Patent Application
20240206645
The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system, and device for opening a children's folding play yard and to an easy-to-open folding play yard. Additional embodiments are directed to a mechanisms for locking a folding play yard at its hub and/or at its lower corner(s).
Foldable playpens, play yards, playyards, playards, play-yard, pack and plays, and transportable crib devices (herein collectively referred to as “play yard(s)”) are well known, as generally exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,800 for a “Collapsible Playyard” to Chen et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20200187673 and 20200146465 for Play Yards to Thorne. The foldable devices disclosed therein, and most similar prior art play yards, are collapsible and transportable. Most play yards, historically and currently on the market, are sold with separate mattresses or floor pads (collectively referred to herein as a “mattress” or “mattress base”) that need to be deployed and secured to the play yards prior to putting a child in the play yard. Many currently available mattresses are snug-fitting, sufficiently firm and secured with straps to prevent a child from lifting the mattress or rolling into a loose mesh pocket that can form between the edge of the mattress and the side of the play yard, which could create a suffocation or entrapment hazard. To set up or deploy most currently available folding play yards and to prepare them for use, first the play yard is opened or unfolded. Second, the mattress is unfolded and dropped into the open play yard. Third, straps that are attached to the mattress are fed through slots on the play yard fabric floor and secure (via Velcro® or snaps) to the underside of the play yard, where they cannot be accessed by a child inside of the play yard. These straps need to be secured to the underside of the play yard prior to putting a child into the play yard.
While this traditional securing strap mechanism solves potential child suffocation and entrapment problems by preventing a child who is inside the play yard from lifting the mattress, it only works if the user, who sets up the play yard, takes the time to secure these straps to the underside of the play yard. Herein lies the practical problem. While many play yards are designed with the securing strap mechanism, users often do not secure the straps prior to putting a child into the play yard for one or two main reasons. First, it is not intuitive to a person setting up a play yard, who has not read the instruction manual, that there are straps on the mattress that need to be inserted through slots on the play yard floor and then secured to the underside of the play yard. Second, it is cumbersome and, for some models, virtually impossible to secure the straps without flipping the entire play yard onto its side to see where the straps need to be secured, securing the straps, and then confirming that the user has properly secured the straps. Many of the currently available play yards have floors that sit so low to the ground that it is very challenging to secure the straps without turning the play yard onto its side to do so. Therefore, while many prior art play yards and mattresses are designed for the child's safety, the designs are impractical, cumbersome and/or not intuitive and, thus, result in many users simply dropping the mattress into the play yard and not securing it to the underside of the play yard prior to putting a child into the play yard. Therefore, a market and user need exist for a mattress that eliminates the extra steps of having to secure it to the underside of a play yard before putting a child into the play yard and, ideally, is self-secured by the mere act of inserting the mattress into the open play yard. The present invention meets these needs.
One embodiment of the present invention is a device to facilitate opening a closed, folding play yard. This embodiment comprises an opening mechanism configured to attach to a corner post of a folding play yard, wherein a user can pull on the opening mechanism to move the corner post. Another embodiment of the present invention builds upon this device to facilitate opening a closed, folding play yard where the opening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a handle, a strap, a loop, and/or a combination of a strap and a loop. In another embodiment of the present invention, an opening mechanism attachment device is configured to securely connect the opening mechanism to the corner post. In still another embodiment, a strap tab connects to a loose end of the opening mechanism that has a strap design. A further embodiment entails having the opening mechanism configured to be located within a recess in the corner post.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of opening a closed, folding play yard having a plurality of corner posts and a central hub comprising: (1) first moving two opposing corner posts away from one another and away from the central hub; and (2) then pushing down on the central hub to move all of the corner posts to their open, or nearly open, positions. Another embodiment builds upon this method by configuring the two opposing corner posts to each have an opening mechanism attached to it to facilitate a user pulling the corner posts apart.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a system for opening a folding play yard having a plurality of corner posts and a central hub, comprising: (1) an attachment device configured for secure attachment to one of the corner posts; and (2) an opening mechanism configured for secure attachment to the attachment device.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an easy-to-open folding play yard comprising: a structural frame having a plurality of corner posts, a central hub, a plurality of struts (each strut connecting one corner post to the central hub), and at least two opening mechanisms each opening mechanism secured to one of two opposing corner posts. In another embodiment that builds upon this easy-to-open play yard, each opening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a handle, a strap, a loop, and/or a combination of a strap and a loop. Another embodiment of this play yard has at least one opening mechanism attachment device that is configured to securely connect one opening mechanism to one corner post.
One embodiment of the present invention is a foldable structure comprising: a structural frame with a central hub, at plurality of corner posts, at plurality of struts, each strut connecting a corresponding corner posts to the hub, and at least one lower corner locking system provided near the connection of one of the corner posts and a corresponding strut. For this embodiment, the lower corner locking system prevents the strut from moving from a closed position to an open position. Another embodiment of the present invention builds upon this foldable structure embodiment by incorporating a lower corner locking system comprising a locking structure that engages the strut to prevent the strut from moving. These embodiments can be further refined by having a lower corner locking system that comprises a locking strap having two ends, which connects to the locking structure at one end and at its other end can be pulled upon by a user to release the locking structure. Also, another embodiment of a foldable structure also comprises: a lower corner locking spring connected to the locking structure; a lower corner release lever; and a locking pivot, wherein when the user pulls on the lower corner locking strap, the strap pulls on the release lever, which pulls up on the locking structure to release the strut.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a foldable structure comprising: a structural frame having a central hub, a plurality of corner posts, a plurality of struts, each strut having two ends, wherein one strut end is pivotally connected to the hub via hub cam slot and a hub cam roller that moves within the hub cam slot, and wherein the second strut end is pivotally connected to a corresponding corner post, and at least one hub locking system that prevents the hub cam roller from moving in the hub cam slot when engaged. An additional embodiment builds upon this by employing a hub locking system that also comprises a locking mechanism and a hub lock release lever configured to engage with the locking mechanism and prevent the hub cam roller from moving within the hub cam slot. Another embodiment builds upon these embodiments by being further configured with a hub pull, a hub release structure connected to the hub pull, a release link connected to the hub release structure, a hub release lever connected to the release link, and a hub lock spring whereby, when the hub pull is pulled upward, the hub pull pulls up on the hub release structure which, in turn, pulls up on the release link and rotates the connected hub release lever to push the locking mechanism against and depress the hub lock spring, and, thereby enable the cam roller to move.
For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings and descriptions illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, from which the invention, various embodiments of its structures, construction, method of operation, and many advantages may be understood and appreciated. The accompanying drawings are hereby incorporated by reference.
The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many ways and the descriptions provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as systems, methods, or devices. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense. The accompanying drawings are hereby incorporated by reference.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative orientations, variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It also is to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in this specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
As used herein, the terms “pivot” and “pivot point”, when used as nouns (and “pivotably” when used as an adjective) mean a structural and functional connection between at least two components which allows at least partial rotation of the at least two components relative to one another. For example, a pivot between two panels means a physical connection between the two panels that permits at least partial rotation or movement of one panel relative to the other panel, and vice versa. The pivot may include a hinge or a hole in one or both of the panels, and an axial member extending through the hole(s) to constrain the adjacent panels to each other about a rotational axis. The axial member may include a pin, bolt, screw, bearing, bushing, wheel, or combination thereof to facilitate rotation of the first and second links relative to each other. A pivot also may be a fold wherein two components that are adjacent to one another pivot with respect to each other.
