U.S. patent application number 12/236767 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kids II, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes.
Application Number | 20090077742 12/236767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40019588 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090077742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burns; Stephen R. ; et
al. |
March 26, 2009 |
COLLAPSIBLE PLAY YARD AND BASSINET ASSEMBLY COMBINATION
Abstract
Various embodiments include a collapsible play yard and bassinet
assembly combination. The floor of the play yard comprises a
release mechanism attached to lower horizontal frame members of the
play yard, and when the release mechanism is engaged, the lower
horizontal frame members are moved upwardly and inwardly to
collapse the play yard. The bassinet assembly has a floor and one
or more side walls that have an upper perimeter, and the upper
perimeter is adapted for securing adjacent the upper perimeter of
the play yard. The floor of the bassinet assembly also defines an
opening that allows a user to reach through the opening to access
and engage the release mechanism without removing the bassinet
assembly from the play yard.
Inventors: |
Burns; Stephen R.; (Cumming,
GA) ; Jackson; Peter D.; (Alpharetta, GA) ;
Mendes; Mark; (Loganville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA, 101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Kids II, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40019588 |
Appl. No.: |
12/236767 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60995417 |
Sep 25, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/93.2 ;
5/99.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2509 20150115;
Y10T 24/2586 20150115; A47D 13/063 20130101; A47D 7/04 20130101;
A47D 11/007 20130101; A47D 9/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/93.2 ;
5/99.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00; A47D 13/06 20060101 A47D013/06; A47D 11/00 20060101
A47D011/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination
comprising: a collapsible play yard having upper horizontal frame
members that define an upper perimeter of said play yard and lower
horizontal frame members that define a floor of said play yard,
wherein said floor of said play yard comprises a release mechanism
attached adjacent said lower horizontal frame members, and when
said release mechanism is engaged, said lower horizontal frame
members are collapsed; and a bassinet assembly having a floor and
one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of
said floor of said bassinet assembly and surround said floor of
said bassinet assembly, wherein said side walls have an upper
perimeter, said upper perimeter being adapted for securing adjacent
said upper perimeter of said play yard, and wherein said floor of
said bassinet assembly defines an opening through said floor of
said bassinet assembly, said opening allowing a user to reach
through said opening to access and engage said release mechanism
without removing said bassinet assembly from said play yard.
2. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein said floor of said bassinet assembly further comprises a
hatch that is securable over said opening.
3. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 2
wherein one of hook or loop fastener is disposed along at least a
portion of a perimeter of said hatch and one of the other of loop
or hook fastener is disposed along at least a portion of a
perimeter of said opening such that said hook and loop fasteners
may be engaged to secure said hatch over said opening.
4. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein: said play yard comprises a first row of teeth for engaging
one or more zippers, said first row of teeth being disposed on said
fabric material along at least a portion of an inner perimeter of
said play yard below said upper horizontal frame members, said
bassinet assembly comprises a second row of teeth for engaging said
one or more zippers, said second row of teeth being disposed along
at least a portion of said upper perimeter of said side walls of
said bassinet assembly, and said one or more zippers are adapted
for engaging said first row of teeth and said second row of teeth
to removably secure said bassinet assembly within said upper
perimeter of said play yard.
5. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 4
wherein said play yard comprises a first vertical frame member and
a second vertical frame member, each of said vertical frame members
extending between said upper horizontal frame members and said
lower horizontal frame members and supporting said upper horizontal
frame members in a spaced apart relationship with said lower
horizontal frame members, said play yard and bassinet assembly
combination further comprising: a first redundant support member
and a second redundant support member disposed in a spaced apart
arrangement around an inner perimeter of said play yard, said first
redundant support member being disposed adjacent said first
vertical frame member and said second redundant support member
being disposed adjacent said second vertical frame member; and a
first mating redundant support member and a second mating redundant
support member, said first and second mating redundant support
members being disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of said floor of
said bassinet assembly such that said first mating redundant
support member is disposed adjacent said first redundant support
member and said second mating redundant support member is disposed
adjacent said second redundant support member when said bassinet
assembly is secured within said play yard, wherein said first
mating redundant support member is configured for engaging said
first redundant support member and said second mating redundant
support member is configured for engaging said second redundant
support member to provide additional vertical support for said
floor of said bassinet assembly.
6. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 5
wherein each of said first and second redundant support members are
a buckle member and each of said first and second mating redundant
support members are a mating buckle member.
7. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 5
wherein each of said first and second redundant support members are
a snap member and each of said first and second mating redundant
support members are a mating snap member.
8. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 5
wherein each of said first and second redundant support members is
a hook member and each of said first and second mating redundant
support members are a hook receiving member.
9. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
further comprising a mattress pad, said mattress pad configured for
being disposed on top of said floor of said bassinet assembly and
for following a profile of said floor of said bassinet
assembly.
10. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein said release mechanism is a strap.
11. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 10
wherein said strap is pulled upwardly to allow said lower
horizontal frame members to move upwardly and inwardly toward each
other.
12. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein said release mechanism is a handle.
13. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein said release mechanism is a button.
14. The play yard and bassinet assembly combination of claim 1
wherein said opening is disposed in a medial portion of said floor
of said bassinet assembly.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/995,417, filed Sep. 25, 2007 and entitled
"PLAY YARD," which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety. In addition, this application incorporates by reference
in their entirety the following co-pending applications filed
concurrently with this application: U.S. application Ser. No.
______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled "PLAY YARD AND BASSINET
ASSEMBLY"; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008
and entitled "MESH ARRANGEMENT FOR BASSINET ASSEMBLY"; U.S.
application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled
ZIPPER PULL TAB LOCK; U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Sep.
24, 2008 and entitled "REDUNDANT SUPPORT FEATURE FOR BASSINET
ASSEMBLY AND PLAY YARD COMBINATION"; and U.S. application Ser. No.
