U.S. patent application number 11/133135 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for toy storage cover for portable play yards, cribs and containers.
Invention is credited to Martin, Bruce, Tharalson, Diana, Tharalson, Douglas.
Application Number | 20050268398 11/133135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788419 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tharalson, Douglas ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Toy storage cover for portable play yards, cribs and containers
Abstract
A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer
panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached
at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play
yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the
floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the
inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets
are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have
smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down
straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard
walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy
storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs,
cribs or other open topped containers.
Inventors: |
Tharalson, Douglas; (Agoura,
CA) ; Tharalson, Diana; (Agoura, CA) ; Martin,
Bruce; (Malibu, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REED SMITH LLP
2500 ONE LIBERTY PLACE
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
38788419 |
Appl. No.: |
11/133135 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11133135 |
May 19, 2005 |
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10686206 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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6895611 |
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10686206 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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09695694 |
Oct 25, 2000 |
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6687927 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/98.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20130101;
A47D 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/098.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/00; A47D
007/00 |
Claims
1. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard, comprising: a
portable play yard, said play yard comprising a rigid frame having
four protruding feet, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall,
a second side wall and a floor enclosed by said walls; an outer
front panel, said outer front panel having an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and
a second side edge; an outer back panel, said outer back panel
having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a
bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an outer
first side panel, said outer first side panel having an exterior
surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front
side edge, and a back side edge; an outer second side panel, said
outer second side panel having an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge; said outer front panel being joined at its first side
edge to the front side edge of the outer first side panel and being
joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer
second side panel; said outer back panel being joined at its first
side edge to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and
being joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the
outer second side panel; an interior pocket, said interior pocket
comprising: an inner front panel, said inner front panel having an
exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a
first side edge, and a second side edge; an inner back panel, said
inner back panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a
top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;
an inner first side panel, said inner first side panel having an
exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a
front side edge, and a back side edge; an inner second side panel,
said inner second side panel having an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and
a back side edge; said inner front panel being joined at its first
side edge to the front side edge of the inner first side panel and
being joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the
inner second side panel; said inner back panel being joined at its
first side edge to the back side edge of the inner first side panel
and being joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of
the inner second side panel; a floor panel, said floor panel having
an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge, a
first side edge and a second side edge; said floor panel being
attached at its front edge to the bottom edge of the inner front
panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge of the inner back panel,
at its first side edge to the bottom edge of the inner first side
panel and at its second side edge to the bottom edge of the inner
second side panel; said inner front panel being attached at its top
edge to the top edge of the outer front panel; said inner back
panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer
back panel; said inner first side panel being attached at its top
edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel; said inner
second side panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of
the outer second side panel; said outer front, back, first side and
second side panels being sized and shaped to fit slidably over the
play yard walls when attached together; said inner front, back,
first side, second side and floor panels being sized and shaped to
fit slidably within the play yard walls when attached together; and
whereby, when the play yard is disposed between said inner and
outer panels the interior pocket will be supported by the play
yard; further comprising a retaining means, said retaining means
being formed of rigid material and being sized and shaped to fit
frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second
side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior
pocket downwardly within the play yard.
2. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard as described in
claim 1, wherein the retaining means is a mattress pad having a
rigid backing.
3. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard as described in
claim 1, further comprising means for securing the toy storage
cover to the play yard.
4. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard, comprising: a
portable play yard, said play yard comprising a rigid frame having
protruding feet, a surrounding side wall and a floor enclosed by
said wall; an outer surrounding side panel, said outer surrounding
side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge and a bottom edge; an interior pocket, said interior pocket
comprising: an inner surrounding side panel, said inner surrounding
side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge and a bottom edge; a floor panel, said floor panel having an
upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding edge; said floor
panel being attached at its surrounding edge to the bottom edge of
the inner surrounding side panel; said inner surrounding side panel
being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer
surrounding side panel; said outer surrounding side panel being
sized and shaped to fit slidably over the surrounding side wall of
the play yard; said inner surrounding side panel and floor panel
being sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls;
and whereby, when the play yard is disposed between said inner and
outer surrounding side panels the interior pocket will be supported
by the play yard; further comprising a retaining means, said
retaining means being formed of rigid material and being sized and
shaped to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel
and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket
downwardly within the play yard.
5. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard as described in
claim 4 wherein the retaining means is a mattress pad having a
rigid backing.
6. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard as described in
claim 4, further comprising means for securing the toy storage
cover to the play yard.
7. A toy storage cover for a crib, comprising: a crib, said crib
comprising a rigid frame having four protruding feet, a front wall,
a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor
enclosed by said walls; an outer front panel, said outer front
panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge,
a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an outer
back panel, said outer back panel having an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and
a second side edge; an outer first side panel, said outer first
side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; an
outer second side panel, said outer second side panel having an
exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a
front side edge, and a back side edge; said outer front panel being
joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the outer
first side panel and being joined at its second side edge to the
front side edge of the outer second side panel; said outer back
panel being joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of
the outer first side panel and being joined at its second side edge
to the back side edge of the outer second side panel; an interior
pocket, said interior pocket comprising: an inner front panel, said
inner front panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface,
a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side
edge; an inner back panel, said inner back panel having an exterior
surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first
side edge, and a second side edge; an inner first side panel, said
inner first side panel having an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge; an inner second side panel, said inner second side panel
having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a
bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; said inner
front panel being joined at its first side edge to the front side
edge of the inner first side panel and being joined at its second
side edge to the front side edge of the inner second side panel;
said inner back panel being joined at its first side edge to the
back side edge of the inner first side panel and being joined at
its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second side
panel; a floor panel, said floor panel having an upper surface, a
lower surface, a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a
second side edge; said floor panel being attached at its front edge
to the bottom edge of the inner front panel, at its back edge to
the bottom edge of the inner back panel, at its first side edge to
the bottom edge of the inner first side panel and at its second
side edge to the bottom edge of the inner second side panel; said
inner front panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of
the outer front panel; said inner back panel being attached at its
top edge to the top edge of the outer back panel; said inner first
side panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the
outer first side panel; said inner second side panel being attached
at its top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel;
said outer front, back, first side and second side panels being
sized and shaped to fit slidably over the crib walls when attached
together; said inner front, back, first side, second side and floor
panels being sized and shaped to fit slidably within the crib walls
when attached together; and whereby, when the crib is disposed
between said inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be
supported by the crib; further comprising a retaining means, said
retaining means being formed of rigid material and being sized and
shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first
side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby
securing the interior pocket downwardly within the crib.
