APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING A GROUND COVER AT AN AREA
An apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground; the ground cover having an edge substantially defining the area; includes: (a) a plurality of fixing structures; selected fixing structures being fixed at a first end in the ground generally outside the area; (b) a plurality of accessory structures; each respective accessory structure being attached with a respective fixing structure at a second end distal from the first end; (c) a plurality of engaging structures; selected engaging structures being engaged with the ground cover at a plurality of engagement loci distributed about the edge; and (d) a plurality of elastomeric connector structures coupling respective fixing structures with respective engaging structures. The accessory structures may include at least one of a storage compartment, a container receiving structure, a lighting unit, and an audio speaker unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit.
This application claims benefit of prior filed copending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/606,032, filed Mar. 2, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to securing apparatuses, and especially to securing apparatuses and methods for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base or area. The present invention is especially useful for securing a towel or other ground cover over sand at a beach.
Throughout this disclosure, reference to a “towel” is intended to be an exemplary reference not limited to a towel per se, but including other ground covers such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, a tarp, a blanket or other sheet of flexible material. For purposes of this disclosure the term “sheet” shall mean “a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface.” By way of example and not by way of limitation, a sheet of flexible material may be embodied in a towel, a tarp, a blanket or another flexible sheet that is generally planar when under tension.
When one lies on a towel over sand there is often collection of sand or other debris or detritus upon the towel that can irritate a user. Further, as one moves about on a towel over sand the towel often wrinkles or bunches up, presenting further discomfort to a user and oftentimes causing sand or debris to further collect on the towel.
There is a need for an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base or area, such as ground or sand, in a manner to reduce collection of sand or debris on the towel or other grounds cover.
There is a need for an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base, such as ground or sand, in a manner to ease removal of debris and to mitigate wrinkling or bunching of the sheet of flexible material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground; the ground cover having an at least one edge substantially defining the area; includes: (a) a plurality of fixing structures; selected fixing structures of the plurality of fixing structures being fixed at a first end in the ground generally outside the area; (b) a plurality of accessory structures; each respective accessory structure of the plurality of accessory structures being attached with a respective fixing structure at a second end distal from the first end; (c) a plurality of engaging structures; selected engaging structures of the plurality of engaging structures being engaged with the ground cover at a plurality of engagement loci; the engagement loci being distributed about the edge; and (d) a plurality of elastomeric connector structures coupling respective selected fixing structures with respective selected engaging structures. The accessory structures may include at least one of a storage compartment having a latching lid, a container receiving structure, a lighting unit, and an audio speaker unit. The audio speaker unit may be configured for wireless coupling with a base unit.
A method for securing a ground cover situated at an area of ground, the ground cover having at least one edge substantially defining the area, includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a plurality of fixing structures; each respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures having a first end and a second end; each respective fixing structure having an attached accessory structure at the second end; (2) providing a plurality of engaging structures; and (3) providing a plurality of elastomeric connector structures; (b) assembling a plurality of securing assemblies; each respective securing assembly comprising a respective fixing structure and a respective engaging structure coupled by a respective connector structure; each respective securing assembly having a respective relaxed reach defined by a maximum distance reachable by the respective securing assembly with the connector structure untensioned; (c) selecting at least one securing assembly as an installation securing assembly; (d) in no particular order: (1) effecting engagement between an engaging structure of at least one installation securing assembly and the ground cover at at least one the engagement locus; and (2) installing an installation securing assembly in the ground at a fixing locus; the fixing locus being situated an installation distance from the area; the installation distance for each respective installation securing assembly being greater than the relaxed reach of the respective installation securing assembly; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until the ground cover is substantially fixedly situated generally at the area.
It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base or area, such as ground or sand, in a manner to reduce collection of sand or debris on the towel or other grounds cover.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for fixing a sheet of flexible material, such as a towel or other ground cover, over a base, such as ground or sand, in a manner to ease removal of debris and to mitigate wrinkling or bunching of the sheet of flexible material.
Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are labeled using like reference numerals in the various figures, illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention.
The present invention permits securing a towel, by way of example and not by way of limitation, under tension using easily installed fixing structures installable by pressing into the sand, partially burying in the sand or similarly employing the sand to substantially immovable establish the location of the fixing structures.
