Abstract:
A camp mat for a tent comprising a durable textured surface to function as a door mat, a waterproof backing to protect the camp mat when deployed on the ground and integrated storage compartments for storage of wet and soiled items outside of the tent. The storage compartment comprising selectively closable lids and also comprising handles for easy collapsing of the camp mat configuration from a flat, expanded configuration to a folded and compact configuration for transport.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/937,077, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Camping is a popular pastime and activity. Often times, campers will go hiking or fishing or engage in other activities where their clothing and footwear may become wet or soiled. It is often not desirable to place the wet or soiled items inside the tent cabin where the camper is sleeping. It is also often not desirable to place the wet or soiled items in a vehicle upon leaving the campsite. What is needed is a functional door mat for a tent wherein a camper can wipe their feet and remove their wet or soiled footwear and/or clothing prior to entering the tent cabin or once just inside the tent cabin. The door mat would further include storage compartments in which the wet or soiled items could be stored during the camping trip and the return trip home. This would free up interior space within the tent and would also assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the tent interior as well as the interior of the user&#39;s vehicle. The door mat and integrated storage compartments would fold up for easy transport and storage. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    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 that is presented later. 
         [0004]    In an embodiment described herein, a camp mat comprises a flexible base having first and second opposing longitudinal ends and first and second layers, two storage compartments are attached to the flexible base, one at each opposing longitudinal end. Each compartment comprises four lateral panels, defining a cavity therein, the four lateral panels attached to the base and extending upward from said base. In a first position, the camp mat is in a flat expanded configuration and the compartments are spaced apart from each other. In a second collapsed position, the compartments are adjacent each other. Each compartment has a top panel for selectively controlling access to the compartment cavity, the top panel may be hingedly connected to one of the four lateral panels and may include a closure mechanism. Each compartment includes a handle, the handles of each compartment being capable of attaching to each other when said camp mat is in the second collapsed position. 
         [0005]    In embodiments described herein, the camp mat comprises at least one storage compartment attached to the top face of a flexible base and extending upward therefrom. The storage compartment comprises at least two lateral panels defining a cavity and at least one reinforcing member for the cavity. The storage compartment further comprises a top panel for selectively controlling access to the cavity. The top panel may be hingedly connected to one of the at least two lateral panels. A closure mechanism such as a zipper may be provided to secure the top panel to the storage compartment. The camp mat also comprises a handle attached to the at least one storage compartment. 
         [0006]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the storage mat of the present invention, shown in use outside of a tent. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the storage mat of  FIG. 1 , shown with phantom structural lines. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a close up view of a storage compartment of the mat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the storage mat of  FIG. 1  in an expanded configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the storage mat of  FIG. 1  in a partially collapsed configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the storage mat of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    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. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, 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. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a camp mat  10  for a tent or shelter T. Camp mat  10  includes base  12 , first storage compartment  14  and second storage compartment  16 . Base  12  comprises top layer  18  and bottom layer  20 . Bottom layer  20  is attached to the underside of top layer  18 . Top layer  18  is preferably a carpet fabric or polyethylene fabric but it is also possible to use a natural fiber like coconut fibers as long as the material is durable and textured to assist in wiping the bottoms of footwear. Bottom layer  20  is preferably a polyethylene fabric having a polyurethane coating or other backing material having similar water proof characteristics to protect mat  10  when it is laying on the ground. Top layer  18  and bottom layer  20  are attached to each other by stitching. It is also possible for top layer and bottom layer to be attached by use of an adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 2 , base  12  is generally rectangular in shape to maximize the functional space available for a door mat as well as storage. It is within the scope of the invention, however for base  12  to have shapes other than rectangular such as semi-circular, oval and the like. 
         [0015]    First storage compartment  14  is located at a first longitudinal end  12   a  of base. Second storage compartment  16  is located at a second, opposing longitudinal end  12   b  of base. First storage compartment  14  and second storage compartment  16  preferably have the same construction so the description herein will be made with reference to a single storage compartment but it should be understood that the same or similar construction will apply to both storage compartments  14  and  16 . 
         [0016]    First storage compartment  14  comprises front  24 , back  26 , first end  28   a,  second end  28   b,  top  30  and bottom  32 . Front  24 , back  26 , first end  28   a  and second end  28   b  are connected to each other in a generally rectangular configuration as shown in  FIGS. 2-4  to form upstanding perimeter  22  of storage compartment  14 . Upstanding perimeter  22  is attached to bottom  32  and defines a cavity  33  therein ( FIG. 2 ). Top  30  is hingedly attached along the upper edge of back  26  but unattached along the upper edge of first end  28   a,  front  24  and second end  28   b  to allow access to cavity  33  when in a first, open position and to close off access to cavity  33  when in a second, closed position. Although it is preferred that top  30  is hingedly attached to back  26  for ease of use and maximum access to cavity  33 , it is within the scope of the invention for top  30  to be hingedly attached to any one of front  24 , back  26 , first end  28   a  or second end  28   b  and unattached on the remaining three sides. 
