Flexible mat anchor and tether system and method

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar associated with a seat for an infant or toddler; affixing two portions of the flexible mat together; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block on the flexible mat. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may further include securing an object to the tether.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for occupying a toddler positioned in a seat having a corresponding crossbar, the method comprising:
 providing a flexible mat, the flexible mat having (i) a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; (ii) a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter and a suction cup; each anchor disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side;   wrapping the flexible mat around the crossbar with the back side adjacent a surface of the cross bar;   affixing at least two of the plurality of suction cups to each other;   providing an elongated tether, the elongated tether comprising an anchor end, the anchor end having an anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter, the elongated tether comprising a compressible material; and   coupling the elongated tether to one of the anchor blocks by disposing the anchor terminus through the aperture to form a compression fitting.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tether further comprises a retention end, the retention end comprising one or more retention apertures, each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter, the retention diameter being greater than the retention-aperture diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising coupling an object to the elongated tether by disposing the elongated tether around or through the object and disposing the retention terminus through one of the one or more retention apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the object comprises a pacifier, a toy, a stuffed animal or a marker. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbar comprises a shopping cart handle, a high chair safety bar, or a handle of an infant car seat or baby carrier. 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 providing a flexible mat, the flexible mat having (i) a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; (ii) a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup; each anchor disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side;   wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar associated with a seat for an infant or toddler, wherein the back side is adjacent a surface of the cross bar;   affixing at least one of the plurality of suction cups to the back side or to another suction cup;   providing a tether configured to secure an object; and   coupling the tether to one of the anchor blocks.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising securing an object to the tether. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the object comprises a pacifier, a toy, a stuffed animal or a marker. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising placing a toddler or infant in the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing the object to the toddler or infant to occupy him or her. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein wrapping the flexible mat comprises covering the surface, which surface would otherwise be contactable by the toddler or infant. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 providing a flexible mat, the flexible mat having (i) a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; (ii) a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture for receiving a tether, a suction cup, and a stem that connects the suction cup to the anchor block, wherein each anchor block is on the front side and each suction cup extends from the back side;   wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar, with the back side adjacent a surface of the crossbar; and   affixing at least one of the plurality of suction cups to the back side or to another one of the plurality of suction cups.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a tether that is configured to secure an object, and coupling the tether to one of the anchor blocks. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising securing an object to the tether. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the crossbar is associated with a seat for a toddler or infant, and the method further comprises placing a toddler or infant in the seat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the object comprises a pacifier, a toy, a stuffed animal or a marker; and providing the tether comprises providing a means to occupy the toddler or infant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein wrapping the flexible mat comprises covering the surface, which surface would otherwise be contactable by the toddler or infant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the crossbar comprises an appliance handle, a stroller component, a furniture component or a bathtub railing.