Patent ID: 6199230
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A47D

Abstract:
An infant/toddler, indoor/outdoor playmat comprising:a substantially rectangular, cushioned base having a perimeter and a bottom surface;foam block walls disposed on and along the perimeter;fabric pieces sewn along said base thus creating two U-shaped receiving channels;the U-shaped receiving channels having a top wall, a bottom wall, outer walls and inner walls defining a play area;the U-shaped receiving channels each having one base wall and two side leg walls, the two base walls, of the respective U-shaped receiving channels, being disposed opposite one another and each having an opening to allow removal/insertion of the foam block walls into said channel;a fold line defined by two adjoining pairs of side leg walls of the ""U"" shaped receiving channels and extending along a middle of the rectangular base;a locking handle and clasp mechanism comprising a strap having a male coupling member and a strap having a female coupling member, the mechanism being disposed at the fold line on a portion of the outer wall of each of the side leg walls wherein the male member strap is disposed on one side of the fold line and the female member strap is disposed on the opposite side of the fold line, the male member strap on each of the side leg walls being opposite the female member strap on the opposing side leg wall;the male and female member straps of each mechanism being attached in an unfolded configuration of the playmat and being unattached in a first folded configuration of the playmat to allow for folding of the playmat;the bottom surface of the base having fasteners;wherein in the first folded configuration the playmat folds outwardly along the fold line to expose the play area, the playmat being held in said first folded configuration by said fasteners on the bottom surface;wherein while in the first folded configuration, each pair of side leg walls is capable of being folded such that the male member strap on each side leg wall couples with the opposite female member strap on the opposing side leg wall to attain a second folded configuration which is compact and allows the playmat to be easily stowed;wherein the coupled straps of the second folded configuration are arranged in a position suitable for use as handles for carrying the playmat.