         [0017]    Closure mechanism  34  is provided around the upper rim  22   a  where top  30  abuts the upper edge of upstanding perimeter  22  but is not hingedly attached. The preferred closure mechanism  34  is a zipper, but other means knows in the industry such as hook and loop material, toggles, snaps and the like could similarly be used. If closure mechanism  34  comprises a zipper, the corners of upstanding perimeter  22  are preferably rounded to enable the zipper to function more smoothly, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , flap  36  extends around the unhinged portion of upper rim  22   a  to protect closure mechanism  34  from dirt and moisture. Although is it preferred for top  30  to be hingedly connected to upstanding perimeter  22  along one side, it is also within the scope of the invention for top  30  to be completely removable from storage compartment  14  such that there are no hinged attachment points (not shown). In such case, storage compartment  14  could still have flap  36  which would extend around the entire upper rim  22   a  of upstanding perimeter  22  and provide protection to closure mechanism  34 . In this embodiment, closure mechanism  34  would act to retain top  30  onto upstanding perimeter  22  and would similarly extend around the entire upper rim  22   a  or could include a plurality of closure mechanism spaced apart from each other around the length of upper rim  22   a.  Appropriate closure mechanisms would include any closures known in the industry such as hook and loop material, snaps, magnets or the like. 
         [0019]    Storage compartment  14  is preferably made of 150 denier poly with a polyurethane coating. Other suitable materials include nylon and 300 denier poly and materials having similar characteristics. To create upstanding perimeter  22 , at least one of front  24 , back  26 , first end  28   a  and second end  28   b  preferably comprises a foam reinforcement member or other stiffener member. Appropriate materials would include a PE or PVC foam as well as plastic stiffener members. The foam or stiffeners would preferably be sewn between the faces of the fabric. It is also within the scope of the invention to include stiffener members or rods in at least one corner of upstanding perimeter  22  to provide a semi-rigid structure and maintain the height of the compartment (not shown). 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , back  26  is preferably slightly taller in height than front  24 , with first end  28   a  and second end  28   b  transitioning in height along their lengths respectively to assist in folding of mat  10  for storage and transport. It is certainly within the scope of the invention, however, for back  26  to be the same height as front  24 . Additionally, although storage compartment  14  is shown in a preferred generally rectangular shape to maximize storage space and mat space, other shapes are within the scope of the invention provided the shape of storage compartment corresponds to the contour of mat  10 . Mat  10  is preferably sized to fit across the front of a conventional-sized tent but no specific dimensions are required. 
         [0021]    Storage compartment  14  includes handle  38  which is preferably a strip of webbing material such as nylon or polypropylene. Handle  38  is stitched to base  12  where front  24  abuts mat  10  but could also be secured to base  12  with adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 3 , handle  38  comprises a securing mechanism  40  to secure handle to storage compartment  14  when mat  10  is in the expanded configuration and in use as a tent door mat. When mat  10  is in the folded configuration for transport, the handles  38   a  and  38   b  can be secured to each other with mating securing mechanisms  40  such as hook and loop material. 
         [0022]    Mat  10  further includes loops  42   a,    42   b,    42   c  and  42   d  located at the corners of mat  10  to allow mat  10  to be secured to the ground surface by driving stakes through the loops  42   a - 42   d . Loops  42   a - 42   d  are preferably made of webbing material or canvas commonly used in the industry. Loops additionally may have a securing mechanism such as hook and loop material to enable loops located on opposite longitudinal ends of base  12   a,    12   b  to be secured to the corresponding loop (e.g.  42   a  with  42   d  and  42   b  with  42   c ) when mat is in the collapsed and folded configuration. The securing mechanisms (not shown) function to retain the non-handled side of the storage compartments secured to each other for transport. Although not shown, mat  10  may include additional pockets, bungee cords, rings, cargo nets and other conventional organization accessories. 
         [0023]    Storage compartments  14  and  16  are securely attached to mat  10  by stitching, although use of an adhesive could also be used. It is also within the scope of the invention for upstanding perimeter  22  to not be attached to bottom  32  and for the mat to not include a separate bottom  32  member. In this case, storage compartments  14  and  16  would be secured directly to the top layer  18  of base (not shown). 
         [0024]    Mat  10  is useful as a door mat and as storage in a first, expanded configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . When the user is ready to leave the campsite, the user grabs handles  38   a  and  38   b  and pulls up and inward which causes base  12  to fold as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows mat  10  in a second configuration where mat  10  is fully collapsed and folded for transport with handles  38   a,    38   b  and loops  42   a,    42   d  and loops  42   b,    42   c  secured to each other. To deploy mat  10 , handles and loops are detached from the respective handle and loop on the opposite base end  12   a,    12   b  and base  12  is expanded to lay flat. 
         [0025]    Although two similarly sized storage compartments  14  and  16  are described herein, it is within the scope of the invention for each compartment to further contain dividers or smaller compartments for additional organization and storage. It is also within the scope of the invention for mat  10  to include multiple smaller compartments in place of the single storage compartment  14 . 
         [0026]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have 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. 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    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. 
         [0029]    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.