8. A toy storage cover for a crib as described in claim 7 wherein
the retaining means is a mattress pad having a rigid backing.
9. A toy storage cover for a crib as described in claim 7, further
comprising means for securing the toy storage cover to the
crib.
11. A toy storage cover for a portable play yard, comprising: a
portable play yard comprising: a rigid frame, floor and walls; and
multiple protruding feet; outer front, back and side panels,
wherein said outer front, back and side panels are attached at
their respective edges; an interior pocket, said interior pocket
comprising: inner front, back and side panels, wherein said inner
front, back and side panels are attached at their respective edges;
a floor panel, wherein said floor panel is attached to said inner
front, back and side panels; wherein said inner front panel is
attached to said outer front panel, said inner back panel is
attached to said outer back panel, and said inner side panels are
attached to said outer side panels; wherein said attached outer
front, back and side panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably
over said play yard walls, and wherein said attached inner front,
back, side and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably
within said play yard walls; and whereby, when said play yard is
disposed between said inner and outer panels, said interior pocket
is supported by said play yard; further comprising means for
securing said toy storage cover to said play yard.
12. The toy storage cover according to claim 11, wherein said means
for securing said toy storage cover to said play yard comprises
fastening at least one of said outer panels to one of said inner
panels through openings in said play yard walls.
13. The toy storage cover according to claim 11, wherein said means
for securing said toy storage cover to said play yard comprises
straps extending from said outer panels for tying around said
multiple protruding feet of said play yard.
14. The toy storage cover according to claim 11, further
comprising: at least one foot retaining pocket, said at least one
foot retaining pocket being sized, shaped and disposed to fit
slidably over one of said multiple protruding feet; and whereby,
when said multiple protruding feet of said play yard are positioned
within said at least one foot retaining pocket, said outer panels
held down and secure shifting loads within said interior
pocket.
15. The toy storage cover according to claim 11, further comprising
a plurality of exterior pockets attached to said outer panels.
16. The toy storage cover according to claim 15, wherein at least
one of said plurality of exterior pockets further comprises at
least one of a smaller interior pocket and a smaller exterior
pocket.
17. The toy storage cover according to claim 11, wherein said outer
and inner panels are composed of a see through material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/686,206, filed Oct. 14, 2003 entitled `Toy Storage Cover For
Portable Play Yards, Cribs And Containers`, the entire disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto as if being
set forth in its entirety. application Ser. No. 10/686,206 is a
divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/695,694, filed Oct. 25, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
6,687,927, entitled "Toy Storage Cover For Portable Play Yards,
Cribs, And Containers", the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference there to as if being set forth in
its entirely.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to storage systems and, more
particularly, to a fabric device for converting a portable play
yard into a storage system for a child's toys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of storage systems and devices have been
developed for organizing and storing children's toys. U.S. Pat. No.
5,360,264 issued to Crane discloses a child's play table having a
reversible top providing a smooth surface on one side and a modular
building block system on the other. Attached beneath the reversible
surface are one or more toy storage compartments or drawers.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,688 issued to Jones et al., describes a
storage case for toy vehicles, simulating the appearance of an
automobile steering wheel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,197, issued to Meyer
et al. illustrates a toy storage apparatus having a decorative face
designed to appear as an animated creature and having a large
internal cavity.
[0005] A foot pedal opens the creature's mouth for the introduction
or removal of the child's toys. U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,455 issued to
Silvey discloses a toy chest of animal form mounted on casters. The
chest includes a mechanism that when operated by the child to open
the chest will produce sounds and animated movements of features of
the chest. These features are designed to encourage the child to
clean up his or her room.
[0006] While other variations exist, the above-described designs
for toy storage devices are typical of those encountered in the
prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide
for an alternative use for a child's play yard when no longer
needed to confine a small child. It is a further objective to
provide for storage of both large and small toys and similar
objects while making maximum use of the external surfaces of the
play yard. It is a still further objective of the invention to
provide the above-described capabilities in an inexpensive and
durable storage system that can be easily removed from the play
yard, washed, and easily reinstalled. It is yet a further objective
to provide a means to secure the storage system to the play yard to
prevent shifting once toys are stored in the system.
[0007] While some of the objectives of the present invention are
disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include
all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of
prior art toy storage covers for play yards, cribs or containers
and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
[0009] A toy storage cover for a portable play yard providing the
desired features may be constructed from the following components.
A portable play yard that has a rigid frame, four protruding feet,
a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall
and a floor enclosed by the walls is provided. The toy storage
cover includes four outer panels. The outer front panel has an
exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a
first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer back panel has
an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom
edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer first
side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The
outer second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge.
[0010] The outer front panel is joined at its first side edge to
the front side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at
its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer second
side panel. The outer back panel is joined at its first side edge
to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined
at its second side edge to the back side edge of the outer second
side panel.
[0011] An interior pocket is provided. The interior pocket
comprises four inner panels and a floor panel. The inner front
panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a
bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner
back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The
inner first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge. The inner second side panel has an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and
a back side edge.
[0012] The inner front panel is joined at its first side edge to
the front side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at
its second side edge to the front side edge of the inner second
side panel. The inner back panel is joined at its first side edge
to the back side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined
at its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second
side panel. The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface,
a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side
edge.
[0013] The floor panel is attached at its front edge to the bottom
edge of the inner front panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge
of the inner back panel, at its first side edge to the bottom edge
of the inner first side panel and at its second side edge to the
bottom edge of the inner second side panel. The inner front panel
is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer front
panel. The inner back panel is attached at its top edge to the top
edge of the outer back panel. The inner first side panel is
attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer first side
panel. The inner second side panel is attached at its top edge to
the top edge of the outer second side panel.
