U.S. patent application number 09/846836 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for convertible activity center.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Nancy, Keegan, Charles, Nygren, Kurt, St. Pierre, William, Sundberg, Brian.
Application Number | 20020164917 09/846836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25299076 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020164917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keegan, Charles ; et
al. |
November 7, 2002 |
Convertible activity center
Abstract
A child's activity center that may alternately be assembled as a
stationary activity center with a seat for very young children and
as a floor play set for older children. As a stationary activity
center the assembly has a base that rests on the floor with
upwardly extending legs that support a tray above the base. The
tray may be removed from the base and placed on the floor next to
it and a connector unites the tray and base together. Toys are
provided on the tray and base that have a common theme to allow the
activity center to grow as the young child grows so as to hold the
child's interest for a long period of time.
Inventors: |
Keegan, Charles; (Watertown,
MA) ; Sundberg, Brian; (Chester, NH) ; Nygren,
Kurt; (Harvard, MA) ; St. Pierre, William;
(Forestdale, MA) ; Johnson, Nancy; (Sharon,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
George L. Greenfield
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
Federal Reserve Plaza
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston
MA
02210
US
|
Family ID: |
25299076 |
Appl. No.: |
09/846836 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/71 ;
297/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/107 20130101;
A63H 33/00 20130101; A47D 13/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/71 ;
297/1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play
set comprising a support frame and a child's seat detachably
connected to the frame, a base for resting on a floor or other
surface and for carrying the support frame above the floor, and at
least one activity toy having a first part carried on the support
frame and a second part carried by the base, said first and second
parts joining one another to form a single play set when the
support frame is detached from the base and placed on the floor or
other surface beside the base and in a selected registration with
the base.
2. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play
set as described in claim 1 wherein the support frame carries a
plurality of toys for use by a child seated in the seat.
3. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play
set as described in claim 1 wherein at least one leg releasably
joins the support frame with the base.
4. A combination child's activity center and floor play set
comprising a pair of platforms detachably connected to one another
and usable in one orientation as an activity center wherein one
platform is spaced above the other and in a second orientation as a
floor play set wherein the two are disposed in substantially the
same plane in close proximity to one another.
5. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein the two platforms are or approximately
the same size in plan view.
6. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein at least one leg carries said one
platform on the other when they are oriented as an activity center,
said leg being detachably connected to the said one platform.
7. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein at least one toy is carried by said
one platform.
8. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein a track is provided on each of the
platforms which tracks form an interconnected track when the
platforms are oriented as a floor play set.
9. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein the two platforms have peripheral
portions that mate with one another to establish a particular
interrelated orientation for the platforms when in the floor play
set configuration.
10. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 8 wherein when the platforms are oriented as the
floor play set the tracks of the two platforms form a continuous
track.
11. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 9 wherein the two platforms are approximately
the same size in top plan view.
12. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 9 wherein legs carry one platform on the other
when they are oriented as an activity center, said legs being
detachably connected to the said one platform.
13. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein a seat is attached to the upper of the
platforms when in the activity center orientation.
14. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 13 wherein the seat is in the approximate center
of the upper of the platforms and is surrounded by the
platform.
15. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 14 wherein the seat is rotatable in the
platform.
16. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 6 wherein the legs are stored in the other
platform and detached from said one platform when the platforms are
oriented as a floor play set.
17. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 16 wherein a track is provided on each of the
platforms which tracks cooperate to form an interconnected track
when the platforms are oriented as a floor play set.
18. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein a toy vehicle is detachably carried by
one of the platforms and rides in the track when the combination is
in the floor play set configuration.
19. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 18 wherein the vehicle is detachably connected
to the one platform when the combination is in the activity center
configuration.
20. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein a connector section is provided in
each of the platforms for joining them together when in the floor
play set configuration.
21. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 20 wherein the connector sections enable one of
the platforms to overlap the other and a latch releasably locks the
platforms in the overlapped relationship.
22. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 18 wherein a connector section is provided in
each of the platforms for joining them together when in the floor
play set configuration.
23. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 22 wherein the connector sections enable one of
the platforms to overlap the other and a latch releasably locks the
platforms in the overlapped relationship.
24. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 4 wherein a plurality of legs are attachable to
both of the platforms for supporting said one platform above the
other, and adjustable connectors joining the legs to one of the
platforms for varying the height of the said one platform above the
other.
25. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 24 wherein a seat is detachably mounted on the
said one platform for supporting a young child.
26. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 25 wherein the seat is rotatable in the
platform.
27. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 24 wherein the legs are flexible so as to permit
the upper platform to bounce and sway a limited amount relative to
the lower platform.
28. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 27 wherein the legs include a bellows and spring
for enabling the upper platform to bounce and sway.
29. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 7 wherein a track is provided on one of the
platforms and the toy is sized and shaped to ride on the track.
30. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 29 wherein a plurality of toys including
simulated vehicles are mounted on one or the other of the platforms
and ride on the track.
31. A combination child's activity station and floor play set
comprising a base, at least one leg connected to the base and
extending upwardly therefrom, a tray detachably mounted on the legs
and disposed above the base when the combination functions as a
play station, a coupling provided in the base and tray enabling the
two to be connected together to form a floor play set when the tray
is detached from the legs, said legs being storable in the base
when the combination is in the floor play set configuration.
32. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 31 wherein the legs are stored in the base in an
inverted position with respect to their position when they support
the tray above the base.
33. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 31 wherein a plurality of legs support the tray
above the base, said legs being flexible enabling the tray to
bounce relative to the base.
34. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 31 wherein a seat is mounted on the tray for
supporting a young child in a seated position at the tray.
35. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 34 wherein a plurality of flexile legs support
the tray above the base when they are assembled as a play station
enabling it to function as a stationary walker.
36. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 34 wherein a plurality of toys are carried by
the tray within reach of a child placed in the seat.
37. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as
described in claim 36 wherein at least one toy is provided in the
base for use with at least one toy carried on the tray when the
combination is assembled as a floor play set.
38. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 36 wherein all of the toys on the tray and base
have a common theme.
39. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 38 wherein all of the toys are farm related.
40. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 36 wherein a track is provided in at least one
of the base and tray and at least some of the toys fit in and ride
on the tracks.
41. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as
described in claim 39 wherein the toys include simulated farm
vehicles and farm structures.
42. A child's toy comprising a simulated wagon detachably carrying
a simulated stack of hay, and a manually movable member disposed in
the simulated stack of hay and extendable out of the stack and
retractable into the stack.
43. A child's toy as described in claim 42 wherein a second movable
member is disposed in and extendable out of the simulated stack,
and an actuator connected to the two members causing them to move
in opposite directions with respect to the stack.
44. A child's activity center that may be alternately assembled as
a play center and a floor play set comprising a base and a tray
removably mounted above the base, a seat attached to the tray for
supporting a child when the activity center is assembled as a play
center, a coupling device provided in the tray and base for
connecting them together when the activity center is assembled as a
floor play set, a track provided in at least one of the base and
tray, and a plurality of simulated vehicles detachably mounted on
the tray for moving about on the track.
45. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein one
of the vehicles is a tractor.
46. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the
vehicles include a simulated tractor and wagon.
47. A child's activity center as described in claim 45 wherein the
vehicles include a simulated combine and a hay wagon.
48. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the
toys include a silo and a barn.
49. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the
seat is rotatable in the tray.
50. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the
tray has an opening therein and the seat is removably mounted in
the opening.
51. A child's activity center as described in claim 50 wherein the
seat includes a ring that fits in the opening and a fabric seat
attached to the ring.
52. A child's activity center as described in claim 51 wherein the
fabric seat is detachably connected to the ring.
53. A child's activity center as described in claim 52 wherein the
ring has a plurality of openings and connectors and the fabric seat
has a plurality of loops that extend through the openings and
engage the connectors to attach the fabric seat to the ring.
54. A child's activity center as described in claim 51 wherein the
ring has a cylindrical wall and a skirt connected to the wall and
disposed outside the wall, said wall having a shoulder that engages
the periphery of the opening to support the ring on the tray.
55. A child's activity center as described in claim 54 wherein the
cylindrical wall has a plurality of openings therethrough above the
shoulder and connectors below the shoulder, and the fabric seat has
a plurality of loops that extend from the outer side of the wall
through the openings to the inner side of the wall and downwardly
to engage the connectors.
56. A child's seat assembly for use in a stationary activity
center, walker or the like that includes a support platform with an
opening therein for receiving the seat assembly comprising, a ring
having a generally cylindrical wall with a shoulder on its outer
surface for engaging the margin of the opening in the platform, a
flexible fabric seat detachably connected to the wall above and
below the shoulder, and connectors in the wall of the ring on the
outer surface thereof for releasably engaging the margin of the
opening on the bottom side of the platform.
57. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 56 wherein the wall
of the ring includes a plurality of openings above the shoulder and
connectors below the shoulder, and the fabric seat includes a
plurality of loops that extend through the openings in the wall and
engage the connectors at the bottom of the ring.
58. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 57 wherein the
connectors are fingers in the bottom of the ring and the loops
extend about the fingers.
59. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 56 wherein the
fabric seat is a sling-like seat having a crotch strap and leg
openings.
60. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 58 wherein the
fabric seat is a sling-like seat having a crotch strap and leg
openings.
61. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 60 wherein an
elasticized member is attached to the upper end of the fabric seat
and extends about the outside of cylindrical wall above the
shoulder and the seat extends downwardly through the cylindrical
wall of the ring.
62. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 61 wherein the ring
has a skirt about the upper portion of the wall and extends
downwardly so that the bottom of the skirt is disposed closely
adjacent the upper surface of the platform.
63. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 61 wherein the
loops are attached to the fabric seat at the elasticized edge
thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to activity centers for children and
more particularly is directed to an activity center that may be
assembled in a first configuration as a stationary activity center
and used by the child in a seated position and a second
configuration as a floor play set and used by a child sitting or
lying on the floor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Most activity centers made for babies and toddlers are
intended to be used by a child at one stage in its development and
have a single configuration to be used by a baby or toddler either
in a seated position at a raised work surface or disposed on the
floor, but do not provide for both forms of activity. One object of
this invention is to provided a activity center that may be
converted from one configuration to another so that it can be used
by a baby or toddler in either a supported and seated position or
disposed on the floor. Another object of this invention is to
provide a activity center that can figuratively grow with the
child, that is, can be arranged in one configuration that is
particularly suitable for a young baby supported in a seat at a
raised play surface and can be arranged in a second configuration
that is suitable for a toddler who is more mobile and can move
about on the floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The activity center of the present invention includes a
bottom tray or base that rests on the floor and a separate top tray
that is mounted on a number of vertical legs attached to the bottom
tray so that the trays are oriented one above the other. In
accordance with one aspect of the invention, the top tray has a
large table-like surface and carries a baby seat that enables the
baby to play, using its hands, on the surface. Preferably a number
of different toys are mounted on the upper tray within reach of the
child in the seat. In accordance with another aspect of the
invention, the different toys have some common theme so that they
may interact with one another as the child plays with them. In
accordance with another aspect of this invention, with the trays
assembled one above the other the activity center also functions as
a stationary walker.
