Patent ID: 6041455
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A47D

Abstract:
An apparatus having a first mode of use as a play pen and a second mode of use as a play mat, said apparatus comprising:a) a flexible wall (8) bounding an interior space in said first mode of use;b) a framework comprising;(i) a pair of base frame sections (13a, 35a, 37a and 13b, 35b and 37b) interconnected by first hinges (15), the frame sections bounding a lower extremity of the interior space, the flexible wall having its lower edge retained by the base frame sections,(ii) a pair of upper frame sections (17a, 17b) interconnected by second hinges (19), the upper frame sections bounding an upper extremity of the interior space and the flexible wall having its upper edge supported by the upper frame sections when in said first mode of use,(iii) a plurality of struts (21) each articulated at one end to the base frame sections (13a, 13b) and at its other end to the upper frame sections (17a,17b), each strut having an articulated joint along its length, each strut having:an extended condition in the first mode of use in which the upper frame sections are supported above the base frame sections and the flexible wall is held erect;an alternate collapsed condition in the second mode of use in which the upper frame sections occupy a position adjacent the base frame sections and the struts project into the interior space;c) a mattress (1) supported on the base frame sections within the flexible wall in the first mode of use, the mattress being removable to permit the struts to be collapsed, the mattress being repositionable on the base frame sections and struts in the second mode of use; andd) the apparatus being foldable about the first and second hinges (15,19) to position the two base frame sections and the two upper frame sections in parallel relationship one with another for storage or transportation.