Similarly, the terms “hinge” and “hinged”, etc. mean a structural and functional connection between at least to components which allows for the at least partial rotation of the two components relative to one another with that rotation having a secure limit or stopping point. A pivot may be created or achieved by using one or more hinges. There are many mechanical ways to achieve this movement, including but not limited to the use of one or more hinges, and all such mechanical alternatives are included within the use of the word “hinge” and variations thereof.
It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that there are numerous structures and mechanisms that can be used to create pivot points or hinged connection points between two or more elements to achieve the structural goals of the present invention and all such structures and mechanism are included within the scope of this application.
The terms “cam slot” and “cam path” are used interchangeably herein to mean the path that a cam roller follows within a cam slot as the play yard opens and closes. A cam slot is designed and configured to allow for the movement of a cam roller within the slot such that the cam roller is following a cam path created by the design and configuration of the cam slot.
An example of a standard play yard similar to what is currently on the market is illustrated in
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has the stops 154 (or one-piece stop and brackets 156 discussed below) mounted along the long side of the play yard 1 (as shown in
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a one-piece stop and bracket 156 as shown in
Various embodiments of the one-piece stop and bracket 156 and individual stops 154 of the present invention can be made of plastic or metal (but preferably plastic) that is configured to provide a flexible or spring-like engagement with the mattress 100 such that when the mattress 100 is pressed down into the play yard 1, the mattress 100 snaps or pops underneath the stops 154. This springy engagement is accomplished by configuring the stops 154 out of a material that can take some degree of pressure and bounce back without cracking and designing the shape of the stops 154 so that they have curved edges (as shown in
For any play yard 1 design, configuration or structure, an appropriate number of brackets 152 should be located along the periphery of the play yard 1 to provide support for the edges 108 and/or corners 106 of the mattress base 100. Additionally, for any play yard 1 design and configuration, an appropriate number of stops 154 should be used to prevent a child from lifting the mattress base 100 while inside of the play yard 1. The number of stops 154 needed will depend upon a number of factors including but not limited to the size of the mattress base 100, the material from which the mattress base 100 is made and/or the anticipated age or strength of the child intended for the play yard 1 and the location of the stops 154. In most embodiments of the present invention, the brackets 152 and stops 154 will be in pairs and located within the vicinity of each other; however, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various embodiments of the present invention can include the use of different numbers of brackets 152 from the number of stops 154 and that those brackets 152 and stops 154 do not necessarily have to located in pairs or in proximity to each other to provide for the secure installation of a mattress base 100 without the need to secure the mattress base 100 to the underside of the play yard 1.
The above discussion of brackets 152 and stops 154 describes embodiments wherein the brackets 152 and the stops 154 are secured to or are part of the corner posts 25 as shown. For those embodiments where the bracket 152 and stop 154 combinations on the corner posts 25 and the play yard 1 has a material insert 5, the insert 5 can be designed and configured to accommodate the brackets 152 and stops 154. However, the present invention also encompasses alternative structures, designs and configurations that accomplish this dual purpose of providing additional support for the mattress base 100 while trapping the corners 106 or edges 108 of the mattress base 100 to prevent a child from lifting the mattress base 100. One alternative structure comprises having the stops 154 and brackets 152 attached to the material insert 5 that forms the sides 30 and the floor 15 of the play yard 1. Stops 154 and/or brackets 152 can be attached to or integral to the material insert 5 near the corners 106 or edges 108 of the material insert 5 such that, when the mattress base 100 is inserted into the open play yard 1, the edges 108 or corners 106 of mattress base 100 are inserted into the spaces created by the brackets 152 and/or stops 154 either or both of which are attached to the material insert 5.
