WO2018029499A1

WO2018029499A1 - Arrangement of early learning playhouse made of sponge

Info

Publication number: WO2018029499A1
Application number: PCT/HU2016/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Péter BÉRY; Norbert BINDICS
Original assignee: Bery Peter; Bindics Norbert
Priority date: 2016-08-10
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2018-02-15
Also published as: EP3496833A4; EP3496833A1; HU5017U

Abstract

Skill developing sponge play-house, where the basis of the toy is a form created from sponge or recycled materials, covered by linen or valance with a color, patterned design. The external cover can be removed from the sponge with the help of a zip fastener. The zip fastener is installed by hidden sewing, so it provides safe use. The velcros (23) are sewed on the cover. The product facilitates the mental and physical development of the children, so it has a skill developing effect.

Description

Arrangement of Early Learning Playhouse Made of Sponge

The subject of the utilization sample is such an early learning play for children, which is made of sponge or re-utilized soft material cut to size. It is covered by cover material cut to size according to a pattern and which can be removed from the sponge with the help of a zipper. The zipper is prepared by hidden sewing and the separate sponge element can be attached to each other by the velcro strips sewed on the cover material.

The playing activity accompanies the children's life from the moment of their birth. Playing has an effect both to the physical and mental development. The different movements, their practicing already develop the nervous system and musculature of the infant and prepare them to the more complicated, complex activities. The infant learns though its movement what the world surrounding it is like, touches objects, senses, tastes, smells, that is learns the outside world, making all this in the course of a play with movement. This is how its intellect develops, this is the basis of learning. The basic features of the child's personality develop also during play, it causes joy, entertains it, covers its free time, satisfies its need for movement. It includes freedom, joy, experience, happiness, competition. Nevertheless, play is not a simple entertainment, spending of time, but also a methodof acquiring and expressing important knowledges, and also a tool of reducing stresses, of self-healing. Many times, the infant uses subconsciously play as a communication channel. He/she plays his/her sorrow, happiness, or what he/she is just thinking of, for this reason attention should payed to him/her as maybe he/she is trying to send a message to us, this represents the possibility for starting the communication. That means play is a tool to understand and develop children. The playing activity satisfies the child's eagerness of movement since the moment of birth. The infant creeps and crawls, takes, touches objects, things. During that his/her sense of body, body scheme develop, learns and perceives the limits of his/her body. The toys including movement develop the coordination of movement, the sense of balance, sense of space, spatial orientation. Drawing, manipulation, constructive toys develop the movements, the coordination of eyes and hands, the movements of the two hands become coordinated, the fine movements develop, the children become cleverer. The plays involving movement help in the coordination of the stimulus arriving from the different sense organs in the brain. By that, the sensory integration process starts up. These plays contribute to the development of the visual sensing, sensing connected with hearing, sensing by touch, sensing of space and time, balance. During the play, the child learns to concentrate intentionally on one thing. His/her attention becomes stable, the ability of attention splitting or the ability of differentiated attention develops. In case of children with attention deficit disorder, the play can be used for therapeutic purposes, as well. The child learns that a play must be played till

or generalize things, the creation of terms, the problem solving ability, creativity and the symbolic way of thinking also develop. Parallel with the development of the play the automatic memory develops to intentional memory, the short term memory develops to long term memory. Certain plays strengthen the mechanical memory, the visual or verbal memory. In case of role-playing, representation, constructive plays, plays with movement imagination and phantasy have high significance. By the symbolic play, the child becomes able to double the world, to the internal representation. He/she learns to abstract, represents his/her thoughts, wishes, to figure to him/herself the things, emotions, which he/she is concerned about. The play has a stress reduction effect and this stress reduction results the joy of playing. In case of role-playing, the child can relive the pleasant moments of the life, his/her unsatisfied wishes can come true, the fears, anxieties can resolve, anger can dissolve. During the role-play he/she can step in the shoes of another person, can feel and represent the emotions of the persons he/she is playing, the motivations of their behavior. He/she is able to relive even such emotions, to understand such situations, which are still complicated for him/her. The mutual empathy of the roles contributes to strengthening the ability of empathy, to increasing of helpfulness, to feeling happy about the success of the others. Through the play he/she can acquire knowledge while playing, can practice thinking operations, can develop own skills, can use, systemize his/her existing knowledges, that is can satisfy his/her curiosity, intellectual demands. The toy represented by the present sample of use has the above listed characteristics, and provides a safe environment for the children's play. Several solutions have been already produced referring to the idea of children's toys. An example of them is the Hungarian sample of use called SKILL DEVELOPING SPONGE CONSTRUCTION TOYunder registration number 2857 U. It is the representation of a skill developing construction toy made of sponge. The elements of the toycan be connected to each other in plane and in space, and the toy elements are made of polyurethane soft foam coated by textile. In order to make possible the connection of the toy elements to each other, on the basic elements there are fixing teeth, press-studs, velcros. On the corner fixing elements, there are velcros, on the strip elements and side reinforcing , there are press-studs fixings.The arrangement represented in this sample of use is much more varied, multiple, as it offers different complexity of plays for children of different age and sex. The next sample of use called SPONGE TOYand having registration no. CN204034278 (U)introduces such an arrangement, in which the sponge toy includes sponge having low-density sponge base where the density is 5-30 kg per cubic meter. Furthermore, it includes another, sponge cover layer consisting of high-density sponge. The density of this latter one is 40-1000 kg per cubic meter. The advantage of the sponge toy is that it is light and the playing experience is increased by the fact that it can be easily used and moved by the children as it is made of a light, low-density material. According to the before said, its material cost is low. Additionally, the cover layer of the sponge is made from a single peace on the external surface of the base. The cover layer is integrated, remains firmly on the surface of the base. In this way, the toy is not liable to loosing, and for this reason the life-span of the product is long. The subject of the next Chinese sample of use called BUILDING TOY HOUSEand having registration no. CN2584261 (Y)is such a toy, more specifically house, which is suitable for developing the intelligence and skills of the children at an early age. Furthermore, it can be also used as a furniture element even by families. The sample of use includes wall elements, roof elements and floor elements. Each wall is provided with a window and a door. Movable connections are established between the individual elements. The elements can be easily attached to each other as the connections also have a sponge base and for this reason can be easily deformed during attachment. One of the walls is made so that it can be connected by the integration with a longitudinal wall. The connection is moveable in this case, as well. The objective is to create such a skill developing toy for the children, the use of which is simple and safe. The basis of the toy is a form created of sponge or re-cycled materials being covered by linen or an upholstery material. The external cover can be removed from the sponge by a zip fastener, so its material can be cleaned according to demand. The sponge cut to size, in segments can be converted to different tetris forms. The cover material is made according to pattern, cut to size, shrunk, with color pattern and washable. Additionally, it can be made also of such material quality which is suitable for outdoor use, that is water resistant. The zip fastener has hidden sewing, so can be used safely. The velcros are sewed on the cover and its edges are also fixed by sewing in order to avoid injury.

