Play and learning platform and connector system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a play and learning platform and, more particularly, to a collection of multi-use cardboard box structures that can be connected to form a variety of play or room configurations that, in conjunction with various content, technology applications and, interactive communities, provide a multi-use play and learning platform for children. Also described is a grommet and connector system for connecting a plurality of play structures with one another.

1 . A personalized play and learning platform, comprising:
 one or more box structure components, the box structure components formed to be connected with one another to form a personalized play box structure.   
     
     
         2 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of grommets. 
     
     
         3 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grommets are connected with the box structure components. 
     
     
         4 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of connectors, the connectors being formed to engage with and connect a plurality of grommets with one another to connect two or more box structure components with one another and form a play box structure. 
     
     
         5 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the connectors include a retaining handle having a threaded portion extending therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the connectors include a threadless portion, such that the threadless portion resides between the retaining handle and the threaded portion. 
     
     
         7 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the box structure components are formed of folding planar materials that can be folded into a substantially flat form. 
     
     
         8 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the box structure components include one or more of a satellite base, a tunnel, or a lid. 
     
     
         9 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the satellite base includes a floor surrounded by four walls, with at least one of the walls having a doorway cut therethough. 
     
     
         10 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of holes or grommets are positioned through the planar material forming the satellite base such that they surround the doorway. 
     
     
         11 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the tunnel includes a passageway straddled by two openings, wherein the openings include one or more tabs that protrude away from the tunnel, the tabs having a plurality of holes or grommets, such that the plurality of holes or grommets on the tabs are positioned to align with the plurality of holes or grommets that surround the doorway. 
     
     
         12 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising a set of decorative panels, the decorative panels having decorative elements such that the set of decorative panels collectively forms a theme. 
     
     
         13 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each of the decorative panels is formed to have a plurality of holes or grommets that are positioned to align with the plurality of holes or grommets that surround the doorway. 
     
     
         14 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a software application, the software application having executable instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such that upon execution of the instructions, one or more processors performs operations of:
 providing one or more stories as related to a particular theme and box structure configuration; and   providing instructions on how to connect a plurality of box structure components to form a personalized play box structure that is coordinated with the theme and the box structure configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising printed material, the printed material comprising:
 one or more stories as related to a particular theme and box structure configuration; and   instructions on how to connect a plurality of box structure components to form a personalized play box structure that is coordinated with the theme and the box structure configuration.   
     
     
         16 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of connectors, the connectors being formed to engage with and connect two or more box structure components with one another and form a play box structure. 
     
     
         17 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the connectors include a retaining handle having a threaded portion extending therefrom. 
     
     
         18 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the connectors include a threadless portion, such that the threadless portion resides between the retaining handle and the threaded portion. 
     
     
         19 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the box structure components are formed of folding planar materials that can be folded into a substantially flat form. 
     
     
         20 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the box structure components include one or more of a satellite base, a tunnel, or a lid. 
     
     
         21 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the satellite base includes a floor surrounded by four walls, with at least one of the walls having a doorway cut therethrough. 
     
     
         22 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of holes or grommets are positioned through the planar material forming the satellite base such that they surround the doorway. 
     
     
         23 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the tunnel includes a passageway straddled by two openings, wherein the openings include one or more tabs that protrude away from the tunnel, the tabs having a plurality of holes or grommets, such that the plurality of holes or grommets on the tabs are positioned to align with the plurality of holes or grommets on other box structure components. 
     
     
         24 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a set of decorative panels, the decorative panels having decorative elements such that the set of decorative panels collectively forms a theme. 
     
     
         25 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein each of the decorative panels is formed to have a plurality of holes or grommets that are positioned to align with the plurality of holes on other box structure components. 
     
     
         26 . The personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a software application, the software application having executable instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such that upon execution of the instructions, one or more processors performs operations of:
 providing one or more stories as related to a particular theme and box structure configuration; and   providing instructions on how to connect a plurality of box structure components to form a personalized play box structure that is coordinated with the theme and the box structure configuration.   
     
     
         27 . he personalized play and learning platform as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising printed material, the printed material comprising:
 one or more stories as related to a particular theme and box structure configuration; and   instructions on how to connect a plurality of box structure components to form a personalized play box structure that is coordinated with the theme and the box structure configuration.   
     
     
         28 . A connector system for connecting a plurality of play structures with one another, comprising:
 a grommet, the grommet being formed to reside within a pre-punched hole formed in sheet of material and sandwich the sheet of material within the grommet; and   a connector for passing through the grommet and connecting a plurality of grommets with one another, thereby connecting a plurality of sheets of material with one another.   
     
     
         29 . A personalized play and learning platform, comprising:
 one or more processors and a software application, the software application having executable instructions encoded on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such that upon execution of the instructions, the one or more processors performs operations of:
 providing one or more stories as related to a particular theme and box structure configuration; and 
 providing instructions on how to connect a plurality of box structure components to form a personalized play box structure that is coordinated with the theme and the box structure configuration.