U.S. patent application number 15/047912 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for play yard with liner.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIDS II, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is KIDS II, INC.. Invention is credited to Stephen BURNS, Eric A. LANGE, Chaitanya TADIPATRI.
Application Number | 20160242566 15/047912 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56692901 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160242566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TADIPATRI; Chaitanya ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
PLAY YARD WITH LINER
Abstract
A children's play yard including a structural support frame and
a liner for attachment to the structural support frame. The
structural support frame includes corner posts and cross-members
extending between the corner posts to define a periphery of the
frame. The liner includes wall panels extending between corner
posts of the frame on an interior side of the periphery of the
frame, and at least one attachment flap for attachment around a
corner post on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame.
Inventors: |
TADIPATRI; Chaitanya;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; BURNS; Stephen; (Cumming,
GA) ; LANGE; Eric A.; (Alpharetta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIDS II, INC. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KIDS II, INC.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
56692901 |
Appl. No.: |
15/047912 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62118949 |
Feb 20, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/063 20130101;
A47D 13/066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/06 20060101
A47D013/06 |
Claims
1. A children's play yard comprising: a structural support frame
comprising a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of
cross-members extending between the corner posts; and a liner
attached to the structural support frame, the liner comprising wall
panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, the liner
further comprising corner post attachment flaps secured around the
corner posts of the frame.
2. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the wall panels are
positioned internal of the corner posts of the frame, and wherein
the corner post attachment flaps extend external of the corner
posts of the frame.
3. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner is
removable from the frame.
4. The children's play yard of claim 3, wherein the liner is
removable from the frame without detachment of any portion of the
corner posts from the structural support frame.
5. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the corner post
attachment flaps are releasably secured around the corner posts of
the frame.
6. The children's play yard of claim 5, wherein the corner post
attachment flaps comprise a strip of a first component of a
hook-and-loop attachment material configured to releasably attach
with a strip of a second component of the hook-and-loop attachment
material on one of the wall panels.
7. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the structural
support frame is foldable between an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration.
8. The children's play yard of claim 7, wherein the cross-members
of the frame are pivotally coupled to the corner posts of the
frame.
9. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner further
comprises an attachment skirt portion configured to extend over the
cross-members of the frame.
10. The children's play yard of claim 9, wherein the attachment
skirt of the liner comprises an upper peripheral attachment for
removably attaching the liner to an upper periphery of the
frame.
11. The children's play yard of claim 10 wherein the upper
peripheral attachment comprises a zipper.
12. The children's play yard of claim 9, wherein the attachment
skirt of the liner comprises flap corner attachment straps for
attachment to the corner posts of the frame.
13. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner further
comprises lower corner attachment straps for detachable coupling to
a base portion of the frame proximal a lower end of the corner
posts.
14. The children's play yard of claim 13, wherein the lower corner
attachment straps comprise a snap coupling member for detachable
coupling to a foot of the frame.
15. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the corner post
attachment flaps secure around the corner posts of the frame with
at least a segment of the corner posts remaining externally visible
above or below the corner post attachment flaps.
16. The children's play yard of claim 1, further comprising a floor
panel for placement over a base portion of the frame.
17. The children's play yard of claim 1, further comprising an
accessory for removable attachment to the frame above the corner
post attachment flaps, the accessory selected from an infant
sleeper unit, a changing station, an entertainment bar, a light and
a storage container.
18. A children's play yard comprising a structural support frame
and a liner attached to the structural support frame, the
structural support frame comprising a plurality of corner posts and
cross-members extending between the corner posts to define a
periphery of the frame, the liner comprising wall panels extending
between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the
periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for
attachment around a portion of a corner post of the frame on an
exterior side of the periphery of the frame.
19. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the liner is
removable from the frame.
20. The children's play yard of claim 19, wherein the liner is
removable from the frame without detachment of any portion of the
corner posts from the structural support frame.
21. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the structural
support frame is foldable between an expanded configuration and a
collapsed configuration.
22. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the at least one
attachment flap is releasably attached around a portion of a corner
post of the frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the
frame.
