Abstract:
A collapsible playyard capable of being securely expanded to a first position and folded to a second position. It includes a foldable upper frame and a collapsible lower frame. The collapsible lower frame includes a pair of central frame members pivotably connected to a second lock structure, and the second lock structure includes a U-shaped cover and a grasp handle connected to a base portion of the U-shaped cover to flip the U-shaped cover. The U-shaped cover includes two connecting portions each having a pair of bulges located on an inside face of the connecting portion facing each other. Each of the central frame members has corresponding fillisters, such that when the U-shaped cover is laid at a horizontal direction, the bulges and the fillisters will be engaged causing the lower frame be locked in an expanded position, which can be unlocked by flipping the U-shaped cover into a vertical direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1.Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to collapsible playyards and more particularly to a playyard for an infant which is collapsible between a spread position while in use and a folded position while not in use. 
     2.Related Art 
     The playyards disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,437, U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,948, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,191, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,111 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,265 provide different kinds for an infant to play safely therein. Moreover, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,437, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,111 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,265 provide playyards which are capable of changing between a spread position and a folded position by folding their frame structure which is generally composed of an upper frame, a lower frame and supporting members. For sake of safety of the infant in a playyard, the frame structure of the playyard needs to be kept in the spread position steadily and firmly by applying a safety lock structure. In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,437 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,111, they introduce a plurality of first safety lock structures at the interval of the frame members of the upper frame and a second safety lock structure at the interval of the frame members of the lower frame. Users must release the first and the second safety lock structures individually to fold the frames from spread position. A plurality of safety lock structures are also equipped in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,265 to secure the safety while in using. However, in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,437 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,111, their structures of the second safety lock structures are more complicated and are composed of many elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides mainly a collapsible playyard, which at least comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, supporting members and a plurality of wall clothing members to enclose an activity space with an opening on the top. The upper frame is composed of four frame members which further include two upper frame member sections for each. The two upper frame member sections are pivotally connected by the first lock structure in a straight manner and can only be folded toward each other after the first lock structure is released. The lower frame is also composed of four frame members which further include two lower frame member sections for each. Similarly, the two lower frame member sections are pivotally connected by the second lock structure. The second lock structure is substantially ‘U’ shaped and can attain either a locked position, where the two lower frame member sections pivotally connected are in a straight manner, or an unlocked one, where the two lower frame member sections pivotally connected can be folded toward each other, by turning the lock structure in the open direction. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper frame of the present invention in a spread position. 
     FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the detailed structure of the first lock structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the first lock structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4C is a sectional view of the first lock structure of the present invention , depicting the operation positions. 
     FIG. 5 is a upper view of the lower frame of the present invention in a spread position. 
     FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the second lock structure of the present invention, depicting the first operation position. 
     FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the second lock structure of the present invention, depicting the second operation position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention in a folded position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a collapsible playyard which includes an upper frame  10 , a lower frame  20 , four supporting members  30 ,  31 ,  32  and  33  and a plurality of wall clothing members  40  to enclose an activity space  50  with an opening on the top. 
     The upper frame  10  is composed of corner connecting parts  11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14 , a plurality of upper frame member sections  100 ,  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108  and first lock structures  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 . The corner connecting part  11 , taking the corner connecting part  11  as an example hereinafter, is about the shape of an ‘L’, has connecting ends  111  and  112  which are mutually perpendicular thereto and has a vertical connecting end  113  which is perpendicular to connecting ends  111  and  112  respectively. The upper frame member sections  100  and  107  are pivotally connected to the connecting ends  111  and  112  at one end thereof and are restricted to pivot downward only. Accordingly, the upper frame member sections  101  and  102  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  12  with only downward pivotal movement. The upper frame member sections  103  and  104  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  13  with only downward pivotal movement. The upper frame member sections  105  and  106  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  14  with only downward pivotal movement. The first lock structure  15  is pivotally connected to the other end of the upper frame member sections  100  and  101  respectively. Accordingly, the first lock structure  16  is pivotally connected to the other end of the upper frame member sections  102  and  103  respectively. The first lock structure  17  is pivotally connected to the other end of the upper frame member sections  104  and  105  respectively. The first lock structure  18  is pivotally connected to the other end of the upper frame member sections  106  and  107  respectively. Thus, the corner connecting parts  11  to  14 , the upper frame member sections  100  to  107  and the first lock structure  15  to  18  compose a rectangle body frame. 
