Abstract:
A two ply ground cover comprising a top acrylic rug layer and a bottom canvas layer having a strap retainer fastened to the bottom side with straps extending therefrom and a handle fixed therebetween.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to ground covers and, more specifically, to a two ply ground cover comprising a bottom canvas layer and a top acrylic rug layer. 
   The ground cover of the present invention is easily stored and or transported. The ground cover is a foldable/rollable blanket having a plurality of straps built in straps with cooperating rings whereby said blanket can be folded and rolled into a compact configuration and held by said straps. 
   To secure the ground cover, the straps may be outfitted with hook and loop fasteners, wherein said straps are placed through the rings where said straps may attach to themselves using the provided hook and loop material securing the blanket into a compact and easily transportable package. 
   A rigid clip is fixedly attached to the distal end of each strap to provide support and prevent tearing of the seams. The fastening and lifting systems are further reinforced by an additional patch of canvas that is double stitched along the outside border to the canvas cover and interiorly stitched to both the securing straps and lifting handle. 
   In one embodiment, the top and bottom are fixedly attached by means of a zipper. In turn, additional padding such as an air, foam, or composite mattress can be contained within. Additionally a battery pack with heating elements may be incorporated into the device for heating. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other bed rolls designed for outdoor use. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,944 issued to Yulish on Jul. 4, 1978 
   Another patent was issued to Parker on Apr. 1, 1980 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,378. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,300 was issued to Robinson on Apr. 22, 1997 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 24, 1998 to Fritz as U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,529. 
   Another patent was issued to Stacy on Apr. 21, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,566. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,849 was issued to Seals on May 16, 2000. Another was issued to French et al. on May 1, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,367 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 11, 2005 to Cloutier et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,921. Another patent was issued to Alane on Mar. 7, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,322. 
   Internationally, Japan Patent No. JP 9140536 was issued to Fumika on Jun. 3, 1997. Another was issued to Kohei on Aug. 15, 1995 as Japan Patent No. JP 7213337 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 4, 2004 to Nobuyuki as Japan Patent No. JP 2003034171. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,944 
   Inventor: Eugene Norman Yulish 
   Issued: Jul. 4, 1978 
   A beach mat is formed having an integral pillow and pockets for beach wear or the like. An elongated fabric piece defines the body of the mat, and at one end is folded back upon itself to enclose a pillow in the central portion. In particular, the body of the mat is stitched to the pillow, and the flaps on either side of the pillow are also stitched to the fabric piece and appropriately cut and bound to define pockets for beach wear and the like. The opposite end of the mat carries tie straps, to enclose the appropriately folded mat in a neat package. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,378 
   Inventor: James J. Parker 
   Issued: Apr. 1, 1980 
   An oversize, heavy duty beach towel is provided with sealable pockets at one end. The pockets are located so as not to interfere with the use of the towel for drying oneself off after swimming or for reclining. The pockets are designed to enclose various items that may be brought to the beach. One of the pockets is larger than the others, and is located at the middle of one end of the towel to facilitate its use as a pillow when filled with soft, bulky material. Waterproof zippers and linings protect the contents of the pockets from moisture. The towel unit includes a removable handle to be used for retaining the towel and its contents in a convenient package when the towel is rolled or folded. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,300 
   Inventor: Lawrence L. Robinson 
   Issued: Apr. 22, 1997 
   A roll pack is formed from a sheet of material having first and second edges. A first storage pocket is positioned along the first edge of the sheet of material. An enclosure is positioned along a second edge of the sheet. A strap is attached to the second edge of the sheet near the enclosure. The strap may be confined by the enclosure. When extended the strap is used to secure the sheet of material when rolled up. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,529 
   Inventor: Kyle D. Fritz 
   Issued: Mar. 24, 1998 
   A combination beach mat and carrying device. The mat has a pillow section and several storage sections closed by a closure having a flap to protect the closure from sand. Additionally, the mat has securing straps for binding up the mat for easy transportation, and a carrying strap for carrying the bound up contents. The carrying strap is located along the seam of the pillow and mat sections. The securing straps are extended beyond the bounds of the mat to be located out of the way. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,566 
   Inventor: Murray Stacy 
   Issued: Apr. 21, 1998 
   A combination tarpaulin-blanket construction comprises a first, tarpaulin layer of a material such as a cotton canvas, a cotton duck or a cellulose acetate synthetic yarn, and a protective covering of a waterproof and windproof laminated plastic, and a second, blanket layer of a material such as synthetic fleece or wool. The second layer is sewn to a major surface of the first layer to form a tarpaulin-blanket unit of a rectangular shape. Grommets are provided at each corner of the tarpaulin-blanket unit for enabling the unit to be secured in place. Securing straps, affixed to one edge of the tarpaulin-blanket unit, encircle the unit, when the unit is in a rolled-up state, so as to retain the unit in that state. A carrying handle, secured to the one edge between the straps, enables carrying of the unit in the rolled-up state. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,849 
   Inventor: Christopher Seals 
   Issued: May 16, 2000 
   A beach towel with built-in pockets and carrying handle including a towel. A pair of small pockets are secured to the towel. A large pocket is secured to the towel. A pair of side straps extend outwardly from first and second long edges of the towel inwardly with respect to a first short edge. A plurality of end straps extend outwardly from the first short edge in a spaced relationship. A pair of carrying handles are secured to the towel along the first short edge thereof. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,367 
   Inventor: Katherina Grace French et al. 
