Abstract:
A portable activity play table which can be easily transported from the home and used while a child is seated in an airplane seat, an automobile seat, a high chair, and the like, while providing intellectual stimulation and learning and hours of safe, enjoyable play for a child is disclosed. The portable activity play table toy has a table portion with a play surface area, and a strap with fasteners for securing the play table toy. The table portion has features that entertains and/or educates a child.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The technology described herein relates generally to activity toys for children. More specifically, the technology described herein relates to a portable activity play table which can be easily transported from the home and used while a child is seated in an airplane seat, an automobile seat, a high chair, and the like, while providing intellectual stimulation and learning and hours of safe, enjoyable play for a child. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Children, from infants through toddler age, tend to be disruptive, especially during trips or at eating establishments. Occupying, educating and/or entertaining a child in these situations can be exasperating to a parent or caregiver, especially on long airplane rides where space is limited. The cramped space in the vicinity of an airplane seat limits the options available to keep a child from being disruptive to other passengers. 
         [0003]    Consequently, there is a need for a portable device and related method for occupying, educating and/or entertaining a child, especially when the child is seated in an airplane, in a car seat or in a restaurant high chair. 
         [0004]    These and other problems exist. Previous attempts to solve these and other problems include the following. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,107, issued to Miller on Sep. 13, 1988, discloses a portable travel tray. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. D298,956, issued to Zinter-Chahin on Dec. 13, 1988, illustrates an activity toy for car seat of similar article. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,577, issued to Demaio et al. on Sep. 25, 1990, discloses a roll-up lap tray. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,421, issued to Arseneault on Feb. 23, 1993, discloses an entertainment and feeding device for use by children in automobiles. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,018, issued to Cromwell on Aug. 22, 1995, discloses a folding tray for attachment to a vehicle seat back. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,102, issued to Pasmanick on Oct. 24, 1995, discloses a portable work and play station for a child. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,853, issued to Pelletier on Nov. 21, 1995, discloses a children&#39;s activity case. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,973, issued to Vulpitta et al. on Oct. 28, 1997, discloses a portable children&#39;s activity station. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. D390,603, issued to Treherne on Feb. 10, 1998, illustrates a children&#39;s educational toy. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,672, issued to Ostermann et al on Mar. 9, 1999, discloses a portable organizer desk for use while traveling. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,454, issued to Mitchell on Sep. 5, 2000, discloses an amusement center for rear facing infant child seats. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,166, issued to Rotstein on Sep. 12, 2000, discloses a child&#39;s collapsible travel tray. 
         [0017]    U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0144884, inventor Abbate, published on Jul. 6, 2006, discloses a portable activity case with fold-out table. 
         [0018]    The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor&#39;s claimed invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In general, the technology described herein is directed to a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation. Applications include, but are not limited to, being used with an airplane seat tray, a high chair tray, or the back of a car seat. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment the play table toy comprises a table portion with a play surface area and a plurality of thematic items attached to the play surface area to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child. 
         [0021]    The thematic items vary depending on the embodiment and include, but are not limited to, the following:
       tactile shapes
           permanently attached   removably attached   
           a liquid coloring mat   interactive sound generating elements   doors that lift and/or slide to reveal objects       
 
         [0028]    In some embodiments the table portion is flexible and is comprised of a pliable material e.g. vinyl, plastic, fabric, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments the table portion is rigid and is comprised of an inflexible material. In some embodiments the table portion is interchangeable and can be removed and replaced by another table portion. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments the play table toy has a plurality of fasteners to fixedly attach the play table toy to a generally planar surface, in either an upright, vertical manner or flat, horizontal manner. In some embodiments the fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments the play table toy has a strap fixedly attached to the table portion, where the strap is configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, and where the strap is configured to hold the play table toy and provide a shoulder carrying strap when the play table toy is not in use. Depending on the embodiment the strap has hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments the play table toy has a strap fixedly attached to the table portion of the play table toy, a buckle fixedly attached to the strap, the buckle comprising a male and a female side to interlock; the strap and buckle are configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, to wrap around and to store the play table toy when rolled up and not in use, and to provide a shoulder strap for carrying the play table toy. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments of the play table toy a strap is fixedly attached to the table portion of the play table toy, a buckle is fixedly attached to the strap (the buckle comprising a male and a female side to interlock); the strap and buckle are configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, and to also wrap around and store the play table toy when rolled up and not in use, as well as to provide a shoulder strap for carrying the play table toy. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments the table portion is comprised of an audio output and a headphone connection. 
         [0034]    In some embodiment there is an anchor fixedly attached to the table portion of the play table toy and configured to attach a tethered baby toy or bottle. 
