U.S. patent application number 10/918893 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for collapsible play yard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Simplicity, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jerome Drobinski, Kenneth Waldman.
Application Number | 20060021138 10/918893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35767566 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060021138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waldman; Kenneth ; et
al. |
February 2, 2006 |
Collapsible play yard
Abstract
The play yard has a hub movable between a raised position and a
lowered position, with at least two lower rods pivotally joined to
the hub, wherein when the hub is lifted toward the raised position,
the outer ends of the lower rods move together so as to be
substantially parallel, and when the hub is pushed toward the
lowered position from the raised position, the outer ends of the
lower rods are pushed away from each other until the rods lie
substantially in a common plane. The play yard also has an upper
frame with upper frame rods substantially parallel to the lower
rods when the hub is in the lowered position. Finally, the play
yard has at least one of the upper frame rods pivotable between a
raised and lowered position, the pivoting axis being substantially
perpendicular to an axis of the vertical rails.
Inventors: |
Waldman; Kenneth; (Reading,
PA) ; Drobinski; Jerome; (Reading, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Simplicity, Inc.
Reading
PA
|
Family ID: |
35767566 |
Appl. No.: |
10/918893 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10903691 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
10918893 |
Aug 16, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/99.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/063
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/099.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/06 20060101
A47D013/06; A47C 7/00 20060101 A47C007/00 |
Claims
1. A foldable enclosure, comprising: a) a hub movable between a
raised position and a lowered position, comprising: i) a pair of
structures, each rotatably mounted upon pivots extending through a
common bracket wherein sector gears of each structure engage each
other causing the structures to rotate in unison about their
respective axes; and ii) a means for locking mounted upon the
common bracket that moves between a locked position that prevents
rotation of said structures about their respective axes and a
released position that allows rotation of said structures their
respective axes; iii) at least two rods each pivotally joined to an
associated one of said structures; b) an upper frame having an open
position wherein the upper frame forms a rigid perimeter around a
first area and a collapsed position wherein the upper frame forms a
perimeter around a second area; c) vertical rails joining the upper
frame and the rods, said vertical rails having a telescoping rail
that extends therefrom to increase the distance between the upper
frame and the rods; and d) a flexible enclosure joined to the upper
frame and vertical rails; e) wherein when the lock button is moved
to an upper unlocked position, and the hub is lifted toward the
raised position, the rods are moved together to be substantially
parallel, and when the hub is pushed into the lowered position from
the raised position, the toothed structures rotate about their axes
and the rods are pushed away from each other until the rods are
substantially in planar alignment; f) wherein when the rods are in
planar alignment, the locking button can be moved to its locked
position which prevents accidental movement of the hub from the
lowered position to the raised position; and g) wherein when the
hub is in the lowered position and the upper frame is in the open
position, the flexible enclosure forms a flexible wall and floor
that encloses and defines a volume with an open top.
2. The foldable enclosure of claim 1 wherein each telescoping rail
engages the complementary vertical rail using a push-button that
extends from the telescoping rail through a hole in the vertical
rail.
3. The foldable enclosure of claim 1 wherein the vertical rail has
multiple holes that can engage the push-button and thereby adjust
the distance between the upper frame and the rods.
4. A foldable play yard comprising: a) a hub movable between a
raised position and a lowered position, comprising at least two
lower rods pivotally joined to the hub, wherein when the hub is
lifted toward the raised position, the outer ends of the lower rods
move together so as to be substantially parallel, and when the hub
is pushed toward the lowered position from the raised position, the
outer ends of the lower rods are pushed away from each other until
the rods lie substantially in a common plane; b) an upper frame
comprising a plurality of upper frame rods substantially parallel
to the lower rods when the hub is in the lowered position; and c)
at least one of the upper frame rods being pivotable between a
raised and lowered position, the pivoting axis being substantially
perpendicular to an axis of the vertical rails.
5. The foldable play yard of claim 4 wherein the at least one
pivotable rod has at least one locking piece attached to an end
thereof that matingly engages a corner piece attached to an upper
frame rod and a vertical rail, the mating engagement of the locking
piece and the corner piece preventing the at least one pivotable
rod from pivoting between from the raised to the lowered
position.