   Issued: May 1, 2001 
   The present invention is a stadium blanket having an attached storage bag. The blanket is of sufficient size to allow the blanket to protect a user from the elements or to be used as a sleeping bag. The blanket has a water repellent liner on one side and a fleece for warmth on the other. The storage bag may also be used as a pillow and as an anchor when placed around a users feet. The storage bag may also be lined to enclose and warm a users feet. When not in use, the blanket is folded and enclosed within the storage bag for ease of storage or carrying. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,921 
   Inventor: Robert Cloutier et al. 
   Issued: Jan. 11, 2005 
   A foldable towel with a hole in each corner thereof for receipt of anchoring pins and with strapping loops sewn thereto for receipt of strapping wrapable about the towel and conjoined by affixation means located at the respective ends of each piece of strapping to facilitate portability and further characterized by the presence of pockets sewn thereto to on the one hand house a pillow and on the other hand house the pins when the towel is not in use. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,322 
   Inventor: Dawnn Alane 
   Issued: Mar. 7, 2006 
   A yoga mat that may be rolled up tightly and then held closed by straps, which wrap around and encircle the rolled up mat. The straps are affixed to the mat by the ends thereof being sewn to the edge of mat under an attachment strip, which fits along one entire edge of the mat. A shoulder strap is also attached under the attachment strip between the two straps, so that the mat can be carried over the shoulder with both hands and arms free. 
   Japan Patent Number JP 9140536 
   Inventor: Yamada Fumiko 
   Published: Jun. 3, 1997 
   PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable blanket capable of being turned into a knapsack shape when a zipper is closed. 
   SOLUTION: Knapsack shoulder straps  2  and  2  led through buckles are connected to the upper part of the outer surface of a blanket  1 , and a zipper  3  is attached to an area ranging from the center part to the left side. Also, adult&#39;s shoulder straps  9  and  9  are connected to the sides of the blanket  1  and a pocket  4  is formed on the left side part. Furthermore, hook-and-loop fasteners (Magic tape (R))  7  and  7  are fitted to the center of the pocket  4  and snap hooks are attached to the right and left sides on the center of the blanket  1 . Also, a slit  6  is formed on the center and a stuffed toy  8  is provided on the center of a knapsack cover  11 . Then the hook-and-loop fasteners  7  and  7  are fitted to the upper part of the cover  11  on the external side of the blanket  1 , and snap hooks  5  and  5  are provided on the right and left sides of the center of the cover  11 . Also, a slit  6  is formed along the center of the cover  11 . 
   Japan Patent Number JP 7213337 
   Inventor: Yamada Kohei et al. 
   Published: Aug. 15, 1995 
   PURPOSE: To carry a mat in a rolled up state by mounting a band on one side edge of a mat back plane. CONSTITUTION: A surface layer  13  with high decorativeness such as a felt layer or tufting layer is provided at the upper part of a base material  12  with high cushioning performance, for example, a vinyl chloride sheet. The band  16  is mounted on the one side edge of the back plane of the mat  11 . The band  16  is to fix the rolled up shape of the mat  11  by tightening by winding across the outside of the mat  11  when the mat is rolled up advancing the side where the band  16  is mounted so as to set the surface of the mat  11  at the inside. The band  16  can be prevented from coming off by inserting the tip of the band  16  between the band  16  and the mat  11  after tightening the band by winding across the outside of a rolled up mat  11 , and the mat can be easily carried in the rolled up state. 
   Japan Patent Number JP 2003034171 
   Inventor: Nagata Nobuyuki 
   Published: Feb. 4, 2003 
   PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mat device with high versatility capable of making a mat compact, easily keeping the cleanliness of the mat, and facilitating the attachment and detachment of the mat. 
   SOLUTION: This mat device comprises the mat extended in a using state and rolled or folded in a non-using state, and a holding device to be wound on the mat laid in the non-using state to hold the mat in a prescribed position of a vehicle. The width of the mat is matched to the width of one rear seat. The holding device is attachably and detachably mounted on the strut of the headrest of the rear seat. The holding device comprises a belt to be wound on the mat the holding device comprises a mat fixture for attachably and detachably holding the mat, and the mat fixture is positionally adjustable in relation to the belt. 
   While these mats and blankets may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover comprising a bottom canvas layer and a top acrylic rug layer. 
   Yet another object of the present invention to provide a two ply ground cover having a strap retainer fastened to the bottom side with straps extending therefrom. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover having a handle fixedly attached to the bottom side of the ground cover. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover that includes a reinforcement patch fixedly attached to the bottom side of the ground cover. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover that is easy to transport and or store. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a two ply ground cover that is easy and cost effective to manufacture. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a two ply ground cover comprising a top acrylic rug layer and a bottom canvas layer having a strap retainer fastened to the bottom side with straps extending therefrom and a handle fixed therebetween. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the straps, handle and rings of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention sewn to the back of a blanket. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the inside of the blanket of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the blanket folding process of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the blanket folding process of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the blanket folding process of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the present invention with the blanket rolled up. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the present invention rolled up. 
       FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the inside of the blanket of the present invention having an additional element. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Utility Rolled Ground Cover Blanket with Integral Strap Securing Assembly of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Utility Rolled Blanket with Integral Strap Securing Assembly of the present invention     12  ground cover blanket     14  strap assembly     16  fastener strap     18  securing ring     20  hook and loop fastener element     22  handle     24  reinforcement patch     26  stitching     28  proximal end of  16       29  medial portion of  16       30  distal end of  16       31  top side of  16       32  end of  22       34  secondary ring     36  shoulder strap     38  clasp of  36       40  bottom sheet of  12       42  outer side of  40       44  rubberized material     46  grommet     48  corner of  12       50  quarter section of  12       52  inner side of  40       54  inner compartment of  12       56  zipper     58  first edge of  12       60  second edge of  12       62  center line of  12       64  top sheet of  12       66  battery pack     68  heating element       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to one particular embodiment, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  depicting the device being a foldable and rollable 2-ply blanket  12  having a pair of parallel fastener straps  16  with cooperating securing rings  18  whereby said blanket  12  can be folded and rolled into a compact configuration and secured as such by the straps  16 . To secure the device the straps  16  may be outfitted with mating hook and loop fastener elements  20  once the distal ends of the straps  16  are looped through the rings  18  and folded upon themselves to engage the hook and loop fasteners  20 . A transverse handle  22  is included for ease of carrying when in the wrapped and secured position. 
     FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the strap assembly  14 . Shown are the straps  16 , handle  22  and rings  18  secured to a reinforcement patch  24  removed from a blanket to depict how the securing system for the blanket can be utilized on any size or type of blanket as a sewn on unit. Shown are the proximal ends  28  of the straps  16  looped through the rings  18  and folded upon themselves and stitched  26  together onto the reinforcement patch  24 . The handle  22  traverses the central portion of the reinforcement patch  24  in perpendicular relation to the straps  16  with the ends  32  looped through secondary rings  34  for receiving the clasps  38  of a shoulder strap  36 . Hook and loop fastener elements  20  extend from the medial portion  29  to the distal end  30  of the top side  31  of each strap  16 . 
     FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  with the strap assembly  14  sewn to the bottom side  42  of the bottom sheet  40  of the blanket  12 . The bottom side  42  may include water proofing, a rubberized material  44  or extra rugged construction for contact with a ground surface. The blanket  12  is folded in quarter sections  50  with the strap assembly  14  approximately the width of one section  50 . Grommets  46  are disposed in the corners  48  of the blanket  12  to enable the user to stake it down to prevent the casual displacement thereof. 
     FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the inner side  52  of the bottom sheet  40  of the blanket  12  of the present invention  10  laid out and unfolded. A zipper  54  is provided to provide access to the inner compartment  56  between the bottom sheet  40  and the top sheet to allow for the insertion of additional padding therein including foam padding or an air mattress. The zipper  54  may also be disposed along all four edges of the blanket  12  to remove the sheets from each other. Additionally shown in dotted line are regions whereby the blanket  12  is folded to reduce width for rolling securing and storage of the blanket portion. 
     FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the blanket  12  folding process of the present invention  10 . Shown is the top sheet  64  of the blanket  12  with a second edge  60  that is first folded over to the first edge  58  at the center line  62 . Whereby it will be followed by the second side in the same manner. 
     FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the blanket folding process of the present invention  10 . Shown is the bottom sheet  40  a blanket  12  with the center line  62  folded over to align with the first edge  58  to situate the blanket into an elongated folded extending strip. 
     FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the blanket folding process of the present invention  10 . Shown is the bottom sheet  40  a blanket  12  with the center line folded over to align with the first edge  58  to situate the blanket into an elongated folded extending strip. 
     FIG. 8  is a side view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a side view of the reinforcement patch  24  attached to a blanket  12  in a state ready to be rolled and secured for transportation or storage. Also shown is the ring  18 , handle  22 , strap  16 , and hook and loop fastener  20 . 
     FIG. 9  is a side view of the present invention  10  with the blanket  12  rolled up. Shown is a side view of the blanket  12  rolled up and in a configuration whereby the straps  16  and rings  18  can be utilized to secure the blanket  12  into a rolled configuration. 
     FIG. 10  is a side view of the blanket  12  of the present invention  10  rolled up and bound by utilizing the attached straps  16  and rings  18 . Additionally the straps  16  of the present invention  10  have hook and loop fasteners  20  on the surface of the strap  16  that are placed in a location whereby said fasteners may engage after being pulled through a ring  18 . 
     FIG. 11  an illustrative view of the inner side  52  of the bottom sheet  40  of the blanket  12  of the present invention  10  having an additional element of a battery pack  66  operated heating element  68  integrated into the form of the present invention. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.