U.S. patent application number 09/935714 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-14 for collapsible play yard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mattel, Inc.. Invention is credited to Brown, Bryan M., Canna, John S., Favorito, Julia, Shuler, Eric T..
Application Number | 20020016991 09/935714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23621623 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020016991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown, Bryan M. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2002 |
Collapsible play yard
Abstract
A play yard has an oval-shaped upper frame. The upper frame is
made of two u-shaped tubes and is supported by two vertical posts
at either end of the play yard. The ends of each of the u-shaped
tubes of the upper frame are connected to each post so as to be
able to rotate about the posts. Located on each post is a slider
which can slide up and down the post. Each slider is held in place
by a button on each post. Diagonal support braces connect the
sliders to each of the u-shaped tubes of the upper frame. When the
play yard is in use, the upper frame is supported by the two
vertical posts and the diagonal support braces located on either
side of the play yard. The lower end of each post is connected to
two opposing cantilevered legs at a hub. Each of the legs is
substantially u-shaped and is pivotally connected at the hub in
order to be able to rotate about the posts.
Inventors: |
Brown, Bryan M.; (Buffalo,
NY) ; Canna, John S.; (Orchard Park, NY) ;
Favorito, Julia; (Buffalo, NY) ; Shuler, Eric T.;
(Orchard Park, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS
1800 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5869
US
|
Assignee: |
Mattel, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23621623 |
Appl. No.: |
09/935714 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09935714 |
Aug 24, 2001 |
|
|
|
09409699 |
Sep 30, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/99.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/063 20130101;
E04H 15/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/99.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00; A47D
007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A support frame having deployed and collapsed states that
supports a child receptacle, the child receptacle being supportable
by said support frame upon a support surface, said support frame
comprising: first and second posts each having upper and lower
ends; an upper frame member coupled to the upper end of each of
said posts at a proximal end of said upper frame member for pivotal
movement between a first, deployed position wherein a distal end of
said upper frame member is substantially perpendicular to said
first and second posts and a second, collapsed position wherein
said distal end is adjacent said posts; and legs each having
proximal and distal ends, said proximal ends being coupled to the
lower ends of said posts for pivotal movement between a post
supporting position wherein said distal ends are engaged with the
support surface and said posts are supportably spaced above the
support surface by said legs, and a collapsed position wherein said
distal ends of said legs are adjacent said posts.
2. The support frame of claim 1 further comprising a first and
second hub disposed at the lower ends of said first and second
posts, respectively, wherein when said legs are in said post
supporting position, said legs are cantilevered from said hubs so
as to suspend said hubs and said posts above the support surface
and wherein when said legs are in said collapsed position, said
hubs engage the support surface.
3. A child receptacle in combination with the support frame of
claim 1, wherein said child receptacle includes annular walls and a
support surface, said support surface being suspended from said
upper frame by said annular walls.
4. The support frame of claim 1 further including a soft goods
portion adapted to receive a child, wherein said upper frame is
adapted for supporting said soft goods above the support
surface.
5. The support frame of claim 4, wherein said soft goods includes a
child receiving area suspended from annular walls, said child
receiving area and annular walls defining an enclosure for the
child.
6. The support frame of claim 1, wherein a button is disposed on at
least one of said first and second posts, said button being
operative for permitting said upper frame to pivot between said
first, deployed position and said second, collapsed position.
7. The support frame of claim 1 wherein said legs are U-shaped and
coupled to said posts at the open ends of said U-shaped legs.
8. The support frame of claim 7 further comprising first and second
hubs disposed at the lower ends of said first and second posts,
respectively, wherein when said legs are in said post supporting
position, said legs are cantilevered from said hubs so as to define
a fulcrum and said support frame is able to produce a bouncing
motion by a child supported by said support frame.
9. The support frame of claim 8, said legs further including an
elastic portion disposed at said proximal ends for contributing to
the bouncing motion by the child supported by said support
frame.
10. A structure for holding a child, comprising: first and second
support structures having upper and lower portions; an upper frame
having deployed and collapsed states that is pivotally coupled to
said first and second support structures at the upper portions of
said support structures; and two opposing ground-engaging legs
having deployed and collapsed states that are each pivotally
coupled to both of said first and second support structures at the
lower portions of said first and second support structures.
11. The structure of claim 10, further comprising an enclosure for
holding a child that is suspended from said upper frame when said
upper frame is in its deployed state and said legs are deployed and
engaging the ground.
