Abstract:
Play mats having a safe surface for play and including various scenes are provided. A play mat can include a plurality of puzzle pieces with uniform puzzle edges that can be assembled in many orientations. Continuous features can be included on mat pieces. The features can continue uninterrupted from one piece to the other regardless of how the pieces are assembled. A play mat can further comprise a plurality of border pieces to enable the play mat to have smooth outer edges. Border pieces can further comprise the continuous feature such that the continuous feature continues uninterrupted from the pieces onto the border. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also described and claimed in the application.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/150,741, filed 7 Feb. 2009, the entire contents and substance of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below. This application is also related to U.S. Design application Nos. 29/332,079, and 29/337,270, now respectively issued as U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D596,436 and D605,451; these design patent applications and design patents are also incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth below. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a play mat and more particularly to a play mat with interlocking pieces. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise scenes printed or molded onto a plurality of interlocking pieces. The various scenes can be configured so that various features of the scenes align regardless of how the pieces are assembled or orientated for assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Play mats are commonplace in play rooms, schools, and day cares. Play mats enable children to play safely while avoiding injuries such as bruised knees and rug burns. Play mats may also contain graphics or other features to enable the mat to become part of a play toy. 
         [0004]    Play mats can comprise a variety of configurations and shock absorbing materials. Play mats can be folding or in multiple pieces to enable for convenient storage when not in use. The mats can be formed of high density rubber or plastic foam to provide cushioning yet prevent “bottoming out.” Mats can be soft enough to absorb impacts, but firm enough to prevent it from fully compressing and allowing the child to hit the underlying surface. 
         [0005]    Play mats often have scenes printed, silk-screened, or otherwise imprinted on them. These can include, among other things, familiar daily scenes. Conventional mats scenes have been designed and printed such that the mat must be assembled in a specific manner (typically only one single assembly methods) for the features printed thereon to align properly. This may seem a simple task, but can be frustrating for young minds still in development or for those with mental disabilities or injuries. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is a mat with multiple interlocking pieces and a variety of scenes to promote healthy play and prevent boredom. The scenes should be designed, however, such that all features that continue from one piece to the next align regardless of how the individual pieces are assembled or orientated for assembly. It is to the provision of such play mats with interlocking pieces that embodiments of the present invention are directed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a play mat generally intended to provide a safe surface for play and to include various scenes. In some embodiments, a mat can include a plurality of puzzle pieces with puzzle edges that can be assembled in many orientations. In an exemplary embodiment, continuous features, such as, for example, roads, rivers, or railroad tracks, can be included on mat pieces. In an exemplary embodiment, continuous features can include features that continue uninterrupted from one piece of the mat to another regardless of how the pieces are assembled. This enables the mat to be assembled in a variety of ways thereby providing multiple configurations and also reducing user frustration. Play mat embodiments can also include a plurality of border pieces. Border pieces can provide a smooth edge to other puzzle pieces and an assembled play mat. Border pieces can be solid or can comprise continuous features such that the continuous feature continues uninterrupted from the pieces onto the border. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded, perspective, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exploded, perspective, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective, side view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a top view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded, top view of a play mat with self-aligning roads in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of embodiments of the invention, they are explained below with reference to implementations in illustrative embodiments. Embodiments of the invention are described in the context of being a device for providing a multi-piece puzzle mat for children with aligning roads. Embodiments of the invention, however, are not solely limited to use with mats with roads imprinted thereon. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used whenever features are provided on play mats that preferably align when assembled. The figures provided are intended to be exemplary and thus are referred to only generally in the description below. 
         [0023]    The material described hereinafter as making up the various features of embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example. 
         [0024]    As shown in the figures, embodiments of the present invention can comprise a play mat, with six puzzle pieces and a border, depicting a city scene. The puzzle pieces can have a first surface and a second surface. In some embodiments, the first surface of the puzzle pieces can depict, for example and not limitation, airports, zoos, gas stations, farms, neighborhoods, and schools. Other embodiments of the present invention can include more or less pieces and can include different scenes. For example, the pieces can be of uniform size and shape, and can be symmetrical enabling any number of pieces to be assembled. 
         [0025]    For ease of description, the term “road” is used throughout the Specification, but should not be construed to be so limiting, and can include many suitable features that could continue from one piece of the mat to another. In some embodiments, the first surface of the puzzle pieces can contain roads. In other embodiments, the pieces can comprise other common features such as, for example and not limitation, roads, paths, railroad tracks, rivers, streams, or racetracks. This can enable the use of toy cars, actions figures, and the like, to be used as part of play in conjunction with the play mat. Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention enable the common features to align regardless of orientation of the pieces. In other words, as long as the edges of the pieces are correctly interlocked end-to-end, the features, regardless of their number or type, always line up. 
         [0026]    This can be useful for those who have not yet developed, or have lost, the ability to comprehend higher level spatial relationships. For example, while it might seem a simple task for an adult to assemble six pieces that require a particular orientation, this can be quite frustrating for children (who simply do not have a fully developed intellect.) This can also be true for children and adults who have decreased cognitive abilities due to injury, illness, or disability. Providing a mat on which the features align, regardless of orientation, can increase user enjoyment, and decrease demands on caregivers, such a parents and teachers. 
