Convertible mat

Abstract

A convertible mat that can transition from a first use position to a second use position. The convertible mat has a housing a housing having a first section, a second section, and a hinge therebetween. The first section has a first cavity with a first opening opposite the hinge, and the second section has a second cavity with a second opening opposite the hinge. A first insert panel is inserted into the first cavity through the first opening, and a second insert panel is inserted into the second cavity through the second opening. Closure members are provided at each opening to retain the insert panels therein. A connector is used to removably secure the first section to the second section to form an acute angle therebetween in the second use position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible mat that can transition from a first use position to a second use position, comprising:
 a housing having a first section, a second section, and a hinge between the first and second sections, wherein the first section has a first cavity with a first opening opposite the hinge, and wherein the second section has a second cavity with a second opening opposite the hinge;   a first pair of insert panels that are inserted into the first cavity through the first opening;   a second pair of insert panels that are inserted into the second cavity through the second opening;   a pair of first supports that are provided adjacent opposing sides of the first pair of insert panels and within the first cavity;   a pair of second supports that are provided adjacent opposing sides of the second pair of insert panels and within the second cavity;   a first closure member at the first opening to close the first opening and retain the first pair of insert panels and the pair of first supports within the first cavity;   a second closure member at the second opening to close the second opening and retain the second pair of insert panels and the pair of second supports within the second cavity, wherein the convertible mat is in the first use position when the first section and the second section are generally planar;   a first connector extending from the first section adjacent the hinge; and,   a second connector extending from the second section adjacent the hinge, wherein the first connector mates with the second connector to removably secure the first connector to the second connector, wherein when the first connector is secured to the second connector the first section and the second section form an acute angle therebetween in the second use position.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible mat of  claim 1 , further comprising a side panel extending from opposing sides of the first section of the housing, and a side panel extending from opposing sides of the second section of the housing, wherein the side panels for doors when the convertible mat is in the second use position. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second supports each comprise a plurality of elongated members and a connector. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second sections can be folded in half for storage purposes. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and the second sections have a window that can be opened and closed. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second closure members comprise mating Velcro extensions at the end of the first and second sections, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . A convertible mat that can transition from a first use position to a second use position, comprising:
 a housing having a first section, a second section, and a hinge between the first and second sections, wherein the first section has a first cavity with a first opening opposite the hinge, and wherein the second section has a second cavity with a second opening opposite the hinge;   a first insert panel inserted into the first cavity through the first opening;   a second insert panel inserted into the second cavity through the second opening;   a first support adjacent the first insert panel and within the first cavity;   a second support adjacent the second insert panel and within the second cavity;   a first closure member at the first opening to close the first opening and retain the first insert panel within the first cavity;   a second closure member at the second opening to close the second opening and retain the second insert panel within the second cavity, wherein the convertible mat is in the first use position when the first section and the second section are generally planar;   a first connector extending from the first section adjacent the hinge; and,   a second connector extending from the second section adjacent the hinge, wherein the first connector mates with the second connector to removably secure the first connector to the second connector, wherein when the first connector is secured to the second connector the first section and the second section form an acute angle therebetween in the second use position.   
     
     
         8 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein the first insert panel comprises a first pair of insert panels, and wherein the second insert panel comprises a second pair of insert panels. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein the first support comprises a pair of first supports, and wherein the second support comprises a pair of second supports. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , further comprising a side panel extending from opposing sides of the first section of the housing, and a side panel extending from opposing sides of the second section of the housing, wherein the side panels for doors when the convertible mat is in the second use position. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second supports each comprise a plurality of elongated members and a connector. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second sections can be folded in half for storage purposes. 
     
     
         13 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and the second sections have a window that can be opened and closed. 
     
     
         14 . The convertible mat of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second closure members comprise mating Velcro extensions at the end of the first and second sections, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . A convertible mat that can transition from a first use position to a second use position, comprising:
 a housing having a first section, a second section, and a hinge between the first and second sections, wherein the first section has a first cavity with a first opening opposite the hinge, and wherein the second section has a second cavity with a second opening opposite the hinge;   a first insert panel inserted into the first cavity through the first opening;   a second insert panel inserted into the second cavity through the second opening;   a first closure member at the first opening to close the first opening and retain the first insert panel within the first cavity;   a second closure member at the second opening to close the second opening and retain the second insert panel within the second cavity, wherein the convertible mat is in the first use position when the first section and the second section are generally planar;   a first connector extending from the first section adjacent the hinge; and,   a second connector extending from the second section adjacent the hinge, wherein the first connector mates with the second connector to removably secure the first connector to the second connector, wherein when the first connector is secured to the second connector the first section and the second section form an acute angle therebetween in the second use position.   
     
     
         16 . The convertible mat of  claim 15 , further comprising a first support adjacent the first insert panel and within the first cavity, and a second support adjacent the second insert panel and within the second cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The convertible mat of  claim 15 , further comprising a side panel extending from opposing sides of the first section of the housing, and a side panel extending from opposing sides of the second section of the housing, wherein the side panels for doors when the convertible mat is in the second use position. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible mat of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and the second sections have a window that can be opened and closed. 
     
     
         19 . The convertible mat of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second supports each comprise a plurality of elongated members and a connector. 
     
     
         20 . The convertible mat of  claim 15 , wherein the first insert panel comprises a first pair of insert panels, and wherein the second insert panel comprises a second pair of insert panels.