Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a portable storage device, and more particularly, to a wader bag having a collapsible chair with an attachable ground cover mat.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Outdoor enthusiasts, despite their enjoyment of nature, occasionally desire to separate their bodies and their equipment from the ill-effects of outdoor exposure. People have long used blankets or elevated seats to provide some ground protection. People have also used various storing and carrying devices, such as bags and backpacks, to protect their outdoor equipment while moving to a desired location. A large number of outdoor enthusiasts now desire to venture out to more remote areas and forego carrying the bulky extra weight of conventional ground protection and storage devices. To facilitate these remote camping adventures, lightweight and compact camping gear are becoming increasingly popular. However, because ground cover and seating devices are considered a luxury and not a requirement, many outdoor enthusiasts still forego these types of equipment, simply to carry less bulk and weight when accessing remote areas. A device is needed that ergonomically provides portable ground cover and elevated seating.  
         [0005]     Although there are no known prior art teachings of a device such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. Des. 279,234 to Heine (Heine), U.S. Pat. No. 2003/0106915 to Jo (Jo), U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,110 to O&#39;Hare (O&#39;Hare), U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,023 to Lampton (Lampton), U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,185 to Clem et al. (Clem), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,258 to Fang (Fang). These patents disclose ground protection and storage devices.  
         [0006]     Heine discloses a carrying bag for wader&#39;s boots. Heine also discloses a single zippered bag, but does not teach or suggest having a wader&#39;s carrying bag with multiple zippered compartments. Heine does not recognize the need to provide ground separation for the user when the user is changing clothes. Furthermore, Heine does not teach or suggest the use of an attachable ground-covering mat.  
         [0007]     Jo discloses a bag with a chair. Jo also discloses that the bag may have several zippered compartments. The seat back disclosed by Jo is integrally formed with one side of the bag and stores in a portion of the bag. The device disclosed by Jo, opened in the seating position, has the seating support in close proximity to the ground. Jo does not teach or suggest sitting in an ergonomic elevated position. Jo does not recognize that an elevated seating position may provide user separation from the ground as well as ease in changing the user&#39;s shoes. Additionally, Jo does not teach or suggest the use of an attachable ground-covering mat.  
         [0008]     O&#39;Hare discloses a backpack and lounge seat combination with two storage pockets. The device disclosed by O&#39;Hare, opened in the seating position, has the seating support in close proximity to the ground. Similarly to Jo, O&#39;Hare does not teach or suggest sitting in an ergonomic elevated position to ease changing one&#39;s shoes or to provide greater ground separation. Additionally, O&#39;Hare does not teach or suggest the use of an attachable ground-covering mat.  
         [0009]     Lampton discloses a multi-function support apparatus that incorporates an elevated chair. However, Lampton does not teach or suggest using a separate foldable chair that can be stored within a bag. Furthermore, Lampton does not teach or suggest a ground-covering mat attachable to a storage bag to provide additional ground protection for a user.  
         [0010]     Clem discloses a combined pack sack and camp stool. The device disclosed by Clem has for its principal objective the provision of a pack sack having a foldable frame, which is adapted to alternately constitute a pack sack frame and a stool support. Clem also discloses an elevated seating device that folds for portability. Clem does not teach or suggest using an attachable ground-covering mat to provide additional ground protection for a user.  
