10m (22" x 9" x 4").
Besides being a bed (or cot), it is also a chair and a stool.
It assembles “automatically” (more or less as the folding canes do) and quickly: in 10-15 seconds you can sit on the stool, in 25-30 seconds you can lie in bed.
In practice it proves surprisingly comfortable and ergonomic.
Folded to backpack:
it provides plenty of empty space; when hiking on the mountains around Athens, I use to carry inside the PattaCot backpack apples, oranges, bread, water, a wind resistant coat, an umbrella and a jockey cap.
Compact and lightweight: it can be “forgotten” in the port baggage for “just in case”.
Stored somewhere in the house it can be used as spare bed or chair.
It fits to be made of carbon fiber (all or just the rods) for the sake of even less weight, higher load capacity and longevity.
While it provides several modes, it needs neither bolts, nor axles, nor ratchets etc.
The shape of the frame and the tension of the strips (or better: how loose / unfastened they are) discharge the structure from unnecessary loads keeping the weight low and the load capacity high.
Thoughts? Objections?
OFF TOPIC yes, but a technical discussion can start with it
Thanks
Manolis Pattakos
