US20220386764A1

US20220386764A1 - Outdoor equipment and ensemble

Info

Publication number: US20220386764A1
Application number: US17/803,365
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Lorraine Jones-Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2022-05-27
Publication date: 2022-12-08

Abstract

Provided is equipment and an ensemble therewith for the outdoors, for instance, in conjunction with camping and picnics, its making and use. The equipment can include an organizer and/or a caddy. The organizer can be for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth. For example, the organizer can be a compactly foldable article having a base panel with a plurality of attached pockets or bags, and so forth, and a protective, water-repellent cover. The caddy can be for firewood and so forth, particularly kindling, as a storage and carrying device. For example, the caddy may be foldable and include breathable fabric front and back panels, a reinforced solid fabric bottom panel, a handle, and a waterproof cover. Themselves or together in an ensemble the organizer and caddy can enhance the outdoor experience.

Description

This claims priority benefits under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 63/258,850 filed on May 28, 2021 A.D., and 63/258,855 filed on Jun. 1, 2021 A. D. The specifications of those applications, including drawings, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD AND PURVIEW OF THE INVENTION

Of concern is equipment and an ensemble therewith for the outdoors, its making and use. The equipment can include an organizer as for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth, and its making and use, such as found in the aforementioned '850 provisional patent application, which is particularly useful in conjunction with outdoor activities, for instance, camping and picnics, with the organizer, for example, able to be a compactly foldable article having a base panel with a plurality of attached pockets or bags, and so forth, and a protective, water-repellent cover; and/or a caddy for firewood and so forth, and its making and use, such as found in the aforementioned '855 provisional patent application, which is a storage and carrying device for firewood and so forth, particularly with the firewood being kindling, which, for example, may be foldable and include breathable fabric front and back panels, a reinforced solid fabric bottom panel, a handle, and a waterproof cover.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Recreational activities of camping and picnicing are age-old pursuits growing in popularity as people seek to enjoy time in the outdoors.
The '850 application further notes:
People may arrive at their camp or picnic site by many means other than motorized vehicles such as when they are canoeing, mountaineering, backpacking, hiking or biking. When doing so, the amount of equipment carried with them needs to be minimized.
Kitchenware items, to include cookware, tableware, and cutlery, of course, are essential for preparing and enjoying meals in the outdoors in all but the most primitive settings, and clothing and other woven or nonwoven cloth materials are essential most anywhere. When in camp or at a picnic, especially after traveling by non-motorized means or on foot, such essential items, and others, are often left outside a tent or gazebo, often on the ground, making the site cluttered and messy, and leaving the kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth exposed to dirt.
Also, during periods of increasingly tumultuous and randomly inclement weather, kitchenware, clothing, and other accompanying items can become wet or muddy, requiring them to be washed and/or dried before use. Washing may use up an inordinate share of a limited supply of water, and drying may be constrained by time or hindered by ongoing inclement weather, and so forth.
Traditionally, for example, camping organizers, especially those used for kitchenware, are frame-based, and thus are not compact and not able to be rendered compact. Although they have been efficient in the organization and storage, they are not practical for non-motorized expeditions, as on foot. Moreover, traditional camping kitchens or drawers or cupboards may require assembly and, of course, take up a lot of space. As well, in currently available camping kitchen organizers, various packs and pouches may be needed to meet one's cooking needs, say, one for tablewear and cutlery, and one for cooking accessories. Some models are made of solid material cloth or are pouch style organizers that do not allow for visibility, or are plastic pouches that offer visibility but not breathability.
Clothing may be stuffed in a duffel or travel bag, or a backpack. Searching through their large, undivided volumes can be frustrating and problematic.
Note, for example, the following art:
Koons, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,996. This discloses a trunk organizer, which includes exterior and interior wall members defining a plurality of storage area subdivisions, and so forth.
Wang, U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,734 B 1. This discloses a wall-mounting organizer, which includes a flexible mounting base having mounting holes for hanging pockets of different sizes for holding small items, detachable small bags detachably fastened to the base by hook and loop materials, and a dirty clothes collecting bag with a lower zipper detachably fastened to turn-locks at the base.
Coleman's Military Surplus, “Gigantic Swedish Military Wall Rack/Organizer.” It has nine bellow-style, clear 12-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch pockets, a 26-inch long pocket, and an 8-inch by 6-inch by 2-inch pocket. It folds to a 14-inch by 12-inch by 4-inch size, and has a 44-inch width by 43-inch height overall.
Foreicy, “24-Pocket . . . Over the Door Hanging Shoe Organizer Bag.” As advertised online by WalMart, the pockets of this bag are large and clear, with the bag being made of PVC material, waterproof, and dirt resistant.
In addition, note the following:
Overland Vehicle Systems Camping Storage Bag Canvas Waxed, No. 21139941. Touted features include universal fitment, foldable and quick deploying, nine storage pouches/bins, large roll-down door secured with heavy-duty zippers, and breathable waterproof material of paraffin wax-coated/infused cotton canvas. It is made for firment with various SUVs.
The '855 application further notes:
A significant component of camping and picnicing experiences is that of having a fire for cooking, for warmth, and for simple enjoyment.
Kindling wood, for example, is an essential element of natural wood fires. It is necessary in starting such fires and may play a significant role in ensuring that a fire already burning does not go out or is suitable for certain activities requiring an open flame. As such, kindling should be dry, and in some cases, very dry. During periods of heavy rain, which campers and picnicers should not be surprised to encounter, kindling left exposed to the elements will be come wet, rendering the task of igniting it a serious challenge.
Of course, kindling must be carried to or about the camping or picnic site, and it must be stored away from the fire. Carrying or storing kindling by itself can be a frustrating endeavor. More than one camper or picnicer has had to play an instant game of “pick-up sticks” when an unsecured bundle of kindling works its way apart to fall haphazardly onto the ground.
Log carriers are known of the “sling” variety that have a cloth member upon a central portion of which several logs are stacked in parallel. A pair of handles, one on each opposing ends of the member, are used to lift and carry the sling with the logs. For example, see the Veranda Water-Resistant 40-Inch Log Carrier.
As part of the caddy's genesis, it was noted that traditionally, wood carriers, which are also known as caddies, often made of canvas, similar cloth, or leather, although somewhat efficient in carrying firewood, for example, kindling, from one place to another, have not addressed the problem of assisting in keeping the kindling dry. One feature that traditional wood caddies lack, for example, is a cover, which leaves the kindling open to the weather, poignantly rain, which exposes the kindling to undesirable levels of wetness. Moreover, since they are generally made with solid material such as canvas or leather, traditional firewood caddies have lacked breathability, which make them prone to mold and mildew. Breathability, however, can help in keeping the kindling drier. It can also reduce a propensity to grow mold and mildew.