______, filed Sep. 24, 2008 and entitled "SUPPORT FOR AN INCLINABLE
BASSINET ASSEMBLY".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A play yard, which is sometimes referred to as a play pen,
is a containment device that typically includes a rigid enclosure
having four side walls, a floor, and an upper opening through which
a child may be moved in and out of the play yard. The rigid
enclosure includes upper and lower horizontal frame members that
are joined by vertical frame members, and a solid fabric material
is positioned over the frame members. The side walls typically
include a mesh portion that extends between the solid fabric
material covering the frame members to allow for visibility of the
child within the play yard and provide adequate air flow to the
child. In addition, the frame members may be collapsible with
respect to each other to allow for easier portability and storage
of the play yard.
[0003] Many play yards further include a bassinet that can be hung
from the upper horizontal frame members of the play yard. In
particular, the bassinets, such as the bassinet for attachment in a
child's play yard described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,465, typically
include four side walls, a floor, and a plurality of U-shaped
plastic hooks that extend from the upper perimeter of two or more
of the four side walls. The plastic hooks are configured for
engaging the upper horizontal frame members of the play yard such
that the floor of the bassinet is suspended above the floor of the
play yard. In some products, the bassinet includes a fabric loop
along the upper perimeter of two or more of the four side walls,
and each fabric loop receives a metal rod. The ends of each metal
rod extend outside of the fabric loop and are received into molded
U-shaped hooks disposed adjacent the upper horizontal frame
members. Some other products, such as the bassinet for suspension
in a play yard play described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,767, include a
combination of the U-shaped plastic hooks and the fabric loop and
metal rod engagement means to support the bassinet floor above the
play yard floor.
[0004] In addition, many play yards are collapsed by pulling up on
a strap or handle disposed on the floor of the play yard and
attached to the horizontal frame members and then, by releasing
hinges along the upper horizontal frame members. By pulling up on
the strap or handle, the horizontal frame members and the vertical
frame members are drawn toward a central vertical axis extending
through the floor of the play yard. However, this strap or handle
is inaccessible when the bassinet is installed within the play
yard, resulting in the additional, often difficult step of having
to remove the bassinet to access the strap or handle when the play
yard is to be transported or stored.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various embodiments of the invention include a collapsible
play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The collapsible play
yard has upper horizontal frame members that define an upper
perimeter of the play yard and lower horizontal frame members that
define a floor of the play yard. The floor of the play yard
comprises a release mechanism, such as a strap or a handle,
attached to the lower horizontal frame members, and when the
release mechanism is pulled upwardly, the lower horizontal frame
members are moved upwardly and inwardly toward the release
mechanism to collapse the play yard. The bassinet assembly has a
floor and one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a
perimeter of the floor of the bassinet assembly and surround the
floor of the bassinet assembly. The side walls have an upper
perimeter, and the upper perimeter is adapted for securing adjacent
the upper perimeter of the play yard. The floor of the bassinet
assembly also defines an opening through the floor of the bassinet
assembly that allows a user to reach through the opening to access
and engage the release mechanism without removing the bassinet
assembly from the play yard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Having thus described various embodiments of the invention
in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of a
play yard and bassinet assembly combination according to various
embodiments of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of frame
members of a play yard according to various embodiments of the
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the
play yard and bassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the
play yard and bassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1 in
which buckles are not engaged and the bassinet assembly is not
secured within the play yard.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the
play yard and bassinet assembly combination shown in FIG. 1 in
which buckles are engaged.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates an upper perspective view of the play
yard and bassinet assembly combination according to one embodiment
of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an inner wall of the
bassinet assembly according to various embodiments of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the inner wall
of the bassinet assembly shown in FIG. 7 as taken through the 8-8
line.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the inner walls of the
bassinet assembly and play yard according to the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates an exaggerated side view of a floor and
inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly according to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the floor and
inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly as taken along the 11-11
line in FIG. 12.
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the
inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly and the side walls of the
play yard according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates an upper perspective view of the floor
and inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly when the inclinable
flap is positioned at an angle to the floor according to various
embodiments of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the floor and inclinable
flap of the bassinet assembly when the inclinable flap is
positioned at an angle to the floor according to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 13.
[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates an upper perspective view of the floor
and inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly when the inclinable
flap is laying flat against the floor according to various
embodiments of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates a plan view of the floor and inclinable
flap of the bassinet assembly according to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 15.
[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view
of a zipper pull tab lock according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates an upper perspective view with a partial
cut away of the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.
[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.
[0026] FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 17.
[0027] FIG. 21 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view
of a zipper pull tab lock according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 22 illustrates a cross sectional lower perspective view
of the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.
[0029] FIG. 23 illustrates an upper perspective view with a partial
cut away of the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.
[0030] FIG. 24A illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.
[0031] FIG. 24B illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of a
zipper pull tab according to an alternative embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 25A illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 21.
[0033] FIG. 25B illustrates an exploded lower perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 24B.
[0034] FIG. 26 illustrates a cross sectional upper perspective view
of a zipper pull tab lock according to yet another embodiment of
the invention.
[0035] FIG. 27 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of
the zipper pull tab lock shown in FIG. 26.
[0036] FIG. 28 illustrates a partial upper perspective view of the
inclinable flap of the bassinet assembly and the side walls of the
play yard according to an alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Various embodiments of the invention are described more
fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown in
the figures. These inventions may be embodied in many different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
Brief Summary
[0038] Various embodiments of the invention provide an improved
play yard and bassinet combination. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates
a play yard and bassinet combination 50 according to various
embodiments of the invention in which the bassinet assembly 100 is
secured adjacent the inner walls of the play yard 200 with a
zipper. In particular, the play yard 200 includes four walls 206
and a floor 207, and an inner portion 204 of the walls 206 adjacent
the upper perimeter of the walls 206 includes a row of zipper teeth
205 (shown in FIGS. 3-5). The bassinet assembly 100 includes a
floor 102 and side walls 108 that extend upwardly from the floor
102. The upper edge of the side walls 108 includes a row of teeth
130 (shown in FIGS. 3-5), and one or more zippers engage the teeth
130 of the bassinet assembly 100 with the corresponding row of
teeth 205 on the play yard 200 to attach the bassinet assembly 100
to the inner portion 204 of the side walls 206 of the play yard
200.