6. The foldable play yard of claim 5 wherein the locking piece
comprises a pin that extends therefrom, the pin movable between
extended and retracted positions, the pin engaging a corresponding
hole in the corner piece when in the extended position to provide
the mating engagement.
7. The play yard of claim 6 wherein the pin is movable between the
extended and retracted positions in cooperation with the sliding
portion of the locking piece.
8. The play yard of claim 6 wherein, when the at least one
pivotable rod is in the lowered position, the pin, in the extended
position, is engageable to a second hole.
9. The play yard of claim 8, wherein the second hole is located on
a portion of the corner piece that extends over the vertical
rail.
10. The play yard of claim 4 wherein said vertical rails have
within them a telescoping rail that extends therefrom to increase
the distance between the upper frame and the rods.
11. The play yard of claim 4, further comprising a flexible
enclosure having sidewalls and a bottom that define an area in
which a child can play or sleep.
12. The play yard of claim 11 wherein the flexible enclosure
further comprises sleeves that contain at least in part, the
vertical rails, and wherein the sidewalls extend between the
vertical rails.
13. The play yard of claim 12 wherein the sleeves partially contain
the upper frame rods.
14. The play yard of claim 5 further comprising a flexible
enclosure comprising: sidewalls and a bottom that define an area in
which a child can play or sleep, wherein a first sidewall has a
first flap and a second sidewall has a second flap, the flaps
forming a corner of the enclosure at the mating engagement between
the locking piece and the corner piece; and sleeves that contain at
least in part, the vertical rails, and wherein the sidewalls extend
between the vertical rails.
15. The play yard of claim 14 wherein the flaps extend above a top
of at least one sleeve.
16. The play yard of claim 14 wherein the flaps matingly engage to
form a seam therebetween.
17. The play yard of claim 14 wherein the flaps matingly engage
using a Velcro.RTM. connection.
18. The play yard of claim 14 further comprising a slot attached to
a rail, a first Velcro.RTM. tab attached to the first flap that
passes through the slot and matingly engages a complementary
Velcro.RTM. tab on the first flap.
19. The play yard of claim 18 wherein the first flap further
comprises a second Velcro tab that matingly engages a complementary
Velcro.RTM. tab on the second flap.
20. The play yard of claim 18 wherein the first flap further
comprises a second Velcro.RTM. tab that passes through the slot and
matingly engages a complementary Velcro.RTM. tab on the second
flap.
21. The play yard of claim 14 further comprising a bassinet
addition supported by the upper frame and comprises four sides and
a bottom contained substantially within the enclosure, the bassinet
bottom being substantially parallel with the enclosure bottom.
22. The play yard of claim 21 wherein the bassinet addition
comprises snaps that engage corresponding snaps on the upper
frame.
23. The play yard of claim 21 wherein the bassinet addition
comprises clips that engage the upper frame.
24. The play yard of claim 21 wherein the bassinet addition engages
the enclosure in a Velcro.RTM. connection outside the
enclosure.
25. The play yard of claim 21 wherein the bassinet addition
comprises exterior sides that extend outside the enclosure.
26. The play yard of claim 25 wherein at least one of the four
sides is configured to be folded down.
27. The play yard of claim 26 wherein the at least one side engages
two of the remaining sides in a Velcro.RTM. connection.
28. The play yard of claim 26 wherein clips on the at least one
side engage the at least one pivotable arm in the lowered position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation in Part Application of a
patent application for a Collapsible Play Yard, filed Jul. 30, 2004
(Ser. No. ______ not yet assigned).
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention generally is collapsible play
yards or playpens and more particularly to releasable locking
mechanisms for such collapsible devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A collapsible play yard provides a portable but stable
structure in which a small child can play and sleep. The essential
features for such a structure is that it be (1) lightweight enough
to carry by one person, (2) easy to set up, and (3) stable enough
to safely support the child. An example of a portable play yard is
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,437 to Dillner et al.
[0004] The Dillner play yard uses a center hub about which the
uprights of the play yard are pivoted. The hub employed in the
Dillner play yard is a complex device and the need exists for a
simpler center hub design.
[0005] Similarly, Dillner provides a play yard having upper rails
comprised of several moving parts and a need exists for a simpler
upper rail design.
