DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND STORAGE

RELATED APPLICATION

This International Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/057,141, filed May 29, 2008. The content of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this disclosure.

BACKGROUND

The floor provides a smooth, hard surface on which children can play with their toys for entertainment. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for children to spread their toys and game pieces out on a floor of a bedroom, living room, or other area of a house. In light of this, play mats have been developed for use when children play with their toys on the floor. Such mats are generally configured to lay flat on the floor and provide a surface on which children can play with their toys.

Numerous types of play mats are available. For example, certain play mats provide support cushioning to facilitate use with an infant or smaller child. Other types of mats are colorfully decorated to provide a pleasing appearance to the child. For example, a play mat may comprise a design of a race track such that the child can play with his or her toy cars on the mat.

While the floor may provide an ideal surface for playing with toys, adults do not always find the middle of the floor to be ideal for toy storage. Accordingly, when a child is finished playing with his or her toys, the toys and mat must be picked up and stored in order to straighten up the room. This often requires that the toys be disassembled prior to storage. In a case such as a puzzle or building blocks, this may not be particularly desirable to the child, especially if he or she has devoted a substantial amount of time to assembling the toys or puzzle. Further, putting up toys may be a time consuming process, particularly in the case where the toys comprise multiple components having various sizes (e.g., puzzle pieces, blocks or Legos ^® ).

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device that supplies both a designated area on which to play with toys and that provides an easily accessible and out-of-sight toy storage solution. Such device will allow a child to store his or her toys without dismantling them. The device will also provide an easy means through which toys and other objects can be conveniently concealed and accessed when so desired. By use of the desired device, an adult or child will be able to store toys and other objects underneath a piece of furniture and subsequently access such stored items in a quick and convenient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. IA shows an overhead view of at least one embodiment of a mat as disclosed herein;

FIG. IB shows a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the mat of FIG. IA;

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the mat of FIG. IA;

FIG. 2 shows the dimensions of at least one embodiment of the mat of FIG. IA;

FIG. 3 A shows a cross-sectional view of the at least one embodiment of the mat of FIG. IA taken along line A-A;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the at least one embodiment of the mat of FIG. IA; and

FIGS. 4A-4F illustrates the various steps of a method for storing and accessing objects on the floor through use of at least one of the embodiments of the mat of FIG. IA.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the various steps of the method of FIGS. 4A-4F.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for storing and accessing objects on a floor or other surface. In at least one embodiment of a device disclosed herein, the device comprises a mat comprising a base and a barrier extending in a substantially perpendicular fashion relative to the base. The base of the mat is configured to be slidably moveable across a floor and comprises a surface and a perimeter. The barrier of the mat is configured to prevent an object positioned on the surface of the base from sliding off of the surface of the base and is coupled with less than the totality of the perimeter of the base. For example, in at least one embodiment, the barrier may comprise a wedge-shaped configuration. In at least one embodiment of the mat described herein, the mat may be configured to slide under a piece of furniture, such as a couch or a bed.

The perimeter of the base of certain embodiments of the mat disclosed herein may comprise a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. Accordingly, the barrier of the mat may be coupled with at least a portion of each of the second, third and fourth sides of the perimeter of the base and extend in a substantially perpendicular fashion relative thereto. In other embodiments of the mat, the mat may further comprise at least one hand hold and/or an insert configured to be disposed on the surface of the base. Indeed, the surface of the mat may optionally comprise an indentation configured to receive the insert therein. The insert may comprise various colors and/or interactive designs displayed thereon. In at least one embodiment, the insert comprises a first side and a second side, and the first side comprises a color and the second side comprises one or more interactive designs displayed thereon. In addition, the insert of the mat may comprise one or more

hand holds, either configured to be used in conjunction with the at least one hand hold of the mat or alone. Additionally, the mat may comprise at least one hand hold disposed on both the insert and the base.

Methods for using the devices described herein are also disclosed. In at least one embodiment of a method for storing and accessing objects on a floor, the method comprises the steps of: providing a mat, the mat comprising a base comprising a surface and a perimeter, and a barrier coupled with less than the totality of the perimeter of the base, wherein the barrier is capable of preventing an object positioned on the surface of the base from sliding off of the surface of the base; placing at least one object on the surface of the mat; and sliding the mat under a piece of furniture such that the surface of the mat and the object are at least partially concealed by the piece of furniture. The method may optionally further comprise the steps of: sliding the mat out from under the piece of furniture; and accessing the at least one object on the surface of the mat. In the at least one embodiment of the method, the mat may further comprise at least one hand hold, and the step of sliding the mat out from under the piece of furniture may further comprise using the at least one hand hold of the mat to facilitate the same.

