US20170296862A1

US20170296862A1 - Foam mat with variable surface density

Info

Publication number: US20170296862A1
Application number: US15/487,729
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason John Figone; Megan Kimber
Original assignee: Fuerst Group Inc
Current assignee: Fuerst Group Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-14
Filing date: 2017-04-14
Publication date: 2017-10-19
Also published as: EP3231494A2; JP2017213356A; EP3231494A3

Abstract

An activity is provided for promoting the development of one or more of foot strength, motor skills, balance, and sensory awareness. In one example, an activity mat comprises a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density, and one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, the second density different than the first density. Each of the one or more surface features may be either raised or recessed relative to the top surface of the activity mat providing an uneven surface with variable density.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/322,405 entitled “FOAM MAT WITH VARIABLE SURFACE DENSITY”, filed Apr. 14, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY

Childhood is an important time during which children develop their motor skills, sense of balance, sensory awareness, and foot strength. However, due to urban development, children increasingly interact with terrain that has fewer potential hazards or obstacles and is therefore easier to navigate. As a result, children's motor skills, sense of balance, foot strength, etc., may be underdeveloped as more cumbersome types of terrain become increasingly replaced by more flat and even surfaces. Activity mats and toys have been employed in several approaches to simulate more challenging terrains and thus promote the development of motor skills, balance, and sensory awareness.
However, the inventors herein have recognized several drawbacks to the above approaches. For example, current activity mats and toys do not address the development of foot strength. Specifically, current approaches may provide sloped surfaces with texture that help develop a sense of balance, but may not improve foot strength. Further, the above approaches are hands-free mats, and as such they may not encourage sensory development in the palms. To address the above issues, the inventors herein have taken alternative approaches to activity mat designs to promote foot strength development and sensory awareness in the palms. Specifically, foot strength may be increased via interaction with uneven ground having variable density.
In one example, an activity mat may comprise a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density, and one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, the second density different than the first density. In this way, by providing an activity mat with an uneven surface having a variable density, foot strengthening of a user may be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first example of a tile that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of second example tile and third example tile that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a partial bottom view of a fourth example tile and fifth example tile that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a partial top view of an example tile assembly of an activity mat including multiple tiles, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an example tile assembly of an activity mat including multiple tiles, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up top partial view of an example feature of a tile that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic profile map of an example tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic density map of an example tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1-8 are drawn approximately to scale. However, other relative dimensions may be used if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to an activity mat for improving balance, sensory awareness, foot strength, and motor skills. Example tiles that may be included in the activity mat are shown in FIGS. 1-8. Multiple tiles may be coupled together to form a tile assembly or activity mat in some examples. In other examples, however, an activity mat may comprise a single tile. Each of the tiles may include surface features having different and/or variable densities, such as shown in the schematic density map at FIG. 8. The surface features may be raised and/or recessed from a surface of the activity mat. In this way, the activity mat may provide an uneven surface with variable density that may increase the foot strength of a user walking on the surface.
FIGS. 1-8 show the relative positioning of various components of an activity mat. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such components may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, components shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components lying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact or physically contacting one another. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example.
As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.
Turning first to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first example of a tile 100. Tile 100 may be a part of an activity mat, and tile 100 may comprise four sides including a first side 102, a second side 104, a third side 106, and a fourth side 108.
The first side 102 and the third side 106 may be opposing sides that are substantially parallel, and the second side 104 and the fourth side 108 may be opposing sides that are substantially parallel. However, in some examples, the tile 100 may have less than four sides, and in other examples the tile 100 may have more than four sides. Sides 102, 104, 106, and 108 may all be approximately the same length. However, in some examples, the lengths of all the sides may not be approximately the same. For example, two opposing sides may be a first length, while the remaining two sides may be a second length.
Sides 102, 104, 106, and 108 may all have an interlocking profile, the interlocking profile comprised of projections 110 and recessions 112. The interlocking profile of the sides may connect one tile to another tile. For example, the projections 110 of an interlocking profile of one tile may interlock with the recessions 112 of an interlocking profile of another tile, thus connecting the two tiles.
However, in some examples, not all of the sides of the tile 100 may have an interlocking profile. For example, only two sides of the tile may have an interlocking profile, or only three sides of the tile may have an interlocking profile. In another example, only one side of the tile may have an interlocking profile.
Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the tile 100 may include a removable frame 101 that meshes with the projections and the recesses of the interlocking profiles on sides 102, 104, 106, and 108. Removable frame 101 may have the advantage of protecting the interlocking profile of sides 102, 104, 106, and 108 from damage. Removable frame 101 may be removed to expose the interlocking profiles on sides 102, 104, 106, and 108 which may enable the tile to be connected to another tile via the interlocking profiles. Removable frame 101 may have an outer perimeter 103 that is substantially flat in profile, where the outer perimeter 103 of the removable frame 101 is an outermost perimeter when the removable frame 101 is coupled with the tile 101. The outer perimeter 103 may be opposite an inner perimeter of the removable frame 103, where the inner perimeter of the removable frame 103 has a profile that is shaped to interlock with the interlocking profile sides of a tile. The inner perimeter of the removable frame 101 may be in contact with the tile 100 when the removable frame 101 and the tile 100 are coupled. In other examples, however, the tile 100 may not include a removable frame 101.
The tile 100 includes a tile body 114 and tile features 116, 118, 120. The tile body 114 may be substantially planar. The tile features 116, 118, 120 may vary in size and shape, and a number of tile features may be varied. For example, tile features may be shaped as one or more of leaves and branches. In at least one example the tile features 116, 118, 120 may be formed into the tile body 114 such that the tile body 114 and the tile features 116, 118, 120 are a single, continuous piece. In one example this may be accomplished via a mold. In some examples, the mold used to form the tile body and the tile features as a single, continuous piece may be a compression mold, although other types of molds are possible. In examples where a tile body and tile features are formed in one piece via a mold, there may be a difference in hardness between the tile body and tile features due to varying density. Additionally, the tile body and tile features formed in one piece via a mold may be formed in a single color. The tile features 116, 118, 120 may also be formed separately from the tile body 114 and then fixed to tile body 114.
