Organizational device

• US 8,011,042 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gretchen A. Rose
• Original Assignee: Gretchen A. Rose
• Inventors: Touchstone, Kathy, Rose, Gretchen
• Primary Examiner(s): Trettel; Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/259,872
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 541/7, 542/0, 565/3, 565/6, 565/7, 297/219.1
• US Class Current: 5/653
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 11/00 Benches not otherwise provided for school forms A47B39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/021 Detachable or loose seat cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/062 for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets

Abstract

An organizational device for use with a group of children comprising a substantially-rectangular flexible mat having opposed first and second ends, a length, and a width. In a preferred embodiment, the substantially-rectangular flexible mat has a first plurality of substantially-rectangular areas distributed along the length and a corresponding first plurality of identification pockets affixed to the first plurality of substantially-rectangular areas. In another aspect, the substantially-rectangular flexible mat has at least one end anchoring device coupled to each of the first and second ends wherein the at least one end anchoring device is configured to removably couple to a fixed object. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing an organizational device for use with a group of children.

Claims

1. An organizational device for use with a group of children, comprising:

a substantially-rectangular flexible mat having opposed first and second ends, opposed first and second long edges, a length, and a width;

a plurality of substantially-rectangular areas distributed along said length;

a corresponding plurality of identification pockets affixed to said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas;

at least one end anchoring device coupled to each of said first and second ends; and

a corresponding plurality of mesh bags coupled to and distributed along a rear edge of said substantially-rectangular flexible mat, each of said plurality of corresponding mesh bags aligning with a corresponding one of said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas.

2. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of visible dividers coupled to said substantially-rectangular flexible mat and spaced apart along said length to define said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas.

3. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one end anchoring device is configured to removably couple to a fixed object, and wherein said fixed object is earth;

and further comprising a stake for at least partial insertion into said earth, said stake further coupleable to said at least one end anchoring device.

4. The organizational device as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one end anchoring device is at least one loop and further comprising a bungee cord removably coupleable between said at least one loop and said at least one stake.

5. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 wherein said fixed object is a bench having a seat and wherein said at least one end anchoring device is a loop or a drawstring configured to encircle at least a part of said seat.

6. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one side anchoring device coupled to at least one of said opposed first and second long edges.

7. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a corresponding plurality of rear flaps extending from at least one of said first and second long edges and along said length; and

and wherein said corresponding plurality of rear flaps further comprise a corresponding plurality of access apertures through said corresponding plurality of rear flaps for access to said corresponding plurality of mesh bags coupled to said rear edge.

8. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a pad coupleable to said substantially-rectangular flexible mat on an underside thereof.

9. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 wherein said corresponding first plurality of identification pockets comprise a flexible, transparent medium.

10. The organizational device as recited in claim 1 wherein said substantially-rectangular flexible mat is waterproof or water repellant.

11. A method of manufacturing an organizational device for use with a group of children, comprising:

providing a substantially-rectangular flexible mat having opposed first and second ends, opposed first and second long edges, a length, and a width;

forming a plurality of substantially-rectangular areas distributed along said length;

affixing a corresponding plurality of identification pockets to said first plurality of substantially-rectangular areas;

coupling an at least one end anchoring device to each of said first and second ends; and

coupling a corresponding plurality of mesh bags to a rear edge of said substantially-rectangular flexible mat and distributing said corresponding plurality of mesh bags along said length at said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas, each of said plurality of corresponding mesh bags aligning with a corresponding one of said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising coupling and spacing apart along said length a plurality of visible dividers to said substantially-rectangular flexible mat to define said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one end anchoring device is configured to removably couple to a fixed object, wherein said fixed object is earth;

and further comprising providing a stake for at least partial insertion into said earth, said stake further coupleable to said at least one end anchoring device.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein coupling said at least one end anchoring device includes coupling at least one loop and further comprising providing a bungee cord removably coupleable between said at least one loop and said at least one stake.

15. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said fixed object is a bench having a seat and wherein coupling said at least one end anchoring device includes coupling at least one loop or one drawstring, and configuring said at least one loop or said one drawstring to encircle at least a part of said seat.

16. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising coupling at least one side anchoring device to at least one of said opposed first and second long edges.

17. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising:

forming a corresponding plurality of rear flaps extending from at least one of said first and second long edges and along said length; and

forming a corresponding plurality of access apertures through said corresponding plurality of rear flaps for access to said corresponding plurality of mesh bags coupled to said rear edge, each of said plurality of corresponding mesh bags aligning with a corresponding one of said plurality of substantially-rectangular areas.

18. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising providing a pad coupleable to said substantially-rectangular flexible mat on an underside thereof.

19. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said affixing includes affixing said corresponding plurality of identification pockets comprising a flexible, transparent medium.

20. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said providing includes providing said substantially-rectangular flexible mat that is waterproof or water repellant.