[0039] To provide an added layer of support should a primary means
(e.g., zipper, U-shaped hooks, metal rod/hook arrangement) for
securing the bassinet assembly 100 within the play yard 200 fail,
the bassinet assembly 100, according to various embodiments,
further includes a plurality of male or female buckles 140 spaced
around the outer perimeter of the bassinet floor 102, and the
buckles 140 mate with corresponding female or male buckles 215
(shown in FIGS. 4-5), respectively, attached to portions of side
walls 206 of the play yard 200. If the primary means for securing
the bassinet assembly 100 were to fail, the engaged buckles 140,
215 would prevent the bassinet floor 102 from dropping towards the
floor 207 of the play yard 200.
[0040] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, according to various
embodiments, the bassinet assembly 100 defines an opening 160 in a
medial portion of the floor 102 through which a user can access a
release mechanism 250 on the floor 207 of the play yard 200 to
collapse the play yard 200 without removing the bassinet assembly
100 from the play yard 200. In the embodiment described above in
relation to FIG. 1 in which the bassinet assembly 100 is secured to
the play yard 200 using a zipper or other flexible fastener, the
play yard 200 can be collapsed without removing the bassinet
assembly 100 from the upper opening of the play yard 200.
[0041] The bassinet assembly 100 is further configured to provide
an inclined surface for a baby. According to various embodiments,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10-12, the floor 102 of the bassinet
assembly 100 includes an inclinable flap 104, and the inclinable
flap 104 includes a row of zipper teeth 106 along a portion of the
perimeter of the inclinable flap 104. Three adjacent side walls 108
of the bassinet assembly 100 include a corresponding row of zipper
teeth 109 between an upper and lower perimeter of the side walls
108. In particular, on two opposing side walls 108a, 108b, the row
of zipper teeth 109 is disposed along an inclined path relative to
the floor 102, and on a side wall 108c intermediate the two
opposing side walls 108a, 108b, the row of zipper teeth 109 is
disposed along a path parallel to the floor 102. The rows of teeth
106, 109 are engaged with one or more zippers to secure the
inclinable flap 104 at an angle with respect to the floor 102. For
example, in one embodiment, the angle of incline is about
10.degree..
[0042] In other various embodiments, the bassinet assembly 100 may
further include at least one rod 120 that is disposed below at
least a portion of an upper surface of the bassinet floor 102 to
support a mattress pad 300 to be disposed on the upper surface of
the bassinet floor 102. In one embodiment, each rod 120 includes a
static portion 121 and an inclined portion 122, and the
longitudinal axes 123, 124 of each portion 121, 122, respectively,
are disposed at an angle to each other (e.g., about 10.degree.).
Each rod 120 is at least partially disposed in one or more pockets
125 that are attached below the upper surfaces of the floor 102 and
the inclinable flap 104 of the bassinet assembly 100 such that the
static portion 121 is below a first half 102a of the floor 102 and
the inclined portion 122 is below the inclinable flap 104. When the
inclinable flap 104 is pulled upwardly, each rod 120 rotates from a
flat position, which is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, to an inclined
position, which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Similarly, when the
inclinable flap 104 of the floor 102 is lowered to the flat
position, each rod 120 rotates from the inclined position to the
flat position.
[0043] According to various embodiments, the bassinet assembly 100
and the play yard 200 may utilize zipper pull tab locks for
releasably securing zipper pull tabs to prevent the zippers from
movement relative to rows of zipper teeth. Exemplary zipper pull
tab locks that may be utilized are described in relation to FIGS.
17-27.
[0044] Various features of a bassinet assembly and a play yard and
bassinet assembly combination according to various embodiments are
described below.
Bassinet Assembly
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates the bassinet assembly 100 according to
various embodiments of the invention. The bassinet assembly
includes the floor 102 and four side walls 108 that extend upwardly
from the floor 102. As mentioned above, the side walls 108 have an
upper perimeter 103, and a row of zipper teeth 130 (shown in FIGS.
3-5) is disposed along at least a portion of the upper perimeter of
the side walls 108. One or more zippers engage the row of zipper
teeth 130 along the upper perimeter 103 of the side walls 108 with
the row of teeth 205 disposed along the inner portion 204 of the
play yard 200 to removably secure the bassinet assembly 100 within
the play yard 200, which is shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 9.
[0046] In various embodiments of the invention, the floor 102 of
the bassinet assembly 100 includes an inclinable flap 104.
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the inclinable flap
104 is attached to the bassinet floor 102 at one edge 112 of the
flap 104, and the remaining edges 114 include zipper teeth 106
along at least a portion of the edges 114. In a particular
embodiment, the edge 112 is integrally formed with the bassinet
floor 102. In an alternative embodiment, the edge 112 may be sewn
or otherwise fastened to the bassinet floor 102. In addition,
according to various embodiments, the length of the flap 104 may be
substantially less than or equal to the length of the bassinet
floor 102. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and
13-16, the flap 104 is approximately half the length of the floor
102 and is attached to the bassinet floor 102 along a medial
portion of the floor 102.
