U.S. patent application number 10/827563 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for playpen with double columns at each corner.
This patent application is currently assigned to WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chen, Shun-Min.
Application Number | 20050229308 10/827563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42035703 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050229308 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Shun-Min |
October 20, 2005 |
PLAYPEN WITH DOUBLE COLUMNS AT EACH CORNER
Abstract
A playpen with columns comprises a plurality of first corners
each having a first bulge and a second bulge, a plurality of second
corners each having a first sleeve and a second sleeve, a first rod
unit connecting the first corners, a second rod unit connecting the
second corners, a plurality of first columns whose one end bushes
around the first bulge and another end thereof is inserted into the
first sleeve, a plurality of second columns whose one end bushes
around the second bulge and another end thereof is inserted into
the second sleeve, and a boundary shelter unit covering the first
columns. The distance between two opposite second columns is larger
than that of two opposite first columns so that the second columns
are revealed.
Inventors: |
Chen, Shun-Min; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC
400 GARDEN CITY PLAZA
SUITE 300
GARDEN CITY
NY
11530
US
|
Assignee: |
WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
42035703 |
Appl. No.: |
10/827563 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.1 ;
5/98.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/063
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/093.1 ;
005/098.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 007/00 |
Claims
1. A playpen with double columns at each corner of said playpen,
comprising: a plurality of first corner components; a first rod
unit connecting the first corner components; a plurality of second
corner components; a second rod unit connecting the second corner
components; a plurality of first columns, each said first column
having two opposite ends, one end being connected to a first corner
component, another end of said column being connected to a second
corner component; a plurality of second columns, each said second
column having two opposite ends, one end being connected to a first
corner component, another end of said second column being connected
to a second corner component; wherein a distance between the two
second columns is larger than that between the two first columns,
whereby a gap is formed between an adjacent first column and a
second column; and a boundary sheet extends through each said gap
and covers the first columns.
2. The playpen as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said second
corner component comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve
connecting respectively with the first column and the second
column.
3. The playpen as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said first
corner component comprises a first bulge and a second bulge
connecting respectively with the first column and the second
column.
4. The playpen as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the first and
second columns extend respectively around the first and second
bulges.
5. The playpen as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein the playpen
comprises a plurality of rivets for securing the first and second
columns to respectively the first corner components.
6. The playpen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the playpen comprises
a plurality of washers for securing the boundary sheet respectively
to the ends of the first columns which are adjacent to the first
corner components.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a playpen, and
more particularly to a playpen with multiple columns, such as
possessing double columns at each corner of the playpen.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] A conventional playpen 3, generally of the kind disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,563 B1 is shown in FIG. 1 of the present
drawings. The conventional playpen 3 mainly consists of a
rectangular frame 31 and a boundary sheet 33 covering five surfaces
of the frame 31. The frame 31 has a pole 311 at respectively each
of four nooks or corners, and the boundary sheet 33 completely
covers all of the poles 311 such that the conventional playpen 3 is
fully covered by the boundary sheet 33 in appearance and thus the
visual feeling of the playpen abounding in various materials, such
as metal and plastic, is not presently evident. Besides, the poles
311 fail to provide additional space for the arranging of any
artificial decoration. Therefore, the conventional playpen 3 with
one pole at each nook or corner, on the one hand, sets a limit in
the forming of design patterns to the designer, while on the other
hand failing to meet a variety of needs for various consumers.
[0003] Moreover, the conventional playpen 3, which is equipped with
one pole at each nook or corner, needs poles with each possessing a
larger diameter in order to meet requirements with respect to
strength in construction, which make the conventional playpen 3
seem clumsy in appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a playpen
equipped with double columns at each corner that are substantially
intended to obviate one or more of the problems due to the
limitations and disadvantages encountered in the prior art.
[0005] One object of the present invention is the provision of a
playpen with columns which can provide a feeling of the structure
abounding in a variety of materials.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is the provision of
a playpen with columns which allows for the application of
additional artificial decorations.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is the provision
of a light and efficient playpen equipped with double columns at
each corner.
[0008] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows. The objectives and
advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the
structure as particularly set forth in the written description and
claims as well as illustrated in the appended drawings.
[0009] To achieve these and other advantages and according to the
purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the playpen with the double columns comprises: a
plurality of first corners; a first rod unit connecting the first
corners; a plurality of second corners; a second rod unit
connecting the second corners; a plurality of first columns each
having two opposite ends, one end being connected to the first
corner, another end being connected to the second corner; a
plurality of second columns each having two opposite ends, one end
being connected to the first corner, another end being connected to
the second corner; wherein the length of the two opposite second
columns is larger than that of the two opposite first columns, and
a gap exists between the adjacent first column and the second
column and with a boundary sheet extending through each gap and
covering the first columns.
[0010] In a preferred aspect, each second corner further comprises
a first sleeve and a 20 second sleeve for respectively connecting
with the first column and the second column.
[0011] Moreover, each first corner further comprises preferably a
first bulge and a second bulge for respectively connecting with the
first column and the second column. It is preferred that the
columns respectively extend around the bulges.
[0012] It is another preferred feature that the playpen further
comprises a plurality of rivets in order to secure the columns to
respectively the first corners.
[0013] Additionally, the playpen further comprises a plurality of
washers to secure the boundary sheet to respectively the ends of
the first columns adjacent to the first corners.
[0014] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide a further non-limiting
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a portion of the specification, illustrate embodiments
of the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view illustrating a
conventional playpen;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the
frame of the playpen without a boundary shelter unit according to
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating, on an
enlarged scale, the first corner component near according to the
present invention, wherein the first corner component is shown
sectioned;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
second corner near according to the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the
playpen with double columns in the corners according to the present
invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the playpen 1 with columns
according to the present invention is substantially constructed as
a rectangular body and comprises four first corner component 11
situated at lower end of the playpen 1, four second corner
components 12 situated at upper end of the playpen 1, a first rod
unit 13 laterally connecting the first corner components 11, a
second rod unit 14 laterally connecting the second corner
components 12, four first columns 15 and four second columns 16
vertically connecting the first corner components 11 and the second
corner components 12, and a flexible boundary sheet 17 covering the
bottom surface and four side surfaces of the playpen 1 together
with the columns.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, each thin, flat and shell-like first
corner component 11 includes an opening 111 provided at the upper
end thereof, a first bulge 112 and a second bulge 113 extending
upwardly from the bottom thereof, and three holes 114 provided in
each sidewall thereof.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, each second corner component 12 is
substantially formed as a hollow triangular body and includes a
slit 121 extending from the bottom end to two nooks thereof, a
first sleeve 122 and a second sleeve 123 extending downwardly from
the upper end thereof, and the apertures 124 provided in the
sidewalls thereof.
[0024] Referring jointly to FIGS. 2 and 4, each rod of the first
rod unit 13 is respectively inserted into the opening 111 of each
first corner component 11. Then, a rivet 191 is respectively passed
through the holes 114 of each first corner component 11 and the
bore 131 of each rod of the first rod unit 13 50 as to pivotally
connect the first rod unit 13 together with the four first corner
components 11. Similarly, each rod of the second rod unit 14 is
respectively inserted into the slit 121 of each second corner
component 12. Then, a rivet 193 is respectively passed through the
apertures 124 of each second corner component 12 and the aperture
141 in each rod of the second rod unit 14 so as to pivotally
connect the second rod unit 14 with the four second corner
components 12.
[0025] Thereafter, each first column 15 is respectively inserted
downwardly into each first corner component 11 and washers around
each first bulge 112. Then, a rivet 194 is respectively passed
through the holes 114 of each first corner component 11 and the
bore 151 of each first column 15 so as to connect each first column
15 with each first corner component 11. As far as the upper end of
each first column 15, it is inserted into and secured by each first
sleeve 122. Similarly, each second column 16 is respectively
inserted downwardly into each first corner component 11 and washers
around each second bulge 113. Then, a rivet 195 is respectively
passed through the holes 114 of each first corner component 11 and
the orifice 161 in each second column 16 so as to connect each
second column 16 with each first corner component 11. As far as the
upper end of each second column 16, it is inserted into and secured
by each second sleeve 123. Having been assembled to this point, the
rectangular frame shown in FIG. 2 of the playpen 1 with double
columns is completed in its assembly, wherein the distance between
two opposite second columns 16 is larger than that between two
opposite first columns 15 and the diameter of the first column 15
is smaller than that of the second column 16. Besides, the adjacent
first column 15 and second column 16 have similar convex profiles
and are parallel to each other a gap remaining therebetween.
However, the above description only represents a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, whereas alternatively, or
additionally, the number and profile of the first columns 15 and
the second columns 16 may be varied depending on design
considerations. Furthermore, the rods of the first rod unit 13, the
rods of the second rod unit 14, the first columns 15, and the
second columns 16 may be either solid or hollow in
construction.
[0026] Referring jointly to FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper end of the
boundary sheet 17 is secured entirely (or partially) to the second
rod unit 14. The sidewalls of the boundary sheet 17 pass through
each gap, which is present between each pair of adjacent first
column 15 and second column 16, and simultaneously cover each first
column 15. Then, a screw 192 is passed through a washer 18 of the
playpen 1 and an aperture 152 (shown in FIG. 3) situated at the
first column 15 so as to secure the boundary sheet 17 to the lower
end of each first column 15 and unbend or straighten the whole
boundary sheet 17. At the same time, since each second column 16 is
not covered by the boundary sheet 17, the color and nature of the
employed material, such as metal or plastic, can be exposed or
artificial decorations can be added to each second column 16 in
order to provide a designer with additional space for imparting a
different visual feeling from any previous visual appearance for
the boundary sheet 17.
[0027] This invention has been disclosed in terms of specific
embodiments. It will be 25 apparent that many modifications can be
made to the disclosed structures without departing from the
invention. Therefore, it is the intent of the appended claims to
cover all such variations and modifications as come within the
breadth and scope of this invention.
* * * * *