US20240057784A1 - Play yard with removable padded floor - Google Patents
Play yard with removable padded floor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240057784A1 US20240057784A1 US17/890,708 US202217890708A US2024057784A1 US 20240057784 A1 US20240057784 A1 US 20240057784A1 US 202217890708 A US202217890708 A US 202217890708A US 2024057784 A1 US2024057784 A1 US 2024057784A1
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- Prior art keywords
- arms
- play yard
- assembly
- frame body
- horizontal
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 117
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 206010003497 Asphyxia Diseases 0.000 description 5
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000153 supplemental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D13/00—Other nursery furniture
- A47D13/06—Children's play- pens
- A47D13/061—Children's play- pens foldable
- A47D13/063—Children's play- pens foldable with soft walls
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D11/00—Children's furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture, e.g. children's chairs or benches convertible into beds or constructional play-furniture
- A47D11/005—Convertible children's beds
- A47D11/007—Children's beds convertible into children's pens
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D11/00—Children's furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture, e.g. children's chairs or benches convertible into beds or constructional play-furniture
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D13/00—Other nursery furniture
- A47D13/06—Children's play- pens
- A47D13/066—Children's play- pens dismountable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47D—FURNITURE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN
- A47D9/00—Cradles ; Bassinets
- A47D9/005—Cradles ; Bassinets foldable
Definitions
- This invention relates to a play yard for young children. More particularly, the invention relates to a play yard that includes a removable padded floor. Most particularly, the invention relates to a play yard with a removable padded floor securable along the bottom periphery of the play yard and/or the periphery at the mid-height of the side walls of the play yard such that the play yard can also function as a bassinet.
- a conventional play yard or portable crib typically comprises a frame body which includes a support frame, a stand mounted on the bottom of the support frame, a fabric floor with mesh walls coming up from the fabric floor to create an enclosure, and a mattress secured or securable within the enclosure.
- the play yard or portable crib has an inner space to receive an infant or a baby so that the infant or baby can play within the enclosure created by the fabric floor, the mesh walls, and the support frame or so that they can sleep on the mattress.
- Play yards and portable cribs often also include a bassinet feature for use as a containment and sleeping device for use with younger infants.
- the mattress provided with a play yard and bassinet are limited in thickness which parents perceive as not comfortable enough for a child and thus have historically decided to add an additional mattress or extra padding to increase the comfort for the child.
- extra padding or incorrectly sized mattresses within the play yard, portable crib, or bassinet can pose safety issues.
- Such safety issues include entrapment of the infant between the incorrectly sized mattress or padding and the mesh walls of the play yard, portable crib, or bassinet which can lead to asphyxiation/suffocation of the infant.
- the safety standard requires a warning against the addition of extra padding or mattresses however, consumers continue to ignore that warning and add extra padding or incorrectly sized mattresses leading to the death of infants.
- An embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising: a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to either the play yard securement means, or the bassinet securement means
- a second embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- a third embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- a fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- a fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- a sixth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
- a seventh embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- An eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
- a ninth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the play yard securement means.
- a tenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the ninth embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- An eleventh embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the tenth embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- a twelfth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the eleventh embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twelfth embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the thirteenth embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
- a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the fourteenth embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the fifteenth embodiment above, wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
- a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising: a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the bassinet securement means.
- An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the seventeenth embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the eighteenth embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- a twentieth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the nineteenth embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twentieth embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the four bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- a twenty-second embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twenty-first embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, and a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly.
- a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twenty-second embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the play yard of the present invention with a removable padded floor not secured to the frame body;
- FIG. 1 B is a perspective view of FIG. 1 A with the removable padded floor secured to the bottom of frame body;
- FIG. 1 C is a perspective view of FIG. 1 A with the removable padded floor secured at the mid-height of the side walls of the frame body such that the play yard can be used as a bassinet;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower frame body of the play yard in more detail
- FIG. 3 A is a perspective overhead view of FIG. 1 A without the removable padded floor;
- FIG. 3 B is a locally perspective enlarged view of a corner of the play yard of FIG. 3 A ;
- FIG. 3 C is a locally perspective enlarged view of the end of a track portion of the play yard of FIG. 3 A ;
- FIG. 4 A is a plan side view of one embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 B is a plan side view of another embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 C is a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of securement means positioned on the padded floor assembly of the present invention wrapped around a diagonal arm of the lower frame body of the play yard of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of a folded-up play yard of the present invention wherein the padded floor assembly has been unsecured from the play yard;
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6 with a padded floor assembly wrapped around the folded play yard and secured to itself for easy storage of the play yard.
- FIG. 10 A play yard with a removable padded floor made in accordance with the present invention is indicated by the numeral 10 .
- Play yard 10 comprises a frame body 12 with a fabric and/or mesh crib body 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 A, 1 B, and 1 C .
- FIG. 1 A shows a padded floor assembly 60 prior to said assembly 60 being positioned and secured within the play yard 10 ;
- FIG. 1 B shows said assembly 60 positioned and secured within the play yard 10 in a play yard mode to create an enclosed area 40 a ;
- FIG. 1 C shows said assembly 60 positioned and secured within the play yard 10 in a bassinet mode to create an enclosed area 40 b .
- the removable padded floor assembly 60 provides enhanced comfort and the flexibility to use the product in both the play yard and bassinet modes without introducing the asphyxiation/suffocation hazard associated with added mattresses that are incorrectly sized.
- the removable padded floor assembly 60 also allows for the folding of the play yard for storage when not in use.
- a typical frame body 12 includes an upper frame body 16 and a lower frame body 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the upper frame body 16 includes four vertical arms 20 , two horizontal side arms 22 , and two horizontal end arms 23 . Each of the horizontal arms 22 and 23 are positioned and secured between two of the vertical arms 20 .
- the lower frame body 18 includes four corner brackets 24 , four diagonal arms 26 , two lower horizontal arms 28 , and a release mechanism 30 .
- the horizontal arms 22 and 23 are two pieces arms with a locking mechanism securing the two pieces together at the center portion of each horizontal arm 22 and 23 as is common in the field.
- Each of the four vertical arms 20 are individually securable within the four corner brackets 24 to connect the upper frame body 16 to the lower frame body 18 .
- the four diagonal arms 26 are also individually securable within the four corner brackets 24 as best seen in FIG. 2 .
- the four diagonal arms 26 and the two lower horizontal arms 28 are also individually securable within the release mechanism 30 .
- the ends of the two lower horizontal arms 28 are curved to allow for easy placement on a floor surface.
- there is one singular strip of fabric 35 that is secured along the middle lower edge of two lower horizontal fabric sections 38 along the sides of the play yard 10 .
- the strip of fabric 35 contains two straps 35 a and 35 b that secure around the two lower horizontal arms 28 to keep the two lower horizontal arms 28 in place when folding and unfolding to set up the play yard 10 for use by a child.
- a typical fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls 32 , two end mesh walls 33 , four upper horizontal padded fabric sections 34 , four vertical fabric sections 36 , four lower horizontal fabric sections 38 , and four bassinet connection portions 39 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the four upper horizontal padded fabric sections 34 surround and enclose the horizontal arms 22 and 23 and the four vertical fabric sections 36 surround and enclose the four vertical arms 20 .
- the four lower horizontal fabric sections 38 provide points of attachment for the padded floor assembly 60 to create the enclosed area 40 a so that the play yard 10 can be used as a play yard.
- the four bassinet connection portions 39 provide points of attachment for the padded floor assembly 60 to create the enclosed area 40 b so that the play yard 10 can be used as a bassinet.
- the four bassinet connection portions 39 are located at about the mid-height of each of the mesh walls 32 and 33 and said mesh walls 32 and 33 are surrounded by the four upper horizontal padded fabric sections 34 , the four vertical fabric sections 36 , and the four lower horizontal padded sections 38 .
- the padded floor assembly 60 is placed into a play yard position, such as shown in FIG. 1 B . To do this, the padded floor assembly 60 will need to be secured to the play yard 10 .
- a zipper track 50 a around the periphery of the play yard 10 along the interior portion of the four lower horizontal fabric sections 38 will be a zipper track 50 a , as shown in FIG. 3 A , and there will be a corresponding zipper track 50 b located around the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 , as best shown in FIGS. 4 A, 4 B, and 4 C .
- the zipper track 50 a as shown is a male zipper track while the zipper track 50 b as shown in the figures is a female zipper track, however, it is contemplated that the zipper track 50 a could be a female zipper track while the zipper track 50 b could be a male zipper track.
- male zipper track the present invention is referring to the portion of a zipper assembly that includes an insert pin and by female zipper track, the present invention is referring to the portion of a zipper assembly that includes a stationary end at the zipper slider 61 . Additionally, to allow for the padded floor assembly 60 to be placed in a bassinet mode, such as shown in FIG.
- the zipper track 50 b around the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 includes two zipper sliders 61 , located at opposite ends of the of the padded floor assembly 60 .
- the two zipper sliders 61 on the zipper track 50 b will correspond with two separate portions of the zipper tracks 50 a / 50 c of the play yard 10 .
- the zipper track 50 b could include just one zipper slider 61 , which would correspond with just one portion of the zipper track 50 a / 50 c ; or in other embodiments, there could be four zipper sliders 61 , one for each portion of the lower horizontal fabric sections 38 and the bassinet connection portions 39 , which would then correspond with four separate portions of the zipper tracks 50 a / 50 c.
- a flap of material 52 that will cover the zipper assembly of 50 a and 50 b when the padded floor assembly 60 is in a play yard position, and although not shown in detail in the drawings, there is an additional flap of material 52 that will cover the zipper assembly of 50 c and 50 b when the padded floor assembly is in a bassinet position.
- the flap of material 52 will hid the zipper assembly of 50 a / 50 c and 50 b such that an infant cannot easily access it.
- FIG. 3 B specifically shows a corner of the play yard 10 wherein an additional piece of material 54 is located that provides the user of the play yard 10 with a curved corner to make securing of the padded floor assembly 60 easier when securing the zipper assembly of 50 a / 50 c and 50 b around the corners of play yard 10 .
- FIG. 3 B shows only one corner located between two portions of the lower horizontal fabric sections 38 , the present invention contemplates that each corner between each portion of the lower horizontal fabric sections 38 will contain the additional piece of material 54 and that each corner between each portion of the four bassinet connection portions 39 will also contain an additional piece of material 54 .
- FIG. 3 C shows the end of a portion of a zipper track 50 a secured to corresponding zipper track 50 b .
- a small pocket 56 will be formed at the area shown in FIG. 3 C when the zipper portions are connected that will allow for the zipper slider 61 to be tucked away therewithin to prevent occupants of the play yard 10 from accessing the zipper slider 61 .
- a clasp 58 is secured near the end of each portion of zipper track 50 a .
- the clasp 58 will connect with the zipper slider 61 and then both the clasp 58 and the zipper slider 61 will be tucked into pocket 56 . Therefore, in embodiments of the present invention wherein there are two zipper sliders 61 , there will be two corresponding pockets 56 and two corresponding clasps 58 that will work with the zipper sliders 61 once the padded floor assembly 60 has been set in place.
- this embodiment of the padded floor assembly 60 includes a one-piece foam padding portion 64 and a one-piece support board portion 66 .
- the one-piece foam padding portion 64 and the one-piece support board portion 66 are contained within a cloth covering 62 .
- FIG. 4 A shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 A having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60 for carrying of the assembly 60 .
- assembly 60 of FIG. 4 B could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60 .
- FIG. 4 A also shows a portion of zipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 .
- this embodiment of the padded floor assembly 60 includes a two-piece foam padding assembly 64 a and a two-piece support board assembly 66 a .
- the two-piece foam padding assembly 64 a although separated into two pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly shown in FIG. 4 A when unfolded to a flat orientation.
- the two-piece support board assembly 66 a although separated into two pieces of support board, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece support board portion as shown in FIG. 4 A when unfolded to a flat orientation.
- the assemblies 64 a and 66 a are contained within a cloth cover 62 .
- the cloth cover 62 additionally includes stitching 65 , located on the underside of cloth cover 62 , to split the padded floor assembly 60 into two attached but separate portions.
- stitching 65 located on the underside of cloth cover 62 , to split the padded floor assembly 60 into two attached but separate portions.
- FIG. 4 B shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 B having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60 . It is also contemplated that assembly 60 of FIG. 4 B could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60 .
- FIG. 4 B also shows a portion of zipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 .
- this embodiment of the padded floor assembly 60 includes a four-piece segmented foam assembly 64 b and a four-piece segmented support board assembly 66 b .
- the four-piece foam padding assembly 64 b although separated into four pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly of FIG. 4 A when unfolded to a flat orientation.
- the four-piece support board assembly 66 b although separated into four pieces of support board, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece support board portion of FIG. 4 A when unfolded to a flat orientation.
- the assemblies 64 b and 66 b are contained within a cloth cover 62 .
- the cloth cover 62 additionally includes stitching 65 a , 65 b , and 65 c , located on the underside of cloth cover 62 , to split the padded floor assembly 60 into four attached but separate pieces.
- the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 C also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of the assembly 60 .
- FIG. 4 C shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 C having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60 . It is also contemplated that assembly 60 of FIG. 4 C could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60 .
- FIG. 4 C also shows a portion of zipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 .
- the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 C also includes two different securement means 72 a and 72 b that will be discussed in detail below.
- the padded floor assembly 60 is oriented within the play yard 10 such that the foam assembly 64 / 64 a / 64 b is closest to any child within the interior of play yard 10 , when the play yard 10 is being used as either a play yard cover or a bassinet.
- the thickness of the padded floor assembly 60 including the foam assembly 64 / 64 a / 64 b , the support board assembly 66 / 66 a / 66 b , and the cloth cover 62 is from 0.5 inches to 4.0 inches, in other embodiments from 1.0 inches to 3.75 inches, and in yet other embodiments from 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches.
- the thickness is greater that 0.5 inches, in other embodiments greater than 1.0 inches, and in yet other embodiments greater than 2.0 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness is less than 4.0 inches, in other embodiments less than 3.75 inches, and in yet other embodiments less than 3.25 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the padded floor assembly 60 , including the foam assembly 64 / 64 a / 64 b , the support board assembly 66 / 66 a / 66 b , and the cloth cover 62 is 3.0 inches.
- the following steps should be taken.
- To set up the frame body 12 of the play yard 10 the center of each horizontal side arm 22 needs to be grabbed and lifted upwards until the horizontal side arms 22 are in their fully extended and locked positions.
- the center of each horizontal end arm 23 needs to be grabbed and lifted upwards until the horizontal end arms 23 are in their fully extended and locked positions.
- the release mechanism 30 needs pushed down on until it locks the lower frame body 18 in place, this will set the frame body 12 into a position wherein the padded floor assembly 60 can be positioned and secured within the play yard 10 in either a play yard position or a bassinet position.
- Forming enclosed area 40 a takes place by placing the padded floor assembly 60 into a play yard position, such as shown in FIG. 1 B .
- the zipper track 50 b along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 will need to mate with the zipper track 50 a located along the interior portion of the four lower horizontal fabric sections 38 .
- the one or more zipper sliders 61 are each connected to a clasp 58 and then tucked into a pocket 56 .
- the next step of placing the padded floor assembly into a play yard position is to take each securement means 68 and wrap them each around a respective diagonal arm 26 , such as shown in FIG. 5 .
- Access to the diagonal arms 26 is simple, because as shown in FIG. 2 , there is no cloth component in the fabric crib body 14 covering access to said diagonal arms 26 .
- Not having a cloth component in this position is an important safety feature of the present invention because it makes it very easy the end user to make sure that the padded floor assembly 60 is secured to the play yard 10 prior to placing a child within the play yard 10 when said play yard 10 is in play yard mode.
- Forming enclosed area 40 b takes placed by placing the padded floor assembly 60 into a bassinet position, such as shown in FIG. 1 C .
- the zipper track 50 b along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 will need to mate with zipper track 50 c located along the interior portion of the four bassinet connection portions 39 .
- the one or more zipper sliders 61 are each connected to a clasp 58 and then tucked into a pocket 56 .
- the first step will be to remove the padded floor assembly 60 .
- each respective clasp 58 and respective zipper slider 61 should be removed from their respective pocket 56 , and then each respective zipper slider 61 should be unclasped from their respective clasp 58 .
- the next step is to unsecure zipper track 50 b located along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 from connection with the zipper track 50 a or 50 c . If the play yard 10 is in play yard mode, prior to unsecuring the zipper track 50 b from 50 a , the securement means 68 should be unwrapped from around each respective diagonal arm 26 .
- the next step to fold the frame body 12 will be to push up on release mechanism 30 of the lower frame body 18 and release the locking mechanisms on the horizontal arms 22 and 23 to then allow for the frame body 12 to fold up as shown in FIG. 6 .
- release mechanism 30 of the lower frame body 18 and release the locking mechanisms on the horizontal arms 22 and 23 to then allow for the frame body 12 to fold up as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the padded floor assembly 60 including the four-piece segmented foam assembly 64 b and a four-piece segmented support board assembly 66 b can be wrapped around the play yard 10 as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4 C also includes two different securement means 72 a and 72 b that can be utilized to secure the padded floor assembly 60 when placed around the folded-up frame body 12 and fabric crib body 14 when the play yard 10 is not in use.
- the securement means 72 a and 72 b can include hook and loop type fasteners, male and female snap fasteners, and male and female zip fasteners.
- a removable mattress can be supplied with the play yard 10 of the present invention that would be placeable on top of the padded floor assembly 60 , either in bassinet mode or play yard mode.
- This mattress would be relatively thin to not provide any opportunity for a child/infant to become entrapped underneath and cause a safety hazard. It is contemplated that such a mattress will be 1 inch thick or less and would also have the ability to receive a fitted sheet.
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Abstract
A play yard comprising: a play yard frame body; a fabric crib body; play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly. The play yard frame body includes an upper frame body and a lower frame body and the fabric crib body surrounds and enclosed the upper frame body. The removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to either the play yard securement means, or the bassinet securement means.
Description
- This invention relates to a play yard for young children. More particularly, the invention relates to a play yard that includes a removable padded floor. Most particularly, the invention relates to a play yard with a removable padded floor securable along the bottom periphery of the play yard and/or the periphery at the mid-height of the side walls of the play yard such that the play yard can also function as a bassinet.
- A conventional play yard or portable crib typically comprises a frame body which includes a support frame, a stand mounted on the bottom of the support frame, a fabric floor with mesh walls coming up from the fabric floor to create an enclosure, and a mattress secured or securable within the enclosure. Thus, the play yard or portable crib has an inner space to receive an infant or a baby so that the infant or baby can play within the enclosure created by the fabric floor, the mesh walls, and the support frame or so that they can sleep on the mattress. Play yards and portable cribs often also include a bassinet feature for use as a containment and sleeping device for use with younger infants.
- Under the safety standards, the mattress provided with a play yard and bassinet are limited in thickness which parents perceive as not comfortable enough for a child and thus have historically decided to add an additional mattress or extra padding to increase the comfort for the child. However, extra padding or incorrectly sized mattresses within the play yard, portable crib, or bassinet can pose safety issues. Such safety issues include entrapment of the infant between the incorrectly sized mattress or padding and the mesh walls of the play yard, portable crib, or bassinet which can lead to asphyxiation/suffocation of the infant. The safety standard requires a warning against the addition of extra padding or mattresses however, consumers continue to ignore that warning and add extra padding or incorrectly sized mattresses leading to the death of infants. There has even been a submission to the Consumer Product Safety Commission entitled “Petition Requesting Rulemaking on Supplemental Mattresses for Play Yards with Non-Rigid Sides” that requested the Commission to issue a ban on supplemental mattresses thicker than 1.5 inches for play yards with non-rigid sides because CPSC research indicates that incorrectly sized mattresses create a suffocation hazard because they create a gap between the mattress pad sides and the sides of the portable crib where a baby can suffocate when the baby's head or torso falls in such a gap while lying in a prone position.
- Therefore, there is a need in the art to create a play yard or portable crib that can be converted to a bassinet and that provides enhanced comfort to the infant while also not providing any opportunities for the infant to get entrapped by a mattress.
- An embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising: a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to either the play yard securement means, or the bassinet securement means
- A second embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- A third embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- A fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- A sixth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
- A seventh embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- An eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in any embodiment above, wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
- A ninth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the play yard securement means.
- A tenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the ninth embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- An eleventh embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the tenth embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- A twelfth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the eleventh embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twelfth embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the thirteenth embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
- A fifteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the fourteenth embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- A sixteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the fifteenth embodiment above, wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
- A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard comprising: a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body; a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body; bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly; wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the bassinet securement means.
- An eighteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the seventeenth embodiment above, wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
- A nineteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the eighteenth embodiment above, wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
- A twentieth embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the nineteenth embodiment above, wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
- A twenty-first embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twentieth embodiment above, wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the four bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
- A twenty-second embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twenty-first embodiment above, wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, and a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly.
- A twenty-third embodiment of the present invention provides a play yard as in the twenty-second embodiment above, wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
- For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which:
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FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the play yard of the present invention with a removable padded floor not secured to the frame body; -
FIG. 1B is a perspective view ofFIG. 1A with the removable padded floor secured to the bottom of frame body; -
FIG. 1C is a perspective view ofFIG. 1A with the removable padded floor secured at the mid-height of the side walls of the frame body such that the play yard can be used as a bassinet; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower frame body of the play yard in more detail; -
FIG. 3A is a perspective overhead view ofFIG. 1A without the removable padded floor; -
FIG. 3B is a locally perspective enlarged view of a corner of the play yard ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 3C is a locally perspective enlarged view of the end of a track portion of the play yard ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4A is a plan side view of one embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention; -
FIG. 4B is a plan side view of another embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention; -
FIG. 4C is a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the removable padded floor assembly of the play yard of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of securement means positioned on the padded floor assembly of the present invention wrapped around a diagonal arm of the lower frame body of the play yard of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a folded-up play yard of the present invention wherein the padded floor assembly has been unsecured from the play yard; and -
FIG. 7 is a plan view ofFIG. 6 with a padded floor assembly wrapped around the folded play yard and secured to itself for easy storage of the play yard. - A play yard with a removable padded floor made in accordance with the present invention is indicated by the numeral 10.
Play yard 10 comprises aframe body 12 with a fabric and/ormesh crib body 14 as shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C .FIG. 1A shows apadded floor assembly 60 prior to saidassembly 60 being positioned and secured within theplay yard 10;FIG. 1B shows saidassembly 60 positioned and secured within theplay yard 10 in a play yard mode to create anenclosed area 40 a; andFIG. 1C shows saidassembly 60 positioned and secured within theplay yard 10 in a bassinet mode to create anenclosed area 40 b. The removable paddedfloor assembly 60 provides enhanced comfort and the flexibility to use the product in both the play yard and bassinet modes without introducing the asphyxiation/suffocation hazard associated with added mattresses that are incorrectly sized. The removable paddedfloor assembly 60 also allows for the folding of the play yard for storage when not in use. - While the present invention is not defined by the specifics of the
frame body 12, atypical frame body 12 includes anupper frame body 16 and alower frame body 18 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . Theupper frame body 16 includes fourvertical arms 20, twohorizontal side arms 22, and twohorizontal end arms 23. Each of thehorizontal arms vertical arms 20. Thelower frame body 18 includes fourcorner brackets 24, fourdiagonal arms 26, two lowerhorizontal arms 28, and arelease mechanism 30. Although not visible in the drawings of the present invention, it is contemplated that thehorizontal arms horizontal arm - Each of the four
vertical arms 20 are individually securable within the fourcorner brackets 24 to connect theupper frame body 16 to thelower frame body 18. The fourdiagonal arms 26 are also individually securable within the fourcorner brackets 24 as best seen inFIG. 2 . As also shown in theFIG. 2 , the fourdiagonal arms 26 and the two lowerhorizontal arms 28 are also individually securable within therelease mechanism 30. The ends of the two lowerhorizontal arms 28 are curved to allow for easy placement on a floor surface. As also shown inFIG. 2 , there is one singular strip offabric 35 that is secured along the middle lower edge of two lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38 along the sides of theplay yard 10. The strip offabric 35 contains twostraps horizontal arms 28 to keep the two lowerhorizontal arms 28 in place when folding and unfolding to set up theplay yard 10 for use by a child. - While the present invention is not defined by the specifics of the
fabric crib body 14, a typical fabric crib body includes twoside mesh walls 32, twoend mesh walls 33, four upper horizontal paddedfabric sections 34, fourvertical fabric sections 36, four lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38, and fourbassinet connection portions 39 as shown inFIG. 1 . The four upper horizontal paddedfabric sections 34 surround and enclose thehorizontal arms vertical fabric sections 36 surround and enclose the fourvertical arms 20. The four lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38 provide points of attachment for the paddedfloor assembly 60 to create theenclosed area 40 a so that theplay yard 10 can be used as a play yard. The fourbassinet connection portions 39 provide points of attachment for the paddedfloor assembly 60 to create theenclosed area 40 b so that theplay yard 10 can be used as a bassinet. The fourbassinet connection portions 39 are located at about the mid-height of each of themesh walls mesh walls fabric sections 34, the fourvertical fabric sections 36, and the four lower horizontal paddedsections 38. - To create
enclosed area 40 a to useplay yard 10 as a play yard, the paddedfloor assembly 60 is placed into a play yard position, such as shown inFIG. 1B . To do this, the paddedfloor assembly 60 will need to be secured to theplay yard 10. In one embodiment, around the periphery of theplay yard 10 along the interior portion of the four lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38 will be azipper track 50 a, as shown inFIG. 3A , and there will be acorresponding zipper track 50 b located around the external upper periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60, as best shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C . Thezipper track 50 a as shown is a male zipper track while thezipper track 50 b as shown in the figures is a female zipper track, however, it is contemplated that thezipper track 50 a could be a female zipper track while thezipper track 50 b could be a male zipper track. By male zipper track, the present invention is referring to the portion of a zipper assembly that includes an insert pin and by female zipper track, the present invention is referring to the portion of a zipper assembly that includes a stationary end at thezipper slider 61. Additionally, to allow for the paddedfloor assembly 60 to be placed in a bassinet mode, such as shown inFIG. 1C , around the periphery of theplay yard 10 along the interior portion of the fourbassinet connection portions 39 will be anadditional zipper track 50 c, as shown inFIG. 3A , that will also align with the correspondingzipper track 50 b located around the external periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60. - Although the above section discusses the use of
zippers 50 a/50 c and 50 b to secure the paddedfloor assembly 60 into theplay yard 10, the present invention also contemplates other securement means such as hook and loop type fasteners and male and female snap fasteners. - The figures of the present invention show that the
zipper track 50 b around the upper external periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60 includes twozipper sliders 61, located at opposite ends of the of the paddedfloor assembly 60. The twozipper sliders 61 on thezipper track 50 b will correspond with two separate portions of the zipper tracks 50 a/50 c of theplay yard 10. The present invention also contemplated that thezipper track 50 b could include just onezipper slider 61, which would correspond with just one portion of thezipper track 50 a/50 c; or in other embodiments, there could be fourzipper sliders 61, one for each portion of the lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38 and thebassinet connection portions 39, which would then correspond with four separate portions of the zipper tracks 50 a/50 c. - As shown in
FIG. 3B , above the position of zipper tracks 50 a is a flap ofmaterial 52 that will cover the zipper assembly of 50 a and 50 b when the paddedfloor assembly 60 is in a play yard position, and although not shown in detail in the drawings, there is an additional flap ofmaterial 52 that will cover the zipper assembly of 50 c and 50 b when the padded floor assembly is in a bassinet position. The flap ofmaterial 52 will hid the zipper assembly of 50 a/50 c and 50 b such that an infant cannot easily access it. -
FIG. 3B specifically shows a corner of theplay yard 10 wherein an additional piece ofmaterial 54 is located that provides the user of theplay yard 10 with a curved corner to make securing of the paddedfloor assembly 60 easier when securing the zipper assembly of 50 a/50 c and 50 b around the corners ofplay yard 10. AlthoughFIG. 3B shows only one corner located between two portions of the lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38, the present invention contemplates that each corner between each portion of the lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38 will contain the additional piece ofmaterial 54 and that each corner between each portion of the fourbassinet connection portions 39 will also contain an additional piece ofmaterial 54. -
FIG. 3C shows the end of a portion of azipper track 50 a secured tocorresponding zipper track 50 b. Asmall pocket 56 will be formed at the area shown inFIG. 3C when the zipper portions are connected that will allow for thezipper slider 61 to be tucked away therewithin to prevent occupants of theplay yard 10 from accessing thezipper slider 61. Too further prevent any tampering with thezipper slider 61, aclasp 58 is secured near the end of each portion ofzipper track 50 a. Theclasp 58 will connect with thezipper slider 61 and then both theclasp 58 and thezipper slider 61 will be tucked intopocket 56. Therefore, in embodiments of the present invention wherein there are twozipper sliders 61, there will be two correspondingpockets 56 and twocorresponding clasps 58 that will work with thezipper sliders 61 once the paddedfloor assembly 60 has been set in place. - As shown in
FIG. 4A , this embodiment of the paddedfloor assembly 60 includes a one-piecefoam padding portion 64 and a one-piecesupport board portion 66. The one-piecefoam padding portion 64 and the one-piecesupport board portion 66 are contained within a cloth covering 62. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of theassembly 60, it is contemplated that the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4A also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of theassembly 60. Additionally,FIG. 4A shows the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4A having twohandles 70 located along the ends ofassembly 60 for carrying of theassembly 60. It is also contemplated thatassembly 60 ofFIG. 4B could have another set ofhandles 70 along each side of theassembly 60.FIG. 4A also shows a portion ofzipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60. - As shown in
FIG. 4B , this embodiment of the paddedfloor assembly 60 includes a two-piecefoam padding assembly 64 a and a two-piecesupport board assembly 66 a. It is important to note that in the embodiment ofFIG. 4B , the two-piecefoam padding assembly 64 a, although separated into two pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly shown inFIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. In a comparable manner, the two-piecesupport board assembly 66 a, although separated into two pieces of support board, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece support board portion as shown inFIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. Theassemblies cloth cover 62. Thecloth cover 62 additionally includesstitching 65, located on the underside ofcloth cover 62, to split the paddedfloor assembly 60 into two attached but separate portions. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of theassembly 60, it is contemplated that the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4B also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of theassembly 60. Additionally,FIG. 4B shows the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4B having twohandles 70 located along the ends ofassembly 60. It is also contemplated thatassembly 60 ofFIG. 4B could have another set ofhandles 70 along each side of theassembly 60.FIG. 4B also shows a portion ofzipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60. - As shown in
FIG. 4C , this embodiment of the paddedfloor assembly 60 includes a four-piece segmentedfoam assembly 64 b and a four-piece segmentedsupport board assembly 66 b. It is important to note that in the embodiment ofFIG. 4C , the four-piecefoam padding assembly 64 b, although separated into four pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly ofFIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. In a comparable manner, the four-piecesupport board assembly 66 b, although separated into four pieces of support board, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece support board portion ofFIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. Theassemblies cloth cover 62. Thecloth cover 62 additionally includes stitching 65 a, 65 b, and 65 c, located on the underside ofcloth cover 62, to split the paddedfloor assembly 60 into four attached but separate pieces. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of theassembly 60, it is contemplated that the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4C also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of theassembly 60. Additionally,FIG. 4C shows the paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4C having twohandles 70 located along the ends ofassembly 60. It is also contemplated thatassembly 60 ofFIG. 4C could have another set ofhandles 70 along each side of theassembly 60.FIG. 4C also shows a portion ofzipper track 50 b along the upper external periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60. The paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4C also includes two different securement means 72 a and 72 b that will be discussed in detail below. - The padded
floor assembly 60 is oriented within theplay yard 10 such that thefoam assembly 64/64 a/64 b is closest to any child within the interior ofplay yard 10, when theplay yard 10 is being used as either a play yard cover or a bassinet. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the paddedfloor assembly 60, including thefoam assembly 64/64 a/64 b, thesupport board assembly 66/66 a/66 b, and thecloth cover 62 is from 0.5 inches to 4.0 inches, in other embodiments from 1.0 inches to 3.75 inches, and in yet other embodiments from 2.0 inches to 3.0 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness is greater that 0.5 inches, in other embodiments greater than 1.0 inches, and in yet other embodiments greater than 2.0 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness is less than 4.0 inches, in other embodiments less than 3.75 inches, and in yet other embodiments less than 3.25 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the paddedfloor assembly 60, including thefoam assembly 64/64 a/64 b, thesupport board assembly 66/66 a/66 b, and thecloth cover 62 is 3.0 inches. - To set up
play yard 10 for use, the following steps should be taken. To set up theframe body 12 of theplay yard 10, the center of eachhorizontal side arm 22 needs to be grabbed and lifted upwards until thehorizontal side arms 22 are in their fully extended and locked positions. Next, the center of eachhorizontal end arm 23 needs to be grabbed and lifted upwards until thehorizontal end arms 23 are in their fully extended and locked positions. Next, therelease mechanism 30 needs pushed down on until it locks thelower frame body 18 in place, this will set theframe body 12 into a position wherein the paddedfloor assembly 60 can be positioned and secured within theplay yard 10 in either a play yard position or a bassinet position. - Forming
enclosed area 40 a takes place by placing the paddedfloor assembly 60 into a play yard position, such as shown inFIG. 1B . To do this, thezipper track 50 b along the external upper periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60 will need to mate with thezipper track 50 a located along the interior portion of the four lowerhorizontal fabric sections 38. After securingzipper track 50 b with 50 a by zipping the one ormore zipper sliders 61 to the one or more ends ofzipper track 50 a, the one ormore zipper sliders 61 are each connected to aclasp 58 and then tucked into apocket 56. The next step of placing the padded floor assembly into a play yard position is to take each securement means 68 and wrap them each around a respectivediagonal arm 26, such as shown inFIG. 5 . Access to thediagonal arms 26 is simple, because as shown inFIG. 2 , there is no cloth component in thefabric crib body 14 covering access to saiddiagonal arms 26. Not having a cloth component in this position is an important safety feature of the present invention because it makes it very easy the end user to make sure that the paddedfloor assembly 60 is secured to theplay yard 10 prior to placing a child within theplay yard 10 when saidplay yard 10 is in play yard mode. - Forming
enclosed area 40 b takes placed by placing the paddedfloor assembly 60 into a bassinet position, such as shown inFIG. 1C . To do this, thezipper track 50 b along the external upper periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60 will need to mate withzipper track 50 c located along the interior portion of the fourbassinet connection portions 39. After securingzipper track 50 b with 50 c by zipping the one ormore zipper sliders 61 to the one or more ends ofzipper track 50 c, the one ormore zipper sliders 61 are each connected to aclasp 58 and then tucked into apocket 56. Oncezipper track 50 b is secured tozipper track 50 c along the external upper periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60, theplay yard 10 of the present invention is ready to be used in bassinet mode. - To take apart play
yard 10 when not in use, the first step will be to remove the paddedfloor assembly 60. To do this, eachrespective clasp 58 andrespective zipper slider 61 should be removed from theirrespective pocket 56, and then eachrespective zipper slider 61 should be unclasped from theirrespective clasp 58. The next step is tounsecure zipper track 50 b located along the external upper periphery of the paddedfloor assembly 60 from connection with thezipper track play yard 10 is in play yard mode, prior to unsecuring thezipper track 50 b from 50 a, the securement means 68 should be unwrapped from around each respectivediagonal arm 26. - Once the padded
floor assembly 60 has been removed from theplay yard 10, the next step to fold theframe body 12 will be to push up onrelease mechanism 30 of thelower frame body 18 and release the locking mechanisms on thehorizontal arms frame body 12 to fold up as shown inFIG. 6 . In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that there could be a pull tab on the top of therelease mechanism 30 that would allow for a user to pull up on said pull tab to unlock thelower frame body 18. - In embodiments of the present invention that utilize the padded
floor assembly 60 as shown inFIG. 4C , there is an additional step that can take place when storing theplay yard 10 when not in use. The paddedfloor assembly 60 including the four-piece segmentedfoam assembly 64 b and a four-piece segmentedsupport board assembly 66 b can be wrapped around theplay yard 10 as shown inFIG. 7 . The paddedfloor assembly 60 ofFIG. 4C also includes two different securement means 72 a and 72 b that can be utilized to secure the paddedfloor assembly 60 when placed around the folded-upframe body 12 andfabric crib body 14 when theplay yard 10 is not in use. In one or more embodiments, the securement means 72 a and 72 b can include hook and loop type fasteners, male and female snap fasteners, and male and female zip fasteners. - Although not shown in any of the drawings, it is also contemplated that a removable mattress can be supplied with the
play yard 10 of the present invention that would be placeable on top of the paddedfloor assembly 60, either in bassinet mode or play yard mode. This mattress would be relatively thin to not provide any opportunity for a child/infant to become entrapped underneath and cause a safety hazard. It is contemplated that such a mattress will be 1 inch thick or less and would also have the ability to receive a fitted sheet. - Considering the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing a play yard with a removable padded floor that is structurally and functionally improved in several ways. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby since variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow.
Claims (23)
1. A play yard comprising:
a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body;
a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body;
play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body;
bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and
a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;
wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to either the play yard securement means, or the bassinet securement means.
2. The play yard of claim 1 , wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
3. The play yard of claim 2 , wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
4. The play yard of claim 3 , wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
5. The play yard of claim 4 , wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
6. The play yard of claim 5 , wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
7. The play yard of claim 6 , wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
8. The play yard of claim 6 , wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
9. A play yard comprising:
a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body;
a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body;
play yard securement means located along a bottom periphery of the fabric crib body; and
a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;
wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the play yard securement means.
10. The play yard of claim 9 , wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
11. The play yard of claim 10 , wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
12. The play yard of claim 11 , wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
13. The play yard of claim 12 , wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four vertical fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
14. The play yard of claim 13 , wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly, and four floor securement means located at corners of the removable padded floor assembly.
15. The play yard of claim 14 , wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
16. The play yard of claim 14 , wherein said each of the four floor securement means of the removable padded floor assembly are secured around one of said four diagonal arms of the lower frame body when said removable padded floor assembly is removably secured to the play yard securement means.
17. A play yard comprising:
a play yard frame body comprising an upper frame body and a lower frame body;
a fabric crib body surrounding and enclosing the upper frame body;
bassinet securement means located along a mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body; and
a removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;
wherein the removable padded floor assembly is removably securable to the bassinet securement means.
18. The play yard of claim 17 , wherein said upper frame body includes four vertical arms, two horizontal side arms, and two horizontal end arms; and wherein said lower frame body includes four corner brackets, four diagonal arms, two lower horizontal arms, and a release mechanism.
19. The play yard of claim 18 , wherein each of the horizontal side and horizontal end arms are positioned and secured between two of the four vertical arms; wherein the four diagonal arms are each individually securable within one of the four corner brackets; wherein each of the four diagonal arms and the two lower horizontal arms are each individually securable within the release mechanism; and wherein each of the four vertical arms are individually securable within the four corner brackets to connect said upper frame body to said lower frame body.
20. The play yard of claim 19 , wherein said fabric crib body includes two side mesh walls, two end mesh walls, four horizontal padded fabric sections, four vertical fabric sections, four bassinet connection portions, and a lower horizontal arm fabric strip.
21. The play yard of claim 20 , wherein the four horizontal padded fabric sections surround and enclose the horizontal side and horizontal end arms; wherein the four vertical fabric sections surround and enclose the four vertical arms; wherein the bassinet connection portions are located along the mid-height periphery of the fabric crib body and wherein the bassinet securement means are located on the four bassinet connection portions; wherein the lower horizontal arm fabric strip contains two straps that secure around the two lower horizontal arms of the lower frame body; and wherein the two side mesh walls and the two end mesh walls are surrounded by the four horizontal padded fabric sections and the four fabric sections to form wall portions of the play yard.
22. The play yard of claim 21 , wherein said removable padded floor assembly includes a support board assembly, a foam padding assembly placed on said support board assembly, and a cloth cover surrounding, and encasing said support board assembly and said foam padding assembly.
23. The play yard of claim 22 , wherein the support board assembly is a four-piece support board assembly and wherein the foam padding assembly is a four-piece foam padding assembly.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/890,708 US20240057784A1 (en) | 2022-08-18 | 2022-08-18 | Play yard with removable padded floor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/890,708 US20240057784A1 (en) | 2022-08-18 | 2022-08-18 | Play yard with removable padded floor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20240057784A1 true US20240057784A1 (en) | 2024-02-22 |
Family
ID=89907768
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US17/890,708 Pending US20240057784A1 (en) | 2022-08-18 | 2022-08-18 | Play yard with removable padded floor |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20240057784A1 (en) |
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2022
- 2022-08-18 US US17/890,708 patent/US20240057784A1/en active Pending
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