Child support unit for a play yard

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/731,251 filed Nov. 29, 2012, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/827,051 filed May 24, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/831,862 filed Jun. 6, 2013, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates generally to the field of child care accessories, and more particularly to a child support unit for a play yard and a play yard including such a child support unit.

Play yard devices are utilized to provide a safe and comfortable enclosure in which infants and small children can play and rest. It is to the provision of improvements to such devices that the present invention is primarily directed.

In one example aspect, the present invention relates to a child support unit for a play yard. The play yard includes a frame, and the child support unit includes a subframe and at least one coupling for attachment of the child support unit to the frame of the play yard.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a system including a play yard and a child support unit. At least one coupling is provided between the child support unit and the play yard for mounting the child support unit to the play yard.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method of attachment of a child support unit to a play yard device, the method including coupling a subframe of the child support unit to the frame 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 preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a play yard system having first and second child support units mounted thereto, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing greater detail of the support and mounting frame of the first child support unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first child support unit.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing mounting sleeves attached to the frame of the play yard device for receiving coupling members of the first child support unit to mount the child support unit to the play yard.

FIG. 5 is an assembly view of the play yard and the first child support unit.

FIGS. 6-8 show further details of the child support unit, according to an example form of the invention.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention 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, FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 show a play yard system 10 comprising a foldable frame having four corner posts 12 , lower cross-bracing 14 , lower siderails 16 , upper siderails 18 , and upper endrails 20 . First and second mounting sleeves 30 are attached to the frame, for example along upper portions of the corner posts 12 .

FIGS. 2, 3, and 6-8 show a first child support unit 50 configured for attachment to the frame of the play yard at a first location. In the depicted embodiment, the first child support unit 50 comprises a bassinet or cradle-like enclosure for receiving an infant or small child. The first child support unit 50 includes a subframe 52 comprising a generally rectangular periphery, soft-goods 54 such as fabric and padding installed onto the subframe forming a sling, bassinet or cradle for supporting a child placed in or on the support unit, and optionally a canopy 56 for covering at least a portion of the upper opening of the bassinet.

The first child support unit 50 is mounted to the play yard by at least one coupling, for example as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 . First and second mounting bars 60 , each having a generally L-shaped configuration, have first ends for attachment to the frame of the play yard and second ends for attachment to the subframe of the first child support unit 50 . For example, the first end of the mounting bar 60 is removably receivable within a corresponding mounting sleeve 30 attached to the frame of the play yard, and the second end of the mounting bar is receivable within a ferrule coupling attached to the subframe of the child support unit. As shown in FIG. 8 , the mounting bars are optionally rotationally engaged within the ferrule couplings for compact storage when removed from the play yard frame. In alternate embodiments, various alternative coupling elements may be utilized for permanently or detachably mounting the child support unit to the play yard.

Optionally, the system 10 further comprises a second child support unit 70 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, the second child support unit 70 comprises a changing table attachment having a generally rectangular subframe 72 to which a generally planar support panel may be mounted. One or more couplings 74 such as support struts with engagement clips secure the subframe of the second child support unit 70 to the frame of the play yard. One or more accessory trays or bins 80 are optionally mounted to the frame of the play yard, for holding toys, diapering supplies, a pacifier, or other items.

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.