Customizable and expandable play structures

Abstract

A customizable play structure that includes a fabric, a flexible material or a combination thereof having illustrations of objects found in an environment that are created on a top surface of the play structure. Illustrations that are included on the top surface of the material include objects that are found in a known environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for creating a play structure with illustrations comprising:
 providing a basic layout that includes roads and/or paths;   providing illustrations of objects found in a known environment;   using a computer to generate a design layout for the play structure using the basic layout and the illustrations; and   creating the play structure with the generated design layout by transferring the generated design layout to a medium that is used for the play structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the illustrations of the objects found in the known environment include images of roads, pathways, schools, stores, homes, public buildings, natural landscapes, lakes, rivers, pools, playgrounds, animals, street signs, road signs or parks, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the illustrations of objects found in the known environment are photographs of objects in a particular location or area. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein using a computer includes using a design program that is capable of creating a basic layout, adding illustrations, editing the basic layout, editing the illustrations, or a combination thereof, and saving the basic layout, the illustrations or a combination thereof to a memory of the computer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the medium used for the play structure is a fabric, a flexible material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising providing one or more roads or paths that extend to an edge of the play structure such that the play structure may be aligned with one or more roads or paths of at least one other play structure. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising a connector accessory that enables the play structure to be removably connected to another play structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising providing an anti-slip accessory that is removably attached to the play structure and that reduces movement of the play structure when the play structure is laid out on a surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising providing attachable illustrations that are on a material that may be attached to the play structure after the play structure has been created. 
     
     
         10 . A method for creating a play structure comprising:
 providing a computer-related design program that allows a user to create a basic layout for the play structure that includes roads, paths or a combination thereof and that allows a user to add desired illustrations to the basic layout;   editing the basic layout, the illustrations, or a combination thereof using the design program to generate a design layout; and   creating the play structure with the generated design layout by transferring the generated design layout to a medium that is used for the play structure.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the user is a manufacturer of the play structure, a user of the play structure, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the desired illustrations are illustrations of objects found in a particular location or area. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein providing a computer-related design program includes using a design program that is capable of creating a basic layout, adding illustrations, editing the basic layout, editing the illustrations, or a combination thereof, and saving the basic layout, the illustrations, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the medium used for creating the play structure is a fabric, a flexible material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10  further comprising providing one or more extending roads or paths that extend to an edge of the play structure, and a connector accessory that enables the play structure to be removably connected to another play structure, thereby creating a larger play area. 
     
     
         16 . A customizable play structure comprising:
 a fabric, a flexible material or a combination thereof that includes illustrations of objects found in an environment that are created on a top surface of the play structure; and   illustrations that are included on the top surface of the material, wherein the illustrations include objects that are found in a known environment.   
     
     
         17 . The customizable play structure according to  claim 16  further comprising attachable illustrations that are on a material that may be affixed to the customizable play structure after the play structure has been created. 
     
     
         18 . The customizable play structure according to  claim 16  further comprising a connector accessory that enables the play structure to be removably connected to another play structure and an anti-slip accessory that is removably attached to the play structure and that reduces movement of the lay structure when the play structure is laid out on a surface. 
     
     
         19 . The customizable play structure according to  claim 18  wherein a user may choose the illustrations that are included in the top surface of the material of the play structure, the connector accessory, the anti-slip accessory, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The customizable play structure according to  claim 16  wherein a user may choose the layout of illustrations of roads, paths or a combination of roads and paths that are created on a top surface of the material.