12. The structure of claim 11, wherein said enclosure is spaced
from the ground when said upper frame and legs are in their
deployed states, and wherein said structure for holding a child is
adapted to allow the enclosure to bounce upon application of a
force when said upper frame and legs are in their deployed
states.
13. The structure of claim 12, wherein at least one of said legs
includes two segments, the first segment being more elastic than
the second segment.
14. The structure of claim 12, wherein said two opposing legs are
cantilevered from said first and second support structures when
said legs are in their deployed states.
15. The structure of claim 11, further comprising a canopy coupled
to said upper frame.
16. The structure of claim 10, wherein when said legs and upper
frame are in their deployed states, an angle between one hundred
eighty and ninety degrees is formed between said first and second
supports and said legs and wherein when said legs and upper frame
are in their collapsed states, an angle of approximately zero
degrees is formed between said first and second supports and said
legs.
17. The structure of claim 16, wherein said first and second
supports are substantially perpendicular to the ground when said
legs are deployed and engaging the ground.
18. The structure of claim 10, wherein said two opposing legs are
each u-shaped.
19. The structure of claim 10, wherein when said upper frame and
legs are in their collapsed states, said structure for holding
children assumes a planar-like configuration.
20. A structure for holding children comprising: first and second
support elements in laterally spaced relation each having upper and
lower ends; a u-shaped upper frame member having an expanded and
collapsed condition and that is pivotally coupled to each of said
support elements; one and only one ground-engaging u-shaped leg
that is coupled to the lower ends of said support elements, and
that is coupled for pivotal movement with respect to said support
elements between an expanded condition angularly spaced from said
upper frame and a collapsed condition angularly proximate said
upper frame; an enclosure coupled to said upper frame member and
suspended therefrom when said upper frame member and said leg are
in their expanded conditions so that said enclosure is spaced from
the ground; and a canopy coupled to said enclosure for covering
said enclosure having an open and closed condition.
21. The structure of claim 20, wherein said closed canopy fully
covers said enclosure and has first and second ends, a zipper
intermediate its first and second ends for keeping said canopy
closed, and mesh portions for allowing air to circulate within the
structure when the canopy is closed.
22. The structure of claim 20, further comprising a second u-shaped
upper frame member that is coupled to the upper ends of each of
said support elements.
23. The structure of claim 20, wherein said second u-shaped upper
frame member is pivotally coupled to the upper ends of each of said
tubular members.
24. A support structure for supporting a child, said support
structure being supportable on a support surface and being
configured between a folded and use position, comprising: front and
rear posts extending substantially perpendicular to the support
surface, each of said front and rear posts having a lower portion
and an upper portion, an upper frame portion coupled to said front
and rear posts upper portions, respectively; a ground engaging
support frame, said ground engaging support frame including a left
and right opposed leg, each of which including front and rear ends
coupled to the respective front and rear post lower portions and a
U-shaped portion extending between said front and rear ends;
wherein when said support structure is in said use position, said
upper frame portion is perpendicular to said front and rear posts,
said left and right legs extend outwardly and downwardly from said
front and rear post lower portions and said U-shaped portion are
engaged with the support surface so as to suspend said posts and
said upper frame portion above the support surface; and wherein
when said support structure is in said folded position, said left
and right legs extend upwardly from and are substantially parallel
to said front and rear posts, and said front and rear posts are
engaged with the support surface so as to support said legs and
upper frame portion in said folded position.
25. The support structure of claim 21 in combination with a child
receptacle suspended from said upper frame portion, said child
receptacle including a child receiving portion suspended from said
upper frame portion by annular walls.
26. The support structure of claim 21, said upper frame portion
further including left and right ends, wherein when said support
structure is in the folded portion, said left and right ends are
disposed adjacent to each of said front and rear posts.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a collapsible play yard. One
common design approach is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,655 to
Wang. The disclosed play yard has a rectangular upper frame formed
of eight frame members pivoted together at their ends, with two
members defining each of the four sides of the upper frame. A hinge
lock rotationally fixes the two members on each side with respect
to each other in a coaxial relationship. The upper frame is
supported at its corners on the upper ends of four vertical posts.
A rectangular lower frame, also formed with eight hinged frame
members, is coupled to the lower ends of the vertical posts. The
lower frame supports a segmented rigid floor assembly, and fabric
side wall panels are stretched between the upper and lower frame
assemblies and the vertical posts. The posts contact a supporting
surface (floor or ground), supporting the play yard. The play yard
can be collapsed from its deployed configuration to a stored
configuration by releasing the hinge locks on the upper frame
members, allowing the sides of the upper frame to fold downwardly
in a u-shape. The lower frame members are similarly folded
upwardly, and the vertical posts urged radially toward each other
and the center of the play yard. The play yard folds into a
rectangular package with a height defined by the height of the
vertical posts.
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,851 to Mariol discloses a similar play
yard frame, except that the upper and lower frames are triangular
and there are accordingly three vertical posts.
[0003] Play yards similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,485,655 have gained wide acceptance in the market place. However,
they suffer from some drawbacks. The frames have many parts, making
them more difficult and costly to manufacture. The operation of the
frame is complicated, requiring the user to independently release
four hinge locks on the upper frame and urge the vertical posts
manually. The u-shaped fold of the upper frame sides poses a risk
of inadvertent collapse of the frame if the child occupant (or a
sibling or parent outside the play yard) bears down on the upper
frame. There have been reported incidents of children being
entrapped in a collapsed upper frame rail. The hinge locks are
therefore the subject of much design attention to reduce the risk
that they will inadvertently release. One result is that the hinge
locks are often difficult and/or non-intuitive to operate. They are
often concealed within a fabric sleeve enclosing the upper frame
rail, making it even more difficult to discern their operation.
[0004] Another common approach to a play yard frame is exemplified
by U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,065 to Shaw. The disclosed frame includes
two u-shaped upper frame members pivoted to the apex of a
triangular vertical support structure. The support structure
includes on each side of the frame a central vertical post and a
pair of downwardly and outwardly diverging legs. A pair of
articulated links are pivoted to the upper frame sides and to the
vertical post to support the upper frame. To collapse the frame,
the linkages are folded, and the upper frame members rotated
downwardly about the vertical support structure. The legs are also
pivoted toward the post, producing a relatively flat rectangular
folded configuration.
[0005] The frame design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,065 also
suffers from drawbacks, including a relatively complex fold, and
relatively large folded dimensions that are dictated in part by the
length of the diagonal legs.
[0006] Existing play yard designs, including the designs described
above, are typically fairly rigid structures intended not to move
or shift when the infant occupant moves about in the play yard. A
child occupant is therefore simply confined within the play yard,
and derives little play value from the play yard itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is able to overcome some of the
shortcomings of other play yards through a combination of unique
design features. One such example is a play yard having an
oval-shaped upper frame. The upper frame is made of two u-shaped
tubes and is supported by two vertical posts at either end of the
play yard. The ends of each of the u-shaped tubes of the upper
frame are connected to each post so as to be able to rotate about
the posts. Located on each post is a slider which can slide up and
down the post. Each slider is held in place by a button on each
post. Diagonal support braces connect the sliders to each of the
u-shaped tubes of the upper frame. When the play yard is in use,
the upper frame is thus supported by two vertical posts and the
diagonal support braces located on either side of the play yard.
The lower end of each post is connected to two opposing
cantilevered legs at a hub. Each of the legs is substantially
u-shaped and is pivotally connected at the hub in order to be able
to rotate about the posts. The legs each have pairs of foot pads
and foot stabilizers.
[0008] The play yard may be folded into a planar-like shape by
pressing the buttons associated with the sliders and moving the
sliders downwardly. Doing so allows for the upper frame to collapse
towards the two posts. Similarly, the legs are folded upwardly
towards the post. Both the upper frame and the legs are continually
folded until the play yard reaches a planar-like configuration.
[0009] These design features, among others, help the present play
yard achieve a number of advantages. The disclosed play yard has a
frame design where inadvertent collapse has been minimized. A
stable frame has also been provided to eliminate the risk that the
play yard will slip and tip over. The play yard is both comfortable
and entertaining for the child. One such entertaining feature is
that the play yard may bounce slightly as the child moves about in
the play yard. The play yard is also very convenient for parents.
It can be used indoors or outdoors and is very easy to collapse,
store, and transport.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible play yard in
its deployed state on which a closed canopy is mounted.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the play yard in its
deployed state with the canopy opened such that the canopy is
located around the outside edge of the upper portion of the play
yard.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame structure of the
play yard in its deployed state.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of a section of the play yard's upper
frame assembly in its deployed state.
[0014] FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of a slider for the play
yard.
[0015] FIG. 5B is a back perspective view of the slider.
[0016] FIG. 6A is a front view of the button.
