Toy storage cover for portable play yards, cribs and containers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6687927
  • Patent Number
    6,687,927
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 25, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 10, 2004
    20 years ago
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)
Number Name Date Kind
2822950 Hill Feb 1958 A
3438069 Long Apr 1969 A
4558801 Vilutis Dec 1985 A
4993551 Lindsay Feb 1991 A
5174447 Fleming Dec 1992 A
5813064 Hartenstine Sep 1998 A
5865407 Effa Feb 1999 A
5941408 Sherman Aug 1999 A
6189697 Davis Feb 2001 B1
6305567 Sulpizio Oct 2001 B1
6430762 Cheng Aug 2002 B1