Camp mats are commonly used in camping and other outdoor activities, as well as indoor activities, to provide added comfort when sleeping in a tent, on the ground or on a floor or other hard surface. Camp mats are easily transportable and relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to an conventional mattress. Foam camp mats are known but do not always provide enough cushioning to the user without adding significant bulk and weight. Similarly, inflatable mats are known but these mats may require expensive and cumbersome pumps to inflate and/or deflate the mat. Self-inflating mats are also known which combine the cushion of a foam mat with the added comfort of an inflatable mat but without the need for a separate air pump. Self-inflating mats, however, are not always easy or quick to deflate when the user want to pack up the mat in a hurry. What is needed is a self-inflating camp mat which is easily and quickly deflated and stored by users, even children.
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of some embodiments that are presented later.
In accordance with an embodiment, a self inflating camp mat is provided that comprises an upper layer, a lower layer secured to the upper layer defining a compartment, at least one panel of open cell foam placed within said compartment, longitudinally spaced fold lines formed by the upper and lower layers and located adjacent each of the panels of open cell foam and a valve in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment allowing air to pass through the valve and into the compartment through open channels when the mat is in a first flat and extended configuration and air to pass through the valve out of the compartment through open channels when the mat is in a second folded configuration, the mat being folded along the longitudinally spaced fold lines.
In accordance with an embodiment, a self inflating camp mat is provided that comprises an upper layer, a lower layer secured to the upper layer defining a compartment, at least one panel of open cell foam placed within said compartment and secured to the upper layer and the lower layer, longitudinally spaced fold lines formed by the upper and lower layers and located adjacent each of the panels of open cell foam and a valve in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment allowing air to pass through the valve and into the compartment when the mat is in a first flat and extended configuration and air to pass through the valve out of the compartment when the mat is in a second folded configuration, the mat being folded along the longitudinally spaced fold lines. Once the mat has been folded completely along the longitudinally spaced fold lines, it may be folded again in half along a perpendicularly-oriented axis. Such a folded mat may be efficiently stored or may be used as a cushion for a bench or seat.
Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,
Mat 10 is comprised of a plurality of panels 21 which run the full width of mat 10. Panels 21 are positioned in spaced apart relation with each other in parallel and are connected at fold lines 24. Fold lines 24 act as hinges between panels 21 which allow the mat 10 to be folded panel on panel in an accordion fashion as shown in
Each panel 21 is comprised of an interior core 16 of polyurethane open cell foam such that air can pass through the foam. The interior core 16 is preferably between ¾ and ⅝ inches in thickness, although thinner or thicker foam may be utilized. The panels 21 are preferably generally rectangular in shape although other shapes such as oblong and the like are also within the scope of the present invention.
The interior cores 16 are surrounded by envelope 18 formed of top shell 18a and bottom shell 18b. Envelope 18 is preferably made of polyester taffeta as is standard in the industry for durability, ease of cleaning, ease of manufacture and comfort. Of course, other materials known in the industry such as polyester and the like would also be within the scope of the present invention.
The entire envelope 18 is sealed all the way around the perimeter 20. The perimeter 20 is preferably pinch welded as shown in
In a first embodiment depicted in
As depicted in
In another embodiment, shown in
Mat 10 comprises at least one valve 22. The preferred valve is a free flow valve which is known in the industry and is a standard self-inflating valve. The valve 22 butts up against the foam core 16 and is preferably welded to shell 18a or 18b.
To inflate the mat 10, the mat is laid flat in a fully open configuration and the valve 22 is unscrewed or otherwise manipulated to open the valve and allow air to automatically flow into the mat 10—standard operation for a self inflating valve. Air passes through the open run channels 26 and foam core 16 in a first embodiment and through the foam core 16 in a second embodiment to inflate the mat 10. The open cell foam absorbs air and allows it to pass through the foam. Once the desired firmness is reached, the valve is shut to maintain the firmness. The mat 10 fills up by the expansion of the foam drawing air in and not by inflation of an air impermeable bladder.
To deflate mat 10, the valve 22 is first unscrewed to open the self-inflating valve. The mat is then folded in an accordion fashion starting from the end 12 opposite the valve 22. The mat 10 is folded along the fold lines 24 in alternate directions as shown in
Once the mat 10 is folded, a securing mechanism 28 is used to retain the mat 10 in its collapsed and folded configuration for transportation and storage. As shown in the figures, elastic bands are a preferred storage mechanism. Other mechanisms known and used in the industry, however, such as straps and buckles, toggles, tie cords and the like are also within the scope of the present invention. The securing mechanism is preferably attached to the end 12 where the valve 22 is located. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the securing mechanism to be separate from the mat and to be placed around the mat 10 after it has been folded.
As shown in
Camp mat 10 may also comprise an alternative folding configuration (
Camp mat 10 may have additional features, many of which may be common to camp mats. For example, camp mat 10 may include decoration, storage pockets, a bag or case, key fobs, or any number of additional features. Camp mat 10 may also comprise additional valves for assisting in the expulsion of air when being folded or for increasing the rate of inflation when the mat is unfolded. As shown in
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/766,529, filed Feb. 19, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2014/017139 | 2/19/2014 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61766529 | Feb 2013 | US |