For example, the tile body 114 may be formed with recesses for receiving the tile features 116, 118, 120, and the tile features 116, 118, 120 may be formed separately and then fixed into the recesses within the tile body 114. In some examples where the tile body is formed separately from the tile features, the tile body may be formed from a compression mold. In examples where the tile body and the tile features are formed separately, the tile body and/or the tile features may be formed with a compression mold. In some examples, the tile features may be hand cut and/or hand shaped. In one example, the tile features may be sanded into a desired shape. The tile features may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), although other materials are possible. In some examples, the shapes of the tile features may be outdoor elements. The tile features 116, 118, 120 may be fixed to the tile body 114 via an adhesive. In another example, the tile body 114 may be substantially planar, and the tile features 116, 118, 120 may be formed separately from the tile body 114, then the tile features 116, 118, 120 may be fixed to the substantially planar surface of tile body 114, for example, via an adhesive. The tile features 116, 118, 120 may also be removable pieces that fit into recesses formed into the tile body 114.
The tile features 116, 118, 120 may be raised or recessed relative to a top surface of the tile body 114. However, in example tile 100, all of the tile features 116, 118, 120 are raised relative to a top surface of the tile body 114. In some examples, a single tile feature of the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have both portions that are raised relative to a top surface of the tile body 114 and portions that are recessed relative to a top surface of the tile body 114.
At least one of the tile features 116, 118, 120 has a different density than a density of the tile body 114. In some examples, the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density greater than the density of the tile body 114. Alternatively, the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density less than the density of the tile body 114. Additionally, the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have densities that differ from tile feature to tile feature. For example, a first tile feature may have a density greater than another tile feature, and these tile features may both have densities that differ from the density of the tile body 114. However, in some examples, at least one of the tile features may have the same density as the density of the tile body 114, and at least one of the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density different than the density of the tile body 114. As one example, the tile body 114 may have a density of 35 Shore C durometers and the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density of 50 Shore C durometers. In a different example, the tile body 114 may have a density of 50 Shore C durometers and the tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density of 35 Shore C durometers. In yet further examples, the tile body 114 and/or tile features 116, 118, 120 may have a density in a range of densities between 15 Shore C durometers and 75 Shore C durometers. In yet another example, the tile body 114 may have a density of 35 Shore C durometers, at least one of a plurality of features 116, 118, 120 may have a density of 50 Shore C durometers, and at least one of the plurality of features 116, 118, 120 may have a density of 40 Shore C durometers. In some examples, the tile may be comprised of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). However, other materials are possible. In other examples, portions of the tile may be comprised of EVA while other portions are comprised of a different material.
As such, at least one feature of the tile features 116, 118, 120 has a density different than the density of the tile body 114. In one example, the tile feature may have a uniform density throughout the tile feature. In other examples, the tile feature may have varying density throughout the tile feature. Additionally, other combinations of varying densities between the tile body 114 and the tile features 116, 118, 120 are possible. For example, the density of the tile body 114 itself may also vary such that portions of the tile body 114 may be a first density, while other portions of the tile body 114 may be another density.
Further, it is noted that while tile body 114 of tile 100 includes a plurality of tile features 116, 118, 120, in other examples the tile body 114 may include only one tile feature. Additionally, in at least embodiment, the tile body 114 may not include any tile features that are raised and recessed relative to the body surface, and the body 114 of the tile itself may have a varying density
A user's foot and/or hands may interact with the tile body 114 and/or tile features 116, 118, and 120. Thus, a user may walk, crawl, and otherwise move across a top surface of the tile 100. Differing densities throughout the tile 100 via tile features and/or the tile body may have the advantage of promoting the development and improvement of motor skills, sensory awareness, balance, and foot strength.
Turning to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a top view of a second example tile 200 and a third example tile 202 that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
Example tiles 200 and 202 shown in FIG. 2 may be similar to tile 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. For example, tiles 200 and 202 may be the same as tile 100 except that the tile features may be different. Additionally or alternatively, tile 200 and tile 202 may be similar to tile 100 with the exception of one or more of the densities, sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and relative positioning of the surface features, as well as the densities, colors, textures, and shapes of the bodies of the tiles. It is noted that one or more of the tile features, densities, sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and relative positioning of the surface features, as well as the densities, colors, textures, and shapes of the bodies of the tiles may be varied as desired.
For example, in embodiments where a texture is varied, a texture of a feature of a tile may be different than a texture of the tile body. Further, in some examples a body of the tile may be a first texture, while features formed in the body of the tile may have a different texture. The features with texture variations may be raised or recessed relative to a top surface of the body of the tile. Alternatively, the textures of the tile features and the tile may be the same throughout.
In at least one example, the surface features of each of tiles 200 and 202 may correspond to a theme. For example, tile 200 may be a trail themed tile and thus have one or more of trail themed surface features. As another example, tile 202 may be a beach themed tile and thus have one or more beach themed surface features.
In examples where the tiles follow a certain theme, the surface features of the tile may correspond with the theme. For example, in a case of a trail themed tile, the surface features may be shaped as one or more of leaves, acorns, pine needles, and tracks of animals that live in the forest, such as cougars, for example. Further, a density of a trail themed tile may be varied to mimic the density of a forest floor, for example.
Similarly, in a case of a beach themed tile, the beach themed tile surface features may correspond with the beach theme. Such surface features could include features in the shape of shells, footprints, starfish, crabs, and seagull footprints for example. Other surface features that may be varied to correspond with the beach themed tile may additionally or alternatively include varying one or more of a texture and a color of the tile to correspond to the theme. For example, a beach themed tile may have its body density varied to mimic the density of sand.
In some examples, a single feature, such as feature 230, may have multiple textures. For example, feature 230 may include a pebble texture and a crosshatch texture in one embodiment. In other examples, a single feature may only have one texture. Additionally, a tile body 226, 228 may include a plurality of textures. Example textures may correspond to design themes of a tile. For example, a beach themed tile may have a sandblast texture used for the body of the tile. Alternatively, there may be no variation in texture in the tile, and the tile may only include one texture. Example textures may include a sandblast texture, a pebble texture, a crosshatch texture, a dot texture, a line texture, a smooth texture, etc.
Varying the features of the tiles to correspond with a certain theme may be beneficial as an educational tool, in some embodiments. For example, in addition to developing foot and/or hand strength due to the varying densities of the tiles, by having the densities of the tiles varied to correspond to a theme of the tile (e.g., a beach themed tile density mimicking the density of sand and having beach themed features) the tiles may serve as an educational tool regarding a density of the ground in different biomes and how these densities compare to one another.
Both tile 200 and tile 202 may include a total of four sides, and all of the sides may have interlocking profiles. In other examples, however, only a portion of the sides of one or both of tile 200 and tile 202 may have an interlocking profile, and the remaining sides may be substantially flat. Further, in still other embodiments, one or both of tile 200 and tile 202 may have fewer or more than four sides.
A body 226 of tile 200 and a body 228 of tile 202 may be substantially flat and include a plurality of features. The features may be raised features 230, 232 or the features may be recessed features 234, 236 relative to a top surface of the tile body 226, 228. In at least one example, the recessed features 234, 236 may be features that are shaped as footprints or animal tracks. However, other shapes of the recessed features 234, 236 may be possible. In other examples, the recessed features may be one or more grooves 238 formed into the tile body 228, where the grooves 238 are recessed relative to a top surface of the tile body 228.
Recessed features 234, 236 may form regions of density variation. For example, a region within a recessed feature 234, 236 may be a region that is higher in density than the body of the tile in which the recessed feature 234, 236 is included. Alternatively, a region within a recessed feature 234, 236 may be a region that is lower in density than the body of the tile in which the recessed feature 234, 236 is included.
The raised features 230, 232 may have densities that differ from the density of the body of the mat in which they are included. For example, the features 230 in tile 200 may have a density that is greater than the density of the body 226 of tile 200. Alternatively, the features 230 of tile 200 may have a density that is less than the density of the body 226 of tile 200. Further, the densities may vary feature to feature, such that one tile feature may have a different density than another tile feature. Options discussed for varying the densities of tile 200 apply to tile 202, as well as to other examples described herein. In some examples, the features may have densities that vary feature to feature. It is also possible in some examples that at least one of the features may have the same density as the body of the tile in which it is included.
However, at least one feature 230, 234 of tile 200 has a density different than the density of the body 226 of tile 200, and at least one feature of 232, 236 of tile 202 has a different density than the density of the body 228 of tile 202. Differing densities throughout the tile with the tile features may have the advantage of promoting the development and improvement of children's motor skills, sensory awareness, balance, and foot strength.
It should be appreciated that the density throughout the tiles of a tile mat may be varied as desired. For example, the density throughout the tile body itself may be varied, such that some regions of the tile body have a higher density than other regions of the tile body. Alternatively, a tile body and tile features of a first tile may have different densities than a tile body and tile features of a second tile. For example, tile 200 may have a tile body 226 that is a different density than the tile body 228 of tile 202, and the densities of the tile features may be varied in one of the ways discussed above. In another example, the body 226 of tile 200 may have the same density as the body 228 of tile 202, and one or more of the features 230, 234 of tile 200 may have different densities than the features 232, 236 of tile 202.
At least one feature 230, 234 of tile 200 has a density different than the density of the body 226 of tile 200, and at least one feature of 232, 236 of tile 202 has a different density than the density of the body 228 of tile 202, where the densities of the tile body 226 and the tile body 228 may either be the same density or different densities. Varying the densities from tile to tile may have the advantage of enabling customization in how density is varied throughout the activity mat.
FIG. 3 shows a partial bottom view of a fourth example tile 300 and fifth example tile 302 that may be included in an activity mat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, the bottoms shown for example tiles 300 and 302 are the same. Further, in some examples, the bottoms shown for example tiles 300 and 302 may also be the bottoms for other example tiles described herein.
The bottom of example tiles 300 and 302 may include features that are recessed relative to a bottom surface of the tile, where the bottom surface of the tile is substantially planar. Including features that are recessed relative to the bottom surface of the tile on a bottom of the tile may be advantageous for ensuring that the tiles lie flat. In some examples, a recessed feature on the bottom of a tile may be a foot measuring device 304, 306. In examples where the recessed feature is a foot measuring device, the foot measuring device may include indicia for measuring a foot, and a user may place their foot within the recessed feature that is a foot measuring device to measure a shoe size of the user. Thus, in addition to developing foot strength, a growth of a user's foot may be tracked via the tiles. In some examples, other recessed features may also be included on a bottom surface of the tiles. For example, recessed design features such as features 308, 310 may be included.
FIG. 4 shows a partial top view of an example tile assembly of an activity mat 400 including sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth example tiles, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
Activity mat 400 may be formed by assembling a plurality of tiles 402, 404, 406, 408. Tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may include any one or combination of the features discussed with other example tiles herein. For example, as discussed above, the tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may be comprised of EVA. In some examples, the dimensions of the tiles may be 18″×18″. However, other dimensions for the tiles are possible. The tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may be assembled via interlocking profiles to form the activity mat 400. The number of tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 used to form an activity mat 400 may be varied. For example, in activity mat 400, there are 4 tiles 402, 404, 406, 408. However, the number of tiles 400 assembled to form an activity mat may be varied as desired. For example, an activity may only comprise one tile.
Additionally, the formation in which the tiles are assembled may be varied. For example, in activity mat 400, the tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 are assembled in a 2 tile by 2 tile formation. In other examples, tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may be assembled to form a walkway, a trail, or assembled to form a mat in a house. Assembling tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 to form an activity mat 400 may have the advantage of customizability of the activity mat 400 by the selection and placement of the tiles 400. For example, tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may be selected and assembled based on desired characteristics such as the density characteristics of the tile features and/or the tile bodies, as previously discussed.
Additionally, the tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 may be selected and assembled based on desired design characteristics, including based on the colors, shapes, sizes, and textures of the tile features and the tile bodies. For example, activity mat 400 may be formed by tiles 402, 404, 406, 408 based on a unifying design theme. The design themes may, in some examples, be specific environments in nature.
The different design themes may be advantageously used as educational tools. In some examples, the design themes may be used to teach about plants, animals, etc. in a certain environment. For example, activity mat 400 may have a trail theme which may include tile features that are shaped as one or more of a branch 410, various types of leaves 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, cougar tracks 422, a salamander 424, an acorn 426, and a and a pinecone 428. In some examples, tiles with various design themes may be selected and assembled.
Different themes may include one or more of a fossil theme, a moon theme, and a beach theme, for example. As discussed above, one or more of the shaping of the tile features, densities, sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and relative positioning of the surface features, as well as the densities, colors, textures, and shapes of the bodies of the tiles may be varied to correspond with a theme of the tile. Fossil themed tiles may include images such as dinosaur footprints, dinosaur skulls, dinosaur bones, and dinosaur eggs, for example. Moon themed tiles may include images of astronaut shoeprints, alien footprints, and surface features of the moon such as craters, for example. Beach themed tiles may include images such as shells, crabs, starfish, bird footprints, and stingrays, for example.
Further still, in at least one embodiment, tiles of an activity mat may be assembled to form an overall image, similar to assembling pieces of a puzzle. For example, tiles of an activity mat may be assembled to form an image of a treehouse in a tree. Additionally or alternatively, the tiles of an activity mat may be assembled to form images of text. For example, tiles may be assembled to form the text image “Boundless Wonder”. Examples where an activity mat comprises tiles that form an overall image (i.e., where the activity mat is a puzzle) may be advantageous for developing problem solving skills.
Furthermore, the tiles of an activity mat may be assembled to form a pattern. In some examples, the pattern may comprise of images that form a non-repeating, non-symmetric pattern. For example, includes images of cats, sharks, sloths, cows, squirrels, and dogs. In some examples, different images may be used in the pattern for different themes. Additionally, one or more of the images in the pattern may be included entirely on one tile. Other images in the pattern may have a portion of the image on one tile and another portion of the image on another tile. Thus, though these tiles may form a non-repeating non-symmetric pattern, in examples where a single image is divided over multiple tiles, the tiles may need to be assembled in a particular order to properly form the images of the pattern. Such tiles which may be assembled to form a pattern may also be advantageous for developing problem solving skills.
As mentioned above, the tiles of an activity mat that includes a non-repeating, non-symmetric pattern may have different themes. For example, a beach themed activity mat pattern may include images of shells, turtle, waves, seahorses, suns, and buckets and shovels. Similarly, images in the pattern may be included entirely on one tile, while additionally or alternatively, other images may have a portion of the image on one tile and a remaining portion of the image on another tile. Similar to previously described activity mats, the tiles of any of the above themes may be assembled in a formation other than that depicted in FIG. 4. For example, a number of tiles included in the activity mat and/or the relative positioning and arrangement of the tiles may be varied as desired. For example, the tiles may be assembled to form a walkway or may be assembled to form a flooring in a house. One or more of the tiles with any of the above discussed themes may include one or more of the features of the example tiles previously discussed.
Turning now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a top view of a second example of a tile assembly 500 of an activity mat where multiple tiles are coupled to one another. Tenth and eleventh example tiles, tiles 514 and 516, which are shown in FIG. 5 may be similar to tile 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, FIG. 5 shows an example where multiples tiles may be coupled together to form a tile assembly. Tile assembly 500 includes first tile 514 and second tile 516. In some examples, the tiles may be the same or similar. However, in other examples, the tiles may be the same except that the surface features may be different. In yet further examples, features of each of the tiles of the tile assembly 500 such as densities, sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and relative positioning of the surface features, as well as the densities, colors, textures, and shapes of the bodies of the tiles, may be varied as desired. The first tile 514 may include a total of four sides, with three of the four sides being substantially flat profiles, a first side 502, a second side 504, and a third side 506.
However, in some examples, none of sides 502, 504, and 506 may have flat profiles and instead all of sides 502, 504, and 506 may have interlocking profiles. In other examples, one or two of the three sides 502, 504, and 506 may have an interlocking profile and the remaining sides may be substantially flat. In the first tile 514, a side opposing the second side 504 may have an interlocking profile. The interlocking profile of the first tile 514 may include recessions 518 and projections 520 that mesh with the projections 522 and recessions 524 of the interlocking profile of the second tile 516 of the activity mat.
The second tile 516 may include a total of four sides. Three of the four sides of second tile 516 may have substantially flat profiles, a first side 508, a second side 510, and a third side 512. In other examples, one or two of the three sides 508, 510, and 512 may not have flat profiles and may instead have interlocking profiles. For example, the projections 520 of the first tile 514 may fit into the recessions 524 of the second tile 516, and the projections 522 of the second tile 516 may fit into the recessions 518 of the first tile 514, connecting the two tiles.
A body 526 of the first tile 516 and a body 528 of the second tile 518 may be substantially flat and include a plurality of features. The features may be raised features 530, 531, 532 or the features may be recessed features 534 relative to a top surface of the tile body 526, 528. Recessed features 534 may form regions of density variation. For example, a region within a recessed feature 534 may be a region that is higher in density than the body of the tile in which the recessed feature 534 is included. Alternatively, a region within a recessed feature 534 may be a region that is lower in density than the body of the tile in which the recessed feature 534 is included. The raised features 530, 531, 532 may have densities that differ from the density of the body of the mat in which they are included. For example, the features 530, 531 in the first tile 514 may have a density that is greater than the density of the body of the first tile 526. Alternatively, the features 530 of the first tile 514 may have a density that is less than the density of the body of the first tile 526. Further, the densities may vary feature to feature, such that one tile feature may have a different density than another tile feature. Options discussed for varying the densities of the first tile 514 apply to the second tile 516. In some examples, the features may have densities that vary feature to feature. It is also possible in some examples that at least one of the features may have the same density as the body of the tile in which it is included.
However, at least one feature 530 of the first tile 514 has a density different than the density of the body 526 of the first tile, and at least one feature of 532, 533 of the second tile 516 has a different density than the density of the body 528 of the second tile 516. Differing densities throughout the tile with the tile features may have the advantage of promoting the development and improvement of children's motor skills, sensory awareness, balance, and foot strength.
It should be appreciated that the density throughout the tiles of a tile mat may be varied as desired. For example, the density throughout the tile body itself may be varied, such that some regions of the tile body have a higher density than other regions of the tile body. Alternatively, a tile body and tile features of a first tile may have different densities than a tile body and tile features of a second tile. For example, the first tile 514 may have a tile body 526 that is a different density than the tile body 528 of the second tile 516, and the densities of the tile features may be varied in one of the ways discussed above. In another example, the body of the first tile 526 may have the same density as the body of the second tile 528, and the features 530, 531 in the first tile 514 may have different densities than the features 532, 533 in the second tile 516.
At least one feature of the first tile 514 has a density different than the density of the body 526 of the first tile, and at least one feature of the second tile 516 has a different density than the density of the body 528 of the second tile 516, where the densities of the first tile body 526 and the second tile body 528 may either be the same density or different densities. Varying the densities from tile to tile may have the advantage of more flexibility in how density is varied throughout the activity mat.
FIG. 6 shows a close up isometric side view of a twelfth example tile 600 that may be included in an activity mat. The isometric side view of tile 600 provides a more detailed depiction of how the surface features of the tile 600 may be coupled to the surface of the tile. As shown in FIG. 6, an axes system 620 comprised of three axes, an x-axis 624, a y-axis 626, and a z-axis 622 is included, where the axes system 620 corresponds features shown in FIG. 6. For example, a height 604 of tile feature 616 is raised in the direction of the y-axis 626. The tile 600 includes a plurality of features 616, 618. The features 616, 618 may be raised relative to a top surface of a body 602 of the tile 600. For example, as shown with feature 616, the features may be raised relative to a top surface of a body 602, a height 604 of the tile feature is raised relative to a top surface of the body 602. In some examples, a portion or all of the features 616, 618 may be elevated from the top surface 604 of the body 602, and in some examples there may be a gap 606 between a portion of the feature 616, 618 and the top surface of the body 602. Thus, a portion or all of the features 616, 618 may not physically contact the top surface of the body 602. Alternatively, the features may be raised relative to the top surface of the body 602, and in such examples, there may be no gap between a top surface of the feature and the top surface of the body 602. At least one feature of the plurality of features 616, 618 may have a density different than the density of the body 602 of the tile 600. The densities of the tile features 616 and the tile body 602 may be varied in any of the ways discussed in the previous examples.
