The present invention relates to a garment having an enhanced play function and a play landscape.
Garments for children that are designed to stimulate and foster the imagination for play are widely known from the prior art. For example, US 2018/0146729 A1 discloses a garment, for instance in the form of a T-shirt, on which the natural habitat of various animals (for example, a forest) is depicted and can also be tangibly integrated in the garment in that, for example, pockets in the form of caves are attached. Furthermore, it is accordingly possible to accommodate animals that belong in the habitat in the pockets or, for example, also to fix them to the garment by way of hook-and-loop fasteners or the like.
Moreover, KR 10 0 834 997 B1 discloses a garment to which a kind of clothesline is fastened by buttons, toy garments being able to be hung in turn on hangers fixed to the clothesline.
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a garment that is equipped with an enhanced play functionality and furthermore makes it easier for parents and children on the move to transport toys.
Accordingly, the garment according to the present invention is noteworthy in that a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein first of all the movable fastening device is connected (in particular, permanently or detachably) to the garment and/or is integrated in the garment. In contrast to the prior art, the garment according to the invention thus has especially the special feature that the corresponding play figure or the play figures can be fastened detachably to the movable fastening device and is/are not just fixed purely statically to the garment, as has hitherto been conventional in the prior art. In contrast to the prior art, this makes a dynamic play activity possible in the first place, in which the clothing is incorporated and arouses particular interest even for children as a result of its increased functionality. The movable fastening device can itself be configured in a movable manner in that the entire fastening device or a part of it is attached or mounted such that there it has a degree of freedom of movement. The movable fastening device also has a fixed part, however, and additionally comprises a moving element that is mounted accordingly in a movable manner. The movable fastening device or the moving element can then be movable relative to the garment or the play surface, and is movable as a rule not just in a plane parallel to the play surface but in a three-dimensional region.
In contrast to the prior art, the garment is thus incorporated directly into play, to be more precise into a three-dimensional play activity. Specifically, if the play figure is merely fastened to the garment and is statically fixed thereto, the actual play process is only allowed in that the play figure is detached from the garment itself and is moved in space. According to the present invention, the garment is assigned a play landscape, however, which not only consists in the provision of a surface that can optionally also bear a motif but also in the play surface of the garment according to the present invention becoming a part of the play space used when playing. At the same time, the garment is given an enhanced play function, i.e. it becomes a part of the actual toy or game as a result of the structural features according to the present invention and does not just have the passive function of being merely a backdrop. Moreover, it is possible, as a result of the present invention, to dispense with carrying along additional toys such as dollhouses or the like when on the move/on the road, since the garment is capable of taking on this play function in its entirety.
The respective play figure is, according to the present invention, fastened magnetically to the movable fastening device or the moving element. The fastening can additionally also be configured in some other way depending on the exemplary embodiment, for example, by clamping or by a hook-and-loop fastener. In addition, this does not preclude play figures that are fastened in some other way from being present in addition to a magnetically fastenable play figure.
Various ones of these fastening variants may also be used together in the scope of the garment and be integrated therein. It is also conceivable to effect a type of coding in that, for example, different movable fastening devices or the moving elements thereof are provided and only individual ones of these fastening devices or moving elements are assigned to each animal. For example, among the play figures, it is possible for only the monkeys to stick to a movable fastening device or a moving element in the form of a liana, but not the lion play figure.
For detachable fastening, it is possible to use clamping mounts, magnetic fasteners or hook-and-loop fasteners, which can be found as standard fastening elements for such garments among sewing equipment.
The movable fastening device and/or the moving element can be configured as follows: for example, it can be a kind of pendulum, which represents for instance a liana. Such a pendulum can be fastened to the play surface at at least one point, along a part of its length or along its entire length.
Together with the use of magnets as means for detachable fastening, a further play option is realized according to the present invention in that a kind of pocket is integrated into the garment, a magnet or magnetizable body being introduced into the interior space of the pocket so as to be mounted in a movable manner within the pocket. As a magnet or magnetizable body, it is then possible to use, for example, a flat body, for instance in the form of a small plate, especially with rounded edges. The body can, therefore, be configured in a flat manner so that the garment is only slightly thicker toward the outside than the rest of the garment, if at all, in the region where it is currently mounted within the pocket. The smaller the body, the more unobtrusively it is accommodated within the garment. Furthermore, the body also has more freedom of movement within the pocket, the smaller it is designed to be. Rather than a magnet, the body can also comprise a ferromagnetic material. The choice of material depends on whether, for example, a play figure that is intended to be detachably fastened thereto likewise has a magnet or only a magnetizable material. Furthermore, it is also conceivable, on account of the orientation of two magnets that are used (for instance in the play figure and on the fastening device or on the moving element), to exploit repulsion effects such that only particular orientations are allowed during attachment.