In at least one embodiment of the method, the mat further comprises an insert configured to be disposed on the surface of the base, the insert comprising at least one interactive design. Accordingly, the method may further comprise the step of interacting with the at least one interactive design of the insert. Optionally, the mat may further comprise at least one external prompt for use in connection therewith. In this at least one embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of following the at least one external prompt with respect to the steps of placing at least one object on the surface of the mat and sliding the mat under a piece of furniture such that the surface of the mat and the object are at least partially concealed by the piece of furniture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of scope is intended by the description of these embodiments.

FIGS. IA and IB show at least one embodiment of a mat 10. The mat 10 is generally configured to retain toys or other items thereon and such that the mat 10 may be easily slid underneath a bed, a couch, or other piece of furniture. For example, a child may use the mat 10 for a surface on which to play with his toys and may subsequently slide the mat 10 underneath his bed

when he is finished playing, thereby instantly storing his toys out of sight and in an easily accessible location. Alternatively, a person may use the mat 10 for a surface on which to sit on the floor and work on a project. Instead of picking up the supplies for the project when he or she is finished working on the project, they can simply slide the mat 10 (with the supplies positioned thereon) underneath the couch, thereby instantly tidying the room and storing the supplies in a consolidated fashion.

The mat 10 comprises a base 12 and a barrier 30. The base 12 may comprise any material that is suitable for children or adults to play and/or work thereon. For example and without limitation, the mat 10 may be comprised of injection molded ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA") foam, wood, plastic, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, or a combination of the aforementioned or other materials. Further, the mat 10 may be configured in many different shapes and sizes, depending upon the desired storage location for the mat 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates the possible dimensions of at least one embodiment of the mat 10. In this embodiment, the mat 10 is designed to slide underneath a twin size bed for storage and the dimensions of the base 12 are about 5 feet long by about 3 feet wide and a thickness of about 5/8 of an inch (not shown). In at least one alternative embodiment, the mat 10 is designed to slide underneath a couch for storage and the dimensions of the base 12 are about 2.5 feet long by about 2 feet wide and a thickness of about 5/8 of an inch. It will be recognized that the mat 10 may comprise any dimensions desired and, accordingly, the mat 10 may be designed to ensure the mat 10 adequately fits in a location desired for storage.

Now referring back to FIGS. IA and IB, the base 12 may be comprised of a single component or various pieces removably coupled together. For example, the base 12 may comprise four interlocking pieces. Irrespective of whether the base 12 comprises single or multiple components, the base 12 of the mat 10 has a perimeter and a surface 28. In the at least one embodiment shown in FIGS. IA and IB, the perimeter of the mat 10 comprises a first side 14, a second side 16, a third side 18, a fourth side 20. However, as previously noted, the mat 10 can be configured in any shape and therefore may comprise any number of sides. For example, in at least one embodiment (not shown), the mat 10 comprises a circular configuration and therefore its perimeter comprises one continuous side.

In at least one embodiment, the surface 28 of the base 12 may further comprise an insert 50 as shown in FIG. IB. In this embodiment, the insert 50 comprises a first side and a second side and may be configured to fit within an indentation formed in the surface 28 of the base 12. For

example, in an embodiment where the base 12 is about 5 feet long and about 3 feet wide and has an indentation having a depth of about 0.5 inch, the insert may be about 4 feet long and about 2 feet wide and comprise a thickness of about 0.5 inch. Alternatively, as shown in FIO. 1C, the insert 50 may be configured to fit within the perimeters of the mat 10 and/or the barrier 30. Furthermore, in the at least one embodiment shown in FIG. 1C, the insert 50 does not fit into an indentation formed in the surface 28 of the base 12, but rather is configured to be positioned on top of the surface 28 of the base 12. It will be appreciated that the surface 28 of the base 12 and/or the insert 50 may be configured in any manner as is appropriate for the desired application of the mat 10.

The first and second sides of the insert 50 may further comprise colors and/or designs. In at least one embodiment, the first side of the insert 50 comprises a solid color and the second side of the insert 50 comprises an interactive design, such as a map or the basis of a game. Accordingly, the first side of the insert 50 may be positioned upwards when the mat 10 is being used as a work surface or a surface on which to play with toys. If a child and/or adult wishes to use the mat 10 for interactive play, the insert 50 may be flipped over such that the second side of the insert 50 is facing upwards.

The base 12 of the mat 10 may further comprise one or more members (not shown) coupled to the portion of the mat 10 that is in contact with the floor when the mat 10 is in use. The members may have any configuration and may be comprised of any material so long as the member(s) reduce the friction between mat 10 and the floor when mat 10 is moved across the floor. In one non- limiting example, the member(s) comprise coated sliding discs, such as Magic Sliders ^® , and/or may be comprised of a plastic material.