23. The children's play yard of claim 22, wherein the at least one
attachment flap comprises a first component of a hook-and-loop
attachment material at a free end thereof to releasably fasten to a
second component of the hook-and-loop attachment material on one of
the wall panels.
24. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the at least one
attachment flap comprises an attachment skirt configured to extend
over the cross-members of the frame.
25. The children's play yard of claim 24, wherein the attachment
skirt comprises an upper peripheral attachment member.
26. The children's play yard of claim 24, wherein the attachment
skirt comprises flap corner attachment straps for attachment to the
corner posts of the frame.
27. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the liner further
comprises lower corner attachment straps for coupling to a base
portion of the frame proximal a lower end of the corner posts.
28. The children's play yard of claim 27, wherein the lower corner
attachment straps comprise a snap coupling member for detachable
coupling to a foot of the frame.
29. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein segments of the
corner posts remain externally visible when the attachment flaps
are attached around the corner posts.
30. The children's play yard of claim 18, further comprising an
accessory for removable attachment to the frame above the at least
one attachment flap, the accessory selected from an infant sleeper
unit, a changing station, an entertainment bar, a light and a
storage container.
31. A children's play yard comprising: a collapsible frame
comprising four corner posts and having first and second side
cross-members and first and second end cross-members extending
between respective corner posts, the side and end cross-members
being pivotally connected to the corner posts to allow the frame to
fold between an expanded configuration and a collapsed
configuration; and a liner attached to the frame, the liner having
wall panels configured to extend between the corner posts of the
frame, corner post attachment flaps configured to secure around
corner posts of the frame, a top flap configured to extend over at
least portions of the side and end cross-members of the frame,
lower base attachment members for securing lower corners of the
liner to feet of the frame, and flap corner attachments for
securing corners of the top flap to the frame.
32. The children's play yard of claim 31, wherein the liner is
removably attached to the frame.
33. The children's play yard of claim 32, wherein the corner post
attachment flaps detachably secure around corner posts of the
frame, and wherein the lower base attachment members removably
secure lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and wherein
the flap corner attachments removably secure corners of the top
flap to the frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,949 filed Feb. 20, 2015, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for
all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
infants' and children's accessories, and more particularly to a
play yard having a liner.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Play yards are often used by parents and caregivers to
provide a partially contained space for an infant or child to rest
and play. Typically, a play yard includes a structural frame
supporting a floor panel and sidewalls surrounding the contained
space. Additional accessories such as a bassinet, changing table,
and/or storage compartments can optionally be mounted to or
supported by a play yard.
[0004] It may be desirable to provide a play yard with a removable
liner, which can be detached from the frame of the play yard,
washed, and re-attached to the frame. Various play yard
configurations have been provided for allowing removal of the liner
from the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 9,149,128; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US
2013/0198952 A1; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US 2014/0068857 A1
disclose example forms of play yards, and are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0005] Needs exist for continuing improvements in this field of
endeavor. It is to the provision of an improved play yard having a
liner attached to the play yard frame meeting these and other needs
that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY
[0006] In example embodiments, the present invention provides an
improved play yard having a liner attached to the frame. In some
example embodiments, the liner is removably attached to the frame,
and the removable liner attaches securely to the play yard frame,
and is easily removable for cleaning and easily re-attached for
use. In other example embodiments, the liner is not removably
attached to the frame and is not configured for removal from the
play yard in normal usage. In example embodiments, detachable
couplings or connectors are provided between the liner and the base
of the frame, and between the liner and one or more upper portions
of the frame. In example embodiments, attachment flaps of the liner
releasably secure to upright corner posts of the frame.
[0007] In one aspect, the invention relates to a children's play
yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a structural
support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of
cross-members extending between the corner posts. In an example
embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner attached to the
structural support frame, the liner having wall panels extending
between the corner posts of the frame, the liner further having
corner post attachment flaps releasably secured around the corner
posts of the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached
to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to
the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention relates to a children's
play yard including a structural support frame and a liner for
attachment to the structural support frame. In an example
embodiment, the structural support frame preferably includes a
plurality of corner posts and cross-members extending between the
corner posts to define a periphery of the frame. In an example
embodiment, the liner preferably includes wall panels extending
between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the
periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for
releasable attachment around a portion of a corner post of the
frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame. The liner
may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively
may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured
for removability in normal usage.
[0009] In still another aspect, the invention relates to a
children's play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard
includes a collapsible frame having four corner posts and first and
second side cross-members and first and second end cross-members
extending between respective corner posts. In an example
embodiment, the side and end cross-members are pivotally connected
to the corner posts to allow the frame to fold between an expanded
configuration and a collapsed configuration. In an example
embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner for attachment to
the frame, the liner having wall panels configured to extend
between the corner posts, corner post attachment flaps configured
to detachably secure around corner posts of the frame, a top flap
configured to extend over at least portions of the side and end
cross-members of the frame, lower base attachment members for
securing lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and flap
corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap to the
frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame,
or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and
not configured for removability in normal usage.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a children's
play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a
structural support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a
plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts. In
an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner
substantially permanently attached to the structural support frame,
and not configured for removal from the frame in normal usage. The
liner includes wall panels extending between the corner posts of
the frame, and corner post attachment flaps that secure around the
corner posts of the frame, covering a portion of the corner posts
but leaving one or more other portions of the corner posts exposed
and visible from the exterior of the play yard.
[0011] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary
and explanatory of example embodiments of the invention, and are
not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a play yard having a liner
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structural support frame
of a play yard according to an example embodiment of the present
invention, with the liner not shown and the frame in an expanded
configuration for use.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structural support frame
of FIG. 2, in a compact or folded configuration storage and
transport.
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B show alternate embodiments of base couplings
for attachment of the liner of a play yard to the base or foot
portion of a play yard frame.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a liner for a play yard, in
an expanded configuration, according to an example embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion of a liner for a play
yard including a detachable fastener or connector for attachment of
the liner to the play yard frame, according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an corner post attachment flap portion
of a play yard liner, respectively, detached from and attached to a
frame member of a play yard, according to an example embodiment of
the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a skirt attachment strap portion of a
play yard liner, respectively, detached from and attached to a
connector of a frame member of a play yard, according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a play yard with a liner, with optional
accessories attached to the play yard, according to another example
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this
disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not
limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters
described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein
is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of
example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed
invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in
this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully
set forth herein.
[0022] Also, as used in the specification including the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural,
and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least
that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or
"approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or
"approximately" another particular value. When such a range is
expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values
are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about,"
it will be understood that the particular value forms another
embodiment.
[0023] With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like
reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIG. 1 shows a play yard 10 generally comprising a
structural support frame 20 and a liner 60 attached to the frame.
In example embodiments, the liner 60 is a removable liner
configured for ease of removal from the frame 20, for example to
clean and replace the liner in ordinary usage of the play yard. In
alternate example embodiments, the liner 60 is a non-removable
liner configured for substantially permanent attachment to the
frame 20, and not easily removable in ordinary usage of the play
yard 10. The support frame 20 is shown in FIG. 2 without the liner
60, in an expanded or unfolded configuration for use, and in FIG. 3
in a collapsed or folded configuration for storage and transport.
In example embodiments, the frame 20 is constructed of
substantially rigid tubing or bars formed of aluminum, steel,
plastic or other structural material(s), and the liner 60 is
constructed of polyester, cotton, or other natural or synthetic
fabric or other flexible material(s). The tubing or bars of the
frame optionally comprise a round, oval, square, rectangular or
other cross-sectional shape(s), and the liner attachments are
compatible with frame members of different configurations. The
liner 60 optionally includes one or more panels of mesh or other
materials providing visibility and breathability through the
liner.
[0024] The frame 20 comprises four generally upright corner posts
22, first and second upper side cross-members 24, and first and
second upper end cross-members 26, forming a generally rectangular
three-dimensional housing bounding an internal contained volume or
space S for structurally supporting the liner 60 to receive a child
therein. In the depicted embodiment, the side cross-members 24 are
longer than the end cross-members 26, defining a containment having
a length greater than its width. In alternate embodiments, the
length and width may be generally equal, or the width can be
greater than the length.
[0025] In example embodiments, the frame 20 is collapsible or
foldable for more efficient storage and transport when not expanded
and set up for use. For example, in the depicted embodiments, first
and second ends of the side cross-members 24 and the end
cross-members 26 are pivotally connected by hinged or pivotal end
coupling joints 30 to upper ends of the corner posts 22. The side
cross-members 24 and the end cross-members 26 optionally also
include hinged or pivotal medial coupling joints 32 about midway
along their lengths. One or more of the coupling joints 30, 32 are
optionally lockable to releasably retain the frame in the expanded
and/or folded configurations, for example latching or locking when
opened into the expanded configuration (FIG. 2), and requiring
manual actuation by an adult caregiver to release the frame for
folding (FIG. 3) and prevent inadvertent folding by a child
contained in the play yard 10. In example embodiments, the frame 20
is foldable between the expanded configuration (FIG. 2) and the
collapsed configuration (FIG. 3) with the liner 60 installed or
removed.
[0026] One or more of the corner posts 22 optionally includes an
accessory mount 36, for example at or adjacent an upper end of the
corner posts, for supporting a sleeper, bassinet, changing table,
container or other accessories. One or more of the corner posts 22
optionally also includes a liner attachment loop 38 for receiving a
strap or other attachment portion of the liner 60, for example at
or adjacent the upper or medial portion of the post. The corner
posts optionally further comprise base supports or feet 42 at lower
ends thereof, optionally including wheels or casters for rolling
support and repositioning of the play yard. In the example
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the frame 20 of the play yard 10
further comprises lower diagonal cross-members 46 pivotally or
hingedly connected at one end to the feet 42 or lower ends of the
corner posts 22, and at the other end to a central base coupling
hub 48. Lateral side cross-members 50 optionally extend between
adjacent lower diagonal cross-members 46, and may include support
feet 52 with pivotal or hinged couplings at or adjacent their
midpoints, and pivotal and/or sliding couplings 54 at ends thereof.
When assembled for use in the expanded configuration (see FIGS. 1
and 2), the lower diagonal cross-members 46 and the lateral side
cross-members 50 provide support for the floor of the play yard
10.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the liner 60 of the play yard in greater detail
and removed from the frame. FIGS. 6-8 show further details of
features of the liner 60 according to an example embodiment--of the
invention. The liner 60 comprises a generally rectangular base or
floor panel 62, first and second generally rectangular side wall
panels 64, and first and second generally rectangular end wall
panels 66. A floor platform or mattress is optionally provided for
placement on the floor panel 62 within the contained space S
bounded by the side walls 64 and end walls 66, and may for example
comprise a plurality of foldable segments optionally with internal
cushioning or support. In the depicted example embodiment, the
liner 60 includes a top flap or attachment skirt portion 70
comprising an extension of at least a portion of one or more of the
side wall panels 64 and/or the end wall panels 66 of the liner,
extending in a direction generally opposite the floor panel 62. In
example embodiments, the top flap or skirt 70 is an extension of
the side walls 64 and the end walls 66, around substantially the
entire periphery of the liner and along substantially the entire
length of all four walls.
[0028] The size and shape of the floor and wall panels of the liner
60 are configured to generally conform to the size and shape of the
frame 20 of the play yard 10, whereby the liner fits closely within
the corner posts 22 of the frame in its expanded configuration, as
shown in FIG. 1, with the side wall panels 64 and end wall panels
66 of the liner 60 extending between and interior of the corner
posts of the frame. The top flap or skirt 70 of the liner 60 is
configured to fit closely with the upper periphery of the frame 20
in its expanded configuration, and to extend upwardly from inside
the frame, over the side cross-members 24 and end cross-members 26,
and downwardly over the outside of a top portion of the frame. The
top flap or skirt 70 of the liner 60 may be stretchable or have
sufficient extra material to allow the material to drape over and
around the upper periphery of the frame 20.
[0029] In example embodiments, the liner 60 is removable from the
frame and comprises one or more attachment features for removably
but securely attaching the liner to the frame 20. For example, an
upper peripheral attachment is optionally provided by a zipper 80
or other attachment means extending along at least a portion of the
perimeter of the liner 60 at or adjacent the connection of the top
flap 70 to the side walls 64 and end walls 66. In example forms,
one side of the zipper 80 is permanently attached to the top flap
70 of the liner 60 and the other side of the zipper is permanently
attached to padding or cover material around the upper periphery of
the frame 20, so that zipping the zipper attaches the liner to the
frame for use and unzipping the zipper detaches the liner from the
frame for removal. In alternate embodiments, both sides of the
zipper 80 are permanently attached to the liner 60 along two
parallel tracks spaced a sufficient distance to allow the liner to
be removably attached to itself over one or more of the side
cross-members 24 and/or end cross-members 26 to removably secure
the liner to the frame 20. In further alternate embodiments, other
peripheral attachment means such as for example one or more snaps,
buttons, buckles, ties, hook-and-loop closure material or other
attachments are provided in place of the depicted zipper 80 for
removably attaching the liner 60 to the upper periphery of the
frame 20. In still other embodiments, the liner can be permanently
or semi-permanently secured to the frame, for example sewn, glued,
riveted, screwed, nailed, or otherwise attached in a manner not
configured for easy removal in normal usage of the play yard.
[0030] In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more
corner post attachment flaps 90 for securing the liner to the frame
20. In example form, the corner post attachment flaps 90 comprise
flexible panels of fabric or other material extending from the
exterior of the liner 60 at or adjacent the intersection of the
side walls 64 and the end walls 66 of the liner. An attached side
of the corner post attachment flaps 90 is permanently attached to
the liner, as by stitching, adhesive bond, or formed as an integral
extension of one of the walls of the liner 60, or alternatively can
be removably attached to the liner by hook-and-loop attachment
material, zipper, snaps, buttons, ties, buckles or other attachment
means. The opposite or free side of the corner post attachment
flaps 90 comprises a first releasable attachment element 92 that
cooperatively engages with a corresponding second releasable
attachment element 94 on an adjacent wall panel portion of the
liner 60. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the first
releasable attachment element 92 comprises a strip of one component
(hook or loop) of a hook-and-loop attachment material, and the
second releasable attachment element 94 comprises a strip of the
other component (loop or hook) of the hook-and-loop attachment
material. In alternate embodiments, the first and second releasable
attachment elements may comprise cooperatively engaging components
of one or more snap couplings, buttons, buckles, zippers, ties or
other releasable attachment means. In alternate embodiments, the
corner post attachment flaps 90 permanently secure the liner 60 to
the frame 20, for example by stitching or other substantially
permanent attachment along both sides of the flaps. The corner post
attachment flaps 90 have a length sufficient to allow a user to
wrap the flap around the exterior of the corner posts 22 of the
frame (FIG. 7A) and secure the first releasable attachment element
92 to the second releasable attachment element 94 (FIG. 7B) to
secure the liner 60 to the corners of the frame 20. In example
forms, the corner post attachment flaps 90 secure directly around
the exterior of the corner posts 22 of the frame 20, without
requirement of a separate liner retention member on the frame, and
without detachment of the corner posts from the upper side or end
cross-members 24, 26 or other frame members. Optionally, one or
more segments of the corner posts 22 remain externally visible
above and/or below the corner post attachment flaps 90 to provide
an aesthetically pleasing, more structurally sound and highly
stable external appearance to the user. For example, as shown in
FIG. 7B, segments of the corner post 22 remain externally visible
both above and below the corner post attachment flap 90, with the
corner post attachment flap secured about a medial segment of the
corner post.
[0031] In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more
lower corner base attachment members for securing lower corners of
the liner to the base of the frame 20. For example, as shown in
FIG. 4A, the base support or foot 42 of the frame 20 has an opening
formed therein, through which a lower corner attachment strap 110
extending from a lower corner of the liner 60 can be removably or
permanently secured, for example by snaps, buckles, hook-and-loop
fasteners, hooks, clips, buttons, ties or other releasable
attachment means, or by rivets, adhesive, screws or other more
permanent attachment means. In alternate embodiments, for example
as shown in FIG. 4B, a lower corner attachment strap 110' extending
from the liner 60 includes a first component 112 of a buckle or
snap coupling, and a second component 114 of the buckle or snap
coupling is attached to the base support or foot 42 of the frame
20, whereby the first and second components can be engaged to
removably attach the lower corners of the liner to the base of the
frame, and disengaged for removal of the liner from the frame.
[0032] In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more
flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap or
skirt 70 of the liner to the frame 20. For example, with reference
to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a flap corner attachment strap 120 extends from
one or more corners of the flap or skirt 70 of the liner 60, and is
configured to loop through a liner attachment loop 38 on the frame
20 and detachably secure to retain the liner in place. In example
forms, the liner attachment loop 38 comprises an eyelet or loop
extending from a corner post 22 or accessory mounting bracket 38
secured to a corner post of the frame 20, and the flap corner
attachment strap 120 has a length and width configured to extend
freely through the liner attachment loop and releasably secure by
attachment to the flap 70 or other portion of the play yard. In the
depicted embodiment, the flap corner attachment strap 120 has a tab
of a first component (hook or loop) of a hook-and-loop attachment
material on its free end, and the flap 70 of the liner 60 has a
piece of a second component (loop or hook) of the hook-and-loop
attachment material attached on its exterior corner surface. In
alternate embodiments, one or more snaps, buttons, buckles, clips,
ties or other releasable attachment means are provided in place of
the hook-and-loop attachment material. In still other embodiments,
the flap corner attachment straps 120 attach permanently or
semi-permanently to the frame or other portions of the play
yard.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a play yard 10' according to another example
embodiment of the invention. The play yard 10' comprises a frame
20' and a liner 60'. The liner 60' can be a non-removable liner,
permanently or substantially permanently secured to the frame 20',
for example by stitching, adhesive, rivets, screws or other
fasteners, or other attachments not configured for easy removal in
ordinary usage of the play yard. Alternatively, the liner can be
removable, for example by provision of one or more releasable
attachment features substantially as described above.
[0034] The play yard optionally further comprises one or more
accessories, for example as shown in FIG. 9. Example accessories
may include one or more of a sleeping unit or bassinet 140, a toy
bar, entertainer or light 142, a changing table or station 144, a
containment unit or storage container 146 or other infant or child
accessories. Optionally one or more accessory mounts 36' are
affixed to corner posts of the frame 20', and are configured to
receive and engage support brackets or other coupling portions of
the accessories. Additionally or alternatively, one or more
accessory mounting or connection portions are optionally provided
on the upper side and/or end cross-members 24, 26 or other frame
members, and corresponding access openings 150 can be provided
through the liner, as shown in FIG. 1, for attachment of
accessories to the frame.
[0035] In use, a play yard 10 according to an example form of the
invention allows a user to removably, permanently or
semi-permanently attach the liner 60 to the frame 20 by attachment
of corner post attachment flaps of the liner around corner posts of
the frame. In further example methods of use, the play yard 10
allows a user to remove the liner 60 from the frame 20, for example
for cleaning or replacement, and to re-attach the liner (or a
replacement liner) back onto the frame. The method of removable
attachment of the liner 60 to the frame 20, in example forms, can
include attachment using any one or more of the above-described
attachment means. For example, the liner 60 can be removably
attached to the frame by engagement of one or more upper peripheral
attachments, one or more corner post attachment flaps, one or more
lower corner base attachment members, and/or one or more flap
corner attachments, as described in greater particularity above.
Example embodiments and methods of use may include any one of these
particular forms of attachment. Alternative embodiments and methods
of use may include any combination(s) of two or more of these forms
of attachment, as well as combination(s) of any of these forms of
attachment with other forms of removable attachment of a liner to a
frame of a play yard or other child containment apparatus. In
example embodiments and methods of use, the liner is removably
attached to the frame without the need for disassembly or
detachment of frame members to remove and replace the liner, and
without the need for separate liner retention members detachably
secured to frame components.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and
deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the
following claims.
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