ROLL-UP MAT

Abstract

A mat comprising an array of elongated buoyant elements enclosed in a casing or cover that may be waterproof or porous. The mat may be readily rolled into a cylindrical shape up for purposes of transportation and storage. A pillow may be removably encased in a pocket in the mat, and the pillow may be removable as desired. The pillow may be inflatable, whereby the user may select the extent of inflation (i.e., the hardness of the pillow) in order to provide a desired level of comfort.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable mat for use at the beach, in a pool, on a boat, at a park, or on a variety of other surfaces. The mat is constructed of an array of lightweight, elongated buoyant members, such as rods or tubes of closed cell EPE foam, held within a casing or cover. A pillow may be enclosed in a pocket within the casing. The mat may be rolled into a cylindrical shape and then secured by straps affixed to the mat; a handle affixed to the mat allows for easy transportation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable mats and mattresses for sunbathing, lounging, or floating on water are popular recreational devices. Sometimes, however, carrying the inflated device, and/or inflating and deflating it, can be annoying, inconvenient, and even problematical. The instant invention provides a mat comprising an array of elongated buoyant members, such as foam rods or tubes, that do not require inflation. The array of buoyant members is enclosed in a casing or cover that may be waterproof or porous. The mat may be readily rolled into a cylindrical shape up for purposes of transportation and storage. A pillow may be incorporated in the mat, and the pillow may be removable—for example, to allow easy cleaning. The pillow may be inflatable, whereby the user may select the extent of inflation (i.e., the hardness of the pillow) in order to provide a desired level of comfort.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll-up mat according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the roll-up mat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the inflatable pillow that may be removably secured within the mat.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the insertion of the pillow into a pocket in the casing of the mat.

FIG. 6 depicts the opening in the pocket that receives the pillow.

FIG. 7 depicts the pillow area at one end of the mat.

FIG. 8 depicts the end of one of the hollow, buoyant tubes that may be contained within the casing of the mat.

FIG. 9 shows a pair of stitched seams running parallel to one of the buoyant members within the casing for the mat.

FIG. 10 depicts the mat in its rolled-up configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A roll-up mat 10 constructed in accordance with one aspect of the instant invention is depicted in FIG. 1. Casing 12 is comprised of two rectangular layers of material affixed together at their outer edges, for example by stitching. Enclosed within casing 12 is a plurality of elongated buoyant members 14, such as rods or tubes (see FIGS. 2 and 8), arrayed in parallel across the shorter dimension of the rectangular mat. Between each adjacent pair members, in the particular aspect of the invention shown here, the top layer 16 and the bottom layer 18 of casing 12 are sewn or otherwise attached together by a seam (see FIG. 9) running across the mat. This construction secures the elongated members in place and allows the casing 12 and members to be rolled up together along the long axis of the mat, as explained more fully below.

A pillow 22 may be removably enclosed in a pocket 20 located at an end of the mat. (See FIGS. 3-6). Pillow 22 may be comprised of foam, for example, or (as shown in FIG. 3) may consist of an inflatable bladder having an inflation valve 24. The inflation valve may project through the casing, in conventional fashion, to allow inflation and deflation of the pillow.

A side view of the mat 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The parallel array of buoyant elements 14 is enclosed within casing 12.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, pillow 22 may be removably received in pocket 20 in casing 12. The pocket may be closed by means of hook-and-loop fabric or other suitable means, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 depicts pillow 22 enclosed within pocket 20 of mat 10.

Buoyant elements 14 may comprise rods of solid EPE foam and may have, for example, a diameter of 1.25 inches and a length of about 23 inches. Alternatively, elements 14 may comprise tubes of foam, as shown in FIG. 8. These tubes may have a diameter of 2 inches, with a hollow ¾ inch core. The larger, hollow-core version of the buoyant elements provides additional cushioning for heavier bodies.

The casing or cover 12 may be constructed of fabric material such as conventional polyester materials, or of nylon. One or both layers of the casing may be comprised of mesh material, such as polyester mesh. To provide additional comfort, the top layer of casing 12 may be comprised of hydrophobic fabric. The casing may, for example, be about 76 inches in length and about 26 inches wide. The upper and lower layers of casing 12 are bound together at their perimeters in conventional fashion.

FIG. 9 depicts the parallel stitching 32 that affixes together the layers of casing 12 between adjacent buoyant element 14 to secure each element in place, so that the mat may be readily rolled-up into its cylindrical configuration for transport and storage.

FIG. 10 depicts the mat in rolled-up configuration. The mat should be rolled up beginning with the pillow-end of the mat and moving toward the foot of the mat, so that pairs of ties 26 and 28 (see FIG. 1) attached at the other end of casing 12 may be utilized to secure the rolled-up mat. Handle 30, also attached to mat 10 (see FIG. 1), facilitates transport of the rolled-up mat. Of course, the pillow 20 may first be removed from pocket 22, or deflated and left in pocket 22, before rolling up the mat.

Those skilled in the art may readily recognize various alterations, modifications, and improvements. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A roll-up mat comprising: a plurality of elongated, buoyant elements arrayed side-by-side,a casing comprising a rectangular top layer having two long sides and two short sides, affixed at its outer edges to the corresponding outer edges of a rectangular bottom layer having two long sides and two short sides of length, said layers encasing the elongated, buoyant elements between them, the elements being spaced-apart and parallel to the short sides of the layers.

2. The roll-up mat of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom layers are affixed to each other between each adjacent pair of foam rods.

3. The roll-up mat of claim 1, wherein said casing further comprises a pillow and a pocket formed at one end of the roll-up mat between said layers for receipt of said pillow.

4. The roll-up mat of claim 2, wherein said casing further comprises a pillow and a pocket formed at one end of the roll-up mat between said layers for receipt of said pillow.

5. The roll-up mat of claim 3, wherein said pillow comprises an inflatable bladder.

6. The roll-up mat of claim 4, wherein said pillow comprises an inflatable bladder.

7. The roll-up mat of claim 3, wherein said pocket comprises a re-sealable opening that allow insertion and removal of the pillow into and out of the pocket.

8. The roll-up mat of claim 4, wherein said pocket comprises a re-sealable opening to allow insertion and removal of the pillow into and out of the pocket.

9. The roll-up mat of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of elongated ties attached at a short side of the casing whereby the mat may be secured in a rolled-up position along its length.

10. The roll-up mat of claim 2, further comprising a u-shaped handle attached at a short side of the casing to facilitated transport of rolled up mat.

11. The roll-up mat of claim 1 wherein said elongated buoyant elements are comprised of closed cell EPE foam.

12. The roll-up mat of claim 2 wherein said elongated buoyant elements are comprised of closed cell EPE foam.

13. The roll-up mat of claim 11, wherein said elongated buoyant elements have a hollow core.

14. The roll-up mat of claim 12, wherein said elongated buoyant elements have a hollow core.