Fabric Patents (Class 5/98.1)
  • Patent number: 8490227
    Abstract: Play yards and methods of operating the same. An example includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; and a plurality of posts joining the upper frame and the lower frame. The upper frame has a rounded rectangular shape when in the erected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises
    Inventor: Damon Oliver Casati Troutman
  • Publication number: 20130125304
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for attachment to a crib. The assembly may include a cross member configured to span a width of the crib. In addition, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped cross member connector configured to receive one end of the cross member. Also, the assembly may include a substantially U-shaped crib rail connector configured for attachment of the cross member connector, the crib rail connector further configured to be non-destructively attached to and removed from a side rail of the crib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
    Inventors: Jon DeHart, Ken Hopkins, David Ellis, Paul Bias, Steve Wood
  • Patent number: 8424131
    Abstract: Bassinet assemblies and related methods are disclosed. An example bassinet assembly includes an upper frame, a first support arm and a second support arm coupled to the upper frame and a floorboard coupled or adjacent to the first support arm and the second support arm. The example bassinet assembly also includes a support liner coupled between the floorboard and the upper frame and a cover disposed over at least a portion of each of the upper frame, the support liner and the floorboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Thomsen, Traci J. Barron, Marisa A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8424138
    Abstract: A portable infant seat that rests between opposing sides of a shopping cart includes a sling made of flexible material and shaped to cradle an infant or an infant car seat. The ends of the sling cover a top rail portion of the shopping cart and stiffening means prevent the sling from folding over on itself when in use. The sling also includes attachment means that easily and releaseably secure the sling to the top rail the cart without any need for adjustment. The attachment means may be a J-style hook extending the entire length of each end. A safety strap may be provided at each end of the sling to provide a redundant or secondary level of safety should one or both of the attachment means fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Lisa A. Pinnell
  • Patent number: 8365323
    Abstract: The instant invention is an inflatable, portable crib, comprising: a bottom most member parallel to the floor, at least one vertical member operationally connected to said bottom most member, at least three struts arranged around the perimeter of the bottom most member, and at least one horizontal member, said horizontal member(s) connecting at least two struts toward the tops of the struts, and said horizontal member(s) operationally connected to said vertical member(s), wherein said vertical member(s) and said bottom most member create an enclosed space; and wherein said struts and horizontal member(s) consist of an outer shell of dimensionally stable material and at least one inner bladder; and when said inner bladder(s) are inflated with air under pressure, said struts and vertical member(s) create a rigid structure for supporting said enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Guava Family, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Crumrine
  • Patent number: 8336135
    Abstract: A joining device is provided for rails of a baby bed, in which the joining connects two adjacent rail tubes of the rail, where an end of each of the rail tubes is pivotally connected to the joining device. The joining device is formed as a saddle part in a shape having two upstanding side walls and an arched portion connected between top edges of the two side walls. The joining device further has a smooth contact face formed on each of the two sides of the arched portion and a smoothly trimmed face connected to the smooth contact face, so that the tube walls of the rail tubes are contacted with the smooth contact faces when the rail tubes are pivotally rotated close to the two sides of the arched portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Yuan Lin, Hong-Guang Wang
  • Patent number: 8316483
    Abstract: Foldable and portable playard assemblies with a storage compartment and methods of use thereof are disclosed. An example playard includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position, an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position and a plurality of corner posts coupling the lower frame and the upper frame. The example playard also includes an upper extension member coupled to and extending from the upper frame and a lower extension member coupled to extending from the lower frame. The upper extension member, the lower extension and two of the plurality of corner posts form a storage compartment frame. In addition, the storage compartment frame remains in an extended position when the lower frame is in the collapsed position and the upper frame is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley H. Thomas, Phillip Holsinger, Traci J. Barron
  • Patent number: 8291530
    Abstract: A child containment system has a child containment structure with a bottom, a perimeter side wall surrounding the bottom, and a connector part carried on each of two opposed inward facing surfaces of the perimeter wall. The system has an infant sleeping apparatus with a fabric panel having a top surface, a perimeter edge, a frame structure carrier near the perimeter edge, and an exposed portion of the frame structure positioned near each opposed end of the fabric panel. The infant sleeping apparatus is removably mounted to the child containment structure with the fabric panel suspended above the bottom of the child containment structure by connecting each exposed portion of the frame structure to a corresponding one of the connector parts of the child containment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Burkholder, Matt Rivera, Annette Stella
  • Patent number: 8281431
