Roll-up mat

Abstract

A mat comprising an array of elongated buoyant elements enclosed in a casing or cover that may be waterproof or porous. The mat may be readily rolled into a cylindrical shape up for purposes of transportation and storage. A pillow may be removably encased in a pocket in the mat, and the pillow may be removable as desired. The pillow may be inflatable, whereby the user may select the extent of inflation (i.e., the hardness of the pillow) in order to provide a desired level of comfort.

1 . A roll-up mat comprising:
 a plurality of elongated, buoyant elements arrayed side-by-side,   a casing comprising a rectangular top layer having two long sides and two short sides, affixed at its outer edges to the corresponding outer edges of a rectangular bottom layer having two long sides and two short sides of length, said layers encasing the elongated, buoyant elements between them, the elements being spaced-apart and parallel to the short sides of the layers.   
     
     
         2 . The roll-up mat of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom layers are affixed to each other between each adjacent pair of foam rods. 
     
     
         3 . The roll-up mat of  claim 1 , wherein said casing further comprises a pillow and a pocket formed at one end of the roll-up mat between said layers for receipt of said pillow. 
     
     
         4 . The roll-up mat of  claim 2 , wherein said casing further comprises a pillow and a pocket formed at one end of the roll-up mat between said layers for receipt of said pillow. 
     
     
         5 . The roll-up mat of  claim 3 , wherein said pillow comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The roll-up mat of  claim 4 , wherein said pillow comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         7 . The roll-up mat of  claim 3 , wherein said pocket comprises a re-sealable opening that allow insertion and removal of the pillow into and out of the pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The roll-up mat of  claim 4 , wherein said pocket comprises a re-sealable opening to allow insertion and removal of the pillow into and out of the pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The roll-up mat of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of elongated ties attached at a short side of the casing whereby the mat may be secured in a rolled-up position along its length. 
     
     
         10 . The roll-up mat of  claim 2 , further comprising a u-shaped handle attached at a short side of the casing to facilitated transport of rolled up mat. 
     
     
         11 . The roll-up mat of  claim 1  wherein said elongated buoyant elements are comprised of closed cell EPE foam. 
     
     
         12 . The roll-up mat of  claim 2  wherein said elongated buoyant elements are comprised of closed cell EPE foam. 
     
     
         13 . The roll-up mat of  claim 11 , wherein said elongated buoyant elements have a hollow core. 
     
     
         14 . The roll-up mat of  claim 12 , wherein said elongated buoyant elements have a hollow core.