[0004] In accordance with yet another aspect of this invention, the
top tray may be separated from the bottom tray and placed on the
floor immediately adjacent and detachably locked to the bottom tray
so as to form a floor play set. In accordance with another aspect
of the invention the legs that support the top tray on the bottom
tray in the first configuration may be stored in the bottom tray
when in the floor play set configuration. The upper surfaces of the
two trays together form another play center, and other toys may be
provided on the bottom tray that are particularly suited to be
operated by a child either sitting or lying on the floor. In
another aspect of this invention, the toys on the bottom and top
trays when used together with the trays in the same plane are
suitable for an older child. Thus the device has a longer useful
life during the child's development. The child's interest in it
will extend over a longer period of time.
[0005] These and other aspects of the invention will be better
understood and appreciated from the following detailed description
of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of
illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in one
configuration that may function both as a play center and a
stationary walker and includes an array of toys that are within the
reach of the child when seated in it;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention
suggesting the manner in which the various parts are assembled to
assume the configuration of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the mounting ring of the
seat assembly;
[0009] FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D are cross-sectional views of the ring
taken along section lines 2B-2B, 2C-2C and 2D-2D respectively, with
a portion of the fabric seat suggested in broken lines in FIG. 2C
showing its attachment to the ring;
[0010] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the fabric seat of the seat
assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2F is an exploded, top perspective view of the upper
tray of the activity center and showing how a number of toys may be
mounted on the ring;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown in a
second configuration as a floor play set and intended for use by a
child disposed on the floor;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along
section line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detailed view of one leg
assembly of the activity center, taken along section line 5-5 of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the leg
assembly of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the leg
assembly stowed in the bottom tray of the activity center when it
is assembled as a floor play set, taken on section line 77 of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detailed view of the
latching apparatus for interlocking the two trays when assembled as
a floor play set, taken along section line 88 of FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of a tractor train play toy
used on the floor play set, as viewed along the site line 9 in FIG.
3;
[0019] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hay wagon
that is one of the cars of the train shown in FIG. 9, and
illustrating how it is mounted on the tray as shown in FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hay wagon shown in
FIG. 10 disposed in its holder, taken along the section line 11-11
of FIG. 10;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the silo toy
mounted on the top tray and taken along section line 12-12 of FIG.
3;
[0022] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a number of
shaped pegs and their respective sockets that comprise another toy
in the assembly, as viewed along the site line 13 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following detailed description, the various aspects
of the present invention are described in terms of their
application to activity centers that simulate or suggest a farm.
The assembly may function in one configuration as a baby's first
stationary activity center that brings a farm scene to life,
encouraging exploration and reactive play to keep a baby
entertained throughout the toddler years. An array of toys are
available to the baby including a tractor and other interactive
farm themed toys. In a second configuration, a barnyard setting is
provided with a railroad track and a number of stimulating toys
that attach and move to stimulate the child's imagination. Much of
the interactive play with the toys are suggestive of real farm
activities. However, it is to be understood that many of the
aspects of the invention are not limited to a farm oriented toy,
and totally different themes may be embodied in different
expressions of the invention, for example, a circus, jungle, race
track etc. It should also be appreciated that many aspects of the
invention are not dependent upon others of the aspects of the
invention and rather perform individually in novel and inventive
ways. Consequently, the breadth of the invention is to be
determined not by the specific embodiments illustrated, but rather
by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0024] The activity center of the present invention includes a top
tray 30, a bottom tray or base 32 and a number of legs 34. While
three legs are employed in the embodiment illustrated, obviously a
different number may be used. The activity center of the
illustrated embodiment also includes a seat assembly 40 used when
assembled as in FIG. 1 and a variety of different toys and
accessories that are mounted on and used separately in connection
with one or the other of the trays 30 and 32 or with both trays
together as will be explained in greater detail below.
[0025] The top tray 30 shown in detail in FIGS. 1-4 injection
molded from a plastic material such as polypropylene and is
generally configured as a ring having top and bottom surfaces 50
and 52 and with an opening 54 at its center that receives the seat
assembly 40. A number of different stations in which toys are
mounted are provided in the upper surface 50 as is described in
greater detail below. On the bottom surface 52 of the upper tray 30
are three wells 56, 58 and 60 that receive the upper ends 72 of the
legs 34.
[0026] The bottom tray 32 is preferably injection molded of the
same plastic material as the top tray 30, and its upper surface 80
is integrally formed with three sockets 82, 84 and 86 that receive
the bottom ends 88 of the legs 34. As explained below, the
connection of the legs in the sockets 82 is adjustable so that the
height of the upper tray 30 above the bottom tray 32 may be varied
to accommodate the height of the baby occupying the seat 40 when
the activity center is assembled in the stationary activity center
configuration shown in FIG. 1. The bottom tray 32 has a raised rim
90 about approximately three quarters of its periphery, and like
the upper tray, has a number of stations that receive toys,
particularly used when the activity center is arranged in the
second configuration, that is, the floor play set shown in FIG. 3.
The central portion 92 of the bottom tray 32 includes a platform 94
at its center upon which the feet of the baby in the seat assembly
may rest when the activity center is in the first or floor play
station configuration.
[0027] The top and bottom trays 30 and 32 have peripheral skirts 96
and 98 respectively, that have smooth lower edges 100 and 102
capable of supporting the respective trays in a fixed and stable
position on the floor or other large flat surface. The bottom tray
32 as is apparent from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 3 is designed
to sit on the floor in both assembled configurations of the
activity center, while the top tray 30 is disposed on the floor
only in the second configuration of FIG. 3.
