Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6687927
-
Patent Number
6,687,927
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, October 25, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 10, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Belasco; David A.
- Belasco Jacobs & Townsley, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 005 981
- 005 991
- 217 3 R
- 217 3 CV
- 220 49501
- 220 49506
- 220 49511
- 229 11728
- 229 11735
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A toy storage cover for a portable play yard is described. The toy storage cover includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers. A collapsible container, sized and shaped to fit between the inner and outer panels will include slots near its base to permit an attachment strap, attached at its first end to the lower surface of the floor panel, to pass through the wall of the container. The attachment strap includes means to removably fasten its second end to one of the interior or exterior surfaces of the outer panels. The collapsible container includes means to removably attach its side walls together for rapid assembly.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to storage systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a fabric device for converting a portable play yard into a storage system for a child's toys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of storage systems and devices have been developed for organizing and storing children's toys. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,264 issued to Crane discloses a child's play table having a reversible top providing a smooth surface on one side and a modular building block system on the other. Attached beneath the reversible surface are one or more toy storage compartments or drawers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,688 issued to Jones et al., describes a storage case for toy vehicles, simulating the appearance of an automobile steering wheel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,197, issued to Meyer et al. illustrates a toy storage apparatus having a decorative face designed to appear as an animated creature and having a large internal cavity. A foot pedal opens the creature's mouth for the introduction or removal of the child's toys. U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,455 issued to Silvey discloses a toy chest of animal form mounted on casters. The chest includes a mechanism that when operated by the child to open the chest will produce sounds and animated movements of features of the chest. These features are designed to encourage the child to clean up his or her room.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for toy storage devices are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide for an alternative use for a child's play yard when no longer needed to confine a small child. It is a further objective to provide for storage of both large and small toys and similar objects while making maximum use of the external surfaces of the play yard. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide the above-described capabilities in an inexpensive and durable storage system that can be easily removed from the play yard, washed, and easily reinstalled. It is yet a further objective to provide a means to secure the storage system to the play yard to prevent shifting once toys are stored in the system.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art toy storage covers for play yards, cribs or containers and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
A toy storage cover for a portable play yard providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A portable play yard that has a rigid frame, four protruding feet, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls is provided. The toy storage cover includes four outer panels. The outer front panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The outer second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge.
The outer front panel is joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer second side panel. The outer back panel is joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the outer second side panel.
An interior pocket is provided. The interior pocket comprises four inner panels and a floor panel. The inner front panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The inner second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge.
The inner front panel is joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the inner second side panel. The inner back panel is joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second side panel. The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge.
The floor panel is attached at its front edge to the bottom edge of the inner front panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge of the inner back panel, at its first side edge to the bottom edge of the inner first side panel and at its second side edge to the bottom edge of the inner second side panel. The inner front panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer front panel. The inner back panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer back panel. The inner first side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel. The inner second side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel.
The outer front, back, first side and second side panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls when attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second side and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls when attached together. When the play yard is located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be supported by the play yard.
In a variant of the invention, a retaining means is provided. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
In another variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
In still another variant, means are provided for securing the toy storage cover to the play yard.
In yet another variant of the invention; the means for securing the toy storage cover to the play yard comprises means for fastening at least one of the outer panels to one of the inner panels through openings in the play yard walls.
In a further variant, the means for securing the toy storage cover to the play yard comprises straps extending from the bottom edges of the outer panels that can be tied around the protruding feet of the play yard.
In still a further variant of the invention, first, second, third and fourth foot retaining pockets are provided. The foot retaining pockets are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably over one of the feet.
The first foot retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the first side edge of the outer front panel and the front side edge of the outer first side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges. The second foot retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the second side edge of the outer front panel and the front side edge of the outer second side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges. The third foot retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the first side edge of the outer back panel and the back side edge of the outer first side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges. The fourth foot retaining pocket is located at an intersection of the second side edge of the outer back panel and the back side edge of the outer second side panel on the interior surfaces of the panels adjacent their bottom edges.
When the feet of the play yard are positioned within the foot retaining pockets, the outer panels will be held down despite shifting loads placed in the interior pocket.
In another variant, the toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes a series of exterior pockets attached to the outer panels.
In still another variant, the outer and inner panels are formed of material through which a user can see.
In a further variant of the invention, at least one of the exterior pockets attached to the outer panels further comprises at least one smaller interior pocket or smaller exterior pocket.
In yet a further variant, a toy storage cover for a portable play yard, includes a portable play yard. The play yard has a rigid frame with three protruding feet, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. The toy storage cover has three outer panels. Each of the outer first side, second side and third side panels has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge.
The outer first side panel is joined at its first side edge to the second side edge of the outer third side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the first side edge of the outer second side panel. The outer second side panel is joined at its second side edge to the first side edge of the outer third side panel.
An interior pocket including three inner panels is provided. Each of the inner first side, second side and third side panels has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner first side panel is joined at its first side edge to the second side edge of the; inner third side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the first side edge of the inner second side panel. The inner second side panel is joined at its second side edge to the first side edge of the inner third side panel.
A floor panel is provided. The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. The floor panel is attached at its first edge to the bottom edge of the inner first side panel, at its second edge to the bottom edge of the inner second side panel, at its third edge to the bottom edge of the inner third side panel. The inner first side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel. The inner second side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel. The inner third side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer third side panel.
The outer first side, second side and third side panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls when attached together. The inner first side, second side and third side panels and floor panel are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls when attached together. When the play yard is located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be supported by the play yard.
In still a further variant of the invention, the toy storage cover for a portable play yard further comprises a retaining means. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner first side, second side and third side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
In another variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
In a further variant of the invention, a toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes a portable play yard. The play yard includes a rigid frame that has protruding feet, a surrounding side wall and a floor enclosed by the wall.
The toy storage cover includes an outer surrounding side panel and an interior pocket. The outer surrounding side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The interior pocket includes an inner surrounding side panel and a floor panel. The inner surrounding side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding edge. The floor panel is attached at its surrounding edge to the bottom edge of the inner surrounding side panel.
The inner surrounding side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer surrounding side panel. The outer surrounding side panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the surrounding side wall of the play yard. The inner surrounding side panel and floor panel are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls. When the play yard is located between the inner and outer surrounding side panels the interior pocket will be supported by the play yard.
In still a further variant, the toy storage cover for a portable play yard further comprises a retaining means. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
In yet a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
In another variant of the invention, a toy storage cover for an open topped container includes a container comprising a floor, a rigid surrounding side wall extending upwardly from the floor. The toy storage cover includes an outer surrounding side panel and an interior pocket. The outer surrounding side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge.
The interior pocket includes an inner surrounding side panel and a floor panel. The inner surrounding side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding edge. The floor panel is attached at its surrounding edge to the bottom edge of the inner surrounding side panel. The inner surrounding side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer surrounding side panel.
The outer surrounding side panel is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the rigid surrounding side wall of the container. The inner surrounding side panel and floor panel are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container. When the container is located between the inner and outer surrounding side panels the interior pocket will be supported by the container.
In still another variant, the toy storage cover for an open topped container further comprises a retaining means. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the container.
In a further variant of the invention, the retaining means is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
In yet another variant, a toy storage cover for a crib includes a crib. The crib includes a rigid frame and has four protruding feet, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. The toy storage cover includes four outer panels, an outer front panel, an outer back panel, an outer first side panel and an outer second side panel. The outer panels are attached to each other at their side edges.
The toy storage cover includes an interior pocket that includes four inner panels, an inner front panel, an inner back panel, an inner first side panel and an inner second side panel and a floor panel. The four inner panels are attached to each other at their side edges and to the floor panel at their bottom edges. The inner panels are attached at their top edges to the top edges of the outer panels. The outer front, back, first side and second side panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the crib walls when attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second side and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the crib walls when attached together. When the crib is located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be supported by the crib.
In still another variant of the invention, the toy storage cover for a crib further comprises a retaining means. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the crib.
In a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad has a rigid backing.
In another variant of the invention, a toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container includes a container. The container includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor enclosed by the walls. Each of the walls has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface. The floor has a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a bottom surface.
The front wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the front edge of the floor and the back wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the back edge of the floor. The first side wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the first side edge of the floor and the second side wall is hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the second side edge of the floor.
Means are provided for removabaly attaching the front wall at its first side edge to the first side wall at its second side edge. Means are provided for removabaly attaching the front wall at its second side edge to the second side wall at its first side edge. Means are provided for removabaly attaching the back wall at its second side edge to the first side wall at its first side edge. Means are provided for removabaly attaching the back wall at its first side edge to the second side wall at its second side edge.
The toy storage cover includes four outer panels. The outer front panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The outer first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The outer second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge.
The outer front panel is joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer second side panel. The outer back panel is joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the outer second side panel.
An interior pocket is provided. The interior pocket includes four inner panels and a floor panel. The inner front panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner back panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The inner first side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge. The inner second side panel has an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge.
The inner front panel is joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the inner second side panel. The inner back panel is joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the inner first side panel and is joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second side panel.
The floor panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The floor panel is attached at its front edge to the bottom edge of the inner front panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge of the inner back panel, at its first side edge to the bottom edge of the inner first side panel and at its second side edge to the bottom edge of the inner second side panel. The inner front panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer front panel. The inner back panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer back panel. The inner first side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel. The inner second side panel is attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel.
The outer front, back, first side and second side panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the container walls when attached together. The inner front, back, first side, second side and floor panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container walls when attached together. When the container is located between the inner and outer panels the interior pocket, will be supported by the container.
In still another variant, the toy storage cover includes at least one attachment strap. The attachment strap has a first end and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the lower surface of the floor panel of the interior pocket. The strap extends outwardly past one of the inner panels. The second end of the attachment strap includes means for removably attaching the second end to either the exterior surface or the interior surface of one of the outer panels.
The container includes at least one slot. The slot is sized, shaped and located adjacent the bottom edge of one of the walls of the collapsible container so as to permit the second end of the attachment strap to pass through it. When the second end of the attachment strap is passed through the slot and removably attached to either the exterior surface or the interior surface of at least one of the outer panels, the interior pocket of the toy storage cover will be removably secured to the collapsible container.
In yet another variant, the means for removably attaching the front and back walls of the container to the first and second side walls of the container includes hooking and loop elements secured to either the inner surface or the outer surface of the walls adjacent their side edges.
In a further variant of the invention, the means for removably attaching the second end of the attachment strap to either the exterior surface or the interior surface of one of the outer panels includes hooking and loop elements secured to the second end and either the exterior surface or the interior surface of at least one of the outer panels.
In still a further variant, a retaining means is provided. The retaining means is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the container;
In yet a further variant, the retaining means is a mattress pad that has a rigid backing.
In another variant of the invention, the toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container includes means for securing the toy storage cover to the container.
In a final variant, the means for securing the toy storage cover to the container comprises means for fastening at least one of the outer panels to one of the inner panels through openings in the container walls.
An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention disposed upon a portable play yard;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the play yard;
FIG. 3
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 1
embodiment;
FIG. 3
a
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 1
embodiment as seen from below illustrating the placement of the foot pockets;
FIG. 4
is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining means for the
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating attachment of the outer panels to the inner panels through openings in the play yard walls;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating attachment of the cover to the play yard by means of straps tied around the feet of the play yard;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating attachment of the cover to the play yard by means of pockets for enclosing the protruding feet of the play yard;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating a plurality of pockets affixed to the outer panels;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating see-through inner and outer panels;
FIG. 10
is a detail perspective view of a portion of the the
FIG. 1
embodiment illustrating smaller pockets attached to the inside and outside of larger pockets;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention disposed upon a portable play yard having three sides;
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the three-sided play yard;
FIG. 13
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 11
embodiment;
FIG. 14
is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining means for the
FIG. 11
embodiment;
FIG. 15
is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention disposed upon a portable play yard having a curved surrounding outer wall;
FIG. 16
is a perspective view of the play yard having a curved surrounding outer wall;
FIG. 17
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 15
embodiment;
FIG. 18
is perspective view of the mattress pad retaining means for the
FIG. 15
embodiment;
FIG. 19
is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention disposed upon an open topped container having a surrounding outer wall;
FIG. 20
is a perspective view of the open topped container;
FIG. 21
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 19
embodiment;
FIG. 22
is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 19
embodiment;
FIG. 23
is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention disposed upon a crib;
FIG. 24
is a perspective view of the crib;
FIG. 25
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 23
embodiment;
FIG. 26
is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 23
embodiment;
FIG. 27
is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention disposed upon a collapsible open topped container;
FIG. 28
is a perspective view of the collapsible container;
FIG. 29
is a plan view layout of the outer, inner and floor panels of the
FIG. 27
embodiment;
FIG. 30
is a plan view of an attachment strap affixed to the lower surface of the floor panel of the
FIG. 27
embodiment;
FIG. 30
a
is a partial cut-away perspective view of an attachment strap affixed to the lower surface of the floor panel of the
FIG. 27
embodiment;
FIG. 31
is perspective view of the retaining means for the
FIG. 27
embodiment; and
FIG. 32
is a perspective view of the
FIG. 27
embodiment illustrating attachment of the outer panels to the inner panels through openings in the container walls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1-10
illustrate a toy storage cover for a portable play yard
10
providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A portable play yard
14
, as illustrated in
FIG. 2
, that has a rigid frame
18
, four protruding feet
22
, a front wall
26
, a back wall
30
, a first side wall
34
, a second side wall
38
and a floor
42
enclosed by the walls
26
,
30
,
34
,
38
is provided. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, the toy storage cover
10
includes four outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
. The outer front panel
46
has an exterior surface
62
, an interior surface
66
, a top edge
70
, a bottom edge
74
, a first side edge
78
, and a second side edge
82
. The outer back panel
50
has an exterior surface
86
, an interior surface
90
, a top edge
94
, a bottom edge
98
, a first side edge
102
, and a second side edge
106
. The outer first side panel
54
has an exterior surface
110
, an interior surface
114
, a top edge
118
, a bottom edge
122
, a front side edge
126
, and a back side edge
130
. The outer second side panel
58
has an exterior surface
134
, an interior surface
138
, a top edge
142
, a bottom edge
146
, a front side edge
150
, and a back side edge
154
.
The outer front panel
46
is joined at its first side edge
78
to the front side edge
126
of the outer first side panel
54
and is joined at its second side edge
82
to the front side edge
150
of the outer second side panel
58
. The outer back panel
50
is joined at its first side edge
102
to the back side edge
130
of the outer first side panel
54
and is joined at its second side edge
106
to the back side edge
154
of the outer second side panel
58
.
An interior pocket
158
is provided. The interior pocket
158
comprises four inner panels
162
,
166
,
170
,
174
and a floor panel
178
. The inner front panel
162
has an exterior surface
182
, an interior surface
186
, a top edge
190
, a bottom edge
194
, a first side edge
198
, and a second side edge
202
. The inner back panel
166
has an exterior surface
206
, an interior surface
210
, a top edge
214
, a bottom edge
218
, a first side edge
222
, and a second side edge
226
. The inner first side panel
170
has an exterior surface
230
, an interior surface
234
, a top edge
238
, a bottom edge
242
, a front side edge
246
, and a back side edge
250
. The inner second side panel
174
has an exterior surface
254
, an interior surface
258
, a top edge
262
, a bottom edge
266
, a front side edge
270
, and a back side edge
274
.
The inner front panel
162
is joined at its first side edge
198
to the front side edge
246
of the inner first side panel
170
and is joined at its second side edge
202
to the front side edge
270
of the inner second side panel
174
. The inner back panel
166
is joined at its first side edge
222
to the back side edge
250
of the inner first side panel
170
and is joined at its second side edge
226
to the back side edge
274
of the inner second side panel
174
. The floor panel
178
has an upper surface
278
, a lower surface
282
, a front edge
286
, a back edge
290
, a first side edge
294
and a second side edge
298
.
The floor panel
178
is attached at its front edge
286
to the bottom edge
194
of the inner front panel
162
, at its back edge
290
to the bottom edge
218
of the inner back panel
166
, at its first side edge
294
to the bottom edge
242
of the, inner first side panel
170
and at its second side edge
298
to the bottom edge
266
of the inner second side panel
174
. The inner front panel
162
is attached at its top edge
190
to the top edge
70
of the outer front panel
46
. The inner back panel
166
is attached at its top edge
214
to the top edge
94
of the outer back panel
50
. The inner first side panel
170
is attached at its top edge
238
,to the top edge
118
of the outer first side panel
54
. The inner second side panel
174
is attached at its top edge
262
to the top edge
142
of the outer second side panel
58
.
The outer front
46
, back
50
, first side
54
and second side
58
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls
26
,
30
,
34
,
38
when attached together. The inner front
162
, back
166
, first side
170
, second side
174
and floor panels
178
are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls
26
,
30
,
34
,
38
when attached together. When the play yard
10
is located between the inner
162
,
166
,
170
,
174
and outer
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
panels the interior pocket
158
will be supported by the play yard
14
.
In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 4
, a retaining means
302
is provided. The retaining means
302
is formed of rigid material and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front
162
, back
166
, first side
170
and second side
174
panels and over the floor panel
178
, thereby securing the interior pocket
158
downwardly within the play yard
14
.
In another variant, the retaining means
302
is a mattress pad
306
that has a rigid backing
310
.
In still another variant, as illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 7
, means
314
are provided for securing the toy storage cover
10
to the play yard
14
.
In yet another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 5
, the means
314
for securing the toy storage cover
10
to the play yard
14
comprises means
318
for fastening at least one of the outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
to one of the inner panels
162
,
166
,
170
,
174
through openings
322
in the play yard walls
26
,
30
,
34
,
38
.
In a further variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 6
, the means
314
for securing the toy storage cover
10
to the play yard
14
comprises straps
326
extending from the bottom edges
74
,
98
,
122
,
146
of the outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
that can be tied around the protruding feet
22
of the play yard
14
.
In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 7
, first
330
, second
334
, third
338
and fourth
342
foot retaining pockets are provided. The foot retaining pockets
330
,
334
,
338
,
342
are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably over one of the feet
22
.
As illustrated in
FIG. 3
a
, the first foot retaining pocket
330
is located at an intersection
346
of the first side edge
78
of the outer front panel
46
and the front side edge
126
of the outer first side panel
54
on the interior surfaces
66
,
114
of the panels
46
,
54
adjacent their bottom edges
74
,
122
. The second foot retaining pocket
334
is located at an intersection
350
of the second side edge
82
of the outer front panel
46
and the front side edge
150
of the outer second side panel
58
on the interior surfaces
66
,
138
of the panels
46
,
58
adjacent their bottom edges
74
,
146
. The third foot retaining pocket
338
is located at an intersection
354
of the first side edge
102
of the outer back panel
50
and the back side edge
130
of the outer first side panel
54
on the interior surfaces
90
,
114
of the panels
50
,
54
adjacent their bottom edges
98
,
122
. The fourth foot retaining pocket
342
is located at an intersection
358
of the second side edge
106
of the outer back panel
50
and the back side edge
154
of the outer second side panel
58
on the interior surfaces
90
,
138
of the panels
50
,
58
adjacent their bottom edges
98
,
146
.
When the feet
22
of the play yard
14
are positioned within the foot retaining pockets
330
,
334
,
338
,
342
, the outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
will be held down despite shifting loads placed in the interior pocket
158
.
In another variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 8
, the toy storage cover
10
for a portable play yard
14
includes a series of exterior pockets
362
attached to the outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
.
In still another variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 9
, the outer
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
and inner
162
,
166
,
170
,
174
panels are formed of material
366
through which a user
370
can see.
In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 10
, at least one of the exterior pockets
362
attached to the outer panels
46
,
50
,
54
,
58
further comprises at least one smaller interior pocket
374
or smaller exterior pocket
378
.
In yet a further variant, as illustrated in
FIGS. 11-14
, a toy storage cover
382
for a portable play yard, includes a portable play yard
386
. The play yard
386
, as illustrated in
FIG. 12
, has a rigid frame
390
with three protruding feet
394
, a first side wall
398
, a second side wall
402
, a third side wall
406
and a floor
410
enclosed by the walls
398
,
402
,
406
. The toy storage cover
382
has three outer panels
414
,
418
,
422
. As illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 13
, each of the outer first side
414
, second side
418
and third side
422
panels has an exterior surface
426
, an interior surface
428
, a top edge
432
, a bottom edge
436
, a first side edge
440
, and a second side edge
444
.
The outer first side panel
414
is joined at its first side edge
440
to the second side edge
444
of the outer third side panel
422
and is joined at its second side edge
444
to the first side edge
440
of the outer second side panel
418
. The outer second side panel
418
is joined at its second side edge
444
to the first side edge
440
of the outer third side panel
422
.
An interior pocket
448
including three inner panels
452
,
456
,
460
is provided. Each of the inner first side, second side and third side panels
452
,
456
,
460
has an exterior surface
464
, an interior surface
468
, a top edge
472
, a bottom edge
476
, a first side edge
480
, and a second side edge
484
. The inner first side panel
452
is joined at its first side edge
480
to the second side edge
484
of the inner third side panel
460
and is joined at its second side edge
484
to the first side edge
480
of the inner second side panel
456
. The inner second side panel
456
is joined at its second side edge
484
to the first side edge
480
of the inner third side panel
460
.
A floor panel
488
is provided. The floor panel
488
has an upper surface
492
, a lower surface
496
, a first edge
500
, a second edge
504
, and a third edge
508
. The floor panel
488
is attached at its first edge
500
to the bottom edge
476
of the inner first side panel
452
, at its second edge
504
to the bottom edge
476
of the inner second side panel
456
, at its third edge
508
to the bottom edge
476
of the inner third side panel
460
. The inner first side panel
452
is attached at its top edge
472
to the top edge
432
of the outer first side panel
414
. The inner second side panel
456
is attached at its top edge
472
to the top edge
432
of the outer second side panel
418
. The inner third side panel
460
is attached at its top edge
472
to the top edge
432
of the outer third side panel
422
.
The outer first side
414
, second side
418
and third side
422
:panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the play yard walls
398
,
402
,
406
when attached together. The inner first side
452
, second side
456
and third side
460
panels and floor panel
488
are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls
398
,
402
,
406
when attached together. When the play yard
386
is located between the inner
452
,
456
,
460
and outer
414
,
418
,
422
panels the interior pocket
448
will be supported by the play yard
386
.
In still a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 14
, the toy storage cover
382
for a portable play yard
386
further comprises a retaining means
512
. The retaining means
512
is formed of rigid material
516
and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner first side
452
, second side
456
and third side
460
panels and over the floor panel
488
, thereby securing the interior pocket
448
downwardly within the play yard
386
.
In another variant, the retaining means
512
is a mattress pad,
520
that has a rigid backing
524
.
In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 15
, a toy storage cover for a portable play yard
528
includes a portable play yard
532
. The play yard
532
, as illustrated in
FIG. 16
, includes a rigid frame
536
that has protruding feet
540
, a surrounding side wall
544
and a floor
548
enclosed by the wall
544
.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 17
, the toy storage cover
528
includes an outer surrounding side panel
550
and an interior pocket
552
. The outer surrounding side panel
550
has an exterior surface
556
, an interior surface
560
, a top edge
564
and a bottom edge
568
. The interior pocket
552
includes an inner surrounding side panel
572
and a floor panel
576
. The inner surrounding side panel
572
has an exterior surface
576
, an interior surface
580
, a top edge
584
and a bottom edge
588
. The floor panel
592
has an upper surface
596
, a lower surface
600
and a surrounding edge
604
. The floor panel
592
is attached at its surrounding edge
604
to the bottom edge
588
of the inner surrounding side panel
572
.
The inner surrounding side panel
572
is attached at its top edge
584
to the top edge
564
of the outer surrounding side panel
548
. The outer surrounding side panel
548
is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the surrounding side wall
544
of the play yard
532
. The inner surrounding side panel
572
and floor panel
576
are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the play yard walls
544
. When the play yard
532
is located between the inner
572
and outer
548
surrounding side panels the interior pocket
552
will be supported by the play yard
532
.
In still a further variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 18
, the toy storage cover for a portable play yard
528
further comprises a retaining means
608
. The retaining means
608
is formed of rigid material
612
and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within, the inner surrounding side panel
572
and over the floor panel
576
, thereby securing the interior pocket
552
downwardly within the play yard
532
.
In yet a further variant, the retaining means
608
is a mattress pad
616
that has a rigid backing
620
.
In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIGS. 19 and 21
, a toy storage cover for an open topped container
624
includes a container
630
, as illustrated in
FIG. 20
, comprising a floor
634
, a rigid surrounding side wall
638
extending upwardly from the floor
634
. The toy storage cover
624
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 19 and 21
, includes an outer surrounding side panel
642
and an interior pocket
646
. The outer surrounding side panel
642
has an exterior surface
650
, an interior surface
654
, a top edge
658
and a bottom edge
662
.
The interior pocket
646
includes an inner surrounding side panel
666
and a floor panel
670
. The inner surrounding side panel
666
has an exterior surface
674
, an interior surface
678
, a top edge
682
and a bottom edge
686
. The floor panel
670
has an upper surface
690
, a lower surface
694
and a surrounding edge
698
. The floor panel
670
is attached at its surrounding edge
698
to the bottom edge
686
of the inner surrounding side panel
666
. The inner surrounding side panel
666
is attached at its top edge
682
to the top edge
658
of the outer surrounding side panel
642
.
The outer surrounding side panel
642
is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the rigid surrounding side wall
638
of the container
630
. The inner surrounding side panel
666
and floor panel
670
are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container
630
. When the container
630
is located between the inner
666
and outer
642
surrounding side panels the interior pocket
646
will be supported by the container
630
.
In still another variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 22
, the toy storage cover for an open topped container
624
further comprises a retaining means
702
. The retaining means
702
is formed of rigid material
706
and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel
666
and over the floor panel
670
, thereby securing the interior pocket
646
downwardly within the container
630
.
In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 22
, the retaining means
702
is a mattress pad
710
that has a rigid backing
714
.
