Abstract:
A transformative floor mat system that is interactive as a toy and a mat that is safe, fun and creative. In one form, the floor mat has tiles with interlocking structure around the edges of each tile to prove for a secured large surface area. The floor mat also has play pieces that can be removed from within each tiles so that each tile can be connected to one another to form a play figure. The floor mat system could also be configured to form other three-dimensional structures and environments, such as castles, forests, and beaches.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/148,009 filed Jan. 28, 2009 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is floor mats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Playmats provide a useful and safe way to enjoy various activities. Caregivers to children in particular like soft foam playmats because they are comfortable and provide ample cushioning. Factors that influence someone to purchase a particular set of mats may include the costs; the packaging; the appearance of the mats; the quality of the mats and the assembly of these mats. Today most soft foam playmates on the market are quite similar in terms of these factors. Additional characteristic of the mats would provide a more attractive incentive for consumer to purchase. 
     Most mats are sold in a package of four or six individual solid pieces. Once out of the packaging, the individual pieces are connected to one another to secure a large covering area. The solid pieces maybe of one single color or reversible colors on each side. However, most of these mats function as nothing more than just mats. There is no interactive play with the mats. While some mats have various graphic illustrations on their surfaces and some even have cutouts such as letters and numbers within the mat pieces, none of these mats provide for constructive play. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,842 to Glydon teaches a padded matting product that can be (1) configured to form a foam floor mat to reduce injuries to children when they fall, (2) taken apart to form stacked tiles to allow for easy storage, and (3) be reconstructed to form padded blocks for children to play with. However, Glydon&#39;s structures are largely limited to blocks due to its limited geometry and coupling mechanisms, and fail to stimulate a variety of different games and playtime activities for children. Glydon and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     WO2008/127980 to Kuzmin teaches a different padded matting product that could be (1) configured to form a foam floor mat, and (2) configured to form three-dimensional structures. Kuzmin, however, also fails to teach methods of providing more complex building blocks other than simple three-dimensional structures. 
     Thus, there is still a need for multipurpose padded products. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a transformative floor mat is configured to provide a variety of useful and imaginative activities for a user. The transformative floor mat generally has two or more panels that are configured to mate planarly with one another, and two or more play pieces that are configured to mate planarly with one or more of the panels. As used herein, objects that are configured to “mate planarly” with one another connect in such a way that the heights of the two connected edges are substantially equal to one another. In other words, the two objects connect to form a substantially contiguous plane. Measurements that are “substantially equal” to one another, such as substantially equal heights, widths, lengths and thicknesses. In preferred embodiments, these measurements deviate at least 1 mm, preferably no more than 5 mm from one another. 
     Exemplary panel embodiments could also mate angularly with one another. In contrast to objects that are configured to mate planarly with one another, objects that are configured to “mate angularly” with one another form a junction to form an angled corner greater than 5 degrees. Panels may be configured to mate at a substantially 30 degree angle, 45 degree angle, 60 degree angle, 90 degree angle, 120 degree angle, 150 degree angle, and, of course, a substantially 180 degree angle. As used herein, an angle that is “substantially X degrees” is an angle that is within 10 degrees of X degrees, and is preferably within at least 5 degrees or within 2 degrees of X degrees. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the panels mate with one another along a connecting outer edge. The connecting edges of the panels generally have one or more interlocking structures. As used herein, “interlocking structures” are matching recesses and projections that receive one another. In a preferred embodiment, projections are molded to be slightly larger than the recess, especially since elastic or foam projections that compress to fit a smaller recess provides a tighter fit. Exemplary interlocking structures include dovetail joints, butt joints, matching tongues and grooves, matching indents and detents, matching mortises and tendons, and jigsaw-type edges. Preferred interlocking structures include rounded, mushroom-shaped projections and recesses, to prevent injury to children who may be using the panel as a floor mat. While panels may only have one, two, or three edges with matching interlocking structures, and may have different interlocking structures on each edge, the panels preferably all have the same or similar interlocking structure along their perimeter, allowing the edge of any panel to mate with the edge of any other panel. 
     In order to form a floor mat, the panels are preferably shaped into planar bodies with a substantially consistent thickness, although wavy, curved, or jagged panels are contemplated. While exemplary panels disclosed herein are generally rectangular or square shaped, other panel shapes are contemplated, for example triangles, trapezoids, and even hexagons. Irregular panels are also contemplated. Preferably, the panel is at least 1 cm thick, preferably 3 cm thick so that a child could easily grab it. The panel also generally has a long length, preferably greater than 15, 20, 25, or 30 inches (38.1, 50.8, 63.5, or 76.2 cm). 
