Beach Mat with Integrated Headrest Pocket and Carrying Bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beach and pool accessories lack a convenient headrest option for users to elevate their heads while reclining, which can lead to discomfort during leisure activities.
Innovation Solution
A portable, lightweight combination beach mat and exercise mat carrying bag with a built-in headrest pocket that also serves as storage, optionally featuring a foam bolster for cushioning, and includes a cylindrical pocket with a movable closure panel, a carrying strap, and additional storage pockets for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a beach mat is used without a headrest, then the mat remains simple and lightweight, but user comfort is reduced due to inability to elevate head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beach mat and carrying bag into a single integrated unit. The bag structure is merged with the mat fabric, creating a unified device that provides both carrying functionality and headrest support without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrying bag is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries the exercise mat, provides headrest support when the mat is unrolled, and includes additional storage pockets for personal items. This multi-functionality addresses the comfort need without adding separate dedicated devices.
2Ease of operation
If a separate headrest is added to the beach mat, then user comfort is improved, but the overall device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest function is merged into the existing carrying bag structure. The bag's cylindrical cavity and closure panel are repurposed to provide headrest support, eliminating the need for a separate headrest component while maintaining the comfort function.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrying bag structure is designed to be universally functional - it serves as both a carrying container and a headrest support. This allows the same physical structure to fulfill multiple roles without requiring additional dedicated components for each function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the carrying bag is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but portability and ease of rolling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying bag is constructed from flexible fabric material rather than rigid structure. The fabric panels can be easily rolled and folded while the cylindrical cavity shape provides sufficient structural definition when needed. This flexibility enables easy portability while maintaining adequate shape stability for its functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag structure transitions between different states - when rolled it is compact and flexible for portability, when unrolled the cylindrical cavity maintains its shape for headrest support. The material and structure allow this dynamic transition between compact and functional states without requiring rigid components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides comfortable headrest support and storage for exercise mats, allowing users to easily transport and use the mat while maintaining a compact configuration, enhancing user comfort and convenience during beach or pool activities.
Implementation Method 1
a foam bolster may be inserted into the head rest pocket for providing the cushion for the head rest
Implementation Method 2
the pocket member may be shape retaining resilient such that the pocket member yields to deformation upon an application of force but returns to its cylindrical shape in the absence of the force
Data Source
AI summary
A combination beach mat and carrying bag comprising a cylindrical pocket member having a cylindrical cavity and closed and open ends and adapted to receive an exercise mat in a rolled configuration, the open end having a movable closure panel to enclose the cavity and a releasable fastener to enable the opening and closing of the closure member, an elongate fabric member having a first end connected to the pocket member along a longitudinal edge, wherein the fabric member may be rolled around the pocket member to provide a cylindrical compact configuration, a fastening means situated at the second end of the fabric member and on a corresponding portion of the bottom surface when in the compact configuration to releasably secure the second end to the bottom surface for maintaining the carrying bag in the compact configuration, and a carrying strap affixed to each end of the pocket member.