[0047] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,
corresponding rows of zipper teeth 109 are disposed on at least a
portion of the one or more side walls 108a, 108b, 108c between the
upper perimeter 103 of the side walls 108a, 108b, 108c and the
floor 102. A first portion 109a and a second portion 109b of the
corresponding row of zipper teeth 109 are disposed on opposing side
walls 108a and 108b along an inclined path at an angle .theta. to
the floor 102, and a third portion 109c of the row of teeth 109 is
disposed on side wall 108c, which is intermediate side walls 108a
and 108b, along a path that is substantially parallel to the floor
102. When one or more zippers are engaged with the row of zipper
teeth 106 along the edges 114 of the inclinable flap 104 and the
row of zipper teeth 109 along the side walls 108a-108c, the
inclinable flap 104 is secured at the angle .theta. with respect to
the floor 102. The one or more zippers are disengaged with the rows
of zipper teeth 106, 109 to allow the inclinable flap 104 to lay
substantially flat against the floor 102.
[0048] According to various embodiments, the angle .theta. may be
between about 5.degree. and 15.degree., and in the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 1 and 11-14, the angle .theta. is about 10.degree..
In addition, according to various embodiments, more than one zipper
may be utilized to secure the rows of zipper teeth 106, 109. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the flap 104 may be secured at
the angle .theta. using snap fasteners disposed around the outer
perimeter of the flap 104 that mate with corresponding snap
fasteners disposed along the side walls 108a-c. In addition,
according to various alternative embodiments, other fasteners, such
as clips, hook and loop, snaps, or buckles, for example, may be
used to secure the inclinable flap or floor at an angle with
respect to the support surface.
[0049] In one embodiment, the one or more zippers includes a first
zipper and a second zipper disposed in an in-line arrangement such
that the first zipper and the second zipper are disposed adjacent
each other when the inclinable flap is secured at the angle of the
inclined path relative to the floor. In another embodiment, the one
or more zippers consist of one zipper. In yet another embodiment,
the one or more zippers include three zippers that are each
disposed on a separate side wall 108a-108c.
[0050] In one alternative embodiment (not shown), the floor does
not include a separate inclinable flap, and a first set of
fasteners are disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter the
floor. A second set of mating fasteners are disposed along at least
a portion of one or more side walls of the bassinet assembly
between the upper perimeter and the lower perimeter of the one or
more side walls, and the first set of fasteners are engaged with
the second set of fasteners to secure the floor at an angle greater
than 0.degree. with respect to the support surface. In addition, a
third set of fasteners are disposed substantially adjacent the
lower perimeter of at least a portion of the one or more side
walls, and the first set of fasteners are engaged with the third
set of fasteners to secure the floor at an angle substantially
equal to 0.degree. with respect to the support surface.
[0051] In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the
inclinable flap 104 includes an upper surface 116 and a lower
surface 118, and one or more rods 120 are each disposed below the
lower surface 118 of the inclinable flap 104. Each of the one or
more rods 120 includes a static portion 121 that has a first
longitudinal axis 123 and an inclined portion 122 that has a second
longitudinal axis 124. The first longitudinal axis 123 and the
second longitudinal axis 124 intersect at an angle .alpha.
substantially equal to the inclined angle .theta.. When the
inclinable flap 104 is raised relative to the floor 102, each rod
120 rotates about the first longitudinal axis 123 such that the
first 123 and second longitudinal axes 124 are in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the support surface 10. When the
inclinable flap 104 is allowed to lay substantially flat against
the floor 102, each rod 120 rotates about the first longitudinal
axis 123 such that the first 123 and second longitudinal axes 124
are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface 10.
For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the
longitudinal axes 123, 124 intersect at an angle of about
10.degree. such that when the inclinable flap 104 is raised above
the floor 102 and secured to the side walls 108a-108c, the second
longitudinal axis 124 forms an angle with the floor 102 of about
10.degree..
[0052] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, each rod 120
is disposed within a pocket 125 that is sewn or otherwise attached
to the lower surface 118 of the inclinable flap 104 and below an
upper surface of the floor 102. In one embodiment, for example, a
first pocket 125a is sewn between the upper surface and the lower
surface of the floor 102 and a second pocket 125b is sewn to the
lower surface of the inclinable flap 104. Each pocket 125a, 125b
has an opening 320 adjacent the edge 112 of the flap 104 through
which rods 120 can be inserted into and removed from the pockets
125a, 125b. In various other embodiments, each rod 120 may be
secured relative to the lower surface of the inclinable flap 104
using straps, clips, or hook and loop fasteners (not shown), for
example.
[0053] In various alternative embodiments (not shown), the floor
102 (or the inclinable flap 104) of the bassinet assembly 100 is
inclinable along substantially the entire length of the floor 102.
In one such embodiment, one or more straight rods are disposed
below the floor 102 (and/or inclinable flap 104) of the bassinet
assembly 100 such that the longitudinal axis of each straight rod
is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of
the floor 102.
[0054] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a mesh arrangement for the side
walls 108 of the bassinet assembly 100 according to one embodiment
of the invention. In particular, the side walls 108 include a mesh
portion 151 that extends substantially the height of the side wall
108 from the floor 102 to the upper perimeter 103 of the side walls
108, and a substantially solid wall portion 150 (e.g., a solid
fabric portion or a bumper portion) extends from the upper
perimeter 103 of the side walls 108 to an intermediate portion of
the side walls 108 between the upper perimeter 103 and the floor
102. A child lying in the bassinet 100 can breathe through the mesh
portion 151 of the side walls 108 that is disposed below the
substantially solid wall portion 150.
[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the bassinet assembly
100 according to various embodiments of the invention in which the
floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100 further defines an opening
160 therethrough. In one embodiment, the opening 160 is defined
through a medial portion of the floor 102. A user can access the
release mechanism 250 of the play yard 200 through the opening 160
without removing the bassinet assembly 100 from the play yard 200.
The opening 160 may be shaped like a triangle, as shown in the
embodiment in FIG. 6, or, in various other embodiments, it may have
a different shape, such as a rectangular shape, a circular shape,
or a hexagonal shape. In addition, according to various
embodiments, the release mechanism 250 can be, for example, a
strap, a handle, or a button.