The invention is based on the recognition that the sponge construction toys put in cover can highly contribute to the mental and physical development of children, and create a safe environment for the play, as well. Due to its dimensions, the sponge toy can be also suitable for the play of several children together.

That means the subject of the sample of use is a skill developing sponge play-house, which can be created in several forms providing a diversified play for the children. An example for that is the arrangement showing a play-house with connectable, extendable and connecting elements, having tunnel systems. Additionally, a castle or wall tower consisting also from the extendable and connectable elements can be created, as well.An additional possibility is the construction of an armchair or a child's bed from smaller elements of different forms. Furthermore, it is also possible to create different developing toys even in wall mounted form, or can be constructed and used as a carpet for example as an indoor football field, or in an arrangement of chess board, or different board games like "mill" and others. It is also possible to create chess pieces, disks for the "mill" game, also from sponge protected by cover. The skill developing toys can be also constructed in form of carpet or wall carpet, having cover with zip fastener and elements connectable by Velcro. In these carpets even different forms can be inserted or different color sponge balls must be put in the appropriate forms according the relevant rules. The small house, castle, wall tower, armchair, bed can be also constructed from the tetris form elements belonging to the skill developing toy.The small house can be a police station, a fire department, military bunker, post office, shop, provided with cover decorated by different fairy-tale heroes. It is possible to use cover with pattern intended for boys or for girls. In case of the skill development play-house the tetris elements are provided with cover of different colors. For the adults and teenagers an armchair or bed can be also easily constructed from the tetris elements. These elements are also fixed by Velcro. These products can be produced also from recycled materials, by which the sponge can be replaced. In case of all the mentioned products, the lying surface can be added by memory foam surface. The small house can be constructed from elements having traditional or tetris form, as well, can be modified to castle, wall tower using the additional elements. These houses, castles can be also extended by tunnel system or connecting elements, houses and castles. These toys, skill developers, buildings and furniture are all safe, do not cause any injury. A back rest to the bed can be also prepared, on which fairy tale heroes constructed by Velcro technology can be created. The cover of the sponge can be replaced by such a coating, which is water resistant, and in this way it can be suitable for outdoor play, as well, as it does not get wet and can be cleaned easily.

The sample of use is represented in details with the help of the following figures:

Figure 1 : Play elements made of sponge and having form of conventional construction cubes,

Figure 2: Construction elements made of sponge and having tetris form, Figure 3: Small armchair constructed from tetris construction elements,

Figure 4: Small house made of sponge constructed from construction elements,

Figure 5: Installation drawing of the small house made of sponge, on an exploded view,

Figure 6: Small sponge houses connected by extension element,

Figure 7: Wall tower constructed from sponge elements,

Figure 8: Installation drawing of wall tower made of sponge elements, on an exploded view.

On Figure 1, you can see sponges construction elements prepared according to the design of the conventional construction cubes. Each element is made of sponge, coated by a cover. On the figure, you can see for example arch form (1), cubic form element (2), as well as triangular prism (3), elements can be seenin an extended form (4), as well. Additionally, the semicircular column (5) and the cylinder (6) are also represented. According to demand, the ball being an element applicable at other toys, as well, also can be included here.

On figure 2, you can see the realization of certain elements of the well- known tetris play. In case of the two-dimensional toy the reflection of certain elements also appear, but these elements in the 3D space are reversible and arranged as desired. Such elements are the L shape profile (7) and the S shape profile (9).In the assortment you can also find T-shape profile (8), I-shape profile (10) and O-shape profile, as well.

On Figure 3, you can see a small sofa constructed from the earlier represented tetris elements. Assembling is carried out by fixing the elements to each other with the help of the velcros sewed on the elements. You can achieve the desired form by using the tetris elements, which contributes to the children's sense of spatial awareness.

On Figure 4, the sample of use can be seen in one of the favorable arrangement shaping a small house made of pre-formed construction elements. The floor of the small house is made of the base plate (17) on which the side walls (12) and the back wall (14) representing the end of the house must be allocated in vertical form. The entrance is also a separate element, it is the entrance wall (13). These elements are fixed both to the basis plate (17) and the adjacent elements (23) by velcros. As each element is connected at more than one point, the structure of the small house is stable and resistant. After the installation of the walls, the next step is the construction of the roof being assisted by the installation of the gables (18) as the roof elements being available in two sizes will be installed on them. A small chimney (19) can be also put on the roof, if required.

On Figure 5, you can see the above described arrangement's installation drawing on an exploded view. In this way you can see the relative position of the separate elements to each other and the dimensions and arrangement of the velcros (23) on the elements, as well.

On Figure 6, a possible method of extension of the small houses is represented. The two houses are not entirely the same, as the house located at the entrance has no back wall (14), but next to the side walls (12) entrance walls (13) can be found at both places. The entrance of the second house and the back entrance of the first house is connected by a passage having roof (24), side walls (25) and a basis (26) having the same thickness as that of the base plate (17) of the house. Their dimensions are designed to fit exactly to the gap between the two houses and in this way it forms a space between the internal spaces of the two houses. On Figure 7, a wall tower arrangement can be seen being similar to the small house. Its basis is the same as of the small house, as it is base plate (17), and also the side walls (12) and entrance wall (13) are the same. The own element of the wall tower is the wall tower roof (20), on which there is an opening and has wider edges to make possible the convenient installation of the wall tower walls (21,22).

On Figure 8, you can see the installation drawing of the above described weal tower arrangement on an exploded view. You can see well on this figure the position of the separate construction elements, and that makes easier to imagine the installation.

List of Reference Numbers - Arch form construction element 14 - Back wall

- Cubic form element 15 - Roof I

- Triangular prism 16 - Roof II

- Extended triangular prism 17 - Base plate

- Semicircular column 18 - Gable

- Cylinder 19 - Chimney

- L-shape profile 20 - Wall tower roof - T-shape profile 21 - Wall tower wall I - S-shape profile 22 - Wall tower wall II - I-shape profile 23 - Velcro

1 - O-shape profile 24 - Passage roof

- Side wall 25 - Passage side3 - Entrance wall 26 - Passage base

Claims

1. Skill development sponge play-house arrangement, the use of which is simple and safe, the basis of the toy is a form created from sponge or recycled materials, covered by linen or valance, and the external cover can be removed from the sponge with the help of a zip fastener, and in this way its material can be cleaned as required, furthermore, the cover is prepared according to a cliche, cut to size and has color patterns, is washable, and is provided with zip fastener fixed by hidden sewing making possible the safe use of it, the velcros (23) are sewed on the cover and is characterized by being safe for the children, and assisting the mental and physical development of the children, that is it has a skill developing effect.

2. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under Point 1 of the claim, characterized by the following: the sponge design takes on the forms of the tetris toy, that is it has L-shape profile (7), T-shape profile (8), S-shape profile (9), I-shape profile (10), and O- shape profile (11), which in this way can be installed in different arrangements.

3. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under Point 1 of the claim, including elements making possible the construction of a small house, characterized by having side wall (12), entrance wall (13), base plate (17), and back wall (14), on which roof elements (15) (16) of different sizes can be installed with the help of gable (18), and on which chimney (19) can be installed.

4. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under Point 1 of the claim, which can be installed in a wall tower arrangement characterized by the following: it can be constructed in addition to the elements relating to the base plate of the small house using wall tower roof (20), wall tower walls (21) (22).

5. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under Point 1 of the claimcharacterized by the following: it can be assembled as an indoor football field, chess board, mill game and other different board games, additionally, there is a possibility to create chess pieces, mill discs also from sponge, protected by cover, furthermore skill development toys can be constructed in form of carpet or wall carpet, with cover provided with zip fasteners, in which different forms can be inserted or balls of different color can be put in the different forms.

6. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under any of Point 1 to 5 of the claim, characterized by the following: each construction element is provided with Velcro (23) and in this way they can be connected with each other and are suitable for the construction of different forms.

7. Arrangement of the skill developing sponge play-house as described under any of Point 1 to 6 of the claim, characterized bythe following: the material quality of the cover of the sponges can be waterproof, as well, in this way providing the possibility of being an outdoor toy, as well.