A user may walk, crawl, and move relative to the tile 600 via interaction with the top surface 604. Thus, one or more of user's hand, feet, knees, elbows, etc., may physically contact the top surface 604, including the body 602 and features 616. As such, a user may provide a downward force on the top surface 604, as the user moves across the top surface 604. The tile 600 may be compressed as the user moves across the tile 600. An amount that the tile 600 is compressed may be depend on the amount of force provided by the user, and a density of the tile at the point of contact. In this way, by varying the density of the tile and including the features 616, the top surface 604 may be uneven and may have a variable density. As such a user's foot, and/or hand, palm, fingers, toes, etc., may bend, stretch, and/or flex due to the uneven surface and variable compressibility (e.g., density) of the tile. As such, foot strength and sensory awareness may be increased.
In some examples, features 616, 618 may include grooves, such as grooves 606, 608, 610. The grooves 606, 608, 610 may form regions of density variation within the features 616, 618. For example, a region of feature 616 within the grooves 608, 610 may be higher in density than the density of the remainder of the feature 616. Alternatively, a region of the feature 616 within the grooves 608 may be lower in density than the density of the remainder of the feature 616. Further, in examples where tile features include multiple grooves, some of the grooves may have a density greater than the density of the tile feature while a remainder of the grooves may have a density less than the density of the tile feature. Furthermore, while a density of all of the grooves of a tile feature may be the same, in other examples, the density of different grooves of a tile feature may be varied. Additionally, other regions of tile features 616, 618 may be varied in density as desired. In one example, the tile feature 616, 618 may have a varying density, where the density is varied linearly along a dimension of the tile feature. In some examples, the density of the tile feature 616, 618 may be varied according to a linear or non-linear mathematical function/distribution such as, for example, a Gaussian distribution.
In at least one example, one or more tiles of an activity mat may be produced via a mold. For example, one or more of the example tiles of an activity mat discussed above may be produced via a mold. Producing a mold that is to be used to manufacture a tile of an activity may include use of a setting compound, where one or a plurality of objects may be placed within the setting compound.
In one example, the setting compound to form a mold may be polyurethane, although other setting compounds are possible. The objects placed in the setting compound of the mold affect a profile of the finished mold and may be used in a tile forming process for forming tiles of an activity mat. For example, the objects may affect a profile of the mold, and this mold profile may be used to form raised portions and/or recessed portions of a tile of an activity mat. In other examples, the objects may affect a profile of the mold, and this mold may be used to form textures in different portions of the tile. For example the textures may be varied on any combination of the body of the tile, raised features of the tile, or recessed features of the tile. In some examples, the objects may be objects from nature, for example, branches, pebbles, moss, etc. However, objects other than those described in the description herein may be used to affect the profile of the mold.
In one example, the setting compound may be poured into a frame, where the frame may be set upon a flat, planar setting surface. However, in some examples, the setting surface may not be flat and planar. For example, a setting surface may include one or more surfaces required to form a desired profile of a bottom of the mold. In some examples, the frame may be fixed to the setting surface.
Subsequent to pouring the setting compound into the frame, objects may be placed into the setting compound. Alternatively, objects may be placed within the frame and on top of the setting surface prior to pouring the setting compound into the frame. In still another alternative example, some of the objects may be placed within the frame and on top of the setting surface, then the setting compound may be poured into the frame and on top of the setting surface and the objects, and then additional objects may be placed into the setting compound. This may have the advantage of increased control over which objects affect a profile of a top surface of the mold. In some examples, some of the objects may be completely submerged in the setting compound. In other examples, some or all of the objects may have a first portion of the object submerged in the setting compound and the remaining portion of the object not submerged in the setting compound.
After pouring the setting compound into the frame, the setting compound remains in the frame for a predetermined period of time. This predetermined period of time may be a period of time required for the setting compound to transition to a substantially rigid state for fixing the objects in place. Once the objects are substantially fixed in the setting compound, the mold may be removed from the frame and used in the tile forming process for forming tiles of an activity mat. Put another way, once the setting compound of the mold has transitioned to a substantially rigid state for fixing the objects in place, the mold may be used in the tile forming process.
The objects that are fixed in the setting compound may be positioned differently within the setting compound. For example, some or all of the objects may have a portion of the object fixed in the setting compound, and the remaining portion of the object may be raised relative to a top surface of the setting compound. The portion remaining portions of the objects raised relative to a top surface of the setting compound may affect a profile of a surface of the mold.
FIG. 7 is a schematic map 700 of an example tile, including a map of a top of an example tile 714, which may include one or more features of the example tiles discussed herein. It is noted that an edge of the tile is not shown. However, the edge of the tile may include any of the example edges discussed above. The map of a top the example tile 714 includes various axes, 702, 704, and 706, drawn over the map of the example tile 714 which correspond with various profile maps 708, 710, and 712 of the example tile, respectively, where the profile maps 708, 710, and 712 are cutaway views taken along axes 702, 704, and 706, respectively. For example, a profile map 708 is a view along axis 702 of map 714, a second profile map 710 is a view along axis 704 of map 714, and a third profile map 712 is a view along axis 706 of map 714.
The profile maps 708, 710, and 712 show a base height 716 of the example tile and the variations from the base height due to the tile features. It is noted that the portions of the profile maps that are above the dashed line are raised relative to the base height 716 of the tile in profile maps 708 and 710, and the portions of the profile map 712 that are to the right of the dashed line of profile map 712 are raised relative to the base height of profile map 712. Further, it is noted that top of profile maps 708 and 710 correspond to a top of the example tile, while a right side of profile map 712 corresponds to a top of the example tile.
In one example, a base height 716 of the tile may be 12.5 mm. However, other base heights are possible. The base height of the tile may be greater than 12.5 mm, and may be, for example, 13 mm. In other examples, the base height of the tile may be less than 12.5 mm. For example, the height of the tile may be 12 mm.
In at least one example, tile features 740, 742, 744, 746, 748, 750, and 752 may cause portions of the tile to be recessed and/or raised relative to the base height 716 of the tile. For example, if a tile has a base height of 12.5 mm, then a recessed feature relative to the base height of the tile has a height less than 12.5 mm. In another example, if a tile has a base height of 12.5 mm, then a feature that is raised relative to the base height of the tile has a height greater than 12.5 mm. In one example, a tile may be provided having a base height of 13.5 mm, tile features heights as high as 7.5 mm, and an overall thickness of 21 mm. In another example, a tile may be provided having a base height of 13.5 mm, tile features heights as high as 6-6.5 mm, and an overall thickness of 20 mm. It should be appreciated that these examples are for illustrative purposes and other combinations may be applied.