     The lower frame  20  is composed of corner connecting parts  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24 , a plurality of long lower frame member sections  200 ,  201 ,  202  and  203 , a plurality of short lower frame member sections  204 ,  205 ,  206  and  207 , two central frame members  208  and  209 , two lower connecting parts  25  and  26 , two side lower connecting parts  27  and  28  and a second lock structure  29 . The corner connecting part  21 , taking the corner connecting part  21  as an example hereinafter, is at least composed of two connecting ends  211  and  212  which are mutually perpendicular thereto and a upward vertical connecting end  213  which is perpendicular to connecting ends  211  and  212  respectively. The long lower frame member section  200  and the short lower frame member section  205  are pivotally connected to the connecting ends  211  and  212  at one end thereof and are restricted to pivot upward only. Accordingly, the long lower frame member section  201  and the short lower frame member section  206  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  22  with only upward pivotal movement. The long lower frame member section  202  and the short lower frame member section  207  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  23  with only upward pivotal movement. The long lower frame member section  203  and the short lower frame member section  204  are pivotally connected to the corner connecting part  24  with only upward pivotal movement. The lower connecting part  25  is pivotally connected to the other end of the long lower frame member sections  200  and  201  respectively. Accordingly, the lower connecting part  26  is pivotally connected to the other end of the long lower frame member sections  202  and  203  respectively. The lower connecting part  27  is pivotally connected to the other end of the short lower frame member sections  204  and  205  respectively. The lower connecting part  28  is pivotally connected to the other end of the short lower frame member sections  206  and  207  respectively. Thus, the long lower frame member sections  200  to  203 , a plurality of short lower frame member sections  204  to  207 , two lower connecting parts  25  and  26 , two side lower connecting parts  27  and  28  and a second lock structure  29  compose a rectangle body frame. The long lower frame member sections  200  to  203  and the short lower frame member sections  204  to  207  concave slightly inward. The lower connecting parts  25  and  26  connect to the central frame members  208  and  209 . The central frame members  208  and  209  pivotally connect to the second lock structure  29  at the other end separately. 
     The supporting members  30  to  33  connect to the corner connecting parts  11  to  14  at one end and to the corner connecting parts  21  to  24  individually. Accordingly, the upper frame  10 , the lower frame  20  and supporting members  30  to  33  connect to construct a cubic body frame. Therefore, the wall clothing members  40  enclose the bottom face and surrounding faces of the cubic body frame. This forms a confined space for an infant to play inside. 
     Referring to FIG. 3,  4 A,  4 B and  4 C, in the spread status of the collapsible playyard, the upper frame member sections  100  and  101  are connected in a straight line with their one end connected to corner connecting parts  11  and  12  and the other end connected to the first lock structure  15 . The other upper frame member sections of the upper frame are similarly connected. The first lock structure  15  includes a U-shaped cover  151  and a control portion  152 , wherein the U-shaped cover  151  at least includes two pivoting portions  1511  and  1512 , a pair of guiding slots  1513  and  1514  and an aperture  1515 . The pivoting portions  1511  and  1512  are provided for connecting the buckling portions  1001  and  1002  extending from one end of the upper frame member sections  100  and  101 . The guiding slots  1513  and  1514  have a first position at the right most end thereof and a second position at the left most end respectively. The control portion  152  includes a T-shaped seat  1521  and two side plate  1522  and  1523 . The T-shaped seat  1521  further has a pressing portion  1524  and a protruding portion  1525  which is hollow inside and has a spring equipped inside. The side plate  1522  and  1523  are located on both sides of the protruding portion  1525 , and have a vertical guiding slot  1527  located at the position corresponding to the hollow space of the protruding portion  1525  and a pair of declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  which mutually take a shape of ‘V’. The vertical guiding slot  1527  also has a first position at the upper most end and a second position at the lower most end. The control portion  152  is located on the center of the U-shaped cover  151  and is connected by a pivot  153  which goes through the aperture  1515  of the U-shaped cover  151 , the guiding slot  1527  of the control portion  152  and the hollow space of the protruding portion  1525 . The spring  1526  then forces against the pivot  153 . Therefore, the control portion  152  moves along the vertical guiding slot  1527 . Accordingly, the control portion  152  keeps its position at the second position of the vertical guiding slot  1527  while the spring  1526  is on its normal and un-compressed position and at the first position of the vertical guiding slot  1527  while the spring  1526  is compressed by pushing the pressing portion  1524 . 