[0014] The outer front, back, first side and second side panels are
sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls when
attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second side
and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the
play yard walls when attached together. When the play yard is
located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will
be supported by the play yard.
[0015] In a variant of the invention, a retaining means is
provided. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is
sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back,
first side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby
securing the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
[0016] In another variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad
that has a rigid backing.
[0017] In still another variant, means are provided for securing
the toy storage cover to the play yard.
[0018] In yet another variant of the invention, the means for
securing the toy storage cover to the play yard comprises means for
fastening at least one of the outer panels to one of the inner
panels through openings in the play yard walls.
[0019] In a further variant, the means for securing the toy storage
cover to the play yard comprises straps extending from the bottom
edges of the outer panels that can be tied around the protruding
feet of the play yard.
[0020] In still a further variant of the invention, first, second,
third and fourth foot retaining pockets are provided. The foot
retaining pockets are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably
over one of the feet.
[0021] The first foot retaining pocket is located at an
intersection of the first side edge of the outer front panel and
the front side edge of the outer first side panel on the interior
surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges. The second foot
retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the second side
edge of the outer front panel and the front side edge of the outer
second side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent
their bottom edges. The third foot retaining pocket is located at
an intersection of the first side edge of the outer back panel and
the back side edge of the outer first side panel on the interior
surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges. The fourth foot
retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the second side
edge of the outer back panel and the back side edge of the outer
second side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent
their bottom edges.
[0022] When the feet of the play yard are positioned within the
foot retaining pockets, the outer panels will be held down despite
shifting loads placed in the interior pocket.
[0023] In another variant, the toy storage cover for a portable
play yard includes a series of exterior pockets attached to the
outer panels.
[0024] In still another variant, the outer and inner panels are
formed of material through which a user can see.
[0025] In a further variant of the invention, at least one of the
exterior pockets attached to the outer panels further comprises at
least one smaller interior pocket or smaller exterior pocket.
[0026] In yet a further variant, a toy storage cover for a portable
play yard, includes a portable play yard. The play yard has a rigid
frame with three protruding feet, a first side wall, a second side
wall, a third side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. The toy
storage cover has three outer panels. Each of the outer first side,
second side and third side panels has an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and
a second side edge.
[0027] The outer first side panel is joined at its first side edge
to the second side edge of the outer third side panel and is joined
at its second side edge to the first side edge of the outer second
side panel. The outer second side panel is joined at its second
side edge to the first side edge of the outer third side panel.
[0028] An interior pocket including three inner panels is provided.
Each of the inner first side, second side and third side panels has
an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom
edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner first
side panel is joined at its first side edge to the second side edge
of the inner third side panel and is joined at its second side edge
to the first side edge of the inner second side panel. The inner
second side panel is joined at its second side edge to the first
side edge of the inner third side panel.
[0029] A floor panel is provided. The floor panel has an upper
surface, a lower surface, a first edge, a second edge, and a third
edge. The floor panel is attached at its first edge to the bottom
edge of the inner first side panel, at its second edge to the
bottom edge of the inner second side panel, at its third edge to
the bottom edge of the inner third side panel. The inner first side
panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer
first side panel. The inner second side panel is attached at its
top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel. The inner
third side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the
outer third side panel.
[0030] The outer first side, second side and third side panels are
sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls when
attached together. The inner first side, second side and third side
panels and floor panel are sized and shaped to fit slidably within
the play yard walls when attached together. When the play yard is
located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will
be supported by the play yard.
[0031] In still a further variant of the invention, the toy storage
cover for a portable play yard further comprises a retaining means.
The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and
shaped to fit frictionally between the inner first side, second
side and third side panels and over the floor panel, thereby
securing the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
[0032] In another variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad
that has a rigid backing.
[0033] In a further variant of the invention, a toy storage cover
for a portable play yard includes a portable play yard. The play
yard includes a rigid frame that has protruding feet, a surrounding
side wall and a floor enclosed by the wall.
[0034] The toy storage cover includes an outer surrounding side
panel and an interior pocket. The outer surrounding side panel has
an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom
edge. The interior pocket includes an inner surrounding side panel
and a floor panel. The inner surrounding side panel has an exterior
surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The
floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding
edge. The floor panel is attached at its surrounding edge to the
bottom edge of the inner surrounding side panel.
[0035] The inner surrounding side panel is attached at its top edge
to the top edge of the outer surrounding side panel. The outer
surrounding side panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the
surrounding side wall of the play yard. The inner surrounding side
panel and floor panel are sized and shaped to fit slidably within
the play yard walls. When the play yard is located between the
inner and outer surrounding side panels the interior pocket will be
supported by the play yard.
[0036] In still a further variant, the toy storage cover for a
portable play yard further comprises a retaining means. The
retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped
to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel and
over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket
downwardly within the play yard.
[0037] In yet a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress
pad that has a rigid backing.
[0038] In another variant of the invention, a toy storage cover for
an open topped container includes a container comprising a floor, a
rigid surrounding side wall extending upwardly from the floor. The
toy storage cover includes an outer surrounding side panel and an
interior pocket. The outer surrounding side panel has an exterior
surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge.
[0039] The interior pocket includes an inner surrounding side panel
and a floor panel. The inner surrounding side panel has an exterior
surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The
floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding
edge. The floor panel is attached at its surrounding edge to the
bottom edge of the inner surrounding side panel. The inner
surrounding side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge
of the outer surrounding side panel.
[0040] The outer surrounding side panel is sized and shaped to fit
slidably over the rigid surrounding side wall of the container. The
inner surrounding side panel and floor panel are sized and shaped
to fit slidably within the container. When the container is located
between the inner and outer surrounding side panels the interior
pocket will be supported by the container.
[0041] In still another variant, the toy storage cover for an open
topped container further comprises a retaining means. The retaining
means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit
frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel and over the
floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within
the container.
[0042] In a further variant of the invention, the retaining means
is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
[0043] In yet another variant, a toy storage cover for a crib
includes a crib. The crib includes a rigid frame and has four
protruding feet, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a
second side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. The toy storage
cover includes four outer panels, an outer front panel, an outer
back panel, an outer first side panel and an outer second side
panel. The outer panels are attached to each other at their side
edges.
