System and Method for a Ground Covering

Abstract

A ground covering comprised of a flexible material having at least one sleeve attached to the perimeter. A removable frame is placed within the sleeve and is comprised of a pole and a foam material covering at least a portion of the pole.

1 . A ground covering, comprising:
 a flexible material including a perimeter defining the shape of the flexible material;   a plurality of sleeves positioned along the perimeter, each of the plurality of sleeves having a first closed end, a second closed end, and an opening located at a midpoint along the length of the sleeve between the first closed end and the second closed end; and   a plurality of removable frames configured to fit into each of the plurality of sleeves;
 each removable frame comprising a pole, 
 each removable frame comprising a first segment and a second segment configured to fold at a folding point, the first segment configured to be inserted through the opening toward the first closed end and the second segment configured to be inserted through the opening toward a second closed end, wherein the opening overlaps the folding point when the removable frame is inserted into the sleeve, and 
 each removable frame configured to fold at each opening when positioned in each sleeve to enable folding of the flexible material at each opening and removal of the removable frame from each opening when the removable frame and the flexible material are folded. 
   
     
     
         2 . The ground covering of  claim 1 , wherein the pole includes at least a portion of its shaft covered with a foam material. 
     
     
         3 . The ground covering of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is one of rectangular and square and the perimeter includes four sides and four corners, wherein the plurality of sleeves includes four sleeves, each located along one of the four sides. 
     
     
         4 . The ground covering of  claim 3 , wherein the first closed end and second closed end of each sleeve are each positioned at one of the four corners of the perimeter. 
     
     
         5 . The ground covering of  claim 1 , wherein the removable frame includes a hinge at the folding point. 
     
     
         6 . The ground covering of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment are separate pieces coupled together at the folding point. 
     
     
         7 . The ground covering a  claim 6  and further comprising a connecting sleeve that removably couples together the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         8 . The ground covering of  claim 1 , wherein the removable frame includes an elastic cord running through the pole of the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         9 . The ground covering of  claim 1  and further comprising a closing mechanism configured to close the opening. 
     
     
         10 . A ground covering, comprising:
 a flexible material including a perimeter defining the shape of the flexible material;   a plurality of sleeves positioned along the perimeter, each of the plurality of sleeves having a first closed end, a second closed end, and an opening located at a midpoint along the length of the sleeve between the first closed end and the second closed end; and   a plurality of removable frames configured to fit into each of the plurality of sleeves;
 each removable frame comprising a pole, the pole having at least a portion of its shaft covered with a foam material, 
 each removable frame configured to fold at a folding point, a first end of the removable frame configured to be inserted through the opening toward the first closed end and a second end of the removable frame configured to be inserted through the opening toward a second closed end, wherein the opening overlaps the folding point when the removable frame is inserted into the sleeve, and 
 each removable frame configured to fold at each opening when positioned in each sleeve to enable folding of the flexible material at each opening and removal of the removable frame from each opening when the removable frame and the flexible material are folded. 
   
     
     
         11 . The ground covering of  claim 10  wherein each removable frame comprises two segments coupled together at the folding point. 
     
     
         12 . The ground covering of  claim 10  wherein each removable frame comprises a single segment configured to bend at the folding point. 
     
     
         13 . A ground covering, comprising:
 a flexible material including a perimeter defining the shape of the flexible material;   a plurality of sleeves positioned along the perimeter, each of the plurality of sleeves having a first closed end, a second closed end, and an opening located at a midpoint along the length of the sleeve between the first closed end and the second closed end;   a plurality of removable frames configured to fit into each of the plurality of sleeves and configured to fold at a folding point overlapping the opening of the sleeve when the removable frame is inserted into the sleeve; and   a carrying holder coupled to the flexible material, the carrying holder configured to enclose and hold the flexible material and the plurality of removable frames when the flexible material is folded, the carrying holder including a strap.   
     
     
         14 . The ground covering of  claim 14 , wherein
 the carrying holder includes a pouch, a flap, and a clip, wherein   the pouch is configured to receive the flexible material,   the flap is configured to enclose the flexible material within the pouch, and the clip is configured to secure the flap and the pouch around the flexible material.   
     
     
         15 . The ground covering of  claim 14 , wherein a length of the pouch and the flap is substantially equal to a length of one of the plurality of removable frames from a first end to the folding point. 
     
     
         16 . The ground covering of  claim 14 , wherein the clip includes a first clip coupled to the flap and a second clip coupled to one of the pouch, one of the plurality of sleeves, and the flexible material, wherein the first clip and the second clip are configured to be clipped together. 
     
     
         17 . The ground covering of  claim 14 , wherein the pouch is substantially half-cylindrical shaped and includes a top cover and a bottom cover. 
     
     
         18 . The ground covering of  claim 13 , wherein strap includes adjustable backpack straps. 
     
     
         19 . The ground covering of  claim 13 , wherein the carrying holder is the same material as the flexible material. 
     
     
         20 . The ground covering of  claim 13 , wherein the carrying holder is coupled to one of the sleeve and the perimeter.