         [0035]    In another exemplary embodiment the play table toy is a flexible fabric play case that allows for a variety of flexible play cards to be inserted and removed. The play table case can either be rolled or folded and secured with carrying straps for easy mobility. The flexible fabric play case and play cards are easy cleanable with a damp cloth. The parent or child, depending upon age of child, will carry the play case rolled or folded up and secured with straps. The play case can be unrolled or unfolded and attached to a tray table with one or more securing straps. In an airplane environment the play table case can be attached with the tray table up and the play case facing the child, or with the tray table down, depending upon the flight status. In applications with other trays, the play case can simply be attached using one or more securing straps in any direction that the tray faces. 
         [0036]    In this embodiment there is a securing arm at the top of the open pocket at the top edge of the play case. This securing arm is a flexible arm made of the same/similar material as the play case. The securing arm is lifted to allow for the insertion and removal of a play card. After inserting a play card, the securing arm is closed and fitted into the securing tab to maintain placement of the play card. The securing arm also dimensioned to allow for the insertion of a play card having components that may have more depth than the play case. 
         [0037]    Examples of interchangeable play cards include, but are not limited to:
       a play card demonstrating interactive play with sensory play components including various tactile surfaces as well as play cards with game boards and play cards that allow for repeated drawing and writing;   a play card involving a writeable and erasable play surface, e.g. illustrating an alphabet, numbers and shapes;   a play card that includes a game board, e.g. checkers, connect the dots, math games, or the like;   a play card having a soft, rough, smooth, slick or other touch-sensible surfaces.   a play card having a mirror;   a play card having a liquid drawing surface;   a play card having hidden objects in the picture;   a play card having a matching game, e.g., different objects are hidden behind flexible doors to be revealed two at a time to be matched.       
 
         [0046]    Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0047]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0048]    There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0049]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein. 
         [0050]    Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0051]    The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like system components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which: 
           [0052]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the portable activity play table tray rolled up and with a carrying strap; 
           [0053]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a liquid coloring mat disposed on the table portion of the portable activity play table tray; 
           [0054]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a variety of thematic items disposed on the table portion of the portable activity play table tray; 
           [0055]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, an example of the transport in an airport of the portable activity play table tray rolled up and with a carrying strap; 
           [0056]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the positioning of the portable activity play table tray on an airplane tray table that has been opened and lowered; 
           [0057]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the portable activity play table secured to an airplane tray table that is closed; 
           [0058]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the portable activity play table secured to an airplane tray table that is lowered; 
           [0059]      FIG. 8  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the front of the play case; 
           [0060]      FIG. 9  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, an open pocket for insertion of interchangeable play cards; 
           [0061]      FIG. 10  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, the insertion and/or removal of interchangeable play cards; 
           [0062]      FIG. 11  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a writeable and erasable play surface; 
           [0063]      FIG. 12  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a writeable and erasable play surface; 
           [0064]      FIG. 13  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a play card that includes a game board; 
           [0065]      FIG. 14  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a play card having soft, rough, smooth, slick or other touch-sensible surfaces; 
           [0066]      FIG. 15  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a matching game play card having different objects hidden behind flexible doors to be revealed two at a time to be matched; and 
           [0067]      FIG. 16  is a view of a portable activity play table tray, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular, a play card involving finding hidden objects in the picture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0068]    Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0069]    In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a device for entertaining and/or educating a child, especially during travel. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-16 , a portable activity play tray toy  100  has a table portion  200  disposed thereon. The table portion  200  is removably attached from the portable activity play tray toy  100  in some embodiments to allow a parent of caregiver to interchange one table portion  200  with another table portion  200  when a child gets bored with the first table portion  200 . 
         [0071]    The table portion  200  has a play surface area  210 . In one embodiment the play surface area  210  is a liquid coloring mat  600 . In another embodiment the play surface area  210  has thematic items disposed thereon to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child. These thematic items include a fixed thematic item  510 , a door thematic item  520 , a tactile thematic item  530 , a removable thematic item  540  and/or an interactive sound generating thematic items  550 . The door thematic items  520  can be a door that is hinged and lifts, e.g. with hook and loop fasteners, or slides. 
         [0072]    In some embodiments the portable activity play table toy  100  has a plurality of a fastener to fixedly attach the portable activity play table toy  100  to a generally planar surface, in either an upright, vertical manner or flat, horizontal manner. In some embodiments the fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners. 
