Reconfigurable infant play mats and displays

Abstract

An infant play mat with a flexible central mat portion having a fabric surface that forms a first infant play area and including multiple flexible flaps extending from straight edges of the play mat. The infant play mat has a polygonal perimeter with multiple straight edges, with two of the edges defining a corner therebetween. Multiple flexible flaps extend from a respective one of the perimeter edges and define a fold line. Each flap has an upper flap surface exposed when the flap is extended, and hidden when the play mat is folded at the fold line to cover a region of the central mat portion. The central mat portion and lower surfaces of the flaps together form a second infant play area when the play mat is folded at all of the fold lines. Two of the flaps extend from the two edges to define the corner and are shaped such that, when overlaying the central mat portion, the two flaps do not overlap.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An infant play gym superstructure comprising:
 a plurality of substantially wooden legs, each comprising:   a central joint mating portion;   a mat mating portion; and   a curved portion connecting the central joint mating portion and the mat mating portion; and   a joint comprising:
 a lower portion; and 
 an upper portion; 
   wherein the lower portion and the upper portions of the joint are configured to cooperate to affix the central joint mating portion to each of the wooden legs when the infant play gym superstructure is in an assembled state.   
     
     
         3 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 2 , wherein the central common joint further comprises a tightening mechanism, wherein the tightening mechanism is configured to be able to reduce the distance between the lower portion and the upper portion such that the central joint mating portion can be affixed to the central common joint when the infant play gym superstructure is in the assembled state. 
     
     
         4 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of substantially wooden legs comprises at least three legs. 
     
     
         5 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be tightened together to apply friction to opposite sides of each of the substantially wooden legs. 
     
     
         6 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 2 , wherein the joint comprises a tightening mechanism configured to reduce a distance between the lower portion and the upper portion to hold the plurality of wooden legs in the assembled state. 
     
     
         7 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 2 , wherein the joint defines a plurality of slots extending in different directions, each slot sized to accommodate the central joint mating portion of one of the substantially wooden legs. 
     
     
         8 . The infant play gym superstructure of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of slots consists of three slots spaced around the joint at intervals of 120 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . An infant play gym set, comprising:
 a playmat having a fabric surface and comprising:
 three or more fold lines of reduced folding stiffness defining a substantially polygonal infant play area including a central mat portion; 
 three or more outer flaps, each extending from a respective one of the fold lines and having an upper flap surface exposed when the flap is extended to be co-planar with the central mat portion and hidden when the play mat is folded at the respective fold line to cover a region of the central mat portion with the outer flap; and 
   a superstructure configured to releasably attach to the playmat and comprising two or more legs that are configured to be coupled together at a central joint above the playmat when the superstructure is in an assembled configuration;   wherein at least one of the outer flaps includes a sensory development feature integrated into its upper flap surface.   
     
     
         10 . The infant play gym set of  claim 9 , wherein the sensory development feature comprises a tactile feature. 
     
     
         11 . The infant play gym of  claim 9 , further comprising a second sensory development feature coupled to one of the fold lines of reduced folding stiffness.