     Unless a contrary intent is apparent from the context, all ranges recited herein are inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. In this instance, and where other upper limits are not expressly stated, the reader should infer a reasonable upper limit. In this instance, for example, a commercially reasonable upper limit for a panel length is about 200 inches for floor matting products. The panels are generally made of a compressible material, preferably polyurethane foam. Any suitable padded material could be used in place of foam, for example inflated cloth or rubber. The padded material is preferably highly elastic, to prevent a user from being hurt when the user falls on the padded material or is hit by the padded material. 
     The mat material is preferably at least 1, 2, or even 3 cm in thickness, and is preferably between 1-3 cm in thickness at its edges so as to be easily gripped and carried by a child. While the panels are preferably made from the same compressible materials, panels could be made from different materials without departing from the scope of the current invention. 
     While the play pieces could also mate with an edge of a panel, for example a recess or an interlocking structure, the play pieces preferably mate with the panels by being shaped and configured to fit within holes formed in the panel. While the holes could be shallow recesses, the holes are preferably “through holes” that run all the way through to the opposing side of the panel. The through hole could be angled or straight, and could be shaped to hold one or more play pieces in any suitable configuration. Each play piece could be made from the same color and material as the surrounding panel, or could be made from other colors or materials, depending on need. 
     Two or more of the play pieces could also be configured to mate angularly with one another. Like the panels, the play pieces could be configured to mate at any suitable angle, but are generally configured to mate at substantially 90 degree angles or substantially 180 degree angles. Preferably, the play pieces connect to one another to form a play figure, for example an animal, a vehicle, or an imaginative environment such as a beach or a castle. In an exemplary embodiment, play pieces could be recombined to form different play figures, for example a vehicle and an animal or two different vehicles. 
     In a preferred embodiment, animal play figures are contemplated to have reinforced bodies to add durability and stability. An exemplary method of reinforcing a body is to layer multiple body play pieces. In a preferred embodiment, multiple body pieces could be interlocked to form a single middle layer sandwiched in between two smaller body pieces that cover and reinforce at least part of the interlocking portions. The layered pieces could then be configured to mate with one or more leg pieces with a groove or other interlocking structure. Preferably, the leg pieces mate at substantially 90 degree angles with the layered body pieces to stabilize the body. Head pieces could then be coupled to a body piece, and/or foot pieces could be coupled to a leg piece, to complete the animal play figure. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, environmental play figures are generally configured to mate angularly with one or more panels. For example, a substantially cylindrical shape could be placed within a substantially cylindrical hole in a panel to form the trunk of a tree. Play figures could also be configured to interlock with one another. For example, a skeleton play figure could be configured to interlock with a dungeon play figure, a cannon play figure could be configured to interlock with a castle play figure, or a monkey play figure could be configured to interlock with a tree play figure. 
     Preferably, at least one side of a panel or a play piece has a design that corresponds with a play figure. For example, a panel could have a print layer of brick walls with windows and doors to encourage a user to build a castle or a house with the mats. Or a play piece could have a print layer of trees and bushes to encourage a user to build a plant. It is contemplated that the mats have prints on both sides. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a floor mat or an alligator play figure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the alligator play figure constructed from the play pieces of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a floor mat or an elephant play figure. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the elephant play figure&#39;s central body section constructed from the play pieces of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the elephant play figure constructed from the play pieces of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the elephant play figure of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an alternative view of the elephant play figure of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a floor mat or a lion play figure. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the lion play figure constructed from the play pieces o  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lion play figure of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative view of the lion play figure of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a plurality of different car play figures. 
         FIG. 13A-13D  are perspective views of different car play figures that could be constructed from the play pieces of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a castle play figure. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a castle constructed from the panels of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of a transformative floor mat that is configured to form a tower play figure. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a tower constructed from the panels of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the castle of  FIG. 15  juxtaposed with the tower of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of transformative floor mat that is configured to form trees. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present inventive subject matter provides for a transformative floor mat with interlocking panels and play pieces, which can be used to form floor mats, stacks of tiles, and play figures. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a transformative floor mat  100  generally comprises a first panel  110 , a second panel  160 , and various play pieces  170 ,  180 , and  190 . 
     First panel  110  is configured to mate planarly with second panel  160  via connecting edge  112  on first panel  110  and connecting edge  162  on second panel  160 . Connecting edge  112  comprises a series of interlocking structures, trapezoidal recesses and  114  and trapezoidal projections  116 , which match trapezoidal recesses  164  and trapezoidal projections  166  composing connecting edge  162 . Trapezoidal projections  116  are preferably slightly rounded to minimize any sharp edges in transformative floor mat  100 . 
