U.S. patent application number 14/565910 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for convertible activity mat.
The applicant listed for this patent is Katherine Messervy Jenkins. Invention is credited to Katherine Messervy Jenkins.
Application Number | 20150173473 14/565910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53398701 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150173473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenkins; Katherine
Messervy |
June 25, 2015 |
Convertible Activity Mat
Abstract
The invention relates to a protective table covering that is
convertible to a carrying bag or tote.
Inventors: |
Jenkins; Katherine Messervy;
(Denver, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jenkins; Katherine Messervy |
Denver |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53398701 |
Appl. No.: |
14/565910 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61920583 |
Dec 24, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/001 20130101;
A47G 23/0303 20130101; A45C 3/04 20130101; A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
7/0095 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20060101
A45C009/00; A47G 23/03 20060101 A47G023/03 |
Claims
1. An activity mat convertible into a carrying bag comprising: a
substantially planar mat having at least three fold lines, the mat
having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first
surface comprises a liquid impervious layer and the second layer
comprises a non-slip material.
2. The mat of claim 1, wherein the planar mat has a first edge and
second edge wherein the first edge is the same length as the second
edge, and a third edge and a fourth edge wherein the third edge and
fourth edge are the same length, and wherein the length of the
third and fourth edges is greater than the length of the first and
second edges, and wherein the mat comprises a first handle on the
third edge and a second handle on the fourth edge.
3. The mat of claim 2, wherein the first edge is adapted to be
folded inward along a first latitudinal fold line and the second
edge is adapted to be folded inward along a second latitudinal fold
line.
4. The mat of claim 3, wherein the third edge is adapted to be
folded upward toward the fourth edge along a longitudinal fold
line.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
provisional patent application number 61/920,583, filed Dec. 24,
2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set
forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to an activity
mat that is convertible to a carrying bag. The activity mat may be
used, for example, as a protective covering on a kitchen table or
coffee table to protect furniture from damage from children's arts
and crafts and toys.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention relates to a novel combination of
activity mat and carrying bag. When opened (that is, when in the
activity mat configuration), it comprises a first play or activity
surface and a second surface that faces and protects an item of
furniture. In some embodiments, the first surface may be a
waterproof material such as vinyl, vinyl coated nylon, coated woven
polypropylene, vinyl coated polyester, coated canvas, etc. In some
embodiments, the second surface may be a non-slip surface made from
a material such as grip neoprene, PVC coated polyester, or a
rubberized grip coating used in printed applications. In other
embodiments, the mat has a thin polypropylene sheet between the
first and second surfaces that helps the panels hold their
shape.
[0004] The first and second surfaces may be connected together by a
continuous binding strip such as a nylon edge binding material
and/or intermediate stitching. In other embodiments the first and
second surfaces are connected using a combination of a binding
strip and wrap stitching.
[0005] A variety of colors can be used for the first and second
surfaces such as any of the primary colors and variations
thereof
[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, the activity mat is a
tri-fold mat that folds into a carrying bag. In another embodiment
of the invention, the activity mat has a channel that runs
lengthwise down the center of the mat to create a slight bottom
when the mat is folded into the closed (that is, carrying bag)
configuration. The bottom allows the folded configuration to stand
upright more easily.
[0007] In some embodiments, the activity mat is a substantially
planar mat having at least three fold lines, the mat having a first
surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface comprises a
liquid impervious layer and the second layer comprises a non-slip
material. The mat may have a first edge and second edge wherein the
first edge is the same length as the second edge, and a third edge
and a fourth edge wherein the third edge and fourth edge are the
same length, and wherein the length of the third and fourth edges
is greater than the length of the first and second edges, and
wherein the mat comprises a first handle on the third edge and a
second handle on the fourth edge. The first edge is adapted to be
folded inward along a first latitudinal fold line and the second
edge is adapted to be folded inward along a second latitudinal fold
line. The third edge is adapted to be folded upward toward the
fourth edge along a longitudinal fold line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of
the folded activity mat.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of
the unfolded activity mat.
[0010] FIGS. 3-5 are top views of the unfolded activity mat without
a center channel.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a view of the underside of the activity mat.
[0012] FIG. 7A is a top side view of the unfolded activity mat.
FIG. 7B is a left side view of the unfolded activity mat. FIG. 7C
is a top, front, and left side perspective view of the unfolded
activity mat.
[0013] FIGS. 8-10 are plan views of the unfolded activity mat with
a center channel.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a view of the underside of the activity mat with
a center channel.
