Foldable Mat

Abstract

A foldable mat includes a mat including a padded material and a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality of sections having substantially similar dimensions such that the plurality of sections fold together. The foldable mat also includes a rigid material disposed within at least one section of the plurality of sections of the mat and a restraining mechanism arranged to restrain a person on the mat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable mat, comprising:
 a mat comprising a padded material and a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality of sections having substantially similar dimensions such that the plurality of sections fold together;   a rigid material disposed within at least one section of the plurality of sections of the mat; and   a restraining mechanism arranged to restrain a person on the mat.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid material comprises plastic having a shape corresponding to a shape of the at least one section it is disposed within. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises at least three sections, such that at least one middle section is attached to two other sections, wherein the rigid material is disposed within the at least one middle section, and wherein the two other sections are flexible. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable mat of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises four sections, including two middle sections, and wherein the rigid material is disposed within one middle section of the two middle sections. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps arranged such that, when the person is secured on the pad with the plurality of straps, the person's shoulders are on top of the rigid material. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable mat of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of straps comprises at least two straps, and wherein the at least two straps extend substantially perpendicularly from the at least one section comprising the rigid material. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps including at least one strap arranged to be secured over the person's chest and at least one strap arranged to be secured over the person's shoulders. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps including at least one fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable mat of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one fastening mechanism comprises Velcro®. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , further comprising a plush toy attached to at least one strap of the plurality of straps. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable mat of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the changing pad comprises a non-slip surface. 
     
     
         12 . A foldable mat, comprising:
 a mat comprising a width, a front side, a back side, and a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality of sections having a width corresponding to the width of the mat;   a padded material disposed between the front side and the back side of the mat;   a rigid material disposed within at least one section of the plurality of sections; and   a restraining mechanism arranged to restrain a person on the mat.   
     
     
         13 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the rigid material comprises plastic having a shape corresponding to a shape of the at least one section it is disposed within. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises at least three sections, such that at least one middle section is attached to two other sections, and wherein the rigid material is disposed within the at least one middle section. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable mat of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sections comprises four sections, including two middle sections, and wherein the rigid material is disposed within one middle section of the two middle sections. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps arranged such that, when the person is secured on the pad with the plurality of straps, the person's shoulders are on top of the rigid material. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable mat of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of straps comprises at least two straps, and wherein the at least two straps extend substantially perpendicularly from the at least one section comprising the rigid material. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the padded material comprises a plurality of portions of padded material, and wherein each portion of padded material is disposed within a section of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a plurality of straps including at least one strap arranged to be secured over the person's chest and at least one strap arranged to be secured over the person's shoulders. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable mat of  claim 12 , wherein the back side of the mat comprises a non-slip material.