Multi-purpose mat

• US 20040088789A1
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James A. Mitchell
• Original Assignee: James A. Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,920,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/420
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/062 for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/266 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/044 of removable mats B60N3/046, B60N3/048 take precedence

Abstract

A multi-purpose mat has open and folded configurations. The mat includes a base and a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a periphery of the base. A first resilient flexible slat is disposed within one of the sidewalls and a second resilient flexible slat is disposed within the remaining sidewalls. The slats provide means for reinforcing the sidewalls and also provide a spring-like effect that allows the mat to automatically rollout into the open configuration from the folded configuration. The sidewalls fold about the periphery of the base; the sidewalls moving from a position generally adjacent to the base to a position generally perpendicular to and extending generally upwardly from the base when the mat is moved from the folded configuration to the open configuration.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose mat having open and folded configurations, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a periphery of the base; and

a first resilient flexible slat disposed within one of the sidewalls and a second resilient flexible slat disposed within the remaining sidewalls, wherein the slats provide means for reinforcing the sidewalls, and whereby the slats provide a spring-like effect that allows the mat to automatically rollout into the open configuration from the folded configuration;

wherein the sidewalls fold about the periphery of the base, whereby the sidewalls move from a position generally adjacent to the base to a position generally perpendicular to and extending generally upwardly from the base when the mat is moved from the folded configuration to the open configuration.

2. The mat of claim 1, including an inwardly extending rim positioned along an upper portion of the sidewalls.

3. The mat of claim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is water impermeable.

4. The mat of claim 3, wherein the base includes a bottom non-slip surface.

5. The mat of claim 1, including means for holding the mat in the folded configuration.

6. The mat of claim 5, wherein the means for holding the mat in the folded configuration includes fasteners for securing the mat in the closed position.

7. The mat of claim 6, wherein the fasteners include a buckle.

8. The mat of claim 6, wherein the fasteners include hook and loop fasteners.

9. The mat of claim 1, including a layer of material removably connected to a top surface of the base.

10. The mat of claim 9, wherein the layer of material is a towel connected to the base, wherein the base and towel include mating fasteners.

11. The mat of claim 1, including at least one pocket removably connected to at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall and at least one pocket include mating fasteners.

12. A multi-purpose mat having open and folded configurations, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a periphery of the base;

an inwardly extending rim positioned along an upper portion of the sidewalls;

means for holding the mat in the folded configuration including fasteners for securing the mat in the closed position; and

a first resilient flexible slat disposed within one of the sidewalls and a second resilient flexible slat disposed within the remaining sidewalls, wherein the slats provide means for reinforcing the sidewalls, and whereby the slats provide a spring-like effect that allows the mat to automatically rollout into the open configuration from the folded configuration;

wherein the sidewalls fold about the periphery of the base, whereby the sidewalls move from a position generally adjacent to the base to a position generally perpendicular to and extending generally upwardly from the base when the mat is moved from the folded configuration to the open configuration.

13. The mat of claim 12, wherein the base includes a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is water impermeable, and a bottom non-slip surface.

14. The mat of claim 12, wherein the fasteners include a buckle.

15. The mat of claim 12, wherein the fasteners include hook and loop fasteners.

16. The mat of claim 12, including a towel removably connected to a top surface of the base, the base and towel including mating fasteners.

17. The mat of claim 12, including at least one pocket removably connected to at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall and at least one pocket include mating fasteners.

18. A multi-purpose mat having open and folded configurations, comprising:

a base including a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is water impermeable, and a bottom non-slip surface;

a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a periphery of the base;

an inwardly extending rim positioned along an upper portion of the sidewalls;

means for holding the mat in the folded configuration including fasteners for securing the mat in the closed position;

a towel removably connected to a top surface of the base, the base and towel including mating fasteners;

at least one pocket removably connected to at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall and at least one pocket include mating fasteners; and

a first resilient flexible slat disposed within one of the sidewalls and a second resilient flexible slat disposed within the remaining sidewalls, wherein the slats provide means for reinforcing the sidewalls, and whereby the slats provide a spring-like effect that allows the mat to automatically rollout into the open configuration from the folded configuration;

wherein the sidewalls fold about the periphery of the base, whereby the sidewalls move from a position generally adjacent to the base to a position generally perpendicular to and extending generally upwardly from the base when the mat is moved from the folded configuration to the open configuration.