SOME DESIDERATA

It would be desirable to ameliorate if not solve one or more problems in the art, to include as noted above.
It would be desirable to provide a compact, portable organizer, which efficiently and securely stores kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth, with ready access thereto, especially for use in non-motorized camping and picnicing activities. It would be desirable to provide such an organizer that does not have a stiff frame.
It would be desirable to provide a compact, portable storage and carrying device (caddy) for firewood and so forth, which can efficiently and securely be used to store and carry a supply of firewood, especially kindling wood, and keep that supply dry yet protected from ignition until desired. It would be desirable to provide such a caddy that has a ready access to such a supply. Notably, it would be desirable to provide such a caddy that is breathable and/or that has a cover, especially one that is water repellant or water proof notably as to rain. Such a caddy that is foldable is also desirable.
It would be desirable to provide an ensemble with such equipment for the outdoors. It would be desirable to provide methods of making and using such equipment or ensemble.
It would be desirable to provide the art an alternative.

FURTHER DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In address of the foregoing, provided hereby is at least one item of equipment for the outdoors, as follows (A, B):

- (A) an organizer for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth for camping and picnicing, which comprises a compactly foldable article not having a stiff frame, but including a base panel having top and bottom portions; a plurality of rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a breathable screen material, which is resistant to tears and other damage and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility; and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle, and, optionally about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacles, said top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles for receiving at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer may be hung—optionally also, at least one handle may be provided; and a cover may be provided, which may be water-repellent or water-proof, for which a flap may be provided about the top portion of the base for concealing the cover when it is not in use, which may be secured by fasteners; and
- (B) a caddy for firewood and so forth, which comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a water resistant cover.
  Moreover, advantageously and beneficially, the items A and B can be provided as an ensemble for the outdoors. Methods of making and using the items A and B themselves or in an ensemble are also provided.