SUMMARY
[0006] The foldable play yard overcomes the drawbacks of the prior
art. The play yard has a hub movable between a raised position and
a lowered position, with at least two lower rods pivotally joined
to the hub, wherein when the hub is lifted toward the raised
position, the outer ends of the lower rods move together so as to
be substantially parallel, and when the hub is pushed toward the
lowered position from the raised position, the outer ends of the
lower rods are pushed away from each other until the rods lie
substantially in a common plane. The play yard also has an upper
frame with upper frame rods substantially parallel to the lower
rods when the hub is in the lowered position. Finally, the play
yard has at least one of the upper frame rods pivotable between a
raised and lowered position, the pivoting axis being substantially
perpendicular to an axis of the vertical rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the erected play yard.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the collapsed play yard.
[0009] FIGS. 3, 3a, and 3b are isometric views that illustrate the
sequence of moving the frame between the erected and the collapsed
position in FIG. 3b.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the frame of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an alternate embodiment of
the frame.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the center hub of FIG.
3 in greater detail.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the center hub of FIG.
5.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the center hub looking in the
direction of arrows 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross section of the center hub of FIG. 6
looking in the direction of arrows 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section of the center hub
looking in the direction of arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 10 is an isometric fragmentary view illustrating the
center hub in a collapsed condition.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross section of the center hub looking in the
direction of arrows 11-11 of FIG. 10.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross section of the center hub looking in the
direction of arrows 12-12 of FIG. 11.
[0020] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the center hub, and FIG. 13a
is an isolated view of the centerpiece of the hub of FIG. 13.
[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a locking mechanism for locking the
rails of the play yard of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a cross section in the direction of arrows 15-15
of FIG. 14.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a cross section in the direction of arrows 16-16
of FIG. 15.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates the release button of the locking
mechanism of FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a cross section in the direction of the arrows
18-18 of FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a cross section in the direction of arrows 19-19
of FIG. 18.
[0027] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of FIG.
17 and FIG. 20a is a fragmentary view of the interior of the
bracket in FIG. 20.
[0028] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of an upper corner assembly for
the play yard of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a cross section in the direction of arrows 22-22
of FIG. 21.
[0030] FIG. 23 illustrates a lower corner assembly for the play
yard of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 24 is a cross section in the direction of arrows of
24-24 of FIG. 23.
[0032] FIG. 25 shows an isometric view of an alternate embodiment
of the frame.
[0033] FIGS. 26-28 show enlarged details of several features of the
frame shown in FIG. 25.
[0034] FIGS. 29-31 show isometric views of the enclosure mounted on
the frame shown in FIGS. 25-28.
[0035] FIG. 32 is an isometric view of a bassinet addition.
[0036] FIG. 32A is an enlarged view of a portion of the bassinet
addition.
[0037] FIGS. 32B, 33, and 34 are isometric views of the bassinet
addition mounted to the enclosure.
[0038] FIGS. 35A and 35B are front and side views of a clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled and erected play yard 10,
which has a flexible enclosure 14 that covers a foldable frame 20
formed of rigid components (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The enclosure
14 is mounted upon the frame 20 by means of extending upper
horizontal rails 22 through hollow horizontal sleeves 16 and also
extending vertical rails 24 through vertical sleeves 17. A
removable mattress floor 18, placed upon a floor of the enclosure
14 provides a soft surface for child to sleep or play on.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows the play yard 10' folded onto itself and
enclosed within the folded mattress 18'. Edge 18a' has strips which
may be Velcro.RTM. strips that cooperate with complementary
Velcro.RTM. pieces on end 18b'. FIGS. 3, 3a, and 3b show the steps
in folding the frame 20. For purposes of simplicity, FIGS. 3, 3a,
and 3b omit the flexible enclosure 12 and mattress floor 18.
[0041] Starting from the fully erected frame shown in FIG. 3, the
frame 20 is collapsed onto itself as shown in FIG. 3b by releasing
locking mechanisms 200 and unlocking and raising the center hub 50.
The releasable locking mechanisms 200 are each joined to a
cooperating pair of upper frame rods 28, 28. The upper frame rods
28 are each hingedly joined at an inner end to an associated
locking mechanism 200 and at an outer end to an arm of an
associated upper corner piece 30.