Elastomeric connector structures are preferably employed grippingly engaging the towel and attached under tension to the fixing structures to maintain a desired tension in the installed towel.
Maintaining the towel under tension reduces wrinkling or bunching of the towel as a user lies upon the towel or moves about on the towel. Further, maintaining the towel under tension permits easy removal of sand or other debris from the towel by simply pulling the towel to momentarily increase tension on the connector structures and suddenly releasing the towel thereby effecting a “snapping” reaction by the towel as the tension on the connector structures is quickly eased to cause collected sand or other detritus to separate from the towel.
Sheet 12 of flexible material may be configured in any polygonal shape including a circle or ellipse, and is illustrated in
A plurality of fixing structures 181, 182, 183, 18n is arrayed about sheet 12 in a manner establishing a second area 20 (indicated by dotted-line boundary 22). Second area 20 substantially contains first area 16. The indicator “n” is employed to signify that there can be any number of fixing structures employed with apparatus 10. The inclusion of four fixing structures 181, 182, 183, 18n in
Each respective fixing structure 18n is attached with sheet 12 at a respective engagement locus 241, 242, 243, 24a. There are generally, but not necessarily, a number of engagement loci 24a equal with the number of fixing structures 18a. For example a particular fixing structure 18n may involve more than one engagement locus 24a. The indicator “a” is employed to signify that there can be any number of engagement loci employed with apparatus 10. The inclusion of four engagement loci 241, 242, 243, 24a in
Each respective engagement locus 241, 242, 243, 24a has a respective engaging structure 261, 262, 263, 26b and an associated respective elastomeric connector structure 281, 282, 283, 28c. The indicator “b” is employed to signify that there can be any number of engaging structures employed with apparatus 10. The inclusion of four engaging structures 261, 262, 263, 26b in
A respective elastomeric connector structure 28c and an associated engagement structure 26b cooperate with each respective fixing structure 18n and associated engagement locus 24a to effect connection of a respective fixing structure 18n with sheet 12. Preferably elastomeric connector structures 28c may be tensioned when apparatus 10 is installed so that sheet 12 may be maintained under tension in a plurality of axes when apparatus 10 is installed.
Attachment accessory structure 78 may also include a storage compartment 84 having a lid 86. Lid 86 may have a hinge 88 attached with attachment accessory 78 to permit repeatable opening and closing of lid 86, as indicated by an arrow 89.
Accessory structure 78 presents an enlarged surface 80 to aid a user in installing fixing structure 70 in a base such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, earth or sand (not shown in
Accessory structure 78 may present an attachment aperture 82 through which an attachment cord (not shown in
Attachment accessory structure 98 may also include a storage compartment 104 having a lid 106. Lid 106 may have a hinge 108 attached with attachment accessory 98 to permit repeatable opening and closing of lid 106, as indicated by an arrow 109. Storage compartment 104 may extend to within shaft 93 if shaft 93 is configured sufficiently large to accommodate an internal hollow volume 105.
Accessory structure 98 presents an enlarged surface 100 to aid a user in installing fixing structure 90 in a base such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, earth or sand (not shown in
Accessory structure 98 may present an attachment aperture 102 through which an attachment cord (not shown in
A latch structure 110 and an associated catch structure 112 for capturing latch structure 110 in a manner known in the art may be provided to permit lid 106 to be latchable.
Attachment accessory structure 126 may include a container receiving structure 128 including a well 130 substantially surrounded by a wall 132. Wall 132 is illustrated in
Accessory structure 146 may include a storage compartment 148 having a lid 150. Lid 150 may have a hinge 152 (not visible in
Accessory structure 146 may include a container receiving structure 158 including a well 160 substantially surrounded by a wall 162. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Accessory structure 178 may include a lighting unit 180 having a button-shaped actuator 182 presenting an expanse substantially equal with the top expanse of lighting unit 180. Actuator 182 may be configured as a push button switching unit whereby a user may depress button-shaped actuator 182, as indicated by an arrow 183, to turn on lighting unit 180, and may subsequently depress button-shaped actuator 182 again, as indicated by arrow 183, to turn off lighting unit 180. Alternatively lighting unit 180 may be solar powered, may be light actuated, may be motion activated, may be timer controlled, or may be sound activated. An attachment aperture 184 may be provided in shaft 173 through which an attachment cord (not shown in
Accessory structure 198 may include a lighting unit 200 having a switch 202 for controlling operation of lighting unit 200. Switch 202 is illustrated in
Alternatively lighting unit 200 may be solar powered, may be light actuated, may be motion activated, may be timer controlled, or may be sound activated. An attachment aperture 204 may be provided in shaft 193 through which an attachment cord (not shown in
Accessory structure 218 may include an audio speaker unit 220 having a capability to wirelessly couple with a base unit 222 such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, via a Bluetooth coupling (Bluetooth is a trademark of L.M. Ericsson). Accessory structure 218 may be undecorated (not shown) or may be decorated using a basketball design (see
Method 300 continues with, in no particular order: (1) providing a plurality of fixing structures, as indicated by a block 304; each respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures has a first end and a second end; each respective fixing structure has an attached accessory structure at the second end; (2) providing a plurality of engaging structures, as indicated by a block 306; and (3) providing a plurality of elastomeric connector structures, as indicated by a block 308.
Method 300 continues with constructing a plurality of securing assemblies, as indicated by a block 310. Each respective securing assembly includes a respective fixing structure of the plurality of fixing structures and a respective engaging structure of the plurality of engaging structures coupled by a respective connector structure of the plurality of connector structures. Each respective securing assembly of the plurality of securing assemblies has a respective relaxed reach defined by a maximum distance reachable by the respective securing assembly with the connector structure untensioned.
Method 300 continues with selecting at least one the securing assembly as an installation securing assembly, as indicated by a block 311.
Method 300 continues with, in no particular order: (1) effecting engagement between an engaging structure of at least one installation securing assembly and the ground cover at at least one the engagement locus, as indicated by a block 312; and (2) installing the first end of a fixing structure of at least one installation securing assembly in the ground at a fixing locus, as indicated by a block 314. The fixing locus may be situated an installation distance from the area. The installation distance for each respective installation securing assembly is greater than the relaxed reach of the respective installation securing assembly.
Method 300 continues with posing a query whether the cover is fixed as desired, as indicated by a query block 332. If the cover is not fixed as desired, method 300 proceeds from query block 332 via a NO response line 322 to a locus 309. Method 300 thereafter proceeds from locus 309 substantially as described in connection with blocks 311, 312, 314, 316.
If the cover is fixed as desired, method 300 proceeds from query block 332 via a YES response line 322 to a terminate at an END locus 320.
Method 300 may involve additional steps when elastomeric connector structures are provided with a tension-adjusting structure such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, tension adjuster 68 (
When tension-adjusting structures are provided, method 300 proceeds from a step indicated by dotted-line block 330 substantially as earlier described in connection with blocks 310, 311, 312, 314.
When tension-adjusting structures are provided, method 300 proceeds from blocks 312, 314 to pose a query whether it is desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, as indicated by a dotted-line query block 332. If it is desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, method 300 proceeds from query block 332 via a YES response line 334 to apply tension as desired in a desired connector structure, as indicated by a dotted-line block 336, and method 300 thereafter proceeds substantially as earlier described in connection with query block 316.
If it is not desired to adjust tension in a connector structure, method 300 proceeds from query block 332 via a NO response line 338, and method 300 thereafter proceeds substantially as earlier described in connection with query block 316.
It is to be understood that, while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of the invention, they are for the purpose of illustration only, that the apparatus and method of the invention are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims:
Claims
1. An apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base; said sheet of flexible material having a generally polygonal shape with at least one edge defining a first area; the apparatus comprising: said plurality of engaging structures being engaged with said sheet of flexible material at a plurality of engagement loci; said plurality of engagement loci being distributed substantially about said at least one edge.
- (a) a plurality of fixing structures; each respective fixing structure of said plurality of fixing structures being substantially fixedly contained at a first end within said base in an arrangement circumscribing a second area; said second area substantially containing said first area;
- (b) a plurality of accessory structures; each respective accessory structure of said plurality of accessory structures being attached with a respective said fixing structure at a second end distal from said first end;
- (c) a plurality of elastomeric connector structures; a respective said elastomeric connector structure of said plurality of elastomeric connector structures being attached with each said respective fixing structure; and
- (d) a plurality of engaging structures; each respective said engaging structure of said plurality of engaging structures being coupled with a respective said elastomeric connector structure;
2. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 1 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a storage compartment having a latchable lid.
3. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 1 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a container receiving structure.
4. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 2 wherein said respective said accessory structure also includes a substantially integral container receiving structure.
5. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 1 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a lighting unit.
6. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 1 wherein a respective said accessory structure is an audio speaker unit.
7. The apparatus for fixing a sheet of flexible material over a base as recited in claim 6 wherein said audio speaker unit is configured for wireless coupling with a base unit.
8. An apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground; the ground cover having at least one edge substantially defining said area; the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of fixing structures; selected fixing structures of said plurality of fixing structures being fixed at a first end in said ground generally outside said area;
- (b) a plurality of accessory structures; each respective accessory structure of said plurality of accessory structures being attached with a respective said fixing structure at a second end distal from said first end;
- (c) a plurality of engaging structures; selected engaging structures of said plurality of engaging structures being engaged with said ground cover at a plurality of engagement loci; said engagement loci being distributed about said edge; and
- (c) a plurality of elastomeric connector structures coupling respective said selected fixing structures with respective said selected engaging structures.
9. The apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 8 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a storage compartment having a latchable lid.
10. The apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 8 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a container receiving structure.
11. The apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 9 wherein a respective said accessory structure also includes a substantially integral container receiving structure.
12. The apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 10 wherein a respective said accessory structure is a lighting unit.
13. The apparatus for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 9 wherein a respective said accessory structure is an audio speaker unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit.
14. A method for securing a ground cover situated at an area of ground; the ground cover having at least one edge substantially defining said area; the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) in no particular order: (1) providing a plurality of fixing structures; each respective fixing structure of said plurality of fixing structures having a first end and a second end; each said respective fixing structure having an attached accessory structure at said second end; (2) providing a plurality of engaging structures; and (3) providing a plurality of elastomeric connector structures;
- (b) constructing a plurality of securing assemblies; each respective securing assembly comprising a respective fixing structure of said plurality of fixing structures and a respective engaging structure of said plurality of engaging structures coupled by a respective connector structure of said plurality of connector structures; each respective securing assembly of said plurality of securing assemblies having a respective relaxed reach defined by a maximum distance reachable by said respective securing assembly with said connector structure untensioned;
- (c) selecting at least one said securing assembly as an installation securing assembly;
- (d) in no particular order: (1) effecting engagement between an engaging structure of at least one said installation securing assembly and said ground cover at at least one said engagement locus; and (2) installing said first end of a fixing structure of at least one said installation securing assembly in said ground at a fixing locus; said fixing locus being situated an installation distance from said area; said installation distance for each respective installation securing assembly of said at least one installation securing assembly being greater than said relaxed reach of said respective installation securing assembly; and
- (a) repeating steps (c) and (d) until said ground cover is substantially fixedly situated generally at said area.
15. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 14 wherein step (a) (3) further comprises providing selected elastomeric connector structures of said plurality of elastomeric connector structures with a tension-adjusting structure; and wherein the method comprises an additional step following step (d) and preceding step (e); said additional step being: if a respective installation securing assembly includes a respective said tension-adjusting structure, adjusting said respective installation securing assembly to apply tension to said ground cover.
16. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 14 wherein said accessory structure is a storage compartment having a latchable lid.
17. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 14 wherein said accessory structure is a container receiving structure.
18. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 16 wherein said accessory structure also includes a substantially integral container receiving structure.
19. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 14 wherein said accessory structure is a lighting unit.
20. The method for securing a ground cover with respect to an area of ground as recited in claim 14 wherein said accessory structure is an audio speaker unit configured for wireless coupling with a base unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 1, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2013
Inventors: Donald Lawton Marks (Dallas, GA), Paul Morris Marks (Cocoa, FL)
Application Number: 13/782,060