Toys

Abstract

Toy, in particular play carpet (1), comprising a flexible and flat base (2) which, in a proper position of use of the toy, has a bottom side (4) facing a support surface (3) and resting thereon, and a top side (5) facing away from the support surface, wherein the base (2) is assigned at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b) which can be detachably connected to the top side (5) of the base (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy, in particular a play carpet, comprising a flexible and flat base.

[0002] Play rugs are very popular with children. They allow children to play out different scenarios with toy vehicles or other toys. The design of these play rugs also focuses on children's cognitive development. A variety of designs and sizes are available. Typically, a city, a sports stadium, or board games are machine-woven or depicted on the rugs. Play rugs have the advantage of being able to be left in the room or stored away to save space.

[0003] In practice, a common problem is that commercially available play mats can often only depict a limited number of play situations because the mat has a pre-defined print and / or depicts a specific scenario. This creates a certain monotony that hinders fun and / or promotes children's individual development. This is particularly the case when children want to act out realistic processes, such as growth cycles in nature or agricultural processes, where a lot of imagination is often required to depict changing scenarios. Buildings and landscapes on common play mats are also depicted two-dimensionally or 3D-like using shadows and depth, because a mat is usually flat. This usually gives children a false spatial perception of processes and / or objects.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of providing a play mat which overcomes the disadvantages described above.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a play mat of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the base is assigned at least one supplementary element which can be detachably connected to the upper side of the base.

[0006] The fact that at least one additional element can be detachably attached to the base of the play mat according to the invention allows a multitude of different scenarios to be played out with a single play mat. This ensures virtually unlimited play fun and more individualized cognitive development for children.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the play mat according to the invention, the at least one additional element is detachably connected to the base via a magnetic, Velcro, pressure-sensitive, and / or plug-in connection. This ensures a child-friendly connection and also promotes children's fine motor development.

[0008] Advantageously, the top surface of the play mat has at least one, preferably several, integrated connecting elements, such as a magnet, Velcro fastener, and / or a push-button. This allows additional elements to be detachably connected to the base at these points to expand the number of playable scenarios and create an interactive design.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the play mat according to the invention, the connecting force between the base and an integrated connecting element is greater than the connecting force between the base and a supplementary element connected to it. This ensures that when a supplementary element is removed, the connecting element does not also detach from the base and damage the play mat.

[0010] Preferably, the play mat according to the invention, particularly in the area of ​​the upper side of its base, is made at least partially of a material selected from the group consisting of softshell, felt, and textile. This ensures that the base is flexible yet robust, allowing it to rest on a wide variety of surfaces, and the play mat can be left lying down or stored away to save space.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the play mat according to the invention, the upper side of the base is designed as a play surface, preferably depicting a farmland landscape. This can specifically promote children's understanding of nature and agriculture.

[0012] The underside of the base is advantageously designed to be non-slip. In particular, the underside of the base has a non-slip coating, preferably rubber, at least in sections, which prevents the play mat from slipping on a supporting surface.

[0013] It's advantageous to add several additional elements to the base. This allows for a variety of playable scenarios by swapping the additional elements, which can also promote children's fine motor skills.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one, preferably several, connecting elements, such as magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, or push-buttons, are arranged on the underside of the at least one additional element. This allows the additional element to be detachably connected to the base of the play mat in a child-friendly manner, creating an interactive design.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the play mat according to the invention, the connecting force between an add-on element and a connecting element arranged thereon is greater than the connecting force between the base and a add-on element connected to the base. This ensures that when a add-on element is removed, the connecting element is prevented from sticking to the base of the play mat, thus preventing the add-on element and / or the play mat from being damaged.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one supplementary element is flat and preferably printed with graphic images, in particular aerial photographs of agriculture and forestry and / or other motifs. The at least one supplementary element is preferably made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of softshell, felt, textile, and plastic. This creates a flat, flexible, and durable supplementary element.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the play mat according to the invention, the at least one supplementary element is a three-dimensional element, preferably a figure, such as a model of a plant or animal and / or other objects. This promotes children's ecological understanding, particularly seasonal growth cycles or forestry, as well as their spatial thinking. Furthermore, this advantageous representation can be used to simulate work processes in various professional fields to develop technical and manual understanding.

[0018] The three-dimensional element is preferably made of plastic, wood, and / or metal. This creates a particularly stable and durable addition.

[0019] The present invention further relates to a play kit comprising a flat and flexible base and at least one supplementary element that can be detachably connected to the base, thereby creating a holistic play and / or learning environment that equally promotes children's cognitive, motor, and / or creative skills. Further advantages of the kit according to the invention have already been mentioned in connection with the toy according to the invention.

[0020] Further features will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings and the subclaims. The individual features may be implemented individually or in combination with one another.

[0021] The drawings show: Fig. 1: a plan view of the top of a play mat according to the invention with base and additional elements that are not yet connected to each other; Fig. 2: a cross section through the base according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a top view of the top of the play mat according to Fig. 1 with two additional elements connected to the base; Fig. 4: a cross section through the play mat according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 5: two embodiments of a supplementary element, each in perspective view and in cross section.