    Abstract: A changing table is mounted on the vertical frame members of a play yard by mounting members located along the transverse centerline of the changing table. The frame of the changing table is formed in an oval shape to eliminate any portion thereof that would be oriented generally parallel to the upper frame members of the play yard. The vertical frame member is formed with a linear upper portion and a curved lower portion. The linear upper portions enable the mounting members to be telescopically received for height adjustment of the changing table. The curved lower portions positions the foot members at the lower ends of the vertical frame members outboard of the upper ends on which the changing table is mounted to enhance stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Curtis M. Hartenstine
  • Publication number: 20120233770
    Abstract: An improved bassinet frame for an infant playard comprising a plurality of structural members configured to nest within a playard top frame top and rest upon supports on corner members of the playard frame. The bassinet frame includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel side members connected by a pair of perpendicularly aligned uplift preventing end members. The bassinet frame end members extend beneath playard frame end members when the bassinet frame is deployed for use such that the playard end frame members inhibit uplift of the bassinet frame. The side members each further include a joint positioned approximately midway along the respective lengths allowing the bassinet frame to be folded along an axis parallel to its width. Folding the bassinet frame retracts the end members from beneath the playard end frame members and allows the bassinet frame to be removed from the playard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: JEFF G. GREGER, MICHAEL L. LONGENECKER
  • Patent number: 8256041
    Abstract: An infant or baby crib is provided that eliminates the vertical slotted members normally present on the sidewalls and end-walls, and replaces these with a planar fabric, leather or canvas member that spans each sidewall or end wall, respectively. The planar member is generally flexible to prevent fixed pinch points between rigid beams or slats that have now been identified as creating a strangulation hazard. Canvas or leather side panels form a large central orifice in which a clear plastic panel forms a viewing window, thereby allowing the infant to see through the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Grace Girdwain
  • Patent number: 8230536
    Abstract: A changing table for a playard has a flexible platform sized to support a child and a changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount can have a plurality of straps each having a fastener and removably received in corresponding slots of the playard. The changing table mount can comprise a zipper releasably connecting the changing table to the playard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Jeffrey David Swan, Neil C. Penza, Todd D. Sorzano, Matthew J. Ransil, Thomas J. Pollack, Jonathan M. Pacella, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Patent number: 8201291
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The play yard includes upper and lower horizontal frame members vertically spaced apart from each other, vertical frame members disposed between the upper and lower horizontal frame members, first and second redundant support members, and first and second mating redundant support members. The first redundant support member and the second redundant support member are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent a first vertical frame member a second vertical frame member, respectively. The first and second mating redundant support members are disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of the floor of the bassinet assembly. The first mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the first redundant support member, and the second mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the second redundant support member to provide additional vertical support for the floor of the bassinet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 8141186
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a bassinet assembly includes a floor and one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of the floor and surround the floor. Each side wall has an upper perimeter and includes a mesh portion that extends substantially the height of the side wall from the upper perimeter to the floor. Each side wall also includes a substantially solid wall portion that extends from the upper perimeter to an intermediate portion disposed between the upper perimeter and the floor. At least a portion of the side wall between the intermediate portion and the floor of the bassinet assembly is mesh to allow a child lying therein to breathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 8112835
    Abstract: A bassinet includes a frame and a bed basket supported by the frame. The bed basket defines an infant sleep surface. The frame and the bed basket are pivotably coupled to allow the bed basket to rotate relative to the frame to convert between a first bassinet configuration and a second bassinet configuration. The second bassinet configuration has a greater wall height about the infant sleep surface than the first bassinet configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Eirich, John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Matthew Rivera, Annette Stella
  • Patent number: 8051508
    Abstract: A playpen hub assembly includes a base, a first support part and a second support part. The first support part and the second support part are pivoted to two sides of a base body of the base respectively. A slider in the base is moved between a lock position and a release position along a first rail in the base body. An end of the slider has a first block structure for constraining rotation of the first support part relative to the base body. Another end of the slider has a second block structure for constraining rotation of the second support part relative to the base body. A driving part in the base is used for moving the slider to the release position. When the slider is located at the lock position, the first rail is substantially parallel to the first support part and the second support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Excellerate Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Sian Yu, Xiao-Long Mo, Chih-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8011036
    Abstract: A changing table is mounted on the frame of a play yard to be vertically adjustable in operative height and pivotally movable between operative and inoperative positions. The frame of the changing table is provided with a downwardly extending guard member that extends across the opening between the frame of the changing table and the frame of the play yard to prevent a child's head from being trapped in the opening. The use of the guard member enables the changing table to be moved through a greater vertical range of operative positions without violating ASTM standards regarding the passage of probes through frame openings. The height adjustment mechanism is mounted within the vertical frame member of the play yard and the vertical mounting member of the changing table to allow the changing table to be raised and lowered with respect to the upper frame members of the play yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Peter R. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 8006326
    Abstract: Foldable and portable playard assemblies with a storage compartment and methods of use thereof are disclosed. An example playard includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position and an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position. The example playard further includes a handle coupled to the lower frame, wherein movement of the handle from a generally horizontal position to a generally upright position causes the lower frame to move between the collapsed position and the erected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley H. Thomas, Phillip Hoisinger, Traei J. Barron
  • Patent number: 8001630
    Abstract: A child containment system has a child containment structure with a bottom and a perimeter side wall surrounding the bottom. The system has a removable bassinet with a bottom panel and a surrounding wall around the bottom panel. The bassinet is mounted to the perimeter side wall of the child containment structure with the bottom panel elevated above the bottom. The system also has an infant sleeping apparatus with a fabric panel having a top surface. The infant sleeping apparatus is removably mounted to the child containment structure with the fabric panel suspended above the bottom panel of the bassinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Burkholder, Matt Rivera, Annette Stella
  • Publication number: 20110113549
    Abstract: A cot is designed to be used positioned against the side of a parent bed. A folding leg arrangement enables the height of the cot sleeping base to be matched with the parent bed. The leg arrangement uses support struts and sliding connections to the cot support base to maintain its footprint at all heights. The end walls and side walls are all foldable relative to the sleeping base. The cot can be folded flat by folding the side walls onto the base and the end walls in on top of them. The leg arrangement can also fold flat. One side wall can be folded out to lie on the adjacent parent bed, bridging the gap. It can also be folded at half height to provide partial access when upright, or a shorter bridge when folded out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BEDNEST LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin P. Riddiford, Andrew J. Clift, James W. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7930776
    Abstract: A playpen includes a top frame, pairs of supporting legs in which the supporting legs of each pair have top ends connected to the top frame at two spaced apart positions and bottom ends extending toward each other, and a fabric enclosure having a lower portion and an upper portion which is attached removably to the top frame. A fixing device includes a plurality of fixing plates adapted to be fixed to the fabric enclosure and each having an engaging hole, and a plurality of foot members each having top and bottom ends, a plate-receiving hole opening at the top end and extending downwardly for insertion of a corresponding fixing plate, two leg-receiving holes for insertion of the bottom ends of one pair of the supporting legs, and a tongue for engaging detachably the engaging hole disposed within the plate-receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Wonderland Nursery Goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li, Yu-Ya Su
  • Patent number: 7908686
    Abstract: A changing table for use with a playard includes a platform that is sized to support a child and at least one changing table mount arranged relative to the platform to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount includes a release actuator. When the changing table is engaged with the playard, the changing table is configured to remain engaged with the playard when a force of less than or equal to 25 pounds is applied to a location on the changing table other than the release actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Jeffrey David Swan, Neil C. Penza, Todd D. Sorzano, Matthew J. Ransil, Thomas J. Pollack, Jonathan M. Pacella, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Patent number: 7882579
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a bassinet assembly that includes one or more rods and a floor that includes an inclinable flap. Each rod has a static portion and an inclined portion, and the rods are disposed below upper surfaces of the floor and the inclinable flap. A first longitudinal axis of the static portion and a second longitudinal axis of the inclined portion intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°. When the inclinable flap is raised above the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and when the inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Peter D. Jackson, Stephen R. Burns, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 7867101
    Abstract: A family combined ball pool structure is provided. The ball pool structure is formed by stacking a fence frame, an inflatable pad and an inflatable wall. The fence frame is an enclosed cloth screen frame having a bottom layer and a circumference side. The bottom and circumference side inside the fence frame are formed by the inflatable pad and the inflatable wall, respectively. Therefore, a child is placed in a safe space formed by the inflatable pad and the inflatable wall, which form a safe and fall-proof family ball pool with the enclosure of the fence frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Li Hsen Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: San-Lang Chiang
  • Patent number: 7836530
    Abstract: A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly, either by a motor assembly or manually, to cause simultaneous movement of the base legs, the upper arms and the latch connectors between opened and folded positions by tensioning the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
    Inventors: Henry F. Thorne, Robert D. Daley
  • Patent number: 7818832
    Abstract: A play yard frame structure includes upper and lower horizontal frame members and vertical frame members with a fabric body that extends over the exterior of the frame structure. The fabric body has fastening tabs that extend from the corners of the fabric body corresponding to the vertical frame members to be passed through openings in the foot members for fastening to the foot members on a surface that is not on the exterior of the frame structure to provide a taut panel that extends around the lower perimeter of the play yard below the lower horizontal frame members. The bassinet structure includes a height adjustment feature that enables the floor surface of the bassinet structure to be positioned selectively at multiple height positions relative to the upper horizontal frame members. In one embodiment, the fabric walls of the bassinet include secondary frame tunnels for supporting the bassinet frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Nathanael Saint, Ronald R. Hoffman, Sharon A. Gillett, Jonathan M. Pacella, Derek A. King, Joseph F. Fiore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100263121
    Abstract: A convertible bassinet has a frame with a bottom and spaced apart sides extending from the bottom. A first chamber is attachable to the frame and has a first bottom panel and a first plurality of walls with a first minimum wall height. A second chamber is attachable to the frame and has a second bottom panel and a second plurality of walls with a second minimum wall height. The frame can be arranged in a first position resting on one of the sides and supporting the first chamber and in a second position resting on the bottom and supporting the second chamber. The second minimum wall height in one example is greater than the first minimum wall height. A first elevation of the first bottom panel is greater than a second elevation of the second bottom panel in another example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Thomas J. Pollack, Rachel Eirich
  • Patent number: 7752688
    Abstract: Playard has a frame body that includes a top frame, a plurality of standing posts, and a bottom frame pivoting to one another so that the playard is foldable. A top corner of the standing post, top rails adjacent to the top corner, and the corresponding post body of the standing post form an arc-shaped surface structure. The top corner is mounted above the post body of the standing post by coupling a plug of the top corner to a socket of the post body. The standing post has two first engagements at two sides of its arc shape post body or on the wall of the socket. The enclosure has a second engagement at one end that can engage with the first engagement by sliding up and down relative to the standing post so that the enclosure is easily attached to or detached from the standing post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Excellerate Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Bo Chen, Chih-Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20100132115
    Abstract: A playpen includes a support frame, an enclosure cloth, and a plurality of fixing bars. The support frame includes a plurality of support posts each provided with a mounting tube. Each of the fixing bars has a first end provided with a fixing column inserted into the mounting tube and a second portion provided with a connecting strip. Thus, the connecting strip of each of the fixing bars is secured on the enclosure cloth and protrudes outwardly from the mounting tube to separate the enclosure cloth from the mounting tube of each of the support posts so that the enclosure cloth will not directly contact with the mounting tube of each of the support posts to prevent the enclosure cloth from being rubbed or worn out due to a frequent frictional contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Chuan-Kai Hsu
  • Patent number: 7694361
    Abstract: A playpen includes a top frame including four corner connectors, and four foldable articulations mounted between the corner connectors respectively. Each of the foldable articulations includes a mounting seat disposed between any two of the corner connectors, two main rods each having a first end pivotally connected with the mounting seat and a second end pivotally connected with the respective corner connector, and two auxiliary rods each having a first end pivotally connected with the mounting seat and a second end pivotally connected with the respective corner connector. Thus, each of the main rods, the respective auxiliary rods, the mounting seat of each of the foldable articulations and the respective corner connector form a substantially parallelogram or trapezium linkage to reinforce the structural strength of the top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Owen Chen
  • Patent number: 7661157
    Abstract: A portable travel crib, play yard or other infant or child containment device is provided. The device may have longitudinal support structures. The device may also have an upper peripheral support structure provides an outward compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: John F. McCluskey, Sharon Lake, Katherine Bickert, Susan M. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7614097