In yet another variant, as illustrated in
FIGS. 23 and 25
, a toy storage cover for a crib
718
includes a crib
722
. The crib
722
, as illustrated in
FIG. 24
, includes a rigid frame
726
and has four protruding feet
730
, a front wall
734
, a back wall
738
, a first side wall
742
, a second side wall
746
and a floor
750
enclosed by the walls
734
,
738
,
742
,
746
. The toy storage cover
718
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 23 and 25
, includes four outer panels
754
,
758
,
762
,
766
, an outer front panel
754
, an outer back panel
758
, an outer first side panel
762
and an outer second side panel
766
. The outer panels
754
,
758
,
762
,
766
are attached to each other at their side edges
770
.
The toy storage cover
718
includes an interior pocket
774
that includes four inner panels
778
,
782
,
786
,
790
, an inner front panel
778
, an inner back panel
782
, an inner first side panel
786
, and an inner second side panel
790
and a floor panel
794
. The four inner panels
778
,
782
,
786
,
790
are attached to each other at their side edges
772
and to the floor panel
794
at their bottom edges
798
. The inner panels
778
,
782
,
786
,
790
are attached at their top edges
802
to the top edges
806
of the outer panels
754
,
758
,
762
,
766
. The outer front
754
, back
758
, first side
762
and second side
766
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the crib walls
734
,
738
,
742
,
746
when attached together. The inner front
778
, back
782
, first side
786
, second side
790
and floor
794
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the crib walls
734
,
738
,
742
,
746
when attached together. When the crib
718
is located between the inner
778
,
782
,
786
,
790
and outer
754
,
758
,
7629
766
panels the interior pocket
774
will be supported by the crib
718
.
In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 26
, the toy storage cover for a crib
718
further comprises a retaining means
810
. The retaining means
810
is formed of rigid material
814
and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front
778
, back
782
, first side
786
and second side
790
panels and over the floor panel
794
, thereby securing the interior pocket
774
downwardly within the crib
718
.
In a further variant, the retaining means
810
is a mattress pad
818
has a rigid backing
822
.
In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIGS. 27 and 29
, a toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container
826
includes a container
830
. The container
830
, as illustrated in
FIG. 28
, includes a front wall
834
, a back wall
838
, a first side wall
842
, a second side wall
846
and a floor
850
enclosed by the walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
. Each of the walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
has a top edge
854
, a bottom edge
858
, a first side edge
862
, a second side edge
866
, an inner surface
870
and an outer surface
874
. The floor
850
has a front edge
878
, a back edge (not shown), a first side edge (not shown), a second side edge
890
, a top surface (not shown) and a bottom surface (not shown).
The front wall
834
is hingedly attached at its bottom edge
858
to the front edge
878
of the floor
850
and the back wall
838
is hingedly attached at its bottom edge
858
to the back edge of the floor
850
. The first side wall
842
is hingedly attached at its bottom edge
858
to the first side edge of the floor
850
and the second side wall
846
is hingedly attached at its bottom edge
858
to the second side edge
890
of the floor
850
.
Means
902
are provided for removably attaching the front wall
834
at its first side edge
862
to the first side wall
842
at its second side edge
866
. Means
902
are provided for removably attaching the front wall
834
at its second side edge
866
to the second side wall
846
at its first side edge
862
. Means
902
are provided for removabaly attaching the back wall
838
at its second side edge
866
to the first side wall
842
at its first side edge
862
. Means
902
are provided for removabaly attaching the back wall
838
at its first side edge
862
to the second side wall
846
at its second side edge
866
.
The toy storage cover
826
, as illustrated in
FIGS. 27 and 29
, includes four outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
. The outer front panel
906
has an exterior surface
922
, an interior surface
926
, a top edge
930
, a bottom edge
934
, a first side edge
938
, and a second side edge
942
. The outer back panel
910
has an exterior surface
946
, an interior surface
950
, a top edge
954
, a bottom edge
958
, a first side edge
962
, and a second side edge
966
. The outer first side panel
914
has an exterior surface
970
, an interior surface
974
, a top edge
978
, a bottom edge
982
, a front side edge
986
, and a back side edge
990
. The outer second side panel
918
has an exterior surface
994
, an interior surface
998
, a top edge
1002
, a bottom edge
1006
, a front side edge
1010
, and a back side edge
1014
.
The outer front panel
906
is joined at its first side edge
938
to the front side edge
986
of the outer first side panel
914
and is joined at its second side edge
942
to the front side edge
1010
of the outer second side panel
918
. The outer back panel
910
is joined at its first side edge
962
to the back side edge
990
of the outer first side panel
914
and is joined at its second side edge
966
to the back side edge
1014
of the outer second side panel
918
.
An interior pocket
1018
is provided. The interior pocket
1018
includes four inner panels
1022
,
1026
,
1030
,
1034
and a floor panel
1038
. The inner front panel
1022
has an exterior surface
1042
, an interior surface
1046
, a top edge
1050
, a bottom edge
1054
, a first side edge
1058
, and a second side edge.
1062
. The inner back panel
1026
has an exterior surface
1066
, an interior surface
1070
, a top edge
1074
, a bottom edge
1078
, a first side edge
1082
, and a second side edge
1086
. The inner first side panel
1030
has an exterior surface
1090
, an interior surface
1094
, a top edge
1098
, a bottom edge
1102
, a front side edge
1106
, and a back side edge
1110
. The inner second side panel
1034
has an exterior surface
1114
, an interior surface
1118
, a top edge
1122
, a bottom edge
1126
, a front side edge
1130
, and a back side edge
1134
.
The inner front panel
1022
is joined at its first side edge
1058
to the front side edge
1106
of the inner first side panel
1030
and is joined at its second side edge
1062
to the front side edge
1130
of the inner second side panel
1034
. The inner back panel
1026
is joined at its first side edge
1082
to the back side edge
1110
of the inner first side panel
1030
and is joined at its second side edge
1086
to the back side edge
1134
of the inner second side panel
1034
.
The floor panel
1038
has an upper surface
1138
, a lower surface
1142
, a front edge
1146
, a back edge
1150
, a first side edge
1154
and a second side edge
1158
. The floor panel
1038
is attached at its front edge
1146
to the bottom edge
1054
of the inner front panel
1022
, at its back edge
1150
to the bottom edge
1078
of the inner back panel
1026
, at its first side edge
1154
to the bottom edge
1102
of the inner first side panel
1030
and at its second side edge
1158
to the bottom edge
1126
of the inner second side panel
1034
. The inner front panel
1022
is attached at its top edge
1050
to the top edge
930
of the outer front panel
906
. The inner back panel
1026
is attached at its top edge
1074
to the top edge
954
of the outer back panel
910
. The inner first side panel
1030
is attached at its top edge
1098
to the top edge
978
of the outer first side panel
914
. The inner second side panel
1034
is attached at its top edge
1122
to the top edge
1002
of the outer second side panel
918
.
The outer front
906
, back
910
, first side
914
and second side
918
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably over the container walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
when attached together. The inner front
1022
, back
1026
, first side
1030
, second side
1034
and floor
1038
panels are sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
when attached together. When the container
830
is located between the inner
1022
,
1026
,
1030
,
1034
and outer
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
panels the interior pocket
1018
will be supported by the container
830
.
In still another variant, as illustrated in
FIGS. 30 and 30
a
, the toy storage cover
826
includes at least one attachment strap
1162
. The attachment strap
1162
has a first end
1166
and a second end
1170
and is fixedly attached at its first end
1166
to the lower surface
1142
of the floor panel
1038
of the interior pocket
1018
. The strap
1162
extends outwardly past one of the inner panels
1022
,
1026
,
1030
,
1034
. The second end
1170
of the attachment strap
1162
includes means
1174
for removably attaching the second end
1170
to either the exterior surface
922
,
946
,
970
,
994
or the interior surface
926
,
950
,
974
,
998
of one of the outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
.
The container
830
, as illustrated in
FIG. 28
, includes at least one slot
1178
. The slot
1178
is sized, shaped and located adjacent the bottom edge
858
of one of the walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
of the collapsible container
830
so as to permit the second end
1170
of the attachment strap
1162
to pass through it. When the second end
1170
of the attachment strap
1162
is passed through the slot
1178
and removably attached to either the exterior surface
922
,
946
,
970
,
994
or the interior surface
926
,
950
,
974
,
998
of at least one of the outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
, the interior pocket
1018
of the toy storage cover
826
will be removably secured to the collapsible container
830
.
In yet another variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 28
, the means
902
for removably attaching the front
834
and back
838
walls of the container
830
to the first
842
and second
846
side walls of the container
830
includes hooking and loop elements
1182
secured to either the inner surface
870
or the outer surface
874
of the walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
adjacent their side edges
862
,
866
.
In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 30
, the means
1174
for removably attaching the second end
1170
of the attachment strap
1162
to either the exterior surface
922
,
946
,
970
,
994
or the interior surface
926
,
950
,
974
,
998
of one of the outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
includes hooking and loop elements
1182
secured to the second end
1170
and either the exterior surface
922
,
946
,
970
,
994
or the interior surface
926
,
950
,
974
,
998
of at least one of the outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
.
In still a further variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 31
, a retaining means
1186
is provided. The retaining means
1186
is formed of rigid material
1190
and is sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front
1022
, back
1026
, first side
1030
and second side
1034
panels and over the floor panel
1038
, thereby securing the interior pocket
1018
downwardly within the container
830
.
In yet a further variant, the retaining means
1186
is a mattress pad
1194
that has a rigid backing
1198
.
In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 32
, the toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container
826
includes means
1202
for securing the toy storage cover
826
to the container
830
.
In a final variant, as illustrated in
FIG. 32
, the means
1202
for securing the toy storage cover
826
to the container
830
comprises means
1206
for fastening at least one of the outer panels
906
,
910
,
914
,
918
to one of the inner panels
1022
,
1026
,
1030
,
1034
through openings
1210
in the container walls
834
,
838
,
842
,
846
.
The toy storage covers for portable play yards
10
,
382
,
528
, cribs
718
and containers
624
,
826
have been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.
Claims
- 1. A toy storage cover for an open topped container, comprising:a container, said container comprising a floor, a rigid surrounding side wall extending upwardly from said floor; an outer surrounding side panel, said outer surrounding side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge; an interior pocket, said interior pocket comprising: an inner surrounding side panel, said inner surrounding side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge; a floor panel, said floor panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and a surrounding edge; said floor panel being attached at its surrounding edge to the bottom edge of the inner surrounding side panel; said inner surrounding side panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer surrounding side panel; said outer surrounding side panel being sized and shaped to fit slidably over the rigid surrounding side wall of the container; said inner surrounding side panel and floor panel being sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container; a retaining means, said retaining means being formed of rigid material and being sized and shaped to fit frictionally within the inner surrounding side panel and over the floor panel; and whereby, when the container is disposed between said inner and outer surrounding side panels the interior pocket will be supported by the container and the retaining means will secure the interior pocket downwardly within the play yard.
- 2. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 1 wherein the retaining means is a mattress pad having a rigid backing.
- 3. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 1, further comprising means for securing the toy storage cover to the container.
- 4. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 3, wherein the means for securing the toy storage cover to the container comprises means for fastening the outer surrounding panel to the inner surrounding panel through openings in the surrounding side wall of the container.
- 5. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of exterior pockets attached to the outer surrounding side panel.
- 6. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 5 wherein at least one of the exterior pockets attached to the outer panels further comprises at least one of a smaller interior pocket and a smaller exterior pocket.
- 7. A toy storage cover for an open topped container as described in claim 1 wherein the outer and inner panels are formed of material through which a user can see.
- 8. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container, comprising:a collapsible open topped container, said container comprising a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor enclosed by said walls; each of said walls having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface; said floor having a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top surface and a bottom surface; said front wall being hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the front edge of the floor; said back wall being hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the back edge of the floor; said first side wall being hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the first side edge of the floor; said second side wall being hingedly attached at its bottom edge to the second side edge of the floor; means for removably attaching the front wall at its first side edge to first side wall at its second side edge; means for removably attaching the front wall at its second side edge to second side wall at its first side edge; means for removably attaching the back wall at its second side edge to first side wall at its first side edge; means for removably attaching the back wall at its first side edge to second side wall at its second side edge; an outer front panel, said outer front panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an outer back panel, said outer back panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an outer first side panel, said outer first side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; an outer second side panel, said outer second side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; said outer front panel being joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the outer first side panel and being joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the outer second side panel; said outer back panel being joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the outer first side panel and being joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the outer second side panel; an interior pocket, said interior pocket comprising: an inner front panel, said inner front panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an inner back panel, said inner back panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an inner first side panel, said inner first side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; an inner second side panel, said inner second side panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side edge, and a back side edge; said inner front panel being joined at its first side edge to the front side edge of the inner first side panel and being joined at its second side edge to the front side edge of the inner second side panel; said inner back panel being joined at its first side edge to the back side edge of the inner first side panel and being joined at its second side edge to the back side edge of the inner second side panel; a floor panel, said floor panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; said floor panel being attached at its front edge to the bottom edge of the inner front panel, at its back edge to the bottom edge of the inner back panel, at its first side edge to the bottom edge of the inner first side panel and at its second side edge to the bottom edge of the inner second side panel; said inner front panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer front panel; said inner back panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer back panel; said inner first side panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer first side panel; said inner second side panel being attached at its top edge to the top edge of the outer second side panel; said outer front, back, first side and second side panels being sized and shaped to fit slidably over the container walls when attached together; said inner front, back, first side, second side and floor panels being sized and shaped to fit slidably within the container walls when attached together; and whereby, when the container is disposed between said inner and outer panels the interior pocket will be supported by the container.
- 9. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container, as described in claim 8, further comprising:at least one attachment strap, said attachment strap having a first end and a second end and being fixedly attached at its first end to the lower surface of the floor panel of the interior pocket and extending outwardly past one of the inner panels; said second end of said attachment strap including means for removably attaching said second end to either of the exterior surface and the interior surface of one of the outer panels; said outer panels including means for removably attaching to said second end of said attachment strap, said means being disposed upon either of the exterior surface and the interior surface of at least one of the outer panels; at least one slot, said slot being sized, shaped and disposed adjacent the bottom edge of one of the walls of the collapsible container so as to permit the second end of said attachment strap to pass therethrough; and whereby, when the second end of the attachment strap is passed through the slot and removably attached to either of the exterior surface and the interior surface of at least one of the outer panels, the interior pocket of the toy storage cover will be removably secured to the collapsible container.
- 10. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container, as described in claim 8, wherein the means for removably attaching the front and back walls of the container to the first and second side walls of the container comprises hooking and loop elements secured to either of the inner surface and the outer surface of said walls adjacent their side edges.
- 11. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container, as described in claim 9, wherein the means for removably attaching the second end of the attachment strap to either of the exterior surface and the interior surface of one of the outer panels comprises hooking and loop elements secured to said second end and either of the exterior surface and the interior surface of at least one of the outer panels.
- 12. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8, further comprising a retaining means, said retaining means being formed of rigid material and being sized and shaped to fit frictionally between the inner front, back, first side and second side panels and over the floor panel, thereby securing the interior pocket downwardly within the container.
- 13. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8 wherein the retaining means is a mattress pad having a rigid backing.
- 14. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8, further comprising means for securing the toy storage cover to a play yard.
- 15. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8, wherein the means for securing the toy storage cover to the container comprises means for fastening at least one of the outer panels to one of the inner panels through openings in the container walls.
- 16. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of exterior pockets attached to the outer panels.
- 17. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8 wherein the outer and inner panels are formed of material through which a user can see.
- 18. A toy storage cover for a collapsible open topped container as described in claim 8, wherein at least one of the exterior pockets attached to the outer panels further comprises at least one of a smaller interior pocket and a smaller exterior pocket.
US Referenced Citations (11)