Patent Application
20240188729
This application relates generally to collapsible frame assemblies for use in connection with play yards and, more specifically, to a collapsible play yard frame with a bias assembly for biasing the frame toward the setup and collapsed position.
Folding play yards are a standard item in parenting and baby caregiving. Such play yards enable a baby or toddler to play within a controlled and protected space. Play yards typically include a frame system and a plurality of flexible mesh/fabric panels to provide an enclosure. The frame system typically includes a plurality of frame members interconnected such that, when unfolded, form a base, upright corner posts and upper rails interconnecting the corner posts. The base includes a central locking hub interconnecting some base frame members, which in turn connect to the upright corner posts. Each upper rail is formed by two frame members that are pivotably connected to each other by a lockable connection located centrally along the length of the upper rail.
Applicable standards require that the lockable connection of each upper rail not function when the center locking hub is in its down position for play yard use. As a result, during play yard setup, the upper rails must be locked into their rigid use positions before the center locking hub is lowered. If the center locking hub is lowered before the upper rails are locked, then the rails cannot be locked for use.
One problem that occurs during setup is that, as the frame is unfolded, the center locking hub falls downward under gravity, before the user locks the upper rails. The user must, therefore, consciously hold the center locking hub upward during setup, making set up difficult. Likewise, during collapse of the frame from the use configuration to the storage configuration, the center locking hub can remain down longer than desired, resulting in certain frame components interfering with others in a manner that prevents the frame being fully collapsed to the storage configuration.
In one attempt to address the above issues, a center locking hub has been developed that includes an internal spring system for biasing the center locking hub upward. However, such a center locking hub is complex and costly to manufacture and produce.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a simple, effeetive biasing system for urging the center locking hub upward.
In one aspect, a collapsible play yard frame includes a plurality of frame members interconnected such that the frame is movable between a use configuration and a collapsed configuration. The plurality of frame members include: a base segment comprising a plurality of base frame members, a multiplicity of the base frame members extending outward from a locking hub, the locking hub movable between a raised frame unlock position and a lowered frame lock position, the plurality of base frame members forming, at least partly, the base segment of the play yard frame when in the use configuration; a set of corner frame members extending upward from the base segment when the play yard frame is in the use configuration; and a set of upper rails that, in the use configuration, interconnect the corner frame members, each upper rail formed by a pair of upper frame members pivotably connected together by a lockable connection for holding the upper frame members in the use configuration. A biasing assembly is located on the play yard frame, externally of the locking hub, for biasing the locking hub toward the raised frame unlock position during transition of the play yard frame from the collapsed configuration to the use configuration.
In another aspect, a collapsible play yard frame includes a plurality of frame members interconnected such that the frame is movable between a use configuration and a collapsed configuration. The plurality of frame members form a base segment with a locking hub, the locking hub movable between a raised frame unlock position and a lowered frame lock position; corner supports extending upward from the base segment; and a set of upper rails. A biasing assembly is located on the play yard frame, externally of the locking hub, for biasing the locking hub toward the raised frame unlock position during transition of the play yard frame from the collapsed configuration to the use configuration. The biasing assembly comprises at least one elastic component interconnecting at least two base frame members of the base segment, such that the elastic component stretches as the locking hub moves from the raised frame unlock position to the lowered frame lock position.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Referring to
In the use configuration, the plurality of frame members include a base segment 24 comprising a plurality of base frame members 26, where base frame members 26a-26d extend outward from a locking hub 28 and are pivotable relative to the hub via pivotable hub brackets 28a-28d. The base segment also includes a forward base rail 29a comprising base frame members 26e and 26f that interconnect the base frame members 26a and 26b, and a rearward base rail 29b comprising base frame members 26g and 26h that interconnect the base frame members 26c and 26d. Base frame members 26e and 26d are pivotably connected to a forward bracket 30a that includes a downwardly extending supporting frame member 32a, and base frame members 26g and 26h are pivotably connected to a rearward bracket 30b that includes a downwardly extending supporting frame member 32b. The opposite ends of base frame members 26e and 26f are pivotably connected to intermediate portions of base frame members 26a and 26b by respective brackets 34a and 36a, and the opposite ends of base frame members 26g and 26h are pivotably connected to intermediate portions of base frame members 26g and 26h by respective brackets 34b and 36b.
Corner frame members 261-261 extend upward from the base segment when the play yard frame is in the use configuration. The outer end of each base frame member 26a-26d is pivotably connected to one of the corner frame members 261-261 by a respective corner bracket 38a-38d. Corner brackets 38a, 38c include downwardly extending support feet 40a, 40c, and corner brackets 38b, 38d include downwardly extending wheel units 42b and 42d.
Upper rails 44a-44b interconnect the corner frame members 26i-261, with each upper rail formed by a pair of upper frame members (26m, 26n and 26o, 26p and 26q, 26r, and 26s, 26t) that are pivotably connected together by respective lockable connections 46a-46d for holding the upper frame members in the use configuration.
The locking hub 28 is movable between a lowered frame lock position, shown in
A biasing assembly 50 is located on the play yard frame, externally of the locking hub 28, for biasing the locking hub 28 toward the raised frame unlock position, particularly during transition of the play yard frame from the collapsed configuration to the use configuration, or transition of the frame from the use configuration to the collapsed configuration. Here, the biasing assembly comprises an elastic component 50a, engaged on the base segment such that the elastic component stretches as the play yard frame moves from the collapsed configuration to the use configuration. In one example, the elastic component could be comprised of a bungee cord. As an alternative to a bungee cord, the clastic component could be any suitably flexible material including monofilaments, rope, woven and twisted cord, plastic and textile tapes, ribbon, and those materials commonly called string. The clastic component 50a is secured to the supporting frame member 32a and the supporting frame member 32b, and extends through a bracket 52a located at an intermediate location of a length of the base frame member 26b and a bracket 52b located at an intermediate location along a length of the base frame member 26d. In one example, the brackets 52a and 52b tightly capture the segment of the elastic component passing therethrough (e.g., preventing the elastic component from moving through the brackets). In another embodiment, the brackets 52a and 52b only loosely capture the elastic component (e.g., allowing the elastic component to slide through the brackets). The tension placed on the elastic component 50a as it undergoes stretch tends to pull the base frame members together in a manner that urges the locking hub upward.
As mentioned above, the biasing assembly 50 biases the locking hub 28 toward the raised frame unlock position, particularly during transition of the play yard frame from the collapsed configuration to the use configuration, or transition of the frame from the use configuration to the collapsed configuration. Such biasing facilitates both play yard setup (e.g., the user does not have to hold the locking hub upward while at the same time trying to lock the upper rails) and play yard collapse (e.g., pulling the forward and rearward base rails inward during collapse to assure that they do not interfere with the upper rails during collapse). The biasing assembly is simple from the perspective of parts and manufacturing, yet very effective, and avoids the relatively high cost associated with incorporating a spring bias internally of the locking hub 28. Here, the elastic component is also sufficiently small and flexible so as to not interfere with collapse of the frame.
It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible. Although the described embodiment includes a single elastic component, multiple elastic components could be used. For example, three distinct elastic components could make up illustrated segments 50a-1, 50a-2 and 50a-3. Alternatively, two distinct elastic components 50a-1 and 50a-3 could be used, and segment 50a-2 eliminated. Still other variations are possible.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63431044 | Dec 2022 | US |
