Multipurpose storage device and method

Abstract

A convertible device that converts between an activity mat and a storage container to capture and store numerous articles. Upon reclosing the activity mat, the articles are recaptured into the storage container. The device includes walls and a base, webbing connected between each adjacent wall pair, and a joint connected between the base and walls so that they are foldable into a third configuration wherein the footprint of the folded device is roughly the size of the base. In the third configuration, the walls are stacked relative to the base. The convertible device may further include attachment means for releasably holding the walls in a rigid and upright position in the first configuration. The webbing can be inwardly biased such that when the walls are urged from the second to the first configuration, the webbing folds toward the interior of the convertible device.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
   
   
       46 . A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:
 first and second wall sides and first and second wall ends, wherein each of said first and second wall sides and said first and second wall ends is adjacent to a base portion, wherein said base portion lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;   a plurality of webbings, wherein a first of said webbings is adjacent to said first wall side and said first wall end such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said first wall side and said first wall end in said second configuration, said first wall side and said first wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in said first configuration,   wherein a second of said webbings is adjacent to said second wall side and said second wall end such that said second webbing forms a continuous surface with said second wall side and said second wall end in said second configuration, said second wall side and said second wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in said first configuration, and   wherein said first webbing and said second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device in said first configuration such that when said wall sides and said wall ends are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said first and second webbings fold toward said interior of said convertible device;   a first attachment strap for releasably holding said first wall side and said first wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said first attachment strap fixed to said first wall end at a first fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a first detachable mounting on said first wall side via a first hook-and-loop fastener; and   a second attachment strap for releasably holding said second wall side and said second wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said second attachment strap fixed to said second wall end at a second fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a second detachable mounting on said second wall side via a second hook-and-loop fastener,   wherein when said first and second attachment straps are released from said respective first and second detachable mountings, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration.   
   
   
       47 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , wherein said first and said second attachment straps each includes a corresponding attachment pad having a hook portion of said corresponding first and second hook-and-loop fasteners, and wherein said first and second detachable mountings each includes a corresponding loop portion of said corresponding first and second hook-and-loop fasteners such that when said convertible device is in said second configuration, each of said corresponding loop portions faces the surface against which said convertible device is positioned, and wherein each of said corresponding hook portions faces said corresponding first or second webbings in said second configuration. 
   
   
       48 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , wherein said first and second attachment straps are positioned proximate a top portion of said corresponding wall sides and said corresponding wall ends distal from said base portion. 
   
   
       49 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , wherein said first wall end includes an opening forming a handle for grasping the convertible device in said first configuration. 
   
   
       50 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , wherein said first wall side or said second wall side includes a pocket facing said interior of said convertible device. 
   
   
       51 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , wherein said plurality of webbings includes a third webbing positioned adjacent to said first wall side and said second wall end to form a continuous surface therewith in said second configuration, said first wall side and said second wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in said first configuration,
 wherein said plurality of webbings further includes a fourth webbing positioned adjacent to said second wall side and said first wall end to form a continuous surface therewith in said second configuration, said second wall side and said first wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in said first configuration, and   wherein said third webbing and said fourth webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device in said first configuration such that when said wall sides and said wall ends are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said third and fourth webbings fold toward said interior of said convertible device.   
   
   
       52 . The convertible device of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 a third attachment strap for releasably holding said first wall side and said second wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said third attachment strap fixed to said second wall end at a third fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a third detachable mounting on said first wall side via a third hook-and-loop fastener; and   a fourth attachment strap for releasably holding said second wall side and said first wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said fourth attachment strap fixed to said first wall end at a fourth fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a fourth detachable mounting on said second wall side via a fourth hook-and-loop fastener,   wherein when said third and fourth attachment straps are released from said respective detachable mountings, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration.   
   
   
       53 . The convertible device of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 a third attachment strap for releasably holding said first wall side and said second wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said third attachment strap fixed to said second wall end at a third fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a third detachable mounting on said first wall side via a third hook-and-loop fastener; and   a fourth attachment strap for releasably holding said second wall side and said first wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, said fourth attachment strap fixed to said first wall end at a fourth fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a fourth detachable mounting on said second wall side via a fourth hook-and-loop fastener,   wherein when said third and fourth attachment straps are released from said respective detachable mountings, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration.   
   
   
       54 . A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:
 four walls each adjacent to a base portion, which lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;   a plurality of webbings, each between adjacent ones of said four walls such that in said second configuration, said webbings and said four walls form a continuous surface, and wherein said webbings are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device in said first configuration such that when said walls move from said second configuration to said first configuration, said webbings fold toward said interior of said convertible device; and   a plurality of attachment hook-and-loop fasteners for releasably holding adjacent ones of said walls in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, wherein said hook-and-loop fasteners are released from said corresponding walls to convert said convertible device from said first configuration to said second configuration.   
   
   
       55 . The convertible device of  claim 54 , wherein said hook-and-loop fasteners include corresponding hook portions that face away from the surface against which the convertible device is positioned in said second configuration.