[0022] Identical elements or elements with the same function are identified below with the same reference numbers.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a play kit 100 according to the invention or of a toy according to the invention in the form of a play mat 1 with a flat and flexible base 2. The base 2 is made of felt. In the present case, the base 2 has a length 1 of 210 cm, a width b of 80 cm, and a height h of 1 cm. In a proper position of use of the play mat 1, the base 2 has a bottom 4 facing and resting on a support surface 3, as well as a top 5 facing away from the support surface 3. The top 5 of the base 2 is designed as a play surface 8 representing a farmland landscape with a farmyard. A plurality of connecting elements 7a and 7b are integrated into the top 5 of the base 2. The connecting elements are hook-and-loop poles 7a and pressure bowls 7b. The base 2 can be detachably connected to the supplementary elements 6a and 6b via the connecting elements 7a and 7b.The underside 4 of the base 2 is designed to be non-slip and is partially coated with rubber 9 as a non-slip material.

[0024] At the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two supplementary elements 6a and 6b are assigned to the base 2, which are not yet detachably connected to it. A detailed view of the supplementary elements 6a and 6b is shown in Fig. 5. The supplementary element 6a is flat and flexible and is made of felt. The supplementary element 6a is printed with a graphic image 12 showing a top view of an agricultural field. Several connecting elements in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners 11a are arranged on the underside 10 of the supplementary element 6a. The supplementary element 6b is a three-dimensional element representing a plant model 13 and is made of plastic. Several connecting elements in the form of push-buttons 11b are arranged on the underside 10 of the supplementary element 6b. The supplementary elements 6a and 6b can be detachably connected to the base 2 during play via the connecting elements 11a and 11b.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the base 2 of the play mat 1 according to Fig. 1. This provides a better view of the Velcro poles 7a and pressure bowls 7b integrated into the top side 5 of the base 2. The underside 4 of the base 2 rests on the support surface 3 (here, a floor) in the intended position. The additional elements 6a and 6b can be releasably connected to the base 2 of the toy 1 via the integrated Velcro poles 7a and pressure bowls 7b using the Velcro hooks 11a and pressure knobs 11b arranged on their underside 10.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a play kit 100 according to the invention or a toy according to the invention in the form of a play carpet 1 according to Fig. 1, with the additional elements 6a and 6b detachably attached to the top surface 5 of the base 2. During play, the additional elements 6a and 6b integrate into the motif printed on the playing surface 8. These can be detached from the base at will by exerting a pulling force and arranged elsewhere if necessary.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows a cross section through the base 2 of the toy in the form of a play mat 1 according to Fig. 3. This provides a better view of the detachable connection created between the additional elements 6a and 6b and the base 2 of the toy 1. To do this, the hook-and-loop fasteners 11a located on the underside 10 of the additional element 6a are pressed onto the hook-and-loop fasteners 7a integrated into the top side 5 of the base 2. To connect the additional element 6b to the base 2, the push-buttons 11b located on the underside 10 and the push-buttons 7b integrated into the top side 5 of the base 2 must be inserted into one another. To remove the connection between the additional elements 6a and 6b and the base 2, the additional elements 6a and 6b must be removed from the base 2. The Velcro poles 7a and pressure bowls 7b remain on the base 2, the Velcro hooks 11a on the supplementary element 6a and the pressure knobs 11b on the supplementary element 7b.

[0028] Fig.Figure 5 shows two embodiments of a supplementary element 6a and 6b, each in cross-section. The cross-section clearly shows the connecting elements 11a and 11b, which are arranged on the underside 10 of the supplementary elements 6a and 6b.

[0029] The above-described embodiment of a toy according to the invention is purely exemplary. The toy according to the invention can be designed in various sizes, which can result in a play mat in addition to a play carpet.

Claims

[1] Toy, in particular play carpet (1), comprising a flexible and flat base (2) which, in a proper position of use of the toy, has a bottom side (4) facing a support surface (3) and resting thereon, and a top side (5) facing away from the support surface, wherein the base (2) is assigned at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b) which can be detachably connected to the top side (5) of the base (1). [2] Toy according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b) can be detachably connected to the base (2) via a magnetic, Velcro, pressure and / or plug connection. [3] Toy according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one connecting element selected from the group consisting of magnets, Velcro fasteners (7a), snap fasteners (7b) and plugs is integrated into the top side (5) of the base (2). [4] Toy according to claim 3, characterized bythat the connecting force between the base (2) and an integrated connecting element (7a, 7b) is greater than the connecting force between the base (2) and a supplementary element (6a, 6b) connected thereto. [5] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base (2) is at least partially made, in particular in the region of its upper side (5), of a material selected from the group consisting of softshell, felt and textile. [6] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper side (5) of the base (2) is designed as a playing surface (8), which preferably represents a field landscape with a farmyard. [7] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the underside (4) of the base (2) is non-slip. [8] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the underside (4) of the base (2) is at least partially provided with a non-slip material, preferably coated with rubber (9). [9] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a plurality of supplementary elements (6a, 6b) are assigned to the base (2). [10] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one connecting element selected from the group consisting of magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners (11a), snap fasteners (11b) and plugs is arranged on an underside (10) of the at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b). [11] Toy according to claim 10, characterized by that the connecting force between the supplementary element (6a, 6b) and a connecting element (11a, 11b) arranged on it is greater than the connecting force between the base (2) and the supplementary element (6a, 6b) connected to it. [12] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one supplementary element (6a) is flat and is preferably printed with graphic images (12), in particular aerial photographs of agriculture and forestry and / or images depicting other motifs, wherein the at least one supplementary element (6a) is preferably made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of softshell, felt, textile and plastic. [13] Toy according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one supplementary element (6b) is a three-dimensional element, preferably a figure, such as a model representing a plant (13) or animal model and / or other objects. [14] Toy according to claim 13, characterized bythat the at least one three-dimensional element (13) is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood and metal. [15] Play kit (100), comprising a flat and flexible base (2) and at least one supplementary element (6a, 6b) detachably connectable to the base (2).

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