[0044] The toy storage cover includes an interior pocket that
includes four inner panels, an inner front panel, an inner back
panel, an inner first side panel and an inner second side panel and
a floor panel. The four inner panels are attached to each other at
their side edges and to the floor panel at their bottom edges. The
inner panels are attached at their top edges to the top edges of
the outer panels. The outer front, back, first side and second side
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the crib walls
when attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second
side and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within
the crib walls when attached together. When the crib is located
between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be
supported by the crib.
[0045] In still another variant of the invention, the toy storage
cover for a crib further comprises a retaining means. The retaining
means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit
frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second
side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior
pocket downwardly within the crib.
[0046] In a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad
has a rigid backing.
[0047] In another variant of the invention, a toy storage cover for
a collapsible open topped container includes a container. The
container includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a
second side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. Each of the
walls has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second
side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface. The floor has a
front edge, a back edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a
top surface and a bottom surface.
[0048] The front wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to
the front edge of the floor and the back wall is hingedly attached
at its bottom edge to the back edge of the floor. The first side
wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the first side edge
of the floor and the second side wall is hingedly attached at its
bottom edge to the second side edge of the floor.
[0049] Means are provided for removably attaching the front wall at
its first side edge to the first side wall at its second side edge.
Means are provided for removably attaching the front wall at its
second side edge to the second side wall at its first side edge.
Means are provided for removably attaching the back wall at its
second side edge to the first side wall at its first side edge.
Means are provided for removably attaching the back wall at its
first side edge to the second side wall at its second side
edge.
[0050] The toy storage cover includes four outer panels. The outer
front panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The
outer back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a
top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge.
The outer first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge. The outer second side panel has an exterior surface, an
interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and
a back side edge.
[0051] The outer front panel is joined at its first side edge to
the front side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at
its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer second
side panel. The outer back panel is joined at its first side edge
to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined
at its second side edge to the back side edge of the outer second
side panel.
[0052] An interior pocket is provided. The interior pocket includes
four inner panels and a floor panel. The inner front panel has an
exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a
first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner back panel has
an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom
edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner first
side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top
edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The
inner second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior
surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back
side edge.
[0053] The inner front panel is joined at its first side edge to
the front side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at
its second side edge to the front side edge of the inner second
side panel. The inner back panel is joined at its first side edge
to the back side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined
at its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second
side panel.
[0054] The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, a
front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge.
The floor panel is attached at its front edge to the bottom edge of
the inner front panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge of the
inner back panel, at its first side edge to the bottom edge of the
inner first side panel and at its second side edge to the bottom
edge of the inner second side panel. The inner front panel is
attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer front panel.
The inner back panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of
the outer back panel. The inner first side panel is attached at its
top edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel. The inner
second side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of
the outer second side panel.
[0055] The outer front, back, first side and second side panels are
sized and shaped to fit slidably over the container walls when
attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second side
and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the
container walls when attached together. When the container is
located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will
be supported by the container.
[0056] In still another variant, the toy storage cover includes at
least one attachment strap. The attachment strap has a first end
and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the
lower surface of the floor panel of the interior pocket. The strap
extends outwardly past one of the inner panels. The second end of
the attachment strap includes means for removably attaching the
second end to either the exterior surface or the interior surface
of one of the outer panels.
[0057] The container includes at least one slot. The slot is sized,
shaped and located adjacent the bottom edge of one of the walls of
the collapsible container so as to permit the second end of the
attachment strap to pass through it. When the second end of the
attachment strap is passed through the slot and removably attached
to either the exterior surface or the interior surface of at least
one of the outer panels, the interior pocket of the toy storage
cover will be removably secured to the collapsible container.
[0058] In yet another variant, the means for removably attaching
the front and back walls of the container to the first and second
side walls of the container includes hooking and loop elements
secured to either the inner surface or the outer surface of the
walls adjacent their side edges.
[0059] In a further variant of the invention, the means for
removably attaching the second end of the attachment strap to
either the exterior surface or the interior surface of one of the
outer panels includes hooking and loop elements secured to the
second end and either the exterior surface or the interior surface
of at least one of the outer panels.
[0060] In still a further variant, a retaining means is provided.
The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and
shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first
side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby
securing the interior pocket downwardly within the container.
[0061] In yet a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress
pad that has a rigid backing.
[0062] In another variant of the invention, the toy storage cover
for a collapsible open topped container includes means for securing
the toy storage cover to the container.
[0063] In a final variant, the means for securing the toy storage
cover to the container comprises means for fastening at least one
of the outer panels to one of the inner panels through openings in
the container walls.
[0064] An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the
present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by
referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description
of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0065] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts:
[0066] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention disposed upon a portable play yard;
[0067] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the play yard;
[0068] FIG. 3 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 1 embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 3a is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 1 embodiment as seen from below illustrating the
placement of the foot pockets;
[0070] FIG. 4 is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining
means for the FIG. 1;
[0071] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment
illustrating attachment of the outer panels to the inner panels
through openings in the play yard walls;
[0072] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment
illustrating attachment of the cover to the play yard by means of
straps tied around the feet of the play yard;
[0073] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment
illustrating attachment of the cover to the play yard by means of
pockets for enclosing the protruding feet of the play yard;
[0074] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment
illustrating a plurality of pockets affixed to the outer
panels;
[0075] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment
illustrating see-through inner and outer panels;
[0076] FIG. 10 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the
FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating smaller pockets attached to the
inside and outside of larger pockets;
[0077] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention disposed upon a portable play yard having three
sides;
[0078] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the three-sided play
yard;
[0079] FIG. 13 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 11 embodiment;
[0080] FIG. 14 is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining
means for the FIG. 11 embodiment;
[0081] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention disposed upon a portable play yard having a curved
surrounding outer wall;
[0082] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the play yard having a
curved surrounding outer wall;
[0083] FIG. 17 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 15 embodiment;
[0084] FIG. 18 is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining
means for the FIG. 15 embodiment;
[0085] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
invention disposed upon an open topped container having a
surrounding outer wall;
[0086] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the open topped
container;
[0087] FIG. 21 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 19 embodiment;
[0088] FIG. 22 is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 19 embodiment;
[0089] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention disposed upon a crib;
[0090] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the crib;
[0091] FIG. 25 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 23 embodiment;
[0092] FIG. 26 is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 23 embodiment;
[0093] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
invention disposed upon a collapsible open topped container;
[0094] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the collapsible
container;
[0095] FIG. 29 is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor
panels of the FIG. 27 embodiment;
[0096] FIG. 30 is a plan view of an attachment strap affixed to the
lower surface of the floor panel of the FIG. 27 embodiment;
[0097] FIG. 30a is a partial cut-away perspective view of an
attachment strap affixed to the lower surface of the floor panel of
the FIG. 27 embodiment;
[0098] FIG. 31 is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 27 embodiment; and
[0099] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the FIG. 27 embodiment
illustrating attachment of the outer panels to the inner panels
through openings in the container walls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0100] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many
other elements found in toy storage covers. Those of ordinary skill
in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps are
desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention.
However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art,
and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the
present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not
provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such
variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to
those skilled in the art.
[0101] FIGS. 1-10 illustrate a toy storage cover for a portable
play yard 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed
from the following components. A portable play yard 14, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, that has a rigid frame 18, four protruding
feet 22, a front wall 26, a back wall 30, a first side wall 34, a
second side wall 38 and a floor 42 enclosed by the walls 26, 30,
34, 38 is provided. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the toy
storage cover 10 includes four outer panels 46, 50, 54, 58. The
outer front panel 46 has an exterior surface 62, an interior
surface 66, a top edge 70, a bottom edge 74, a first side edge 78,
and a second side edge 82. The outer back panel 50 has an exterior
surface 86, an interior surface 90, a top edge 94, a bottom edge
98, a first side edge 102, and a second side edge 106. The outer
first side panel 54 has an exterior surface 110, an interior
surface 114, a top edge 118, a bottom edge 122, a front side edge
126, and a back side edge 130. The outer second side panel 58 has
an exterior surface 134, an interior surface 138, a top edge 142, a
bottom edge 146, a front side edge 150, and a back side edge
154.
[0102] The outer front panel 46 is joined at its first side edge 78
to the front side edge 126 of the outer first side panel 54 and is
joined at its second side edge 82 to the front side edge 150 of the
outer second side panel 58. The outer back panel 50 is joined at
its first side edge 102 to the back side edge 130 of the outer
first side panel 54 and is joined at its second side edge 106 to
the back side edge 154 of the outer second side panel 58.
[0103] An interior pocket 158 is provided. The interior pocket 158
comprises four inner panels 162, 166, 170, 174 and a floor panel
178. The inner front panel 162 has an exterior surface 182, an
interior surface 186, a top edge 190, a bottom edge 194, a first
side edge 198, and a second side edge 202. The inner back panel 166
has an exterior surface 206, an interior surface 210, a top edge
214, a bottom edge 218, a first side edge 222, and a second side
edge 226. The inner first side panel 170 has an exterior surface
230, an interior surface 234, a top edge 238, a bottom edge 242, a
front side edge 246, and a back side edge 250. The inner second
side panel 174 has an exterior surface 254, an interior surface
258, a top edge 262, a bottom edge 266, a front side edge 270, and
a back side edge 274.
[0104] The inner front panel 162 is joined at its first side edge
198 to the front side edge 246 of the inner first side panel 170
and is joined at its second side edge 202 to the front side edge
270 of the inner second side panel 174. The inner back panel 166 is
joined at its first side edge 222 to the back side edge 250 of the
inner first side panel 170 and is joined at its second side edge
226 to the back side edge 274 of the inner second side panel 174.
The floor panel 178 has an upper surface 278, a lower surface 282,
a front edge 286, a back edge 290, a first side edge 294 and a
second side edge 298.
[0105] The floor panel 178 is attached at its front edge 286 to the
bottom edge 194 of the inner front panel 162, at its back edge 290
to the bottom edge 218 of the inner back panel 166, at its first
side edge 294 to the bottom edge 242 of the inner first side panel
170 and at its second side edge 298 to the bottom edge 266 of the
inner second side panel 174. The inner front panel 162 is attached
at its top edge 190 to the top edge 70 of the outer front panel 46.
The inner back panel 166 is attached at its top edge 214 to the top
edge 94 of the outer back panel 50. The inner first side panel 170
is attached at its top edge 238 to the top edge 118 of the outer
first side panel 54. The inner second side panel 174 is attached at
its top edge 262 to the top edge 142 of the outer second side panel
58.
[0106] The outer front 46, back 50, first side 54 and second side
58 panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard
walls 26, 30, 34, 38 when attached together. The inner front 162,
back 166, first side 170, second side 174 and floor panels 178 are
sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls 26, 30,
34, 38 when attached together. When the play yard 10 is located
between the inner 162, 166, 170, 174 and outer 46, 50, 54, 58
panels the interior pocket 158 will be supported by the play yard
14.
[0107] In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a
retaining means 302 is provided. The retaining means 302 is formed
of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally
between the inner front 162, back 166, first side 170 and second
side 174 panels and over the floor panel 178, thereby securing the
interior pocket 158 downwardly within the play yard 14.
[0108] In another variant, the retaining means 302 is a mattress
pad 306 that has a rigid backing 310.
[0109] In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7,
means 314 are provided for securing the toy storage cover 10 to the
play yard 14.
[0110] In yet another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, the means 314 for securing the toy storage cover 10 to the
play yard 14 comprises means 318 for fastening at least one of the
outer panels 46, 50, 54, 58 to one of the inner panels 162, 166,
170, 174 through openings 322 in the play yard walls 26, 30, 34,
38.
[0111] In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the means
314 for securing the toy storage cover 10 to the play yard 14
comprises straps 326 extending from the bottom edges 74, 98, 122,
146 of the outer panels 46, 50, 54, 58 that can be tied around the
protruding feet 22 of the play yard 14.
[0112] In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated
in FIG. 7, first 330, second 334, third 338 and fourth 342 foot
retaining pockets are provided. The foot retaining pockets 330,
334, 338, 342 are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably over
one of the feet 22.
