Device with roll mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device that is comprised of a flexible material and a roll mechanism associated with the flexible material. A bistable resilient member maintains the flexible material flat due to a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member in a first stable state, and maintains the flexible material to a rolled-up, bundled closed position after the tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is fully released (the second stable state). Further, the bistable resilient member compels the flexible material to a self-roll-up motion (during a transition state) while a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is released.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a flexible material; and   a roll mechanism associated with a body of the flexible material;   the roll mechanism is comprised of:   a single bistable resilient member having a length that is oriented substantially parallel along a desired rolling direction of the flexible material, substantially perpendicular to a desired roll axis of the flexible material;   a single rigid element associated with a distal end of the bistable resilient member;   the rigid element having a length that is oriented substantially perpendicular the desired rolling direction of the flexible material, substantially parallel to the desired roll axis of the flexible material;   the rigid element facilitates application of force to the bistable resilient member to initiate one of a transition state and stable states of the resilient bistable member.   
     
     
         2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bistable resilient member has a first stable state, a second stable state, and the transition state;   the first stable state of the bistable resilient member is a straightened out state, creating tension within the bistable resilient member; and   the second stable state of the bistable resilient member is a curved, rolled-up state;   the bistable resilient member transitions from one of the first and second stable states to another of the second and first stable states by the application of force that initiates the transition state of the bistable resilient member from one of the first and second stable states to another of the second and first states.   
     
     
         3 . The device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the flexible material is maintained in a flat, straightened, and open position by the bistable resilient member when the bistable resilient member is in the first stable state;   the flexible material is maintained in a rolled-up, bundled closed position by the bistable resilient member when the bistable resilient member is in the second stable state; and   the flexible material is compelled to roll-out to a flat, straightened open position or roll-up to a bundled closed position by the bistable resilient member when the bistable resilient member is in the transition state.   
     
     
         4 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bistable resilient member is accommodated within a body of the flexible material.   
     
     
         5 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rigid element is accommodated within the body of the flexible material.   
     
     
         6 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bistable resilient member is covered by a coating.   
     
     
         7 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible material is a mat.   
     
     
         8 . A method for rolling-out and rolling-up a flexible material, comprising:
 associating a bistable resilient member with the flexible material, with a length of the bistable resilient member oriented substantially parallel along a desired rolling direction of the flexible material and substantially perpendicular to a desired roll axis of the flexible material;   associating a single rigid element with the flexible material and a distal end of the bistable resilient member;   orienting a length of the rigid element substantially perpendicular the desired rolling direction of the flexible material and substantially parallel to the desired roll axis of the flexible material;   with the rigid element facilitating application of force to the bistable resilient member to initiate one of a transition state and stable states of resilient member.