U.S. patent application number 11/438702 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for entertainment device with soft goods play implements and housing.
Invention is credited to Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese, Kenneth P. Morton.
Application Number | 20070155279 11/438702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38227654 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070155279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mastrosimone-Gese; Mary G. ;
et al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Entertainment device with soft goods play implements and
housing
Abstract
A reconfigurable entertainment device is disclosed, wherein the
device includes a housing having an opening leading to a play
implement receiving region. The entertainment device also includes
at least one play implement for being retrieved from the play
implement receiving region through the opening. The housing also
includes an attachment member used to selectively secure the device
to a child receiving device such a crib, stroller, car seat, swing,
bassinet, bouncer, etc. The entertainment device of the present
invention is configurable in at least first and second modes of
use. In a first mode of use, the attachment member is used to
connect the housing to a child receiving device such that the
opening of the housing, and thus the play implements, are exposed
to a child in the child receiving device. In a second mode of use,
the entertainment device is supported in a freestanding manner by a
supporting surface (e.g., a floor, blanket, mattress, play-mat,
etc.). A child on the supporting surface within reach of the
entertainment device can reach through the opening of the housing
and retrieve play implements from the play implement receiving
region. The child can then enjoy interacting with the housing or
the play implements during floor play.
Inventors: |
Mastrosimone-Gese; Mary G.;
(East Aurora, NY) ; Morton; Kenneth P.; (East
Aurora, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDELL, SHAPIRO & FINNAN, LLC
1901 RESEARCH BOULEVARD
SUITE 400
ROCKVILLE
MD
20850
US
|
Family ID: |
38227654 |
Appl. No.: |
11/438702 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60754278 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/006 20130101;
A63H 33/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/227 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1. An entertainment device comprising: a housing, said housing
including a play implement receiving region and an attachment
mechanism, said housing formed at least partially from a soft goods
material; and at least one play implement, said at least one play
implement operable to be removeably received in said play implement
receiving region of said housing, said at least one play implement
formed at least partially from a soft goods material, wherein said
attachment mechanism is operable to attach said housing to a child
receiving device.
2. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said housing is
freestanding and is operable to sit on a supporting surface and
receive said at least one play implement to provide for a
floor-play mode of use.
3. The entertainment device of claim 2, wherein said attachment
mechanism of said housing comprises at least one flexible member
attached to said housing for securing said housing to said child
receiving device.
4. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said child
receiving device is a crib, said crib including crib rails, and
said attachment mechanism is operable to attach said housing to
said crib rails.
5. The entertainment device of claim 3, wherein said at least one
flexible member further comprises first and second straps, wherein
said first strap includes a first fastener and said second strap
includes a second fastener, wherein said first fastener and said
second fastener are attachable to each other to attach said housing
to said child receiving device.
6. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said at least one
play implement is in the form of a volumetric geometric shape.
7. The entertainment device of claim 6, wherein said at least one
play implement comprises a plurality of play implements.
8. The entertainment device of claim 6, wherein said volumetric
geometric shape is one of the group comprising a square, a
triangle, a circle, and a rectangle.
9. The entertainment device of claim 7, wherein said play implement
receiving region of said housing is complementarily shaped to
receive said plurality of play implements.
10. The entertainment device of claim 7, wherein at least one of
said plurality of play implements is a cube with six sides and
wherein each of said sides includes one of a visual indicia and a
tactile stimulating region.
11. The entertainment device of claim 10, wherein at least one of
said plurality of play implements includes a sound generating
device housed therein to generate audible output.
12. The entertainment device of claim 10, wherein one of said six
sides is formed from a contoured fabric pattern to provide said
tactile stimulating region.
13. The entertainment device of claim 7, wherein at least one of
said plurality of play implements includes a vibration producing
mechanism.
14. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said housing
further includes at least one of a visual indicia and a tactile
stimulating region.
15. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein said housing
includes a stiffener member to provide structural rigidity to said
housing.
16. The entertainment device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of
play implements are configured to be stacked.
17. A method of using an entertainment device in a child receiving
device mode and a floor-play mode, said method comprising the steps
of: providing a housing including a play implement receiving region
and an attachment mechanism, the housing formed at least partially
from a soft goods material; providing at least one play implement,
the at least one play implement operable to be removeably received
in the play implement receiving region of said housing, the at
least one play implement formed at least partially from a soft
goods material; utilizing the attachment mechanism to attach said
housing and said at least one play implement received in said play
implement receiving region to a child receiving device; removing
the housing from the child receiving device; and placing the
housing and the at least one play implement received in the play
implement receiving region in a freestanding position on a
supporting surface for a floor-play mode of use.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one play implement
is a cube with six sides.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the child receiving device is a
crib, the crib including crib rails, and the step of utilizing the
attachment mechanism to attach said housing and the at least one
play implement received in the play implement receiving region to a
child receiving device includes the further step of utilizing the
attachment mechanism to attach the housing to the crib rails.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one play implement
comprises a plurality of play implements, the plurality of play
implements being configured to be stacked, the method further
comprising the step of removing the plurality of play implements
from the play implement receiving region of the housing and
stacking the plurality of play implements on each other.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/754,278, filed
Dec. 29, 2005, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a reconfigurable
entertainment device and, more particularly, to a set of play
implements and a housing for storing the play implements, where the
housing and the play implement are each made at least partially of
a soft goods material. The housing further includes at least one
flexible member attached thereto for selectively securing the
housing to a child receiving device such as a crib, stroller, car
seat, swing, bassinet, bouncer, etc. In a first mode of use, the
entertainment device of the present invention is configurable such
that the at least one flexible member is secured to the child
receiving device to provide a first play mode wherein a child in
the child receiving device may retrieve play implements from or
insert play implements into the housing within the child receiving
device. In a second mode of use, the entertainment device of the
present invention is configurable such that the housing is
freestanding on a support surface such as a floor, blanket, or
mattress, such that a child sitting on the floor may retrieve play
implements from or insert play implements into the housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Young children enjoy grasping, manipulating and stacking
play implements as well as placing play implements into identified
target areas such as holes, receptacles, or other open receiving
areas. Children develop and become more mobile as they explore
crawling, walking and other motor skills. At each stage of
development, a child becomes more agile and capable than in earlier
stages of development. Parents obviously want to encourage
exploration at each developmental stage in order to accelerate the
child's passage to the next developmental stage. To this end,
reconfigurable entertainment devices offer parents an opportunity
to encourage exploration at various developmental levels.
Reconfigurable entertainment devices can provide skill
level-appropriate stimulation at one developmental stage and can
then be reconfigured to provide skill level-appropriate stimulation
at a more advanced skill level/developmental stage.
[0004] In the present case, a reconfigurable children's soft goods
block set and soft goods holder/housing is disclosed. The
entertainment device of the present invention can be reconfigured
into multiple configurations to stimulate children of different
distinct skill and developmental levels. The entertainment device
includes graspable, stackable soft goods play implements and a soft
goods housing for removably receiving the implements therein. A
child using the entertainment device of the present invention can
grasp the soft goods play implement for stacking, throwing,
inserting into or removing from the housing or just for play and
exploration with an individual soft goods play implement. Each soft
goods play implement has a volumetric geometric shape (e.g., a
cube, a sphere, etc.). When the soft goods play implement is formed
in the shape of a six-sided cube, each side has thereon at least
one of a visual indicia and a tactile stimulation region. The soft
goods play implements may also include an internal sensory
stimulation (e.g., a sound generator or a vibration producing
mechanism) device to generate sensory stimulating output.
[0005] The entertainment device according to the present invention
facilitates two modes of activity or use for children at different
developmental levels. In the first mode of use, a flexible member,
connected to the housing of the entertainment device, is attached
to a child receiving device such as the rails of a crib to secure
the housing thereto. The attached entertainment device including
its housing and soft goods play implements are thus made accessible
(even to infants) by placing the housing and soft goods play
implements within reach of the lower portion of the crib. In the
early stages of development an infant may lie in the crib and still
be able to access the housing and soft goods play implements. As
the child develops past infancy, his/her range of motion is
expanded and the child is able to explore past the confines of a
crib, the flexible member of the housing can be detached from the
crib rails and the housing can removed from the crib and placed on
a flat supporting surface (e.g., floor, blanket, mattress,
play-mat, etc). As a result, a child that has advanced to the
toddler stage can sit up on the supporting surface and access the
soft goods housing and soft goods play implements housed therein.
In both modes of use, the soft goods play implements of the
entertainment device feature numerous sensory stimulating rewards
including visual, audible, and tactile stimulation.
[0006] As referenced above, the entertainment device of the present
invention also provides sensory-stimulating rewards for a child.
Each soft goods play implement and the soft goods housing may
include a sensory-stimulating device(s) housed internally for
creating sensory-stimulating output. Various sensory-stimulating
devices may be utilized (e.g., bell devices, rattle devices,
crinkle material, soft or rough textured material, vibration
generation devices, etc.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Generally, the entertainment device of the present invention
comprises a reconfigurable children's entertainment device
comprising a set of soft goods play implements and a soft housing
for removably receiving the play implements. As referenced above,
the housing and the play implements are each composed at least
partially of soft goods materials.
[0008] The housing of the entertainment device of the present
invention forms an enclosure with an opening on one side for
removably receiving the soft goods play implements. The housing
also includes a fastener attached to the housing. The fastener may
comprise a flexible member that is composed of first and second
straps that are used to connect the housing to various child
receiving devices. The ends of each of the first and second straps
may include one of a hook or loop fastener with the other end
including the corresponding other one of the hook or loop
fasteners. Accordingly, the first and second straps of the flexible
member can then be wrapped around a portion of the child receiving
device (e.g., crib rails) and the hook and loop fasteners secured
together to fasten the housing to the child receiving device. The
housing of the entertainment device of the present invention may
also include visual and tactile stimulating features on its exposed
surfaces.
[0009] The entertainment device of the present invention may also
include at least one soft goods play implement and preferably
includes a set of soft goods play implements. Each soft goods play
implement may be formed to be graspable by a child and may be
formed in one of a number of volumetric geometric shapes (e.g.,
spherical, triangular, rectangular, conical, pyramidal, cubic,
etc.). The shapes of the soft goods play implements are obviously
not limited to the foregoing list of volumetric geometric shapes
and thus, they may be formed in any shape. When the chosen
volumetric geometric shape is cubical, the play implement has six
sides and fits by itself or with other play implements into the
play implement receiving region through the opening of the housing.
The opening and the play implement receiving region of the housing
is complementarily shaped with respect to the soft goods play
implements. Furthermore, each soft goods play implement, presents a
child with numerous sensory stimulating opportunities. For example,
each side of a particular soft goods play implement may include at
least one of a visual indicia and a tactile stimulating region.
Tactile stimulating regions may include at least contoured fabric
patterns and extended projecting streamers or tassels. The soft
goods play implements of the present invention may also include
internally embedded sound generating devices. Such embedded sound
generating devices may include bell devices and/or rattle devices.
The soft goods play implements of the present invention may also
include vibration generation devices that are embedded within the
internal volume of the play implement.
[0010] The entertainment device of the present invention may be
employed for use in at least two distinct modes. In a first mode of
use, first and second straps of the flexible member are wrapped
around a portion of a child receiving device to attach the housing
of the entertainment device to a portion of the child receiving
device. The child may then be placed in the child receiving device
within reach of the entertainment device so that the child can
grasp the housing or one of the soft goods play implements. The
child can then either remove or return the play implement(s) to the
play implement receiving region of the housing or, alternatively,
play with the play implement(s) independently of the housing. In a
second mode of use, generally employed when the child is older and
can sit up, the housing of the entertainment device can be detached
from the child receiving device and placed on a supporting surface
with the opening of the housing, and thus the soft goods play
implements contained therein, exposed to the child. The child can
either remove or return the play implement(s) to the play implement
receiving region of the now freestanding housing or, alternatively,
play with the play implement(s) independently of the housing, all
the while enjoying the various stimulations provided by the
entertainment device (e.g., tactile, sound or vibration
stimulation).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface and
including a housing with an opening and two cubical soft goods play
implements received in the play implement receiving region while a
third soft goods play implement lies outside of the housing on the
supporting surface.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface and
showing all three cubic play implements also sitting on the
supporting surface in a partially stacked formation.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface and
showing all three cubic play implements received in the play
implement receiving of the housing.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an isolated perspective view of the
housing of the entertainment device of the present invention
sitting on its side on a supporting surface to expose the housing's
opening and play implement receiving region.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a corner
of the opening of the housing of the entertainment device of the
present invention showing a cut-away of a sleeve that surrounds the
perimeter of the housing's opening to reveal a stiffener for
strengthening the housing's structure.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an outer side of
the housing of the entertainment device of the present invention
showing a sewn seam extending from a bottom corner to a top corner
of the housing.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a bottom
corner of the housing of the entertainment device of the present
invention formed by three converging seams that help stiffen the
housing structure.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates an end perspective view of an outer side
of the housing of the entertainment device of the present invention
with the top fabric layer cut-away to expose a padded soft goods
under-layer.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up, end perspective view of an
outer side of the housing of the entertainment device of the
present invention of FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of the rear outer side
wall of the housing of the entertainment device of the present
invention showing the flexible fastening member.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the flexible
fastening member of FIG. 10, including the first and second straps
being connected together at their ends by mating fastener
elements.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a close-up perspective view of three
sides of a first cubic soft goods play implement of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the first cubic play implement of FIG. 12.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the first cubic play implement of FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a close-up perspective view of three
sides of a second cubic soft goods play implement of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the second cubic play implement of FIG. 15.
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the second cubic play implement of FIG. 15.
[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the use of a pull
cord that is connected to a vibration mechanism located internally
in the second cubic play implement of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 19 illustrates a close-up perspective view of three
sides of a third cubic soft goods play implement of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the third cubic soft goods play implement of FIG. 19.
[0031] FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the third cubic soft goods play implement of FIG. 19.
[0032] FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device of the present invention in a first use mode entertaining an
infant in a child receiving device, with the entertainment device
placed within reach of the infant.
[0033] FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device of the present invention in a second use mode sitting on a
supporting surface and entertaining a toddler old enough to sit up
on the supporting surface and interact with the housing and play
implements.
[0034] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like
elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, an activity
entertainment device is disclosed. The entertainment device is a
reconfigurable to allow for at least two distinct modes of
activity. In a first mode of use, the entertainment device is
connected to a child receiving device such as a crib, stroller, car
seat, swing, bassinet, bouncer, etc., to entertain an infant. When
the infant is placed in the child receiving device with reach of
the entertainment device, it may lie in the child receiving device
and interact with the housing or the soft goods play implements. In
a second mode of use, the entertainment device may be freestanding
on a supporting surface (e.g., floor, blanket, mattress, play-mat,
etc) so that a toddler may sit on the supporting surface and
interact with the entertainment device. Play will generally include
exploring the attractive visual, tactile, and other sensory
stimulating features of the housing and play implements (e.g.,
touching the attractive features of the housing, removing play
implements from and returning play implements to the implement
receiving region of the housing and manipulating and stacking the
play implements).
