Mobile Changing Mat Apparatuses, Systems and Methods

Abstract

A portable mat apparatus including a lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening, a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan, and at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan, wherein a user can stand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing. Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include apparatuses, systems and methods having a self draining pan with one or more compartmentalized storage spaces, handles, cargo nets, net notches, drain holes, leash lock loops for securing the self draining pan, one or more plastic containers each of which is removably attached to the one or more walls of the self draining pan, one or more cargo x components formed from at least two elastic hook and loop fastener straps each of which is removably attached to one or more walls of the self draining pan, and one or more elastocket components.

Description

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter relate to devices and methods for use in changing in and out of wet articles typically a the user has a need to change out of wet clothing.

In one example of the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,083 to Arnold describes changing robe shelters that give a user privacy while changing. The changing robe includes a loosely fitting body with short wide sleeves and central large pocket with interior access for clothes

U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,940 to Sholander is directed to a garment for donning or removing clothing, in particular, a surfer's wetsuit, the garment comprising a tubular skirt/wrap having an open upper end and an open lower end, the open upper end securable about the waist of a surfer, the tubular skirt/wrap having hand and arm apertures formed therein proximate said upper end for insertion of the user's hands and arms for removal and donning of street clothes and removal and donning of a wetsuit, the garment formed of a combination of waterproof and absorbent panels.

Other commercially available products known in the prior art and used in the process of changing clothes include the Moonbag, the Wetsuit bag by Dakine, the Change Mat by FCS, a surfboard separator by K&M Stacker, and the Motomat.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include portable mat apparatuses, systems and methods which help a user when changing into or out of clothing. One embodiment of the portable mat apparatus includes a lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening, a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan, and at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan, wherein a user can stand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing.

Other embodiments of the claimed subject matter include apparatuses, systems and methods having a self draining pan with one or more compartmentalized storage spaces, handles, cargo nets, net notches, drain holes, leash lock loops for securing the self draining pan, one or more plastic containers each of which is removably attached to the one or more walls of the self draining pan, one or more cargo x components formed from at least two elastic hook and loop fastener straps each of which is removably attached to one or more walls of the self draining pan, and one or more elastocket components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top front perspective view of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 3 depicts a top plan view of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of another embodiment of the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of a holding pan of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter; and

FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of a dri deck component of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include changing mat apparatuses, systems and methods which provide advantages over changing mats found in the prior art. Embodiments can be constructed of lightweight plastic, polymer and/or elastomeric materials.

With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals signify like elements throughout the figures, the following reference numerals and corresponding elements are used:

• • 10 mat apparatus;
  • 20 holding pan;
  • 22 self draining pan;
  • 24 tie-wrap netlock;
  • 25 tie-wrap hole;
  • 26 net notches;
  • 27 tiw-wrap net guide;
  • 28 cut out handle;
  • 30 drain holes;
  • 32 leash lock;
  • 33 adhesive square;
  • 34 cargo straps;
  • 35 slit;
  • 36 lace holes;
  • 38 elastic cold pocket;
  • 40 finger guide;
  • 42 hook and loop fastener;
  • 44 wax box;
  • 48 cap leash;
  • 49 shower head;
  • 50 vest;
  • 52 elastic cargo net;
  • 54 dri-deck segment;
  • 56 padding for cut out handle;
  • 58 pull loops;
  • 60 shower head nozzle;
  • 62 rinse bottle;
  • 64 drain pan holes;
  • 66 fin bag;
  • 68 toggle;
  • 70 holes in shower head nozzle;
  • 72 spout fitting adhesive padding;
  • 74 rinse bottle cap;
  • 76 storage belt; and
  • 78 mesh pocket
  • 80 cargo x

Turning now to the drawings, which are to be reviewed in conjunction with this specification, FIG. 1 illustrates a top front perspective view of an embodiment 10 of the claimed subject matter. The holding pan 20 contains the nesting self draining pans 22 and tie-wrap “netlock” 24 is depicted laced through tie wrap hole 25 around the edges of the holding pan 20 in order to secure the elastic cargo net 52. Net notches 16 provide slots for the elastic cargo net 52. Two tie wrap net guides 27 are laced through a tie wrap hole 25, and these guides 27 help the cargo net 52 to slide smoothly when stretching across pan 20 and pans 22. In this embodiment, three pull loops 58 allow the elastic cargo net 52 to be pulled by the user.

The shape of the net notches 26 allow the user to dock and release the holding pan 20 and the self draining pan 22. The cut out handles 28 in pan 20 are cushioned with adhesive passing 56 to increase comfort when carrying the apparatus 10. Several drain holes 30 that are ¾″ in diameter also are shown. These holes 30 allow water to flow out of the embodiment 10 when it is lifted. In this manner, accumulated water can be discarded from the apparatus after use by lifting with handle 28 allowing the previously cleaned gear that is also located within apparatus 10 to remain.

In this embodiment, the leash lock 32 is constructed of hook and loop fastener material and includes a finger loop 40 which is similarly secured by an adhesive hook and loop fastener square. A portion of the fastener is also affixed to base of self draining pan 22. Two leash lock straps 32 are woven through slits 35 (not shown) between a number of drain holes 30 in the pan 22.

Additionally, elastic hook and loop fastener straps 34 are laced through slits 35 forming a “cargo x” which may be used top store items such as sun block or deodorant. Lace holes 36 in the self draining pan 22 allow elastocket 38 to be formed by lacing elastic cord in a symmetric fashion and a toggle 68 at the ends of the cords allow the capacity to be adjusted by the user. A finger guide 40 keeps the elastic codes of the elastocket 38 in place and provides a finger loop of material for easy accessibility by the user.

One surface of the pan 22 contains a mesh pocket 78 with a pull loop 58 for access by a user. The pocket 78 may be constructed out of any suitable material and a pocket 78 made of a mesh material can provide storage of items such as swim fins while still allowing water to drain from pan 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of an embodiment is depicted illustrating an embodiment 10. A user starting to change his or her clothing could first pull loops 58 using his or her finger to remove the pocket 78 from the pan 22. Next, the pan 20 and pan 22 are separated and placed on the ground. Next, a user places one dri-dek segment 54 or component 54 in front of the holding pan 20 leaving at least one other segment 54 within pan 20. This process helps ensure that separation between ones feet and wet suit from the sand that is rinsed off of the user's foot.

After placing the dri-desk segment 54 in front of pan 20, the user rinses with a shower head 60 and/or a rinse bottle 62 (not shown.) The shower head 60 and/or a rinse bottle 62 may also be removably attached to embodiment 10. The cap leash 48 (also not shown) helps keep the cap from becoming lost. While rinsing, the water collects in the base of the pan 20 submerging segment 54 in the process. This results in the user's feet being washed with water and the sand and dirt to fall to the bottom of pan 20. After washing and removing the wet clothing (and placing the wet clothing into pan 20) while standing on segment 54 located within pan 20, the user steps off onto the segment 54 located external to pan 20. The user, now standing on the dri-dek segment 54 located in front of pan 20, moves the wet clothing to the self draining pan 22. Other clothing such as a wet suit and/or accessories could then be placed on the cut out handle 28 side to allow for air drying. Next, the dri-dek segment 54 located outside of pan 20 is placed back into the pan 20, inside of self draining pan 22 which is nested within pan 20. A rinse bottle 62 could also be placed on top of pocket 78 in pan 22. The rinse bottle 62 may also include an insulating jacket to keep rinse water warm. The elastic cargo net 52 is then pulled back over the top of embodiment 10 using pull loops 58 and net notch guide 26. After cargo net 52 is positioned for use, the embodiment 10 may be lifted using handles 28 allowing the sandy or dirty water to exit through drain holes 30 in the holding pan 20 as well as the self draining pan 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top plan view of an embodiment is depicted. It again illustrates various elements of the embodiment 10. An aspect of the embodiment is the wax box 44, which is part of the compartmentalized storage space. Box 44 is removably attached to the holding pan 20 using hook and loop fastener 42. The wax box 44 can hold surf wax and/or a wax comb. Another feature shown is the elastic hook and loop fastener strap cargo x 34 which can be used to accommodate larger items for storage. Another cargo x 34 may accommodate other items. Both are adjustable as desired by the user. Also shown is the elastocket 38 which can be used for storage and which is adjusted using toggle 68 (not shown.) The elastic cords of the elastocket 38 are laced through the holes 36 and held together with finger guide 40. Also shown is a leash lock hook 32 which is constructed of hook and loop material. Hook 32 includes a loop fastener strip with a finger loop and is used for storage, such as the storage of extra leashes. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a pocket 78 with its associated pull loop 58.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top perspective view of an embodiment is depicted illustrating the use of cargo x 80. Additional leash lock 32 hook and loop fasteners may also be used with embodiments of the claimed subject matter.

Referring to FIG. 5, a side perspective view of a holding pan of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter showing the use of the elastic cargo net 52 on the exterior surface of pan 20. Cargo net 52 is show with two pull loops 58. Lastly, FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of two dri deck segments 54 which are placed within pan 20.

The foregoing described embodiments of the claimed subject matter are provided as illustrations and descriptions only, and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the specific embodiments described. In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementations of the claimed subject matter include a wide array of equivalent materials which, along with the described embodiments described herein, may be implemented in any number of manners apparently to one skilled in the art Examples of alternative embodiments include embodiments which use elastic cord, double sided velcro for pull loops on the elastic cargo nets and/or elastic cord cargo x's. Other embodiments may utilize one or more of the following components: a wax box for housing the apparatus, a drain pan or holding pan made out of various other materials such as kevlar or other fabric, rubber changing mats, adhesive velcro strips and/or dots, velcro straps with pull loop for leash lock, plastic tie wraps, a bottle made of polystyrene or other polymer such as polyethylene, and a neoprene jacket for the bottle. Other embodiments may also include one or more removable first aid kits, bags such as mesh bags, and leash cords. These and other numerous embodiments are possible in light of above teachings. Therefore, the detailed description of the multiple embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way.

Claims

1. A portable mat apparatus comprising:

a lower holding pan, said lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening;

a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan; and

at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan

wherein a user can stand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing.

2. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more compartmentalized storage spaces.

3. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more handles.

4. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more cargo nets.

5. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more net notches.

6. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more drain holes.

7. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more rinse bottles.

8. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more pockets connected to said apparatus using elastic materials.

9. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more leash lock loops formed by pockets connected to said apparatus using elastic materials.

10. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more leash lock loops for securing the self draining pan.

11. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more plastic containers each of which is removably attached to one or more walls of the self draining pan.

12. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more cargo x components formed from at least two elastic hook and loop fastener straps each of which is removably attached to one or more walls of the self draining pan.

13. The portable mat apparatus of claim 12 further comprising one or more elastocket components.

14. A portable mat system comprising:

a lower holding pan, said lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening;

a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan; and

at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan

wherein a user can stand on said grated mats when changing his or her clothing.

15. A method of changing clothes comprising the steps of a user stepping on a portable mat apparatus to change his or her clothes, changing his or her clothes and stepping off the portable mat apparatus, wherein the portable mat apparatus is comprised of a lower holding pan, said lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening;

a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan; and

at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan for supporting the user when he or she is standing on the apparatus.