[0042] Once the releasable center hub 50 and locking mechanisms 200
are unlocked, raising the center hub 50 draws the four base frame
rods 32 upward. The base frame rods are each pivotally mounted at
one end to an associated structure 52, 52 forming part of the
center hub 50, and at the other end to an associated one of the
lower corner pieces 34. As the base frame rods 32 are drawn upward
(FIG. 3a), the vertical rails 24 draw inward towards the rising hub
50, and the releasable locking mechanisms 200 move downward.
[0043] FIG. 3b shows the hub 50 raised to its lifted position in
which the frame 20' is folded onto itself and is thus fully
collapsed for ease of storage/transport. In this position, the
vertical rails 24, upper frame rods 28, and base frame rods 32 are
substantially parallel to one another.
[0044] FIG. 3 also shows optional lower support rods 36 that are
pivotally mounted to brackets 37 which, in turn, are joined to the
base frame rods 32 and have their inner ends pivotally mounted to
supplemental feet 38. Feet 38 are optionally mounted to an
associated pair of lower support rods 36 and have base portions 38a
that provide additional support for the floor of the play yard. The
base portions 38a of feet 38, the bottom of bracket 56 and the
bottoms of lower corner pieces 34 are arranged to engage a planar
floor or other supporting surface to stably support the
playard.
[0045] FIGS. 5-13 show a more detailed view of the center hub 50;
of those, FIG. 13 shows the component parts of the hub 50 most
clearly. The hub 50 comprises a pair of sector gear structures 52,
a central piece 54, bracket 56 for supporting piece 54 and
structures 52, and a movably mounted locking button assembly 58.
Pivot pins 66 secure the structures 52 to the bracket 56 and
central piece 54. Each structure 52 rotates about its associated
pivot pin; as the structures rotate, teeth 62 on each of the sector
gear structures 52 meshingly engage one another, to provide a
smooth and yet positive rotation of the structures 52 that raise
and lower the hub 50, assuring that the rods simultaneously swing
through like angles when raised/lowered.
[0046] Structures 52 each have an integral hollow support arm 64
for receiving overlapping ends of an associated pair of base frame
rods 32. The ends of rods 32 each have a cutout 32a so that they
closely overlap one another and can pivot independent of to one
another when held to an associated hollow arm 64 by pivot pin 60.
When the center hub 50 is pulled upward in the direction of arrows,
the vertical rails 24 are drawn inward due to movement of the ends
of base frame rods 32, mounted to lower brackets 34, which move
towards each other.
[0047] Each structure 52 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart
gear sectors 53a, 53b. Sector gears 53a, 53a of the structures 52
are diagonally opposed to one another and gear sectors 53b, 53b are
likewise diagonally opposed to one another. Gear sectors 53a, 53a
each have a shoulder 79 and the gear sectors 53b each have a
shoulder 78-78. The shoulders 78-78 are each closer to a vertical
axis which coincides with arrow A in FIG. 13 such that the
shoulders 78, 78 are each closer to said central axis. Diagonally
aligned sector gears 53a, 53a mesh with an associated diagonally
aligned sector gear 53b, 53b.
[0048] The locking member 58 is held against axial movement within
the central piece 54 by bolt 68 and nut 70 while being capable of
rotating about the vertical axis. A tab 72 is integrally joined to
locking member 58. Distance D1 between ends 72a-72b is greater than
the distance D2 between ends 72c-72d. Tab 72 is positioned beneath
side guides 74, 74. The opposite ends 72c, 72d of tab 72 are
engaged by shoulders 78-78 when the hub 50 is lowered to the
erected position to prevent hub 50 from being accidentally unlocked
and to thereby secure the locking button 58 in a locked position
(shown in FIGS. 5-9). A torsion spring 76 biases the locking member
58 to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction shown by arrow B to
move the tab 72 to the locked position when the hub is in the
erected position. Note that the shoulders 79-79 provide sufficient
clearance to permit the tab to move to the locked position.
[0049] With the hub 50 in the lowered position, the spring-biased
tab 72 rotates counter-clockwise until ends 72a, 72b each engage an
associated shoulder 78, 78. Once opposing surfaces 72c, 72d of tab
72 each engage an associated shoulder 78, the gear structures 52
cannot rotate in either direction about pins 66 because tab 72 is
prevented from rotating by shoulders 78, 78, retaining the tab in a
locked position. This is best seen in FIG. 6. The locking surfaces
78a, 78a, 79a, 79a of the gears 53a, 53a, 53b, 53b, abut the
underside 72c of tab 72 preventing the hub assembly 50 from being
lifted. The underside of bracket 56 rests in a supporting surface
when the play yard is fully erected (see FIG. 4).
