ACTIVITY CENTER

Abstract

Provided is an activity center including a floor mat having a base portion and at least one auxiliary portion articulated to the base portion along a fold line and a frame assembly articulated at least to the base portion; the auxiliary portion being configurable between a first position in which it is coplanar with the base portion, and at least a second position in which it is folded along the fold line to be at least partially attached to the frame assembly.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

This subject matter relates to infant activity centers (often referred to as infant activity/entertainment mattresses), and more particularly to such activity centers which can take different configurations and thus provide different playing activities.

PRIOR ART

There are known activity mattresses often used as infant development and amusing toys, such as for example an activity mat disclosed in WO 2007/026359 to the applicant.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided an activity center comprising:

• • a floor mat having a base portion and at least one auxiliary portion articulated to the base portion along a fold line; and
  • a frame assembly articulated at least to the base portion;the auxiliary portion being configurable between a first position in which it is coplanar with the base portion, and at least a second position in which it is folded along the fold line to be at least partially attached to the frame assembly.

The term “articulated” in the context of the presently disclosed subject matter refers to any kind of integral, fixable or detachable attachment between the elements of the activity center.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied in the activity center according to the present disclosed subject matter, solely or in various configurations and modifications:

In one of the second positions of the auxiliary portion it can be folded, so as to create a substantially acute angle with respect to the base portion, so that the frame assembly supports the auxiliary portion to remain in such folded configuration.

The activity center can comprise a fastening arrangement configured for detachably attaching at least a portion of the auxiliary portion of the floor mat to the frame assembly, to keep it elevated with respect to the base portion.

The frame assembly can comprise a pair of arched members, each configured for being articulated to the floor mat at two opposite locations.

The locations of the attachment of the arched members can be disposed along the fold line or adjacent thereto.

The locations of the attachment of the arched members can be spaced from ends of the floor mat.

At least in one position of the activity center the arched members can be oriented so as to create a substantially acute angle with respect to the base portion.

The activity can comprise an arch connecting arrangement configured for fixing the arched members in the above orientation with respect to the base portion.

The arch connecting arrangement can be configured for keeping the arched members in any mutual orientation, i.e. the arched members can be as spaced from each other at a predetermined distance, can contact each other, can intersect, etc.

The arch connecting arrangement can comprise a pair of attachment elements, each configured for being attached to the arched members at two ends thereof and defining the distance between the arched members.

The frame assembly comprises an arch adjoining portion can be configured for being articulated to the arch members along portions thereof, and extending above the base portion between the arch members so as to form a roof like portion above the base portion.

The floor mat can comprise two auxiliary portions, each configured for being articulated, at least along a portion thereof, to its corresponding arch member.

The activity center can be configured for being deformable between at least:

• • a first position in which all portions thereof are coplanar,
  • a second position in which at least a portion of at least one auxiliary portion is attached to its corresponding arch member, and has a another portion free of such attachment, which is folded, creating thereby a wall between opposite edges of the arch member, and
  • a third position in which at least one auxiliary portion is attached to its corresponding arch member substantially along the entire length of the auxiliary portion, creating thereby a wall higher than the wall created in the above second position, between opposite edges of the arch member.

The frame assembly can be configured to be at least partially detached from the floor mat.

The activity center can be configured to be compactly folded to be taken along. For example, the activity center can be rolled or folded to form a flat package having dimensions substantially similar or smaller than dimensions the of the base portion. The activity center can be folded together with the frame assembly or the frame assembly can be detached from the floor mat, and each can be folded separately.

In accordance with another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided an activity center comprising an activity center comprising:

• • a floor mat;
  • a frame assembly articulated to the floor mat along at least a portion of its periphery, said frame assembly being configured to change its position between a first frame position in which it is attached to the floor mat and is substantially coplanar therewith, and at least a second frame position in which at least a portion of said frame assembly is detached from said portion of the floor mat and is displaced therefrom to be inclined with respect to the floor mat; and
  • frame fixation arrangement configured to fix the frame assembly in said second position.