The type of movement can be realized in various ways. A further variant consists for instance in providing a guide rail with a runner, mounted in the guide rail, as moving element. A band, string or cord can be used, for example, as guide rail, wherein the magnet or the magnetizable body is pulled onto the guide rail, for example, as a running bead. It is also conceivable for the magnet or magnetizable body to be mounted as moving element in a guide rail that is in the form of a hose, tunnel or pipe, such that it can likewise move along the length thereof. Advantageously, the garment can thus be adapted to different play situations and, depending on desire, provide a separate world of play in that different movement possibilities are also imitable (for example, swinging on lianas, sliding movements, etc.). As a result of it being possible to join play figures to the garment, or to join the movable fastening device to the garment, these nevertheless form a unit and can also be transported in a connected manner on the body.
In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the pocket is integrated as inconspicuously as possible as a movable fastening device into the garment, such that it is not perceived to exist at all from the outside. Thus, the pocket can extend substantially parallel to the play surface, i.e. for example, be accommodated in the layer of material or in a plane parallel to the layer of material. The extension perpendicular to the play surface can be chosen to be as small as possible in order that the material or the garment does not attract attention in this region on account of an increased thickness.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the interior space of the pocket can in principle be completely closed. In order for it to be possible to wash the garment, however, it is advantageous for it to be possible to remove the magnet or the magnetizable body before washing. In this regard, in such an embodiment, the interior space can be configured to be openable and reclosable in a subregion, in particular, in a subregion of the periphery. The moving element (magnet or magnetizable body) can then be reintroduced into the interior space after washing. In particular when the moving element is made of metal, corrosion of the moving element, which results in the function being restricted but also in the garment being soiled, can be avoided.
Depending on the play situation and the play surface, the pocket can be shaped in different ways. In particular, it can be in the form of a tunnel, the width of which parallel to the play surface corresponds to that of the moving element, such that the moving element is mounted in the tunnel so as to be movable only along the length of the tunnel. Such a tunnel corresponds in principle to a guide rail, at least as regards the movement possibility. It is also conceivable for it to be in the form of a labyrinth.
Furthermore, a combination of the garment with static fastening mechanisms are also possible, for example, with hook-and-loop fasteners, press buttons, but also with magnets or magnetizable bodies. In the case of the static fastening mechanisms, the play figure can be attached only at the point that is provided therefor and at which the fastening mechanism is located, without being shifted relative to the garment. Lastly, a different design possibility consists in a plurality of static fastening mechanisms being attached sequentially such that the play figure can be moved like on a path from point to point and thus from one static fastening mechanism to the next in that it is in each case detached and reattached, but is not moved fluently.
In different embodiments of the present invention, different implementations of the pocket are also possible. One possibility is to attach a further piece of textile on the play surface or beneath the play surface. Furthermore, it is conceivable to manufacture the garment from a double layer of material and to form the pocket between these two layers of material. In the peripheral regions that are intended to bound the subsequent pocket, the two layers can be joined together such that the moving element, too, still has to be located in the interior space thus formed.
The manner in which the pocket specifically is formed also depends on the type of garment. Some garments, in particular, winter clothing, functional clothing or the like, are intrinsically already conceived of as multilayer garments, and so this property can be used accordingly for incorporating the pocket.
A particularly advantageous expansion of the play possibilities is proposed by the play device according to the present invention for children to play with, which initially has the garment according to the present invention or a garment according to one of the abovementioned exemplary embodiments, but additionally also comprises a tool such as a rod, which has a magnet or a magnetizable body, wherein at least one play figure is present, which in turn likewise comprises a magnet or a magnetizable body, such that the play figure can be moved with the rod. In this development, the moving element takes on a life of its own to a certain extent and thus affords a particular expansion of the play possibilities, since the movement possibilities over the play surface are no longer restricted. At the same time, as a result of the magnetic holding force, the rod can also be fastened to the garment, wherein the garment can, in particular, also be trapped between the rod and play figure, such that the rod can also be readily carried along on the body and transported as part of an entire play device.
According to the present invention, the pocket extends to cover at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, of the play surface. The movable, non-fixed magnet or magnetizable body (moving element) inside the pocket is much smaller than the pocket. It can move along the play surface over a distance of at least two times its diameter (if it is a circular body) or its maximum dimension (length or width). It is therefore different from a magnet or a magnetizable body that is used only to hold an object at a fixed place where the pocket is only slightly larger than the object, since the object could otherwise not be inserted into the pocket when the garment is manufactured.
However, another non-movable magnet or magnetizable body can be at a fixed position on/in the play figure, in most cases in the upper part of the play figure. For a relative movement of the play figure with regard to the play surface, only it is only necessary to be able to move the (movable) magnet or magnetizable body (moving element) that is inside the pocket. The dimensions of play figure are usually smaller than the size of the play surface. The non-movable magnet or magnetizable body can be located in the extremities of the play figure, for example, at the end of the arms, legs, or in the head, so that it can be easily attached.