[0050] To release the gear structures 52 so they can rotate, the
locking member is turned clockwise, preferably by gripping curved
wire handle 80. The gear sector structures 52 include diagonally
opposed clearance shoulders 79, 79 that provide sufficient
clearance for tab 72, allowing the tab 72 to rotate in the
clockwise direction. When the tab 72 is so rotated, opposite ends
72c, 72d of tab 72 each enter into one of the gap spaces 82 between
the opposing pairs of gear sectors wheels 53a-53b. Once the ends
72c, 72d of tab 72 each enter into one of the gap spaces 82, the
blocking surfaces 79a, 79a, 78a, 78a are clear of tab 72, enabling
structures 52, 52 to rotate freely about their associated pivots 66
allowing hub 50 to be lifted to its raised position shown in FIGS.
10-12.
[0051] As is best seen in FIG. 12, although the tab 72 is urged
counter-clockwise because of the spring bias, the tab 72 is
prevented from rotating by the interior sidewalls of the gear
sectors 53a, 53a and thus the tab is retained within the gap 82.
Upon lowering to the erected position, tab 72 is clear of the
shoulders 79, 79 as well as surfaces 78a, 78a, 79a, 79a (see FIG.
3), enabling the spring 76 to urge the tab 72 toward the locked
position shown in FIGS. 5-9 without the need for manually rotating
the locking button 58 into the locked position.
[0052] FIGS. 14-20 show one of the upper horizontal rail locking
mechanisms 200. FIGS. 14-16 show the locking mechanism 200 in its
locked position, while FIGS. 17-19 show the unlocked position.
[0053] The locking mechanism 200 comprises mounting bracket 202, a
locking wedge 204, a locking spring 206, a push button 208, and a
cover 210. The bracket 202 optionally has a pin 212 and a
spacer/bushing 214 that provide structural support: the bushing 214
fills the gap between opposing walls W1-W2 of bracket 202, and thus
inhibits their movement towards or away from each other when under
stress.
[0054] The push button 208 and locking wedge 204 engage one another
in a threaded, snap-fit, or other secure arrangement. The arm 205
of wedge 204 extends through spring 206, which spring has one end
206a which presses against the push button 208 and an end 206b
secured to the projection 203 of bracket of 202. When assembled as
shown in FIG. 15, the spring 206 biases the push button 208 in the
direction of arrow C and away from bracket 202. This bias force
also urges the wedge portion 207 of the locking wedge 204 in the
direction of arrow C. Depressing the push button 208 against the
force of spring 206, compresses the spring 206 and drives the wedge
portion 207 into the hollow cover 210 attached to the bracket 202,
as shown in FIG. 18.
[0055] In the locked position (FIGS. 14-17), the wedge portion 207
engages inserts 29 provided in upper frame rails 28. Inserts 29 and
rails 28 are pivotally mounted to bracket 202 by a pin 216 which
prevents inserts 29 from moving along their axes and further
prevents inserts 29 from rotation about their axes. The inserts 29
each have a cutout 218 that engages an associated end of the wedge
portion 207 to achieve this locked position. To prevent inadvertent
unlocking, the cutouts 218 each preferably have a small integral
protrusion 220 that engages an associated recess 222 in wedge
207.
[0056] To unlock the upper horizontal rails for folding, the
protrusion 220 and the recess 222 must first be disengaged so that
the push button 208 can be depressed. Prior to this disengagement,
the push button 208 cannot be depressed because of the engagement
of the protrusion 220 and recess 222. In practice, this
disengagement is accomplished by lifting the bracket 202 slightly,
which swings each protrusion 220 upward and away from its
associated recess 222. To unlock the mechanism 200, the push button
208 is pressed in to by a distance sufficient to assure that the
wedge 207 is clear of the path of movement of the cutout 218 as
each rod 28 rotates about its associated pin 216.
