Multi-function shopping cart insert

1. A multi-function insert adapted for use as a play mat and as a seat cover for a shopping cart which includes a handlebar and a seat having a seat bottom, a backrest, and a pair of leg openings, the insert comprising:

an elongate panel defining opposed front and back surface, wherein the panel is rectangularly configured defining opposed pairs of parallel longitudinal and lateral peripheral edge segments;

at least two flaps disposed within the panel and selectively movable between open and closed positions; and

a plurality of fastening mechanisms attached to the panel and configured to selectively maintain a portion of the panel in releasable engagement to the handlebar of the shopping cart and to selectively maintain the flaps in releasable engagement to the panel;

the panel being sized and configured to be selectively foldable and unfoldable between respective non-planar and planar configurations, the non-planar configuration of the panel being such that when the panel is releaseably engaged to the handlebar, extended over the seat bottom and draped over the back rest, the flaps will be substantially aligned with respective ones of the leg openings when the flaps are moved to the open position, the planar configuration of the panel being such that the front and back surfaces assume a flat configuration with the flaps being releaseably engagable to the panel in the closed position when the insert is unfolded for use as a play mat.

2. The insert of claim 1 wherein:

one of the lateral peripheral edge segments being wrapped about the handlebar with the remaining one of the lateral peripheral edge segments being draped over the backrest when the insert is employed as the seat cover.

3. The insert of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the fastening mechanisms comprises:

at least two strips of hook-and-loop fastener material attached to the back surface of the panel in spaced relation to each other for maintaining the portion of the panel in releasable engagement to the handlebar; and

a strip of hook-and-loop fastener material disposed on each one of the flaps and being releaseably engageable to a corresponding strip of hook-and-loop fastener material disposed on the back surface of the panel for maintaining the flaps in the closed position.

4. The insert of claim 1 wherein the panel is fabricated from at least two layers of fabric material having a layer of padding therebetween.

5. The insert of claim 4 wherein each of the layers of fabric material has decorative indicia thereon.

6. The insert of claim 1 further comprising an elongate seat belt releaseably engageable to the panel and selectively extensible about the backrest of the shopping cart when the insert is used as the seat cover for the seat thereof.

7. The insert of claim 1 further comprising a pillow releaseably attachable to the front surface of the panel.

8. The insert of claim 1 further comprising a sheet of material attached to the front surface of the panel in a manner defining at least one pocket.

9. The insert of claim 1 further comprising at least one activity item attached to the front surface of the panel.

10. A multi-function insert adapted for use as a play mat and as a seat cover for a shopping cart which includes a handlebar and a seat having a seat bottom, a backrest, and a pair of leg openings, the insert comprising:

an elongate panel defining opposed front and back surfaces, wherein the panel is rectangularly configured defining opposed pairs of parallel longitudinal and lateral peripheral edge segments, the panel being fabricated from at least two layers of fabric material with a layer of padding being interposed therebetween, each of the layers of fabric having decorative indicia thereon, one of the lateral peripheral edge segments being wrapped about the handlebar with the remaining one of the lateral peripheral edge segments being draped over the backrest when the insert is employed as the seat cover, the back surface of the panel including at least two strips of hook-and-loop fastener material being attached thereto in spaced relation to each other for maintaining the lateral peripheral edge segments of the panel in releasable engagement to the handlebar;

at least two flaps disposed within the panel adjacent the leg openings and being selectively movable between open and closed positions, each one of the flaps having a strip of hook-and-loop fastener material disposed thereon and being releaseably engageable to a corresponding strip of hook-and-loop fastener material disposed on the back surface of the panel for selectively maintaining the flaps in the closed position;

at least one activity item attached to the front surface of the panel adjacent to the one of the lateral peripheral edge segments that is wrapped about the handlebar; and

an elongate seat belt being releaseably engageable to the panel adjacent to the seat belt and being selectively extensible about the backrest of the shopping cart when the insert is used as the seat cover for the seat thereof;

wherein the panel is sized and configured to be selectively foldable and unfoldable between respective non-planar and planar configurations, the non-planar configuration of the panel being such that when the panel is releaseably engaged to the handlebar, extended over the seat bottom and draped over the back rest, the flaps will be substantially aligned with respective ones of the leg openings when the flaps are moved to the open position, the planar configuration of the panel being such that the front and back surfaces assume a flat configuration with the hook-and-loop fastener material maintaining the flaps in the closed position when the insert is unfolded for use as a play mat.