[0017] FIG. 6B is a side view of a button for use with the
slider.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the play yard in its
collapsed state.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the frame of the play yard
in its collapsed state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following is a description of the preferred embodiments
of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 are front perspective views of a collapsible
play yard 20 in its deployed position. As seen in FIG. 1, a zip-up
dome canopy 30 may be attached to the play yard 20. The canopy 30,
like the play yard 20, is collapsible, and as is seen in FIG. 2
falls to the outside of the edge of the upper portion of the
deployed play yard 20 when it is not in use.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, the side of the play yard 20 is
formed from an oval-shaped wall 40 having opaque portions 42 and
transparent portions 44. The opaque portions 42 and transparent
portions 44 may be made of, respectively, nylon and mesh. The nylon
portions 42 in FIG. 2 are along the ends of the wall 40, with the
mesh portions 44 located in between the nylon portions 42. It
should be recognized that there are many possible arrangements for
the opaque 42 and transparent 44 portions other than disclosed in
FIG. 2. For instance, one half of the wall 40 could be formed
solely of an opaque portion 42, while the other half could be
formed solely of a transparent portion 44. It is also possible to
attach an opaque material that is capable of folding to the top of
the wall 40 at points adjacent to the transparent portions 44. Such
an arrangement would allow for the transparent portions 44 to be
selectively covered or uncovered.
[0023] The play yard 20 also has a floor 50. The floor 50 is
suspended to the wall 40 by sewing the nylon outside portion of the
floor 50 to the wall 40. In FIG. 2, the floor 50 is oval-shaped and
is created by placing an oval-shaped pad on top of the outside
portion of the floor 50. The pad is made by capturing three
sections of approximately 5 mm. ({fraction (3/16)} inch) thick
hardboard (two half circles and one center section) between two
layers of nylon, and by placing an approximately 19 mm. (3/4 inch)
piece of foam on top of the hardboard and below the top layer of
nylon. For cleanliness purposes, a removable sheet may be placed on
top of the floor 50.
[0024] The frame 60 of the play yard 20 is disclosed in FIG. 3. The
upper frame, a section of which is shown more particularly in FIG.
4, includes two upper frame members 70a and 70b. The upper frame
members 70a and 70b may be u-shaped and formed of approximately 19
mm. (3/4 inch) diameter steel tubing. These u-shaped frame members
are ultimately placed in a nylon, padded tunnel formed at the top
of the wall 40, and hence act to support the wall 40 and floor 50,
which hang from the upper frame members 70a and 70b. In the
alternative, the upper frame could be formed of single or multiple
frame members of various sizes and shapes. For instance, a single
u-shaped or oval-shaped tube could be utilized to form an
asymmetrically-shaped play yard.
[0025] The upper frame members 70a and 70b are coupled to a pair of
posts 80 at upper hubs 90, which help support the upper frame
members 70a and 70b. The posts 80 disclosed in FIG. 3 are
vertically oriented. The upper hubs 90 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4
include pivot points 92 where the upper hubs 90 connect to the
upper frame members 70a and 70b. The posts 80 connect to the upper
hubs 90 at points 94. The upper hubs 90 each form a pair of
back-to-back devices into which upper frame members 70a and 70b are
fitted. They may be made of nylon (or other plastic) or elastomeric
material. The posts 80 can be formed of approximately 22 mm. (7/8
inch) diameter steel or other material of similar strength, and
together in combination with a lower unshaped member 82, form a
single extended u-shaped member 84 that is the center axis of the
play yard 20. Note that each post 80 may be formed by mechanically
connecting portions of the post 80 to one another to form a single
post 80. Alternatively, each post 80 could be an integral structure
such that the extended u-shaped member 84 could be a single unitary
structure having no mechanical connections. The advantage of having
mechanically connected posts 80 is that the play yard can be sold
in a smaller package size due to portions of the posts 80 being
divided from one another in the packaging. However, such an
arrangement requires the consumer to assemble the extended u-shaped
member 84.
[0026] In addition to being supported at their proximal ends by the
upper hubs 90 connected to the posts 80, upper frame members 70a
and 70b are also supported at intermediate pivot points 114 by
support members 100. Support members 100, which are shown in FIGS.
3 and 4 as diagonal braces, are pivotally connected to sliders 110
that slide up and down the posts 80. The slider 110 shown in FIGS.
4 and 5 can be made of nylon or other suitable material. The
support members 100 are pivotally connected to sliders 110 at
points 112. When the upper members 100 are in deployed states, each
slider 110 locks into position through the use of a release
mechanism 116, which functions to both engage and disengage the
sliders 110 from its locked position on post 80. FIG. 3 shows that
when the play yard is placed on the ground in this deployed state,
the posts 80 are preferably substantially vertical to the ground,
and the upper frame members 70a and 70b are preferably held in a
horizontal position. Note that the release mechanism 116 disclosed
in FIGS. 4 and 6 is a button, such as those sold under the
trademark "VALCO," but other types of release mechanisms 116, such
as a latch, could be used to hold each slider 110 in place.
Similarly, other structures than that disclosed in FIG. 5 could be
used as a slider 110 that is capable of sliding up and down post
80.
[0027] Each post is coupled to a ground-engaging base of the play
yard 20. In particular, a lower hub 120 is connected to each post
80 at the lower end of each post 80, such lower end being at or
near the extreme bottom of the post 80. The type of hub 120
disclosed in FIG. 3 is a nylon housing assembly 120 that is formed
from an outer 121 and an inner 122 housing assembly. The outer and
inner housing assemblies 121, 122, define lower 123, central 124,
and upper grooves 125. Central groove 124 is offset relative to
lower groove 123 and upper groove 125 to provide a detent feature
as will be described below. Each inner housing assembly 122 may
have two small tabs coupled to its inside and located below floor
50 to help support the floor 50.
[0028] The housing assembly 120 also serves as a hub and fulcrum
point for two opposed cantilevered legs 130. As seen in FIGS. 2 and
3, when the play yard 20 is in its deployed state, the ends of the
legs 130, which are pivotally connected to the hub 120, are located
in the lower grooves 123 of the two lower hubs 120. The offset of
grooves 123 relative to central groove 124 in hub 120 acts as a
first detent, locking the legs 130 in the deployed position. The
legs 130 can be deflected outwardly away from each other to move
them from the first detent in groove 123 and then slid along
central groove 124 in hub 120 until they spring back into upper
grooves 125, which form a second detent, locking the legs 130 in a
folded position. Each leg 130 is substantially u-shaped and can be
made of approximately 12 mm. (1/2 inch) diameter steel
substantially u-shaped tubes 132. The tubes 132 have approximately
457 mm. (18 inch) long sections of approximately 10 mm. (3/8 inch)
diameter spring steel 134 mechanically fastened to each end
(partially inside the tube), forming the resultant leg 130. The
deflection of the spring steel 134 ends of the legs 130 helps
create a bounce-effect for the frame of the play yard 20. In order
to provide more support for the outer ends of the play yard 20, the
disclosed legs 130 each have an offset bend 136 in the center. The
legs 130 disclosed in FIG. 3 could thus be described as w-shaped in
addition to substantially u-shaped. Note that the offset bend 136
is not a necessary feature, and can be more or less pronounced, or
eliminated entirely (such that the legs 130 more closely resemble a
perfectly u-shaped structure). Note also that, as is the case with
the upper frame, the legs 130 can be formed of single or multiple
frame members of various sizes and shapes. So, for instance, a
single substantially u-shaped or oval shaped tube could be utilized
to form an asymmetrically-shaped play yard 120.
[0029] For additional stabilization of the play yard 20, each leg
130 can also be equipped with pairs of foot stabilizers 137 and
foot pads 138. The foot stabilizers 137 are mechanically attached
near each corner of each leg 130 and help prevent the play yard 20
from tipping by providing additional contact points between the
legs 130 and the ground. Pairs of foot pads 138, which can be made
of thermal plastic elastomer, are mechanically attached to each leg
130 at the points where the legs 130 come into contact with the
ground. The pads 138 help stabilize the legs 130 by providing slip
resistance for the product. Rollers or wheels could also be
attached to the legs 130.
[0030] The above-described play yard 20 provides a comfortable and
entertaining play space for children. The large enclosure of the
play yard 20 gives the child plenty of room to rest and play.
Additionally, the mesh and opaque portions of the play yard 20 and
canopy 30 allow for the circulation of air and elimination of
annoying sunlight and bugs. For added enjoyment, toys can be
attached or built-in to the inside of the wall 40 of the play yard
20, and the inside of the wall 40 can be printed with colorful
patterns and drawings. Multiple toys can be sewn-on to the wall 40,
and can include soft toy animals, each with a different toy feature
such as a squeaker, a rattle, a mirror, and a crinkle sound.
