Sensory development device

Abstract

An infant sensory stimulation device for hanging over an infant has a flexible panel from which depends a set of sensory development fingers extending in parallel, including at least three fingers of differing surface textures. The flexible panel partially defines a pocket into which selected ones of the sensory development fingers can be stored to hide the stored fingers from view of an infant lying beneath the infant sensory stimulation device.

Description

[0001] SENSORY DEVELOPMENT DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to infant play mats and devices for presenting selectable focus and / or interaction objects to infants.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Play mats provide soft surfaces on which an infant can be placed, usually on a floor, as a safe, clean environment, typically for the pre-crawling development stage. Some mats are used with a superstructure that extends over the infant, from which entertaining, educating, and / or interactive objects may be suspended, for stimulating the infant when on his / her back. Improvements in the design and configuration of such entertaining, educating, and / or interactive objects benefit both infants and their caregivers.

[0006] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0008] Fig. 2 is an image of a first face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0009] Fig. 3 is an image of a second face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0010] Fig. 4 is an image of a lower side of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0011] Fig. 5 is an image of an attachment portion of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0012] Fig. 6 is an image of a portion of the sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0013] Fig. 7 is an image of a first face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments;

[0014] Fig. 8 is an image of a second face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments; Fig. 9 is an image of a sensory development device attached to a superstructure in accordance with various embodiments; and

[0015] Fig. 10 is an image of an infant play mat and superstructure including a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments.

[0016] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a sensory development device 10 may include one or more sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. More than one of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be referred to as a “set” of the sensory development fingers. In various embodiments, an external surface of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be manufactured from natural fabrics, artificial fabrics, organic fabrics, various suitable plastics or polymers, or other materials generally accepted as safe and suitable for the manufacture of baby or infant toys.

[0019] The sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may each have either external or internal sensory development properties, such as various textures, colors, or ability to make sound that stimulate the development of an infant’s senses. The external surface of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be manufactured either the same materials or different materials. In various embodiments, the materials selected for the external surface of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be selected to stimulate tactile senses of an infant that interacts with the one or more of the fingers. For example, in some embodiments, the external surface of the sensory development fingers may have different textures, such as the external surface of development finger 12 may be a cotton corduroy material, the external surface of development finger 14 may be a textured knit material, and the external surface of sensory development fingers 16 and 22 may be a cotton woven material. In various embodiments, the external surface of the sensory development finger 18 may be a textured bubble minky material and / or the external surface of the sensory development finger 20 may be a polyester satin material. The external surface may also have a velvet texture or a shiny texture in certain embodiments.

[0020] In some embodiments, the external surface of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may have one or more bright / vivid colors or visually interesting patterns to stimulate the visual senses of an infant. For example, the external surface of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be orange, red, yellow, or blue and / or may have a repeating pattern, such as illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 2. For example, in various embodiments, at least three of the development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may have different textures, colors, and / or patterns. In some embodiments, five or set of the development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may have different textures, colors, and / or patterns.

[0021] In various embodiments, one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may also include an internal material to stimulate the tactile or auditory senses of an infant. For example, the sensory development finger 12 may include a paper or plastic film that creates an auditory effect, such as a crinkling sound, when manipulated by a child. The sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may also include a polyester fill material, a batting material, or other suitable form of stuffing. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may include a mechanical or electrical auditory device, such as chime, rattle, buzzer, or speaker. For example, the sensory development finger 16 may include a cylindrical chime and / or the sensory development finger 14 may include a sphere rattle. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may have an internal storage location suitable for a parent or caregiver to place a sensory development feature or other object within one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22.

[0022] The sensory development device 10 may also include one or more attachment portions 24 and 26. The attachment portions 24 and 26 may be manufactured of various suitable attachment materials, such as fabric, for example, a cotton woven fabric, or a netting material. The attachment portions 24 and 26 may be configured to enable the sensory development device 10 to be attached to or hung from one or more legs of a superstructure, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The attachment portions 24 and 26 may comprise a hanger. In some embodiments, the attachment portions 24 and 26 may comprise two flaps configured to wrap around either side of a superstructure leg. For example, a flap 25 may wrap around one side of a leg and connect to a flap 42 (shown in Fig. 3) and a flap 27 may also wrap around the leg and connect to a flap 40 (shown in Fig. 3). The two flaps that comprise the attachment portions 24 and 26 may connect together via hook and loop fasteners, snaps, zippers, or any other suitable type of fabric connector. The attachment portions 24 and 26 may also be a single generally cylindrical or tubular piece of material that slides around a leg of a superstructure. In some embodiments, there may be a single attachment portion or there may be more than two attachment portions. The attachment portion or portions may be used to attach the sensory development device 10 to other suitable hanging locations beyond a superstructure.

[0023] The sensory development device 10 may also include a flexible panel 28. One or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be connected to the flexible panel 28. In various embodiments, between three and six of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 are connected to the flexible panel 28. The flexible panel 28 may be manufactured from fabric, such as a woven cotton, a netting, or other suitable flexible material. In some embodiments, the flexible panel 28 comprises a fabric material that has a pattern that provides visual stimulation to an infant using the sensory development device 10. The flexible panel 28 may comprise two pieces of fabric with edges of one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 pressed and stitched between the two pieces of fabric. The flexible panel 28 may also be coupled to the attachment portions 24 and 26 such as by using stitching. The attachment portions 24 and 26 respectively may each be attached to non-parallel edges of the flexible panel 28, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In some embodiments, the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be coupled to an edge of the flexible panel 28 that is opposite to one or more of the edges of the flexible panel 28 that are stitched to the attachment portions 24 and 26.

[0024] As noted above, one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be connected to the flexible panel 28. In some embodiments, each of the one or more sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 is stitched to a single edge of the flexible panel 28 along a generally continuous stitch line 30. The stitch line 30 may enable the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 to extend in parallel from the flexible panel 28, and may enable consistent folding of one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. The sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 have a width as measured along the stitch line 30, a thickness perpendicular to the width, and a length measured from the stitch line 30 to a distal end of the finger, the length being greater than the thickness and the width. In some embodiments, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 have similar lengths, such that they each hang down a generally consistent distance from the flexible panel 28 when in a hanging configuration. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensory development fingers may have a thickness and width that are approximately equal, which may (as shown in Fig. 2 with finger 16) facilitate inclusion of a cylindrical fingers, such as a cylindrical chime or other noise maker within that finger, as described above.

[0025] The sensory development device 10 may further include a pocket panel 32. The pocket panel may be attached to the flexible panel 28 to create an interior pocket suitable for storing one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. The pocket panel 32 may be made of the same material as the flexible panel or a different material. The pocket panel 32 may be attached to the flexible panel 28 via stitching along all but one side of the pocket panel 32. In other embodiments, other suitable attachments may be used, including stitching on fewer sides or using fasteners.

[0026] In some embodiments, a releasable closure 34 may permit releasable attachment of a portion of the pocket panel 32 to the flexible panel 28. The releasable closure 34 may permit closure or partial closure of the pocket created between the flexible panel 28 and the pocket panel 32. In some embodiments, the releasable closure may include hook and loop fasteners. The releasable closure may be aligned with an inter-finger space, so as to be secured to hold the pocket panel 32 closed with two adjacent sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 folded into the interior pocket on either side of the releasable closure.

[0027] Turning next to Fig. 3, an image of a second face of the sensory development device 10 in accordance with various embodiments, is shown. As shown in Figure 3, the second face of the sensory development device 10 may also include the flexible panel 28 and may include a pattern that provides visual stimulation to an infant using the sensory development device 10. In some embodiments, the flexible panel 28 may be a single piece of fabric with pattern on both sides. In some embodiments, the flexible panel 28 may comprise multiple pieces of fabric. Fig. 3 also shows flaps 40 and 42 that were described above.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an image of a lower side of a sensory development device 10 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown in Fig. 4, in some embodiments, sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may have substantially different cross-sectional areas depending on the internal materials within various sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. For example, sensory development finger 12 may be substantially flat while sensory development finger 16 may include a chime and be substantially circular in cross-section.

[0029] Fig. 5 is an image of the attachment portion 24 of a sensory development device 10 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the attachment portion 24 may comprise the flap 25 and the flap 42 each of which comprise a respective hook and loop fastener. In operation, a parent or other caregiver may wrap the flaps 25 and 42 around a leg of a superstructure to suspend the sensory development device 10 within either the view of an infant, the grasp of an infant, or both.

[0030] Fig. 6 is an image of a portion of the sensory development device 10 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown in Fig. 6, the flexible panel 28 and the pocket panel 32 may form a pocket 44 configured to contain one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. Fig. 6 illustrates the sensory development finger 18 folded over the stitch line 30 and placed within the pocket 44. The sensory development fingers 14, 16, and 20 are shown outside of the pocket 44. The opening of the pocket 44 may be spaced from the stitch line 30 of the flexible panel 28 by a distance less than half the length of a shortest of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22.

[0031] Fig. 7 is another image of a first face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments. Fig. 7 shows the sensory development fingers 18 and 20 within the pocket 44 with the releasable closure 44 in a closed position connecting the flexible panel 28 and the pocket panel 32. In some embodiments, a first finger portion 50 of the sensory development fingers 18 and 20 are exposed outside of the pocket 44 when the fingers 18 and 20 are folded across the stitch line 30 while a second finger portion 52 of the fingers 18 and 20 are located within the pocket 44. Fig. 8 is an image of a second face of a sensory development device in accordance with various embodiments with the sensory development fingers 18 and 20 folded across the stitch line 30. The length of exposed first finger portion may be greater than 15% of the total length of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 in order to facilitate removal of the fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 from the pocket.

[0032] Turning next to Fig. 9, there is provided an image of a sensory development device 10 attached to a first superstructure leg 60 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the attachment portions 24 and 26 may be connected at two portions along the length of leg 60. In some embodiments, the portion 24 may be attached on a lower portion of the leg 60 after a bend in the leg 60 while the portion 26 is attached at an upper portion of the leg 60. It may be advantageous to place the portion 24 and the portion 26 on alternate sides of a bend in the leg 60 to aid in proper placement of the sensory development device 10 to enable one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 to hang from the device 10 at an appropriate height for engagement with an infant laying on their back (as shown in Fig. 10).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 9, the sensory development device 10 may permit a parent or caregiver to by place one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 into the pocket 44 while the device 10 is in use. The feature permits a parent or caregiver to tailor the level of sensory stimulation provided by the sensory development device 10 to an infant’s current level of development. Overstimulation can be a significant issue in early childhood development. Infants can become overstimulated when they are exposed to more sensory stimulation than is appropriate for their stage of development. Overstimulated infants can exhibit tiredness, crying, irritability, tantrums, or refusals to cooperate with caregivers. Overstimulation can impede infant development and frustrate parents and caregivers.

[0034] The pocket 44 on the sensory development device 10 enables a parent or caregiver to select one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 for presentation to an infant or child appropriate to that child’s current stage of development. For example, a younger infant may become over-stimulated by presentation of six of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 whereas presentation of two of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22, (for example, 12 and 14) may appropriately fit that child’s developmental stage. As the infant becomes older, a parent or caregiver may elect to present the fingers 12, 14, 16, and 22 (as shown in Fig. 9) while keeping the fingers 18 and 20 within the pocket 44. When the infant reaches an appropriate stage, all of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 can be presented at once. In this way, the sensory development device 10 enables a parent or caregiver to use the single device 10 to cover multiple stages of infant development rather than being required to purchase separate sensory development fingers for each stage of an infant’s development.

[0035] In addition, the sensory development device 10 enables a parent or caregiver to use one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 to develop an infant’s focus or concentration. For example, by placing all of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 except one within the pocket 44, a parent or caregiver can force an infant to focus their attention on a particular spot or as they age to practice reaching towards a particular spot. This ability could be lost with a finger that overstimulates the infant or divides their attention between too many objects. Similarly, the sensory development device 10 enables a parent or caregiver to select fingers for presentation that focus on particular sensory attributes while keeping the others unpresented. For example, a caregiver could present only fingers having particular colors to an infant or only fingers having particular tactile properties (for example, a smooth surface, like exemplary finger 20) in order prompt development of particular senses. The sensory development device 10 thus may enable a degree of customization of the childhood development experience that is lacking in other infant entertainment, education, and / or interactive objects while also enabling more effective use of the sensory development device 10 over a larger period of childhood development.

[0036] Turning lastly to Fig. 10, there is an image of an infant play mat 68 and superstructure 100 including the sensory development device 10 in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, the superstructure 100 may include the leg 60 as well as second superstructure leg 62 and third superstructure leg 64. The legs 60, 62, and 64 may join at a central location over the play mat 68 such that an infant can be situated on their back on the play mat 68 below the sensory development device 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the attachment portions 24 and 26 may be attached to the leg 60 to mount the sensory development device 10 such that one or more of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be within the grasp of an infant on the play mat 68. Advantageously, any of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 folded along the stitch line 30 and placed at least partially within the pocket 44 may be outside the grasp of an infant on the play mat 68 because the stitch line 30 can be placed parallel to the play mat 68 such that the fingers fold away from an infant’s grasp.

[0037] In operation, a parent or caregiver may spread the play mat 68 on the ground and set up the legs 60, 62, and 64 to create a superstructure, which may then be setup and / or attached to the play mat 68. A parent or caregiver can then attach the attachment portions 24 and 26 to the leg 60 (as shown in Fig. 9) to place the sensory development device 10 in its operational position. Depending on the age of the infant that will be using the device 10 or other educational or developmental goals for the infant, the parent or caregiver can then select a subset of the set of sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 to fold over the stitch line 30 and place within the pocket 44. The releasable closure 34 can then be closed to secure the selected subset of the sensory development fingers 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 within the pocket 44. The parent or caregiver can then place an infant on the play mat 68 and proximate to the sensory development device 10 to enable the infant to interact with the device 10 with a level of sensory stimulation tailored for the particular infant’s needs.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An infant sensory stimulation device, comprising: a flexible panel with at least one hanger on one edge and an opposite edge; and a set of sensory development fingers extending in parallel from the opposite edge, the sensory development fingers each having a width as measured along the opposite edge, a thickness perpendicular to the width, and a length measured from the opposite edge to a distal end of the finger, the length being greater than the thickness and the width, the fingers arranged to hang from the opposite edge when the fabric panel is suspended from the hanger; wherein the set of sensory development fingers include at least three fingers of differing surface textures; and wherein the flexible panel partially defines a pocket, open proximate to the opposite edge, into which selected ones of the sensory development fingers can be stored to hide the stored fingers from view of an infant lying beneath the infant sensory stimulation device.

2. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a second panel that in cooperation with the flexible panel defines the pocket.

3. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 2, wherein the pocket includes a releasable closure configured to secure the second panel to the flexible panel.

4. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 3, wherein the releasable closure comprises a hook and loop closure.

5. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the pocket is elongated proximate to one edge of the flexible panel.

6. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein infant sensory stimulation device further comprises two attachment portions with associated releasable closures and where the attachment portions are coupled to non-parallel edges of the flexible panel.

7. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein infant sensory stimulation device comprises at least five sensory development fingers.

8. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 7, the at least five sensory development fingers each have differing sensory properties.

9. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sensory development fingers comprise a cylindrical finger of which the thickness and width are approximately equal.

10. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical finger contains a chime configured to emit a sound when manipulated by an infant.

11. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 9, wherein one or more of the sensory development fingers comprise a generally flat finger of which the thickness is less than the width.

12. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sensory development fingers include external surfaces comprising at least three of the group selected from cotton woven material, corduroy material, waffle knit material, textured minky material, polyester satin material, and polyester stretch knit material.

13. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensory development fingers comprises a crinkle material that emits noise when manipulated by an infant.

14. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the pocket defines an opening facing the sensory development fingers.

15. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 14, wherein the opening is spaced from the opposite edge of the panel by a distance less than half the length of a shortest of the sensory development fingers.

16. The infant sensory stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a releasable closure aligned with an inter-finger space, so as to be secured to hold the pocket closed with two adjacent sensory development fingers folded into the pocket on either side of the releasable closure.

17. A sensory development device comprising: a flexible panel; an attachment portion coupled to the flexible panel, the attachment portion configured to enable the sensory development device to be hung from a structure; one or more sensory development fingers coupled to the flexible panel; and a pocket panel also coupled to the flexible panel to create a pocket, the pocket sized to be able to hold the one or more sensory development fingers, such that when the sensory development device is hung from the structure, the pocket is configured to be able to maintain at least one of the sensory development fingers within the pocket while other of the one or more of the sensory development fingers hang below the flexible panel.

18. A method of deploying an infant play system comprising: spreading a play mat on a flat surface; deploying a superstructure above the playmat; attaching a sensory development device to a leg or the superstructure, wherein the sensory development device includes: a flexible portion; three or more sensory development fingers coupled to the flexible portion; and a pocket portion coupled to the flexible portion, the pocket portion forming a pocket capable of holding the three or more sensory development fingers; and placing at least one of the sensory development fingers within the pocket such that the at least one sensory development fingers does not hang down from the flexible portion.

19. A sensory development device comprising a flexible portion; three or more sensory development fingers coupled to the flexible portion; and a pocket portion coupled to the flexible portion, the pocket portion forming a pocket capable of holding the three or more sensory development fingers; wherein the pocket is designed to retain at least one of the sensory development fingers within the pocket such that the at least one sensory development fingers does not hang down from the flexible portion when the sensory development device is in an operational position.

20. A method of manufacturing a sensory development finger comprising: creating a flexible portion from one or more pieces of fabric, the flexible portion having multiple sides; attaching three or more sensory development fingers to one edge of the flexible portion; attaching at least one additional piece of fabric to the flexible portion to create a pocket, wherein an opening of the pocket faces the three or more sensory development fingers and wherein the pocket is configured to be capable of holding less than all of the three or more sensory development fingers while the sensory development finger is in operational use.

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