US20170238733A1

US20170238733A1 - Collapsible Pillow Mat

Info

Publication number: US20170238733A1
Application number: US15/438,343
Authority: US
Inventors: Heidi Saunier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-18
Filing date: 2017-02-21
Publication date: 2017-08-24

Abstract

A collapsible pillow mat designed to be used with removable pillows. The collapsible pillow mat is made up of a row of pillow cases where each pillow case has a front side, a rear side and an opening at an upper end. Each pillow case is attached to an adjacent pillow case along a longitudinal edge, creating a single row of attached pillow cases. One or more pairs of elongated straps are attached to the longitudinal edge of neighboring pillow cases, where a first strap is configured to attach to a second strap with a matching fastener, allowing a user to roll up the collapsible mat and secure it in a closed and compact configuration for reconfiguration of the mat and for easy transportation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/296,772 filed on Feb. 18, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reclining mats. More specifically, the present invention relates to collapsible reclining mats that may be used as a resting surface on which an individual may comfortably sit and lay down on.
Many reclining mats that are currently available on the market are designed to be used in a single configuration, such as a straight flat mat similar to a sleeping pad, or are specifically adapted to be placed over a particular structure, such as an outdoor chair. While these provide additional comfort for users, they are limited in their ability to conform to a variety of positions with a single device.
Additionally, many mats that are currently available are heavy and cumbersome to move around. The cushioning found within such mats contributes to the weight, as well as limiting its flexibility, preventing a user from arranging the mat in more than a single configuration. Furthermore, the cushioning is often permanently placed within the mat, leading to multiple disadvantages.
One such disadvantage includes the inability or increased difficulty of washing the outer surface of the mat, as the entire mat with the cushioning must be washed at once. Another disadvantage includes the difficulty in replacing cushioning, often making it economically unfeasible. Many cushions become deflated and lose their loft after extended periods of use. Because these mats make replacement of the cushions cumbersome and difficult, many individuals choose to simply discard the mat and purchase a new one, which is a non-economical as well as an environmentally unfriendly solution. Accordingly, a flexible mat that can have cushioning that is easily replaceable and can be configured in a variety of positions is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of reclining mats now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a collapsible pillow mat wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wishing to recline in various positions. The present system comprises a plurality of pillow cases wherein each pillow case has a front side, a rear side and an opening at an upper end. Each pillow case is secured to an adjacent pillow case along a longitudinal edge, such that together a single row of attached pillow cases is created. One or more pairs of elongated straps are attached to the longitudinal edge of neighboring pillow cases, where a first strap is configured to attach to a second strap with a matching fastener, allowing a user to roll up the collapsible mat and secure it in a closed and compact configuration for reconfiguration of the mat and for easy transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of the collapsible pillow mat.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a single pillow case of the collapsible pillow mat.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the collapsible pillow at in use.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the collapsible pillow mat in a collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the collapsible pillow mat. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a rear perspective view of the collapsible pillow mat. The collapsible pillow mat 10 comprises a plurality of pillow cases 12 arranged in a side by side fashion in a single row, each pillow case 12 having a front side 14, a rear side 15 and an open upper end 18 forming an interior volume, wherein each of the open upper ends 18 of the pillow cases 12 are oriented in the same direction.
Each pillow case 12 is secured to an adjacent pillow case along a longitudinal edge 16 that runs perpendicular to the open upper end 18 to a closed lower end 19 along the side of the pillow case 12. The first 11 and last 13 pillow cases of the row are secured to a single adjacent pillow case, while the intermediate pillow cases positioned therebetween are secured to two adjacent pillow cases on either side thereof. In some embodiments, the pillow cases 12 are attached together with a sewn seam extending along the entirety of the longitudinal edge 16. One or more pairs of elongated straps 20 are attached to the longitudinal edge of neighboring pillow cases 12, where a first strap is configured to attach to a second strap with a matching fastener 23, allowing a user to roll up the collapsible mat and secure it in a closed and compact configuration for reconfiguration of the mat and for easy transportation.
