PLAY YARD WITH REMOVABLE PADDED FLOOR

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

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

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 of FIG. 1A with the removable padded floor secured to the bottom of frame body;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of FIG. 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 of FIG. 1A without the removable padded floor;

FIG. 3B is a locally perspective enlarged view of a corner of the play yard of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a locally perspective enlarged view of the end of a track portion of the play yard of FIG. 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 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

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. 1A, 1B, and 1C. FIG. 1A shows a padded floor assembly 60 prior to said assembly 60 being positioned and secured within the play yard 10; FIG. 1B shows said assembly 60 positioned and secured within the play yard 10 in a play yard mode to create an enclosed area 40a; and FIG. 1C shows said assembly 60 positioned and secured within the play yard 10 in a bassinet mode to create an enclosed area 40b. 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.

While the present invention is not defined by the specifics of the frame body 12, 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. Although not visible in the drawings of the present invention, it is contemplated that 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. As also shown in the 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. As also shown in FIG. 2, 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 35a and 35b 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.

While the present invention is not defined by the specifics of the fabric crib body 14, 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 40a 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 40b 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.

To create enclosed area 40a to use play yard 10 as a play yard, the padded floor assembly 60 is placed into a play yard position, such as shown in FIG. 1B. To do this, the padded floor assembly 60 will need to be secured to the play yard 10. In one embodiment, 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 50a, as shown in FIG. 3A, and there will be a corresponding zipper track 50b located around the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60, as best shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. The zipper track 50a as shown is a male zipper track while the zipper track 50b as shown in the figures is a female zipper track, however, it is contemplated that the zipper track 50a could be a female zipper track while the zipper track 50b 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 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. 1C, around the periphery of the play yard 10 along the interior portion of the four bassinet connection portions 39 will be an additional zipper track 50c, as shown in FIG. 3A, that will also align with the corresponding zipper track 50b located around the external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60.

Although the above section discusses the use of zippers 50a/50c and 50b to secure the padded floor assembly 60 into the play 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 50b 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 50b will correspond with two separate portions of the zipper tracks 50a/50c of the play yard 10. The present invention also contemplated that the zipper track 50b could include just one zipper slider 61, which would correspond with just one portion of the zipper track 50a/50c; 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 50a/50c.

As shown in FIG. 3B, above the position of zipper tracks 50a is a flap of material 52 that will cover the zipper assembly of 50a and 50b 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 50c and 50b when the padded floor assembly is in a bassinet position. The flap of material 52 will hid the zipper assembly of 50a/50c and 50b such that an infant cannot easily access it.

FIG. 3B 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 50a/50c and 50b around the corners of play yard 10. Although FIG. 3B 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. 3C shows the end of a portion of a zipper track 50a secured to corresponding zipper track 50b. A small pocket 56 will be formed at the area shown in FIG. 3C 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. Too further prevent any tampering with the zipper slider 61, a clasp 58 is secured near the end of each portion of zipper track 50a. 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.

As shown in FIG. 4A, 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. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of the assembly 60, it is contemplated that the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4A also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of the assembly 60. Additionally, FIG. 4A shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4A having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60 for carrying of the assembly 60. It is also contemplated that assembly 60 of FIG. 4B could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60. FIG. 4A also shows a portion of zipper track 50b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60.

As shown in FIG. 4B, this embodiment of the padded floor assembly 60 includes a two-piece foam padding assembly 64a and a two-piece support board assembly 66a. It is important to note that in the embodiment of FIG. 4B, the two-piece foam padding assembly 64a, although separated into two pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly shown in FIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. In a comparable manner, the two-piece support board assembly 66a, 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. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. The assemblies 64a and 66a 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. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of the assembly 60, it is contemplated that the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4B also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of the assembly 60. Additionally, FIG. 4B shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4B having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60. It is also contemplated that assembly 60 of FIG. 4B could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60. FIG. 4B also shows a portion of zipper track 50b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60.

As shown in FIG. 4C, this embodiment of the padded floor assembly 60 includes a four-piece segmented foam assembly 64b and a four-piece segmented support board assembly 66b. It is important to note that in the embodiment of FIG. 4C, the four-piece foam padding assembly 64b, although separated into four pieces of foam padding, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece foam padding assembly of FIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. In a comparable manner, the four-piece support board assembly 66b, although separated into four pieces of support board, will operate in a comparable manner to the one-piece support board portion of FIG. 4A when unfolded to a flat orientation. The assemblies 64b and 66b are contained within a cloth cover 62. The cloth cover 62 additionally includes stitching 65a, 65b, and 65c, located on the underside of cloth cover 62, to split the padded floor assembly 60 into four attached but separate pieces. Although only two securement means 68 are shown adjacent the corners of the assembly 60, it is contemplated that the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4C also has two additional securement means located adjacent the other corners of the assembly 60. Additionally, FIG. 4C shows the padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4C having two handles 70 located along the ends of assembly 60. It is also contemplated that assembly 60 of FIG. 4C could have another set of handles 70 along each side of the assembly 60. FIG. 4C also shows a portion of zipper track 50b along the upper external periphery of the padded floor assembly 60. The padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4C also includes two different securement means 72a and 72b that will be discussed in detail below.

The padded floor assembly 60 is oriented within the play yard 10 such that the foam assembly 64/64a/64b 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. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the padded floor assembly 60, including the foam assembly 64/64a/64b, the support board assembly 66/66a/66b, 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. 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 padded floor assembly 60, including the foam assembly 64/64a/64b, the support board assembly 66/66a/66b, and the cloth cover 62 is 3.0 inches.

To set up play yard 10 for use, 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. Next, 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. Next, 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 40a takes place by placing the padded floor assembly 60 into a play yard position, such as shown in FIG. 1B. To do this, the zipper track 50b along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 will need to mate with the zipper track 50a located along the interior portion of the four lower horizontal fabric sections 38. After securing zipper track 50b with 50a by zipping the one or more zipper sliders 61 to the one or more ends of zipper track 50a, 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 40b takes placed by placing the padded floor assembly 60 into a bassinet position, such as shown in FIG. 1C. To do this, the zipper track 50b along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 will need to mate with zipper track 50c located along the interior portion of the four bassinet connection portions 39. After securing zipper track 50b with 50c by zipping the one or more zipper sliders 61 to the one or more ends of zipper track 50c, the one or more zipper sliders 61 are each connected to a clasp 58 and then tucked into a pocket 56. Once zipper track 50b is secured to zipper track 50c along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60, the play 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 padded floor assembly 60. To do this, 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 50b located along the external upper periphery of the padded floor assembly 60 from connection with the zipper track 50a or 50c. If the play yard 10 is in play yard mode, prior to unsecuring the zipper track 50b from 50a, the securement means 68 should be unwrapped from around each respective diagonal arm 26.

Once the padded floor assembly 60 has been removed from the play yard 10, 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. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that there could be a pull tab on the top of the release mechanism 30 that would allow for a user to pull up on said pull tab to unlock the lower frame body 18.

In embodiments of the present invention that utilize the padded floor assembly 60 as shown in FIG. 4C, there is an additional step that can take place when storing the play yard 10 when not in use. The padded floor assembly 60 including the four-piece segmented foam assembly 64b and a four-piece segmented support board assembly 66b can be wrapped around the play yard 10 as shown in FIG. 7. The padded floor assembly 60 of FIG. 4C also includes two different securement means 72a and 72b 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. In one or more embodiments, the securement means 72a and 72b 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 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.

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

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; anda removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;

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; anda removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;

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; anda removable padded floor assembly with securement means located along an upper periphery of said removable padded floor assembly;

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.