[0028] One of the legs 34 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. The
legs preferably although not necessarily are identical, and only
one is described. Leg 34 shown has a lower generally cylindrical
portion 104, the upper end of which is attached to a flexible
bellows 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical portion 104 is
preferably molded in two halves 104a and 104b that snap together by
fasteners 105 integrally molded as part of half 104a and that fit
into openings 105a in the mating half 104b of the cylindrical
portion. The two halves are further locked together by screws 107
that axially engage the ends of posts 109 and 111. It is evident in
FIG. 6 that the upper post 111 also extends through aligned holes
112 in the lower collar 114 of the bellows 106 so as to permanently
attach the bellows to the legs.
[0029] While a specific configuration of the lower cylindrical
portion 104 and the attachment to the bellows is described and
shown, it should be appreciated that the cylindrical portion may
take many different configurations and if made in halves, the two
may attach together by means other than the snap fasteners shown
along with the screws and posts. For example, a band could encircle
the two halves of the cylindrical portion to retain the cylindrical
form of the member, and the cylindrical portion could be attached
to the lower part of the bellows by undercuts provided in the
collar 114 and/or at the upper end of the cylindrical portion. The
bellows is generally cone-shaped, increasing in diameter in an
upwardly direction, and the larger upper end 120 is connected to a
dish-shaped support 122 that in turn carries a locking collar 124.
The support 122 has a lower skirt 126 that fits within the upper
end 120 of the bellows, and a flexible tie 128 made of nylon or
similar material extends about and binds against the upper end 120
causing it to tightly engage the skirt 126 of the support. To
insure that the tie remains in place, a shallow groove 130 is
provided on the outer surface of the bellows upper end 120 to
receive the tie. The locking collar 124 is retained on the upper
end of support 122 by means of outwardly extending lip 132 on the
upper end of the support and an inwardly extending flange 134 on
the inside of cylindrical wall 136 of the collar 124. The flange
134 on the collar and the lip 132 on the support engage one another
so as to prevent the collar from sliding upwardly off the support
120, while a number of spaced wall sections 140 about the upper
portion of the support engage the lower surface of the flange 134
so as to prevent the collar from slipping downwardly on the
support. This arrangement is best shown in FIG. 5. The locking
collar 124 also carries a handle tab 142 that facilitates rotation
of the locking collar on the support 120 so as to assist in
attaching and detaching the locking collar from one of the
downwardly open wells 56, 58, 60 in the top tray 30.
[0030] A vertically oriented coil spring 121 is disposed in each
leg and extends along the full height of the bellows 106. Its upper
end 123 is connected to the horizontal plate 125 in the support
122, and its lower end 127 is anchored to the post 111 at the upper
end of cylindrical portion of the leg as shown in FIG. 5. The
springs in the legs impart a spring suspension to the top tray 30
of the activity center as well as providing vertical support to the
legs 34. A child disposed in the seat assembly 40, therefore, can
bounce and rock with the top tray 30 while playing with the various
toys on the tray.
[0031] In FIGS. 5 and 6 the locking collar 124 is shown to have a
pair of parallel grooves 144 and 146 in the circumferential wall
136. Duplicate pairs of grooves are disposed diametrically opposite
one another on the circumferential wall 136 of the collar, and an
entry slot 150 is provided for each groove on each side. As
explained below, the upper of the grooves 144 on each side of the
collar serve to releasably lock the leg in the well 60. As shown in
FIG. 3, the three wells 56, 58 and 60 provided in the bottom
surface of the tray 30 receive the upper end of the three legs 34.
Each well has an outer generally cylindrical wall 154 that carries
two inwardly extending fingers 156 that engage the grooves 144 in
the locking collar 124. The grooves 144 and fingers 156 comprise a
bayonet type latch to secure the upper end of the legs in the wells
56, 58, 60 on the underside of the top tray 30. The fingers 156 on
the inner surface of cylindrical wall 154 align themselves with the
groove 144 by means of the entry slots 150. A number of stop ribs
160 carried on the inner surface of the wells limit the depth which
the collars 124 may be inserted in the wells, and when the collars
engage the stop ribs 160, the fingers 156 are in the same plane as
the grooves 144. When so aligned, the handle tab 142 facilitates
rotation of the locking collar to insure that the grooves 144 and
fingers 156 are interlocked. When the fingers 156 and grooves 144
are fully engaged, the locking tab will register with a notch 162
in the edge of the well wall 154 so as to prevent the collar
turning and release the fingers. To detach each leg from the upper
tray 30, it is necessary to lift the tab so that it clears the
edges of the notch 162 and the locking collar is turned with
respect to the well to separate the fingers 156 from the grooves
144.
[0032] While the foregoing description sets forth in detail one
embodiment of attaching the legs to the upper tray, it will be
appreciated that many different means may be employed in accordance
with other aspects of the invention. For example, snap-fasteners,
detent type latches, and easy to use fasteners may be employed to
accomplish the same purpose. However, it is advantageous that the
connection not employ separable fasteners that may be lost or
misplaced and that require special tools to open and close
them.