In accordance with another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided an activity center comprising:

• • a floor mat having a base portion and at least one auxiliary portion;
  • a frame assembly articulated to the floor mat and configured to change its position between a first frame position in which is substantially coplanar with at least the base portion, and at least a second frame position in which at least a portion of said frame assembly is inclined with respect to at least the base portion, to be at least partially; and
  • frame fixation arrangement configured to fix the frame assembly in said second position.

The frame assembly, at least in one of its second positions, can have a function different from its function in its first position.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied in the activity center according to the present disclosed subject matter, solely or in various configurations and modifications:

The frame assembly, in the second position thereof, can constitute a play arch above the floor mat and is further configured to allow attachment thereto of one or more toy elements to dangle therefrom.

The frame assembly can be configured to be detachably attached to at least the auxiliary portion.

The frame assembly can be pivotally attached to the floor mat so as to allow its disposition from its first position to its second, inclined position with respect to the floor mat.

At least a portion of the frame assembly can pivot with respect to the floor mat, about an axis separating between the base portion and the auxiliary portion.

The frame assembly can comprise at least two arched members configured for being articulated to the floor mat along its opposite edges, so that a first arched member is pivotally attached to the base portion at two first locations and a second arched member is pivotally attached to the base portion at two second locations spaced from said two first locations. Each of the first and second locations is further spaced from a corresponding end of the floor mat.

The above locations of attachment of the arched members to the floor mat can be disposed along or adjacent the above axis separating between the base portion and the auxiliary portion.

In the second position of the frame assembly, the arched members can be inclined to create a substantially acute angle with respect to the base portion.

The arched members can be configured to be directly or indirectly articulated to each other above the base portion, so as to remain in said second position.

The mat can comprise two auxiliary portions, each configured to be detachably attached to a corresponding arched member.

The frame assembly can comprise a frame base portion configured to be detachably attached to the base portion.

It should be appreciated that any one or more of the features, designs and configurations indicated with reference to each of the aspects in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter can be applied in any of the activity centers, solely or in various configurations and modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 10 are schematic illustrations of an activity center in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, in different positions thereof;

FIGS. 11A to 11F show an activity center similar to the activity center of FIGS. 1 to 10, in different positions thereof;

FIGS. 12A to 12G are schematic illustrations of an activity center in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an activity center in accordance with a still further example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 14 is a photographic illustration of an activity center in accordance with a further example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 15A shows an activity center in accordance with a still further example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 15B is a schematic illustration related to the structure of the activity center of FIG. 15A;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are photographic illustrations of the attachment locations of the arches of the activity center of FIGS. 15A and 15B;

FIGS. 17A to 17C show the activity center of FIGS. 15A to 16A, in different positions thereof;

FIG. 18 shows the floor mat of the activity center of FIGS. 15A to 17C; and

FIGS. 19A and 19B show the activity center of FIGS. 15A to 17C in a disassembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 11F schematically illustrate an activity center generally designated as 10, which comprises a floor mat 20 and a frame assembly 30 detachably attachable to the floor mat 20, and configured for being folded so as to change its position between a first position (FIGS. 1, 8 and 11C) in which the detachable frame assembly 30 is substantially coplanar with the floor mat 20 to function as a continuation thereof, and a second position (FIGS. 2 to 7, 11A, 11B and 11D to 11F), in which the frame assembly 30 is elevated with respect to the floor mat 20 to perform at least one function different from that performed by the frame assembly 30 in the first position, as detailed below.

The floor mat 20 has a soft, cushion-like body with a top surface 24 (FIG. 1) and a bottom surface 26 (FIG. 7) such that in the first, flat position of the mat 20 (FIGS. 1, 8 and 11C) the top surface 24 is fully exposed to the exterior and the bottom surface 26 is hidden, since it faces the ground, floor or any other surface the mat can be put on. The floor mat 20 comprises a mat base portion 21 and two mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25. The borders between the mat base portion 21 and the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 are defined by axes A₁ and A₂ (FIGS. 1, 2 and 11C), along which the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 are folded with respect to the mat base portion 21, as described below. It should be appreciated though, that the material of the floor mat 20 can allow it to be folded along other axes extending along the mat (not shown), as long as nothing prevents it from being folded.

The floor mat can be made for example of sponge, foamed material, etc., and can be covered by fabric which can be printed or embroidered with childish drawings or patterns. Top layer of fabric F₁ (FIG. 11C) and bottom layer of fabric F₂ (FIG. 11F) can be provided, at least at portion thereof, with fasteners, such as for example Velcro™, for detachable attachment thereto of toy elements T (FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11D and 11E).

It should be appreciated that the top layer and the bottom layer may be imparted with other illustrations and/or patterns, and may comprise different types of fasteners for attachment of toys, and can further be fitted with additional infant entertainment members to be used as activity mat and/or activity center, such as sensory toys, mirrors, pillows, teethers, tactile toys etc. The layers are normally manufactured of liquid impermeable and washable materials.

The frame assembly 30 comprises of a frame base portion 31 having two opposite frame base members 31a and 31b, and two arched members 33 and 35.

The frame assembly 30 can be formed as an integral unitary body or as an assembly whose members can be separate members integrally connected or detachably attached one to the other, and it is foldable along axes A₃ and A₄, (FIGS. 3 and 11B), which are normally collinear with the axes A₁ and A₂, constituting together lines of merger of the arched members 33 and 35 with the mat base portion 21. The axes A₃ and A₄ are spaced from edges 23b and 25b of the floor mat 20, respectively, and are spaced from each other by the frame base members 31a and 31b.

The frame assembly 30 is preferably made of a material different from that of the material of the floor mat 20, and in particular of a material harder than that of the floor mat 20, such as for example plastic, and wrapped by a fabric layer, for example similar to that of the floor mat. Alternatively, the frame can comprise core rods being made of a rigid through flexible material, e.g. steel, fiberglass, plastic material, etc. and enveloped with a cushioning layer, e.g. sponge or foamed material typically received within a patterned fabric envelope.

It should be appreciated that the frame can comprise only some of the above indicated portions, for example, the frame can comprise only the auxiliary portions, to be attached to the base portion of the floor mat or can comprise a base portion and only one of the auxiliary portions.

The frame base members 31a and 31b articulated to the mat base portion 21 along its opposite edges 21a and 21b (FIGS. 1 and 11E) respectively, and have essentially the same length as the edges 21a and 21b. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 11F the frame base members 31a and 31b are constituted by the marginal areas of the mat base portion 21. However, other configurations are possible, such as for example the configuration shown in FIGS. 13A to 14, in which the frame base members 31a and 31b are detachably attached to the mat base portion 21.

The arched members 33 and 35 conform the outer shape of corresponding mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25, and are detachably attachable to the respective edges 23a, 23b, 23c and 25a, 25b and 25c (FIGS. 2 and 11E) thereof. However, it should be appreciated that the arched members can have other designs and/or differ from each other in their size and design.

The attachment means between the floor mat portions 21, 23 and 25 and the frame portions 31, 33 and 35 can comprise fasteners of any kind, such as for example Velcro™ fasteners or snap fasteners, or fastening straps as described below in connection with FIGS. 13A to 14. It should also be appreciated that the frame assembly 30 can further be fitted with fastening means, instead or in addition to the fastening means of the floor mat.

The arched members 33 and 35 are foldable along the axes A₃ and A₄, as shown by arrows a₁ and a₂ (FIG. 3), so that their parallel end edges 33a and 35a (FIG. 4) are brought into close proximity or contact with each other. The arched members 33 and 35 are configured for being fixed to each other at their edges 33a and 33b. For such purpose, the arched members 33 and 35 comprise attachment means, which can comprise fasteners of any kind, such as for example Velcro™ fasteners or snap fasteners, or fastening straps as described in connection with FIGS. 13A to 14. However, the arched members do not necessarily need to contact each other in the elevated position, and can comprise an additional attachment arrangement (such as shown for example in FIG. 15A). Optionally, the activity center can comprise an attachment arrangement which can attach the side members to each other and control their height above the floor mat (not shown).

The above attachment of the arched members to each other is configured to keep them in the elevated position above the floor mat 20, and prevents them from uncontrolled collapsing.

