Abstract:
The cushioned choke-safe play mat is an apparatus that provides a safe and comfortable area for the playing of young children or infants. The cushioned choke-safe play mate includes an enclosing cover, a cushioning layer, and a plurality of toys. The enclosing cover surrounds the cushioning layer, and the plurality of toys is fixed along the exterior of the enclosing cover. The enclosing cover includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer and the lower layer are perimetrically connected to each other. This engagement between the upper layer and the lower layer encloses around the cushioning layer. More specifically, the lower layer is beneath the cushioning layer and the upper layer is above the cushioning layer. Consequently, as a user rests on top of the upper layer, the user is comfortably resting on top of the cushioning layer while safely playing with the plurality of toys.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/276,118 filed on Jan. 7, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a play mat that can be safely used by infants and young children. More specifically, the present invention limits the amount of choking hazards while maintaining a comfortable and entertaining environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A parent has a choice between a variety of baby play mats. Baby play mats include foam mats, fabric mats, padded mats, mats attached to activity gyms, mats with built in pillows, and so on. One of the biggest concerns of a parent however is the danger that toys present to their children&#39;s safety. Though toy packaging indicates the minimum age that a child should be if playing with the toy, the child is not entirely free from danger. Yet, none of the aforementioned play mats offer the benefits of these features into one baby play mat while effectively creating a safe environment for children. 
         [0004]    An objective of the present invention is a cushioned choke-safe play mat that provides all the comfort, support, and entertainment to infants. The present invention offers a variety of ornamental designs to reflect a plurality of sceneries, a plurality of cartoon and movie characters, and a plurality of designs meant for babies. The present invention allows a baby to rest and play in an area without parents having to worry about the baby creating a mess with the toys, choking on any of the toys, while being unable to rest comfortably on the mat. The present invention incorporates a variety of materials and toys that are integrated into the micro-fleece cover. Each aspect of the ornamental design is illustrated by the varying materials, toys, and seams. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention that comprises a plurality of anti-slip feet. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention that comprises an anti-slip layer. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a front side view of the elongate fastener of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front side view of the elongated opening of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a back side view of the present invention in a rolled configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover and the cushioning layer of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an embodiment of the at least one stuffed toy of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an alternative embodiment of the at least one stuffed toy of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an alternative embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an alternative embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the enclosing cover, the cushioning layer, and an alternative embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    The present invention is a cushioned choke-safe play mat that provides a safe and comfortable area for playing. The present invention enhances the cognitive skills of a user and prevents the user from hitting the ground hard if he or she accidentally falls. The present invention comprises an enclosing cover  1 , a cushioning layer  4 , and a plurality of toys  5 . A couple of the plurality of toys  5  is shown attached to the enclosing cover  1  in  FIG. 8 . The enclosing cover  1  protects the cushioning layer  4  also illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The cushioning layer  4  provides a soft padded area for a user to rest. The cushioning layer  4  is preferably made of a low resilience polyurethane foam material. The plurality of toys  5  entertains the user and enhances the user&#39;s cognitive skills. The plurality of toys  5  is not removable from the enclosing cover  1  so that each of the plurality of toys  5  do not present a choking hazard to babies or young children using the present invention. 
         [0020]    The general configuration of the aforementioned components provides a safe, entertaining environment for the user. The enclosing cover  1  prevents the cushioning layer  4  from being damaged as well as houses the cushioning layer  4 . The enclosing cover  1  comprises an upper layer  2  and a lower layer  3 . The upper layer  2  and the lower layer  3  are illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The upper layer  2  prevents the cushioning layer  4  from coming into direct contact with the user. The lower layer  3  prevents the cushioning layer  4  from coming into direct contact with the floor. The upper layer  2  and the lower layer  3  are perimetrically connected to each other, and the cushioning layer  4  is positioned within the enclosing cover  1 . In addition, the cushioning layer  4  is superimposed onto the lower layer  3 , and the upper layer  2  is superimposed onto the cushioning layer  4 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the configuration between the upper layer  2 , the lower layer  3 , and the cushioning layer  4  prevents the cushioning layer  4  from escaping the enclosing cover  1 . The cushioning layer  4  is completely surrounded by the enclosing cover  1 . The upper layer  2  provides a platform for the plurality of toys  5 , which are fixed exterior and across the upper layer  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A user may rest on the cushioning layer  4  without coming into direct contact with the cushioning layer  4  while playing with the plurality of toys  5  as the upper layer  2  is superimposed onto the cushioning layer  4 . 