         [0011]     Fang discloses a portable work stool that includes two pivotally connected chair frame members. A detachable pouch having two handles for portability is connected to the stool member. Fang also discloses the use of a foldable stool. Fang discloses the use of handles readily available for portability, but Fang does not teach or suggest using an attachable ground-covering mat to provide additional ground protection.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, it has been found that a need exists to provide ground area coverage with ergonomic elevated seating in a compact, portable, and lightweight apparatus. The ground coverage should also be of a sufficient size to protect the user&#39;s gear and keep the user clean and dry while donning the user&#39;s selected gear. Incorporating additional storage compartments into this apparatus would enhance the apparatus&#39;s functionality and appeal. The storage compartments should be sized to carry user selectable equipment. Combining storage, seating and ground coverage in a single apparatus would help prevent individual storage, seating and ground cover mats from being displaced or lost. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In one aspect, the present invention is an easily transportable ground separation system for use by an individual to provide elevated seating with an attached ground cover mat. The fully opened mat is of sufficient size to provide ground cover, protecting the user&#39;s gear and keeping the user clean and dry while donning the selected gear. Preferably, the mat is water resistant and has a rectangular shape. The elevated seating is preferably a fabric-covered tubular framed stool that is removably attached to the mat. The stool is preferably constructed of a first section of tubing bent into a closed rectangular shape and a second section of tubing bent into a closed rectangular shape of approximately the same height as the first tubing section and with the width of the second tubular section sized to fit and placed within the interior of the first tubular section. The tubular sections are pivotally pinned at approximately mid-point, through their vertical members. A rectangular fabric seat has a first side attached to the upper horizontal side of the first tubular section and a parallel and opposite side of the fabric seat is attached to the upper horizontal side of the second tubular section. The mat may be attached by buttons, snaps, hook and pile strips, or a zipper. The stool may be closed and the mat folded with the stool. The collapsible stool and mat may be stored in a storage compartment in a wader bag. For easy transportation, additional closeable compartments may store the outdoor enthusiast&#39;s gear.  
         [0014]     In second aspect, the present invention is an easily transportable ground separation system for use by an individual to provide elevated seating with a wader bag that is reinforced to support a seated user. Furthermore, an attachable ground cover mat may be fully opened to provide ground cover of a sufficient size to protect the user&#39;s gear and keep the user clean and dry while donning the selected gear. The wader bag has a first storage compartment sized to store the folded stool-mat combination and additional storage compartments for carrying the outdoor equipment.  
         [0015]     In a third aspect, the present invention is a portable elevated seating apparatus with a removable attached ground cover mat. The seating apparatus and mat may be opened to keep an individual and his gear clean and dry. Furthermore, the portable elevated seating is a collapsible stool. Preferably, the stool is a fabric-covered seat secured to a tubular framed. The stool may be constructed from two sections of bent tubing. A first section of tubing may be bent into a closed rectangular shape and a second section of tubing bent into a closed rectangular shape of approximately the same height as the first tubing section. The width of the second tubular section is sized to fit and placed within the interior of the first tubular section. The tubular sections are pivotally pinned at approximately mid-point through their vertical members. A rectangular fabric seat has a first side attached to the upper horizontal side of the first tubular section and a parallel and opposite side of the fabric seat is attached to the upper horizontal side of the second tubular section. The attached ground cover mat may compactly fold with the closeable stool. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a right rear perspective view of an open easy chair wader bag with a wader bag and a portable stool and an attached ground cover mat in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is front perspective view of the opened stool attached to the ground cover mat of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the opened stool and the detached ground cover mat of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a closed stool of  FIG. 1  attached to an opened ground cover mat;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a left side perspective view of the folded stool of  FIG. 4  partially lowered to the opened ground cover mat of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a left side perspective view of the folded stool of  FIG. 5  lowered to a partially folded ground cover mat;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the wader bag of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a right rear perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of a portable stool with an attached ground cover mat; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a right front perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a portable seating apparatus with an attachable ground cover mat. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     A portable storage device that includes a seating apparatus with an attachable ground cover mat to provide elevated seating and an area of ground cover under the seating suitable for an individual to lay out various outdoor equipment or clothing.  FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of this invention with a right rear perspective view of an open easy chair wader bag. A preferred portable storage device is a soft-sided wader bag  20 , which has a zippered compartment  24  for equipment or clothing storage, a handle  26 , and a shoulder strap  28 . A portable, fabric covered, tubular framed stool  30  with an attachable ground cover mat  22  provides elevated seating with ground protection.