As previously indicated, the mat 10 also comprises a barrier 30. The barrier 30 is configured to prevent objects placed on the surface 28 of the mat 10 from sliding therefrom. The barrier 30 may be molded in conjunction with the base 12 such that the barrier 30 and the base 12 are a single unit, or the barrier 30 and the base 12 may comprise separate units. If the barrier 30 and the base 12 comprise separate units, the barrier 30 and the base 12 may either be permanently coupled together or removably coupled such that the barrier 30 may be removed from the base 12 when the mat 10 is not in use.

The barrier 30 of the mat 10 may comprise a single wall or multiple walls. While the barrier 30 need not surround the entire perimeter of the mat 10, the barrier 30 should be positioned on the perimeter in a location where objects placed on the surface 28 of the mat 10 are most likely to slide

off of the surface 28. In this manner, the barrier 30 functions to retain objects on the surface 28 of the mat 10 when the mat 10 is moved.

In the at least one embodiment of the mat 10 shown in FIG. IB, the barrier 30 comprises a first wall 22, a second wall 24 and a third wall 26. The first wall 22 extends from the base 12 in a substantially perpendicular direction along the third side 18 of the base 12. Similarly, the second wall 24 extends from the base 12 in a substantially perpendicular direction along a portion of the second side 16, and the third wall 26 extends from the base 12 in a substantially perpendicular direction along a portion of the fourth side 20. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. IA and IB, the first wall 22 and the second wall 24 are connected to each other at the intersection of the second side 16 and the third side 18 of the base 12, and the first wall 22 and the third wall 26 are connected to each other at the intersection of the third side 18 and the fourth side 20 of the base 10. In this manner, the barrier 30 comprises a continuous wall around a portion of the perimeter of the base 12. Accordingly, the barrier 30 can retain toys or other items positioned on the surface 28 of the mat 10 in the event the mat 10 is pulled in the direction of the first side 14.

Now referring to FIG. 3 A, a cross-section of the barrier 30 taken along line A-A of FIG. IA is shown. Further, a side view of the mat 10 is shown in FIG. 3B. In these embodiments, the barrier 30 comprises a wedge-shaped configuration such that the barrier 30 has a first thickness 40 at a location proximal to the base 12 and tapers into a second thickness 42 at its distal-most point relative to the base 12. For example, and without limitation, the first thickness 40 of the barrier 30 may be about 4 inches and the second thickness 42 of the barrier 30 may be about 2 inches. In at least one alternative embodiment, the barrier 30 may comprise a rectangular configuration such that the first thickness 40 and the second thickness 42 are substantially equal to each other. Additionally, it is not required that each of the components of the barrier 30 comprise the same configuration and, as such, some portions of the barrier 30 may comprise a rectangular configuration while other portions of the barrier 30 comprise a wedge-shaped configuration.

Regardless of the specific configuration of each of the barrier 30 components, the barrier 30 forms a first edge 32 on the inside of the barrier 30 and a second edge 34 on the outside of the barrier 30. The angle θ of the first edge 32 may comprise any value between about 90° and about 165°. For example, in the at least one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first edge 32 comprises a sloping edge having an angle θ of greater than about 90° and the second edge 34 comprises a straight edge. Further, the barrier 30 may either be solid or hollow, depending on the materials used to form the barrier 30 and/or the desired integrity of the barrier 30.

The heights of the first wall 22, the second wall 24, and the third wall 26 may comprise any height so long as the mat 10 can be slid into the desired location for storage. For example and without limitation, a mat 10 configured to be stored underneath a couch may comprise a barrier 30 that is about 3 inches tall at its highest point. Alternatively, a mat 10 configured to be stored underneath a bed may comprise a barrier 30 having a height of about 6 inches at the highest point. It will be recognized that these dimensions are offered solely by way of example and without limitation and that the height and configuration of the barrier 30 may be modified to conform with the desired application. Similar to the overall dimensions of the base 12, the height of the barrier 30 may comprise any height that is capable providing some resistance to an object placed on the surface 28 of the mat 10 sliding therefrom.

In at least one additional embodiment of the mat 10, the barrier 30 extends the entire length of the second, third, and fourth sides 16, 18, 20 of the mat 10. In this manner, only the first side 14 does not have the barrier 30 extending therefrom. In yet another embodiment, the barrier 30 only extends from the third side 18 of the mat 10. It will be appreciated that the barrier 30 extending from the base 12 may comprise any configuration so long as less than four sides of the mat 10 comprise a portion of the barrier 30 extending therefrom.