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface
110 and including a housing 120 with an opening 130 and two cubical
soft goods play implements 140B and 140C received therein while a
third cubical soft goods play implement 140A lies outside of the
housing 120 on the supporting surface 110. A child within reach of
the entertainment device 100 is attracted thereto by the many
sensory stimulating features associated with the housing 120 and
the play implements 140A-C. A child can then reach for and grasp
one of the play implements 140A-C from the play implement receiving
region 150 through the opening 130 of the housing 120 for
inspection and exploration of the play implement 140A-C. As the
housing 120 also boasts a number of sensory stimulating features, a
child may also choose to explore and play with the housing 120 by
itself.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface
110. As illustrated, the three cubic play implements 140A-C are
also sitting on the supporting surface 110, but in a partially
stacked formation. Children that are old enough to sit up and
retrieve a play implement 140A-C from the housing 120 will enjoy
manipulating the play implements 140A-C individually as well as
together. The stacking of the soft goods play implements 140A-C is
one of a child's favorite activities. The entertainment device 100
of the present invention allows children to stack the play
implements 140A-C in a number of various configurations.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention sitting on a supporting surface
110 and shows the three cubic play implements 140A-C received in
the play implement receiving region 150 through the opening 130 of
the housing 120. Children enjoy replacing the play implements
140A-C into the opening 130 of the housing 120 as much as
retrieving them from the housing 120. Therefore, after the play
implements 140A-C are removed from the housing 120, children can be
challenged to place the play implements 140A-C back into the play
implement receiving region 150 (through the opening 130) of the
housing 120. Obviously, the last play implement 140A (best seen in
FIG. 1) to be replaced will challenge the child to correctly orient
the play implement 140A before it can be successfully inserted into
the play implement receiving region 150 via the opening 130 of the
housing 120.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates an isolated perspective view of the
housing 120 of the entertainment device 100 of the present
invention sitting on its side on a supporting surface 110 to expose
the housing's opening 130 and play implement receiving region 150.
As illustrated, the housing 120 can be formed as a rectangular
shaped volume of four side walls 431, 432, 433, and 434 and a
bottom or rear wall 435. The opening 130 is located to expose the
play implement receiving region 150 which is defined by the side
walls 431, 432, 433, and 434 and the bottom/rear wall 435. The
housing 120 is made at least partially from a soft goods material
to give the housing 120 a soft touch to a child. Also constructed
at least partially from soft goods material are two animal
characters 410 and 420 sewn to the periphery of the housing 120.
The two animal characters (best seen in FIG. 4) may be stylized as
a butterfly 410 and a worm 420. Both characters 410 and 420, in
addition to their colorful presentation, are arranged on the
housing 120 so as to project past the boundaries of the housing 120
to stand out and attract a child to them. The housing 120 also
includes a rim 450 around the perimeter of the opening 130 of the
housing 120 to define the access area for retrieving and replacing
the play implements 140A-C into the play implement receiving region
150.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a corner
of the opening 130 of the housing 120 of the entertainment device
100 of the present invention showing a cut-away of a sleeve that
surrounds the rim 450 around the perimeter of the opening 130.
Specifically, the rim 450 (described in FIG. 4) is composed of the
sleeve 510 which encases the stiffener 520. The sleeve 510 is in
turn sewn to the tops of walls 431, 432, 433 and 434. As a result,
the stiffener 520, which may be formed from a variety of materials
including plastic or a stiffer fabric, increases the structural
integrity of the rim 450 which defines the opening 130 of the
housing 120. This increased structural rigidity allows the housing
120 to maintain its rectangular shape.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an outer side of
the housing 120 of the entertainment device 100 of the present
invention. This figure shows a sewn seam 610 extending from a
bottom corner 620 to a top corner 630 of the housing 120. The side
walls 431, 432, 433, and 434 and bottom wall 435 of the housing 120
are held together by a number of seams such as seam 610. As
illustrated, the sewing together of a number of layers of soft
goods material at the corners creates a seam with a greater
structural integrity than the remainder of the housing 120. As a
result, the seams 610 create a type of skeletal structure along
with stiffener 520 of the rim 450 to allow the housing 120 to
generally maintain its volumetric configuration. Additional
stitching may also be hidden on the interior of the outermost layer
of fabric on the housing 120.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a bottom
corner 620 of the housing 120 of the entertainment device 100 of
the present invention. The bottom corner 620 may be formed by three
converging seams 610, 712 and 714 that are sewn to help stiffen the
housing structure. Seams 610, 712, and 714 converge to create a
strengthened three dimensional corner 620 that tends to maintain
its shape. In other words, after several layers of soft goods
material have been stitched together, to form seams such as 610,
712, and 714 and corners such as 620, their structural integrity is
significantly greater than the soft goods material itself without
the stitching.
[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates an end perspective view of an outer side
433 of the housing 120 of the entertainment device 100 of the
present invention with the top fabric layer cut-away to expose a
padded soft goods under-layer. FIG. 8 illustrates the cut away 800
of the top fabric layer 810 exposing a padded under-layer 820 and
an exposed view of an otherwise hidden sewn seam 830. Therefore,
the side walls 431, 432, 433, and 434 of the housing 120 and the
bottom wall 435 each include a layer of soft goods padding material
820 between two outer layers 810 and 815 of colorful attractive
covering material. One of the outer layers 810 of the side walls
431, 432, 433, and 434 is exposed on the outer side of the housing
120 and the other of the two layers 815 is exposed on the implement
receiving region 150 of the housing 120. The bottom wall 435 may be
formed in the same layered fashion as the side walls 431, 432, 433,
and 434.
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up, end perspective view of an
outer side 433, 433 of the housing 120 of the entertainment device
100 of the present invention of FIG. 8. As illustrated and
discussed above, the outer side 433 of the housing 120 is shown
with a cut away 800 of the top fabric layer 810 exposing the padded
under-layer 820 and the otherwise hidden sewn seam 830.
[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of the rear outer side
wall 435 of the housing 120 of the entertainment device 100 of the
present invention showing the flexible fastening member. The
flexible fastening member 1000 including a first strap 1010 having
a fastener element 1030 on its end and a second strap 1020 having a
fastener element 1040 on its end. Strap fastener element 1030 is
attachable to strap fastener element 1040 to connect the end of the
first strap 1010 to the end of the second strap 1020. FIG. 10 also
shows a cross stitching 1050 that may be used to connect the
flexible fastening member 1000 to the bottom wall 435 of the
housing 120.
[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates a view of the flexible fastening member
1000 including a first strap 1010 and a second strap 1020 connected
to each other at their ends by the attachable fastener elements
1030 and 1040. Although a flexible fastening member is illustrated
herein, any type of known fastener arrangement may be utilized to
selectively attach the entertainment device 100 of the present
invention to a child receiving device.
[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of three sides 1210,
1220 and 1230 of soft goods cubic play implement 140B of the
present invention including a textured or contoured fabric side
1210, a streamer tactile side 1220, and a number counting side
1230. The contoured fabric side 1210 includes a contoured fabric
pattern 1212 that provides a tactile stimulation region. The
streamer tactile side 1220 provides tactile stimulation by
providing a plurality of streamers 1222 attached to the side of the
cube 140B by external stitching 1224. Finally the number counting
side 1230 features visual indicia 1232 including a numeral (e.g.,
"3") as well as an image of a corresponding number of items 1234
(e.g., and image of three flowers) to represent the numeral.
[0048] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the cubic play implement 140B of FIG. 12. Three sides
1210, 1320, and 1330 of the soft goods cubic play implement 140B
are shown. These sides include the textured fabric side 1210
described in FIG. 12 above, an animal image side 1320, and a
checkered side 1330. The animal image side 1320 includes
stimulating colorful visual indicia of a friendly animal such as a
cat 1322. Finally, the checkered side 1330 includes visual indicia
in the form of sensory stimulating checker board-type pattern 1332
of contrasting colors.
[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the soft goods cubic play implement 140B of FIG. 12. In FIG. 14,
three sides 1410, 1320, and 1330 of the soft goods cubic play
implement 140B are shown. These sides include a textured or
contoured fabric side 1410, as well as the checkered side 1330, and
animal image side 1320 shown in FIG. 13 and discussed above. The
contoured fabric side 1410 is a textured fabric side imprinted with
an animal pattern such as a bee for tactile stimulation. Such use
of textured fabrics provides both visual and tactile stimulation
for the child.
[0050] FIG. 15 illustrates a close-up perspective view of three
sides of a second cubic soft goods play implement 140C of the
present invention. The cubic soft goods play implement 140C
includes the three sides (1510, 1520 and 1530) illustrated in FIG.
15. These sides include a happy face image side 1510, a textured or
contoured fabric side 1520, and an animal image side 1530. The
happy face image side 1510 includes visual indicia of a smiley face
1512. The textured or contoured fabric side 1520 includes a
contoured fabric for visual and tactile stimulation. In addition,
the animal image side 1530 of soft goods play implement 140C
includes printed visually stimulating indicia of an animal such as
a lady bug 1532. Finally, FIG. 15 shows a pull cord 1540 used to
wind-up an internal vibration mechanism (not shown, but discussed
more completely with regard to FIG. 18 below).
[0051] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the soft goods cubic play implement 140C of FIG. 15. FIG.
16 illustrates three sides 1510, 1620 and 1630 of the soft goods
cubic play implement 140C of the present invention. These sides
include the happy face side 1510 described in the discussion of
FIG. 15 above, a shiny, smooth fabric side 1620, and a fruit image
side 1630. The shiny, smooth fabric side 1620 includes visual and
tactile stimulation from a solid, brightly colored shiny ans smooth
fabric surface. In addition, the fruit image side 1630 includes
visual indicia of a brightly colored printed image of a fruit 1632
such as an apple.
[0052] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the soft goods cubic play implement 140C of FIG. 15. FIG. 17
illustrates three sides 1710, 1630, and 1620 of the soft goods
cubic play implement 140C of the present invention. These sides
including a counting side 1710, the fruit image side 1630, and a
shiny fabric side 1620 (discussed above with respect to FIG. 16).
The number counting side 1710 features visual indicia 1712
including a numeral (e.g., "1") as well as an image of a
corresponding number of items (e.g., and image of one heart shape)
to represent the numeral.
[0053] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the use of the
pull cord 1540 that is connected to a vibration mechanism located
internally in the soft goods play implement 140C of the present
invention. FIG. 18 illustrates the pull cord 1540 in an extended
position. As discussed above, pull cord 1540 is connected to a
vibration mechanism (not shown) located internally in the play
implement 140C. In use, the pull cord 1540 is pulled from the
retracted cord position (best seen in FIG. 15) to the extended cord
position (as shown in FIG. 18) to wind-up the vibration mechanism
(not shown) before being released. When the pull cord 1540 is
released, the vibration mechanism unwinds to transfer a vibration
sensation to the holder of the play implement 140C.
[0054] FIG. 19 illustrates a close-up perspective view of three
sides of a third cubic soft goods play implement 140A of the
present invention. FIG. 19 illustrates three sides 1910, 1920, and
1930 of the soft goods cubic play implement 140A of the present
invention. These sides include a number counting side 1910, a
textured or contoured fabric side 1920, and a mirrored happy face
side 1930. The number counting side 1910 features visual indicia
1912 including a numeral (e.g., "2") as well as a corresponding
number of items (e.g., an image of two ducklings) to represent the
numeral. The contoured fabric side 1920 includes a contoured fabric
pattern that provides a visual and tactile stimulation region.
Finally, the mirrored happy face side 1930 includes a mirror 1932
with a happy face attached to the side 1930.
[0055] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of two additional
sides of the cubic soft goods play implement 140A of FIG. 19. FIG.
20 illustrates three sides 1910, 2020, and 2030 of the cubic play
implement 140A of the present invention. These sides include the
number counting side 1910 (discussed above with respect to FIG.
19), a textured or contoured fabric side 2020, and an animal image
side 2030. The contoured fabric side 2020 is a textured fabric side
imprinted with an animal pattern such as a cat for visual and
tactile stimulation. The animal image side 2030 includes visual
indicia 2032 in the form of an image of an animal or insect such as
a bee.
[0056] FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the final side of
the cubic soft goods play implement 140A of FIG. 19. FIG. 21
illustrates three sides 2110, 1920, and 1930 of the cubic play
implement 140A of the present invention. These sides include a
striped side 2110, the mirrored happy face side 1930, and the
contoured fabric side 1920 (discussed above with respect to FIG.
19). The striped side 2110 includes visually stimulating indicia
such as large color contrasting stripes. Although shown in black
and white herein, each of the soft goods play implements 140A-C may
be color themed. For example, soft goods play implement 140A may
comprise colors in the yellow family in addition to black and white
indicia. Soft goods play implement 140B may comprise colors in the
blue family in addition to black and white indicia. Also soft goods
play implement 140C may comprise colors in the red family in
addition to black and white indicia. Finally, the soft goods play
implements 140A-C may be simply formed by stitching a soft fabric
outer covering over a padded soft goods under-layer in a similar
fashion to the formation of the housing 120 (as discussed with
regard to FIG. 8 above).
[0057] FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention in a first use mode
entertaining an infant in a child receiving device, with the
entertainment device 100 placed within reach of the infant. As
shown in FIG. 22 the entertainment device 100 of the present
invention is in a first mode of use, entertaining an infant 2210 in
a crib 2220 within reach of the infant 2210. In this first mode of
use, the bottom wall 435 of the housing 120 is placed against the
crib rails 2222 and the first strap 1010 and second strap 1020 (of
the flexible fastening member 1000--shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) are
wrapped around the crib rails 2222 and connected by their fastener
members 1030 and 1040 (shown in FIG. 10). Because the bottom wall
435 is against the crib rails 2222, the opening 130 of the housing
120 faces a child 2210 lying in front of the housing 120. The play
implements 140A-C are therefore exposed for the child 2210 to reach
out and retrieve a play implement 140A-C or to interact with the
housing 120 directly (e.g., play with the butterfly 410 or worm
character 420 on the housing).
[0058] FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention in a second use mode sitting on
a supporting surface 110 and entertaining a toddler 2310 old enough
to sit up on the supporting surface and interact with the housing
and play implements. In this second mode of use, the entertainment
device 100 of the present invention has been removed from the child
receiving device and is sitting on a supporting surface 110 and
entertaining a toddler 2310 through interaction with the housing
120 and play implements 140A-C. The freestanding soft housing 120
and soft goods play implements 140A-C are placed on the supporting
surface so that the bottom wall 435 of the housing 120 faces the
supporting surface 110 and the opening 130 in the housing 120 faces
upwardly. A child 2310 can then retrieve a play implement 140A-C
from the play implement receiving region 150 of the housing 120
through the opening 130. Children will enjoy interacting with the
numerous visual, audible and tactile stimulations associated with
each play implement 140A-C as well as the housing 120. Play
implements 140A-C may be enjoyed in a number of different ways
(e.g., stacking, throwing, retrieving, re-inserting etc.).
Furthermore, a child 2310 can shake play implement 140A for a
jingle bell sound and can shake 140B for a rattle sound. Finally,
pulling the pull cord 1540 winds-up a vibration generator (not
shown) to charge play implement 140C to vibrate the play implement
140C.
[0059] Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and variations of this invention that come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it
is to be understood that terms such as "left", "right" "top",
"bottom", "front", "rear", "side", "height", "length", "width",
"upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer" and the
like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and
do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or
configuration.
* * * * *