[0033] As noted above, the lower tray 32 is provided with three
separate sockets 82, 84 and 86 for receiving the lower ends 88 of
the legs 34. Each socket preferably is formed as an integral part
of the bottom tray 32 and includes a sleeve 170 for receiving the
cylindrical portion 104 of a leg 34. The sleeve 170 of the socket
has several vertically aligned holes 172 (three shown in FIG. 2),
each of which is sized to receive the spring loaded button 174
carried by the cylindrical portion of the leg. The several holes
172 provide a height adjustment capability for the activity center
when assembled as in FIG. 1. By positioning the button 174 in the
topmost hole 172 in the sleeve 170, the leg will provide maximum
elevation for the top tray 30 above the bottom tray 32 while the
minimum height will be attained by use of the lowermost hole in the
sleeve. The middle hole 152 obviously provides an intermediate
elevation for the upper tray. The spring loaded button 174 may
readily be manually depressed so as to allow the lower portion 88
of the tubular section 104 of the leg to enter the sleeve 170, and
it will snap to its extended position whenever the button is
aligned with one of the holes 172. To release the lower end of the
leg from the sleeve, the button is simply depressed so as to clear
the edge of the hole with which it is registered. When the activity
center is arranged in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the seat
assembly 40 is attached to the upper tray 30 in the circular
opening 54 provided at its center. The seat assembly is described
in detail below.
[0034] In FIG. 3 the activity center is shown in its second
configuration, namely, a floor play set. In this configuration, the
top and bottom trays are placed beside one another on the floor,
and the legs 34 are stored within the sockets 82, 84 and 86 from
the underside of the lower tray or base 32. This is shown in detail
in FIG. 7. To store the legs as shown they are inverted, and the
cylindrical portion 104 of each leg is inserted upwardly from the
bottom of the base into one of the sockets 82, 84, 86, and the push
button 174 is caused to register with the top most opening 172 in
the sleeve 170. The bottom portion of each socket is provided with
diametrically opposed fingers 180 just as in the wells 56, 58, 60
on the underside of the top tray 30. The locking collar 124
cooperates with the fingers 180 in the socket 82, 84, 86 to lock
the leg 34 in place. In this bayonet connection, the grooves 146 in
the collar are engaged by the fingers. In order to cause the
locking collar to align with the fingers in the socket in the base,
the bellows 102 must be compressed so as to foreshorten the height
of the leg so that it fits within the socket. When stored in this
fashion, the edge 181 of the collar is disposed above lower edge
102 of the bottom tray or base 32 so that the tray rests firmly on
the floor. The cylindrical portion 104 of each leg extends above
the sleeve 170 as shown in FIG. 7. Each leg will remain in place
when stored in the manner described until button 174 is released
from the hole 172 in the sleeve 170 and the collar 124 disengages
the fingers 180.
[0035] While the details of the locking arrangement for connecting
the legs to the bottom tray in either the first or second
configuration constitute a preferred embodiment of one aspect of
the present invention, it is to be understood that other means may
be employed. For example, snap-type fasteners may be employed in
place of the collar 124 and fingers in the sockets, or large
coarsely threaded bolts and pre-threaded holes may be used to
attach both the upper and lower ends of the legs in either
installation. Moreover, the legs may simply be set aside and not be
connected to the assembly in the second or floor play set
configuration rather than having them stored in the base of the
tray. Thus the trays 30 and 32 can be assembled together as in the
embodiment of FIG. 3 when the legs are detached from the tray 30
and either stored in the bottom tray 32 or simply set aside, until
such time as they are again required when the activity center is
reconfigured to the play station of FIG. 1.
[0036] Locking means are provided in the top and bottom trays to
enable the two to be securely fastened together. For that purpose,
it will be noted in FIG. 1 that a curved recess 200 in the form of
a step is provided in the upper face of the bottom tray 32, and a
pair of bosses 202 are disposed, one adjacent each end of the
recess. Each boss has a keyhole-like slot 204 in its upper wall 206
to receive the bayonet lock 208 mounted on the top tray 30. It will
be noted in FIG. 8 that the bayonet lock 208 mounted on the top
tray 30 includes a stem 210 having a pair of wings 212 that are
sized to enter the keyhole slots 204 in the bottom tray 32 when
properly oriented with respect to them, and when so positioned, the
bayonet locks 208 may be conveniently turned by means of the
handles 214 to misalign the wings with keyhole slots beneath the
horizontal wall 206.
[0037] The top tray 30 has a portion 215 of its peripheral skirt
foreshortened as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2F so that it may fit in a
groove 216 at the edge of the recess 200 in the upper surface of
the bottom tray 32 and sit on the groove bottom. At each end of the
foreshortened portion 215 of the edge of the tray each bayonet lock
208 is mounted in a boss 209 with the handle 214 of the lock
exposed. The handle shown is a rib extending across the top of the
lock to facilitate rotating it. When the two trays are positioned
with the foreshortened portion 215 of the top tray in the groove
216, the locks align themselves with the bosses, and by turning the
knobs so as to align the wings 212 with the keyhole slots 204, the
operative portion of the locks will pass through the keyhole slots
and the knob may then be turned so as to misalign the wings and
slots. In this fashion, the base 32 and top tray 30 are securely
locked together. However, they may be readily separated simply by
rotating the handle portion 214 of the knobs so as to again align
the wings 212 with the keyhole slots so that the locks may be
withdrawn.
[0038] As is shown in FIG. 3, a figure eight-shaped track 250 is
created when the upper and lower trays 30 and 32 are brought
together in the floor play set configuration as the trays have
track sections 252 and 254, respectively that are horseshoe shaped.
The track section 252 in the upper tray 30 extends about the seat
opening 54 in that tray, and its two ends 256 and 258 are close
together adjacent the foreshortened section 215 of the rim that
engages the groove 216 in the bottom tray 32. The track section 254
in the bottom tray has ends 260 and 262 that terminate at the
shoulder 264 that defines the inner side of the groove 216. When
the two trays are assembled as described above and shown in FIG. 3,
the two track sections form a continuous figure eight track that
crosses the overlapping portion of the two trays where they join
one another.