The invention is useful in organizing, storing, and carrying materials.
By the invention, the art is advanced in kind, and is provided with one or more useful alternatives. One or more problems in the art is or are ameliorated if not solved.
The present organizer is compact and portable and can securely store kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth. It provides for organization, storage, and protection of the kitchenware and/or clothing, and of tableware, cutlery, towels, shelter materials, and/or other accessories in a light weight, portable unit. Access to the stored items is excellent. It is especially useful in conjunction with participation in outdoor activities, for example, camping and picnics. Its base panel may be compactly foldable, and water-repellent, for example, fabricated with a light-weight, flexible vinyl or other flexible plastic coated fabric, and have its rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a vinyl or another flexible plastic coated screen, say, made with glass, plastic and/or composite fiber coated with the vinyl or other plastic, especially of the “pet proof” variety, which is resistant to tears and other damage yet provides for the case of air-circulation in addition to good visibility. Moreover, in addition to its puncture-resistance and strength, vinyl-coated polyester or glass-fiber screening has a tremendous ability to withstand heat without melting, and some variants of this screening are considered to be fire-resistant if not fireproof such that hot ashes, sparks, and licks of flame from a proximate fire would cause little if any damage. The top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles may be provided from employment of grommets such as plastic or metal rings of standard two-piece construction to make supported holes in the base panel or flexible loops of rope, cord, twine, chain and so forth serving as a fastening or support, or from employment of plastic or metal eyelets, D-rings, fabric loops, and so forth and the like. Typically, the present organizer avoids having a stiff frame, or is simply frameless. Thus, it can be carried and stored conveniently, and hung up on a protruding surface, for example, with assistance of rope, a tree trunk, around which the rope is wrapped, without loss of organizing, storage, and protective capability for the items stored therein. And so, for example, cookware, tableware, cutlery and/or clothing and other textile items can further be protected from exposure to dirt, and, in the case of inclement weather, mud. Also, the organizer is easy to clean to include in case of spillage, especially when its pockets are made substantially if not entirely of a vinyl-coated screen material, and, as such, the organizer can be fully hosed down with ease, which prevents a build-up of debris, mud or food items in the pockets. The organizer is efficient not only to use but also to make.
The present caddy may be compactly foldable, and be water repellent or even water proof, especially with respect to rainfall. One or both of the front and back panels of the present caddy are breathable, for example, being fabricated of a vinyl or another flexible plastic coated screen, say, made with glass, plastic and/or composite fiber coated with the vinyl or other flexible plastic, which is resistant to tears and other damage, say, of the “pet proof” variety, yet provides for an ease of air-circulation in addition to good visibility, and provides for resistance to heat as well as resistance to growth of mold and mildew. Its bottom panel may be made from plastic, say, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and so forth, or with a fabric such as canvas, which may be reinforced with multiple layers of reinforced stitching, so as to add a layer of protection to decrease a chance that sharp edges from the firewood payload, especially kindling, penetrate through the fabric, so that increased durability would result. Also, the reinforced screening can be resistant to damage caused by heat, sparks, or a lick of flame from a fire, with some varieties certified as fire-resistant. Hole(s) in the bottom panel may be provided, for example, from one or more standard two-piece O-shaped grommet(s), to help drain any water that may find its way inside the caddy and to further increase air circulation about carried/stored firewood. The handle can be provided in two pieces, which may be identical or complimentary to one another, one on the front panel and the other on the top of the rear panel; and it may be used to hang the caddy up off the ground to help keep the wood from exposure to moisture accumulated on or in the ground. Hole(s) in the front and/or rear panels may be provided, for example, from one or more standard two-piece O-shaped grommet(s), to hang the caddy up off the ground and/or assist in air circulation. The cover may be made with a light-weight water repellent or water proof fabric, which may be reinforced, and which can be wrapped around the central elements or core of the caddy and its payload, especially so as to offer protection of kindling or other wood from rain, or spray from an errant hose, a spilled drink, and so forth. The caddy is efficient to make and use.
The present ensemble goes far to help in better organizing and efficiently running a camp or picnic. With the present organizer and caddy in the ensemble, the camp or picnic is further benefited as use of the organizer means less time is taken and more satisfaction is provided from finding and using its contents in a reliable state, and likewise use of the caddy, where a fire can be more quickly, reliably kindled or otherwise fed to more readily secure its age-old benefits.
Numerous further advantages attend the invention.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

The attached drawings form part of the specification hereof With reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and which are intended to depict illustrative embodiments of the invention as equipment or to an ensemble, the following is briefly noted:

FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view of an organizer for cookware and/or tableware and so forth for camping and picnicing, which can be configured to include a protective cover, but is without the cover. This shows, in particular, a base panel of the organizer along with certain associated elements, and includes some illustrative, exemplary dimensions.

FIG. 2 is a front, elevational view of the organizer of FIG. 1 , which has the mentioned protective cover attached to the base panel and in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a front, perspective plan view of an underside of a protective cover concealing flap on the base panel about a top portion of the organizer of FIG. 2 , which illustrates a fastener under the flap that allows the cover to be rolled and securely stored out of sight when not in use.

FIG. 4 is a front, right side, top perspective view of an embodiment of a caddy for firewood and so forth of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the rear (outside back) portion of the caddy of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the front (outside front) portion of the caddy of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a front view of an opened protective cover for the caddy of FIG. 4 , which includes some illustrative, exemplary dimensions.

FIG. 8 is an exploded top, left side perspective plan view of a reinforced bottom panel of the caddy of FIG. 4 , which has a plurality of layers of materials.

FIG. 9 is a front, right side, top perspective plan view of the caddy depicted in FIG. 4 , about which is wrapped and secured the protective cover of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a view of an ensemble of the organizer of FIGS. 1-3 and caddy of FIGS. 4-9 .

FURTHER ILLUSTRATIVE DETAIL

The invention can be further understood by the following detail, which may be read in view of the drawings, and, as with the foregoing, is to be taken in an illustrative and not necessarily limiting sense:
As noted above, the present organizer equipment is an advantageous and beneficial organizer for storing kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth. It addresses a number of deficiencies in or problems with other organizer models available heretofore, and satisfies needs and desires in the art, to include those that had been longstanding.
Illustratively in general, the organizer is a compactly foldable article. It does not have a stiff frame, and it may avoid having, or be considered to avoid having, a frame, i.e., it may be frameless. It has a base panel with a top portion and a bottom portion; at least two rows of expandable storage pockets, which can be fabricated with a tear- and other-damage-resistant, breathable screen/mesh material, which may be flexible, and which provides for ease of air circulation and visibility of items stored therein, for example, a breathable vinyl coated screening material such as coated glass fiber, or a pet-resistant screen used in home or patio enclosures that provides protection against tearing or puncture such as a vinyl coated polyester screen available commercially as PetScreen® material (Phifer Inc.); and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle, and, optionally about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacle's. These hanger receptacles receive at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer may be hung. One or more handle(s) may be provided; and a protective cover may be provided, which may be water-repellent. A flap may be provided about the top portion of the base panel for storing and hiding the cover when it is not in use, and fastener(s) may secure this.
With more particular reference to the drawings, the following is noted:
Organizer 15 includes compactly foldable base panel 1, for example, made with a woven fabric coated with a water-repellent or water-proof polymer, can have a rectangularly shaped outline, for example, having a height of about from two to four feet, say, about from thirty-eight to forty-four inches; a width of about from one and a half to two and a half feet, say, about from twenty-two to twenty-eight inches; and a thickness based on the thickness of the materials employed. Although not a hard and fast demarcation, typically, an organizer 15 directed to or primarily to clothing is smaller than one directed to or primarily to kitchenware. Some approximate dimensions in inches for a base panel 1 can provide a useful guide:
Clothing Model Kitchenware Model

Height (1H) 36″ or 38″ to 42″, 40″ to 44″ or 48″,

e.g., 40″ e.g., 42″

Width (1W) 18″ or 20″ to 25″, 25″ to 28″ or 30″,

e.g., 24″ e.g., 26″.

In general, however, such materials, dimensions or shapes are not to be understood as limiting. Thus, employed may be other materials, for instance, a water-repellent or water-proof polymer sheet, and so forth; other dimensions; or another polygonal shape, for example, square, pentagonal, hexagonal and so forth, or a curvilinear shape, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, truncated circular, truncated elliptical, truncated oval, and so forth. Of course, when storing or carrying equipment, the thickness of a finished organizer 15 to a significant degree depends upon the equipment stored, which may be, for instance, in addition to the thickness of all materials that make up the organizer 15, about from an inch to six or seven inches, say, about from two to four or six inches. In any case, the organizer 15 can be compactly folded for storage and transport.
Two or more rows of expandable storage pockets 2, all with reinforced stitching on each lateral side and bottom edge thereof and left open on each upper edge for ease of placement of items, are attached to the base panel 1. For instance, independently at each occurrence, there may be from two to four rows of pockets 2, with a given pocket 2 being about from six to twelve inches high; about from four to twelve inches wide; and about from two to six inches deep from front to back. Such rows of pockets 2 can have lateral divisional stitching, allowing for variety of such sizes and shapes. Thus, for example, pockets 2 in a top row may accommodate storing drinking cups or glasses, a knit hat, gloves or socks; in a middle row may accommodate tablewear such as plates, bowls, or small cookware such as a coffee percolator, or an apron, towels, T-shirts or underwear; and in a bottom row may accommodate larger cookware items such as pots or pans, a light blanket, pants or a jacket. A pocket, say, the pockets 2, may be expandable, say, each including folded segment 8 at its lower edge, commonly referred to as a pleat or dart, which allows for ready interior expansion of the pocket 2 when larger items or a number of smaller items are housed inside the pocket 2. Pocket 3, which may be layered over divisional stitching of pockets 2, and have a substantial depth, may well accommodate a cooking gadget such as a spatula, which has an elongate handle, a set of skewers for a barbeque, a flashlight, and so forth. Pocket 4, which may be less deep than pocket 3, may have open longitudinal top edge for housing small camping devices such as standard cutlery, a spork, a folding knife, a magnesium fire-starting stick, matches, and so forth. The pockets 2, 3, 4 can be advantageously made of flexible pet-resistant vinyl coated polyester screen/mesh material.
Flap 5, for example, made of fabric such as rip-stop nylon or reinforced woven fabric, and so forth can be attached to the base panel 1. It can be employed to concealingly store protective cover 14 when the cover 14 is not in use.
Handle 6, for example, made of dense woven webbing at least about one and one half inches in width, can be attached in a loop configuration to the base panel 1 by reinforced stitching. Another suitable flexible fabric material, rope, leather, and so forth may be employed, as may be a solid handle, say, of wood, plastic, metal, metal-supported leather, and so forth, as may be found otherwise on suitcases, clothing bags, and so forth. The handle 6 is accessible freely in its middle portion for a hand to grasp so that the organizer may be conveniently carried.
Standard two-piece metal grommets in the shape of rings 7 allow hanging the organizer 15, say, using hooks and/or rope, cord or twine. The rings 7 may be positioned about the top portion or edge, say, for hanging the organizer 15 upright; about lateral edges between top and bottom portions, say, nearer the bottom, for instance, for helping to secure the organizer 15 around the trunk of a tree; and/or about the bottom portion or edge, say, also to help secure the organizer 15 around a tree trunk or to hang it upside for draining or drying as may be needed.
Fasteners 9, 10, 11 and 13 can be attached to the base panel 1. They may be made with the hook or corresponding loop portion of hook-and-loop material, or be of another variety such as string ties, looped bungee cord, magnetic force, and so forth and the like.
The fasteners 9 can be the hook or the loop portions of the hook-and-loop material attached correspondingly to the base panel 1 and the protective cover 14 so as to attach the cover 14 to the base panel 1. When not attached to the base panel 1, the cover 14 may be removed to be separated apart from the panel 1.
The fasteners 10 and 11 can be provided, for example, in pairs, to secure a rolled up, not-in-use protective cover 14 concealingly under the flap 5. For example, two fasteners 10 of the hook material may lay under and two fasteners 11 of the loop material may lay upon the the rolled-up cover 14 to be connected to secure the rolled-up cover 14 for hiding under the flap 5.
Decorative trim 12, for example, of polyester bias tape, may be provided. This may be positioned at any suitable location of the organizer 15.
The fasteners 13 may be affixed to any convenient location on the organizer 15. They may be of a hook-and-loop or other variety fastener to make a flexible or smaller opening or securement to hold smaller items.
The protective cover 14 may be made, for example, of rip-stop or reinforced nylon, which is resistant to wear and tear. It may have pocket(s) and so forth built in to it. As alluded to above, the cover 14 can have fasteners 9 on outside edges thereof corresponding to fasteners 9 on outside edges of the base panel 1, which allow it to be fastened to corresponding fasteners 9 of the base panel 1 to make a dry space in which to store and organize items. Beneficially, in fastening the cover 14 to the base panel 1, the opposing sides of the cover 14 are wrapped around the corresponding sides of the base panel 1 and attached there, which provides for a more secure seal to help keep water, dirt, and so forth at bay. Accordingly, the cover 14 beneficially can have a width that is greater than that of the base panel 1 to which it is attached, say, about from an inch to four or five inches greater, for example, about from two to three inches greater.
Of course, although the cover 14 may be water-resistant, even water-proof, its attachment to the base panel 1 may leave an opening through which water may enter, especially if an overwhelming amount of it is present as from a rain storm, hose, or a wave from or a dunking in a lake. Thus, overall, the organizer 15 may be safely considered to be water-resistant rather than water-proof, which, however, is more than sufficient for the purpose for which it is intended.
Also as noted above, the present caddy equipment is an advantageous and beneficial caddy for firewood and so forth. It addresses a number of deficiencies in or problems with other firewood caddy models available heretofore, and satisfies needs and desires in the art, to include those that had been longstanding.
In general thus, the caddy comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a water resistant cover. Beneficially, the caddy is foldable, say, to a compact size.
Also, as mentioned above, among other benefits of the present caddy is not only its water resistance but also its breathability. It also can provide for visibility of its payload. It is resistant to tears and other damage to decrease a chance that sharp edges from carried or stored firewood, especially kindling, would penetrate it, which results in increased durability. Its handles and various openings can be used to hang the caddy above the ground, helping to keep its payload dry. If the firewood would get wet, however, the same and other openings can assist in relieving the caddy of water on or in the payload. It is light in weight.
With more particular reference to the drawings, the following is noted:
Features of the illustratively exemplified caddy equipment include those as follows:

TABLE OF ENUMERATED FEATURES

Num-
ber(s)	Comment

22	Main body portion, e.g., of PetScreen ® material, of front and
	rear panels, to include visible portions (may be termed “aspect”)
	as assembled
24	Protective cover storage pouch
25	Handle affixed to rear panel
26	Handle affixed to front panel
27	Holes, e.g., made with two-piece grommets
28	Fastener, e.g., for receiving complementary fastener,
	for mounting protective cover
29	Decorative trim
30-33	Fastening points - i.e., e.g., hook and loop elements of
	hook-and-loop material or male and female elements of a
	snap - point 30 interacting with point 31; and 32 with 33
34	Protective cover main body portion
35	Bottom panel top layer
36	Bottom panel middle layer, with front and rear panel joint
37	Bottom panel bottom layer
38	Foldable caddy for firewood, without protective cover 42 attached
39	Rear (back) panel
40	Front panel
41	Bottom panel
42	Protective cover
42A	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 58″ to 64″
42B	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 62″ to 66″
42C	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 24″ to 28″
42D	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 3″ to 4″
42E	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 24″ to 28″
42F	Protective cover flap, e.g., protruding about from four to six inches
45	The caddy 38, with the protective cover 42 attached.

The present caddy 38/45 may have any suitable shape and size, which, in general, defines an interior volume to carry and store firewood, for example, small pieces of wood that constitute kindling. For example, from the front and rear, the caddy 38 may present an extended pie-shape about from twenty-two to twenty-six inches in height, excluding handle(s); about from twenty to twenty-four inches in width at its widest part, e.g., about its bottom; and about from eight to ten inches at its narrowest part, e.g., at its top. It typically presents a wedge-shaped appearance from either side, more extensive dimenionsionally at the bottom than at the top. Nonetheless, other dimensions or another shape, especially as regards front and rear aspects of the caddy 38, may be employed, for example, a polygonal shape such as a square, pentagonal, hexagonal and so forth, or a curvilinear shape, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, truncated circular, truncated elliptical, truncated oval, and so forth. Beneficially, in any shape or embodiment, the caddy 38/45 can be compactly folded for storage and shipping to an outlet or customer, and storage and transport by the eventual user; as well, it has easy access to its payload from the sides of the unit.
The caddy 38 includes not only the visible portions (aspects) but also the main bodies 22 of the rear panel 39 and front panel 40. In general, these panels 39, 40 can be made, for example, of a breathable vinyl coated material such as coated glass fiber, or the pet-resistant screen used in home or patio enclosures that also provides protection against tearing or puncture and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility such as the vinyl coated polyester screen material commercially available as PetScreen® material, and which can be fastened together with reinforced stitching along the bottom edge, for example, to form a joint, say, in reinforced bottom panel middle layer 36 of a reinforced bottom panel 23. Such screening can be mold and mildew resistant and/or salt-water resistant as well, which benefits the caddy 38/45 and its cargo, and users and their proximate persons, to a marked degree.
The reinforced bottom panel 23, in addition to the reinforced panel middle layer 36 with its seam or joint can be protected, say, by top and bottom layers 35, 37 of a thick, solid, imperforate material such as a water-repellent or water-proof, plastic-coated fabric, for example, PVC or a PVC-coated polyester, or another type of water-proof material, in the reinforced bottom panel 23. Although the bottom panel 23 may be made with wood or metal, such a material may inhibit foldability.
The protective cover storage pouch 24 is securely attached on both of its lateral sides and its bottom, for example, by reinforced stitching, but is left open along its top, which provides for storage of the protective cover 42 or other suitable size and weight accessory(ies) or item(s). The pouch 24 itself may be made of any suitable material, for example, a PVC-coated polyester.
The handles 25, 26—advantageously made of dense woven webbing at least about 1.5 inches in width, and having reinforcing stitching at their fastening points to the rear and front panels 39, 40—can be formed in a loop configuration that is freely accessible in their middle portions for grasping by hand for carrying the caddy 38/45. As well, the caddy 38/45 may be hung by the handles 25, 26.
The holes 27 beneficially may be provided through the bottom panel 23 with standard two-piece metal grommets in the shape of rings, which otherwise may be made with plastic or any other suitable material, so as to allow increased water drainage and air circulation. Such holes 27 with grommets may be located to the right and left sides of the handles 26 can allow not only increased air circulation but also an alternative or augmentation to the handles 26 for allowing hanging of the caddy 38/45, say, using hooks and/or rope, cord or twine.
The fastener 28 can be provided at any suitable location, say, on the outside of the front panel 40, about its top portion, to which the protective cover 42 can be removably mounted, for example, through hook-and-loop fastening elements or snap(s). Thus, the protective cover 42 can have a fastener at any suitable location to interact with the fastener 28 to accomplish this. The fasteners 30 and 31, and 32 and 33, are provided in complimentary pairs, for example, to fasten the protective cover 42 to front panel 40 of the caddy 38 through intra-cover fastening, and also may be made with the hook or corresponding loop portion of hook-and-loop material or may be male-to-female snaps. Fasteners, however, may be of another variety such as string ties, looped bungee cord, clamp(s), magnetic force, and so forth and the like.
Decorative trim 29, say, of flame and/or mildew resistant cotton or polyester, may be provided. This may be provided at any suitable location on the caddy 38.
The protective cover main body portion 34 of the protective cover 42 is made with a water repellent or even water proof material—for example, a rip-stop or a reinforced nylon, or a polyester, PVC-coated polyester and/or PVC, beneficially with reinforcing textile elements embedded therein to help protect against ripping or tearing in the event that the protective cover 42 comes into contact with sharp edges of various materials, to include those in the payload of the caddy 38—in order to protect from rain or other source of airborne water from pouring in the top portion of the caddy 38 when the handles 25, 26 have been brought together to form a carrying contrivance. Beneficially, the reinforced protective cover material—as advantageously may be (an)other component(s) of the caddy 38 to include any screening/mesh, and so forth—is resistant to damage from heat, sparks, or a lick of a flame, with some varieties of such screening certified as fire-retardant. The protective cover 42 as depicted is irregular in shape, but can be described generally when spread out flat as a longitudinally elongated hexagon with a variance about its top portion, where a rectangularly shaped member (flap) protrudes along a central axis that divides the main body portion 34. This flap may be inserted through the loop formed by the handles 25, 26 and secured by fixing the fasteners 30, 31 together, which assists in preventing water from seeping into the caddy 38 at this point. Although the flap is depicted as a rectangular member, any suitably shaped member may be employed. The cover 42 may be provided in any suitable size. Nevertheless, illustrative dimensions in inches of the cover 42 are set forth within FIG. 7 . The fasteners 32, 33 are also employed within the protective cover 42 itself to secure the protective cover 42 when it is wrapped around the rest of the caddy 38 to provide the covered caddy embodiment 45.
The organizer 15 and caddy 38/45 may be hung in proximity and/or attached as with rope or twine. Thus, a more intimately coordinated or connected ensemble of these two pieces of equipment may be provided.
Themselves or together in an ensemble the organizer 15 and caddy 38 can enhance the outdoor experience. As alluded to above, they can help make it more efficient and satisfying.
Accordingly, provided is equipment and an ensemble therewith, configured for outdoor use, for instance, in conjunction with camping and picnics; its making and use. The equipment can include the organizer 15, say, as a compactly foldable article having the base panel 1 with a plurality of attached pockets 2-4 or bags, and so forth, and the protective, water-repellent cover 14; and caddy 38/45, say, as being foldable and including breathable fabric back and front panels 39, 40, a reinforced solid fabric bottom panel 41, handle(s) 25, 26, and a waterproof cover 42.

CONCLUSION

The present invention is thus provided. Various feature(s), part(s), step(s), subcombination(s) and/or combination(s) can be employed with or without reference to, or order of, other feature(s), part(s), step(s), subcombination(s) and/or combination(s) in the practice of the invention, and numerous and sundry adaptations and modifications can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim scope of which is particularly pointed out by the following claims:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ensemble for outdoor camping and picnic activities, which comprises items of equipment that are configured and useful for the outdoor camping and picnic activities, as follows (A, B):

(A) an organizer for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth for camping and picnicing, which includes a compactly foldable article not having a stiff frame, but including a base panel having top and bottom portions; a plurality of rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a breathable screen/mesh material, which is resistant to tears and other damage and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility, and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle; and

(B) a caddy for firewood and so forth, which comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a reversibly attachable, water-resistant or water-proof protective cover.

2. The ensemble of claim 1, wherein:

(A) the organizer includes at least one of the following (a, a′, a″):

(a) about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacles, said top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles for receiving at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer can be hung;

(a′) at least one handle; and

(a″) a cover, which is water-repellent or water-proof, for which a flap is provided about the top portion of the base for concealing the cover when it is not in use, which is secured by fasteners; and

(B) the caddy includes at least one of the following (b, b′, b″):

(b) an extended pie-shape from its front and rear, and a wedge-shaped appearance from either side, each more extensive dimenionsionally at the bottom than at the top;

(b′) the breathable material is a screen/mesh material otherwise usable in home or patio enclosures, which also provides protection against tearing or puncture and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility, and which is fastened together with reinforced stitching along a bottom edge to form a joint in a reinforced bottom panel, and the solid bottom panel bottom is provided with at least one hole so as to allow increased water drainage and air circulation; and

(b″) the protective cover, when spread out flat, is in a shape of a longitudinally elongated hexagon with a variance about its top portion, where a rectangularly shaped flap protrudes along a central axis that divides the main body portion.

3. The ensemble of claim 2, wherein the breathable screen/mesh material of both the organizer and the caddy is a flexible, pet-resistant screening made with a vinyl coated polyester screen material.

4. An organizer for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth, useful for outdoor camping and picnic activities, which comprises a compactly foldable article not having a stiff frame, but including a base panel having top and bottom portions; a plurality of rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a breathable screen/mesh material, which is resistant to tears and other damage and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility, and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle, wherein the organizer is configured and useful for the outdoor camping and picnic activities.

5. The organizer of claim 4, which includes at least one of the following (i, ii, iii):

(i) about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacles, said top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles for receiving at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer can be hung;

(ii) at least one handle; and

(iii) a cover, which is water-repellent or water-proof, for which a flap is provided about the top portion of the base for concealing the cover when it is not in use, which is secured by fasteners.

6. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the breathable screen/mesh material is a flexible, pet-resistant screening made with a vinyl coated polyester screen material.

7. A caddy for firewood and so forth, which comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a reversibly attachable, water-resistant or water-proof protective cover.

8. The caddy of claim 7, which includes at least one of the following (i, ii, iii):

(i) an extended pie-shape from its front and rear, and a wedge-shaped appearance from either side, each more extensive dimenionsionally at the bottom than at the top;

(ii) the breathable material is a screen/mesh material otherwise usable in home or patio enclosures, which also provides protection against tearing or puncture and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility, and which is fastened together with reinforced stitching along a bottom edge to form a joint in a reinforced bottom panel, and the solid bottom panel bottom is provided with at least one hole so as to allow increased water drainage and air circulation; and

(iii) the protective cover, when spread out flat, is in a shape of a longitudinally elongated hexagon with a variance about its top portion, where a rectangularly shaped flap protrudes along a central axis that divides the main body portion.

9. The ensemble of claim 8, wherein the breathable screen/mesh material is a flexible, pet-resistant screening made with a vinyl coated polyester screen material.