Learning/Play Quilt for development of toddlers' fine motor skills (dexterity): zipping, tying, buttoning, lacing, snapping, hooking, use of Velcro, buckling, and identification of numbers, letters, words and containing pockets for storing small toys in addition to being used as a blanket

{
  "publication_number": "US2008113323A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Learning/Play Quilt for development of toddlers' fine motor skills (dexterity): zipping, tying, buttoning, lacing, snapping, hooking, use of Velcro, buckling, and identification of numbers, letters, words and containing pockets for storing small toys in addition to being used as a blanket",
  "abstract": "The Learning/Play Quilt or Denim/Learning Play Quilt is a compilation of components of children's clothing sewn together to facilitate development or practice of fine motor skills (dexterity) such as zipping, buttoning, lacing, tying, snapping, hooking, use of Velcro, and buckling. The quilt format provides an extensive selection of fine motor skills not found in other formats such as books, vests, dolls and mats, and, at the same time, provides utilitarian uses as a cover for the child in a car seat or stroller. It also features pockets for storage of small toys and treasures. The components of children's clothing also expose children to numbers, letters and words while the embroidery thereon creates a product that is attractive and, therefore, promotes the child's interest in learning. The recommended lap quilt size predisposes its use to places where supervision is more readily available then if used on a bed. This is not only a safety feature but one in which more peer and adult interaction can occur.",
  "claims": [
    "1. The compilation of components of children's clothing (preferably denim) sewn together to create a learning/play quilt to facilitate development and practice of many childhood fine motor skills (dexterity) including zipping, buttoning, lacing, tying, snapping, hooking, use of Velcro, and buckles, with multiple pockets for storing small toys and treasures, to be used alternatively as a blanket or lap cover, as shown and described."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Educators, parents and toy-makers have found that a quilt/blanket/mat provides a format for developing many skills, however, according to my search, the fine motor skills, including dexterity and eye-hand coordination, have heretofore been presented in other formats such as dolls, vests, etc.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. 6,427,265 to Julie, for example, uses an interactive blanket and pillow with a plurality of spaced-apart ribbon loops with tags provided in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures as a means for providing sensory stimulation for children via the children's passive (ocular) or active (tactile) interaction with the pillow or blanket.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. 5,540,609 to Barbara uses the format of a quilt and associated set of dolls to develop stories with children. Each panel of the quilt illustrates a particular scene, in similar fashion to a conventional story board. Creating stories involves important skills but in this case does not include development of fine motor skills.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. 6,233,763 to Susan uses a blanket with pockets and buttons for retaining amusement figures and the like. Any development of dexterity in this patent is coincidental.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. Des. 393,877 to Jean-Paul uses a mat for the early learning of babies. It features an ornamental design that stimulates babies but does not develop eye/hand coordination.\n\nU.S. Pat. No. 3,546,789 to Joel is an educational multiple doll-like nested set where the dolls decrease in size and the fastening tasks require greater dexterity as the dolls become smaller.",
  "cpc": [
    "G09B 19/003",
    "G09B 19/24"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63H 33/00",
    "G09B 19/00",
    "G09B 19/24"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Janice Sweet McElhoe"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2006-11-09",
  "publication_date": "2008-05-15",
  "priority_date": "2006-11-09",
  "application_number": "US-59445806-A",
  "family_id": "39369613",
  "cited_by_count": 14,
  "citations": [
    "US2972820A",
    "US3566481A",
    "US3638334A",
    "US4096647A",
    "US3997982A",
    "US4457722A",
    "US4530349A",
    "US4637798A",
    "US4661072A",
    "US5069623A",
    "US5813866A",
    "US6151715A",
    "US6755660B1",
    "US7217132B2",
    "US7465263B1"
  ]
}