         [0021]    The plurality of toys  5  provides entertainment to a user while enhancing his or her cognitive skills. A variety of the plurality of toys  5  is shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 1 . The plurality of toys  5  comprises at least one stuffed toy  6 . The at least one stuffed toy  6  is a plush item that the user may grab or hug while playing. The at least one stuffed toy  6  comprises a main cover  7  and a main filling  8 . The main cover  7  protects the main filling  8 . The main filling  8  creates a plush quality of the at least one stuffed toy  6 . The main cover  7  is perimetrically connected to the upper layer  2 , and the main filling  8  is positioned in between the main cover  7  and the upper layer  2 . The attachment between the upper layer  2  and the main cover  7  contains the main filling  8  and allows a user to press upon the at the at least one stuffed toy  6 . 
         [0022]    The plurality of toys  5  further comprises at least one squeaky toy  13 . The at least one squeaky toy  13  emits a sound upon the application of a force. A plurality of the at least one squeaky toy  13  is shown in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 , and  FIG. 13 . A first embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13  comprises a main cover  14  and a press-activated sound-emitting device  15 . The main cover  14  protects the press-activated sound-emitting device  15 . The main cover  14  is perimetrically connected to the upper layer  2 . The main cover  14  secures the position of the press-activated sound-emitting device  15 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The press-actuated sound-emitted device  15  provides an auditory experience for the user. The press-actuated sound-emitting device  15  is positioned in between the main cover  14  and the upper layer  2 . The attachment between the main cover  14  and the upper layer  2  prevents the unwanted movement of the press-activated sound-emitted device  15 . Alternatively, a second embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13  similarly comprises a main cover  14  and a press-activated sound emitting device  15 . The main cover  14  encloses the press-activated sound-emitting device  15  so that the press-activated sound-emitting device  15  remains attached to the enclosing cover  1 . In addition, the main cover  14  is hingedly connected to the upper layer  2  so that the at least one squeaky toy  13  is flappable on the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 11 . The second embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13  allows the user to grab and squeeze entirely the at least squeaky toy  13  instead of pressing on one section of the first embodiment of the squeaky toy  13 . 
         [0023]    The at least one stuffed toy  6 , the first embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13 , and the second embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13  may each comprise at least one secondary feature  23 . The at least one secondary feature  9  is used to increase the variety of tactile and visual experiences that are available to the user of the present invention. One embodiment of the at least one secondary feature  23  comprises a secondary cover  10  and a secondary filling  11 . The secondary cover  10  encloses the secondary filling  11 . The secondary cover  10  is positioned adjacent the main cover  7  and is fixed onto the upper layer  2 . The arrangement between the secondary cover  10  and the upper layer  2  secures the position of the secondary filling  11 . The arrangement between each of the at least one stuffed toy  6 , the at least one squeaky toy  13 , or the second embodiment of the at least one squeaky toy  13  with that of its corresponding the secondary features  9  is shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 , respectively. An alternate embodiment of at least one secondary feature  9  comprises a flaccid member  12 . The flaccid member  12  is a plush extension of the at least one stuffed toy  6  that contributes to the overall aesthetic of the plurality of toys  5 . The proximal end of the flaccid member  12  is positioned adjacent to the main cover  7  to better represent the animal, feature of nature, or the item the at least one toy represents. This configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0024]    The plurality of toys  5  may further comprise at least one frilly toy  16 . The at least one frilly toy  16  enhances the tactile experiences that the user has with the present invention. The at least one frilly toy  16  comprises a plurality of strips  17  which are used to represent the rays of the sun or the branches of a tree. The preferred embodiment of the present invention arranges the plurality of strips  17  such that the at least one frilly toy  16  resembles that of sun rays as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The plurality of strips  17  can be, but is not limited to, ribbons, strands of yarn, strings, and a variety of other flexible elongated bodies. The plurality of strips  17  is arranged in an aesthetic configuration. More specifically, the proximal end of each of the plurality of strips  17  is fixed onto the upper layer  2  such that a three-dimensional effect of the imagery defined by the aesthetic configuration. 
         [0025]    The present invention may further comprise a plurality of loops  18 . The plurality of loops  18  allows the user to grab the extremities of the present invention and to position the present invention into a rolled configuration. Each of the plurality of loops  18  is peripherally positioned about the cushioning layer  4  and is laterally fixed to the enclosing cover  1 , as shown in the perspective views  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 . The arrangement of the plurality of loops  18  around the cushioning layer  4  prevents the enclosing cover  1  and the cushioning layer  4  from escaping the rolled configuration. The rolled configuration allows the user to better store the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of loops  18  is evenly distributed about the cushioning layer  4 . 
         [0026]    The present invention may further comprise an elongated opening  19  and an elongated fastener  22  which are integrated into the enclosing cover  1 . The elongated opening  19  provides access into the enclosing cover  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and the elongated fastener  22  seals the elongated opening  19 . The elongated opening  19  is sealed by the elongated fastener  22  in  FIG. 4 . The elongated opening  19  comprises a first lengthwise edge  20  and a second lengthwise edge  21 . The first lengthwise edge  20  and the second lengthwise edge  21  define the elongated opening  19 . The elongated opening  19  is positioned in between the upper layer  2  and the lower layer  3 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, the first lengthwise edge  20  and the second lengthwise edge  21  is attached along each other by the elongated fastener  22 . The user may manually open and close the elongated opening  19  by engaging the elongated fastener  22 . The elongated fastener  22  is preferably a zipper, however, alternate embodiments of the elongated fastener  22  may be a plurality of buttons, a plurality of snaps, a plurality of hooks, a strip of velcro, and so on. 
         [0027]    The present invention may further comprise a plurality of handles  23 . Each of the plurality of handles  23  is clearly shown in  FIG. 1 . The plurality of handles  23  allows a user to easily grip the present invention and maneuver the present invention wherever the user wishes. The plurality of handles  23  is peripherally positioned about the cushioning layer  4 . Each of the plurality of handles  23  is laterally fixed to the enclosing cover  1 . This arrangement of the plurality of handles  23  allows the user to grasp onto and maneuver the present invention without any loose items on top of the enclosing cover  1  from falling off the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of handles  23  is evenly distributed about the cushioning layer  4 . 
         [0028]    The present invention may further comprise a handle binder  24 . The handle binder  24  prevents the unwanted separation of the plurality of handles  23  while in a rolled configuration. The rolled configuration of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . The handle binder  24  is also shown retaining the plurality of handles  23  in  FIG. 6 . More specifically, the plurality of handles  23  is detachably attached to each other by the handle binder  24  so that each of the plurality of handles  23  is no longer flailing about the edges of the cushioning layer  4 . 
         [0029]    An embodiment of the present invention further comprises a plurality of anti-slip feet  26 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The plurality of anti-slip feet  26  increases the friction between the present invention and the ground beneath the present invention. The plurality of anti-slip feet  26  is distributed across the lower layer  3  and is connected exterior to the lower layer  3 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The distribution of the plurality of anti-slip feet  26  about the exterior surface of the lower layer  3  secures the position of the present invention. An alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises an anti-slip layer  25  in order to better ensure the position of the present invention. The anti-slip layer  25  is positioned across the lower layer  3  and is connected exterior to the lower layer  3 . This arrangement is illustrated in the bottom perspective view of  FIG. 3 . The configuration between the anti-slip layer  25  and the lower layer  3  prevents the lower layer  3  from directly coming into contact with the ground. The anti-slip layer  25  increases the friction between the present invention and the ground more than that between the exterior of the lower layer  3 . 
         [0030]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.