    Abstract: A baby mesh bed includes an upper frame part, which has a foldable mechanism on each side; each foldable mechanism includes a joining component, two connecting rods, and two opposite fixing bars; the connecting rods are pivoted to two ends of the joining component; the fixing bars are pivoted on the joining component to prop inner ends of the connecting rods; each fixing bar has an uppermost recessed propping portion; a first one of the fixing bars has a pulled part protruding therefrom; a spring is interposed between and joined on the fixing bars to bias the fixing bars; a co-moving device is joined on both the fixing bars for the fixing bars to be co-movable; when the pulled part of the first fixing bar is pulled, the fixing bars will pivot to no longer prop the connecting rods, thus allowing the rods to pivot to a vertical not-in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090260155
    Abstract: Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; and a plurality of posts joining the upper frame and the lower frame. The upper frame has a rounded rectangular shape when in the erected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Damon Oliver Casati TROUTMAN
  • Patent number: 7568243
    Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Patent number: 7568242
    Abstract: Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a lower frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; an upper frame having a collapsed position and an erected position; and a plurality of posts joining the upper frame and the lower frame. The upper frame has a rounded rectangular shape when in the erected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises
    Inventor: Damon Oliver Casati Troutman
  • Patent number: 7543342
    Abstract: In a playard, the bassinet has adjustors with one ends connecting to a first side of the bassinet body and the other ends to a second side of the bassinet body. The adjustors extend from the first side toward and cross a first side rail of the frame body, reaching to the bottom panel of the frame body and into the frame body, and connecting to the second side of the bassinet body. The playard includes two retainers, each mounting on the second side rail of the frame body. Pulling the adjustors brings the first side and the second side of the bassinet body to move up or down by the same distance. The bassinet can therefore maintain horizontal and be adjusted to an arbitrary height during height adjusting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Wonderland NurseyGoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Hui Zhao, Hong-Bin Xu
  • Patent number: 7526821
    Abstract: A fastener system is implemented to assemble a fabric element with a frame structure of a nursery device for supporting a baby occupant. The fastener system includes a first connecting structure joined with the fabric element and configured to complementarily mate with a second connecting structure having a protrusion extending along a support beam of the frame structure. The first connecting structure includes a flat affixing portion joined with an edge of the fabric element, and an engaging catch linked with the affixing portion through a joint portion. The second connecting structure complementarily mates within the engaging catch of the first connecting structure to fasten the fabric element with the support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Zheng-Wen Guo, Ze-hua Yi
  • Patent number: 7509694
    Abstract: A combined crib and playpen assembly includes a playpen body, a hanging bed, and a bassinet unit. The playpen body has a first bottom wall, and a first surrounding wall connected to and cooperating with the first bottom wall to define a first receiving space. The hanging bed is disposed removably within the first receiving space, and includes a second bottom wall spaced a part vertically from the first bottom wall, and a second surrounding wall connected to and cooperating with the second bottom wall to define a second receiving space. The bassinet unit includes a base plate disposed removably on the second bottom wall, and at least one bassinet member supported by the base plate and defining a third receiving space which is smaller than the second receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20090077741
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a bassinet assembly includes a floor and one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of the floor and surround the floor. Each side wall has an upper perimeter and includes a mesh portion that extends substantially the height of the side wall from the upper perimeter to the floor. Each side wall also includes a substantially solid wall portion that extends from the upper perimeter to an intermediate portion disposed between the upper perimeter and the floor. At least a portion of the side wall between the intermediate portion and the floor of the bassinet assembly is mesh to allow a child lying therein to breathe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20090013463
    Abstract: An upper corner piece and rod parts of a baby mesh bed are joined in such a manner that the joints are covered with the upper corner piece so as not to spoil the appearance of the upper corner piece; the upper corner piece includes an inner and an outer wall portions at each of two end portions thereof, internal rooms between the inner and the outer wall portions, and an internal sleeve portion securely disposed between the internal rooms; the rod parts include two transverse rod parts; the transverse rod parts are each pivoted to one coupling piece, which is held in one said internal room of the upper corner piece, and securely joined to the sleeve portion of the upper corner piece; the rod parts include an upright rod part, which is securely joined to the sleeve portion of the upper corner piece at an upper end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 7464420
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant bed including a frame body that is movable between a stretched state and a collapsed state in which the frame body includes: a top frame having a first top frame and a second top frame pivoted with each other; a first leg and a second leg each having an upper end pivotally connected to the top frame and a sliding member movably mounted on each of the first leg and the second leg; a plurality of support frames in which two ends of each support frame being pivotally connected to the top frame and the sliding member respectively; and two links pivoting to each other at one end and the other end of each link is connected to the sliding member; wherein when the frame body is in the stretched state, the links restrict the movement of the sliding member and the first and second top frames of the top frame are in the same plane; and wherein when the frame body is moved from the stretched state to the collapsed state, the sliding member moving along the first leg and the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jianqun Li
  • Patent number: 7434280
    Abstract: A bed enclosure having a frame, four sidewalls, and a mattress support component suitable for supporting a bed mattress, wherein the bed enclosure is adapted to safely retain within its interior a person who may be prone to falling out of bed or who otherwise may need to be restrained therein, with the bed enclosure having component subframes that can be disassembled for ease of use and storage and sidewalls that can be removed for ease of cleaning, repair, or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Patrick C. Cyr
  • Patent number: 7434279
    Abstract: A folding device for each of four support legs of a playpen includes a bottom rod and a post pivotably and respectively connected to a first position and a second position of each support leg. A locking device is connected to the bottom rods and a connection member is connected to a top of each post. Four top rods are pivotably connected to the four connection members. A movable member is movably connected to the post which is pivotably connected to the support leg so that the post is secured to the support leg or the support leg can be pivotable relative to the post by operation of the movable member. The bottom rods and the top rods can be pivoted toward each and the support legs can be further pivoted relative to the post so as to reduce the storage size of the frame of the playpen in folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7418745
    Abstract: A juvenile playyard including a bassinet assembly mountable on a frame of the playyard and including a bassinet couplable to the frame in a use position across a portion of a top opening of the playyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Chinawut Paul Paesang, Geoff Swales
  • Patent number: 7418746
    Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Patent number: 7409733
    Abstract: A toy storage cover for a portable play yard includes four outer panels shaped to surround the outer walls of the play yard attached at their top edges to four inner panels shaped to line the play yard. A floor panel joins the inner panels and is secured to the floor of the play yard by a mattress pad shaped to fit within the inner panels above the floor of the play yard. A series of pockets are attached to the outer panels of the cover. The pockets have smaller pockets within them or on their outer surfaces. Tie-down straps, fitted foot pockets or attachments through the play yard walls are used to secure the cover to the play yard. The toy storage cover may be adapted to play yards of various designs, cribs or other open topped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arm's Reach Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Tharalson, Diana Tharalson, Bruce Martin
  • Patent number: 7404219
    Abstract: A portable infant bed has a bottom panel with a perimeter and a top sleeping surface. A side wall is connected to the perimeter of the bottom panel around a periphery of the bed. The bottom panel and side wall are foldable and unfoldable between an in-use configuration with the side wall extending up from the perimeter and surrounding the sleeping surface and a folded configuration with the side wall lying generally parallel with and adjacent the bottom panel. A vent through a portion of the side wall positioned at a level near the sleeping surface, the vent permitting air to pass freely through the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Cindy Berkey
  • Patent number: 7401367
    Abstract: A collapsible frame structure, movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of cross members arranged in pairs, a plurality of slider joints and pivot joints, and at least one latch mechanism. Each pair of cross members is located between respective adjacent legs to form sides of the collapsible frame structure that define an interior of the collapsible frame structure. Each slider joint slidingly engages a respective one of the legs and pivotably attaches to two adjacent cross members. Each pivot joint is at a respective one of the legs to pivotably attach two adjacent cross members. The latch mechanism, which is mounted to another frame component of the collapsible frame structure, remains so mounted in both the open arrangement and the folded arrangement. Nonadjacent legs and nonadjacent sides of the collapsible frame structure remain unconnected across an interior of the collapsible frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
  • Patent number: 7401366
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards a baby play yard cover or lining that lines the walls and floor of a baby play yard in order that the play yard is protected from soiling by the baby. Various embodiments of the invention are re-attachable such that the play yard liner may be washed separately from the play yard. The play yard cover has a plurality of elastic reinforcing portions which facilitate the securing of the cover to its corresponding play yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventor: Allison Costa
  • Patent number: RE43919
    Abstract: A baby crib includes a bed frame structure, a fabric member mounted on the bed frame structure to define a surrounding wall around the bed frame structure, and a plurality of positioning posts mounted on the fabric member. The bed frame structure includes a plurality of upright tubes, each of which has a tube wall defining a receiving hole and having a slit that extends along the length of the tube wall and that is in spatial communication with the receiving hole. The positioning posts are inserted respectively into the receiving holes in the upright tubes. The fabric member is clamped between each upright tube and a corresponding positioning post, and extends outward through the slit in each upright tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Limited
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen