U.S. patent application number 15/701208 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for storybook blanket.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOMY International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Sapulich.
Application Number | 20190076745 15/701208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65630242 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190076745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sapulich; Joseph |
March 14, 2019 |
Storybook Blanket
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a children's activity
and play device, and more specifically to a blanket or play mat
that also serves as a storybook, which is convertible to a play
toy. The present invention may include a fabric member in the form
for a padded mat and include a first surface and a second surface.
When unfolded, the first surface of the fabric member includes at
least one display section, and preferably a series of display
sections, which depict a story or portion of a story. Connected to
a first edge of the fabric member is a stuffed or cushioned figure.
The fabric member is adapted to be folded into a folded form,
wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed figure portion to
form a play toy in the form of a stuffed character figure.
Inventors: |
Sapulich; Joseph;
(Dyersville, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOMY International, Inc. |
Dyersville |
IA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65630242 |
Appl. No.: |
15/701208 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0223 20130101;
A47G 9/062 20130101; A63H 33/006 20130101; A63H 3/003 20130101;
A47G 9/1045 20130101; A47D 15/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/00 20060101
A63H003/00; A47G 9/02 20060101 A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A children's apparatus comprising: a fabric member having a
first surface and a second surface, the fabric member being
foldable, the first surface of the fabric member comprising at
least one display section, the display section depicting at least a
portion of a story; and a stuffed figure portion connected to the
fabric member; the fabric member adapted to be folded into a folded
form, wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed figure
portion to form a stuffed figure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a
plurality of display sections, each of the plurality of display
sections depicting a portion of the story.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface further
comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stuffed figure portion
comprises a character head and the folded form comprises a
character body.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the character body includes a
display portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant
treatment.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fabric member comprises at
least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member in
the folded form.
8. A children's apparatus comprising: a padded fabric mat
comprising first surface and a second surface, the first surface
comprising a series of images depicting a story, the fabric mat
further comprising a first edge; a cushioned character head
connected to the first edge of the fabric mat; the fabric mat
adapted to be folded to forma character body, and the character
body and the character head combine to form a character.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first surface further
comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the character body includes a
display portion.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first
surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant
treatment.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fabric member comprises
at least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member
in the folded form.
13. A children's apparatus adapted to include a folded condition
and an unfolded condition, the apparatus comprising: a fabric
member including a first surface, a second surface opposed to the
first surface, and edge portion, and a padding between the first
surface and the second surface, the fabric member being foldable,
the first surface of the fabric member including at least one
display section depicting at least a portion of a story; a stuffed
figure portion depicting a character head, and connected to the
edge portion of the fabric member; the fabric member forming a body
of a character when in the folded condition; and the fabric member
forming a play mat when in the unfolded condition.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first surface further
comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the character body includes
a display portion.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first
surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant
treatment.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fabric member comprises
at least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member
in the folded form.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a children's
activity and play device, and more specifically to a blanket or
play mat that also serves as a storybook, which is convertible to a
play toy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Story books for children have been around for many years.
Conventional story books comprise bound pages with pictures and
words. Some story books for very young children have been made with
soft fabric pads that are bound together to form a book. Many of
such books include interactive stimuli features, such as mirrors
and crinkle material to mentally and physically stimulate the
child. The present invention seeks to provide new features not
heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and
advantages of the present invention is provided herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a children's
apparatus that includes a fabric member having a first surface and
a second surface. The fabric member is generally in the form of a
soft mat that is preferably padded. The fabric member is also
foldable, and as discussed further below, is adapted to be folded
into a play toy similar to a stuffed figure or character. A first
surface of the fabric member includes at least one display section,
and preferably a series of display sections. A display section or a
series of display sections graphically depict a story or portion of
a story. Connected to a first edge of the fabric member is a
stuffed or cushioned figure, such as the head of a character from
the story depicted. The fabric member is adapted to be folded into
a folded form, wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed
figure portion to form a stuffed character figure. In some
embodiments, the first surface may include a section that
represents a body of the character.
[0004] When in an unfolded stated, the fabric material mat can be
laid out flat such that the display sections are visible. As
stated, the display section or sections graphically depict a story
or a portion of a story. The child can sit or lie on the mat and
have the story displayed told to him or her by a caregiver. The mat
can serve the function of a play mat with the character head
forming a pillow on which the child may lay his or her head. In
some embodiments, the first surface may include a water repellant
treatment to resist moisture and staining. For example, the mat can
be used as a changing pad for an infant or toddler, and the first
surface may be treated to resist fouling. The second side of the
mat may alternatively or additionally include a water repellant
treatment.
[0005] In some embodiments, the first side may include one or more
interactive stimuli. For example, the first side may include a
mirrored portion that enables the child to look at himself or
herself. The first side may include crinkle fabric for the child to
manipulate. The first side may also include flaps that can be
opened to reveal other displays or stimuli. Embedded within the mat
may be sensors that enable the child to activate noises or lights
by pressing on particular portions of the first surface. Other
interactive stimuli for children as known in the art may be
included.
[0006] In some preferred embodiments, the fabric member includes at
least one securement member that is adapted to secure the fabric
member in the folded form. For example, the fabric member may
include a tab having an end secured therewith, and an end that is
detachably securable with the fabric. The end of the tab that is
detachably secured may be secured by a hook and loop arrangement,
snap, button, or the like. Alternatively, the fabric mat may
include snaps, ties, hook and loop portions that are adapted to be
engaged to secure the fabric member in the folded form.
[0007] While the embodiments described herein depict only a first
side with display sections, it is contemplated that some
embodiments of the present invention may be two-sided. In such
embodiments, the second side of the fabric may include display
sections. The back of the stuffed or cushioned figure may also
depict the face of a character such that the reverse side of the
apparatus depicts a different character or perhaps the same
character with a different facial expression.
[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing the first surface of the mat in an unfolded condition.
[0011] FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the
second surface of the mat in an unfolded condition.
[0012] FIG. 3 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 with the fabric
mat in a folded form.
[0013] FIG. 4 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 with the fabric
mat in a folded form with a display window.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0014] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0015] Referring now in detail to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown
one embodiment of a children's apparatus in the form of a storybook
blanket 10. The blanket 10 includes a fabric member 12 having a
first surface 14 and a second surface 16. In this preferred form,
the fabric member 12 is generally in the form of a lightly padded
mat. The fabric is preferably a soft washable material, such as
cotton, polyester, rayon, or a blend of such materials.
[0016] The first surface 14 includes a plurality of display
sections 18. In this particular embodiment, the display sections 18
present a series of story panels that graphically depict a story.
Although not shown, the story panels may include words in addition
to pictures. In use, a child may sit on the first surface 14 of mat
12 and be told the story by a caregiver in conjunction with the
display sections 18. It should be understood that the reference to
story panels is not intended to be limited to a story. Rather, it
is contemplated that the story panels may in other embodiments
comprise educational displays, such as alphabet letters, animals,
vehicles, foods, numbers, or the like, and may include
corresponding word pictures. The first surface, in preferred
embodiments, may further include one or more interactive stimuli,
such as mirrored sections or crinkle paper which is shown
schematically as 20. In other embodiments, the first surface 14 may
include only one display section over substantially the entire
first surface 14, such as a depiction of a park, zoo, or map.
[0017] The first surface may be used also as a changing pad, play
mat, or napping pad. In order to reduce the effects of spills or
other contaminants, the first surface preferably include a water
repellant treatment. Other fabric treatments may also be includes,
such as fire retardants, anti-bacterial treatment, or the like.
[0018] The second surface 16 is shown in FIG. 2. In this
embodiment, the second surface 16 includes no display sections.
However, it should be understood that the second surface may also
include display sections similar to the display sections 18 of the
first surface 14. The second surface, like the first surface, may
also include a water repellant treatment or other treatment.
[0019] The fabric member 12 defines a first edge 22 to which a
stuffed figure portion 24 is attached. The stuffed figure portion
24 is preferably in the form of a character head. When the fabric
member 12 is in an unfolded condition, a child may lay on the first
surface 14 and use the stuffed figure portion 24 as a pillow.
Although not shown in the present embodiment, the stuffed figure
portion may include a reverse side that depicts a different
character or the same character with a different facial expression.
The reverse side of the stuffed figure portion may alternatively
depict the back of the character's head, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0020] The fabric member 12 is foldable. Referring to FIG. 3, when
the fabric member 12 is folded, it forms a character body 26 with
the character head 24 also visible. In a preferred embodiment, the
display sections are sized and distributed on the first surface 14
such that when the fabric member 12 is folded as intended, the
display sections 18 are concealed, and a display portion 28 of the
character body 26 is shown. Hand and feet members 40 may also be
provided with display portion 28.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a securement member 30,
which is shown schematically, is provided that is adapted to secure
the fabric member in the folded form. This enables the child to
play with the storybook blanket 10 in its folded form, which is
basically a stuffed figure play toy. It also enables the storybook
blanket 10 to be held in a folded condition for easier carrying and
transport. The securement member 30 is shown as a tab having a
first end 32 secured to the fabric member 12. Other securement
methods as are recognized in the art may be used, such as snaps,
buckles, ties, or the like.
[0022] It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and
not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the
details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments
have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to
mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the
invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope
of the accompanying claims.
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