The elevation of the arched members 33 and 35 can be achieved by any suitable connection thereof to the frame base portion 31 or mat base portion 21. In particular, the arched members 33 and 35 can be pivotally attached to the respective frame base portions 31a and 31b (either integrally or detachably), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 14B. Alternatively, the arched members can be pivotally attached directly to the mat base portion 21 (as shown for example in FIG. 15A and will be further described in detail) at spaced apart locations.

The activity center 10 is deformable between different positions, each defined by the position of the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 and/or the arched members 33 and 35 with respect to each other and to the mat base portion 21. Specifically, the arched members 33 and 35 can be elevated while the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 remain coplanar with the mat base portion 21 (FIGS. 2, 6, 11A and 11E), or the arched members 33 and 35 can be elevated together with one or both the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 (FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, 11B, 11D and 11F), creating thereby different positions of the activity center 10, as detailed below.

In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 11C, the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 together with the corresponding arched member 33 and 35 are coplanar with the mat base portion 21 to create a flat floor mat. In such position the frame assembly 30 is attached to the floor mat 20 along the entire periphery thereof and functions as a continuation of the floor mat 20.

In the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 11E the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 are coplanar with the mat base portion 21, while the arched members 33 and 35 are elevated with respect to the mat base portion 21 so that their end edges 33a and 35a contact each other, above the mat base portion 21. In such disposition, the arched members 33 and 35 create acute angles α₁ and α₂ (FIG. 2), respectively, with respect to the mat base portion 21. The edges 33a and 35a are fixed to each other as described above. In such configuration the activity center 10 is used as an infant activity mat, wherein the arched members 33 and 35 serve as a play arch above the floor mat 20. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11E, the arched member 33 can be provided with holes for threading therethrough toy elements T. It should be appreciated, however, that both arched members can be provided with such holes or other arrangement allowing detachable attachment of the toy elements to dangle therefrom (such as for example the arrangement shown in FIGS. 13A to 14). In the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 11B only the arched member 35 is elevated, while the arched member 33 remains coplanar with the mat base portion 21.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11A, the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 are folded beneath the mat base portion 21 to create a soft and compact mat having the size and shape corresponding to that of the mat base portion 21.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show take-along positions of the activity center 10, in which the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 and the arched members 33 and 35 are folded to create a flat package, which can be also fitted with a handle 81 (FIG. 10) or a bag (not shown) so that it can be easily carried. As shown in FIG. 8, the activity center 10 can be rolled, with or without the frame assembly 30.

The configurations show in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11F both arched members 33 and 35 are inclined together with the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 to form a crawling tent/tunnel with walls of a height h₁. In such configuration top surfaces 23′ and 25′ (shown in FIG. 4, 11C and 11F) of the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25, respectively, face inwardly towards the mat base portion 21 of the floor mat 20, while bottom surfaces 23″ and 25″ (FIGS. 4, 7 and 11F, showing only the surface 23″) face outwardly, and can form an activity panel, comprising activity areas 70 (FIGS. 7 and 11F) which can be configured for detachable attachment of toy elements T thereto (FIG. 11F) or can have other games activities suitable for infants.

The activity center 10 can be deformed to a crib like configuration (FIGS. 5 and 11D), in which the mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 are attached to the corresponding arched members 33 and 35 only along parts of the side edges. In particular, the mat auxiliary portion 23 is attached to the arched member 33 along parts 27a and 27b (FIGS. 5 and 11D) of the side edges 23a and 23c, respectively, while the edge 23b is free of attachment to the frame portion 33, and is folded towards the mat base portion 21. The mat auxiliary portion 25 is attached to the arched member 35 along parts 29a and 29b (not seen) of the side edges 25a and 25c, respectively, while the edge 25b is free of attachment to the frame portion 35, and is folded towards the mat base portion 21. The folded mat auxiliary portions 23 and 25 create side walls of height h₂, smaller than the height h₁, creating thereby the crib configuration.

FIGS. 12A to 12G show an activity center 90, which differs from the activity center 10 only by the oval shape of the mat auxiliary portions 91 and 93, and the arched members 95 and 97.

With reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B to 14, there are shown other configurations of activity centers in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. For purposes of convenience, elements of activity centers 100 and 200 which are similar to elements of the activity center 10 are designated with similar reference numerals, but upped by 100 and 200, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the arched members 133 and 135 of the frame 130 are formed with adjoining portions 134 and 136, which can be made of partially or fully transparent air permeable material, e.g. net fabric, for detachable attachment thereto of the mat auxiliary portions 123 and 125. The arrangement is such that the edges 123b and 125b of the respective mat auxiliary portions 123 and 125 are detachably attachable to the adjoining portions 134 and 136 at edges 134a and 136a, while the side edges 123a and 123c, and 125a (not seen) and 125c are detachably attachable to the corresponding arched members 133 and 135.

The floor mat 120 is formed with fastening straps 141 for surrounding the arched members 133 and 135, respectively, thereby detachably attaching therebetween. It should be appreciated, however, that the above detachable attachment can be made by means of any kind of fasteners, such as a Velcro™ fasteners or snap fasteners.

The attachment means between the floor mat auxiliary portions 123 and 125 and the adjoining portions 134 and 136 can also comprise any kind of fasteners, such as a Velcro™ fasteners, snap fasteners or zippers. One example of such attachment is shown in FIG. 14, where adjoining portions 234 and 236 (not seen) are attached to the mat auxiliary portions 223 and 225, by means of fastening straps 241, similar to the straps 141, as described above.

The adjoining portions 134 and 136 are further formed with toy holders 140 (FIG. 13A), formed as loops by means of which toy elements T can be detachably attached to the adjoining portions 134 and 136.

FIG. 13A shows the activity center 100 in its crib position similar to the position of activity center 10 shown in FIG. 11D, in which the mat auxiliary portions 123 and 125 are folded to create two opposite walls surrounding the mat base portion 121.

With reference to FIG. 14, the activity center 200 has a structure generally similar to the structure of the activity center 100 and differs therefrom mainly by that the base members 231a and 231b of the frame base portion 231 are detachably attached to the mat base portion 221, by means of fastening straps 243.

In addition, the arched members thereof 233 and 235 are fitted with fastening straps 251 to be detachably attached to the mat auxiliary portions 223 and 225.

The reference is now being made to FIGS. 15A to 19B, showing another configuration of an activity center 300 in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

The activity center 300 comprises a floor mat 320 (FIGS. 15A, 17A and 18), similar to the floor mats 20, 120 and 220 described above, and a frame assembly 330, detachably attached to the floor mat 320.

The floor mat 300 comprises a mat base portion 321 and two mat auxiliary portions 323 and 325, and is configured for being folded along axes L₁ and L₂, formed by stitches extending along the axes L₁ and L₂, and separating between the mat base portion 321 and the mat auxiliary portions 323 and 325.

The frame assembly 330 comprises a first arch 341 detachably attached to the mat base portion 321 at arch attachment locations 302 and 304 adjacent the axis L₁ and spaced from an edge 323a of the mat auxiliary portion 323, and a second arch 343 detachably attached to the mat base portion 321 at locations 306 and 308 adjacent the axis L₂ and spaced from an edge 325a of the mat auxiliary portion 325. The arch attachment locations 302 and 306, and the arch attachment locations 304 and 308 are spaced from each other by edges 321a and 321b, respectively of the mat base portion 321.

With reference to FIG. 15B, the arches 341 and 343 create imaginary surfaces S₁ and S₂, respectively, respective bases 391 and 393 of which, are collinear with the axes L₁ and L₂ and the surfaces S₁ and S₂ form acute angles β₁ and β₂ (which can be also straight angles) with respect to the mat base portion 321.

It should be appreciated, however, that the bases 391 and 393 do not have to be collinear with the axes L₁ and L₂, and can be parallel thereto or can create angels therewith. Alternatively, the bases 391 and 393 can be collinear with the edges 321a and 321b, respectively, of the floor mat 320.

Each of the arches 341 and 343 comprises a core rod (not seen) being a rigid through flexible material, e.g. steel, fiberglass, plastic material, etc. and enveloped with a cushioning layer, e.g. sponge or foamed material typically received within a patterned fabric envelope.

