Joints and connections – Articulated members – Lockable at fixed position
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-06-26
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Lockable at fixed position
C403S325000, C005S099100, C016S324000, C016S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250837
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a play yard for infants and children and, more particularly, to an improved collapsible triangular-shaped play yard and a play yard having a collapsible bottom assembly comprising a truss formed of truss segments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Play yards are well known. Generally, they include a rectangular shape comprising four corner legs with structure for collapsing the top and bottom assemblies whereby the play yard can be folded in a compact position for storage and portability. While such play yards are satisfactory, it is desired to have a portable, collapsible play yard which is somewhat less cumbersome to collapse by reason of reducing the number of play yard sides. It is further desired to eliminate a play yard side and associated corner leg structure to reduce costs but at the same time the play yard must be relatively easy to erect, and, when erected to a use position, the play yard must be stable and support loads normally attendant with such devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, applicants' invention, as disclosed and claimed herein, is directed to obviating the above-described problems and achieving the desires for a play yard. The play yard of the present invention is relatively readily erected and collapsed while being easily portable. Additionally, the play yard employs a bottom assembly which includes a truss formed of truss elements sufficient to sustain vertical and horizontal loads normally associated with a play yard.
The play yard preferably employs three spaced vertical posts and collapsible top and bottom assemblies. The top assembly includes three rail assemblies. Each rail assembly includes a pair of rail members connected to a locking rail joint. Each rail member also is pivotally connected to a vertical post. The top assembly is adapted to collapse downwardly at the location of the locking rail joints.
The bottom assembly includes a collapsible triangular-shaped base subassembly preferably equilateral in shape. The three legs of the triangular-shaped subassembly each include a first leg portion and a second leg portion. One end of each leg portion is joined to a pedestal located at each of the apices of the triangular-shaped subassembly while the remaining ends of the leg portions are pivotally connected to a pivot joint designed to pivot a predetermined amount.
A load bearing stabilizer foot depends from each pedestal. Preferably, each stabilizer foot is spaced equidistant from adjacent vertical posts with a stabilizer foot being positioned away from the vertical central axis of the device and outside a plane which intersects the vertical axes of a pair of vertical posts adjacent the stabilizer foot. In the event the perimeters of the top and bottom assemblies vary, the stabilizer feet are located away from the vertical center axis of the play yard at a location which is at least on the edge of the maximum perimeter of the assemblies, but more preferably, outside the maximum perimeter.
Three pairs of post connecting members pivotally connect the vertical posts to the legs of the collapsible triangular-shaped subassembly. Each pair of post connecting members is connected by a universal joint to a leg of the triangular-shaped subassembly to form a triangular truss segment. The three triangular truss segments in conjunction with the triangular-shaped subassembly form a truss. The truss, in conjunction with the vertical posts and stabilizer feet, serve to provide a play yard, which, when erected, provides a substantially rigid and stable unit.
A plastic or cloth fabric panel assembly encloses the play yard. It includes three side panels draped from the sides of the rail members. The side panels, which, if desired, can be a mesh material, are joined along their respective bottom edges to a bottom fabric panel, the latter being adapted to seat on the truss segments. The bottom fabric panel is attached to the subassembly preferably at the location of the leg portion pivot connections. A removable, flexible base insert is adapted to be inserted in the play yard to create a floor when the play yard is in an erected, use position, the insert being supported by the truss including the post connecting members. The insert is maintained in position by the geometrical configuration of the vertical posts and stabilizer foot pedestals which serve to preclude the base insert from shifting from its normal inserted position.
The present invention provides a triangular-shaped play yard which provides the desired rigidity when erected to an in-use position while eliminating a side and corner structure from a conventional four-sided play yard. Moreover, the play yard of the present invention assures that due to the truss arrangement, the loads to be carried and supported by the play yard will be supported both by the stabilizer feet and vertical posts. The stabilizer feet are configured to be an integral part of the lower assembly serving to support vertical and horizontal loading and positioning of the base insert while precluding tip over of the play yard.
The truss segments which form the bottom assembly truss are designed to be spaced substantially away from the center of the play yard. In one embodiment, they serve, in conjunction with the vertical posts and stabilizer feet, to support all vertical loads acting on the play yard. Further, the location of the truss segments, in association with the triangular-shaped base subassembly, serve to position and maintain the vertical posts and stabilizer feet in a substantially rigid position when subjected to horizontal loads. The truss arrangement of the present invention is collapsible so that the play yard can be collapsed to form a compact, portable unit.
The divergent positioning of the pairs of post connecting members, which preferably angle outwardly approximately sixty degrees (60°) from each other, also provides structural support for the flexible, semi-rigid base insert with the support located contiguous to the perimeter of the base insert.
The play yard of the present invention can be readily erected to a use position or collapsed to a folded position. Moreover, the truss assembly of the present invention in conjunction with the stabilizer feet and vertical post can be utilized with multi-sided play yards. Other advantages will become apparent from a description of the drawings and detailed description.
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p
Mariol John V.
Welsh, Jr. Thomas J.
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Kolcraft Enterprises Inc.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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