Self inflating folding camp mat

Abstract

A self-inflating camp mat having a fabric outer shell and panels of open cell foam wherein longitudinally spaced fold lines located between foam panels allows the mat to be deflated by folding said mat along said fold lines, expelling the interior air through a valve as the mat is folded.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-inflating camp mat, comprising:
 An upper layer;   A lower layer secured to said upper layer and defining a compartment;   At least one panel of open cell foam placed within said compartment;   Longitudinally spaced fold lines formed by said upper layer and said lower layer and located adjacent each of said at least one panel of open cell foam;   A valve in fluid communication with the interior of said compartment;   Wherein air passes through said valve into the compartment when the mat is in a first configuration and air passes through said valve out of the compartment when the mat is in a second configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first configuration is a flat, extended configuration and the second configuration is a folded configuration wherein said mat is folded along said longitudinally spaced fold lines. 
     
     
         3 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 2  further comprising at least one open channel running the length of the mat and across said panels of open cell foam. 
     
     
         4 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 2  wherein said upper layer and said lower layer are secured to said open cell foam. 
     
     
         5 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 3  or  claim 4  wherein the mat is folded in an accordion-style fashion in said second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 5  further comprising a securing mechanism for retaining the mat in the second configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The self-inflating cap mat of  claim 2  further comprising at least one lateral fold line and comprising a third configuration wherein said mat is folded along said at least one lateral fold line. 
     
     
         8 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 1  further comprising at least one lateral fold line and wherein the first configuration is a flat, extended configuration, the second configuration is a folded configuration wherein said mat is folded along said lateral fold line and further comprising a third configuration wherein said mat is folded along said longitudinally spaced fold lines. 
     
     
         9 . The self-inflating camp mat of  claim 8  further comprising securing mechanisms for securing the exterior lateral edges of said mat to each other while in the second configuration.