         [0073]    In some embodiments the portable activity play table toy has a strap  400  fixedly attached to the table portion  200 , where the strap  400  is configured to secure the table portion  200  to an object when the portable activity play table toy  100  is in use, and where the strap  400  is configured to hold the portable activity play table toy  100  and provide a shoulder carrying strap  410  when the portable activity play table toy  100  is not in use. Depending on the embodiment the strap  400  has hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0074]    In some embodiments the portable activity play table toy  100  has a strap  400  fixedly attached to the table portion  200  of the play table toy, a buckle fixedly attached to the strap, the buckle comprising a male side  710  and a female side  720  to interlock; the strap  400  and buckle are configured to secure the table portion to an object when the portable activity play table toy  100  is in use, to wrap around and to store the portable activity play table toy  100  when rolled up and not in use, and to provide a shoulder strap  410  for carrying the portable activity play table toy. 
         [0075]    In some embodiments the table portion is further comprised of an audio output (not shown) and a headphone connection (not shown). 
         [0076]    In some embodiments there is an anchor (not shown) fixedly attached to the table portion of the play table toy and configured to attach a tethered baby toy or bottle. 
         [0077]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a toy for use with an airplane tray, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; a plurality of thematic items attached to the table portion to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child; and a plurality of fasteners to fixedly attach the play table toy to an airplane tray in either an upright, vertical manner or flat, horizontal manner. 
         [0078]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a toy for use with an airplane tray, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; a plurality of thematic items attached to the table portion to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child; a plurality of fasteners to fixedly attach the play table toy to an airplane tray in either an upright, vertical manner or flat, horizontal manner; and a strap fixedly attached to the table portion, where the strap is configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, and wherein the strap is configured to hold the play table toy and provide a shoulder carrying strap when the play table toy is not in use. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; and a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child. 
         [0080]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child; and at least one of a strap fixedly attached to the table portion, wherein the strap is configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, and wherein the strap is configured to hold the play table toy and provide a shoulder carrying strap when the play table toy is not in use. 
         [0081]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , where each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child; a securing arm hingedly disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured to lift and close and to secure one of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  upon insertion; a securing tab to hold the securing arm in place in a closed position; and a storage area disposed within the table portion. 
         [0082]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; and a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , where each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child, wherein the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a tactile surface area selected from one of soft, rough, smooth, and slick surfaces, wherein the tactile surface area provides tactile stimulation to a child. 
         [0083]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; and a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , where each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child, wherein the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises an interchangeable play card of a game. 
         [0084]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; and a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , where each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child, wherein the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises an interchangeable play card of an educational activity. 
         [0085]    In some embodiments the technology described herein is a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation, the toy comprising: a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable; and a transparent pocket  110  disposed upon the table portion of the child&#39;s portable activity play table toy and configured for placement of one of a plurality interchangeable play cards  900 , wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises a plurality of thematic items and a plurality of sensory play components to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child, where the plurality of interchangeable play cards  900  comprises an interchangeable play card containing one of a mirror, a contained liquid drawing surface, hidden objects behind hinged doors, and a writable and erasable surface. 
         [0086]    Examples of play cards include, but are not limited to,  901 ,  902 ,  903 ,  904 ,  905 , and  906 . 
         [0087]    Play card examples  901  and  902  illustrate having a write-able and erasable play surface; possibilities include, but are not limited to, alphabet characters, numbers and shapes. 
         [0088]    Play card example  903  illustrates a play card that includes a game board. Game options include, but are limited to, checkers, connect the dots, math games, etc. 
         [0089]    Play card example  904  illustrates a play card that has soft, rough, smooth, slick or other sensible surfaces. A mirror and/or contained liquid drawing surface can also be included. 
         [0090]    Play card example  905  illustrates a matching game. Different objects are hidden behind flexible doors to be revealed two at a time to be matched. 
         [0091]    Play card example  906  illustrates a game of finding hidden objects in a picture. Pictures can have multiple themes. 
         [0092]    The technology described herein also includes a method for manufacturing a child&#39;s portable activity play table toy for visual and tactile stimulation. In one embodiment this method comprises:
       utilizing a table portion having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left side, a right side, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the table portion being a play surface area and being portable;   utilizing a plurality of fasteners on the play table toy, configuring the play table toy to be fixedly attached to a generally planar surface in either an upright, vertical manner or flat, horizontal manner; and   attaching a plurality of thematic items to the table portion to provide visual and tactile stimulation to a child.       
 
         [0096]    In some embodiments this method further comprises:
       securing a strap to the table portion, where the strap is configured to secure the table portion to an object when the play table toy is in use, and where the strap is configured to hold the play table toy and provide a shoulder carrying strap when the play table toy is not in use       
 
         [0098]    Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.