The arches 341 and 343 are attached to the floor mat 320 by means of snap fit arrangement 350 (FIGS. 16A and 16B). In particular, the arches 341 and 343 are fitted with attachment flaps 351 and 353 (not seen), respectively (FIG. 16A), which are folded to be detachably attached by snap fitting to a bottom surface 326 of the floor mat 320. It should be appreciated, however, that other types of attachment is possible, such as for example Velcro™, fasteners.

The arches 341 and 343 are fitted with toy holders 345 (FIG. 15A), formed as loops by means of which toy elements T can be detachably attached thereto.

The frame assembly 330 further comprises an arches adjoining portion 370, fixedly attached to the arches 341 and 343 along respective upper portions 342 and 344 thereof, to which the arches adjoining portion 370 is sewed. The arch connection portion 370 is preferably made of partially or fully transparent air permeable material, e.g. net fabric.

It should be appreciated that the arches adjoining portion 370 can be attached to the arches 341 and 343, fixedly or detachably, by any other suitable attachment means.

The arches adjoining portion 370 is formed with toy holders 373, formed as loops by means of which toy elements T can be detachably attached thereto.

The frame assembly 330 further comprises an arch connecting arrangement 360 detachably attached to the arches 341 and 343 and configured for fixing them at the transverse orientation with respect to the mat base portion 321. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 15A to 17C, the arches are fixed in a spaced apart manner, however, the arches can be fixed or detachably attached directly to each other, for example as described above with reference to the activity centers 10, 100 and 200.

The arch connecting arrangement 360 comprises a pair of arch attachment elements 362 and 364. The arch attachment element 362, 364 is fitted with a pair of clasps 363, 365, configured for being frictionally fitted over the arches 341 and 343. The arch attachment elements 362 and 264 are made of a rigid material, such as plastic.

The arrangement is such that in the assembled position the arches 341 and 343 are attached to the mat base portion 321, so that the arches adjoining portion 370 is stretched therebetween, and the arch attachment elements 362 and 364 are attached to the arches 341 and 343 so as to fix them with respect to the mat 320 and keep them spaced apart from each other. In such position, the stretched arches adjoining portion 370 acts like a transparent roof filling the space between the arches 341 and 343.

With reference to FIGS. 17A to 17C, the mat auxiliary portions 323 and 325 are configured to be detachably attached to the arches 341 and 343 by means of straps 381 to be tied to the arches 341 and 343, fixed to the floor mat 320 along the periphery thereof. Accordingly, the activity center 300 can be deformed between different positions, depending on whether all or only some the straps 381 are tied to the arches 341 and 343, such as a partially closed position in FIG. 17A (similar to the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 11B), a cradle position in FIG. 17B (similar to the positions shown in FIGS. 5, 11E and 13A), and a tent position in FIG. 17C (similar to the positions shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 11F and 13B).

As already described above with references to the other activity centers in according with the presently disclosed subject matter, in the positions in which at least one of the auxiliary portions 323 and 325 is attached to the arches 341 and 343, its bottom surface can act as activity panel 322 (FIG. 17C), as it is fitted with various activity elements such as toys, detachably attachable to the panel 322, pockets, Velcro portions, or any infant entertainment members to be used as activity mat and/or activity center, such as sensory toys, mirrors, pillows, teethers, tactile toys etc.

The mat auxiliary portions can be detachably attached, directly or indirectly, to the arches by any other suitable means, as described above with reference to the activity centers 10, 100 and 200. For example, the arch attachment elements 362, the arches adjoining portion 370 and/or 264 and the arches 341 and 343 can be fitted with attachment means, such as Velcro fasteners or straps, to be detachably attached to the corresponding attachment means of the auxiliary floor portions.

The frame assembly 330 can be completely detached from the floor mat 320, as shown in FIGS. 18, 19A and 19B. The arrangement is such that the arch attachment elements 362 and 364 are detached from the arches 341 and 343, and the arches 341 and 343 together with the arches adjoining portion 370 are detached from the floor mat 320. In such position, the floor mat 320 and the arches 341 and 343 can be folded to be taken along (FIGS. 19A and 19B). It should be indicated in this connection, that the arches adjoining portion 370 is folded between the arches 341 and 343 (FIG. 19A), so it does not prevent them from getting closed to each other.