[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the first foot retaining pocket
330 is located at an intersection 346 of the first side edge 78 of
the outer front panel 46 and the front side edge 126 of the outer
first side panel 54 on the interior surfaces 66, 114 of the panels
46, 54 adjacent their bottom edges 74, 122. The second foot
retaining pocket 334 is located at an intersection 350 of the
second side edge 82 of the outer front panel 46 and the front side
edge 150 of the outer second side panel 58 on the interior surfaces
66, 138 of the panels 46, 58 adjacent their bottom edges 74, 146.
The third foot retaining pocket 338 is located at an intersection
354 of the first side edge 102 of the outer back panel 50 and the
back side edge 130 of the outer first side panel 54 on the interior
surfaces 90, 114 of the panels 50, 54 adjacent their bottom edges
98, 122. The fourth foot retaining pocket 342 is located at an
intersection 358 of the second side edge 106 of the outer back
panel 50 and the back side edge 154 of the outer second side panel
58 on the interior surfaces 90, 138 of the panels 50, 58 adjacent
their bottom edges 98, 146.
[0114] When the feet 22 of the play yard 14 are positioned within
the foot retaining pockets 330, 334, 338, 342, the outer panels 46,
50, 54, 58 will be held down despite shifting loads placed in the
interior pocket 158.
[0115] In another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the toy
storage cover 10 for a portable play yard 14 includes a series of
exterior pockets 362 attached to the outer panels 46, 50, 54,
58.
[0116] In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the
outer 46, 50, 54, 58 and inner 162, 166, 170, 174 panels are formed
of material 366 through which a user 370 can see.
[0117] In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 10, at least one of the exterior pockets 362 attached to the
outer panels 46, 50, 54, 58 further comprises at least one smaller
interior pocket 374 or smaller exterior pocket 378.
[0118] In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-14, a
toy storage cover 382 for a portable play yard, includes a portable
play yard 386. The play yard 386, as illustrated in FIG. 12, has a
rigid frame 390 with three protruding feet 394, a first side wall
398, a second side wall 402, a third side wall 406 and a floor 410
enclosed by the walls 398, 402, 406. The toy storage cover 382 has
three outer panels 414, 418, 422. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and
13, each of the outer first side 414, second side 418 and third
side 422 panels has an exterior surface 426, an interior surface
428, a top edge 432, a bottom edge 436, a first side edge 440, and
a second side edge 444.
[0119] The outer first side panel 414 is joined at its first side
edge 440 to the second side edge 444 of the outer third side panel
422 and is joined at its second side edge 444 to the first side
edge 440 of the outer second side panel 418. The outer second side
panel 418 is joined at its second side edge 444 to the first side
edge 440 of the outer third side panel 422.
[0120] An interior pocket 448 including three inner panels 452,
456, 460 is provided. Each of the inner first side, second side and
third side panels 452, 456, 460 has an exterior surface 464, an
interior surface 468, a top edge 472, a bottom edge 476, a first
side edge 480, and a second side edge 484. The inner first side
panel 452 is joined at its first side edge 480 to the second side
edge 484 of the inner third side panel 460 and is joined at its
second side edge 484 to the first side edge 480 of the inner second
side panel 456. The inner second side panel 456 is joined at its
second side edge 484 to the first side edge 480 of the inner third
side panel 460.
[0121] A floor panel 488 is provided. The floor panel 488 has an
upper surface 492, a lower surface 496, a first edge 500, a second
edge 504, and a third edge 508. The floor panel 488 is attached at
its first edge 500 to the bottom edge 476 of the inner first side
panel 452, at its second edge 504 to the bottom edge 476 of the
inner second side panel 456, at its third edge 508 to the bottom
edge 476 of the inner third side panel 460. The inner first side
panel 452 is attached at its top edge 472 to the top edge 432 of
the outer first side panel 414. The inner second side panel 456 is
attached at its top edge 472 to the top edge 432 of the outer
second side panel 418. The inner third side panel 460 is attached
at its top edge 472 to the top edge 432 of the outer third side
panel 422.
[0122] The outer first side 414, second side 418 and third side 422
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard
walls 398, 402, 406 when attached together. The inner first side
452, second side 456 and third side 460 panels and floor panel 488
are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls
398, 402, 406 when attached together. When the play yard 386 is
located between the inner 452, 456, 460 and outer 414, 418, 422
panels the interior pocket 448 will be supported by the play yard
386.
[0123] In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated
in FIG. 14, the toy storage cover 382 for a portable play yard 386
further comprises a retaining means 512. The retaining means 512 is
formed of rigid material 516 and is sized and shaped to fit
frictionally between the inner first side 452, second side 456 and
third side 460 panels and over the floor panel 488, thereby
securing the interior pocket 448 downwardly within the play yard
386.
[0124] In another variant, the retaining means 512 is a mattress
pad 520 that has a rigid backing 524.
[0125] In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 15, a toy storage cover for a portable play yard 528 includes
a portable play yard 532. The play yard 532, as illustrated in FIG.
16, includes a rigid frame 536 that has protruding feet 540, a
surrounding side wall 544 and a floor 548 enclosed by the wall
544.
[0126] As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 17, the toy storage cover 528
includes an outer surrounding side panel 550 and an interior pocket
552. The outer surrounding side panel 550 has an exterior surface
556, an interior surface 560, a top edge 564 and a bottom edge 568.
The interior pocket 552 includes an inner surrounding side panel
572 and a floor panel 576. The inner surrounding side panel 572 has
an exterior surface 576, an interior surface 580, a top edge 584
and a bottom edge 588. The floor panel 592 has an upper surface
596, a lower surface 600 and a surrounding edge 604. The floor
panel 592 is attached at its surrounding edge 604 to the bottom
edge 588 of the inner surrounding side panel 572.
[0127] The inner surrounding side panel 572 is attached at its top
edge 584 to the top edge 564 of the outer surrounding side panel
548. The outer surrounding side panel 548 is sized and shaped to
fit slidably over the surrounding side wall 544 of the play yard
532. The inner surrounding side panel 572 and floor panel 576 are
sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls 544.
When the play yard 532 is located between the inner 572 and outer
548 surrounding side panels the interior pocket 552 will be
supported by the play yard 532.