     While connecting edge  112  is shaped to have trapezoidal projections and recesses, the connecting edge could be shaped in any suitable manner to interconnect the panels. Preferably, the projections and recesses are shaped with a wide tip and a narrow neck to prevent the panel from easily slipping out of the mating interlock. As shown, the entire perimeter of first panel  110  comprises interlocking structures, allowing first panel  110  to interlock with another panel in any direction. However, it is contemplated that a panel could be constructed with at least one edge without any interlocking structure. 
     First and second panels  110 ,  160  could be made from any suitable material or mixture of materials commonly known for floor covering, including rubber, foam, wood, or other elastic materials. In preferred embodiments, the panels are made from a co-polymeric foam, for example polyurethane. More preferably, the panels are made from ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”). The surface of panels is slightly corrugated to provide a textured surface that prevents a user from slipping on the panel when used as a floor mat, although flat surfaces and slightly curved surfaces are also contemplated. 
     Second panel  160  is constructed similarly to first panel  110 , but second panel  160  also has play pieces  170 ,  180 , and  190 , which are all configured to mate planarly in matching through holes. While these play pieces are preferably created by “stamping” or otherwise cutting holes in second panel  160 , play pieces  170 ,  180 , and  190  could conceivably be molded separately from second panel  160 . Play pieces  170 ,  180 , and  190  could also be configured to mate planarly within non-penetrating holes in panel  160  to provide for thinner play pieces. The edges of the play pieces are preferably slightly corrugated to provide additional friction to hold the play pieces in place within second panel  160 . Preferably the friction force between the play pieces and the panel is just enough such that a child could easily separate the play pieces from the panel. 
     Play pieces  170 ,  180 , and  190  have interlocking edges  172 ,  182 / 184 , and  192 , respectively. These interlocking edges are configured to mate planarly with the holes formed in second panel  160  such that the play pieces mate with second panel  160  form a substantially contiguous plane. As shown in  FIG. 2 , these interlocking edges are also configured to mate angularly with one another to form alligator play  FIG. 200 . While the interlocking edges are configured to mate angularly at a substantially 90 degree angle, the interlocking edges could be configured to mate at different angles, or at a variety of angles, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Since the recess along interlocking edge  182  is configured to receive the width of body  170  and the recess along interlocking edge  192  is configured to receive the width of leg  180 , it is preferred that the recesses along the interlocking edges are slightly smaller than the thickness of the play pieces. This allows a tighter fit between play pieces when they are connected, and assists in preventing a play figure from falling apart absent a significant force applied by a user. 
       FIGS. 3-7 ,  FIGS. 8-11 ,  FIGS. 12-15  show other preferred embodiments of transformative floor mats configured to interlock to form a variety of animal figures. 
       FIGS. 3-7  depict an alternative transformative floor mat  300  with panels  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 , and  360 . The edges of panels  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 , and  360  are not configured to mate planarly with one another, and can therefore slide away from one another easily. Within the panels of floor mat  300  are collectively cut several play pieces—central body pieces  332 ,  342 ,  352 , and  354 , side body pieces  312  and  324 , leg pieces  344  and  364 , tusk piece  334 , and head piece  362 . The play pieces are all configured to form elephant play  FIG. 500 . 
     Central body piece  332  comprises eyes  333 , which are preferably a different color than the rest of central body piece  332 . This differential color shading could be achieved in any suitable manner, for example by dying the surface of the play piece an alternate color, or by providing punch-out eyes which could be replaced by play piece eyes of different colors. In this manner, a user could customize a color palate of elephant play  FIG. 400  with separate and different color parts to replace the corresponding parts, such as eyes  333 , inner ears  363 , toenails  365 , and nose  356 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , central body pieces  332 ,  342 ,  352 , and  354  all have connecting edges with interlocking structure along a portion of their perimeter to form central body section  400 . Central body section  400  is flanked on two opposing sides by side body pieces  312  and  324 , which are all configured to be received by leg pieces  344  and  364 . By flanking body pieces around the central body piece, the body of elephant play  FIG. 500  is strengthened and stabilized. Elephant play  FIG. 500  also comprises tusk piece  334 , which angularly mates with recess  355 . As shown, even curved play pieces could be configured to angularly mate with play pieces. 
       FIGS. 8-11  depict an alternative transformative floor mat  800  with panels  810 ,  820 ,  830 ,  840 , and  850 . The panels comprise central body pieces  812 ,  822 , and  824 , side body pieces  832 , front leg  814 , rear leg  826 , front feet  836 , rear feet  838 , and head pieces  834 ,  842 , and  852 . The play pieces are all configured to form lion play  FIG. 900 . 