[0015] FIG. 12A is a top side view of the unfolded activity mat.
FIG. 12B is a left side view of the unfolded activity mat. FIG. 12C
is a top, front, and left side perspective view of the unfolded
activity mat with a center channel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to the drawings, an activity mat 1 is formed of a
first waterproof surface 2 and a second non-slip surface 3. First
surface 2 may be a waterproof material such as vinyl, vinyl coated
nylon, coated woven polypropylene, vinyl coated polyester, coated
canvas, etc. Second surface 3 may be a non-slip surface made from a
material such as grip neoprene, PVC coated polyester, or a
rubberized grip coating used in printed applications. In some
embodiments, a thin plastic sheet (not shown), such as a
polypropylene sheet, is sandwiched between first surface 2 and
second surface 3. The mat should be sufficiently flexible so as to
be foldable completely upon itself in both the lateral and
longitudinal directions.
[0017] Activity mat 1 has two longitudinal edges 20 about 45-54
inches long and two latitudinal edges 30 about 20-30 inches long.
Secured centrally to each longitudinal edge 20 is a loop or handle
4 of a flexible material such as nylon webbing. The handles 4 are
secured to the mat 1 in a conventional manner, such as by being
sewn thereto with a thread or being secured thereto by an
adhesive.
[0018] The mat 1 is foldable along a series of latitudinal fold
lines 9 and longitudinal fold lines 8. In use in certain aspects,
mat 1 is folded first along the latitudinal fold lines 9 and then
along the longitudinal fold line(s) 8 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8.
Fold lines 8 and 9 can be defined in the mat 1 for example by
stitching or other means known in the art. Fold lines 9 are
parallel to each other and to edge 30 and are separated from each
other by about 10 to 15 inches and are separated from latitudinal
edge 30 by about the same distance. In other words, fold lines 9
create three panels of substantially equal width. For example,
longitudinal edge 20 may be about 48 inches long, and fold lines 9
may be separated from each other by about 16 inches with each fold
line 9 being about 16 inches from latitudinal edge 30.
[0019] Longitudinal fold line 8 may be centrally located as shown
in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the activity mat 1 can contain two
substantially centrally located longitudinal fold lines 8 separated
from each other by about 1-2 inches as shown in FIG. 8.
[0020] Surrounding the perimeter of the activity mat 1 is a binding
7, which holds together the various layers of activity mat 1 (e.g.,
first surface 2 and second surface 3). Binding 7 may be a nylon
edge binding material, a wrap, stitching, or other means of
securing first surface 2 to second surface 3.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, handles 4 may have D-rings 5 and
securing mechanisms 6. D-rings 5 may be used to attach a
messenger-style bag strap when the activity mat is in its folded
position. Securing mechanism 6 may be magnetic snaps, Velcro,
parachute type straps, etc. and function to secure the handles 4 to
each other when the activity mat 1 is in its folded position,
thereby retaining activity mat 1 in its folded configuration. In
some embodiments, the securing mechanisms are attached to the first
surface 2 or second surface 3 instead of, or in addition to, the
handles 4.
[0022] Another example of a securing mechanism is shown in FIG. 8.
Centered between one of the handles 4 is a flap 10. Flap 10 is
about 6-10 inches long longitudinally and about 4-6 inches long
latitudinally. When the activity mat 1 is in its folded position,
flap 10 serves as a securing mechanism and folds over the folded
activity mat 1. In some embodiments, flap 10 comprises at least one
Velcro strip 11 with at least one complementary Velcro strip (not
shown) on the outer surface 3 positioned so that the Velcro strips
align with each other when the activity mat 1 is in its folded
position. In other embodiments, magnetic snaps, buttons, parachute
type snaps or other known fasteners can be used.
[0023] When in its folded position, a user may place items in the
activity mat 1 such as storage pouches, toys, art supplies,
etc.
[0024] It is generally known in the art of carrying bags and tote
bags that straps such as those illustrated in the figures may
extend over the shoulder of the wearer. In some embodiments, the
straps are shorter and appropriate for being hand-carried.
[0025] The inner and outer surfaces of the activity mat may be
covered with or include on a portion thereof a decorative material
(not shown) and/or identifying a logo or theme (not shown) such as
Disney World, Barbie, or other commercialized children's
products.
[0026] The activity mat may be constructed to be machine washable
for easy clean up.
[0027] It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in
detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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