Self-storing Beach Blanket

Abstract

A self-storing beach blanket is formed of flexible material and has an outer surface and an inner surface. A retaining sleeve is centrally located upon the outer surface and forms a continuous loop with an opening at either of an inner edge or an outer edge. A drawstring is is formed as a loop and located within the sleeve. A portion of the drawstring extends outwardly from the opening. A central aperture is sized and shaped to permit introduction of a beach umbrella shaft. A drawstring locking mechanism has a sliding mode and a locking mode and is sized and shaped to prevent entry of the mechanism into the opening in the retaining sleeve. The drawstring is pulled through the mechanism when the mechanism is in the sliding mode and prevented from entering the opening when in the locking mode, thereby controlling a length of the drawstring within the sleeve.

1 . A self-storing beach blanket comprising:
 a blanket portion, said blanket portion being formed of flexible material and having an outer surface and an inner surface;   a retaining sleeve, said sleeve being centrally disposed upon said outer surface and forming a continuous loop, said loop having an opening at either of an inner edge and an outer edge; and   a drawstring, said drawstring being formed as a loop and disposed within said sleeve, a portion of said drawstring extending outwardly from said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a central aperture, said aperture being sized and shaped to permit introduction of a beach umbrella shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a drawstring locking mechanism, said mechanism having a sliding mode and a locking mode and being sized and shaped to prevent entry of said mechanism into said opening in said retaining sleeve, wherein said drawstring is pulled through said mechanism when in said sliding mode and prevented from entering said opening when in said locking mode, thereby controlling a length of said drawstring within the retaining sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 3 , wherein said mechanism comprises a spring-loaded cylinder having a transverse aperture, said transverse aperture being sized and shaped to fit slidably about said loop of said drawstring, said mechanism having a cinching portion with a matching transverse aperture, said cinching portion adapted to slide within said cylinder and secure said cylinder to said drawstring through action of a spring urging said cinching portion outwardly from said cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining sleeve is formed as part of a reinforcing panel centrally disposed upon said blanket portion. 
     
     
         6 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 1 , wherein said blanket portion is circular. 
     
     
         7 . The self-storing beach blanket, as described in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said blanket portion and reinforcing panel is formed of moisture resistant material. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using self-storing beach blanket comprising the steps of:
 providing beach blanket comprising:
 a blanket portion, said blanket portion being formed of flexible material and having an outer surface and an inner surface; 
 a retaining sleeve, said sleeve being centrally disposed upon said outer surface and forming a continuous loop, said loop having an opening at either of an inner edge and an outer edge; 
 a drawstring, said drawstring being formed as a loop and disposed within said sleeve, a portion of said drawstring extending outwardly from said opening; and 
 a drawstring locking mechanism, said mechanism having a sliding mode and a locking mode and being sized and shaped to prevent entry of said mechanism into said opening in said retaining sleeve; 
   moving said locking mechanism to said sliding mode, thereby releasing said drawstring;   stretching said blanket portion away from said retaining sleeve and extending said blanket portion to its full extent, whereby said blanket portion is usable as a beach blanket;   moving said locking mechanism to said locking mode; and subsequently   inverting said beach blanket to remove sand and debris;   gathering said blanket portion within an inner perimeter of said retaining sleeve;   moving said locking mechanism to said sliding mode;   pulling said drawstring to tighten said retaining sleeve around said blanket portion;   moving said locking mechanism to said locking mode, thereby forming a compact bundle for transporting and storage of said beach blanket.