         [0027]    The figures depict a city scene comprising six scenes on substantially square puzzle pieces. The pieces have a uniform puzzle type edge, which enables the pieces to be assembled in any manner. In some embodiments, the pieces can be provided with roads, with various routes and features, on each piece. The roads can be designed, however, such that when each road reaches an edge of the piece, it bisects the edge. In other words, each road terminates in the middle of each edge. This orientation enables each puzzle piece to be assembled in any position and in any orientation. Regardless of how the mat is assembled, therefore, the roads always align. 
         [0028]    As further shown in figures, in some embodiments, the mat can comprise a plurality of puzzle pieces with uniform puzzle-type edges. So, for example and not limitation, each piece can be square and comprise four edges. These pieces can be assembled by aligning an edge on a first piece with an edge on a second piece such that they overlap slightly. By applying light pressure to the overlying piece, the opposing tabs on each piece can interlock. Because the edges are of equal length, any of the four edges from the first piece will interlock with any of the four edges on the second piece. This can allow the puzzle pieces to be assembled in many orientations, providing many different configurations. 
         [0029]    So, for example and not limitation, the mat can comprise six square pieces. The pieces can be assembled in a two row, three column manner such that the over configuration forms a substantially rectangular mat. In an exemplary embodiment, the mat can further comprise 10 border pieces. In some embodiments, the border pieces can further comprise a first edge with a uniform puzzle-type edge, like those found on the pieces, and a second, smooth edge. The border pieces can be interlocked with the exposed edges of the mat pieces to form a smooth edge around the outside of the mat. In some embodiments, the border pieces may further comprise roads that align with those on the mat pieces. In other embodiments, the border pieces may be solid colors. In additional embodiments, the border pieces may comprise a first design on a first side and a second design on a second side. As a result, in some embodiments, the assembled mat and border pieces can comprise a substantially rectangular shape with smooth edges. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, because the roads on the pieces are equally spaced about the midpoint of each edge, the roads can align regardless of how the pieces are assembled. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to squares, however, and many other shapes are contemplated. The pieces can be, for example and not limitation, equilateral triangles, which can also enable the pieces to be assembled and interlocked regardless of orientation. 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to use with only one road. For example, each piece can have multiple roads terminating in symmetrical locations at the edge of the tile. For example, each tile can have two roads approaching the edge of each piece such that they are located at the ¼ and ¾ points of the edge of the tile. In fact, as long as the roads are symmetrically located about the midpoint of each edge, they will align when the mat is assembled, regardless of orientation. This is also true regardless of the number of roads employed. 
         [0032]    In still other embodiments, the pieces can include different pictures or patterns on the first surface and the second surface. This can enable the mat to be used in still more configurations. For example, the first surface can comprise a city, and the second surface can comprise multi-color solid tiles. This can enable the first surface to be utilized as a play mat and the second surface to be used for a gym mat. In additional embodiments, the second surface may comprise, for example and not limitation, a different city or country scape, a completely solid color to be used as a gym or work mat, or a grid for a game such as hopscotch. 
         [0033]    Other embodiments of the present invention can include border pieces designed to interlock with the outside edges of the mat. The border pieces can have a uniform puzzle-type edge on one side and be smooth on the other. This can enable the mat to have smooth edges to prevent, for example, snagging, and/or objects becoming lodged in the puzzle edges. In some embodiments, the border pieces can further comprise continuations of the road such that they align with the pieces. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the scene, or other graphic or color, can be silk-screened on the various pieces of the mat. This can provide for relatively inexpensive and durable graphics. Embodiments of the present invention are not so limited, however, and other manufacturing techniques are contemplated. For example and not limitation, the graphics can be applied using various printing techniques such a laser or ink jet printing. In other embodiments, the graphics may be applied as one or more layers of stickers or decals. In still other embodiments, the graphics may be molded or imprinted into the mat material using heat or other means. 
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment, the mat can be formed from a material that has sufficient resilience to absorb impacts while preventing the user from impacted the underlying surface. The mat pieces can be formed from, for example and not limitation, high density, closed cell EVA foam, Open Cell/Urethane-Ether Foam, polyurethane convoluted foam, or synthetic or natural rubber foam. In some embodiments, the mat pieces can be injection molded. In other embodiments, the mat pieces can be cut out using, for example and not limitation, hydraulic presses, dies, CNC milling machines, or other suitable methods. 
         [0036]    Other embodiments of the present invention can include three-dimensional features. The mat can include features that coincide with three dimensional components, for example and not limitation, slot car tracks, railroad tracks, game boards, and the like. The mat, therefore, can assist the user in assembling the three-dimensional components. As with the mat itself, this can enable the three-dimensional components to be assembled more quickly and reduce user frustration. 
         [0037]    As described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particular formulations, process steps, dimensions and materials disclosed herein as such formulations, process steps, and materials can vary somewhat. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and the terminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof in a later filed non-provisional patent application. 
         [0038]    Therefore, while embodiments of this invention have been described in detail with particular reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention as described above. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only be defined by the claims and all equivalents in a later filed non-provisional patent application.