[0128] In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the
toy storage cover for a portable play yard 528 further comprises a
retaining means 608. The retaining means 608 is formed of rigid
material 612 and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the
inner surrounding side panel 572 and over the floor panel 576,
thereby securing the interior pocket 552 downwardly within the play
yard 532.
[0129] In yet a further variant, the retaining means 608 is a
mattress pad 616 that has a rigid backing 620.
[0130] In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.
19 and 21, a toy storage cover for an open topped container 624
includes a container 630, as illustrated in FIG. 20, comprising a
floor 634, a rigid surrounding side wall 638 extending upwardly
from the floor 634. The toy storage cover 624, as illustrated in
FIGS. 19 and 21, includes an outer surrounding side panel 642 and
an interior pocket 646. The outer surrounding side panel 642 has an
exterior surface 650, an interior surface 654, a top edge 658 and a
bottom edge 662.
[0131] The interior pocket 646 includes an inner surrounding side
panel 666 and a floor panel 670. The inner surrounding side panel
666 has an exterior surface 674, an interior surface 678, a top
edge 682 and a bottom edge 686. The floor panel 670 has an upper
surface 690, a lower surface 694 and a surrounding edge 698. The
floor panel 670 is attached at its surrounding edge 698 to the
bottom edge 686 of the inner surrounding side panel 666. The inner
surrounding side panel 666 is attached at its top edge 682 to the
top edge 658 of the outer surrounding side panel 642.
[0132] The outer surrounding side panel 642 is sized and shaped to
fit slidably over the rigid surrounding side wall 638 of the
container 630. The inner surrounding side panel 666 and floor panel
670 are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container 630.
When the container 630 is located between the inner 666 and outer
642 surrounding side panels the interior pocket 646 will be
supported by the container 630.
[0133] In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the toy
storage cover for an open topped container 624 further comprises a
retaining means 702. The retaining means 702 is formed of rigid
material 706 and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the
inner surrounding side panel 666 and over the floor panel 670,
thereby securing the interior pocket 646 downwardly within the
container 630.
[0134] In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 22, the retaining means 702 is a mattress pad 710 that has a
rigid backing 714.
[0135] In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 25, a
toy storage cover for a crib 718 includes a crib 722. The crib 722,
as illustrated in FIG. 24, includes a rigid frame 726 and has four
protruding feet 730, a front wall 734, a back wall 738, a first
side wall 742, a second side wall 746 and a floor 750 enclosed by
the walls 734, 738, 742, 746. The toy storage cover 718, as
illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 25, includes four outer panels 754,
758, 762, 766, an outer front panel 754, an outer back panel 758,
an outer first side panel 762 and an outer second side panel 766.
The outer panels 754, 758, 762, 766 are attached to each other at
their side edges 770.
[0136] The toy storage cover 718 includes an interior pocket 774
that includes four inner panels 778, 782, 786, 790, an inner front
panel 778, an inner back panel 782, an inner first side panel 786,
and an inner second side panel 790 and a floor panel 794. The four
inner panels 778, 782, 786, 790 are attached to each other at their
side edges 772 and to the floor panel 794 at their bottom edges
798. The inner panels 778, 782, 786, 790 are attached at their top
edges 802 to the top edges 806 of the outer panels 754, 758, 762,
766. The outer front 754, back 758, first side 762 and second side
766 panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the crib walls
734, 738, 742, 746 when attached together. The inner front 778,
back 782, first side 786, second side 790 and floor 794 panels are
sized and shaped to fit slidably within the crib walls 734, 738,
742, 746 when attached together. When the crib 718 is located
between the inner 778, 782, 786, 790 and outer 754, 758, 762, 766
panels the interior pocket 774 will be supported by the crib
718.
[0137] In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 26, the toy storage cover for a crib 718 further comprises a
retaining means 810. The retaining means 810 is formed of rigid
material 814 and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between
the inner front 778, back 782, first side 786 and second side 790
panels and over the floor panel 794, thereby securing the interior
pocket 774 downwardly within the crib 718.
[0138] In a further variant, the retaining means 810 is a mattress
pad 818 has a rigid backing 822.
[0139] In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.
27 and 29, a toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped
container 826 includes a container 830. The container 830, as
illustrated in FIG. 28, includes a front wall 834, a back wall 838,
a first side wall 842, a second side wall 846 and a floor 850
enclosed by the walls 834, 838, 842, 846. Each of the walls 834,
838, 842, 846 has a top edge 854, a bottom edge 858, a first side
edge 862, a second side edge 866, an inner surface 870 and an outer
surface 874. The floor 850 has a front edge 878, a back edge (not
shown), a first side edge (not shown), a second side edge 890, a
top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface (not shown).
[0140] The front wall 834 is hingedly attached at its bottom edge
858 to the front edge 878 of the floor 850 and the back wall 838 is
hingedly attached at its bottom edge 858 to the back edge of the
floor 850. The first side wall 842 is hingedly attached at its
bottom edge 858 to the first side edge of the floor 850 and the
second side wall 846 is hingedly attached at its bottom edge 858 to
the second side edge 890 of the floor 850.
[0141] Means 902 are provided for removably attaching the front
wall 834 at its first side edge 862 to the first side wall 842 at
its second side edge 866. Means 902 are provided for removably
attaching the front wall 834 at its second side edge 866 to the
second side wall 846 at its first side edge 862. Means 902 are
provided for removably attaching the back wall 838 at its second
side edge 866 to the first side wall 842 at its first side edge
862. Means 902 are provided for removably attaching the back wall
838 at its first side edge 862 to the second side wall 846 at its
second side edge 866.
[0142] The toy storage cover 826, as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and
29, includes four outer panels 906, 910, 914, 918. The outer front
panel 906 has an exterior surface 922, an interior surface 926, a
top edge 930, a bottom edge 934, a first side edge 938, and a
second side edge 942. The outer back panel 910 has an exterior
surface 946, an interior surface 950, a top edge 954, a bottom edge
958, a first side edge 962, and a second side edge 966. The outer
first side panel 914 has an exterior surface 970, an interior
surface 974, a top edge 978, a bottom edge 982, a front side edge
986, and a back side edge 990. The outer second side panel 918 has
an exterior surface 994, an interior surface 998, a top edge 1002,
a bottom edge 1006, a front side edge 1010, and a back side edge
1014.
