Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.

Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.

Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.

Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure, movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of cross members arranged in pairs, a plurality of slider joints and pivot joints, and at least one latch mechanism. Each pair of cross members is located between respective adjacent legs to form sides of the collapsible frame structure that define an interior of the collapsible frame structure. Each slider joint slidingly engages a respective one of the legs and pivotably attaches to two adjacent cross members. Each pivot joint is at a respective one of the legs to pivotably attach two adjacent cross members. The latch mechanism, which is mounted to another frame component of the collapsible frame structure, remains so mounted in both the open arrangement and the folded arrangement. Nonadjacent legs and nonadjacent sides of the collapsible frame structure remain unconnected across an interior of the collapsible frame structure.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.

Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.

Abstract: A multi-point buckle assembly includes a body having a top opening on a top surface, a plurality of side openings, and a plurality of channels, a release button disposed within the top opening, a plurality of main tongues, and a plurality of side tongues, wherein each of the plurality of main tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of side openings and each of the plurality of side tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A rotation and translation bracket providing pivotal and linear adjustment. The bracket includes a base, a rotation lock and pivotal member, and a translation lock and linear tube. Linear adjustment is allowed by tightening or loosening the translation lock. In a locked position the tube is fixed between locking surfaces of the base and translation lock. Inclined surfaces on the base and translation lock slide against each other providing an increasing binding force to be exerted on the tube as the translation lock is tightened. When tightened, the base, translation lock, and tube remain in a substantially fixed position. Pivotal adjustment is allowed by tightening or loosening the rotation lock. In a locked position the pivotal member is fixed between locking surfaces of the base and rotation lock. Inclined surfaces on the base and rotation lock slide against the inner surface of the pivotal member providing an increasing binding force to be exerted on the pivotal member as the rotation lock is tightened.

Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to receive a tongue and selectively engaging the tongue with a fixed latch. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a frame and an urging member. The release button receives the tongues and also slidably retains two ejectors. The frame has two fixed lathes that engage the latch receiving slots on the tongues when the tongues are at least partially inserted into the release button. In one embodiment, insertion of the tongues into the release button causes the displacement of two ejectors such that the urging member is able to urge the release button into a closed configuration in which the release button is flush with the frame. When the release button is urged into the closed configuration, the latch receiving slots are engaged by the fixed latches.

Abstract: An assembly of a buckle mechanism and blade. The buckle mechanism includes a housing surrounding a guide supported by a base. The guide engages a fastening surface of the blade with the lock surface of a projection of the base and has at least one wall defining a void, which is positionable in a first position so that the projection occupies at least a portion of the void and a second position so that the projection is disengaged from the void. The base has a surface and a projection extending away from the surface. A biasing member locates the guide to a first position in which the blade engages the projection and opposes movement of the guide to a second position in which the blade disengages from the projection.

Abstract: A multi-point buckle assembly includes a body having a top opening on a top surface, a plurality of side openings, and a plurality of channels, a release button disposed within the top opening, a plurality of main tongues, and a plurality of side tongues, wherein each of the plurality of main tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of side openings and each of the plurality of side tongues is adapted to fit into each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A multi-point buckle including a buckle body, one or more attachment tongues and a floating latch, wherein during operation the buckle body is not subjected to tensile or compressive forces. Conventional straps can be attached to the body and the tongues. In a preferred embodiment, the tongues are inserted into the body, wherein locking prongs on the tongues attach to latch surfaces on the floating latch. When a pulling force is exerted on the tongues only a tensile force is transferred between the tongues and the floating latch. The buckle body is not subjected to any type of tensile or compressive forces. A preferred embodiment of the tongue includes a webbing lock. When used with a conventional strap, a webbing lock allows for ease of adjustment and also creates a wedging action on the strap when a pulling force is exerted. When placed under force the webbing lock provides a greater ability to hold the tongue in a substantially fixed position relative to the strap.

Abstract: A child care device with an improved mounting system is disclosed. The improved mounting arrangement includes a child carrier having at least one side wall having at least one slot on the side wall. The invention also includes at least one support mechanism connected to a frame and adapted to engage the slot and cooperates with a release mechanism having a piston to releasably secure the child carrier to the support mechanism. In addition, the child care device includes an adjustable arm bar having an arm bar actuator that releasably engages the arm bar such that the arm bar is telescopically slidable relative to the child care device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a buckle assembly which includes a first tongue, a second tongue, and a socket having a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the first tongue and second tongue. Each tongue includes a tongue coupling member which operates to register the first tongue and second tongue to be inserted into the socket simultaneously. Alternatively, the first tongue and second tongue may be inserted separately wherein the tongue coupling member allows the tongues to be slid relative to one another thereby facilitating individual insertion of the first tongue and the second tongue. In addition, the buckle assembly includes a securement member having a button on each tongue. Both the button on the first tongue and the button on the second tongue must be simultaneously actuated to eject the tongues from the socket. Further, the buckle assembly provides a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot configured to receive a corresponding belt.