US20210392979A1

US20210392979A1 - Garment having an enhanced play function and play landscape

Info

Publication number: US20210392979A1
Application number: US17/445,509
Authority: US
Inventors: Ines Zoll
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-26
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Also published as: DE102019104896B4; CN113473874A; EP3908138B1; PL3908138T3; WO2020174022A1; DE102019104896A1; ES2964994T3; EP3908138C0; EP3908138A1

Abstract

A garment, in particular an outer garment having a play surface with an enhanced play function, wherein a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein the movable fastening device is connected to the garment and/or integrated in the garment, wherein the movable fastening device is partially movable relative to the garment and/or to the play surface and/or has a moving element that is movable relative to the garment and/or to the play surface, and the play figure is detachably fastened to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/055068 filed Feb. 26, 2020, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2019 104 896.6 filed Feb. 26, 2019, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment having an enhanced play function and a play landscape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garments for children that are designed to stimulate and foster the imagination for play are widely known from the prior art. For example, US 2018/0146729 A1 discloses a garment, for instance in the form of a T-shirt, on which the natural habitat of various animals (for example, a forest) is depicted and can also be tangibly integrated in the garment in that, for example, pockets in the form of caves are attached. Furthermore, it is accordingly possible to accommodate animals that belong in the habitat in the pockets or, for example, also to fix them to the garment by way of hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.
Moreover, KR 10 0 834 997 B1 discloses a garment to which a kind of clothesline is fastened by buttons, toy garments being able to be hung in turn on hangers fixed to the clothesline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a garment that is equipped with an enhanced play functionality and furthermore makes it easier for parents and children on the move to transport toys.
Accordingly, the garment according to the present invention is noteworthy in that a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein first of all the movable fastening device is connected (in particular, permanently or detachably) to the garment and/or is integrated in the garment. In contrast to the prior art, the garment according to the invention thus has especially the special feature that the corresponding play figure or the play figures can be fastened detachably to the movable fastening device and is/are not just fixed purely statically to the garment, as has hitherto been conventional in the prior art. In contrast to the prior art, this makes a dynamic play activity possible in the first place, in which the clothing is incorporated and arouses particular interest even for children as a result of its increased functionality. The movable fastening device can itself be configured in a movable manner in that the entire fastening device or a part of it is attached or mounted such that there it has a degree of freedom of movement. The movable fastening device also has a fixed part, however, and additionally comprises a moving element that is mounted accordingly in a movable manner. The movable fastening device or the moving element can then be movable relative to the garment or the play surface, and is movable as a rule not just in a plane parallel to the play surface but in a three-dimensional region.
In contrast to the prior art, the garment is thus incorporated directly into play, to be more precise into a three-dimensional play activity. Specifically, if the play figure is merely fastened to the garment and is statically fixed thereto, the actual play process is only allowed in that the play figure is detached from the garment itself and is moved in space. According to the present invention, the garment is assigned a play landscape, however, which not only consists in the provision of a surface that can optionally also bear a motif but also in the play surface of the garment according to the present invention becoming a part of the play space used when playing. At the same time, the garment is given an enhanced play function, i.e. it becomes a part of the actual toy or game as a result of the structural features according to the present invention and does not just have the passive function of being merely a backdrop. Moreover, it is possible, as a result of the present invention, to dispense with carrying along additional toys such as dollhouses or the like when on the move/on the road, since the garment is capable of taking on this play function in its entirety.
The respective play figure is, according to the present invention, fastened magnetically to the movable fastening device or the moving element. The fastening can additionally also be configured in some other way depending on the exemplary embodiment, for example, by clamping or by a hook-and-loop fastener. In addition, this does not preclude play figures that are fastened in some other way from being present in addition to a magnetically fastenable play figure.
Various ones of these fastening variants may also be used together in the scope of the garment and be integrated therein. It is also conceivable to effect a type of coding in that, for example, different movable fastening devices or the moving elements thereof are provided and only individual ones of these fastening devices or moving elements are assigned to each animal. For example, among the play figures, it is possible for only the monkeys to stick to a movable fastening device or a moving element in the form of a liana, but not the lion play figure.
For detachable fastening, it is possible to use clamping mounts, magnetic fasteners or hook-and-loop fasteners, which can be found as standard fastening elements for such garments among sewing equipment.
The movable fastening device and/or the moving element can be configured as follows: for example, it can be a kind of pendulum, which represents for instance a liana. Such a pendulum can be fastened to the play surface at at least one point, along a part of its length or along its entire length.
Together with the use of magnets as means for detachable fastening, a further play option is realized according to the present invention in that a kind of pocket is integrated into the garment, a magnet or magnetizable body being introduced into the interior space of the pocket so as to be mounted in a movable manner within the pocket. As a magnet or magnetizable body, it is then possible to use, for example, a flat body, for instance in the form of a small plate, especially with rounded edges. The body can, therefore, be configured in a flat manner so that the garment is only slightly thicker toward the outside than the rest of the garment, if at all, in the region where it is currently mounted within the pocket. The smaller the body, the more unobtrusively it is accommodated within the garment. Furthermore, the body also has more freedom of movement within the pocket, the smaller it is designed to be. Rather than a magnet, the body can also comprise a ferromagnetic material. The choice of material depends on whether, for example, a play figure that is intended to be detachably fastened thereto likewise has a magnet or only a magnetizable material. Furthermore, it is also conceivable, on account of the orientation of two magnets that are used (for instance in the play figure and on the fastening device or on the moving element), to exploit repulsion effects such that only particular orientations are allowed during attachment.
The type of movement can be realized in various ways. A further variant consists for instance in providing a guide rail with a runner, mounted in the guide rail, as moving element. A band, string or cord can be used, for example, as guide rail, wherein the magnet or the magnetizable body is pulled onto the guide rail, for example, as a running bead. It is also conceivable for the magnet or magnetizable body to be mounted as moving element in a guide rail that is in the form of a hose, tunnel or pipe, such that it can likewise move along the length thereof. Advantageously, the garment can thus be adapted to different play situations and, depending on desire, provide a separate world of play in that different movement possibilities are also imitable (for example, swinging on lianas, sliding movements, etc.). As a result of it being possible to join play figures to the garment, or to join the movable fastening device to the garment, these nevertheless form a unit and can also be transported in a connected manner on the body.
In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the pocket is integrated as inconspicuously as possible as a movable fastening device into the garment, such that it is not perceived to exist at all from the outside. Thus, the pocket can extend substantially parallel to the play surface, i.e. for example, be accommodated in the layer of material or in a plane parallel to the layer of material. The extension perpendicular to the play surface can be chosen to be as small as possible in order that the material or the garment does not attract attention in this region on account of an increased thickness.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the interior space of the pocket can in principle be completely closed. In order for it to be possible to wash the garment, however, it is advantageous for it to be possible to remove the magnet or the magnetizable body before washing. In this regard, in such an embodiment, the interior space can be configured to be openable and reclosable in a subregion, in particular, in a subregion of the periphery. The moving element (magnet or magnetizable body) can then be reintroduced into the interior space after washing. In particular when the moving element is made of metal, corrosion of the moving element, which results in the function being restricted but also in the garment being soiled, can be avoided.
Depending on the play situation and the play surface, the pocket can be shaped in different ways. In particular, it can be in the form of a tunnel, the width of which parallel to the play surface corresponds to that of the moving element, such that the moving element is mounted in the tunnel so as to be movable only along the length of the tunnel. Such a tunnel corresponds in principle to a guide rail, at least as regards the movement possibility. It is also conceivable for it to be in the form of a labyrinth.
Furthermore, a combination of the garment with static fastening mechanisms are also possible, for example, with hook-and-loop fasteners, press buttons, but also with magnets or magnetizable bodies. In the case of the static fastening mechanisms, the play figure can be attached only at the point that is provided therefor and at which the fastening mechanism is located, without being shifted relative to the garment. Lastly, a different design possibility consists in a plurality of static fastening mechanisms being attached sequentially such that the play figure can be moved like on a path from point to point and thus from one static fastening mechanism to the next in that it is in each case detached and reattached, but is not moved fluently.
In different embodiments of the present invention, different implementations of the pocket are also possible. One possibility is to attach a further piece of textile on the play surface or beneath the play surface. Furthermore, it is conceivable to manufacture the garment from a double layer of material and to form the pocket between these two layers of material. In the peripheral regions that are intended to bound the subsequent pocket, the two layers can be joined together such that the moving element, too, still has to be located in the interior space thus formed.
The manner in which the pocket specifically is formed also depends on the type of garment. Some garments, in particular, winter clothing, functional clothing or the like, are intrinsically already conceived of as multilayer garments, and so this property can be used accordingly for incorporating the pocket.
A particularly advantageous expansion of the play possibilities is proposed by the play device according to the present invention for children to play with, which initially has the garment according to the present invention or a garment according to one of the abovementioned exemplary embodiments, but additionally also comprises a tool such as a rod, which has a magnet or a magnetizable body, wherein at least one play figure is present, which in turn likewise comprises a magnet or a magnetizable body, such that the play figure can be moved with the rod. In this development, the moving element takes on a life of its own to a certain extent and thus affords a particular expansion of the play possibilities, since the movement possibilities over the play surface are no longer restricted. At the same time, as a result of the magnetic holding force, the rod can also be fastened to the garment, wherein the garment can, in particular, also be trapped between the rod and play figure, such that the rod can also be readily carried along on the body and transported as part of an entire play device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following text with further details and advantages being specified.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a garment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through the pocket of the garment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a play device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a play figure for use in conjunction with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a garment 1 according to the present invention, in this case in the form of a T-shirt, in which the front side is in the form of a play surface 2. Provided on the play surface 2 are 3 movable fastening devices, namely a pocket 3, which is not itself movable but has a moving element 4 in the form of a small magnetic plate that is located in turn in the interior space of the pocket 3. Furthermore, a pendulum 5 that serves as a liana is provided, which in this case is fastened detachably via a hook-and-loop fastener 6 to the play surface 2. Stuck in turn to the moving element 5 is a play FIG. 7. This play FIG. 7 has magnets or magnetizable metal bodies incorporated in its extremities, such that the two arms or front feet can be stuck together. In this way, the play FIG. 7 can in turn be attached in a retained manner to the moving element 5, which is present in the form of a pendulum. A similar play FIG. 8 is also provided in the region of the pocket 3 and hangs detachably there on the moving element 4, which is in turn located in the interior space of the pocket 3 and is not visible from the outside. The play FIG. 7 can be moved in a manner hanging on the pendulum 5 while the play FIG. 8 can be guided over the surface that is defined by the pocket 3 and makes up a part of the play surface 2.
Located furthermore in the lower region of the garment 1 is a guide rail 9, which is permanently fastened (sewn in) to the play surface 2 in each case in its end regions. Threaded onto the guide rail 9 is a bead made of a magnetizable body 10. From this bead 10, which likewise represents a moving element, there in turn hangs a play FIG. 11, into one arm of which a magnet is integrated such that it can be fastened detachably to the bead 10.
A plurality of static fastening mechanisms 15 in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners form a path, along which a play figure can be guided, or to which it can be fastened, with hook-and-loop fasteners.
A schematic section through the pocket 3 is illustrated in FIG. 2. To form the pocket 3, a further layer of material 12 has been attached on the rear side of the play surface 2. In the lower region of the pocket 3, the layer of material 12 is joined to the rear side of the play surface 2 via a fixed connection 13, in that the two are sewn together. In the upper region, in turn, the two layers are joined detachably together via a hook-and-loop fastener 14, such that the moving element 4 can also be removed before washing. Furthermore, a play FIG. 8 is provided, which has already been illustrated in FIG. 1 and sticks to the moving element 4 with one extremity, in which a magnet 14 is in turn implemented. Toward the outside, however, this occurs “invisibly” since neither the magnet 14 nor the moving element 4 as magnetizable body are visible toward the outside. Depending on how great the friction forces are, the moving element 4 can also drop down within the pocket 3 under the force of gravity. Since the moving element 4 is not visible from the outside, it is possible, for better findability, for the pocket, for example, also to be designed in a triangular manner (with the tip downward) in the lower region at the seam 13, such that the moving element 4 slips down to the deepest point of the pocket under its own weight without any other force application and can easily be found there from the outside.
In order to be able to improve the play possibilities even further, a play device according to FIG. 3 can be provided. FIG. 3 shows an expansion possibility in which the play FIG. 8 is retained on the surface 2, but not in the region of the pocket 3 or via a moving element 4, but via a separate rod 20, in the interior of which a magnet or a magnetizable body 21 is likewise located. The play FIG. 8 can thus, in the same way as in FIG. 2, be held or moved. In this expansion possibility according to FIG. 3, the play FIG. 8 is guided via a separate rod, however, which is moved, for example, by the wearer of the garment.
FIG. 4 in turn illustrates an expansion possibility which relates to a play FIG. 30. Provided as a supplement to this play FIG. 30 (in the form of a dog here) is a play FIG. 31 in the form of a chewing bone. A magnetizable body or a magnet 32 have been introduced into the bone 31; likewise, a magnet or a magnetizable body 33 is located correspondingly in the play FIG. 30. As a result of the attraction force between the two play FIGS. 30 and 31, not only are the play figures attracted to one another, but the play FIG. 31 in the form of a bone passes directly into the region of the muzzle of the play FIG. 30 and thus gives the effect of the bone 31 being snatched by the dog 30.
All the exemplary embodiments and developments of the present invention have in common that a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein the movable fastening device can be joined to or integrated in the garment and is movable relative to the garment or the play surface. The movable fastening device can also have a movable mounted moving element. The play figure can be fastened detachably to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element of the movable fastening device. The garment thus forms a part of a three-dimensional play landscape, in which play figures are movable in three dimensions in the region of the garment.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Garment
2 Play surface
3 Pocket
4 Moving element
5 Pendulum
6 Hook-and-loop fastener
7 Play figure
8 Play figure
9 Guide rail
10 Magnet/magnetizable body
11 Play figure
12 Layer of material
13 Firm connection/seam
14 Hook-and-loop fastener
15 Hook-and-loop fastener at the pocket periphery
20 Rod
21 Magnet/magnetizable body
30 Play figure
31 Play figure
32 Magnet/magnetizable body
33 Magnet/magnetizable body

Claims

1. A garment having a play surface, on which a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein:

the movable fastening device is connected to the garment and/or is integrated in the garment,

wherein the movable fastening device has a moving element that is movable relative to the garment and/or to the play surface such that the movable fastening device has a fixed part and additionally comprises the moving element, which is accordingly mounted in a movable manner, and

the play figure is detachably fastened to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element, wherein

the play figure is magnetically fastened to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element, and

wherein the movable fastening device is configured as a pocket that is integrated in the play surface and forms an interior space in which a magnet and/or a magnetizable body is mounted in a movable manner as the moving element.

2. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable fastening device is partially movable relative to the garment and/or to the play surface.

3. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the play figure is fastened to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element by being clamped and/or via a hook-and-loop fastener.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable fastening device is configured as follows:

as a pendulum, which is fastened to the play surface at least at one point and/or along at least a part of its length; and/or

as a guide rail having a runner, mounted in the guide rail, as the moving element.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket extends substantially parallel to the play surface and the extension perpendicular to the play surface corresponds to the height of the moving element.

6. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior space of the pocket is completely closed.

7. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior space of the pocket is configured to be openable and reclosable in a subregion of the periphery, in order for it to be possible to remove and/or insert and/or replace the moving element.

8. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket forms with its interior space a tunnel, the width of which parallel to the play surface corresponds to that of the moving element, such that the moving element is mounted in the tunnel so as to be movable along the length of the tunnel.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one static fastening mechanism.

10. The garment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the static fastening mechanism is configured as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or as a magnet and/or as a magnetizable body and/or as a press button.

11. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket is formed and/or bounded on one side by the material forming the play surface and on the opposite side by a piece of textile fastened thereto.

12. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment is formed at least partially by a double layer of a textile material and the pocket is arranged between the two layers and delimited by a fastening of the two layers in the peripheral region.

13. A play device for children to play with, comprising a garment as claimed in claim 1 and a rod that has a magnet and/or a magnetizable body, wherein at least one play figure is present, which has a magnet and/or a magnetizable body, wherein the rod is separate from the garment and/or detachably connectable to the garment in order to keep the at least one play figure on the garment and/or to be able to move it over the play surface by the magnetic attraction acting between the play figure and the rod with a part of the play surface of the garment between the play figure and the rod.

14. The garment as claimed in claim 9, comprising at least three static fastening mechanisms arranged alongside one another such that they form a substantially continuous line and/or a path.