The first side 14 of the base 12 may comprise at least one hand hold 70 to facilitate a user pulling the mat 10 out from underneath a piece of furniture or other storage location. The hand hold 70 may comprise any handle, grip or other mechanism known in the art that facilitates a user's ability to grasp and/or maneuver the mat 10. The hand hold 70 may be made out of any material suitable for hand holds, such as, but not limited to, textiles, plastics or other suitable materials. In at least one additional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, the hand hold 70 may comprise one or more holes or indentations formed in the mat 10 such that a user can easily grip the one or more hand hold(s) 70 and manipulate the mat 10. The one or more hand holds 70 may be formed in or coupled with the first side 14 of the base 12 and, depending on each hand hold's 70 configuration, may be sewn in place, fastened with rivets or other fasteners appropriate for the material comprising the base 12 or, as previously noted, formed in the base 12 of the mat 10 itself.

In the at least one embodiment of the mat 10 shown in FIG. 1C, the insert 50 may further comprise one or more hand holds 70. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1C, the insert 50 comprises two hand holds 70 each comprising a hole formed in the insert 50. Further, each of the hand holds 70 of the insert 50 are positioned to correlate with the hand holds 70 formed in the base 12 of the mat 10. In this manner, when the insert 50 is positioned on the base 12 of the mat 10, a user can

easily access the hand holds 70 and manipulate the mat 10 as a unit. It will be understood that the insert 50 may comprise any number and/or configuration of hand holds 70, depending upon the desired configuration and application of the mat 10.

In operation, a user may use the mat 10 for a surface on which to play with toys or perform another activity on the floor. Additionally, the mat 10 may be used to store items in an easily accessible, yet disclosed location. Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4F, various steps of a method 100 for using the mat 10 are illustrated. In addition, FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the steps of at least one embodiment of the method 100. For ease of understanding, the steps of method 100 will be discussed relative to a child who is using the mat 10 to play with toys, but it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the mat 10 can be used to perform the method 100 for any user so long as the user is employing the mat 10 to store at least one item on the surface 28.

Now referring to FIGS. 4A, a child is shown playing with his toys on floor of a bedroom. After the child is finished playing with his toys, at step 102, the child gathers up all of the various toys onto the surface 28 of the mat 10. At step 104 (see FIGS. 4B-4E and 5), the child pushes the first side 14 of the mat 10 such that the mat 10 slides along the floor and underneath the bed. The child is not required to disassemble any of his toys or otherwise organize the same, other than placing the toys on the surface 28 of the mat 10. After the child has supplied enough force to move the mat 10 at least partially underneath the bed, at step 106 the majority of the mat 10 and any toys positioned thereon are positioned underneath the bed and disclosed from sight (see FIG. 4F). Accordingly, the floor of the bedroom is tidy and free from clutter.

When the child is ready to begin playing with his toys again, at step 108, the child pulls on the first side 14 of the mat 10 (or any hand hold(s) 70 coupled with the base 12 of the mat 10 and/or the insert 50) and thereby slides the mat 10 out from underneath the bed. The barrier 30 of the mat 10 prevents any of the items positioned on the surface 28 from falling off of the mat 10 and remaining underneath the bed. Accordingly, the child's toys are in substantially the same condition and placement as when he put them away and he can easily resume playing where he left off.

The mat 10 and method 100 may comprise external prompts that direct a child and/or adult as to the proper way in which to use the mat 10 and/or to provide an incentive for the child to use the method 100. For example, where the mat 10 comprises a mat for use by a child on which to play with and store the child's toys, an external prompt comprising an agreement between the parent and the child can be used. In at least one embodiment, prior to when the mat 10 is first supplied to the child, the parent and child can review the agreement and agree to its terms. For example, and

without limitation, the external prompt may require that the child agree to always store the mat 10 and the toys located thereon underneath his bed when he is finished playing and/or asked to clean up. In exchange, the agreement may require the parent to agree to confiscate all toys on or around the mat 10 for a defined period of time if the mat 10 is misused (for example, and without limitation, not properly stored in the agreed-upon location). In this manner, the external prompts can assist a parent with implementing a child to use the method 100 in connection with the mat 10. It will be appreciated that one or more external prompts may be used in conjunction with the mat 10 and/or method 100, and that any type of external prompts may be used.

In the embodiments discussed herein, such a mat 10 and method 100 eliminate the need for timely clean up after performing activities on the floor. While various embodiments of the mat 10 and method 100 have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the disclosure. For example, method 100 is not just limited to children playing with toys on the floor. The method 100 may be used by adults and/or adolescents who prefer to work and/or study on the floor, or who simply desire to store items underneath a piece of furniture or in another disclosed location in an easily accessible manner. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. The scope of the disclosure is to be defined by the claims attached hereto and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, any future claims directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written and, as such, the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

It is therefore intended that this description and the attached claims encompasses all modifications and changes apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.