Turning to profile map 708, which is taken along axis 702, tile feature 740 corresponds to region 718 of the profile map, where region 718 is raised relative to base height 716. Thus, a region of feature 740 through which axis 702 passes is raised relative to the base height of the tile. Similarly, regions 720, 722, and 724 of profile map 708 are all raised relative to base height 716, where regions 720, 722, and 724 correspond to features 742, 744, and 746 of map 714. Thus, features 742, 744, and 746 are also raised relative to the base height 716 of the example tile at a point through which axis 702 passes through these features.
Regarding profile map 710, profile map 710 is taken along axis 704 of map 714 and includes regions 726, 728, and 730 which are all raised relative to a base height 716 of the tile. Regions 726, 728, and 730 correspond with features 748, 750, and 752, respectively. Thus, the portions of 748, 750, and 752 through which axis 704 passes are all raised relative to the base height 716 of the example tile.
Regarding profile map 712, profile map 712 is taken along axis 706 and includes regions 732, 734, and 738, which are raised relative to a base height 716 of the example tile. Additionally, profile map 712 includes a region 738 which is recessed relative to a base height 716 of the example tile. Regions 732 and 734 correspond to tile features 742 and 740, respectively. Thus, tile features 742 and 740 are raised relative to a base height 716 of the example tile where axis 706 passes through these features. Regarding region 736 and 738, these regions both correspond to feature 750 of the example tile. Thus, feature 750 includes a portion that is recessed relative to a base height 716 of the tile and a portion that is raised relative to the base height 716 of the tile at the point where axis 706 passes through feature 750.
In some examples, one or more of the tile features may be removable. For example, tile feature 740 may be removable in at least one example. Thus, as shown in the profile map cutaway views, the regions of the profile maps that correspond with feature 740 (718 and 734) show the edges of tile feature 740 going through the body of the tile. Though tile feature 740 is shown going all the way through the body of the tile, in other example, tile feature 740 may be removable and not go all the way through the body of the tile. Put another way, a recess may instead be formed in the body of the tile to receive tile feature 740 as opposed to forming an opening through the body of the tile to receive tile feature 740. Further, while one of the features is shown as removable in FIG. 7, multiple or all of the tile features may be removable. Further still, in some embodiments none of the tile features may be removable.
Turning now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 shows a schematic density map 800 of an example tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The schematic density map 800 includes multiple regions separated by break lines, where the schematic density map 800 is a cutaway view of an example tile of an activity map.
These regions separated by the break lines are representative examples of the manners in which densities throughout a tile may be varied. Different patterns denote differing densities. It is noted that a single tile may include some or all of these manners for varying a density. Further, it is noted that an order in which these manners for varying a density of a tile may be varied, and a sizing of the regions between the break lines may be varied. Additionally, features such as the particular shaping of the features in the density map, textures, color, etc., the manner in which the tile features may be coupled to the body of the tile, and manners that have already been discussed in regards to how a density of a tile may be varied may additionally or alternatively be used.
Tile body 820 of the example tile shown in density map 800 has a first density as denoted by the diagonal lines of the density map 800. In some examples, the body of the tile 820 may have multiple densities. For example, the tile body 820 may further include a different density, such as at feature 802, where the tile body 820 itself is varied in density at feature 802. In examples where a density of the tile body 820 itself is varied, the density may be varied to be either a density that is greater than a remainder of the body or a density that is less than a remainder of the body.
Alternatively, feature 802 may be a feature that is coupled with the tile body 820, as opposed to the tile body 820 itself, and feature 802 may have a different density than the tile body 820. For example, the feature 802 may be a removably coupled tile feature or feature 802 may be a permanently coupled tile feature with the tile body 820, there the feature 802 has a density that is different than the density of the tile body. In such examples where feature 802 is coupled with the body 820 of the tile, the feature 802 may have a density that is greater than a density of the body 820 of the example tile. Alternatively, in examples where feature 802 is coupled with the body 820 of the example tile, the density may be less than a density of the body 820 of the tile.
Additionally or alternatively, the example tile may include a feature 804 that is raised relative to a surface of the body 820 and which has a same density as the density of the body 820 of the example tile. Further, in some examples, the tile may include a feature 806 that is recessed relative to surface of the body 820 of the example tile and which has a same density as the first density of the body 820 of the example tile. Additionally or alternatively, the example tile may include a feature 808, where the feature 808 itself is varied in density at portions 808 a and 808 b of feature 808.
Feature 808 may be tiered in densities, such that portion 808 a forms a base layer with a first density of feature 808 and such that portion 808 b forms a layer on top of the base layer with a second density for feature 808. However, rather than tiers, other manners for varying a density throughout a feature may be used. For example, in cases where a feature includes grooves, the grooves may have a density that differs from a density of a remainder of the tile feature. The densities of portions 808 a and 808 b may be different densities. In some examples, the density of 808 a may be greater than a density of 808 b. Alternatively, the density of 808 b may be greater than a density of 808 a. The densities of 808 a and 808 b of tile feature 808 may both be different than a density of the body 820 of the example tile. However, in some examples, one of portions 808 a and 808 b of feature 808 may have a same density as the body 820 of the example tile. Furthermore, while feature 808 is shown with two tiers, it is noted that the number of tiers may be varied as desired, and that the densities of the tiers relative to one another may also be varied as desired. For example, in some examples feature 808 may include three tiers, where the density of each tier is different or where a density of two of the tiers are the same while a density of the third tier is different.
In some examples a feature 812 may be included which is recessed relative to a surface of the body 820 of the tile and which has a different density than a density of the tile. For example, feature 812 may have a density that is greater than a density of the body 820 of the tile. Alternatively, feature 812 may have a density that is less than a density of the body 820 of the tile. Furthermore, though feature 812 is shown having a same density throughout, feature 812 may vary in density itself. For example, feature 812 may be varied in density such that a portion of feature 812 is greater in density than another portion of feature 812. Additionally, in examples where feature 812 may include multiple densities, a portion of the densities of 812 may be a same density as a density of a body 820 of the example tile.
In at least one example, the example tile may include a feature 814 which is raised relative to a surface of a body 820 of the example tile but which is received in a recess formed in the body 820 of the tile. Put another way, the example tile may include a recess formed into the body 820 of the example tile for receiving a feature 814 of the tile, and when the feature 814 is received in the recess of the example tile, the feature 814 is raised relative to a surface of a body 820 of the example tile. In some examples, feature 814 may be varied in density throughout feature 814. For example, feature 814 may include a first portion 814 a and a second portion 814 b which have differing densities. While feature 814 is shown with two different densities, it is noted that more than two differing densities may be included in feature 814. For example, feature 814 may have a Gaussian distribution of densities throughout the feature 814.
In some examples, the example tile may include a feature 816 which is coupled with a recess formed in the body 820 of the example tile and which has a different density than the body 820 of the example tile. However, feature 816, in contrast to feature 814, may be a single density throughout the feature.
