Convertible activity center

Abstract

A child's activity center that may alternately be assembled as a stationary activity center with a seat for very young children and as a floor play set for older children. As a stationary activity center the assembly has a base that rests on the floor with upwardly extending legs that support a tray above the base. The tray may be removed from the base and placed on the floor next to it and a connector unites the tray and base together. Toys are provided on the tray and base that have a common theme to allow the activity center to grow as the young child grows so as to hold the child's interest for a long period of time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to activity centers for children and more particularly is directed to an activity center that may be assembled in a first configuration as a stationary activity center and used by the child in a seated position and a second configuration as a floor play set and used by a child sitting or lying on the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Most activity centers made for babies and toddlers are intended to be used by a child at one stage in its development and have a single configuration to be used by a baby or toddler either in a seated position at a raised work surface or disposed on the floor, but do not provide for both forms of activity. One object of this invention is to provided a activity center that may be converted from one configuration to another so that it can be used by a baby or toddler in either a supported and seated position or disposed on the floor. Another object of this invention is to provide a activity center that can figuratively grow with the child, that is, can be arranged in one configuration that is particularly suitable for a young baby supported in a seat at a raised play surface and can be arranged in a second configuration that is suitable for a toddler who is more mobile and can move about on the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The activity center of the present invention includes a bottom tray or base that rests on the floor and a separate top tray that is mounted on a number of vertical legs attached to the bottom tray so that the trays are oriented one above the other. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the top tray has a large table-like surface and carries a baby seat that enables the baby to play, using its hands, on the surface. Preferably a number of different toys are mounted on the upper tray within reach of the child in the seat. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the different toys have some common theme so that they may interact with one another as the child plays with them. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, with the trays assembled one above the other the activity center also functions as a stationary walker.

[0004] In accordance with yet another aspect of this invention, the top tray may be separated from the bottom tray and placed on the floor immediately adjacent and detachably locked to the bottom tray so as to form a floor play set. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the legs that support the top tray on the bottom tray in the first configuration may be stored in the bottom tray when in the floor play set configuration. The upper surfaces of the two trays together form another play center, and other toys may be provided on the bottom tray that are particularly suited to be operated by a child either sitting or lying on the floor. In another aspect of this invention, the toys on the bottom and top trays when used together with the trays in the same plane are suitable for an older child. Thus the device has a longer useful life during the child's development. The child's interest in it will extend over a longer period of time.

[0005] These and other aspects of the invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in one configuration that may function both as a play center and a stationary walker and includes an array of toys that are within the reach of the child when seated in it;

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the invention suggesting the manner in which the various parts are assembled to assume the configuration of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the mounting ring of the seat assembly;

[0009] FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D are cross-sectional views of the ring taken along section lines 2B-2B, 2C-2C and 2D-2D respectively, with a portion of the fabric seat suggested in broken lines in FIG. 2C showing its attachment to the ring;

[0010] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the fabric seat of the seat assembly;

[0011] FIG. 2F is an exploded, top perspective view of the upper tray of the activity center and showing how a number of toys may be mounted on the ring;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown in a second configuration as a floor play set and intended for use by a child disposed on the floor;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detailed view of one leg assembly of the activity center, taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the leg assembly of FIG. 5;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional detailed view of the leg assembly stowed in the bottom tray of the activity center when it is assembled as a floor play set, taken on section line 77 of FIG. 3;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detailed view of the latching apparatus for interlocking the two trays when assembled as a floor play set, taken along section line 88 of FIG. 3;

[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of a tractor train play toy used on the floor play set, as viewed along the site line 9 in FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hay wagon that is one of the cars of the train shown in FIG. 9, and illustrating how it is mounted on the tray as shown in FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hay wagon shown in FIG. 10 disposed in its holder, taken along the section line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the silo toy mounted on the top tray and taken along section line 12-12 of FIG. 3;

[0022] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a number of shaped pegs and their respective sockets that comprise another toy in the assembly, as viewed along the site line 13 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following detailed description, the various aspects of the present invention are described in terms of their application to activity centers that simulate or suggest a farm. The assembly may function in one configuration as a baby's first stationary activity center that brings a farm scene to life, encouraging exploration and reactive play to keep a baby entertained throughout the toddler years. An array of toys are available to the baby including a tractor and other interactive farm themed toys. In a second configuration, a barnyard setting is provided with a railroad track and a number of stimulating toys that attach and move to stimulate the child's imagination. Much of the interactive play with the toys are suggestive of real farm activities. However, it is to be understood that many of the aspects of the invention are not limited to a farm oriented toy, and totally different themes may be embodied in different expressions of the invention, for example, a circus, jungle, race track etc. It should also be appreciated that many aspects of the invention are not dependent upon others of the aspects of the invention and rather perform individually in novel and inventive ways. Consequently, the breadth of the invention is to be determined not by the specific embodiments illustrated, but rather by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0024] The activity center of the present invention includes a top tray 30, a bottom tray or base 32 and a number of legs 34. While three legs are employed in the embodiment illustrated, obviously a different number may be used. The activity center of the illustrated embodiment also includes a seat assembly 40 used when assembled as in FIG. 1 and a variety of different toys and accessories that are mounted on and used separately in connection with one or the other of the trays 30 and 32 or with both trays together as will be explained in greater detail below.

[0025] The top tray 30 shown in detail in FIGS. 1-4 injection molded from a plastic material such as polypropylene and is generally configured as a ring having top and bottom surfaces 50 and 52 and with an opening 54 at its center that receives the seat assembly 40. A number of different stations in which toys are mounted are provided in the upper surface 50 as is described in greater detail below. On the bottom surface 52 of the upper tray 30 are three wells 56, 58 and 60 that receive the upper ends 72 of the legs 34.

[0026] The bottom tray 32 is preferably injection molded of the same plastic material as the top tray 30, and its upper surface 80 is integrally formed with three sockets 82, 84 and 86 that receive the bottom ends 88 of the legs 34. As explained below, the connection of the legs in the sockets 82 is adjustable so that the height of the upper tray 30 above the bottom tray 32 may be varied to accommodate the height of the baby occupying the seat 40 when the activity center is assembled in the stationary activity center configuration shown in FIG. 1. The bottom tray 32 has a raised rim 90 about approximately three quarters of its periphery, and like the upper tray, has a number of stations that receive toys, particularly used when the activity center is arranged in the second configuration, that is, the floor play set shown in FIG. 3. The central portion 92 of the bottom tray 32 includes a platform 94 at its center upon which the feet of the baby in the seat assembly may rest when the activity center is in the first or floor play station configuration.

[0027] The top and bottom trays 30 and 32 have peripheral skirts 96 and 98 respectively, that have smooth lower edges 100 and 102 capable of supporting the respective trays in a fixed and stable position on the floor or other large flat surface. The bottom tray 32 as is apparent from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 3 is designed to sit on the floor in both assembled configurations of the activity center, while the top tray 30 is disposed on the floor only in the second configuration of FIG. 3.

[0028] One of the legs 34 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. The legs preferably although not necessarily are identical, and only one is described. Leg 34 shown has a lower generally cylindrical portion 104, the upper end of which is attached to a flexible bellows 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical portion 104 is preferably molded in two halves 104a and 104b that snap together by fasteners 105 integrally molded as part of half 104a and that fit into openings 105a in the mating half 104b of the cylindrical portion. The two halves are further locked together by screws 107 that axially engage the ends of posts 109 and 111. It is evident in FIG. 6 that the upper post 111 also extends through aligned holes 112 in the lower collar 114 of the bellows 106 so as to permanently attach the bellows to the legs.

[0029] While a specific configuration of the lower cylindrical portion 104 and the attachment to the bellows is described and shown, it should be appreciated that the cylindrical portion may take many different configurations and if made in halves, the two may attach together by means other than the snap fasteners shown along with the screws and posts. For example, a band could encircle the two halves of the cylindrical portion to retain the cylindrical form of the member, and the cylindrical portion could be attached to the lower part of the bellows by undercuts provided in the collar 114 and/or at the upper end of the cylindrical portion. The bellows is generally cone-shaped, increasing in diameter in an upwardly direction, and the larger upper end 120 is connected to a dish-shaped support 122 that in turn carries a locking collar 124. The support 122 has a lower skirt 126 that fits within the upper end 120 of the bellows, and a flexible tie 128 made of nylon or similar material extends about and binds against the upper end 120 causing it to tightly engage the skirt 126 of the support. To insure that the tie remains in place, a shallow groove 130 is provided on the outer surface of the bellows upper end 120 to receive the tie. The locking collar 124 is retained on the upper end of support 122 by means of outwardly extending lip 132 on the upper end of the support and an inwardly extending flange 134 on the inside of cylindrical wall 136 of the collar 124. The flange 134 on the collar and the lip 132 on the support engage one another so as to prevent the collar from sliding upwardly off the support 120, while a number of spaced wall sections 140 about the upper portion of the support engage the lower surface of the flange 134 so as to prevent the collar from slipping downwardly on the support. This arrangement is best shown in FIG. 5. The locking collar 124 also carries a handle tab 142 that facilitates rotation of the locking collar on the support 120 so as to assist in attaching and detaching the locking collar from one of the downwardly open wells 56, 58, 60 in the top tray 30.

[0030] A vertically oriented coil spring 121 is disposed in each leg and extends along the full height of the bellows 106. Its upper end 123 is connected to the horizontal plate 125 in the support 122, and its lower end 127 is anchored to the post 111 at the upper end of cylindrical portion of the leg as shown in FIG. 5. The springs in the legs impart a spring suspension to the top tray 30 of the activity center as well as providing vertical support to the legs 34. A child disposed in the seat assembly 40, therefore, can bounce and rock with the top tray 30 while playing with the various toys on the tray.

[0031] In FIGS. 5 and 6 the locking collar 124 is shown to have a pair of parallel grooves 144 and 146 in the circumferential wall 136. Duplicate pairs of grooves are disposed diametrically opposite one another on the circumferential wall 136 of the collar, and an entry slot 150 is provided for each groove on each side. As explained below, the upper of the grooves 144 on each side of the collar serve to releasably lock the leg in the well 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the three wells 56, 58 and 60 provided in the bottom surface of the tray 30 receive the upper end of the three legs 34. Each well has an outer generally cylindrical wall 154 that carries two inwardly extending fingers 156 that engage the grooves 144 in the locking collar 124. The grooves 144 and fingers 156 comprise a bayonet type latch to secure the upper end of the legs in the wells 56, 58, 60 on the underside of the top tray 30. The fingers 156 on the inner surface of cylindrical wall 154 align themselves with the groove 144 by means of the entry slots 150. A number of stop ribs 160 carried on the inner surface of the wells limit the depth which the collars 124 may be inserted in the wells, and when the collars engage the stop ribs 160, the fingers 156 are in the same plane as the grooves 144. When so aligned, the handle tab 142 facilitates rotation of the locking collar to insure that the grooves 144 and fingers 156 are interlocked. When the fingers 156 and grooves 144 are fully engaged, the locking tab will register with a notch 162 in the edge of the well wall 154 so as to prevent the collar turning and release the fingers. To detach each leg from the upper tray 30, it is necessary to lift the tab so that it clears the edges of the notch 162 and the locking collar is turned with respect to the well to separate the fingers 156 from the grooves 144.

[0032] While the foregoing description sets forth in detail one embodiment of attaching the legs to the upper tray, it will be appreciated that many different means may be employed in accordance with other aspects of the invention. For example, snap-fasteners, detent type latches, and easy to use fasteners may be employed to accomplish the same purpose. However, it is advantageous that the connection not employ separable fasteners that may be lost or misplaced and that require special tools to open and close them.

[0033] As noted above, the lower tray 32 is provided with three separate sockets 82, 84 and 86 for receiving the lower ends 88 of the legs 34. Each socket preferably is formed as an integral part of the bottom tray 32 and includes a sleeve 170 for receiving the cylindrical portion 104 of a leg 34. The sleeve 170 of the socket has several vertically aligned holes 172 (three shown in FIG. 2), each of which is sized to receive the spring loaded button 174 carried by the cylindrical portion of the leg. The several holes 172 provide a height adjustment capability for the activity center when assembled as in FIG. 1. By positioning the button 174 in the topmost hole 172 in the sleeve 170, the leg will provide maximum elevation for the top tray 30 above the bottom tray 32 while the minimum height will be attained by use of the lowermost hole in the sleeve. The middle hole 152 obviously provides an intermediate elevation for the upper tray. The spring loaded button 174 may readily be manually depressed so as to allow the lower portion 88 of the tubular section 104 of the leg to enter the sleeve 170, and it will snap to its extended position whenever the button is aligned with one of the holes 172. To release the lower end of the leg from the sleeve, the button is simply depressed so as to clear the edge of the hole with which it is registered. When the activity center is arranged in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the seat assembly 40 is attached to the upper tray 30 in the circular opening 54 provided at its center. The seat assembly is described in detail below.

[0034] In FIG. 3 the activity center is shown in its second configuration, namely, a floor play set. In this configuration, the top and bottom trays are placed beside one another on the floor, and the legs 34 are stored within the sockets 82, 84 and 86 from the underside of the lower tray or base 32. This is shown in detail in FIG. 7. To store the legs as shown they are inverted, and the cylindrical portion 104 of each leg is inserted upwardly from the bottom of the base into one of the sockets 82, 84, 86, and the push button 174 is caused to register with the top most opening 172 in the sleeve 170. The bottom portion of each socket is provided with diametrically opposed fingers 180 just as in the wells 56, 58, 60 on the underside of the top tray 30. The locking collar 124 cooperates with the fingers 180 in the socket 82, 84, 86 to lock the leg 34 in place. In this bayonet connection, the grooves 146 in the collar are engaged by the fingers. In order to cause the locking collar to align with the fingers in the socket in the base, the bellows 102 must be compressed so as to foreshorten the height of the leg so that it fits within the socket. When stored in this fashion, the edge 181 of the collar is disposed above lower edge 102 of the bottom tray or base 32 so that the tray rests firmly on the floor. The cylindrical portion 104 of each leg extends above the sleeve 170 as shown in FIG. 7. Each leg will remain in place when stored in the manner described until button 174 is released from the hole 172 in the sleeve 170 and the collar 124 disengages the fingers 180.

[0035] While the details of the locking arrangement for connecting the legs to the bottom tray in either the first or second configuration constitute a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, it is to be understood that other means may be employed. For example, snap-type fasteners may be employed in place of the collar 124 and fingers in the sockets, or large coarsely threaded bolts and pre-threaded holes may be used to attach both the upper and lower ends of the legs in either installation. Moreover, the legs may simply be set aside and not be connected to the assembly in the second or floor play set configuration rather than having them stored in the base of the tray. Thus the trays 30 and 32 can be assembled together as in the embodiment of FIG. 3 when the legs are detached from the tray 30 and either stored in the bottom tray 32 or simply set aside, until such time as they are again required when the activity center is reconfigured to the play station of FIG. 1.

[0036] Locking means are provided in the top and bottom trays to enable the two to be securely fastened together. For that purpose, it will be noted in FIG. 1 that a curved recess 200 in the form of a step is provided in the upper face of the bottom tray 32, and a pair of bosses 202 are disposed, one adjacent each end of the recess. Each boss has a keyhole-like slot 204 in its upper wall 206 to receive the bayonet lock 208 mounted on the top tray 30. It will be noted in FIG. 8 that the bayonet lock 208 mounted on the top tray 30 includes a stem 210 having a pair of wings 212 that are sized to enter the keyhole slots 204 in the bottom tray 32 when properly oriented with respect to them, and when so positioned, the bayonet locks 208 may be conveniently turned by means of the handles 214 to misalign the wings with keyhole slots beneath the horizontal wall 206.

[0037] The top tray 30 has a portion 215 of its peripheral skirt foreshortened as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2F so that it may fit in a groove 216 at the edge of the recess 200 in the upper surface of the bottom tray 32 and sit on the groove bottom. At each end of the foreshortened portion 215 of the edge of the tray each bayonet lock 208 is mounted in a boss 209 with the handle 214 of the lock exposed. The handle shown is a rib extending across the top of the lock to facilitate rotating it. When the two trays are positioned with the foreshortened portion 215 of the top tray in the groove 216, the locks align themselves with the bosses, and by turning the knobs so as to align the wings 212 with the keyhole slots 204, the operative portion of the locks will pass through the keyhole slots and the knob may then be turned so as to misalign the wings and slots. In this fashion, the base 32 and top tray 30 are securely locked together. However, they may be readily separated simply by rotating the handle portion 214 of the knobs so as to again align the wings 212 with the keyhole slots so that the locks may be withdrawn.

[0038] As is shown in FIG. 3, a figure eight-shaped track 250 is created when the upper and lower trays 30 and 32 are brought together in the floor play set configuration as the trays have track sections 252 and 254, respectively that are horseshoe shaped. The track section 252 in the upper tray 30 extends about the seat opening 54 in that tray, and its two ends 256 and 258 are close together adjacent the foreshortened section 215 of the rim that engages the groove 216 in the bottom tray 32. The track section 254 in the bottom tray has ends 260 and 262 that terminate at the shoulder 264 that defines the inner side of the groove 216. When the two trays are assembled as described above and shown in FIG. 3, the two track sections form a continuous figure eight track that crosses the overlapping portion of the two trays where they join one another.

[0039] The track sections 256 and 258 are defined by grooves in the upper surface of their respective trays and raised shoulders 265 and 267 surround the track sections 252 and 254 in the respective trays 30 and 32. A number of stations are disposed about the periphery of the upper tray 30 and shoulder 265 and carry toys that simulate farm equipment that is designed to roll about the track 250. In FIG. 4, a tractor toy 270 is shown mounted on shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30. The tractor 270 is releasably held in position at its mounting station 249 by a tongue and groove connection provided in the upper surface of the shoulder 265 at 269 and on the bottom of the tractor. (See FIG. 2F). The tongues conveniently slip into the grooves so as to releasably hold the tractor in place. When the tractor is removed, its wheels 272 and 274 enable it to roll freely about the figure eight track 250 and tow other farm type vehicles with it. The tractor 270 shown in some detail in FIGS. 4 and 9 includes the large rear wheels 272 and smaller front wheels 274 with the wheels of each pair spaced apart a distance so as to fit in and roll freely on the track 250. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the tractor may be battery powered and have lights and electronics for playing music or creating other sounds.

[0040] The tractor has a hitch 276 at its rear end designed to engage a wagon 280 as shown in FIG. 9. The wagon 280 has a cart shaped body 282 with four wheels 284 that are also sized to fit and roll freely in the track 250. The cart 282 in FIG. 9 carries a detachable load that simulates a stack of hay 286. The wagon has a C-shaped bracket 287 at its front end that is sized to engage hitch 276 on the tractor 270 so that the tractor can pull the wagon 280 and its contents including the pile of hay. Play interest in the hay wagon load is enhanced by a pair of cylinders 290 and 292 that are slidably mounted on guide rails 294 and 296 respectively that are disposed within the shell created by the simulated haystack (see FIG. 11). The two cylinders are connected together by a pivot lever 298 pivotally mounted at its center on pivot pin 300. An actuating link 302 is connected to each end of the pivot lever 298, and each is connected to one of the cylinders so as to cause the cylinders 290 and 292 to move in opposite directions. That is, when the cylinder 290 is pressed inwardly on its guide rail 294, the see-saw effect of the pivot lever 298 and the actuating link 302 cause the other cylinder 292 to rise. A leaf spring arrangement 299 may be provided in the toy, as suggested in FIG. 11, that cooperates with the end of the pivot lever 298 connected to one of the actuator links 302 so as to tend to retain the cylinders 290 and 292 in one of the extreme positions wherein one or the other of the cylinders is substantially extended from the haystack while the other is fully withdrawn in it. For added interest, the cylinders 290 and 292 may bear pictures of animals, such as dogs, cats, or any other farm creature to suggest that the animals are hiding in the stack and peeking out from the stack when the cylinders are raised. At the rear end of the wagon 280, a hitch 310 is provided so that another wagon may be connected to form a train being drawn by the tractor.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the wagon 280 with its haystack is mounted on the shoulder 265 of upper tray 30 on the left side thereof. The means by which the cart 280 and haystack are held on the tray shoulder 265 are shown in FIG. 10. A parking station 290 is formed on the shoulder 265 of the tray 230 outside the track 256 and is defined by a C-shaped wall 293 preferably integrally molded as a part of the tray. The station includes a recessed bottom wall 295 sized to receive the lower portion of the wagon 280 including its wheels 284, and cavities 314 and 316 are also provided to receive hitch 310 and bracket 311 designed to engage the hitch 276 of the tractor or a hitch of another wagon. The hitches on the tractor 250 and on the cart 280 are identical to one another. The height of the side wall 293 defining the station 291 extends slightly above the bottom of the side wall 312 of the cart as is evident in FIG. 11. To retain the cart in place, a keyhole slot 320 is formed in the bottom wall 321 thereof, and it also extends through the cart base 322 that supports the upper portion 324 of the cart body. Similarly, a key-hole shaped slot 326 is provided in the bottom wall of the haystack load 286, and the keyhole slots 320 and 326 are aligned with one another when the haystack is positioned in the cart. A bayonet type lock 329 very similar to the bayonet locks 208 that secure the two trays together in the floor play set configuration is provided in the shoulder 265 of tray 30 and extends upwardly into the parking station 291 for the cart as is shown clearly in FIGS. 2F and 10. The shaft 328 carries wings 330 at its upper end that are sized to pass through the key-shaped slots 320 and 326 and when the shaft 328 is turned by means of the handle 332 on the underside of the top tray (see FIG. 11), the wings 330 will move out of alignment with the key-shaped slot so as to retain both the wagon and the haystack in place on the tray. It is evident that to release the wagon and haystack, it is only necessary to rotate the handle 332 of the bayonet lock on the bottom of the tray so as to realign the wings 330 with the keyhole shaped slots in the wagon and haystack.

[0042] A second wagon station 340 adjacent the tractor station 249 is provided on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30 for holding a second cart that may be identical to the cart 280. The second cart 342 shown in FIG. 9 has an upper body 344, wheels 346, hitch 348 and connecting bracket 350 just like the corresponding parts in the wagon 280. This second wagon carries a simulated combine having a rotatable preferably transparent drum 354 that contains simulated ears of corn 355 that remain in the drum 354. A simulated discharge stack 356 that rotates on the body 358 of the combine is also provided. A pair of posts 360 rotatably support the drum on opposite sides thereof of the tumbler. The body portion 358 of the combine and the body portion 287 of the haystack are identically shaped and may be interchangeably mounted on either of the wagons 280 or 342. Similarly, the wagons may be interchangeably mounted in the stations 291 and 340.

[0043] In FIG. 9 the tractor 270 and the wagons 280 and 342 are shown hitched together and disposed on the track 250. It will be appreciated that the order of the carts 380 and 342 may be reversed as the hitches and connecting brackets of each are the same and are compatible with the hitch 276 on the tractor 270. The cart 342 and the body 358 of the combine just like the cart 280 and body 287 of the haystack have key-shaped slots (not shown) provided in them to receive the bayonet lock disposed in the second cart station 340. Because they are identical to those described in connection with the cart 280 and haystack 286, they need not be described again.

[0044] Other toys are mounted at additional stations provided on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30. For example, a rotatably mounted scarecrow 370 is shown mounted at station 372 and a windmill 374 is mounted on yet another station 376. The windmill is free to rotate about a vertical axis, but both the scarecrow and windmill are intended to remain in place on the top tray once assembled on it. A poppet type connection (not shown) may be provided to connect them to their respective stations 372 and 376, but preferably the poppets are sufficiently large so as not to permit their removal without considerably more force than can be applied by a child.

[0045] In FIG. 12, yet another toy is illustrated, namely, a simulated silo 380 mounted at station 382 on the top tray 30. The silo 380 has tongue connectors 381 that attach to the grooves 381a in stationary collar 383 at station 382. (See FIG. 2F). The silo 380 may be removed by twisting it about a vertical axis to disconnect the snaps from the collar and may be placed anywhere with respect to the activity center particularly when assembled as a floor play set. The silo has a pair of pivotally mounted members 384 and 386 at the upper portion thereof. Member 384 swings downwardly to close the top opening 388 of the silo while the second member 386 swings upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 12 and is used to introduce an object into the silo. When an object is placed on the member 386 and the member is raised, the object will be spilled onto the chute 390 and may roll into the cart 280, 342 shown disposed adjacent the silo in the track 250.

[0046] Another toy provided on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30 is a simulated fence 400 on the horizontal rung of which are a pair of simulated farm animals 402 and 404. The animals are free to spin or swing on the rung of the fence. The fence 400 preferably is permanently secured at station 405 by means of poppet-type snaps that pass through the holes 407 on the surface of the shoulder 265 when the activity center is initially assembled.

[0047] Finally, a barn 410 is mounted at station 413 on the shoulder 265 of the upper tray 30. The barn has a sliding door 412 and a rotatable decoration 414 on its roof and may have other items inside that simulate a barn such as movable railings etc. (not shown). The barn, unlike the scarecrow, windmill and fence preferably is removably mounted at its station 413 so that it may be removed when the structure is converted to a floor play set and placed on the floor or on the center portion of one of the trays as suggested in FIG. 3. A tongue and groove connection is made between the base of the barn 410 and the station 413 that enables the barn to be separated from the upper tray when desired. The connections between the barn 410 and top tray 30 may be identical to that employed with the silo 380 as shown in FIG. 2F.

[0048] The bottom tray 32 is also provided with play things about its periphery. Two bins 430 and 432 having hinged covers 434 in the shoulder 267 of the bottom tray provide storage for smaller objects that form part of the activity center (see FIG. 3). In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, a number of shaped pegs 440, 442 and 444 that may simulate farm items such as a bale of hay, a milk jug and a cheese are included along with corresponding sockets 444, 446 and 448 in the shoulder 267 to receive the pegs with which a young child may play when the station is arranged as a floor play set. All of the peg-like pieces have peripheral slots that are adapted to receive one of the fingers 450 that extend into the sockets, so as to releasably retain the various pegs in place. Finally, an animal chute 460 is molded in the shoulder 267 as an integral part of the bottom tray 32. The lower end of the chute is disposed immediately adjacent the track so that a cart disposed on the track at the bottom of the chute will be positioned to receive any of the simulated animals or other objects placed on the chute.

[0049] In FIGS. 2 and 2A-2E, the seat assembly 40 is shown in detail. The seat assembly is composed of two parts, namely, a molded plastic ring 450 and a fabric sling-type seat 452 that is carried by the ring and having leg openings 452a, crotch strap 452b and elasticized top 496. The ring 450 has an inner substantially vertical wall 454 and an outer downwardly extending skirt 456 that is connected to the top of the inner wall 454 at a curved lip 458. The skirt 456 has a smooth outer surface 460 and a lower edge 462 that is smooth and continuous about the entire ring 450. In the preferred embodiment shown, the ring is slightly higher at the back side 464 than about the rest of the ring to form a backrest for a child in the seat assembly.

[0050] The inner wall 454 of the ring has a step 466 intermediate the top and bottom thereof that defines a sliding surface 468 that sits on the edge 54a of the opening 54 in the upper tray 30 that receives the assembled seat. The step 466 separates the inner wall 454 into upper and lower sections 470 and 472.

[0051] Spaced about the lower end of upper wall section 470 are a plurality of openings 474 that receive elasticized loops 476 attached to the fabric seat sling and hook onto fingers 478 formed along the lower edge of the lower wall section 472. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the fingers 478 are vertically aligned with the openings 474, and each finger 478 has a bead 480 on its outer surface that prevents the loop 476 from slipping off the finger.

[0052] The lower wall section 472 also has a number of fin-like flexible sections 482, each of which carries a horizontal rib 484 that is designed to snap beneath the lower edge of the flange 54b of opening 54 so as to retain the ring 450 on the top tray 30. The flexible sections 482 that are disposed in the same plane as the rest of the lower wall section 472 are separated from the rest of the wall by slots 486 that impart a degree of flexibility into the sections so as to allow them to flex and enable the ribs 484 to pass below the bottom edge 54b of the tray. While three such flexible sections are shown in this embodiment, other numbers may be used to secure the seat assembly in place.

[0053] The fabric sling-type seat 452 as shown in FIG. 2E , is generally bowl-shaped and has a pair of leg openings 490 separated by a crotch strap 492. The upper portion 494 of the fabric seat 452 carries an elastic 496 about its upper edge, and the loops 476 are stitched to the elastic edge. As shown in FIG. 2, the fabric seat 452 extends downwardly from the top of the ring exposing the leg openings 490 beneath the ring, while the upper peripheral portion 494 of the seat extends over the lip 458 and skirt 456 with the elastic 496 disposed beneath the lower edge 462 of the skirt 456. The loops 476 extend through the openings 474 and downwardly along the outside of the lower wall section 472 of the inner wall 454, and are stretched over the fingers 478 to lie above the beads 480. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, eight loops 476 are spaced about the fabric seat 452 and eight pairs of openings 474 and fingers 478 anchor the loops. While eight has proved very satisfactory, obviously the number may be varied.

[0054] As indicated above, the lower surface 468 of the step 466 rests on the upper margin of the opening 54 in the top tray 30, and the ring 450 with the seat 452 is free to rotate in the opening. To reduce frictional contact between the surface 468 of the ring and the upper surface of the top tray about the opening 54, a number of rounded skids 499 are provided on the surface 468 of the shoulder, that reduce the area of contact between the shoulder and the tray.

[0055] To assemble the seat assembly 50, the fabric sling seat 452 is turned inside out so that the lower portion of the sling extends upwardly within the top edge elastic 496, and the elastic edge is pulled down about the skirt so that its seat fabric covers the skirt 456 of the ring as suggested in FIG. 2C. The loops 476 are then threaded through the holes 474 in the inner wall 454 of the ring and pulled downwardly and hooked over the lower edges of the fingers 478 and over the beads 480. The fabric seat is then pushed downwardly through the ring and assumes the position shown in FIG. 2. When the foregoing steps are completed, the seat assembly may be inserted into the opening 54 and the ribs 484 on fins 482 will engage the bottom edge of flange 54b to yieldably retain the seat assembly in position. The assembly will turn freely in place. To remove the seat assembly 50, the fins 478 merely need to be flexed inwardly so as to free the ribs 484 from beneath the lower edge of the flange 54b. It will be appreciated that the skirt 456 extends downwardly to just above the top surface 54c of the tray so that a child in the seat cannot pinch its fingers in the seat assembly.

[0056] While the preferred embodiment of the seat is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the seat may be used as well. The sling-type fabric seat may be attached to the ring in many different ways, but if the ring is to be rotatably mounted in the tray so as to allow the child in it to face in any direction, the fabric should not interfere with the ring rotation or become wedged between the contacting surfaces of the ring and tray. Furthermore, means other than the flexible wall sections 482 may be employed to releasably retain the ring on the tray. The illustrated embodiment, however, has many advantages. It is comprised of only two parts, namely, the one-piece ring 450 and the fabric seat 452, the fabric seat may be removed from the ring, and the entire seat assembly 40 is removable from the tray so that the fabric seat may be washed. The seat assembly 40 is removed simply the deflecting the flexible sections 482 inwardly so that the ribs clear the edge of the opening 54. The seat assembly ordinarily will be removed when the activity center is assembled as a floor play set as in FIG. 3, although it need not be removed because the peripheral wall of the top tray when placed on the floor supports the bottom edge of the ring 450 above the floor. These and other advantages make this aspect of the invention particularly desirable and the seat may be used in other types of child products, such as walkers, play stations, etc.

[0057] With the aid of the foregoing description, another aspect of the invention will be appreciated. There is a subject matter continuity between the activity center with a seal and the floor play set configurations of this invention. A very young child seated in the seat is positioned to play with the many toys that are mounted on the top tray as is evident from an inspection of FIG. 1, and the familiarity gained with those toys when the child is confined to the seat will carry over and continue to provide enjoyment for the child as he/she grows older and the activity center is assembled in the floor play set configuration. And the ability to remove many of the toys secured to the periphery of the upper tray 30 so that that they may be used on the floor with related toys or on the latched together trays 30 and 32 is a distinct advantage of the invention.

[0058] From the foregoing description it should also be apparent that while a farm is the theme of the embodiment of the invention shown, the theme may be other subjects as well such as a circus, car race track, jungle, etc.

[0059] Having described this invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications may be made of this invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the breadth of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the breadth of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play set comprising a support frame and a child's seat detachably connected to the frame,

a base for resting on a floor or other surface and for carrying the support frame above the floor,

and at least one activity toy having a first part carried on the support frame and a second part carried by the base, said first and second parts joining one another to form a single play set when the support frame is detached from the base and placed on the floor or other surface beside the base and in a selected registration with the base.

2. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play set as described in claim 1 wherein the support frame carries a plurality of toys for use by a child seated in the seat.

3. A combination child's stationary activity center and floor play set as described in claim 1 wherein at least one leg releasably joins the support frame with the base.

4. A combination child's activity center and floor play set comprising

a pair of platforms detachably connected to one another and usable in one orientation as an activity center wherein one platform is spaced above the other and in a second orientation as a floor play set wherein the two are disposed in substantially the same plane in close proximity to one another.

5. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein the two platforms are or approximately the same size in plan view.

6. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein at least one leg carries said one platform on the other when they are oriented as an activity center, said leg being detachably connected to the said one platform.

7. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein at least one toy is carried by said one platform.

8. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein a track is provided on each of the platforms which tracks form an interconnected track when the platforms are oriented as a floor play set.

9. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein the two platforms have peripheral portions that mate with one another to establish a particular interrelated orientation for the platforms when in the floor play set configuration.

10. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 8 wherein when the platforms are oriented as the floor play set the tracks of the two platforms form a continuous track.

11. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 9 wherein the two platforms are approximately the same size in top plan view.

12. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 9 wherein legs carry one platform on the other when they are oriented as an activity center, said legs being detachably connected to the said one platform.

13. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein a seat is attached to the upper of the platforms when in the activity center orientation.

14. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 13 wherein the seat is in the approximate center of the upper of the platforms and is surrounded by the platform.

15. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 14 wherein the seat is rotatable in the platform.

16. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 6 wherein the legs are stored in the other platform and detached from said one platform when the platforms are oriented as a floor play set.

17. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 16 wherein a track is provided on each of the platforms which tracks cooperate to form an interconnected track when the platforms are oriented as a floor play set.

18. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein a toy vehicle is detachably carried by one of the platforms and rides in the track when the combination is in the floor play set configuration.

19. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 18 wherein the vehicle is detachably connected to the one platform when the combination is in the activity center configuration.

20. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein a connector section is provided in each of the platforms for joining them together when in the floor play set configuration.

21. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 20 wherein the connector sections enable one of the platforms to overlap the other and a latch releasably locks the platforms in the overlapped relationship.

22. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 18 wherein a connector section is provided in each of the platforms for joining them together when in the floor play set configuration.

23. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 22 wherein the connector sections enable one of the platforms to overlap the other and a latch releasably locks the platforms in the overlapped relationship.

24. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 4 wherein a plurality of legs are attachable to both of the platforms for supporting said one platform above the other, and adjustable connectors joining the legs to one of the platforms for varying the height of the said one platform above the other.

25. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 24 wherein a seat is detachably mounted on the said one platform for supporting a young child.

26. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 25 wherein the seat is rotatable in the platform.

27. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 24 wherein the legs are flexible so as to permit the upper platform to bounce and sway a limited amount relative to the lower platform.

28. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 27 wherein the legs include a bellows and spring for enabling the upper platform to bounce and sway.

29. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 7 wherein a track is provided on one of the platforms and the toy is sized and shaped to ride on the track.

30. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 29 wherein a plurality of toys including simulated vehicles are mounted on one or the other of the platforms and ride on the track.

31. A combination child's activity station and floor play set comprising a base, at least one leg connected to the base and extending upwardly therefrom,

a tray detachably mounted on the legs and disposed above the base when the combination functions as a play station,

a coupling provided in the base and tray enabling the two to be connected together to form a floor play set when the tray is detached from the legs,

said legs being storable in the base when the combination is in the floor play set configuration.

32. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 31 wherein the legs are stored in the base in an inverted position with respect to their position when they support the tray above the base.

33. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 31 wherein a plurality of legs support the tray above the base, said legs being flexible enabling the tray to bounce relative to the base.

34. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 31 wherein a seat is mounted on the tray for supporting a young child in a seated position at the tray.

35. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 34 wherein a plurality of flexile legs support the tray above the base when they are assembled as a play station enabling it to function as a stationary walker.

36. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 34 wherein a plurality of toys are carried by the tray within reach of a child placed in the seat.

37. A combination child's activity station and floor play set as described in claim 36 wherein at least one toy is provided in the base for use with at least one toy carried on the tray when the combination is assembled as a floor play set.

38. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 36 wherein all of the toys on the tray and base have a common theme.

39. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 38 wherein all of the toys are farm related.

40. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 36 wherein a track is provided in at least one of the base and tray and at least some of the toys fit in and ride on the tracks.

41. A combination child's activity center and floor play set as described in claim 39 wherein the toys include simulated farm vehicles and farm structures.

42. A child's toy comprising

a simulated wagon detachably carrying a simulated stack of hay,

and a manually movable member disposed in the simulated stack of hay and extendable out of the stack and retractable into the stack.

43. A child's toy as described in claim 42 wherein a second movable member is disposed in and extendable out of the simulated stack,

and an actuator connected to the two members causing them to move in opposite directions with respect to the stack.

44. A child's activity center that may be alternately assembled as a play center and a floor play set comprising

a base and a tray removably mounted above the base,

a seat attached to the tray for supporting a child when the activity center is assembled as a play center,

a coupling device provided in the tray and base for connecting them together when the activity center is assembled as a floor play set,

a track provided in at least one of the base and tray,

and a plurality of simulated vehicles detachably mounted on the tray for moving about on the track.

45. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein one of the vehicles is a tractor.

46. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the vehicles include a simulated tractor and wagon.

47. A child's activity center as described in claim 45 wherein the vehicles include a simulated combine and a hay wagon.

48. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the toys include a silo and a barn.

49. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the seat is rotatable in the tray.

50. A child's activity center as described in claim 44 wherein the tray has an opening therein and the seat is removably mounted in the opening.

51. A child's activity center as described in claim 50 wherein the seat includes a ring that fits in the opening and a fabric seat attached to the ring.

52. A child's activity center as described in claim 51 wherein the fabric seat is detachably connected to the ring.

53. A child's activity center as described in claim 52 wherein the ring has a plurality of openings and connectors and the fabric seat has a plurality of loops that extend through the openings and engage the connectors to attach the fabric seat to the ring.

54. A child's activity center as described in claim 51 wherein the ring has a cylindrical wall and a skirt connected to the wall and disposed outside the wall, said wall having a shoulder that engages the periphery of the opening to support the ring on the tray.

55. A child's activity center as described in claim 54 wherein the cylindrical wall has a plurality of openings therethrough above the shoulder and connectors below the shoulder, and the fabric seat has a plurality of loops that extend from the outer side of the wall through the openings to the inner side of the wall and downwardly to engage the connectors.

56. A child's seat assembly for use in a stationary activity center, walker or the like that includes a support platform with an opening therein for receiving the seat assembly comprising,

a ring having a generally cylindrical wall with a shoulder on its outer surface for engaging the margin of the opening in the platform,

a flexible fabric seat detachably connected to the wall above and below the shoulder,

and connectors in the wall of the ring on the outer surface thereof for releasably engaging the margin of the opening on the bottom side of the platform.

57. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 56 wherein the wall of the ring includes a plurality of openings above the shoulder and connectors below the shoulder, and the fabric seat includes a plurality of loops that extend through the openings in the wall and engage the connectors at the bottom of the ring.

58. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 57 wherein the connectors are fingers in the bottom of the ring and the loops extend about the fingers.

59. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 56 wherein the fabric seat is a sling-like seat having a crotch strap and leg openings.

60. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 58 wherein the fabric seat is a sling-like seat having a crotch strap and leg openings.

61. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 60 wherein an elasticized member is attached to the upper end of the fabric seat and extends about the outside of cylindrical wall above the shoulder and the seat extends downwardly through the cylindrical wall of the ring.

62. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 61 wherein the ring has a skirt about the upper portion of the wall and extends downwardly so that the bottom of the skirt is disposed closely adjacent the upper surface of the platform.

63. A child's seat assembly as defined in claim 61 wherein the loops are attached to the fabric seat at the elasticized edge thereof.