[0057] FIGS. 21 and 22 show an upper corner piece 30 that engages
tapered outer ends 302 of associated upper frame rods 28. Each rod
28 fits into an associated slot 30b and rotates about a pin 304
extending through opening 307 each in arm 302 and openings 308 in
corner piece 30. Corner piece 30 minimizes the possibility of
trapping a finger in the corner piece 30, by using the narrow
tapered end 302 and cooperating narrow slot 306.
[0058] FIGS. 23 and 24 show one of the lower corner pieces 34. The
lower support rod 32 rotates about pivot pin 400 within the opening
402 within the lower corner piece 34. It should be noted that the
tapered end/narrow slot design for the upper corner piece may also
be incorporated into the lower corner piece 34.
[0059] Vertical arm 24 is force-fitted into bore 403 of corner
piece 34. Arm 24 has an integral tab 24a which is normally biased
in an outward radical direction and which snap-fits against an
upper edge 404a in opening 404 in corner piece 34 when the rod 24
is pushed into bore 403 by an amount sufficient to clear edge 404a
of opening 404. Rod 24 may be removed from lower corner piece 34 by
pressing tab 24a inwardly sufficient to clear edge 404a. Foot 405
is preferably provided with a "tread" to provide a non-slip grip
with a surface supporting the play yard.
[0060] Several alternate embodiments of the play yard will now be
described.
[0061] FIGS. 4A-C show a play yard frame having rails or legs 24
that include a telescoping rail portion 25 that extends therefrom
to lengthen the legs, and thereby increase the overall height of
the play yard. The legs are lengthened by pulling the telescoping
leg portion 25 out from the leg 24 until the push-button 27 engages
hole 29 in leg 24. Cross-section FIG. 4C shows the push button 29
mounted to a leaf spring 27a contained within telescoping rail
portion 25.
[0062] Although one extendible position is shown in FIGS. 4A-4C,
multiple positions would be possible of the leg 24 had multiple
holes 29 to engage the push button 29 along its length.
[0063] The advantage of the extendible legs is twofold. First, it
allows the play yard to have an even more compact folded form.
Second, the play yard's height can be adjusted, which is
particularly important if the portable play yard is used as a
bedside bassinet (see below).
[0064] FIGS. 25-35 show a play yard with a fold-down arm 528. FIGS.
25-28 show the frame for the play yard having the fold down arm;
FIGS. 28-31 show the play yard having the fold-down arm with the
enclosure mounted thereon; and FIGS. 32-35 show the play yard
having the fold-down arm with the bassinet attachment mounted
thereto.
[0065] As is best seen in FIGS. 25-28, the play yard frame has an
arm 528 pivotable between a raised position (see FIG. 27) and a
lowered position (see FIGS. 25 and 26). The arm 528 pivots about
pin 531; in its raised position, the arm 528 is at the same height
as rods 28. In the lowered position, the fold-down arm 528 is lower
than the frame rods 28.
[0066] At each position, the arm 528 is locked in place. In the
raised position, pin 530 engages hole 532 on corner piece 540, and
in the lowered position, pin 530 engages hole 534 on rail 24 (note
that the hole 534 is shown within the rail 18, although in
practice, it may be preferred that the hole 534 is contained within
a thickened portion of the rail 18 or an extension from the rail
18). The pin 530 extends from locking corner piece 550, which
comprises a fixed portion 552 and a sliding portion 554. The
sliding portion 554 moves parallel to the axis of the arm 528 as
shown in phantom in FIG. 27. The pin 530 moves with the sliding
portion 554 such that movement to the phantom position shown in
FIG. 27 withdraws the pin 530 from engagement with either of the
holes 532, 534. The pin 530 and sliding portion 554 are
spring-biased (spring not shown) toward the locked position so that
releasing the sliding portion 554 extends the pin 530 to the
position shown in FIG. 28.
[0067] Having described the frame, now the enclosure 514 mounted on
the frame will be described in more detail. As best seen in FIGS.
29-31, the enclosure 514 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, with
notable differences necessitated by the fold-down arm 528. First
the enclosure sleeve 517a that encloses the vertical rails 24 near
the drop down arm 528 extends only part way up the rail 24 to end
at point 517. This leaves the hole 534 exposed so that it can
engage push button 530.