[0039] The track sections 256 and 258 are defined by grooves in the
upper surface of their respective trays and raised shoulders 265
and 267 surround the track sections 252 and 254 in the respective
trays 30 and 32. A number of stations are disposed about the
periphery of the upper tray 30 and shoulder 265 and carry toys that
simulate farm equipment that is designed to roll about the track
250. In FIG. 4, a tractor toy 270 is shown mounted on shoulder 265
of the upper tray 30. The tractor 270 is releasably held in
position at its mounting station 249 by a tongue and groove
connection provided in the upper surface of the shoulder 265 at 269
and on the bottom of the tractor. (See FIG. 2F). The tongues
conveniently slip into the grooves so as to releasably hold the
tractor in place. When the tractor is removed, its wheels 272 and
274 enable it to roll freely about the figure eight track 250 and
tow other farm type vehicles with it. The tractor 270 shown in some
detail in FIGS. 4 and 9 includes the large rear wheels 272 and
smaller front wheels 274 with the wheels of each pair spaced apart
a distance so as to fit in and roll freely on the track 250. In
accordance with one aspect of this invention, the tractor may be
battery powered and have lights and electronics for playing music
or creating other sounds.
[0040] The tractor has a hitch 276 at its rear end designed to
engage a wagon 280 as shown in FIG. 9. The wagon 280 has a cart
shaped body 282 with four wheels 284 that are also sized to fit and
roll freely in the track 250. The cart 282 in FIG. 9 carries a
detachable load that simulates a stack of hay 286. The wagon has a
C-shaped bracket 287 at its front end that is sized to engage hitch
276 on the tractor 270 so that the tractor can pull the wagon 280
and its contents including the pile of hay. Play interest in the
hay wagon load is enhanced by a pair of cylinders 290 and 292 that
are slidably mounted on guide rails 294 and 296 respectively that
are disposed within the shell created by the simulated haystack
(see FIG. 11). The two cylinders are connected together by a pivot
lever 298 pivotally mounted at its center on pivot pin 300. An
actuating link 302 is connected to each end of the pivot lever 298,
and each is connected to one of the cylinders so as to cause the
cylinders 290 and 292 to move in opposite directions. That is, when
the cylinder 290 is pressed inwardly on its guide rail 294, the
see-saw effect of the pivot lever 298 and the actuating link 302
cause the other cylinder 292 to rise. A leaf spring arrangement 299
may be provided in the toy, as suggested in FIG. 11, that
cooperates with the end of the pivot lever 298 connected to one of
the actuator links 302 so as to tend to retain the cylinders 290
and 292 in one of the extreme positions wherein one or the other of
the cylinders is substantially extended from the haystack while the
other is fully withdrawn in it. For added interest, the cylinders
290 and 292 may bear pictures of animals, such as dogs, cats, or
any other farm creature to suggest that the animals are hiding in
the stack and peeking out from the stack when the cylinders are
raised. At the rear end of the wagon 280, a hitch 310 is provided
so that another wagon may be connected to form a train being drawn
by the tractor.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the wagon 280 with its haystack is
mounted on the shoulder 265 of upper tray 30 on the left side
thereof. The means by which the cart 280 and haystack are held on
the tray shoulder 265 are shown in FIG. 10. A parking station 290
is formed on the shoulder 265 of the tray 230 outside the track 256
and is defined by a C-shaped wall 293 preferably integrally molded
as a part of the tray. The station includes a recessed bottom wall
295 sized to receive the lower portion of the wagon 280 including
its wheels 284, and cavities 314 and 316 are also provided to
receive hitch 310 and bracket 311 designed to engage the hitch 276
of the tractor or a hitch of another wagon. The hitches on the
tractor 250 and on the cart 280 are identical to one another. The
height of the side wall 293 defining the station 291 extends
slightly above the bottom of the side wall 312 of the cart as is
evident in FIG. 11. To retain the cart in place, a keyhole slot 320
is formed in the bottom wall 321 thereof, and it also extends
through the cart base 322 that supports the upper portion 324 of
the cart body. Similarly, a key-hole shaped slot 326 is provided in
the bottom wall of the haystack load 286, and the keyhole slots 320
and 326 are aligned with one another when the haystack is
positioned in the cart. A bayonet type lock 329 very similar to the
bayonet locks 208 that secure the two trays together in the floor
play set configuration is provided in the shoulder 265 of tray 30
and extends upwardly into the parking station 291 for the cart as
is shown clearly in FIGS. 2F and 10. The shaft 328 carries wings
330 at its upper end that are sized to pass through the key-shaped
slots 320 and 326 and when the shaft 328 is turned by means of the
handle 332 on the underside of the top tray (see FIG. 11), the
wings 330 will move out of alignment with the key-shaped slot so as
to retain both the wagon and the haystack in place on the tray. It
is evident that to release the wagon and haystack, it is only
necessary to rotate the handle 332 of the bayonet lock on the
bottom of the tray so as to realign the wings 330 with the keyhole
shaped slots in the wagon and haystack.
[0042] A second wagon station 340 adjacent the tractor station 249
is provided on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30 for holding a
second cart that may be identical to the cart 280. The second cart
342 shown in FIG. 9 has an upper body 344, wheels 346, hitch 348
and connecting bracket 350 just like the corresponding parts in the
wagon 280. This second wagon carries a simulated combine having a
rotatable preferably transparent drum 354 that contains simulated
ears of corn 355 that remain in the drum 354. A simulated discharge
stack 356 that rotates on the body 358 of the combine is also
provided. A pair of posts 360 rotatably support the drum on
opposite sides thereof of the tumbler. The body portion 358 of the
combine and the body portion 287 of the haystack are identically
shaped and may be interchangeably mounted on either of the wagons
280 or 342. Similarly, the wagons may be interchangeably mounted in
the stations 291 and 340.
[0043] In FIG. 9 the tractor 270 and the wagons 280 and 342 are
shown hitched together and disposed on the track 250. It will be
appreciated that the order of the carts 380 and 342 may be reversed
as the hitches and connecting brackets of each are the same and are
compatible with the hitch 276 on the tractor 270. The cart 342 and
the body 358 of the combine just like the cart 280 and body 287 of
the haystack have key-shaped slots (not shown) provided in them to
receive the bayonet lock disposed in the second cart station 340.
Because they are identical to those described in connection with
the cart 280 and haystack 286, they need not be described
again.
[0044] Other toys are mounted at additional stations provided on
the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30. For example, a rotatably
mounted scarecrow 370 is shown mounted at station 372 and a
windmill 374 is mounted on yet another station 376. The windmill is
free to rotate about a vertical axis, but both the scarecrow and
windmill are intended to remain in place on the top tray once
assembled on it. A poppet type connection (not shown) may be
provided to connect them to their respective stations 372 and 376,
but preferably the poppets are sufficiently large so as not to
permit their removal without considerably more force than can be
applied by a child.
[0045] In FIG. 12, yet another toy is illustrated, namely, a
simulated silo 380 mounted at station 382 on the top tray 30. The
silo 380 has tongue connectors 381 that attach to the grooves 381a
in stationary collar 383 at station 382. (See FIG. 2F). The silo
380 may be removed by twisting it about a vertical axis to
disconnect the snaps from the collar and may be placed anywhere
with respect to the activity center particularly when assembled as
a floor play set. The silo has a pair of pivotally mounted members
384 and 386 at the upper portion thereof. Member 384 swings
downwardly to close the top opening 388 of the silo while the
second member 386 swings upwardly from the position shown in FIG.
12 and is used to introduce an object into the silo. When an object
is placed on the member 386 and the member is raised, the object
will be spilled onto the chute 390 and may roll into the cart 280,
342 shown disposed adjacent the silo in the track 250.
[0046] Another toy provided on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray
30 is a simulated fence 400 on the horizontal rung of which are a
pair of simulated farm animals 402 and 404. The animals are free to
spin or swing on the rung of the fence. The fence 400 preferably is
permanently secured at station 405 by means of poppet-type snaps
that pass through the holes 407 on the surface of the shoulder 265
when the activity center is initially assembled.
[0047] Finally, a barn 410 is mounted at station 413 on the
shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30. The barn has a sliding door 412
and a rotatable decoration 414 on its roof and may have other items
inside that simulate a barn such as movable railings etc. (not
shown). The barn, unlike the scarecrow, windmill and fence
preferably is removably mounted at its station 413 so that it may
be removed when the structure is converted to a floor play set and
placed on the floor or on the center portion of one of the trays as
suggested in FIG. 3. A tongue and groove connection is made between
the base of the barn 410 and the station 413 that enables the barn
to be separated from the upper tray when desired. The connections
between the barn 410 and top tray 30 may be identical to that
employed with the silo 380 as shown in FIG. 2F.
[0048] The bottom tray 32 is also provided with play things about
its periphery. Two bins 430 and 432 having hinged covers 434 in the
shoulder 267 of the bottom tray provide storage for smaller objects
that form part of the activity center (see FIG. 3). In addition, as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, a number of shaped pegs 440, 442 and 444
that may simulate farm items such as a bale of hay, a milk jug and
a cheese are included along with corresponding sockets 444, 446 and
448 in the shoulder 267 to receive the pegs with which a young
child may play when the station is arranged as a floor play set.
All of the peg-like pieces have peripheral slots that are adapted
to receive one of the fingers 450 that extend into the sockets, so
as to releasably retain the various pegs in place. Finally, an
animal chute 460 is molded in the shoulder 267 as an integral part
of the bottom tray 32. The lower end of the chute is disposed
immediately adjacent the track so that a cart disposed on the track
at the bottom of the chute will be positioned to receive any of the
simulated animals or other objects placed on the chute.
[0049] In FIGS. 2 and 2A-2E, the seat assembly 40 is shown in
detail. The seat assembly is composed of two parts, namely, a
molded plastic ring 450 and a fabric sling-type seat 452 that is
carried by the ring and having leg openings 452a, crotch strap 452b
and elasticized top 496. The ring 450 has an inner substantially
vertical wall 454 and an outer downwardly extending skirt 456 that
is connected to the top of the inner wall 454 at a curved lip 458.
The skirt 456 has a smooth outer surface 460 and a lower edge 462
that is smooth and continuous about the entire ring 450. In the
preferred embodiment shown, the ring is slightly higher at the back
side 464 than about the rest of the ring to form a backrest for a
child in the seat assembly.
[0050] The inner wall 454 of the ring has a step 466 intermediate
the top and bottom thereof that defines a sliding surface 468 that
sits on the edge 54a of the opening 54 in the upper tray 30 that
receives the assembled seat. The step 466 separates the inner wall
454 into upper and lower sections 470 and 472.
[0051] Spaced about the lower end of upper wall section 470 are a
plurality of openings 474 that receive elasticized loops 476
attached to the fabric seat sling and hook onto fingers 478 formed
along the lower edge of the lower wall section 472. As shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2C, the fingers 478 are vertically aligned with the
openings 474, and each finger 478 has a bead 480 on its outer
surface that prevents the loop 476 from slipping off the
finger.
[0052] The lower wall section 472 also has a number of fin-like
flexible sections 482, each of which carries a horizontal rib 484
that is designed to snap beneath the lower edge of the flange 54b
of opening 54 so as to retain the ring 450 on the top tray 30. The
flexible sections 482 that are disposed in the same plane as the
rest of the lower wall section 472 are separated from the rest of
the wall by slots 486 that impart a degree of flexibility into the
sections so as to allow them to flex and enable the ribs 484 to
pass below the bottom edge 54b of the tray. While three such
flexible sections are shown in this embodiment, other numbers may
be used to secure the seat assembly in place.
[0053] The fabric sling-type seat 452 as shown in FIG. 2E , is
generally bowl-shaped and has a pair of leg openings 490 separated
by a crotch strap 492. The upper portion 494 of the fabric seat 452
carries an elastic 496 about its upper edge, and the loops 476 are
stitched to the elastic edge. As shown in FIG. 2, the fabric seat
452 extends downwardly from the top of the ring exposing the leg
openings 490 beneath the ring, while the upper peripheral portion
494 of the seat extends over the lip 458 and skirt 456 with the
elastic 496 disposed beneath the lower edge 462 of the skirt 456.
The loops 476 extend through the openings 474 and downwardly along
the outside of the lower wall section 472 of the inner wall 454,
and are stretched over the fingers 478 to lie above the beads 480.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, eight loops 476 are spaced
about the fabric seat 452 and eight pairs of openings 474 and
fingers 478 anchor the loops. While eight has proved very
satisfactory, obviously the number may be varied.
[0054] As indicated above, the lower surface 468 of the step 466
rests on the upper margin of the opening 54 in the top tray 30, and
the ring 450 with the seat 452 is free to rotate in the opening. To
reduce frictional contact between the surface 468 of the ring and
the upper surface of the top tray about the opening 54, a number of
rounded skids 499 are provided on the surface 468 of the shoulder,
that reduce the area of contact between the shoulder and the
tray.
[0055] To assemble the seat assembly 50, the fabric sling seat 452
is turned inside out so that the lower portion of the sling extends
upwardly within the top edge elastic 496, and the elastic edge is
pulled down about the skirt so that its seat fabric covers the
skirt 456 of the ring as suggested in FIG. 2C. The loops 476 are
then threaded through the holes 474 in the inner wall 454 of the
ring and pulled downwardly and hooked over the lower edges of the
fingers 478 and over the beads 480. The fabric seat is then pushed
downwardly through the ring and assumes the position shown in FIG.
2. When the foregoing steps are completed, the seat assembly may be
inserted into the opening 54 and the ribs 484 on fins 482 will
engage the bottom edge of flange 54b to yieldably retain the seat
assembly in position. The assembly will turn freely in place. To
remove the seat assembly 50, the fins 478 merely need to be flexed
inwardly so as to free the ribs 484 from beneath the lower edge of
the flange 54b. It will be appreciated that the skirt 456 extends
downwardly to just above the top surface 54c of the tray so that a
child in the seat cannot pinch its fingers in the seat
assembly.
[0056] While the preferred embodiment of the seat is shown and
described herein, it should be appreciated that other embodiments
of the seat may be used as well. The sling-type fabric seat may be
attached to the ring in many different ways, but if the ring is to
be rotatably mounted in the tray so as to allow the child in it to
face in any direction, the fabric should not interfere with the
ring rotation or become wedged between the contacting surfaces of
the ring and tray. Furthermore, means other than the flexible wall
sections 482 may be employed to releasably retain the ring on the
tray. The illustrated embodiment, however, has many advantages. It
is comprised of only two parts, namely, the one-piece ring 450 and
the fabric seat 452, the fabric seat may be removed from the ring,
and the entire seat assembly 40 is removable from the tray so that
the fabric seat may be washed. The seat assembly 40 is removed
simply the deflecting the flexible sections 482 inwardly so that
the ribs clear the edge of the opening 54. The seat assembly
ordinarily will be removed when the activity center is assembled as
a floor play set as in FIG. 3, although it need not be removed
because the peripheral wall of the top tray when placed on the
floor supports the bottom edge of the ring 450 above the floor.
These and other advantages make this aspect of the invention
particularly desirable and the seat may be used in other types of
child products, such as walkers, play stations, etc.
[0057] With the aid of the foregoing description, another aspect of
the invention will be appreciated. There is a subject matter
continuity between the activity center with a seal and the floor
play set configurations of this invention. A very young child
seated in the seat is positioned to play with the many toys that
are mounted on the top tray as is evident from an inspection of
FIG. 1, and the familiarity gained with those toys when the child
is confined to the seat will carry over and continue to provide
enjoyment for the child as he/she grows older and the activity
center is assembled in the floor play set configuration. And the
ability to remove many of the toys secured to the periphery of the
upper tray 30 so that that they may be used on the floor with
related toys or on the latched together trays 30 and 32 is a
distinct advantage of the invention.
[0058] From the foregoing description it should also be apparent
that while a farm is the theme of the embodiment of the invention
shown, the theme may be other subjects as well such as a circus,
car race track, jungle, etc.
[0059] Having described this invention in detail, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that numerous modifications may be made of
this invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is
not intended that the breadth of the invention be limited to the
specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the breadth
of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *