Apparatus and method for securing a ground cover at an area

Abstract

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.

I claim: 
     
         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:
 (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;   
       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. 
     
     
         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.