[0031] Additional entertainment value is derived from the frame
design, which allows the play yard 20 to bounce as the child moves
about the play yard 20. The bounce produced by the play yard 20
depends on many factors, including the length, thickness, and type
of materials used to construct the frame. The disclosed play yard
20 is generally designed for children up to 30 pounds. However, the
design of, and materials used to construct, the frame could easily
be modified so as to allow for a person of greater weight without
compromising the features of invention. Preferably, at no time
should the floor 50 of the deployed play yard 20 come into contact
with the ground. Hence, because the play yard 20 is designed for
children up to 30 pounds, the floor 50 of the play yard 20 should
be resting on the supports of the legs 130 even when a weight of 30
pounds is placed on an extreme end of the floor 50. Similarly, the
lower hubs 120 should not hit the ground until a weight of 40
pounds is placed on the floor 50. It should be recognized of course
that if desired one could make some relatively simple modifications
to the frame structure of the play yard 20 so that the lower hubs
120 and the floor 50 touch the ground at a lesser weight (or no
weight at all). Such modifications may decrease the bounce produced
by the play yard 20.
[0032] Besides being entertaining for children, the play yard 20 is
very convenient for parents. It can be used both indoors and
outdoors, and is collapsed very easily and compactly for
transportation and storage purposes. The steps required to collapse
the deployed play yard 20 shown in FIG. 1 are easily followed. If
closed, the canopy 30 attached to play yard 20 needs to be opened
and allowed to fall to the upper outside edge of the wall 40, as
disclosed in FIG. 2. The release mechanisms 116, which in this case
are buttons, are activated and the sliders 110 moved down the two
posts 80, allowing the upper frame members 70a and 70b to pivot
about pivot points 92. As the sliders 110 move down the posts 80
and the upper frame members 70a and 70b pivot, the ends of the
members 70a and 70b farthest from the post (the distal ends) move
down and towards the posts 80. Note that once the release mechanism
116 is activated, the upper frame members 70a and 70b can be moved
by either applying force directly on the sliders 110 or directly on
the members 70a and 70b. As described above, the legs 130 are
collapsed by initially slipping the ends of the legs 130 out of the
lower grooves 123 of each hub 120. The legs 130 are then moved
upwardly, and in doing so the ends of the legs 130 farthest from
the post (the distal ends) move upwardly and towards the posts 80.
The floor 50 folds in the same direction as the legs 130. If
desired, the play yard 20 can be collapsed by performing the
above-described steps in varying order. For instance, one could
easily begin the collapsing process by first beginning to fold the
legs 30, and next by releasing the release mechanism 116.
[0033] The ends of the upper frame members 70a and 70b, the legs
130, and the floor 50 are folded until reaching the position
disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this position, the play yard 20
assumes a compact, planar-like configuration that enables it to be
easily transported and stored. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the
play yard 20 is completely collapsed, the sliders 110 are located
at or near the top of the lower hubs 120; the upper frame members
70a and 70b are folded between the posts 80 and the floor 50 such
that a portion of each of the upper frame members 70a and 70b is
substantially parallel to the posts 80; and the ends of the legs
130 have moved through the central grooves 124 and are held in
place by the upper grooves 125 of the hubs 120. With reference to
FIG. 7, straps 140 with VELCRO surfaces can be secured to the
bottom outer surface of each end of the floor 50 so as to ensure
the floor 50 remains folded after the play yard is collapsed. As
seen in FIG. 8, the offset bends 136 of each leg 130 approach one
another and act as a handle for carrying the collapsed play yard
20. In order to more easily utilize this handle feature, the folded
play yard 20 in FIG. 7 could be altered so that the offset bends
136 of the legs 130 lie above the ends of the floor 50. This allows
the offset bends 136 to come into closer proximity to one another
so as to make it easier to grasp the handle formed by the bends
136. In the event the distal ends of each leg 130 are not
positioned in close enough proximity to act as a handle, carry
handles could be added to the folded play yard 20. The handles
could be attached to the bottom of each end of the floor 50 such
that when the play yard is folded, each handle is lifted up and
around the ends of the legs 130 to carry the play yard 20. Note
that in order to unfold the legs 130, a force needs to be applied
to remove the legs from the upper grooves 125. A spring can be
attached to the inside of each hub 120 so that, after removing the
legs from the upper grooves 125, the ends of the legs 130
automatically spring into lower grooves 123.
[0034] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction,
design, and operation described above, as modifications can be made
to the disclosed structure without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is only limited
by the appended claims.
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