It should be appreciated that all the structural elements described with reference to each of the activity centers 10, 100, 200 and 300 can be applied to any of them, solely or in various configurations and modifications. In addition, all the activity centers in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter can be deformable to any of the described above positions.

It should further be appreciated that the locations of the articulation of the arch members/arches is not limited to the locations described above. For example, each of the arch members/arches can be articulated to the floor mat at the same edge thereof.

Claims

1. An activity center comprising: a floor mat having a base portion and at least one auxiliary portion articulated to the base portion along a fold line; anda frame assembly articulated at least to the base portion;

2. The activity center according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening arrangement configured for detachably attaching at least a portion of the auxiliary portion of the floor mat to the frame assembly, to keep it elevated with respect to the base portion.

3. The activity center according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of arched members, each configured for being articulated to the floor mat at two opposite locations.

4. The activity center according to claim 3, wherein the locations of the attachment of the arched members can be disposed along the fold line or adjacent thereto.

5. The activity center according to claim 4, wherein the locations of the attachment of the arched members can be spaced from ends of the floor mat.

6. The activity center according to claim 5, wherein at least in one position thereof the arched members can be oriented so as to create a substantially acute angle with respect to the base portion.

7. The activity center according to claim 1, further comprising an arch connecting arrangement configured for fixing the arched members in the above orientation with respect to the base portion.

8. The activity center according to claim 7, wherein the arch connecting arrangement is further configured for keeping the arched members in any mutual orientation.

9. The activity center according to claim 8, wherein the arch connecting arrangement further comprises a pair of attachment elements, each configured for being attached to the arched members at two ends thereof and defining the distance between the arched members.

10. The activity center according to claim 1, wherein the frame assembly comprises an arch adjoining portion and is further configured for being articulated to the arch members along portions thereof, and extending above the base portion between the arch members so as to form a roof like portion above the base portion.

11. The activity center according to claim 1, wherein the floor mat comprises two auxiliary portions, each configured for being articulated, at least along a portion thereof, to its corresponding arch member.

12. The activity center according to claim 1, being deformable between at least: a first position in which all portions thereof are coplanar,a second position in which at least a portion of at least one auxiliary portion is attached to its corresponding arch member, and has a another portion free of such attachment, which is folded, creating thereby a wall between opposite edges of the arch member, anda third position in which at least one auxiliary portion is attached to its corresponding arch member substantially along the entire length of the auxiliary portion, creating thereby a wall higher than the wall created in the above second position, between opposite edges of the arch member.

13. The activity center according to claim 1, wherein the frame assembly can be configured to be at least partially detached from the floor mat.

14. The activity center according to claim 1, further being configured to be compactly folded to be taken along.

15. The activity center according to claim 1, further being configured to be folded together with the frame assembly or the frame assembly can be detached from the floor mat, and each can be folded separately.

16. An activity center comprising: a floor mat;a frame assembly articulated to the floor mat along at least a portion of its periphery, said frame assembly being configured to change its position between a first frame position in which it is attached to the floor mat and is substantially coplanar therewith, and at least a second frame position in which at least a portion of said frame assembly is detached from said portion of the floor mat and is displaced therefrom to be inclined with respect to the floor mat; andframe fixation arrangement configured to fix the frame assembly in said second position.

17. An activity center comprising: a floor mat having a base portion and at least one auxiliary portion;a frame assembly articulated to the floor mat and configured to change its position between a first frame position in which is substantially coplanar with at least the base portion, and at least a second frame position in which at least a portion of said frame assembly is inclined with respect to at least the base portion, to be at least partially; andframe fixation arrangement configured to fix the frame assembly in said second position.

18. The activity center according to claim 17, wherein the frame assembly, at least in one of its second positions, can have a function different from its function in its first position.

19. The activity center according to claim 17, wherein the frame assembly, in the second position thereof, can constitute a play arch above the floor mat and is further configured to allow attachment thereto of one or more toy elements to dangle therefrom.

20. The activity center according to claim 17, wherein the frame assembly can be configured to be detachably attached to at least the auxiliary portion.