A first strap in the pair of elongated straps 20 has a removable strap fastener 23 at one end 21 thereof and is configured to attach to a matching fastener 22 placed along the end of the second strap of the pair of elongated straps 20. This allows a user to roll up the collapsible pillow mat 10 and secure it closed in a compact configuration for reconfiguration of the mat and easy transportation.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of one embodiment of a single pillow case 12 of the collapsible pillow mat 10. In some embodiments of the collapsible pillow mat 10, the open upper end 18 of each of the pillow cases 12 is configured to be selectively closed with a pillow case fastener. For example, the pillow case fastener may be a zipper 25 attached to the front side 14 and the rear side 15 of the pillow case 12 adjacent to the open upper end 18 and configured to seal the interior volume closed while still offering easy access when so desired. Alternatively, the fastener may be hook and loop material, as shown in FIG. 1.
The open upper end 18 is easily opened and closed with the pillow case fastener, which allows a pillow 26 to be inserted therein easily replaced or removed for washing. Furthermore,the entire collapsible pillow mat may be washed in a washing machine or by other means while allowing the user to easily remove the pillow before doing so.
Each of the plurality of pillow cases 12 is adapted to accept a pillow 26 within the interior volume. The collapsible pillow mat 10 may be designed to accept various standard sizes of pillows 26. For example, one embodiment is configured to accept twin sized pillows 26, while an alternative embodiment is configured to accept queen sized pillows 26. Thus, a user has various options in choosing a desired width of the mat. It should be noted that these embodiments are not meant o limit the size of the pillow cases to any particular dimensions.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the collapsible pillow mat in use. The collapsible pillow mat 10 allows for various configurations thereof, permitting a user to adjust the pillows cases 12 in a number of configurations that may otherwisebe unconventional. For example, the pillows cases 12 may be folded in a circular configuration, creating a seat in the middle section, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, a user may fold the first pillow 11 and the last pillow 13 of the collapsible pillow mat 10 underneath intermediate pillows 12, creating an elevated cushion to sit on.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the collapsible pillow mat in a collapsed configuration. The collapsible pillow mat 10 may be stored with or without the pillows placed within the pillow cases 12. The pair of elongated straps 20 is used to secure the pillow cases 12 in a rolled or staked configuration. Furthermore, a stacked configuration may be used as an elevated cushioned seat. Additionally, the removable strap and matching fasteners of the elongated straps 20 may be loosely attached without extending the elongated strap 20 around the pillow cases, creating a convenient carrying strap. In some embodiments, the removable strap fastener 23 may be made of hook and loop material.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. claim:

Claims

1) A collapsible pillow mat, comprising:

a plurality of pillow cases arranged in a single row, wherein each pillow case comprises a front side, a rear side and an open upper end forming an interior volume, and wherein each pillow case is secured to an adjacent pillow case along a longitudinal edge;

one or more pairs of elongated straps, each pair comprising a first strap attached to the longitudinal edge of a first pillow case and a second strap attached to the longitudinal edge of a neighboring pillow case;

wherein the first strap comprises a removable strap fastener configured to be attached to the second strap and wherein the first strap and second strap are configured to encircle the plurality of pillow cases when the removable strap fastener is.

2) The collapsible pillow mat of claim 1, wherein the removable strap fastener comprises hook and loop material.

3) The collapsible pillow mat of claim 1, wherein the removable strap fastener comprises a button and the second strap further comprises a matching button slot.

4) The collapsible pillow of claim 1, wherein the open upper end of each of the plurality of pillow cases is configured to be selectively closed with a pillow case fastener.

5) The collapsible pillow mat of claim 3, wherein the pillow case fastener comprises a hook and loop material.

6) The collapsible pillow mat of claim 3, wherein the pillow case fastener comprises a zipper.