[0056] In a particular embodiment, the floor 102 of the bassinet
assembly 100 further includes a hatch 165 that is securable over
the opening 160. According to one embodiment, a hook (or loop)
fastener strip is disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter
of the hatch 165, and a loop (or hook) fastener strip is disposed
along at least a portion of a perimeter of the opening 160 such
that the hook and loop fasteners may be engaged to removably secure
the hatch 165 over the opening 160. Other fasteners for removably
securing the hatch 165 over the opening 160 may include one or more
snap fasteners, zippers, buttons, or other suitable fastener.
[0057] According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the
bassinet assembly 800 includes a floor 802 that includes an
inclinable flap 804 and one or more side walls 806 that extend
upwardly from a perimeter of the floor 802 and surround the floor
802. The inclinable flap 804 is disposed adjacent the floor 802
along a first edge 812 of the inclinable flap 804, and the
inclinable flap 804 includes a first row of teeth 830 for engaging
one or more zippers disposed along at least a portion of a second
edge 814 of the inclinable flap 804, wherein the second edge 814 is
spaced apart from the first edge 812.
[0058] In addition, the one or more side walls 806 have an upper
perimeter and a lower perimeter, and the lower perimeter is
adjacent the floor 802. A second row of teeth 803 for engaging the
one or more zippers is disposed on at least a portion of a first
side wall 806a, which is spaced apart from the first edge 812 of
the inclinable flap 804, and the second row of teeth 803 are
disposed between the upper perimeter and the lower perimeter of the
first side wall 806a along a path that is substantially parallel to
the floor 802 and spaced above the floor 802. The one or more
zippers are engageable with the first row of teeth 830 and the
second row of teeth 803 to join the first row of teeth 830 adjacent
the second row of teeth 803 and to secure the inclinable flap 804
at an angle greater than 0.degree. relative to the floor 802. The
one or more zippers are disengageable with the first row of teeth
830 and the second row of teeth 803 to allow the inclinable flap
804 to lay substantially flat against the floor 802.
[0059] In a particular embodiment, the first edge 812 of the
inclinable flap 804 is integrally formed with the floor 802. In
another embodiment (not shown), the first edge 812 of the
inclinable flap 804 is sewn or otherwise attached to the floor
802.
Play Yard
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates a play yard 200 according to various
embodiments of the invention. The play yard 200 includes upper
horizontal frame members 202 and lower horizontal frame members 208
that are joined together by vertical frame members 210. The frame
members 202, 208, 210 may be collapsed and folded together for
storage and/or transportation of the play yard 200. In one
embodiment, the frame members 202, 208, 210 are joined together by
hinges that lock to prevent movement of the frame members 202, 208,
210 relative to each other when the play yard is expanded. Release
buttons are provided along the frame members 202, 208, 210 to
release (or unlock) the hinges to allow the frame members 202, 208,
210 to move relative to each other, which allows the play yard 200
to be collapsed for storage and/or transportation. In addition, a
release mechanism 250 is provided at a medial portion of the lower
horizontal frame members 208 along a central vertical axis 260 of
the play yard 200. When the release mechanism 250 is actuated, the
hinges, which may be part of the lower horizontal frame members,
are unlocked (or unlockable), and the lower horizontal frame
members 208 are able to be folded upwardly with respect to the
vertical frame members 210, the upper horizontal frame members 202
are released (or are able to be released) and able to be folded
downwardly with respect to the vertical frame members 210, and the
vertical frame members 210 are able to be moved inwardly toward the
vertical axis 260, collapsing the play yard 200. In one embodiment,
the release mechanism 250 is a strap as shown in FIG. 2, and the
strap is pulled upwardly away from the lower horizontal frame
members 202 to collapse the play yard 200. In alternative
embodiments, the release mechanism is a handle or button, for
example.
[0061] The lower ends 212 of two vertical frame members 210
adjacent the support surface 10 may each include a wheel 214, and
the lower ends 212 of the other two vertical frame members 210 may
include stops 216 to prevent the play yard 200 from rolling.
[0062] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the frame members 202,
208, 210 are covered with fabric material to form four
substantially vertical side walls 206 and a floor 207 suspended
above a support surface 10. The upper perimeters of the
substantially vertical side walls 206 define an opening through
which a child may be moved in or out of the play yard 200. The
fabric material forming the floor 207 is a substantially solid
material, and the fabric material forming each side wall 206
includes a substantially solid fabric material portion 230 adjacent
the frame members 202, 208, 210 and a mesh portion 231 extending
between the substantially solid fabric material portions 230 over a
central portion of each side wall 206. In one embodiment (not
shown), the mesh material 231 extends over a portion of the solid
fabric material portion 230.
[0063] As discussed above, various embodiments of the play yard 200
include a zipper attachment feature along the inner surface 204 of
the side walls 206 of the play yard 200 to attach the bassinet
assembly 100 within the play yard 200. In particular, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, a row of zipper teeth 205 is disposed below an upper
perimeter of the play yard 200 and extends along the inner surface
204 of the side walls 206 of the play yard 200. In a particular
embodiment, the row of zipper teeth 205 are attached to a lower
edge of the solid material portion 230 that extends over the upper
horizontal frame members 202. In one embodiment, the row of zipper
teeth 205 may be disposed about four to about six inches below the
upper perimeter of the side walls 206. As discussed below, one or
more zippers engage the row of zipper teeth 205 and a corresponding
row of zipper teeth 130 attached to the upper perimeter 103 of the
side walls 108 of the bassinet assembly 100 to secure the bassinet
assembly 100 within the play yard 200. According to one embodiment,
the row of zipper teeth 205 may be attached to the solid material
230 by sewing or welding a fastener tape to which the rows of teeth
205 are attached to the solid material 230 along the inner surface
204 of the side walls 206. In addition, according to various
embodiments, the zippered enclosure eliminates gaps that may cause
entrapment of an infant lying within the bassinet assembly 100.
[0064] In one embodiment, the one or more zippers includes a first
zipper and a second zipper disposed in an in-line arrangement such
that the first zipper and the second zipper are disposed adjacent
each other when the bassinet assembly 100 is fully secured adjacent
the upper perimeter of the play yard 200. In another embodiment,
the one or more zippers include four zippers that are each disposed
on a separate side wall. In yet another embodiment, the one or more
zippers consists of one zipper.
[0065] According to a particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a
lower perimeter 201 of the side walls 206 adjacent the lower
horizontal frame members 208 of the play yard 200 form a
substantially rectangular shape and the upper perimeter of the side
walls 206 of the play yard 200 adjacent the upper horizontal frame
members 202 form a semi-rectangular shape. In particular, the side
walls 206 include one side wall that has an arcuate shape at its
upper perimeter and three side walls that intersect at
substantially 90.degree. angles to each another at their upper
perimeter. However, according to various other embodiments, the
shape of the play yard can be substantially rectangular,
substantially oval, or substantially circular, for example.
Redundant Support Feature for Bassinet Assembly Secured with the
Play Yard
[0066] According to various embodiments, the bassinet assembly and
play yard combination includes one or more redundant support
features that provide additional vertical support for the bassinet
assembly and prevent the bassinet assembly from falling to the
floor of the play yard should a primary attachment means (e.g.,
zipper, U-shaped hooks, metal rod/hook arrangement, clips, hook and
loop, etc.) fail. In a particular embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, a male (or female) buckle 140 is attached to each outer
corner of the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100, and a female
(or male) buckle 215 is attached to each vertical frame member 210.
The male buckle 140 is engaged into the female buckle 215 prior to
zipping the upper perimeter of the walls 108 of the bassinet
assembly 100 to the inner perimeter of the play yard 200, as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0067] According to one embodiment, the buckles 140 may be attached
to the bassinet assembly 100 by sewing one end of a strap to the
buckle 140 and the other end of the strap to the floor 102 of the
bassinet assembly 100. Similarly, the buckle 215 may be attached
relative to the play yard 200 by sewing one end of a strap to the
buckle 215 and the other end of the strap to the solid material 230
of the play yard 200. According to various other embodiments, the
buckle 215 may be attached relative to the play yard 200 by
disposing one end of the strap through or around a vertical frame
member 210 of the play yard 200 and sewing the other end of the
strap to the buckle 215. In such embodiments, the buckle 215 and
portion of the strap adjacent the buckle 215 may be thread through
grommets or button holes in the solid material 230 such that the
buckle 215 can be engaged with the corresponding buckle 140
attached to the bassinet assembly 100.
[0068] In other various embodiments, the redundant support feature
may include snaps, clips, clasps, and polypropylene webbing, for
example.
Mattress Pad
[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, various embodiments may include a
mattress pad 300 to fit over floor 207 of the play yard 200, or the
pad 300 may be inserted over the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly
100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mattress pad 300
includes four sections 301a, 301b, 302a, 302b, that allow the pad
300 to be folded around the perimeter (relative to its longitudinal
axis) of the play yard 200 when the play yard 200 is collapsed and
to hinge with respect to each other, allowing the mattress pad 300
to correspond to the contour of the bassinet assembly floor 102 of
the bassinet assembly 100. Accordingly, if the floor 102 of the
bassinet assembly 100 is in the inclined position, one section
302a, 302b of the mattress pad 300 can hinge upwardly with respect
to the other section 301a, 301b. Similarly, if the bassinet
assembly floor 102 is in the flat position, the mattress pad 300
can lay flat along the length of the floor 102. In other various
embodiments, the mattress pad may include two or more sections that
are flexible or hinge with respect to each other. In another
embodiment, the mattress pad may consist of one section only. In
yet another embodiment, the mattress pad comprises two or more
separate sections that are laid adjacent each other on the floor
102 of the bassinet assembly 100 or on the floor 202 of the play
yard 200.
Zipper Lock
[0070] According to various embodiments of the invention, a zipper
pull tab lock mechanism may be provided to secure the zipper pull
tabs of the one or more zippers used to secure the bassinet
assembly 100 within the play yard 200 or the inclinable flap 104 of
the bassinet assembly 100 in an inclined position with respect to
the floor 102 of the bassinet assembly 100.
[0071] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a zipper pull tab
lock 400 according to one embodiment. In particular, the zipper
pull tab lock 400 includes an outer sleeve 401 and an inner sleeve
451. The outer sleeve 401 defines a cavity 403, an opening 405 at a
first end 406 of the cavity 403, and a release tab 408 disposed
above the cavity 403. The release tab 408 has a free end 409 and a
fixed end 410, and the fixed end 410 of the release tab 408 is
integrally formed with the outer sleeve 401 adjacent the opening
405. The free end 409 of the release tab 408 is movable downwardly
into the cavity 403, and the free end 409 and the fixed end 410 of
the release tab 408 are aligned along a longitudinal axis 411 of
the outer sleeve 401.
[0072] The inner sleeve 451 includes a lower surface 453, and the
lower surface 453 defines an engaging tab 455 that includes a free
end 456, a fixed end 457 integrally formed with the lower surface
453, a first protrusion 458, and a second protrusion 459. The free
end 456 and the fixed end 457 of the engaging tab 455 are aligned
along a longitudinal axis 460 of the inner sleeve 451. The first
protrusion 458 is disposed adjacent the free end 456 of the
engaging tab 455, and the second protrusion 459 is disposed
inwardly of the free end 458 toward the fixed end 457 of the
engaging tab 455. The first protrusion 458 and the second
protrusion 459 extend upwardly from the lower surface 453 of the
inner sleeve 451.
[0073] The inner sleeve 451 is slidably engageable within the
opening 405 of the cavity 403 such that the first protrusion 458 on
the free end 456 of the engaging tab 455 is disposed below the free
end 409 of the release tab 408 of the outer sleeve 401. In
addition, a longitudinal axis 460 of the inner sleeve 451 is
coaxial with the longitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve 401 when
the inner sleeve 451 is slidably engaged within the cavity 403 of
the outer sleeve 401.