Additionally or alternatively, the example tile may include feature 818, where feature 818 is raised relative to a body 820 of the example tile. Feature 818 may include a portion 818 a that is a first density, and a second portion 818 b that is a second density, where the first density and the second density are different from one another. Portion 818 a and portion 818 b of feature 818 may be arranged beside one another, as opposed to on top of one another as in the tiered feature 808. In some examples, the densities of both portion 818 a and 818 b may be different than a density of the body 820 of the example tile. For example, the densities of both 818 a and 818 b may be greater than a density of the body 820 of the example tile. Alternatively, the densities of both 818 a and 818 b may be less than a density of the body 820 of the example tile. Furthermore, in another embodiment, one of portions 818 a and 818 b may have a density that is greater than a density of the body 820 of the example tile while the other portion has a density that is less than the density of the body 820 of the example tile. Further still, in some examples one of the portions of portions 818 a and 818 b may be a same density as a density of the body 820 of the example tile, while the remaining portion of portions 818 a and 818 b may have a density that is greater or less than the density of the body 820 of the example tile.
Thus, provided herein is a foam activity mat with variable density. In one example, the activity may comprise one or more tiles. In one example, the tiles are tiles comprised of EVA that form an EVA interlocking floor activity mat. The mat may be comprised of nine 18″×18″ tiles representing a variety of themes and environments (i.e.: Trail, Beach, Exploration, etc.). However, the number of tiles and/or tile dimensions may be varied as desired. Thus, the tiles may be coupled to one another to create a desired walkway, theme, etc. For example, one or more tiles may be coupled to one another to create a trail. In other examples, one or more tiles may be coupled to one another to create a walkway. In other examples, one or tiles may be coupled to one another to create a flooring of a room. Each tile includes raised and/or recessed features and textures that represent elements of their corresponding theme. For example, a beach themed mat collection may contain a tile with a raised sea turtle, sandblast texture, a textured starfish, recessed waves in the sand, and raised smooth shells. Each set of tiles may interlock to create a three tile by three tile square measuring 54″×54″. All tiles from the themed collections may be used interchangeably with each other. For example, three tiles from a Beach themed collection and 6 tiles from a Trail themed collection may be combined to create a unique floor mat environment.
The tiles may be coupled to one another in a plane to form the mat. More specifically, the tiles may be coupled to one another in an x-y plane defined by two orthogonal vectors. Thus, bottom surfaces of the tiles may be substantially parallel to one another, defining a plane. Said another way, the bottom surfaces may be flat. However, surfaces features may be raised from top surfaces of the tiles, the top surfaces opposite the bottom surfaces, such that the top surfaces may not be flat. As such, tiles may be coupled to one another along different directions (e.g., vectors) in a plane. The tiles may be coupled to one another along any of their edges. The shapes of the tiles, and/or arrangement of the tiles may be varied to form differently shaped mats. For example, square tiles may be coupled to one another to form rectangular mats. However, it should be appreciated that in other examples, the tiles may be circular, triangular, or other geometric and/or non-geometric shapes and may be coupled to one another to form mats that are circular, triangular, or other geometric and/or non-geometric shape.
This customizability may have the advantage of enabling the creation of floor mats specific to a child's interests. The base of each tile may be 13 mm thick. The EVA density of the tile body and/or tile features may vary from 15-75 Shore C durometers. The EVA density of the tile body and/or the tile features may be varied depending on a desired hardness or softness for a surface of the tile. When the tiles of the mat are fit together on the floor, a unique and fun area for young children to explore, discover, learn, and develop as they touch, crawl, and walk on the mat may be provided. Thus, the various textures, terrains, colors, and themes, as discussed above, may aid in providing an interactive environment that promotes the development and improvement of children's motor skills, sensory awareness, balance, and foot strength.
Therefore, disclosed herein in at least one example is an activity mat that comprises a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density, and one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, where the second density is different than the first density. For example, the second density may be greater than the first density. Alternatively, the second density may be less than the first density. In some embodiments, an activity mat may further at least one tile feature with a density that is less than a density of the tile body and at least one tile feature with a density that is greater than the density of the tile body. Additionally or alternatively, an example activity mat may include a tile feature which varies in density, where varying the density of such a tile feature may result in a tile feature which includes one or more of portions that are greater than a density of the body portion, less than a density of the body portion, and a same density of the body portion. Varying the density of the activity mat may be beneficial for developing foot strength, for example.
Further, in a second example activity mat, which optionally include one or more of the features described above, one or more of the surface features of are raised relative to the top surface of the activity mat. In at least one example, the top surface of the body portion of the mat may substantially planar. Furthermore, in a third example activity mat, which optionally include one or more of the features of the activity mats described above, one or more of the surface features may be recessed relative to the top surface of the activity mat. A density of the recessed features may be different than a density of the body portion of the activity mat. Additionally, the density of the recessed features may be varied in at least one example. In example activity mats where one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion vary in density, an average density of the one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion may be greater than the density of the body portion. Alternatively, in example activity mats where one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion vary in density, an average density of the one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion may be less than the density of the body portion.
In a fourth example activity mat which optionally includes one or more of the features discussed above, the fourth example activity mat may include a first tile including a body and one or more surface features that have a density that differs from a density of the body, and a second tile that is coupled to the first tile. Thus, the activity mat may be formed with multiple tiles that are assembled together. For example, the body portion of the first tile and the body portion of the second tile may both comprise mating projections on at least one edge for coupling the first tile to the second tile.
In some examples, a density of the body portion of an activity mat may be substantially uniform. However, in other examples, a density of the body portion of the activity mat is variable. In at least one embodiment where an activity mat comprises a first tile coupled to a second tile, the second tile may include a body and one or more surface features that have a density that differs from a density of the body of the second tile. Further, in some examples the density of the body of the first tile may be different than the density of the body of the second tile. Thus, a density throughout an activity mat may be customizable. In some example activity mats, at least one of the surface features may include one or more grooves. Further, in at least one example activity mat, a bottom surface of the activity mat may be substantially planar. Additionally, a bottom surface of the activity mat may include one or more bottom surface features that are recessed relative to the bottom surface. By an activity mat having a bottom surface that is substantially planar and that has bottom surface features that are recessed relative to the bottom surface, surface features such as a foot measuring device may be included on a bottom surface of the activity mat without rendering the tile unstable when the tile is placed on the ground with the bottom surface on the ground. Put another way, having a bottom surface of the activity mat be substantially planar and including surface features recessed relative to a bottom surface of the activity mat may be beneficial for ensuring that the activity mat lies flat.
It will be appreciated that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An activity mat comprising:

a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density; and

one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, where the second density is different than the first density.

2. The activity mat of claim 1, wherein one or more of the surface features are raised relative to the top surface of the activity mat.

3. The activity mat of claim 2, wherein the top surface of the body portion of the mat is substantially planar.

4. The activity mat of claim 1, wherein one or more of the surface features are recessed relative to the top surface of the activity mat.

5. The activity mat of claim 1, wherein the second density is greater than the first density.

6. The activity mat of claim 5, wherein one or more of the surface features has a third density.

7. The activity mat of claim 5, wherein the third density is less than the first density.

8. An activity mat comprising:

a first tile including a body and one or more surface features that have a density that differs from a density of the body; and

a second tile that is coupled to the first tile.

9. The activity mat of claim 8, wherein a density of the body portion of the activity mat is substantially uniform.

10. The activity mat of claim 8, wherein the density of the body portion of the activity mat is variable.

11. The activity mat of claim 8, where at least one of the one or more surface features comprises a variable density.

12. The activity mat of claim 8, wherein the surface features are integrally formed with the body.

13. The activity mat of claim 8, wherein the second tile includes a body and one or more surface features that have a density that differs from a density of the body of the second tile.

14. The activity mat of claim 13, wherein the density of the body of the first tile is different than the density of the body of the second tile.

15. The activity mat of claim 14, wherein at least one of the surface features of the first tile includes one or more grooves.

16. The activity mat of claim 8, wherein the body portion of the first tile and the body portion of the second tile both comprise mating projections on at least one edge for coupling the first tile to the second tile.

17. An activity mat comprising:

a body portion; and

one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features on the top surface has a density that is a different density of the body portion.

18. The activity mat of claim 17, wherein a bottom surface of the activity mat is substantially planar.

19. The activity mat of claim 18, wherein the bottom surface of the activity mat includes one or more bottom surface features that are recessed relative to the bottom surface.

20. The activity mat of claim 17, wherein the one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion vary in density, and a wherein an average density of the one or more surface features on the top surface of the body portion is greater than the density of the body portion.