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is front perspective view a preferred embodiment of the opened stool  30  of  FIG. 1  attached to the ground cover mat  22 . The stool is constructed of a first section of tubing  32  bent into a closed rectangular shape. A second section of tubing  34  is bent into a closed rectangular shape of approximately the same height as the first tubing section. The second section&#39;s width is sized to fit within the first section&#39;s interior. The second section of tubing is placed within the first section of tubing. Both sections of tubing are pivotally pinned at pivot point  36 , approximately mid-point, through their vertical members. A rectangular fabric seat  38  has a first side attached to the upper horizontal side of the first tubular section  32 , preferably stitched or glued in a loop around the first tubular section. A parallel and opposite side of the fabric seat is similarly attached to the upper horizontal side of the second tubular section  34 . A rectangular fabric netting  40  has circular cutout areas  42  around the pivot points  36  and the bottom corners of the second tubular section. The fabric netting is approximately the height and width of the lower half of the second tubular section. The fabric netting is positioned over and attached to the lower half of the second tubular section. Preferably the fabric netting is looped around the vertical sections of the second tubular section and secured with Hook and pile strips. The lower edge of the fabric netting is joined to the ground cover mat. In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric netting is a flap extending from a middle edge of the ground cover mat and may be an integral piece of the ground cover mat. Alternatively, the fabric netting may detachably join to the ground cover mat. The fabric netting is tautly attached around the vertical members and the bottom horizontal member of the second tubular section. The bottom horizontal member of the second tubular section is preferably joined to the mat  22  with Hook and pile strips. The ground cover mat is sized to provide ground cover, protecting the user&#39;s gear and keeping the user clean and dry while donning the user&#39;s gear. The mat is made of plastic such as vinyl, cloth, or a rubberized fabric to provide a barrier against undesirable elements such as water and insects.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the opened stool  30  of  FIG. 1  detached from the ground cover mat  22  (depicted in  FIG. 2 ). The tubular sections  32  and  34  may be constructed of metal tubing, metal rods, plastic, or other rigid structural material. The seating  38  and netting  40  may be cloth, plastic or reinforced rubberized sheets. The ground cover mat  22  is shown with an integral fabric netting  40  extending from a middle edge of a side of the ground cover mat. The fabric netting may be a rectangular extension. Preferably, the netting extends approximately the height and width of the lower half of the second tubular section. The netting may wrap around the vertical members of the second tubular section and have cutout areas  42  for the lower corners of the second tubular section. The netting may be tautly secured to the lower half of the second tubular section, preferably with Hook and pile strips. The fabric netting has a first set of hook and pile strips  43  attached to the underside of the fabric netting. The first hook and pile strips are orientated to secure the fabric netting when wrapped around a vertical side of the second tubular section. A second set of male and female hook and pile strips  45  are similarly attached to the opposite underside of the fabric netting. The second Hook and pile strips are orientated to secure the opposite side of the fabric netting and tautly hold the netting over the lower half of the second tubular section. The netting may be secured over the second tubular section to limit wear to the ground cover mat. The seating  38  and the ground cover mat  22  may be cloth, plastic such as vinyl, or reinforced rubberized sheets. Alternatively, the netting may be secured to the lower half of the first tubular section.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a closed stool  30  of  FIG. 1  attached to an opened ground cover mat  22 . The stool is closed by pivotally moving the horizontal members of tubing together.  FIG. 5  is a left side perspective view of the folded stool  30  of  FIG. 4  partially lowered to the opened ground cover mat  22  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a left side perspective view of the folded stool  30  of  FIG. 5  lowered to a partially folded ground cover mat  22 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the preferred wader bag  20  of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the wader bag is standing upon the left side of the wader bag with a partially unzipped storage compartment  24 . The wader bag has a handle  26  and a shoulder strap  28 . The wader bag may have a second storage compartment  44  that may be closed with a Hook and pile strip flap  46 . The second storage compartment is preferably sized to hold the closed stool and folded ground cover mat. The wader bag may be constructed of rip-stop nylon, water resistant fabric, or reinforced rubber sheets.  
         [0031]     In the preferred manner of using this invention to provide ground protection ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), an individual opens the stool-mat assembly with the stool orientated on the upwind side of the mat. An individual may place selected outdoor equipment, such as waders and changeable soles, upon the opened ground cover mat  22 . The user may also stand upon the deployed mat or sit on the opened stool  30  to change clothes or shoes. With the user sitting on the stool and the user&#39;s back toward any wind, the fabric netting  40  provides a wind break for the user&#39;s legs. The mat and stool will help keep the user and the user&#39;s equipment clean, dry and separated from crawling insects, such as ants. The attachment of the mat to the stool aids in preventing mat movement during gusty winds. The elevated seat additionally provides an ergonomic means to change clothes.  
         [0032]     In the preferred manner of using this invention to transport equipment ( FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7 ), various types of outdoor equipment, such as waders and soles or beach equipment, may be stored in the zippered storage compartment  24 . The stool  30  is closed ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ) and lowered to the ground cover mat  22 . The mat is then folded inward over the closed chair ( FIG. 6 ). The fabric netting  40  ( FIG. 2 ) supports the folded mat, so that the folded mat and the closed chair may be picked up easily. The folded mat and closed chair may then be stored in the second storage compartment  44  and secured with the Hook and pile strip flap  46  ( FIG. 7 ). The wader bag  20  may be conveniently carried by the handle  26  or the strap  28 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a right rear perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of a portable tubular framed stool  30  with an attachable ground cover mat  22 . The first alternate embodiment of this invention is also used to provide elevated seating with ground protection. The stool frame is constructed of a first tubular section  48  bent in an inverted u-shape. A second tubular section is bent in an inverted u-shape of the same height as the first tubular section and the second tubular section is bent with a width to fit within the first tubular section. Both sections of tubing are pinned at pivot point  36 , approximately mid-point, through their vertical members. A rectangular fabric seat  38  has a first side attached to the upper horizontal side of the first tubular section, preferably stitched or glued in a loop around the first tubular section. A parallel and opposite side of the fabric seat is similarly attached to the upper horizontal side of the second tubular section. A rectangular fabric netting  40  has circular cutout areas  42  around the pins  36 . The fabric netting is tautly attached around the vertical members and the flap  52  is joined to the mat  22  by fastening devices such as Hook and pile strips, snaps, buttons or a zipper. The ground cover mat is sized to provide ground cover, protecting the user&#39;s gear and keeping the user clean and dry while donning the user&#39;s gear. The mat is made of plastic, cloth, or a rubberized fabric to provide a water and insect barrier. Sand or other weighted material may be enclosed within the corners  50  to aid in preventing mat movement in gusty winds. The stool and mat combination discussed in  FIG. 8  is used for ground protection as described above in  FIGS. 1 through 7 .  
         [0034]     The manner of closing the stool  30  and folding the mat  22  is the same as discussed above in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . The closed stool and folded mat may be stored in the zippered storage compartment  44  of the wader bag of  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the closed stool  30  and folded mat  22  may be stored in a compartment in a golf club case, a beach equipment bag, or a backpack for transportation to a remote location. The wader bag  20  may be conveniently carried by the handle  26  or the strap  28 . Additionally, the wader bag may be fitted with a second shoulder strap and the wader bag may be worn as a backpack. For added comfort and back support, a small foldable lawn chair may be substituted for the disclosed stool. A means of attaching the ground cover mat, such as Hook and pile strips, snaps, buttons, or zippers, is preferably used to join the chair to the mat.  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a right front perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of a portable seating apparatus  20  with an attachable ground cover mat  22 . The seating apparatus is a rigid case or a soft-sided case with an interior support frame that supports a seated individual. The seating apparatus has a first zippered storage compartment  24  that may store various outdoor equipment. The seating apparatus has a second zippered storage compartment  44  that may store a folded mat  22 . The second storage compartment flap has a Hook and pile strip  46  for attaching the mat. The mat is shown upside down exposing the mating Hook and pile strip  56  for attachment to the Hook and pile strip on the seating apparatus. The ground cover mat is preferably oval shaped with a spring enclosed in the mat&#39;s perimeter. The spring is tensioned to fully open the deployed mat. The seating apparatus and opened mat may be used in a similar fashion as discussed above in  FIGS. 1 through 3 .  
         [0036]     The manner of closing and transporting the seating apparatus  20  and mat  22  is similar as the stool  30  and mat  20  discussed above. Outdoor equipment may be stored in the zippered first compartment  24 . The oval mat  22  is twisted and the spring is compressed. The compressed mat may be placed in the second zippered compartment  44 . The seating apparatus may be carried by the shoulder strap  28 . Additionally, the wader bag may be fitted with a second shoulder strap and the wader bag may be worn as a backpack. A rectangular mat as disclosed in the first alternative embodiment may be substituted for the oval mat.  
         [0037]     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.  
         [0038]     Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.  
         [0039]     It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: 1