An additional alternative embodiment not shown in the Figures comprises designing and configuring the material insert 5 so that the insert 5 has pockets 7 to receive the corners 106 and/or edges 108 of the mattress base 100. Pockets 7 in the material insert 5 can be used alone or combined with brackets 152 and employed to limit a child's ability to lift the corners 106 and edges 108 of the mattress base 100. When any edge securing structure 150 is combined with the use of a mattress base 100 that is hinged to open in an inverted V-shape away from the user (as shown in
The combined design and configuration of the mattress base 100, the stops 154 and the brackets 152 (or alternative edge securing mechanisms 150) solves multiple problems. First, a mattress 100 when installed with securing mechanisms 150 of these designs is secure against being lifted by a child sufficiently to create an entrapment or suffocation hazard and, more importantly, does not require any additional steps to secure the mattress base 100 (such as securing straps to the underside of the play yard 1). Second, the mattress base 100 and securing mechanisms 150 of the present invention create an installation method and set-up that is significantly more intuitive than what is currently on the market. Achieving a safe play yard 1 is no longer dependent upon the user having read the manual or watched a video to figure out how to secure the mattress base 100 to the play yard 1. The act of installing the mattress base 100 into the play yard 1 (and, at the same time, under the stops 154 and over the brackets 152), whereby the mattress 100 sit relatively flat to the floor 15), accomplishes the step of safely securing the play yard mattress 100. Finally, a mattress base 100 and securing mechanisms 150 according to the designs and configuration discussed above provide a snugger fit between the mattress base 100 and the surrounding structure of play yard structure 1 with fewer gaps than exist with currently available play yard and mattress combinations.
A preferred embodiment of both the devices/structures and an installation method of the present invention is illustrated in
The mattress base 100 according to the presentation invention is comprised of a plurality of pivotably connected panels 110 numbered, sized and shaped to snuggly cover the horizontal floor surface 15 of a play yard 1. A preferred embodiment of the mattress base 100 (again shown in
As shown in
It will be obvious to one skilled in art that there are numerous different ways and different orders of steps that can successfully accomplish installing the mattress base 100 into the play yard 1. The wide variety of acceptable installation steps is one of the advantages of the present invention because it generally will be intuitive to the user, when first seeing both the mattress base 100 and the open play yard 1 with corner stops 154 and brackets 152, that the ultimate goal is to put the mattress 100 into the play yard 1 and under the stops 154 and above the brackets 152. This observation and the steps that need to be taken to accomplish installation are dictated by the structure of the mattress 100 and the structure and location of the stops 154 and brackets 152 and often will become apparent to the user without the user needing to read a detailed instruction manual or watch a video. In addition, and as discussed above, a safe and secure mattress base 100 installation is obtained without relying upon additional steps to secure the mattress base 100 to the underside of the play yard 1.
The present invention also encompasses a folding mattress base 100 comprised of pivotably attached panels 110 and at least one securing mechanism 150, such as a set of corner brackets 152 and stops 154 or a one-piece stop and bracket 156 to secure that mattress base 100 near a play yard's floor 15 (as shown in
There are numerous materials from which the components of the present invention can be made to accomplish the goals of the invention. The mattress base 100 can be comprised of one material or layers of different materials. The mattress base 100 needs to be made of at least one material that is sufficiently strong to create a play surface that will support a child of an appropriate age and sufficiently stiff to withstand a child's attempt to bend or lift the edges 108 of the mattress base 100. A common limitation for play yards 1 is that they support a child up to 30 pounds. Some nonlimiting examples of materials that can be used for the mattress base 100 include rigid boards of a variety materials, corrugated plastic, honeycomb board, plastic, MDF (medium density fiberboard), wood, and other similar materials. Depending upon the material from which the mattress base 100 is made, certain embodiments of the present invention are designed with a different material around the edges 108 of the mattress base 100 to create a smoother edge 108 and/or to provide a stronger or stiffer edge 108. One such example is a “U”-shape edge (turned sideways) made from aluminum extrusion or bent steel that is pressed over the outside of the board element.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the mattress base 100 made be made of multiple layers of different materials. A layered structure may be used to create stronger or firmer panels 110 or the layers may be used to create a softer play surface 200 on top of a firmer base layer. One nonlimiting example includes layering a sufficiently supportive and stiff base layer under a cushioning layer 200 (such as foam) and then wrapping both layers in a softer material cover 170 layer or a layer of an easily wipeable material. For embodiments of the present invention utilizing a mattress base 100 that is made of non-cushioning materials, an optional removable soft and cushioning mattress pad can be used on top of the mattress base 100 so long as the pad is then secured to the mattress base 100 to prevent a child from lifting the mattress 100.
The mattress base panels 110 are pivotably movable relative to one another, with such movement accomplished by any form of known structure for pivoting movement. Nonlimiting examples of structures that accomplish the dual goal of creating a foldable mattress base 100 while resisting a child's attempts to lift the edges 108 of the mattress base 100 include a wide variety of hinges, including but not limited to piano style hinges with a metal pin and molded living hinges. An alternative embodiment is a plastic strip that bends at the juncture between the panels 110 such that the mattress base 100 can fold and the bracket 152 and stop 154 structures achieve the goal of securing the edges 108 of the mattress base 100. Another embodiment is configuring folds 175 in the material cover 170 of the mattress 100 as discussed more fully herein and as shown in
The mattress base 100 of the present invention can be designed to be used with or without a soft cover or material cover 170. The cover 170 can be designed and configured to be a permanent part of the mattress 100 or the cover 170 can be designed to be removable. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mattress cover 170 is designed to accommodate the pivoting and folding junctures of the mattress panels 110. Additionally, for embodiments that require it, covers 170 for the present invention are designed to accommodate the corner brackets 152 by either being designed and configured to cover the brackets 152 or include cut outs through which the brackets 152 protrude.
Finally, mattress base 100 can be suspended above the play yard floor 15 to create a shallower bassinet structure for an infant. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the mattress base 100 of the present invention also can be suspended or supported above the floor 15 by locating brackets 152 closer to the play yard upper rails 10 to create the support surface of a bassinet structure. Because the bassinet structure is intended to be used with infants, who are not able yet to sit up on their own, there is not a concern about preventing the infant from lifting the corners 106 or edges 108 of the mattress base 100. Therefore, alternative embodiments of the mattress base 100 of the present invention adapted for use at a bassinet height can be combined with a wide variety of existing technologies to convert a standard play yard 1 into a bassinet and does not necessarily require the use of stops 154 or a similar securing mechanism 150.
The mattress 100 of the present invention can be designed to be any size or shape, but for most currently available play yards 1 it will unfold to be square or rectangular in shape.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises the use of a plurality of stops 154 with any play yard 1 to prevent almost any style of mattress base 100 from being lifted by a child. As described previously here, strategically located and sized stops 154 secure the mattress base 100 within the play yard 1 without the need for straps and snaps, etc. underneath the play yard 1. In a preferred embodiment, at least four stops 154 are used within a play yard 1, one near each corner of the play yard 1. One illustration of this embodiment is shown in
In order for stops 154 of the present invention to secure a mattress base 100 against being lifted by a child, the mattress base 100 needs to have some structure to it. The mattress base 100 cannot be an entirely soft, pillowy structure. For a mattress base 100 made of panels 110, the mattress base 100 must have some structure or firmness in the mattress panels 110 to prevent the panels 110 from overlapping each other and pulling out from under the stops 154.
The anti-slip strips 190 are pieces of flexible material (usually plastic, but optionally, metal, nylon, or other flexible materials). Each anti-slip strip 190 is attached at one of its ends (the “attached end 192”) to panel 110. The opposing end of each strap (the “unattached end 194”) overlaps with the adjacent panel 110 by at least two-inches and by about three to four-inches in the preferred embodiment. The anti-slip strips 190, each with its attached end 192 and unattached end 194, are shown in
These anti-slip strips 190 have several advantages over other technologies for securing panels 110 within a mattress 100. First, the strips 190 eliminate the need for hardware, such as hinges, to secure the panels 110 to one another to keep them in place. Second, the elimination of the need for hardware results in the material cover 170 being the structure that keeps the panels 110 in place and order next to one another. This results in a cost savings in the manufacture of the mattress 100 of this embodiment. It also lessens the weight of the mattress 100 because there is less hardware in the mattress 100.
Also, in this alternative embodiment of this mattress 100 arrangement with anti-slip strips 190, the mattress cover 170 can be designed with folds 175 at the panel junctions 120 to accommodate the movement of the panels relative to one another when folding and unfolding the mattress. An example of such a fold 175 is shown in
For certain embodiments of the present invention, edges covers 180 can be used at the panel junctures 120 as shown in
Any of the embodiments of the present invention mattress 100 can be designed with an optional carrying handle 160 and an optional mattress closing mechanism 210. One embodiment of a carrying handle 160 is shown in
Most play yards that are on the market currently, or in the recent past, utilize one of two first (or near first) steps to open a closed or folded play yard. One commonly employed first step is to push, or apply downward pressure, to the central hub of the play yard. This downward pressure on the central hub is translated via each play yard's mechanical structures to the corner posts to move the corner posts away from one another and away from the central hub. A second commonly employed first step is to pull up on the arms to engage them and then push down on the hub as described above. There are several problems with these traditional first steps for opening a folding play yard. First, if you are a new user of folding play yards, it is not intuitive that the first step would be pushing down on the central hub or pulling up on the arms. Intuitively, new users pull or push apart the corner posts to “spread” out the play yard. It is only when those attempts to force open the corner posts are unsuccessful, or after the new user has read the instruction manual or watched a video, that the new user learns that the traditional first steps to opening a play yard are to push down on the central hub and/or to pull up on the arms.
A second problem with the traditional methods for opening a play yard is that when the user is pushing down on the central hub, the corner posts of the play yard begin to rack or sway from side-to-side until sufficient tension has been achieved in the overall structure to stabilize the corner posts. This racking movement can be disconcerting to a new user who now feels compelled to attempt to stabilize the play yard with one hand while pushing down on the central hub with the other hand.
Finally, and as mentioned above, the traditional methods of opening a play yard by pushing down on the central hub and/or lifting up on the arms frequently necessitate that the user read the instruction manual or watch a video to learn how to open the play yard. This becomes another hurdle for users to overcome prior to using their play yards. The present invention's methods 400, systems 500, and devices 300 make the opening of a play yard 1 more intuitive by working in conjunction with a user's initial impulses regarding how to set up a play yard 1. Additionally, the present invention is designed to suggest, or make obvious to the user, the first step to opening the play yard 1 from merely looking at the closed play yard 1 designed according to the embodiments described herein.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems 500, methods 400, and devices 300 to open a folding play yard 1 by pulling or moving two opposing corner posts 25 away from one another as the first step 410 in the process 400 of opening a closed play yard 1. This aligns with a new user's initial impulse of how to open a closed play yard 1. Additionally, the systems 500, methods 400, and devices 300 of the present invention that employ this easy-to-open design significantly reduce the racking of the corner posts 25 during opening and, therefore, feel like a more secure and stable way to open a play yard 1.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first step 410 of a method 400 of opening a play yard 1 is moving two opposing corner posts 25 apart before going to the second step 420 in the method 400.
The second step 420 in opening a play yard 1 according to these methods 400 is to push down on the central hub 40, as shown in
The various embodiments of opening mechanisms 300, methods 400, systems 600, and play yards 800 of the present invention work with most play yards that are configured with a control mechanism that spreads the struts 20 (or the structural element(s) that connect the corner posts 25 to the hub 40) when the corner posts 25 (preferably the tops of the corner posts 25) are pulled apart, and where pushing down on the hub 40 drives the corner posts 25 and the struts 20 apart or away from the hub 40. In many play yard embodiments, this control mechanism keeps the corner posts 25 within approximately 45-degrees of vertical (or upright) during the opening of the play yard. These control mechanisms can take many forms as seen in the related art, such as creating a parallelogram with the struts 20 or incorporating cam slot mechanisms at the intersections of the hub 40, corner posts 25, and/or struts 20. These structures are in contrast to some play yards that are configured such that the corner posts 25 sway or rack almost to horizontal when there is no tension on the play yard frame. If the play yard is designed so that gravity pulls the corner posts 25 to the floor when the play yard is not fully open, then spreading the corner posts 25 first, as disclosed by the present invention, will not work with the play yard.
Various embodiments of the present invention comprise the use of two opening mechanisms 300, which are attached to two opposing corner posts 25 (
There are an almost unlimited number of designs for an opening mechanism 300 that satisfy the requirements and purposes of the present invention. The opening mechanisms 300 need to be made of a material that can withstand repeatedly being pulled upon by a user to open a play yard 1. The opening mechanisms 300 need to meet any regulatory requirements related to children's play yards 1. Ideally, the material and design of each opening mechanism 300 should facilitate being grasped by a user and pulled upon without easily slipping out of the user's hands. The following discussion and referenced Figures illustrate a few, nonlimiting examples of opening mechanisms 300 according to the present invention. The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example.
Similarly, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that there are numerous known ways to securely attach opening mechanisms 300 as described and illustrated herein to play yard corner posts 25. Some non-limiting examples of how to attach an opening mechanism 300 to a corner post 25 are described below, but it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that there are many other ways to secure the opening mechanisms 300 to the play yard 1 and that even the combinations of opening mechanisms 300 and attachments means described below can be mixed and matched depending upon the structure and design of the play yard 1 and that materials out of which the corner posts 25 and the opening mechanisms 300 are made.
One example of an opening mechanism 300 according to the present invention is illustrated in
Another embodiment is illustrated in
As illustrated by the figures and description herein, there are numerous designs and configurations for an opening mechanism 300. The existence of pull straps 320, loops 310, or handles 330 on two opposing corner posts 25 suggests to the user that one of the steps to opening the play yard 1 is to pull on the opening mechanisms 300. While every corner post 25 can incorporate an opening mechanism 300, the use of only two opening mechanisms 300 on opposing corner posts 25 provides a clear indication to the user that those two corner posts 25 are to be pulled away from one another by using the opening mechanisms 300. Some embodiments of the present invention also can include marking, stamping, embossing, and/or printing instructions on the corner posts 25, the opening mechanisms 300, and/or the hub 40 to reinforce the method 400 of the present invention. For example, the number “1” can be printed near the opening mechanisms 300 or corner posts 25 to indicate that the first step 410 is pulling on the corner posts 25. The number “2” can be printed on the hub 40 to indicate that pushing down on the hub 40 is the second step 420 in the method 400. Similar words like “first”, “second”, “pull”, and “push” can be used on the play yard 1 to increase the ease with which the user can set up the play yard 1 the first time (and all subsequent times.)
An opening mechanisms 300 can be made from a wide variety of materials that are sufficiently strong to withstand repeatedly being pulled on. Examples of materials include a variety of plastics, nylon, cotton, jute, sisal, hemp, linen, manila, straw, flax, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, Kevlar®, Dyneema®, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the opening mechanisms 300 can be comprised of multiple materials. For example, an opening mechanism 300 could be comprised of a flexible material loop 310 attached to a more rigid strap 320 made out of a firmer material like a rigid plastic. Similarly, the opening mechanisms 300 can be attached at, to, or near the tops of two corner posts 25 by any mechanism known in the art to secure them 300 against being pulled off by the user.
While many of the embodiments of this invention are described with two opening mechanisms 300 on two opposing corner posts 25, the invention includes having opening mechanisms 300 on at least two and up to all of the corner posts 25 so that the user can pull any two opposing posts 25 away from one another 25 to initiate the opening of the play yard 410.
While various embodiments of a method 400 of the present invention have been described previously in conjunction with descriptions of the opening mechanisms 300, a preferred embodiment of a method of opening a play yard 400 according to the present invention comprises two main steps. First, two opposing corner posts 25 are moved away from each other and away from the central hub 40. The size, shape, structure, and design of the play yard 1 being opened informs the ultimate distance that the user moves the corner posts 25 for this first step. In one embodiment of the present invention, the corner posts 25 are moved 25- to 50-inches apart. However, for some users the distance that the corner posts 25 are moved is only as far as the particular user can achieve. The second step in one embodiment of a method 400 of the present invention is pushing down on the central hub 40 until the play yard 1 is fully or almost fully opened. One embodiment of this method is illustrated in
Other embodiments of the present invention comprise a system 500 for opening a folding play yard 1 in which the play yard 1 has corner posts 25 that attach (usually indirectly) to a central hub 400. Opening mechanisms 300 are connected to or attached to the tops of (or near the tops of) at least two, opposing corner posts 25. One embodiment of the system 500 comprises a pair of opening mechanisms 300 and a pair of opening mechanisms attachment devices 380 that can be connected to two opposing corner posts 25 of an existing play yard 1 during or after manufacture. The opening mechanisms 300 and attachment devices 380 of these systems 500 can be any of the designs described herein or that would be obvious to one skilled in the art having read the descriptions provided herein.
The present invention also encompasses various embodiments of easy-to-open play yards 800 that incorporate the opening mechanisms 300, methods 400, and/or systems 500 described herein. Easy-to-open folding play yards 800 according to various embodiments of the present invention have a basic structural frame 810 comprising a plurality of corner posts 25 that connect via a structure or multiple structures to a central hub 40. For ease of discussion herein, the structures or multiple structures that connect the corner posts 25 to the central hub 40 are referred to as “struts 20”. This structural frame 810 defines some basic elements of any easy-to-open play yard 800 of the present invention. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that there are a wide range of designs, mechanisms, structures, and configurations that functionally interconnect the central hub 40 to the struts 20 to the corner posts 25 such that the play yard 800 is opened by first moving apart two opposing corner posts 25 and then pushing down on the central hub 40. In easy-to-open play yards 800 of the present invention, the force applied to the central hub 40 translates via the struts 20 to continue moving the corner posts 25 away from the central hub 40. All such designs, mechanisms, structures, and configurations that achieves this movement of the hub 40, the struts 20, and the corner posts 25 are included within the scope of the various embodiments of an easy-to-open play yard 800 of the present invention. Each of the various embodiments of an easy-to-open play yard 800 of the present invention also are configured to include an embodiment of an opening mechanism 300, a method of opening a play yard 400, or a system 500 as described herein. Two embodiments of an easy-to-open play yard 800 according to the present invention are illustrated in
All the devices 300, methods 400, systems 500, and play yards 800 described above can incorporate one or both of the following locking systems 600 and 700. Additionally, play yards beyond those described herein can incorporate these locking systems 600 and 700 if those play yard are configured to be functionally similar to play yards shown in the accompanying figures and described herein in conjunction with these locking systems 600 and 700.
For one embodiment of a hub locking system 600 (illustrated in
To close play yards that are designed with a hub pull 370 and a hub locking system 600, one embodiment of which is illustrated in
As illustrated in
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the various attributes of the present invention can be combined in a variety of ways and all such combinations remain within the scope of the invention.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part Patent Application claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 18/135,267, filed on Apr. 17, 2023, which claims priority to PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2021/055353, filed on Oct. 18, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/092,548, filed on Oct. 16, 2020, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63092548 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18135267 | Apr 2023 | US |
| Child | 18599681 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2021/055353 | Oct 2021 | WO |
| Child | 18135267 | US |