For the movement, the pocket forms a two dimensional surface that extends over a certain length and width of the play surface of the garment. The pocket can have any shape/form: rectangular, squared, round/circular, triangular or any irregular shape. However, with an advantageous embodiment, the length and width of the pocket should be at least two times the extent (maximum dimension) of the movable magnet or the magnetizable body (moving element), so that it can be moved a distance that is at least equal to the extent of the movable magnet/magnetizable body. In many cases, a circular magnet or magnetizable body would be preferred. Such a form can be easily fabricated and can also slide easily inside the pocket, since it cannot get caught up because it has no corners. It is advantages to choose the dimensions of the pocket to be much bigger than the dimensions of the magnet/magnetizable body.
The garment, in most cases, can be used as a children's toy. Therefore, it could be a risk if the pocket could be opened so that the movable magnet or the magnetizable body be removed, because it could be swallowed by children. This should be avoided. On the other hand, the garment needs to be washed from time to time. If the movable magnet or magnetizable body cannot be removed, it shall be washed together with the garment. Hence the movable magnet or magnetizable body must not be corroded and/or start to rust. This can be avoided if the movable magnet or magnetizable body is made from an inert material, such as a magnetizable stainless steel or the like. Furthermore, it is possible, especially if the movable magnet/magnetizable body cannot be made of an inert material, to coat it with a waterproof coating, in particular with a chemically inert coating, so that the movable magnet/magnetizable body is not susceptible to corrosion in the short and long run. This is also advantageous, since the rust could otherwise discolor the fabric.
Since children should not be able to get the movable magnet/magnetizable body out of the pocket, the pocket can be tightly closed along its edge, for example sewn up, glued, welded or studded along its entire contour (outer periphery).
With a chemically inert surface of the magnet/magnetizable body or a waterproof, inert coating it is also possible to wash the garment using a washing machine.
The pocket can also form a part of the edge of the play surface, in particular, at the front side of the garment. The pocket can form the contour of the garment and the seam of the garment can be used to close the pocket at least in part.
A significant advantage of the present invention is that, according to one embodiment, the system of the play figure in contact with the fabric and the movable magnet (or movable magnetizable body) inside the pocket can stick together due to the magnetic force and can stay at this position due to friction between the play figure, the fabric and the movable magnet or magnetizable body. In a preferred embodiment, it is also possible to move the play figure manually and the movable magnet can follow. When you stop moving the play figure and the movable magnet has followed to that position, the play figure is again attached at that point. Hence a maximum of flexibility is provided with such a configuration. The play figure can be attached at any point where the movable magnet or magnetizable body (moving element) can also be moved.
There can also be provided, in general, a movable magnet inside the pocket and a fixed, non-movable magnet inside the play figure. Since unlike magnetic poles attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other, the play figure can only be attached in a pre-defined orientation or the movable magnet has to turn inside the pocket. Any magnetizable body may adapt its magnetization, when the magnet is near and its magnetic field affects it.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following text with further details and advantages being specified.
Located furthermore in the lower region of the garment 1 is a guide rail 9, which is permanently fastened (sewn in) to the play surface 2 in each case in its end regions. Threaded onto the guide rail 9 is a bead made of a magnetizable body 10. From this bead 10, which likewise represents a moving element, there in turn hangs a play
A plurality of static fastening mechanisms 15 in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners form a path, along which a play figure can be guided, or to which it can be fastened, with hook-and-loop fasteners.
A schematic section through the pocket 3 is illustrated in
In order to be able to improve the play possibilities even further, a play device according to
A play
A similar embodiment is shown in
The embodiment of
Another difference shown in the embodiment of
In the embodiment shown in
A pocket 3 is presented with a movable magnet 4 inside. The pocket 3 can be retrofitted to a suitable garment or can already be part of a garment. Furthermore, the play
The play
It is also possible to move the play
The magnet 4 can, in principle, also be fixed in the play
All the exemplary embodiments and developments of the present invention have in common that a play figure and a movable fastening device are provided, wherein the movable fastening device can be joined to or integrated in the garment and is movable relative to the garment or the play surface. The movable fastening device can also have a movable mounted moving element. The play figure can be fastened detachably to the movable fastening device and/or to the moving element of the movable fastening device. The garment thus forms a part of a three-dimensional play landscape, in which play figures are movable in three dimensions in the region of the garment.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2019 104 896.6 | Feb 2019 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/445,509, filed Aug. 20, 2021, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/055068 filed Feb. 26, 2020, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2019 104 896.6 filed Feb. 26, 2019, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP2020/055068 | Feb 2020 | WO |
Child | 17445509 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17445509 | Aug 2021 | US |
Child | 18647312 | US |