Transportable play assembly

Abstract

A transportable play design assembly with an open operative position, an alternative closed position and which may be folded to enclose play items therebetween when play time is concluded. The open operative position is utilized as a play surface. The alternative closed position is utilized as a transporting and storage device for play items. The alternative closed position further has a closing mechanism to prevent the play items from falling out of the assembly during transportation.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A foldable play assembly, comprising: 
 a flexible sheet;    a first arcuate frame member attached to the flexible sheet, the first arcuate frame member and a first portion of the flexible sheet defining a first panel;    a second arcuate frame member attached to the flexible sheet and diametrically opposed to the first arcuate frame member, the second arcuate frame member and a second portion of the flexible sheet defining a second panel;    the first and second panels being positionable in an open operative position wherein the panels are substantially flat and together form a play surface having play indicia;    at least one play piece positionable by a user on the play surface and relative to the play indicia;    the first and second panels being positionable in an alternative closed storage position wherein the first and second panels are folded and generally overlie one another; and    a closing mechanism adapted to secure the first and second panels in the closed storage position with the at least one play piece positioned therebetween.    
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the flexible sheet is made of vinyl.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein each of the first and second panels includes an opening at a location most distant from the center of the flexible sheet and inside of the arcuate frame member defining a handle.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein indicia form at least one of a city, town, ocean and construction on the play surface.  
   
   
       36 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one button which activates a light on at least one location on the play surface when pressed.  
   
   
       37 . The assembly of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one button which activates a sound on at least one location on the play surface when pressed.  
   
   
       38 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein indicia forms at least one play path on the play surface along which a user can move the at least one play piece.  
   
   
       39 . The assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the closing mechanism is a zipper.  
   
   
       40 . A foldable play assembly, comprising: 
 a first panel and a second panel diametrically disposed to one another and foldable toward each other from an open position forming a substantially flat play surface to a clamshell closed configuration;    the first and second panels each defining an opening which mate with each other with the panels in the closed configuration to define a carrying handle; and    a closing mechanism adapted to span a rounded portion of the clamshell configuration such that the first and second panels are substantially closed to the surrounding environment and play pieces are enclosed therebetween.    
   
   
       41 . The assembly of  claim 40 , wherein indicia form at least one of a city, town, ocean and construction on the play surface.  
   
   
       42 . The assembly of  claim 40 , further comprising at least one button which activates a light on at least one location on the play surface when pressed by a user.  
   
   
       43 . The assembly of  claim 40 , further comprising at least one button which activates a sound on at least one location on the play surface when pressed by a user.  
   
   
       44 . The assembly of  claim 40 , further comprising at least one play piece positionable at a desired location on the play surface by a user.  
   
   
       45 . The assembly of  claim 40 , wherein indicia forms at least one play path on the play surface along which a user can move the at least one play piece.  
   
   
       46 . The assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the assembly is approximately one to three inches thick when in the closed configuration.  
   
   
       47 . A method of closing and transporting a transportable play assembly including two panels diametrically disposed to one another such that they form a play surface when in the open position and such that each of the two panels includes an opening defining a handle grip, comprising: 
 overlaying the first panel over the second panel with the play pieces disposed therebetween such that a closed panel configuration results;    fastening the two panels together to enclose the play items be means of a fastening mechanism; and    transporting the fastened semi-circular panel by grasping a handle grip.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the hand grip is formed by mating openings in the first and second panels and adjacent flexible reinforcing members of the panels.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the fastening includes zipping a zipper.  
   
   
       50 . A foldable play assembly, comprising: 
 a flexible sheet;    a first arcuate frame member attached to the flexible sheet, the first arcuate frame member and a first portion of the flexible sheet defining a first panel;    a second arcuate frame member attached to the flexible sheet and diametrically opposed to the first arcuate frame member, the second arcuate frame member and a second portion of the flexible sheet defining a second panel;    the first and second panels being positionable in an open operative position wherein the panels are substantially flat and together form a play surface having play indicia for movement of at least one play piece thereon;    the first and second panels being positionable in an alternative closed storage position wherein the first and second panels are folded and generally overlie one another and form diametrically opposed corners;    closing means for securing the first and second panels in the closed storage position with the at least one play piece positioned therebetween;    the diametrically opposed corners of the closed storage position adapted to roll inward toward each other forming a further folded configuration; and    packaging adapted to hold and enclose the first and second panels when in the further folded configuration.    
   
   
       51 . The assembly of  claim 50  wherein the packaging is adapted to hold and enclose the play pieces with the panels.