     When the control portion  152  keeps its position at the first position of the vertical guiding slot  1527 , the first position of the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  is corresponding to the first position of the guiding slots  1513  and  1514  of the U-shaped cover  151  separately. After the control portion  152  moves to the end position, the first position of the vertical guiding slot  1527 , the second position of the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  is corresponding to the second position of the guiding slots  1513  and  1514  respectively. Pins  154  and  155  passes through the guiding slots  1513  and  1514  and the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  individually. When the control portion  152  moves from the first position of the vertical guiding slot  1527  to the second position thereof, the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  will push the pins  154  and  155  from the first position of the guiding slots  1513  and  1514  toward the second position thereof. The buckling portions  1001  and  1002  of the upper frame member section  100  and  101  buckle up the pins  154  and  155  when the pins  154  and  155  are on the first position of the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529 . This will keep the upper frame member sections  100  and  101  on the same axis, that is, on their spread status. When the control portion  152  is pressed, the pins  154  and  155  move along the declining guiding slots  1528  and  1529  and ,therefore, move along the guiding slots  1513  and  1514  from the first position thereof toward the second position thereof. The upper frame member sections  100  and  101  escape from the pins  154  and  155  and turn to folding status, as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, when the collapsible playyard is in spread status, the long lower frame member sections  200  to  203 , the short lower frame member sections  204  to  207  and the central frame members  208  and  209  of the lower frame  20  keep on the same horizontal plane by the connection of two lower connecting parts  25  and  26 , two side lower connecting parts  27  and  28  and a second lock structure  29 . The lower connecting parts  25  and  26  and side lower connecting parts  27  and  28  are all U-shaped covers and confine the long lower frame member sections  200  to  203  and the short lower frame member sections  204  to  207  to rotate downward only. The second lock structure  29  includes a U-shaped cover  291  and a grasp handle  292  constructed on backside of the U-shaped cover  291 . The U-shaped cover  291  further includes two connecting portions  2911  and  2912  which have bulges  2913  and  2914  located on the interval between concave bottom and the open end edge thereof inside respectively and face to face. Also, there are corresponding fillisters  2081  and  2082  on the central frame members  208  and  209  thereof. When the collapsible playyard is in spread status, the normal direction of the open mouth of U-shaped cover  291  is horizontal, and bulges  2913  and  2914  of the connecting portions  2911  and  2912  buckle up fillisters  2081  and  2082  of the central frame members  208  and  209  separately. This makes the U-shaped cover  291  keep on a locked position and makes the central frame members  208  and  209  not move. Therefore, the lower frame  20  keeps on spread status. When the grasp handle  292  is turned the open mouth of the U-shaped cover  291  moves downward and the fillisters  2081  and  2082  of the central frame members  208  and  209  release from bulges  2913  and  2914  of the connecting portions  2911  and  2912 , the U-shaped cover  291  is on released position. In this case, when the grasp handle  292  is pulled up, the central frame members  208  and  209  will then turn and get closer to each other and lower connecting parts  25  and  26  are also pulled up by the connection with the central frame members  208  and  209 . Accordingly, this also makes the long lower frame member sections  200  to  203  turn downward and get closer to each other ,and so do the short lower frame member sections  204  to  207 . The collapsible playyard collapses in this way, as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.