CHILDREN'S PLAY GYMS
A play gym generally comprising a support bar assembly, a pad or mat, and at least one ancillary toy component. The support bar assembly is formed from a plurality of toy bars. The toy bars can be formed from a natural material such a wood or biopolymers. The toy bars can be pivotally attached at a hub that can include a locking mechanism. The ancillary toy components are configured to releasably attach to the toy bars of the support bar assembly. In example embodiments, the play mat is configured to be releasably coupled to the support bar assembly.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/394,817 filed Sep. 15, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to the field of children's accessories, and more particularly to a play gym having a plurality of toy bars.
BACKGROUNDChildren's play mats or play gyms are used to provide a designated space for infants and other small children to play. Play gyms may be used independently, or in some instances may be used in connection with children's play yards, entertainers, or other types of child containment or child entertainment devices. Previously known play gyms are not foldable or are difficult to fold into a compact space for packaging and storage.
Continuing developments and improvements are sought in the field of children's accessories. It is to the provision of a children's play gym or play mat meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARYIn example embodiments, the present invention provides a play gym generally comprising a support bar assembly, a pad or mat, and at least one ancillary toy component. The support bar assembly is formed from a plurality of toy bars. The toy bars can be formed from a natural material such a wood or biopolymers. The toy bars can be pivotally attached at a hub that can include a locking mechanism. The ancillary toy components are configured to releasably attach to the toy bars of the support bar assembly. In example embodiments, the play mat is configured to be releasably coupled to the support bar assembly.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a children's play gym comprising a support bar assembly comprising at least one toy bar and at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to the at least one toy bar. The support bar assembly is self supporting—at least a portion of the at least one toy bar is supported above a support surface. The toy bar is formed from a natural material.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a children's play gym comprising a support bar assembly and at least one toy component. The support bar assembly comprises a plurality of toy bars having a first end resting on a support surface and a second end supported above the support surface. In a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned. The at least one toy component is configured to releasably attach to at least one toy bar.
In still another aspect, the invention relates to a children's play gym comprising a play mat, a support bar assembly, and at least one toy component. The play mat rests on a support surface and defines a play area for receiving a child thereon. The support bar assembly comprises a plurality of toy bars, wherein in a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and wherein in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned. The at least one toy component is configured to be releasably attached to at least one toy bar.
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 example embodiments are 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 of example embodiments 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 support bar assembly 20 is configured to rest on a support surface, like the floor, such that a portion of the support bar assembly is supported over the support surface. The support bar assembly 20 of the depicted embodiment, shown in detail in
The support bar assembly 20 is configured to be self-supporting in at least some configurations, such that it can be used independent of the play mat 60. In the depicted embodiment, three toy bars 22 are pivotally coupled to one another by the pivot hub 40, as shown in
In alternative embodiments, the support bar assembly 20 comprises a single semi-circular bar, a parabolic arch, or an assembly of linear or curved segments. In other embodiments, the support bar assembly includes two toy bars 22. For example, a first toy bar that is an arcuate or semi-circular bar with two ends each configured to rest on a support surface and a second curved toy bar pivotally attached to the first toy bar. In other embodiments, the support bar assembly 20 includes four or more toy bars 22. The support bar assembly 20 is preferably formed from a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material to provide self supporting structure. In example embodiments, the toy bars 22 are formed from an organic or natural material, for example a wood material. Examples of suitable wood materials include beach, ash, plywood, and bamboo. The toy bars 22 can be formed from a composite of multiple wood materials or can be formed from wood laminate boards. In example embodiments, the toy bars 22 comprise continuously curved arcuate panels entirely consisting of wood, or consisting essentially of wood, for example formed by steam bending, mold formed laminate or formed plywood, pressure forming, or other fabrication methods. The toy bars 22 can also be formed from a plastic material or a biopolymer. Example biopolymers include rice-based or corn-based plastics. The toy bars 22 can also be formed from a combination of wood and plastic materials, for example a laminate structure having wood veneer exterior layers. In example embodiments at least 80% of the support bar assembly 20 of the play gym 10 is constructed from non-plastic materials, for example natural or organic materials such as wood.
In example embodiments, the pivot hub 40 includes a locking mechanism 42, shown in
In the example embodiment, the play mat 60 defines a circular outer periphery or profile, as shown in
In an example mode of use, the mat 60 is laid out on a floor or other support surface. The mat 60 can be used on its own or in conjunction with the support bar assembly 20. In the depicted embodiment, the mat 60 can be detachably coupled to the support bar assembly 20, as shown in
The one or more ancillary toy component(s) 70 can comprise a toy, rattle, mirror, mobile element, or other device or object configured to entertain a child or infant. The toy components 70 are configured to be suspended or otherwise removably attached to a toy bar 22. In example embodiments, the toy component 70 includes a flexible connector 72 as shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to 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 gym comprising:
- a support bar assembly comprising at least one toy bar;
- at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to the at least one toy bar;
- wherein the support bar assembly is self supporting with an elevated portion of the support bar assembly supported above a support surface; and
- wherein the at least one toy bar comprises a natural material.
2. The children's play gym of claim 1, further comprising a play mat for resting on the support surface at least partially beneath the elevated portion of the support bar assembly, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon.
3. The children's play gym of claim 2, wherein the play mat is releasably attached to the support bar assembly.
4. The children's play gym of claim 1, wherein the natural material comprising the at least one toy bar is wood.
5. The children's play gym of claim 4, wherein the wood is selected from at least one of beach wood, ash wood, plywood, bamboo, and combinations thereof.
6. The children's play gym of claim 1, wherein the at least one toy bar is formed from a biopolymer.
7. The children's play gym of claim 6, wherein the at least one toy bar comprises a rice-based plastic or a corn-based plastic.
8. The children's play gym of claim 1, wherein the at least one toy component comprises a strip and a tab, wherein the tab is configured to fit though a hole in the at least one toy bar.
9. A children's play gym comprising:
- a support bar assembly comprising a plurality of toy bars having a first end resting on a support surface and a second end supported above the support surface; wherein in a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and wherein in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned; and
- at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to at least one toy bar.
10. The children's play gym of claim 9, further comprising a play mat for resting on a support surface, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon.
11. The children's play gym of claim 10, wherein the first ends of the toy bars are releasably attached to the outer periphery of the play mat.
12. The children's play gym of claim 11, wherein the play mat includes a plurality of attachment devices positioned on the outer periphery of the play mat.
13. The children's play gym of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attachment devices are configured to engage a slot on the first end of each toy bar.
14. The children's play gym of claim 9, wherein the second end of a first toy bar is pivotally attached to second end of a second toy bar.
15. The children's play gym of claim 14, wherein a hub pivotally attaches the second ends of the plurality of toy bars.
16. The children's play gym of claim 15, wherein the hub includes a locking mechanism configured to releasably hold the toy bars in a storage position and at least one use position.
17. The children's play gym of claim 9, wherein at least one toy bar is curved.
18. The children's play gym of claim 9, wherein the toy bars comprise continuously curved arcuate panels of wood.
19. A children's play gym comprising:
- a play mat for resting on a support surface, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon
- a support bar assembly comprising a plurality of toy bars each toy bar having a width, wherein in a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and wherein in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned; and
- at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to at least one of the plurality of toy bars toy bar.
20. The children's play gym of claim 19, wherein the at least one toy component comprises an attachment strip comprising a flexible strip of material, wherein a proximal end of the strip is attached to the toy component and a distal end of the strip includes a tab.
21. The children's play gym of claim 20, wherein the strip further comprises a slot for receiving the tab to create an attachment loop.
22. The children's play gym of claim 20, wherein the tab is configured to fit through a hole in at least one toy bar such that the tab rests on a top surface of the toy bar to support the toy component above the support surface.
23. The children's play gym of claim 22, wherein the tab can rest on the top surface of the at least one toy bar when the support bar assembly is in the storage position.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2018
Applicant: KIDS II, INC. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Bradford REESE (Decatur, GA), Brittany ELSON (Atlanta, GA)
Application Number: 15/689,081