[0074] Furthermore, a stop 461 extends downwardly from the lower
surface 453 of the inner sleeve 451, and the outer sleeve 401
includes a lower surface 414 that defines a hole 412. The stop 461
is engaged into the hole 412 when the inner sleeve 451 is slidably
engaged in the cavity 403 of the outer sleeve 401 to prevent the
inner sleeve 451 from being slidably disengaged from the outer
sleeve 401. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lower
surface 414 of the outer sleeve 401 defines a depressed portion
into which the stop 461 may be engaged to prevent the inner sleeve
451 from being slidably disengaged from the cavity 403 of the outer
sleeve 401.
[0075] A zipper pull tab 470 defining a hole 471 therethrough is
slidably engageable within the opening 405 of the cavity 403 such
that the second protrusion 459 engages the hole 471 of the zipper
pull tab 470 to prevent removal of the zipper pull tab 470 from the
cavity 403 of the outer sleeve 401. When the release tab 408 is
urged downwardly into contact with the first protrusion 458, the
free end 456 of the engaging tab 455 is moved downwardly and the
second protrusion 459 is moved away from the hole 471 of the pull
tab 470, allowing the pull tab 471 to be slidably disengaged from
the opening 405 of the cavity 403.
[0076] The lower surface 414 of the outer sleeve 401 further
defines an opening 413 through which the free end 456 of the
engaging tab 455 moves when the release tab 408 is urged downwardly
into contact with the first protrusion 458. In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), the lower surface 414 of the outer sleeve
401 defines a depressed portion into which the free end 456 of the
engaging tab 455 moves when the release tab 408 is urged downwardly
into contact with the first protrusion 458.
[0077] The engaging tab 455 and release tab 408 described above
allow for the zipper pull tab 470 to be removably engaged within
the zipper pull tab lock 400. In a further embodiment, the zipper
pull tab lock 400 provides for permanently securing a second zipper
pull tab 480 within the outer sleeve 401 such that two zippers may
be secured adjacent each other in an end-to-end relationship along
the longitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve 401. In particular,
the outer sleeve 401 further defines a second opening 415 at a
second end 416 of the outer sleeve 401 that is opposite the first
end 406 along the longitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve 401. In
addition, an upwardly extending protrusion 422 is disposed on a
lower surface 420 of the outer sleeve 401. The upwardly extending
protrusion 422 is configured for engaging a hole 481 defined
through the second zipper pull tab 480 such that when the second
zipper pull tab 480 is slidably engaged through the second opening
415, the upwardly extending protrusion 422 is engaged through the
hole 481 of the second zipper pull tab 480 to prevent the second
zipper pull tab 480 from being disengaged from the outer sleeve
401. In one embodiment, an upper surface of the outer sleeve 401 is
substantially solid above the upwardly extending protrusion 422
such that the upwardly extending protrusion 422 cannot be urged
downwardly through the upper surface of the outer sleeve 401.
[0078] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the upwardly extending
protrusion 422 and the free end 409 of said release tab 408 are
disposed opposite each other and adjacent a central vertical axis
490 through a medial portion 430 of the outer sleeve 401. The
central vertical axis 490 is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 411 of the outer sleeve 401.
[0079] FIGS. 21-23, 24A, and 25A illustrate a zipper pull tab lock
500 according to another embodiment of the invention. The zipper
pull tab lock 500 includes an outer housing 501 and two inner
sleeves 551, 571.
[0080] The outer housing 501 includes an upper surface 503 that
defines a first opening 505, a lower surface 507, a cavity defined
between the upper surface 503 and the lower surface 507, a first
end portion 509 that defines a second opening 510, and a second end
portion 515 that defines a third opening 516. The first opening
505, the second opening 510, and the third opening 516 are in
communication with the cavity. A vertical axis 511 of the outer
housing 501 extends through the first opening 505, and a
longitudinal axis 513 of the outer housing 501 extends through the
second opening 510 and the third opening 516. The longitudinal axis
513 and the vertical axis 511 are substantially perpendicular to
each other.
[0081] Inner sleeve 551 is slidably engageable within the cavity of
the outer housing 501 through the second opening 510, and inner
sleeve 571 is slidably engageable within the cavity of the outer
housing 501 through the third opening 516. Each inner sleeve 551,
571 includes a lower surface 553 that defines an engaging tab 555,
and the engaging tab 555 includes a free end 557, a fixed end 559
integrally formed with the lower surface 553, a first protrusion
560, and a second protrusion 561. The free end 557 and the fixed
end 559 of the engaging tab 555 are aligned along a longitudinal
axis 570 of the inner sleeve 551, the first protrusion 560 is
disposed adjacent the free end 557 of the engaging tab 555, and the
second protrusion 561 is disposed inwardly of the free end 557
toward the fixed end 559 of the engaging tab 555. The first
protrusion 560 and the second protrusion 561 extend upwardly from
the lower surface 553.
[0082] In addition, a stop 563 extends downwardly from the lower
surface 553 of each inner sleeve 551, 571, and the lower surface
507 of the outer housing 501 defines two openings 512a, 512b that
are in communication with the cavity. The stop 563 of each inner
sleeve 551, 571 is engageable with the opening 512a, 512b,
respectively, when the inner sleeves 551, 571 are slidably engaged
in the outer housing 501 to prevent the inner sleeves 551, 571 from
being slidably disengaged from the outer housing 501. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the lower surface 507 of the
outer housing 501 may define depressed portions that are in
communication with the cavity that engage the stops 563 of the
inner sleeves 551, 571.
[0083] As mentioned above, the inner sleeves 551, 571 are slidably
engageable within the second opening 510 and the third opening 516,
respectively, along the longitudinal axis 513 of the outer housing
501 such that the first protrusion 560 on the free end 557 of the
engaging tab 555 is disposed below the first opening 505. In
addition, the first zipper pull tab 470 is slidably engageable
within the second opening 510 of the cavity such that the second
protrusion 561 of inner sleeve 551 engages the hole 471 of the
first zipper pull tab 470 to prevent removal of the first zipper
pull tab 470 from the cavity of the outer housing 501. Similarly,
the zipper pull tab 480 is slidably engageable within the third
opening 516 of the cavity such that the second protrusion 561 of
inner sleeve 571 engages the hole 481 of the second zipper pull tab
480 to prevent removal of the second zipper pull tab 480 from the
cavity of the outer housing 501. When the first protrusions 560 of
the inner sleeves 551, 571 are urged downwardly through the first
opening 505, the free ends 557 of the engaging tabs 555 are moved
downwardly and the second protrusions 561 are moved away from the
holes 471, 481 of the zipper pull tabs 470, 480, respectively,
allowing the zipper pull tabs 470, 480 to be slidably disengaged
from the second opening 510 and the third opening 516 of the
cavity.
[0084] In a particular embodiment, the lower surface 507 of the
outer housing 501 defines at least one opening 514 through which
the free ends 557 of the engaging tabs 555 of the inner sleeves
551, 571 can move when urged downwardly through the first opening
505. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lower surface
507 of the outer housing 501 may define a depressed portion in
communication with the cavity into which the free ends 557 of the
engaging tabs 555 of the inner sleeves 551, 571 can move.
[0085] As shown in FIGS. 21-23, 24A, and 25A, the zipper pull tab
lock 500 also includes a button 580 that is disposed within the
first opening 505, and the button is movable downwardly to engage
the first protrusions 560 disposed on the free ends 557 of the
engaging tabs 555 of the inner sleeves 551, 571. The first opening
505 and the button 580 shown in these figures are oval shaped.
[0086] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 24B and 25B, a
first protrusion 660a is disposed on the engaging tab 655 of inner
sleeve 651, and a first protrusion 660b is disposed on the engaging
tab 655 of inner sleeve 671. The first protrusions 660a, 660b
extend upwardly from the lower surface of inner sleeves 651, 671,
respectively, and each have a half-spherical shape. The
half-spherical shape of the first protrusion 660a on inner sleeve
651 is disposed adjacent the half-spherical shape of the first
protrusion 660b on inner sleeve 671, forming a substantially whole
spherical shape, when the inner sleeves 651, 671 are slidably
engaged within the cavity of the outer housing 501. The first
protrusions 660a, 660b extend upwardly through a substantially
circular opening 605 defined in the upper surface 503 of the outer
housing 501.
[0087] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a tool is
removably inserted into the first opening 505 to move the free end
557 of the engaging tab 555 downwardly.
[0088] In a further embodiment, the outer housing 501 of the zipper
pull tab lock 500 defines slots 585 that extend along the sides 586
of the outer housing 501 between each end 509, 515 of the outer
housing 501. The slots 585 can receive straps to secure the zipper
pull tab lock 500 adjacent another object.
[0089] FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a zipper pull tab lock 700
according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The zipper
pull tab lock 700 includes a housing 701, a lock member 751, and a
compression spring 765. The housing 701 includes an upper housing
member 703 and a lower housing member 705, and the upper 703 and
lower housing members 705 form a channel 707 therebetween. The
upper housing member 703 defines a first opening 709 through a
medial portion thereof along a vertical axis 710 of the housing
701, and the upper housing member 703 and the lower housing member
705 define a second opening 711 at a first end 713 and a third
opening 721 at a second end 720 thereof The second 711 and third
openings 721 are disposed along a longitudinal axis 715 of the
housing 701. The longitudinal axis 715 and the vertical axis 710
are substantially perpendicular to each other. The lower housing
member 705 also defines a depressed portion 717 disposed below the
first opening 709 of the upper housing member 703 along the
vertical axis 710. The first opening 709, the second opening 711,
the third opening 721, and the depressed portion 717 are in
communication with the channel 707.
[0090] The lock member 751 is disposed within the channel 707 along
the vertical axis 710, and the lock member 751 includes an upper
surface 753 that is accessible through the first opening 709. The
lock member 751 also includes a lower surface 755 that is disposed
adjacent to the depressed portion 717 and two integrated paws 757,
761 that are defined in side surfaces 759, 763 of the lock member
751. The side surfaces 759, 763 extend between the upper surface
753 and the lower surface 755. The integrated paws 757, 761 are
about 180 degrees apart from each other, and each integrated paw
757, 761 is configured for engaging the hole 471, 481 defined
through zipper pull tabs 470, 480.
[0091] The compression spring 765 is disposed intermediate the
depressed portion 717 and the lower surface 755 of the lock member
751, and the compression spring biases the lock member 701 upwardly
to maintain engagement of the integrated paws 757, 761 within the
hole 471, 481 of respective zipper pull tabs 470, 480 when the
zipper pull tabs 470, 480 are slidably engaged through the second
opening 711 and third opening 721, respectively, along the
longitudinal axis 715 of the housing 701. When the lock member 751
is moved downwardly, the integrated paws 757, 761 are disengaged
from the holes 471, 481 of the zipper pull tabs 470, 480,
respectively, allowing the zipper pull tabs 470, 480 to be slidably
disengaged from the second opening 711 and the third opening 721,
respectively, of the housing 701.
[0092] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the upper
surface 753 of the lock member 751 extends through the first
opening 709, and the lock member 751 is substantially cylindrical.
However, in alternative embodiment (not shown), the upper surface
of the lock member may not extend through the first opening (e.g.,
may be accessible through the first opening), and the lock member
may have a different shape, such as rectangular or triangular.
Conclusion
[0093] Although this invention has been described in specific
detail with reference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be
understood that many variations and modifications may be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the
appended claims.
* * * * *