Portable Crib Enclosure

Abstract

A portable modular enclosure used for a baby in a porta crib or play yard. The enclosure has four panels made of mesh material with a flexible frame so that a baby will not be able to clearly see through the panels. The enclosure is constructed of four panels removably connected by snaps, zippers or other connecting means. All our panels fold down to a size which can be inserted into a single carrying case for transportation. The front panel has a flap cut into the panel providing access to the enclosure which can be closed shut or suspended in the open position with VELCRO.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a light weight portable modular apparatus to secure a baby, in a porta crib, play yard or other similar device, in an enclosure which prevents the baby from being disturbed. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a portable modular enclosure with mesh walls which prohibit a clear view into or out of the enclosure so as to impede any visual stimulation to the baby inside the enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When parents travel with babies, it is often the case that the baby shares the bedroom with the parents. The parents often secure the baby into a porta crib in the evening or a play yard during the day. The drawback to this arrangement is that the baby is often disturbed or awoken while in the play yard or porta crib by visual stimulation in the room.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable light weight enclosure constructed out of opaque tightly woven mesh-type material into which the baby can be placed while in the porta crib or play yard that will prohibit the baby from seeing motion or activity outside of the enclosure. The mesh material is light weight and can be folded into a size convenient for storage in a single carry bag. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosure which is sized to fit into standard bedrooms and hotel rooms. The benefit realized is that the parents can share their bedroom with a baby without the baby becoming disturbed by their presence in the room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable enclosure for securing a baby in a porta crib, play yard or other similar device, comprising four rectangular panels each with a flexible frame attached thereto with cooperating attachment devices located on the panels to allow the panels to fit together over the frame to define an enclosed space into which a porta crib, play yard or other similar device can he placed; a centrally disposed flap fixed at a top portion of a first panel extending downwardly from the upper end fixed portion of the first panel and continuing through the bottom portion of the first panel with cooperating fastener means formed on the flap and the top portion of the enclosure whereby the flap can be disengaged from the first panel into which it is cut and secured to the top portion of the first panel to create an opening to access the inside of the enclosed space; the rectangular panels being fabricated out of an opaque tightly woven mesh material and attached flexible frame and are adapted to folding the panels into a storage configuration to be secured into a carrying case; and the rectangular mesh panels allow light and air to flow through the enclosure but obscure the view into or out of the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the back panel.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a side panel.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a three panel partial assembly.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the front panel.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the front panel and hatch.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the complete assembly.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a panel being folded.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a folded panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The present invention is directed to a portable modular screening device 5 as illustrated in the appended drawings and in particular FIG. 6. In the presently preferred embodiment, the portable modular screening device 5 is contemplated to be 58″ high, 33″ deep and 44″ wide. The portable modular screening device 5 is comprised of opaque tightly woven mesh material panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ supported by a flexible frame 7 which can be compressed for storage and expanded for use. Specifically, in the presently preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the panels 9 and 9′ are approximately 58″ high and 44″ wide and mesh panels 11 and 11′ are approximately 58″ high and 33″ wide. The panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ are fabricated from a lightweight tightly woven mesh material which allows air to pass through the panels but is opaque as it obscures light from passing though the panels. The frame 7 is constructed of a lightweight composite material. The frame 7 are sewn into the mesh panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ so that the frame elements are connected as the independent panels are assembled into the screening device. Panels 9 and 9′ are zippered together to panels 11 and 11′ after the frame 7 has been expanded. Alternatively, the panels may be attached by one or more of the following methods: screw and nut, snap fit, screw with threaded insert, hook and loop, push-on fastener, turn-on fastener or VELCRO® connection. The modular screening device 5 further comprises an opening 13 in panel 9′ cut into 9′ on three sides leaving the top portion attached and forming a hinge for the opening 13 through which access is gained into the enclosed space created by the erection of panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ and frame 7. As shown in FIG. 5, Hatch 15 is created by opening 13 in panel 9′ and is conveniently stored in the open position by rolling it up and securing it to the top of panel 9′ with the use of VELCRO® strips 19 or other similar connection device. As shown in FIG. 4, hatch 15 is also secured in the closed position in panel 9′ by the use of VELCRO strips 19 applied to the edges of opening 13 in panel 9′ and to the edges of hatch 15.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the flexible frame 7 for each panel is generally rectangular in shape and when fully expanded across each panel (9, 9′, 11 and 11′) it acts as an expanded spring locked into position by the stiffness created by the mesh stretched across the frame on each panel. As such, in order to told any of the panels (9,9′, 11 and 11′) into the circular disk shape required for storage or transportation, the frame is twisted as shown in FIG. 7 in opposite directions to break the stiffness of the frame 7 in the mesh on each panel and allow each panel (9, 9′, 11, 11′) to collapse into a circular shape for transportation or storage as shown in FIG. 8.

The present invention can also be provided with four small flat portions of the panel material 15 in the bottom portion of panels 9 and 9′ onto which the supports or legs of an item inserted into the modular screening device 5 such as a porta crib or play yard can be placed. In this way, additional structural rigidity is imparted to the device 5.

In the preferred embodiment, the panels 9 and 9′ are attached to 11 and 11′ via a zipper attachment 17 as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment it is shown that the tape, teeth and pull of the zipper elements 19 will be color coded so that the edges of panels 9 and 9 intended to be joined with the edges of panels 11 and 11′ are the same color. In this way, the intended assembly method and order will be immediately apparent to one who, for the first time, attempts assembly of the portable modular screen.

In the preferred embodiment, the modular screening device 5 is assembled in a typical hotel room or guest bedroom and a porta crib, play yard or other similar device is inserted into the modular screening device 5 by rolling up the hatch and securing it with VELCRO® strips 19 as shown in FIG. 5, A baby is placed into the porta crib, play yard or other similar device and the hatch is released and allowed to roll down to a closed position on panel 11 secured shut by VELCRO® strips 19 as shown in FIG. 4,

At this point, the baby can no longer clearly see outside the modular screening device because the panel walls are constructed of mesh which obscures light. Further, the baby cannot see over the 58″ high panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, a baby will usually become agitated and start to cry when he or she sees someone (especially a parent) in the room with them. When the baby is in the modular screening device, the baby cannot see outside the mesh panels and therefore is less likely to become agitated and cry.

After use, the modular screening device 5 may be disassembled by unzipping the side panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ Each of the panels 9, 9′, 11, 11′ can then be broken down into circular disks by twisting the flexible frame elements 7 on panels 9, 9′, 11 and 11′ as shown in FIG. 7. All four circular panels (9, 9′, 11 and 11′), now in circular disk form, fit into a circular carry bag that is approximately 22″ in diameter as shown in FIG. 8.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments just described merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable enclosure for securing a baby in a porta crib, play yard or other similar device, comprising:

four rectangular panels each with a flexible frame attached thereto with cooperating attachment devices located on the panels to allow the panels to fit together to define an enclosed space into which a porta crib, play yard or other similar device can be placed;

a centrally disposed flap fixed at a top portion of a first panel extending downwardly from the upper end fixed portion of the first panel and continuing through the bottom portion of the first panel with cooperating fastener means formed on the flap and the top portion of the enclosure whereby the flap can be disengaged from the first panel into which it is cut and secured to the top portion of the first panel to create an opening to access the inside of the enclosed space;

the rectangular panels being fabricated out of an opaque tightly woven mesh material and attached flexible frame and are adapted to folding the panels into a storage configuration to be secured into a carrying case; and

the rectangular mesh panels allow light and air to flow through the enclosure but obscure the view into or out of the enclosure.

2. A portable enclosure as set forth in claim 1, in which the device further comprises color coding of the cooperating attachment devices on the rectangular panels to facilitate assembly of the enclosure.

3. A portable enclosure as set forth in claim 1 in which the device further comprises pieces attached to the bottom corners of the panels on which the legs of the porta crib are placed to provide additional rigidity to the enclosure.

4. A portable enclosure as set forth in claim 1, in which the device further comprises a carry case where the rectangular mesh panels and attached flexible frame are folded and stored for ease of transportation and storage.