Patent Application
20240423348
The present invention relates to tabletop games and more particularly, to a tabletop game playmat sleeve for improving carrying bags.
Playmats are a critical element of many tabletop games, and so if the playmat gets damaged while being carried inside of a carrying bag along with other items, that very well could degrade the gameplay of the tabletop game. Furthermore, being a critical element, immediate access to the playmat is critical for ease of game set up. Unfortunately, there are no carrying bags, designed for gamers or otherwise, that have a separate space to hold a playmat. In short, when carrying gaming items and a playmat in a regular bag the playmat can become damaged by other items in the bag. Also, it is sometimes a hassle to dig the playmat out from under the rest of the stuff in the bag.
A need exists for a tabletop game playmat carrier having a sleeve dimensioned and shaped to support and prioritize the tabletop game playmat.
The above-mentioned problems are solved by adding a specially sized sleeve approximately fourteen inches long and two and a half inches in diameter to the outside of a satchel, bag, or other carrying case used to transport tabletop gaming books, pieces, and/or other related paraphernalia.
The present invention will help reduce damage to a playmat that could otherwise be damaged while being carried inside of the main part of a carrying bag along with other items.
The present invention enables quick access to the playmat allowing for ease of game space set up.
The present invention allows a gamer quick access to their playmat without having to dig around their bag. Since the playmat is always the first thing needed this makes for great convenience, this also helps prevent damage to the playmat that could otherwise be caused, during transport of or retrieving the playmat, while being carried in the main part of the bag with other items.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for adapting a carrying bag for carrying a tabletop game playmat, the method comprising attaching an approximately fourteen-inch sleeve along an outside surface of the carrying back, wherein the sleeve has one open end, and that open end provides one or more straps for selectively closing off that open end when the tabletop game playmat is rolled up and housed in the sleeve, wherein the sleeve has a diameter of approximately two and a half inches, wherein one or more straps are projecting from adjacent to the open end so as to span the open end in a secured condition, wherein each strap provides a fastener feature for locking the one or more straps in the secured condition, and wherein the one or more straps are two straps extending from diametrically opposing connection points along a periphery of the open end.
In another aspect of the present invention, a carrying bag for a tabletop game playmat, the carrying bag comprising: at least one sleeve fourteen inches in length sleeve attached along an outside surface of the carrying back, wherein each sleeve has one open end, and that open end provides one or more straps for selectively closing off that open end when the tabletop game playmat is rolled up and housed in the sleeve, wherein each sleeve has a diameter of approximately two and a half inches, wherein one or more straps are projecting from adjacent to the open end to span the open end in a secured condition, wherein each strap provides a fastener feature for locking the one or more straps in the secured condition.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned carrying bag includes wherein the at least one sleeve comprises a backpack configuration having a plurality of sleeves, horizontally spaced apart, extending vertically so a closed end of each sleeve is adjacent to a closed end of the carrying bag and the open end of each sleeve is adjacent to an openable end of the carrying bag.
In still yet another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned carrying bag includes wherein the one or more sleeves comprises a cross-pack configuration having one sleeve extending vertically so that a closed end of the sleeve is adjacent to a bottom connection point for a for bag-strap of the carrying bag and the open end of the sleeve is adjacent a top connection point for the bag-strap of the carrying bag.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for adapting a carrying bag for carrying a tabletop game playmat. The method includes attaching an approximately fourteen-inch sleeve along an outside of the carrying back, wherein the sleeve has only one open end, and that open end provides one or more straps for selectively closing off that open end when the playmat is housed in the sleeve.
Referring to
From just inward, just outward, or adjacent to a periphery of the open end 17, one or more securing straps 16A may extend. When there are two straps 16A, they may extend from diametric opposing sides of said periphery. Each or both distal ends of the securing straps 16A may provide fastening features 16B purposed for snapping together and securing the tabletop game playmat 14 housed inside of the sleeve 10.
The closed end 18 may include an endcap sewn or otherwise attached to close the bottom of the sleeve. As a permanent part of a carrying bag 12, the sleeve 10 is specifically designed to hold a standard size rolled up playmat 14. The fastening feature 16B may be snapd, hook and loop fastener, or detachable fasteners that removable secure one object to another, and thereby secures the playmat 14 inside of the sleeve 12. The end cap 18 is designed to close one end of the sleeve.
A method of making the present invention may include the following. A manufacturer may start with a satchel, backpack, or other carrying bag 12 that is at least fourteen inches tall, long, or wide. The sleeve 10 is a piece of material that is approximately fourteen inches long by approximately six inches wide or capable of being rolled into a 2 and a half diameter cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve 10 may be sewn, glued, or otherwise permanently attached to the side of the bag 12. The sleeve 10 may be connected along the long sides with the two longitudinal edges being two and half inches apart. The bottom of the sleeve 10 will be sewn shut with the end cap 18. The top of sleeve 10 is left open and includes the one or more straps 16A, each with a fastener feature 16B. One or more of the straps 16 may be connected to the bag 12 instead of the sleeve 10.
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As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