[0068] When the fold-down arm 528 is in the lowered position as
shown in FIG. 30, the enclosure 514 bends to allow the arm to
freely pivot into the lowered position. The ability of the
enclosure 514 to allow the arm 528 to lower is important, but so is
the ability of the enclosure 514 to tightly close up when the arm
528 is raised, so as to discourage a child from reaching into any
openings in the enclosure 514. This feature is best shown in FIG.
31.
[0069] FIG. 31 shows the enclosure 514 from an interior perspective
with the fold-down arm 528 in the raised position. Two flaps 560
and 570 form the upper corner of the enclosure. Flap 570 has three
Velcro.RTM. tabs 572, 574, 576 attached thereto. Tab 572 engages a
protruding slot 525 attached to rail 24 and secures back on itself
with a mating Velcro.RTM. connection 572a. Tab 574 extends through
the slot 525 to engage flap 560 at mating Velcro.RTM. connection
574a. Finally, tab 576 extends across leg 24 to mate with flap 560
at mating Velcro.RTM. connection 576a. The Velcro.RTM., tabs, and
slot form a tight fit that discourages a child from passing their
hand through the corner of the enclosure. It should be understood
that although FIG. 31 shows some gaps between parts, these would be
minimized in practice.
[0070] FIGS. 32-35 show an optional bassinet (or bedside sleeper or
changing table) padded addition 600 that fits over the upper rods
28 and arm 528. The addition 600, like the enclosure 514 and frame,
has raised (FIGS. 32, 32A, and 32B) and lowered (FIGS. 33 and 34)
positions corresponding to the position of the arms. The addition
600 slips over and engages the frame upper rails 28 and arm 528, as
will be discussed in more detail. The addition 600 has a bottom
618, preferably cushioned, that receives the padded mattress 18.
The mattress 18 can be used with the addition 600 or the play
yard.
[0071] FIGS. 32 and 32A, however, show the addition 600 unmounted
on the frame. FIGS. 32 and 32A are rear views of FIG. 32B showing
the interior face 602a of the front flap 602. In the raised
position, the front flap 602 has an interior tab 604 that mates
with a side 606 of the addition 600 using a Velcro.RTM. connection
604a (shown in phantom since it is on the opposite tab face from
that as shown), 604b. The remainder of the joint between the front
side 608 and the side 606 is a seam 610 that is preferably sewn. As
can be seen from FIGS. 32 and 32A the interior of the addition 600
is, in this way, sealed off when mounted on the frame.
[0072] FIG. 32B shows the addition 600 mounted to the play yard
frame with the enclosure 14 mounted thereon. The addition has inner
sides 606, the front side 608, and a back side 609 that all slide
within the enclosure 14. Exterior sides 626, back 629, and exterior
front flap 628 slide over the outside of the enclosure 14. Within
the joint between the interior and exterior sides, clips 630 snap
fit over rails 528. The clips have a tab 630a with a slot 630b that
engages a strap 630c that is attached to the addition 600. Further,
snaps 632 on the addition 600 engage corresponding snaps 632a on
frame corners (frame snaps shown in FIG. 25). The clips 630 and
snaps 632 insure a secure connection between the addition 600 and
the frame.
[0073] FIG. 32B shows the addition 600 mounted to the frame.
Exterior addition side 628 engages a first exterior flap 629, also
part of the addition 600, using a Velcro.RTM. connection 629a,
629b. A second exterior flap 640 attached to the addition 600
engages the enclosure 14 using a Velcro.RTM. connection 640a, 640b.
The combination of these padded flaps insures that the hard frame
corners are not exposed.
[0074] When the arm 528 is in the lowered position, as shown in
FIGS. 33 and 34, the clips 630 are disengaged from arm 528, the
Velcro.RTM. connections at 604a,604b; 629a, 629b; and 640a, 640b
are detached, and the front flap 602 is folded down. In this
position, first exterior flap folds inward to engage the side wall
606 in a Velcro (R) connection 629c, 604b. Second clips 631,
identical in structure to first clips 630 but located on a lower
side of the exterior face of the interior side 602a, attach to rail
528 in its fold down position.
[0075] When used as a bedside sleeper, front flap 602 can slide
under a mattress of a parental bed. The adjustable leg feature
discussed above allows the height of the bedside sleeper to be
adjusted for mattresses with different heights. This is important
since the height of a top surface of a parental mattress cannot be
known in advance.
* * * * *