[0143] The outer front panel 906 is joined at its first side edge
938 to the front side edge 986 of the outer first side panel 914
and is joined at its second side edge 942 to the front side edge
1010 of the outer second side panel 918. The outer back panel 910
is joined at its first side edge 962 to the back side edge 990 of
the outer first side panel 914 and is joined at its second side
edge 966 to the back side edge 1014 of the outer second side panel
918.
[0144] An interior pocket 1018 is provided. The interior pocket
1018 includes four inner panels 1022, 1026, 1030, 1034 and a floor
panel 1038. The inner front panel 1022 has an exterior surface
1042, an interior surface 1046, a top edge 1050, a bottom edge
1054, a first side edge 1058, and a second side edge 1062. The
inner back panel 1026 has an exterior surface 1066, an interior
surface 1070, a top edge 1074, a bottom edge 1078, a first side
edge 1082, and a second side edge 1086. The inner first side panel
1030 has an exterior surface 1090, an interior surface 1094, a top
edge 1098, a bottom edge 1102, a front side edge 1106, and a back
side edge 1110. The inner second side panel 1034 has an exterior
surface 1114, an interior surface 1118, a top edge 1122, a bottom
edge 1126, a front side edge 1130, and a back side edge 1134.
[0145] The inner front panel 1022 is joined at its first side edge
1058 to the front side edge 1106 of the inner first side panel 1030
and is joined at its second side edge 1062 to the front side edge
1130 of the inner second side panel 1034. The inner back panel 1026
is joined at its first side edge 1082 to the back side edge 1110 of
the inner first side panel 1030 and is joined at its second side
edge 1086 to the back side edge 1134 of the inner second side panel
1034.
[0146] The floor panel 1038 has an upper surface 1138, a lower
surface 1142, a front edge 1146, a back edge 1150, a first side
edge 1154 and a second side edge 1158. The floor panel 1038 is
attached at its front edge 1146 to the bottom edge 1054 of the
inner front panel 1022, at its back edge 1150 to the bottom edge
1078 of the inner back panel 1026, at its first side edge 1154 to
the bottom edge 1102 of the inner first side panel 1030 and at its
second side edge 1158 to the bottom edge 1126 of the inner second
side panel 1034. The inner front panel 1022 is attached at its top
edge 1050 to the top edge 930 of the outer front panel 906. The
inner back panel 1026 is attached at its top edge 1074 to the top
edge 954 of the outer back panel 910. The inner first side panel
1030 is attached at its top edge 1098 to the top edge 978 of the
outer first side panel 914. The inner second side panel 1034 is
attached at its top edge 1122 to the top edge 1002 of the outer
second side panel 918.
[0147] The outer front 906, back 910, first side 914 and second
side 918 panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the
container walls 834, 838, 842, 846 when attached together. The
inner front 1022, back 1026, first side 1030, second side 1034 and
floor 1038 panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the
container walls 834, 838, 842, 846 when attached together. When the
container 830 is located between the inner 1022, 1026, 1030, 1034
and outer 906, 910, 914, 918 panels the interior pocket 1018 will
be supported by the container 830.
[0148] In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 30 and
30a, the toy storage cover 826 includes at least one attachment
strap 1162. The attachment strap 1162 has a first end 1166 and a
second end 1170 and is fixedly attached at its first end 1166 to
the lower surface 1142 of the floor panel 1038 of the interior
pocket 1018. The strap 1162 extends outwardly past one of the inner
panels 1022, 1026, 1030, 1034. The second end 1170 of the
attachment strap 1162 includes means 1174 for removably attaching
the second end 1170 to either the exterior surface 922, 946, 970,
994 or the interior surface 926, 950, 974, 998 of one of the outer
panels 906,910, 914, 918.
[0149] The container 830, as illustrated in FIG. 28, includes at
least one slot 1178. The slot 1178 is sized, shaped and located
adjacent the bottom edge 858 of one of the walls 834, 838, 842, 846
of the collapsible container 830 so as to permit the second end
1170 of the attachment strap 1162 to pass through it. When the
second end 1170 of the attachment strap 1162 is passed through the
slot 1178 and removably attached to either the exterior surface
922, 946, 970, 994 or the interior surface 926, 950, 974, 998 of at
least one of the outer panels 906, 910, 914, 918, the interior
pocket 1018 of the toy storage cover 826 will be removably secured
to the collapsible container 830.
[0150] In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the means
902 for removably attaching the front 834 and back 838 walls of the
container 830 to the first 842 and second 846 side walls of the
container 830 includes hooking and loop elements 1182 secured to
either the inner surface 870 or the outer surface 874 of the walls
834, 838, 842, 846 adjacent their side edges 862, 866.
[0151] In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 30, the means 1174 for removably attaching the second end 1170
of the attachment strap 1162 to either the exterior surface 922,
946, 970, 994 or the interior surface 926, 950, 974, 998 of one of
the outer panels 906, 910, 914, 918 includes hooking and loop
elements 1182 secured to the second end 1170 and either the
exterior surface 922, 946, 970, 994 or the interior surface 926,
950, 974, 998 of at least one of the outer panels 906, 910, 914,
918.
[0152] In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a
retaining means 1186 is provided. The retaining means 1186 is
formed of rigid material 1190 and is sized and shaped to fit
frictionally between the inner front 1022, back 1026, first side
1030 and second side 1034 panels and over the floor panel 1038,
thereby securing the interior pocket 1018 downwardly within the
container 830.
[0153] In yet a further variant, the retaining means 1186 is a
mattress pad 1194 that has a rigid backing 1198.
[0154] In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.
32, the toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container
826 includes means 1202 for securing the toy storage cover 826 to
the container 830.
[0155] In a final variant, as illustrated in FIG. 32, the means
1202 for securing the toy storage cover 826 to the container 830
comprises means 1206 for fastening at least one of the outer panels
906, 910, 914, 918 to one of the inner panels 1022, 1026, 1030,
1034 through openings 1210 in the container walls 834, 838, 842,
846.
[0156] Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many
modifications and variations of the present invention may be
implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *