PLAY YARD WITH LINER
A children's play yard including a structural support frame and a liner for attachment to the structural support frame. The structural support frame includes corner posts and cross-members extending between the corner posts to define a periphery of the frame. The liner includes wall panels extending between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for attachment around a corner post on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,949 filed Feb. 20, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of infants' and children's accessories, and more particularly to a play yard having a liner.
BACKGROUNDPlay yards are often used by parents and caregivers to provide a partially contained space for an infant or child to rest and play. Typically, a play yard includes a structural frame supporting a floor panel and sidewalls surrounding the contained space. Additional accessories such as a bassinet, changing table, and/or storage compartments can optionally be mounted to or supported by a play yard.
It may be desirable to provide a play yard with a removable liner, which can be detached from the frame of the play yard, washed, and re-attached to the frame. Various play yard configurations have been provided for allowing removal of the liner from the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 9,149,128; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US 2013/0198952 A1; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US 2014/0068857 A1 disclose example forms of play yards, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Needs exist for continuing improvements in this field of endeavor. It is to the provision of an improved play yard having a liner attached to the play yard frame meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides an improved play yard having a liner attached to the frame. In some example embodiments, the liner is removably attached to the frame, and the removable liner attaches securely to the play yard frame, and is easily removable for cleaning and easily re-attached for use. In other example embodiments, the liner is not removably attached to the frame and is not configured for removal from the play yard in normal usage. In example embodiments, detachable couplings or connectors are provided between the liner and the base of the frame, and between the liner and one or more upper portions of the frame. In example embodiments, attachment flaps of the liner releasably secure to upright corner posts of the frame.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a children's play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a structural support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner attached to the structural support frame, the liner having wall panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, the liner further having corner post attachment flaps releasably secured around the corner posts of the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a children's play yard including a structural support frame and a liner for attachment to the structural support frame. In an example embodiment, the structural support frame preferably includes a plurality of corner posts and cross-members extending between the corner posts to define a periphery of the frame. In an example embodiment, the liner preferably includes wall panels extending between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for releasable attachment around a portion of a corner post of the frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a children's play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a collapsible frame having four corner posts and first and second side cross-members and first and second end cross-members extending between respective corner posts. In an example embodiment, the side and end cross-members are pivotally connected to the corner posts to allow the frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner for attachment to the frame, the liner having wall panels configured to extend between the corner posts, corner post attachment flaps configured to detachably secure around corner posts of the frame, a top flap configured to extend over at least portions of the side and end cross-members of the frame, lower base attachment members for securing lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap to the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a children's play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a structural support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner substantially permanently attached to the structural support frame, and not configured for removal from the frame in normal usage. The liner includes wall panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, and corner post attachment flaps that secure around the corner posts of the frame, covering a portion of the corner posts but leaving one or more other portions of the corner posts exposed and visible from the exterior of the play yard.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of example embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The frame 20 comprises four generally upright corner posts 22, first and second upper side cross-members 24, and first and second upper end cross-members 26, forming a generally rectangular three-dimensional housing bounding an internal contained volume or space S for structurally supporting the liner 60 to receive a child therein. In the depicted embodiment, the side cross-members 24 are longer than the end cross-members 26, defining a containment having a length greater than its width. In alternate embodiments, the length and width may be generally equal, or the width can be greater than the length.
In example embodiments, the frame 20 is collapsible or foldable for more efficient storage and transport when not expanded and set up for use. For example, in the depicted embodiments, first and second ends of the side cross-members 24 and the end cross-members 26 are pivotally connected by hinged or pivotal end coupling joints 30 to upper ends of the corner posts 22. The side cross-members 24 and the end cross-members 26 optionally also include hinged or pivotal medial coupling joints 32 about midway along their lengths. One or more of the coupling joints 30, 32 are optionally lockable to releasably retain the frame in the expanded and/or folded configurations, for example latching or locking when opened into the expanded configuration (
One or more of the corner posts 22 optionally includes an accessory mount 36, for example at or adjacent an upper end of the corner posts, for supporting a sleeper, bassinet, changing table, container or other accessories. One or more of the corner posts 22 optionally also includes a liner attachment loop 38 for receiving a strap or other attachment portion of the liner 60, for example at or adjacent the upper or medial portion of the post. The corner posts optionally further comprise base supports or feet 42 at lower ends thereof, optionally including wheels or casters for rolling support and repositioning of the play yard. In the example embodiment depicted in
The size and shape of the floor and wall panels of the liner 60 are configured to generally conform to the size and shape of the frame 20 of the play yard 10, whereby the liner fits closely within the corner posts 22 of the frame in its expanded configuration, as shown in
In example embodiments, the liner 60 is removable from the frame and comprises one or more attachment features for removably but securely attaching the liner to the frame 20. For example, an upper peripheral attachment is optionally provided by a zipper 80 or other attachment means extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the liner 60 at or adjacent the connection of the top flap 70 to the side walls 64 and end walls 66. In example forms, one side of the zipper 80 is permanently attached to the top flap 70 of the liner 60 and the other side of the zipper is permanently attached to padding or cover material around the upper periphery of the frame 20, so that zipping the zipper attaches the liner to the frame for use and unzipping the zipper detaches the liner from the frame for removal. In alternate embodiments, both sides of the zipper 80 are permanently attached to the liner 60 along two parallel tracks spaced a sufficient distance to allow the liner to be removably attached to itself over one or more of the side cross-members 24 and/or end cross-members 26 to removably secure the liner to the frame 20. In further alternate embodiments, other peripheral attachment means such as for example one or more snaps, buttons, buckles, ties, hook-and-loop closure material or other attachments are provided in place of the depicted zipper 80 for removably attaching the liner 60 to the upper periphery of the frame 20. In still other embodiments, the liner can be permanently or semi-permanently secured to the frame, for example sewn, glued, riveted, screwed, nailed, or otherwise attached in a manner not configured for easy removal in normal usage of the play yard.
In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more corner post attachment flaps 90 for securing the liner to the frame 20. In example form, the corner post attachment flaps 90 comprise flexible panels of fabric or other material extending from the exterior of the liner 60 at or adjacent the intersection of the side walls 64 and the end walls 66 of the liner. An attached side of the corner post attachment flaps 90 is permanently attached to the liner, as by stitching, adhesive bond, or formed as an integral extension of one of the walls of the liner 60, or alternatively can be removably attached to the liner by hook-and-loop attachment material, zipper, snaps, buttons, ties, buckles or other attachment means. The opposite or free side of the corner post attachment flaps 90 comprises a first releasable attachment element 92 that cooperatively engages with a corresponding second releasable attachment element 94 on an adjacent wall panel portion of the liner 60. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the first releasable attachment element 92 comprises a strip of one component (hook or loop) of a hook-and-loop attachment material, and the second releasable attachment element 94 comprises a strip of the other component (loop or hook) of the hook-and-loop attachment material. In alternate embodiments, the first and second releasable attachment elements may comprise cooperatively engaging components of one or more snap couplings, buttons, buckles, zippers, ties or other releasable attachment means. In alternate embodiments, the corner post attachment flaps 90 permanently secure the liner 60 to the frame 20, for example by stitching or other substantially permanent attachment along both sides of the flaps. The corner post attachment flaps 90 have a length sufficient to allow a user to wrap the flap around the exterior of the corner posts 22 of the frame (
In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more lower corner base attachment members for securing lower corners of the liner to the base of the frame 20. For example, as shown in
In example embodiments, the liner 60 comprises one or more flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap or skirt 70 of the liner to the frame 20. For example, with reference to
The play yard optionally further comprises one or more accessories, for example as shown in
In use, a play yard 10 according to an example form of the invention allows a user to removably, permanently or semi-permanently attach the liner 60 to the frame 20 by attachment of corner post attachment flaps of the liner around corner posts of the frame. In further example methods of use, the play yard 10 allows a user to remove the liner 60 from the frame 20, for example for cleaning or replacement, and to re-attach the liner (or a replacement liner) back onto the frame. The method of removable attachment of the liner 60 to the frame 20, in example forms, can include attachment using any one or more of the above-described attachment means. For example, the liner 60 can be removably attached to the frame by engagement of one or more upper peripheral attachments, one or more corner post attachment flaps, one or more lower corner base attachment members, and/or one or more flap corner attachments, as described in greater particularity above. Example embodiments and methods of use may include any one of these particular forms of attachment. Alternative embodiments and methods of use may include any combination(s) of two or more of these forms of attachment, as well as combination(s) of any of these forms of attachment with other forms of removable attachment of a liner to a frame of a play yard or other child containment apparatus. In example embodiments and methods of use, the liner is removably attached to the frame without the need for disassembly or detachment of frame members to remove and replace the liner, and without the need for separate liner retention members detachably secured to frame components.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A children's play yard comprising:
- a structural support frame comprising a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts; and
- a liner attached to the structural support frame, the liner comprising wall panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, the liner further comprising corner post attachment flaps secured around the corner posts of the frame.
2. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the wall panels are positioned internal of the corner posts of the frame, and wherein the corner post attachment flaps extend external of the corner posts of the frame.
3. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner is removable from the frame.
4. The children's play yard of claim 3, wherein the liner is removable from the frame without detachment of any portion of the corner posts from the structural support frame.
5. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the corner post attachment flaps are releasably secured around the corner posts of the frame.
6. The children's play yard of claim 5, wherein the corner post attachment flaps comprise a strip of a first component of a hook-and-loop attachment material configured to releasably attach with a strip of a second component of the hook-and-loop attachment material on one of the wall panels.
7. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the structural support frame is foldable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.
8. The children's play yard of claim 7, wherein the cross-members of the frame are pivotally coupled to the corner posts of the frame.
9. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner further comprises an attachment skirt portion configured to extend over the cross-members of the frame.
10. The children's play yard of claim 9, wherein the attachment skirt of the liner comprises an upper peripheral attachment for removably attaching the liner to an upper periphery of the frame.
11. The children's play yard of claim 10 wherein the upper peripheral attachment comprises a zipper.
12. The children's play yard of claim 9, wherein the attachment skirt of the liner comprises flap corner attachment straps for attachment to the corner posts of the frame.
13. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the liner further comprises lower corner attachment straps for detachable coupling to a base portion of the frame proximal a lower end of the corner posts.
14. The children's play yard of claim 13, wherein the lower corner attachment straps comprise a snap coupling member for detachable coupling to a foot of the frame.
15. The children's play yard of claim 1, wherein the corner post attachment flaps secure around the corner posts of the frame with at least a segment of the corner posts remaining externally visible above or below the corner post attachment flaps.
16. The children's play yard of claim 1, further comprising a floor panel for placement over a base portion of the frame.
17. The children's play yard of claim 1, further comprising an accessory for removable attachment to the frame above the corner post attachment flaps, the accessory selected from an infant sleeper unit, a changing station, an entertainment bar, a light and a storage container.
18. A children's play yard comprising a structural support frame and a liner attached to the structural support frame, the structural support frame comprising a plurality of corner posts and cross-members extending between the corner posts to define a periphery of the frame, the liner comprising wall panels extending between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for attachment around a portion of a corner post of the frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame.
19. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the liner is removable from the frame.
20. The children's play yard of claim 19, wherein the liner is removable from the frame without detachment of any portion of the corner posts from the structural support frame.
21. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the structural support frame is foldable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.
22. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the at least one attachment flap is releasably attached around a portion of a corner post of the frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame.
23. The children's play yard of claim 22, wherein the at least one attachment flap comprises a first component of a hook-and-loop attachment material at a free end thereof to releasably fasten to a second component of the hook-and-loop attachment material on one of the wall panels.
24. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the at least one attachment flap comprises an attachment skirt configured to extend over the cross-members of the frame.
25. The children's play yard of claim 24, wherein the attachment skirt comprises an upper peripheral attachment member.
26. The children's play yard of claim 24, wherein the attachment skirt comprises flap corner attachment straps for attachment to the corner posts of the frame.
27. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein the liner further comprises lower corner attachment straps for coupling to a base portion of the frame proximal a lower end of the corner posts.
28. The children's play yard of claim 27, wherein the lower corner attachment straps comprise a snap coupling member for detachable coupling to a foot of the frame.
29. The children's play yard of claim 18, wherein segments of the corner posts remain externally visible when the attachment flaps are attached around the corner posts.
30. The children's play yard of claim 18, further comprising an accessory for removable attachment to the frame above the at least one attachment flap, the accessory selected from an infant sleeper unit, a changing station, an entertainment bar, a light and a storage container.
31. A children's play yard comprising:
- a collapsible frame comprising four corner posts and having first and second side cross-members and first and second end cross-members extending between respective corner posts, the side and end cross-members being pivotally connected to the corner posts to allow the frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration; and
- a liner attached to the frame, the liner having wall panels configured to extend between the corner posts of the frame, corner post attachment flaps configured to secure around corner posts of the frame, a top flap configured to extend over at least portions of the side and end cross-members of the frame, lower base attachment members for securing lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap to the frame.
32. The children's play yard of claim 31, wherein the liner is removably attached to the frame.
33. The children's play yard of claim 32, wherein the corner post attachment flaps detachably secure around corner posts of the frame, and wherein the lower base attachment members removably secure lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and wherein the flap corner attachments removably secure corners of the top flap to the frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2016
Publication Date: Aug 25, 2016
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Chaitanya TADIPATRI (Alpharetta, GA), Stephen BURNS (Cumming, GA), Eric A. LANGE (Alpharetta, GA)
Application Number: 15/047,912