Wader bag with chair and ground cover mat
A collapsible stool is attached to a foldable ground cover mat, providing portable ground cover with elevated seating for outdoor enthusiasts. The mat is of sufficient size to provide ground cover, protecting the user's gear and keeping the user clean and dry while donning the selected gear. A wader bag is adapted with compartments to store the gear and the closed stool with folded mat for convenient transportation. The bag may hold gaiters and changeable soles or other selected gear such as beach clothing, shoes, and toys. The elevated seat eases changing shoes. Attaching the seat to the mat aids in preventing mat movement during gusty winds. Alternatively, the collapsible stool with attached ground cover mat may be stored in a compartment of a golf club bag. Additionally, a wader bag may be reinforced to support a seated user and the foldable mat attached directly to the reinforced bag.
1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of the Related Art
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.
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'Hare (O'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.
Heine discloses a carrying bag for wader's boots. Heine also discloses a single zippered bag, but does not teach or suggest having a wader'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.
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's shoes. Additionally, Jo does not teach or suggest the use of an attachable ground-covering mat.
O'Hare discloses a backpack and lounge seat combination with two storage pockets. The device disclosed by O'Hare, opened in the seating position, has the seating support in close proximity to the ground. Similarly to Jo, O'Hare does not teach or suggest sitting in an ergonomic elevated position to ease changing one's shoes or to provide greater ground separation. Additionally, O'Hare does not teach or suggest the use of an attachable ground-covering mat.
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.
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.
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.
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's gear and keep the user clean and dry while donning the user's selected gear. Incorporating additional storage compartments into this apparatus would enhance the apparatus'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 INVENTIONIn 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'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's gear.
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'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.
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 DRAWINGSThe 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:
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.
In the preferred manner of using this invention to provide ground protection (
In the preferred manner of using this invention to transport equipment (
The manner of closing the stool 30 and folding the mat 22 is the same as discussed above in
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.
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.
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.
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.
Claims
1. A portable ground separation system for an individual and selected equipment used by the individual, said system comprising:
- an elevated seating apparatus;
- a ground cover mat attachable to said seating apparatus; and
- means to conveniently transport the equipment and said seating apparatus with said attached ground cover mat.
2. The ground separation system of claim 1, wherein:
- said elevated seating apparatus is a closeable stool;
- said ground cover is sized to separate the individual seated upon the attached stool and the equipment laid out upon the mat from the ground; and
- said means to conveniently transport said equipment and said closeable stool with an attachable ground cover mat is a wader bag with at least one closeable compartment.
3. The ground separation system of claim 2, wherein said wader bag has a first closeable compartment sized to store said outdoor equipment.
4. The ground separation system of claim 3, wherein:
- said closeable stool is closed and said attached mat is folded for transportation; and
- said wader bag has a second closeable compartment sized to store said closed stool with said folded mat.
5. The ground separation system of claim 4, wherein said first compartment is zippered.
6. The ground separation system of claim 5, wherein said second compartment is secured with a Hook and pile strip flap.
7. The ground separation system of claim 6, wherein said first compartment is zippered.
8. The ground separation system of claim 2, wherein said closeable stool has a fabric covered collapsible tubular frame.
9. The ground separation system of claim 8, wherein said fabric covered collapsible tubular frame has:
- a first section of tubing bent into a closed rectangular shape;
- 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, wherein, said 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; and
- said second tubular section is removably attached to said ground cover mat.
10. The ground separation system of claim 9, wherein the lower horizontal side of said second tubular section attaches to said ground cover mat using buttons, snaps, Hook and pile strips, or a zipper.
11. The ground separation system of claim 10, wherein said wader bag has at least one closeable compartment sized to store said outdoor equipment.
12. The ground separation system of claim 11, wherein:
- said closeable stool may be closed and said attached mat is folded for transportation; and
- said wader bag has a second closeable compartment sized to store said closed stool with said folded mat.
13. The ground separation system of claim 12, wherein said ground cover mat is water resistant and is rectangular shaped.
14. The ground separation system of claim 13, wherein a fabric netting is attached around the vertical members of the second tubular section.
15. The ground separation system of claim 1, wherein:
- said elevated seating apparatus with an attached ground cover mat is a closeable stool with an attached ground cover mat; and
- said means to conveniently transport said outdoor equipment and said closeable stool with an attached ground cover mat is a golf club bag.
16. The ground separation system of claim 15, wherein:
- said closeable stool is closed and said attached mat is folded for transportation; and
- said golf club bag has a separate compartment sized to store said closed stool with the folded mat.
17. The ground separation system of claim 1, wherein:
- said elevated seating apparatus is a closeable stool; and
- said means to conveniently transport said equipment and said closeable stool with an attached ground cover mat is a beach equipment bag;
- wherein said beach bag has a separate compartment sized to store said closed stool with the folded mat.
18. A portable ground separation and storage system for an individual and selected equipment used by the individual, said system comprising:
- a wader bag;
- a foldable ground cover mat attachable to said wader bag;
- said wader bag has a first storage compartment sized to store said folded mat and additional storage compartments to carry the equipment;
- said wader bag is reinforced to support the individual seated upon said reinforced wader bag; and
- said ground cover mat is sized to separate the individual seated upon said reinforced wader bag with attached unfolded mat and the equipment laid out upon the mat from the ground.
19. A portable elevated seating apparatus with an attached ground cover mat to keep an individual and laid out gear clean and dry, comprising:
- a closeable stool; and
- a foldable ground cover mat attachable to said closeable stool;
- wherein, said ground cover mat may compactly fold with the closed stool.
20. The elevated seating apparatus of claim 19, wherein said closeable stool has a fabric covered collapsible tubular frame comprising:
- a first section of tubing bent into a closed rectangular shape;
- 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;
- wherein said 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; and
- said second tubular section is removably attached to said ground cover mat.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 7, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 9, 2006
Inventor: William Terrell (Jupiter, FL)
Application Number: 10/935,979
International Classification: A47D 1/02 (20060101);