     As shown, front leg  814  and rear leg  826  are both configured to mate with side body pieces  832  at a substantially 90 degree angle from the bottom surface of the side body pieces. However, because side body piece  832  has a curved angle, front leg  824  and rear leg  826  are not parallel with one another. This allows lion play  FIG. 900  to have an angled stance. Likewise, front feet  826  have recess holes that run straight up and down to match front leg  824 , while rear feet  838  have recess holes that are angled, to accommodate angled rear leg  826 . 
     Central body piece  812  has an open tiered recess  813  which allows the recess to receive head piece  834  on a separate level to head pieces  842  and  852 . Open tiered recess  813  contrasts with closed tiered recess  815 , which has a narrow opening that fans out to a wider opening, which then splits into two tips. Closed tiered recess  815  provides for a tighter fit when front leg  814  receives central body piece  812  and side body pieces  832 . Closed tiered recesses are especially preferred for body pieces that could be roughly handled by a user. 
       FIG. 12  depicts an alternate transformative floor mat  1200  with panels  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240 ,  1250 , and  1260 . This transformative floor mat has a plurality of play pieces that are configured to form a plurality of different car play  FIGS. 1310 ,  1320 ,  1330 , and  1340 , shown in  FIGS. 13A-13D . Axle  1312  is a play piece that sits separate and apart from the panels, and is only used to help spin wheels  1222 . Axle  1312  could be made from the same material as the play pieces, but is preferably made from wood or plastic to assist allowing the wheels to spin. While axle  1312  is not configured to mate planarly with transformative floor mat  1200 , axle  1312  could be configured to mate with a recess in one or more of the panels of transformative floor mat  1200  without departing from the scope of the current invention. 
     As shown, the play pieces are configured to mate with one another in a variety of different ways. For example, car play  FIG. 1310  has a different car cabin hood  1232  than the car cabin hood  1234  that car play  FIG. 1320  uses, car play  FIG. 1320  has attached spoiler wing  1212  in a different configuration than car play  FIG. 1330 , and car play  FIG. 1330  has attached a different number of wheels  1222  to axle  1312  than car  FIG. 1340 . Other car configurations are possible than what is depicted in the drawings. One of skill in the art would be able to use transformative floor mat  1200  as a car building kit to build a plurality of other car play figures that look different from one another. 
       FIGS. 14-15  depict a transformative floor mat  1400  with crenellation panels  1410 , door panels  1420 , and wall panels  1430  configured to create castle play  FIG. 1500 . Crenellation panels  1410  have three edges with interlocking structures and an upper edge without interlocking structure, while door panels  1420  and wall panels  1430  have interlocking structure composing their entire perimeters. Crenellation panels  1410  also have windows  1412  which could be popped out, or could be exchanged with other windows (not shown) to add different stained glass embodiments. Wall panels  1430  also have bricks  1432  that could be popped out during battle to create a look of a damaged castle, and could be used in other play figures as structural elements. 
       FIGS. 16-17  depict a transformative floor mat  1600  with crenellation panels  1610  door panel  1620 , and wall panels  1630 , configured to create tower play  FIG. 1700 . The panels of transformative floor mat  1600  are preferably shaped to have a length and width about 2-3 cm shorter than the panels of transformative floor mat  1400 , to allow for tower play  FIG. 1700  to optionally fit inside castle play  FIG. 1500 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . Tower play  FIG. 1700  also has roof  1710  that fits within the upper recesses of crenellation panels  1610  to allow a user to place warrior figurines or other weaponry on top of roof  1710 . Roof  1710  could have recesses (not shown) that could be configured to mate with play figure weaponry, such as cannon or trebuchet play figures. 
       FIG. 19  depicts another transformative floor mat  1900  with panels  1910  and  1920 , which is configured to create tree play figures. Transformative floor mat  1900  also has attached play  FIG. 1930  that mates with hole  1912  and with leaves  1922 . Attached play  FIG. 1930  serve to be additional pieces for a play figure. Preferably, the attached play figure can be connected to the edges of the floor mat via a recess (not shown) on the attached play figure to receive an edge of the floor mat. However, it is also contemplated that an attached play figure can be included as additional parts to the floor mat. Attached play figure does not necessarily have to connect with the floor mat. Various shapes and sizes of the attached play figure are contemplated to form various play figure. For example, attached play  FIG. 1930  works with coconuts  1924  and leaves  1922  to allow for a tropical look. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, a kit is sold containing a set of floor mats to form a particular figure and instructions to do so. It is also contemplated that multiple sets of floor mats are sold to form a large scale play figure, such as a castle. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.