Abstract:
An infant activity center comprising: (a) an infant-activity center tray having an infant seat; (b) a ring having a cushion extending across the diameter of the ring; and (c) a plurality of repositionable pylons concurrently mounted to the ring and the tray, the repositionable pylons being repositionable between a use position and a storage position, wherein the distance between the tray and the cushion is greater when the pylons are in the use position than in the storage position, and wherein each of the pylons cooperates with the ring to form a biased latch securing each pylon in at least the use position or the storage position, and wherein at least one of the cushion and the ring includes a catch operative to interact with the tray to secure the pylons in the storage position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/777,613, filed Feb. 28, 2006, entitled “RECONFIGURABLE INFANT ACTIVITY CENTER”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to infant activity centers, and more particularly to an infant activity center which is foldable. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is directed to an infant activity center including an infant-activity-center tray, a ring, a cushion, and a plurality of substantially-rectilinear pylons. Each of the pylons has a lower portion that is directly or indirectly rotatably attached to the base and each of the pylons has an upper portion that is directly or indirectly rotatably attached to the tray enabling the tray and the ring to be relatively rotated and folded from a use position to a storage position The distance between the tray and the base is greater in the use position than in the storage position. Each of the pylons is substantially vertical when the tray and the ring are in the use position. 
   It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide an infant activity center comprising: (a) an infant-activity center tray having an infant seat; (b) a ring having a cushion extending across the diameter of the ring; and (c) a plurality of repositionable pylons concurrently mounted to the ring and the tray, the repositionable pylons being repositionable between a use position and a storage position, wherein the distance between the tray and the cushion is greater when the pylons are in the use position than in the storage position, and wherein each of the pylons cooperates with the ring to form a biased latch securing each pylon in at least the use position or the storage position, and wherein at least one of the cushion and the ring includes a catch operative to interact with the tray to secure the pylons in the storage position. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the tray is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the ring to rotate and fold the tray from the use position to the storage position. In yet another more detailed embodiment, each pylon is injection molded. In a further detailed embodiment, the plurality of pylons include three or more pylons. In still a further detailed embodiment, each of the pylons is perpendicular to the tray and ring when in the use position. In a more detailed embodiment, each of the pylons is substantially parallel to the tray and ring when in the storage position. 
   It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide an infant activity center comprising: (a) an infant-activity-center tray having an infant-receiving opening; a ring having a cushion distributed about the interior thereof; and (b) a plurality of connecting arms concurrently mounted to the tray and the ring, each of the connecting arms being rotationally repositionable and vertically repositionable with respect to the tray and the ring. 
   In yet another more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the ring comprises semicircular metal frame members interconnected by polymer mounts that connect to the connecting arms. In still another more detailed embodiment, the cushion comprises a fabric bag filled with stuffing. In a further detailed embodiment, the cushion is extractable from the ring to facilitate replacement of the cushion without complete disassembly of the infant activity center. 
   It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a An infant activity center comprising: (a) an infant-activity-center tray having an infant seat and a cushion disposed underneath the infant seat; (b) a plurality of connecting arms to support the tray, each of the connecting arms being rotationally repositionable and vertically repositionable with respect to the tray; and (c) a plurality of shock absorbers interposing the tray and the plurality of connecting arms to provide a vertical range of movement relative to the tray and the connecting arms. 
   It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of constructing an infant activity center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a plurality of supports to an infant tray, the supports being at least one of rotationally and vertically adjustable with respect to the infant tray; (b) mounting the plurality of supports to a ring, the ring having a cushion across the interior thereof, where the plurality of supports are at least one of rotationally and vertically adjustable with respect to the ring; (c) positioning a cushion underneath the infant tray and mounting the cushion to at least one of the plurality of supports, the ring, and the infant tray; (d) locking the plurality of supports to inhibit rotational adjustment with respect to the infant tray; and (e) locking the plurality of supports to inhibit vertical adjustment with respect to the ring. 
   It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of constructing an infant activity center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a plurality of supports to an infant tray, the supports being at least one of rotationally and vertically adjustable with respect to the infant tray; (b) mounting the plurality of supports to a ring, where the plurality of supports are at least one of rotationally and vertically adjustable with respect to the ring; (c) mounting a cushion to the ring to retain the cushion in position with respect to the ring; (d) orienting the infant tray to substantially overlap the ring and cushion; (e) locking the plurality of supports to inhibit rotational adjustment with respect to the infant tray; and (f) locking the plurality of supports to inhibit vertical adjustment with respect to the ring. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary infant activity center embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of the infant activity center of  FIG. 1  with the pylons in an exploded view; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevated profile view of the pylons repositioned to erect the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevated profile view of the pylons repositioned to collapse the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view of the infant activity center of  FIG. 1  in the collapsed position; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevated perspective view of the infant activity center of  FIG. 1  in the collapsed position and oriented on its side; 
       FIG. 7  is an elevated perspective view of a segment of the exemplary pylon, connecting member, and ring of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevated perspective view of a segment of the exemplary pylon and connecting member of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an underside perspective view of a segment of the exemplary pylon, connecting member, and tray of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial exploded view of the exemplary shock absorbing structure of the instant invention; 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the exemplary shock absorbing structure of the instant invention; 
       FIG. 12  is constructed view of the exemplary shock absorbing structure of the instant invention; 
       FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary pylon and connecting member of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a representational view of some of the components of  FIG. 1 , with an “X” marking locations on various components before such components undergo rotation and folding to enable the infant activity center to be changed from its use configuration to its storage configuration; and 
       FIG. 15  is a representational view of some of the components of  FIG. 1 , with an “X” marking locations on various components after such components undergo rotation and folding to enable the infant activity center to be changed from its use configuration to its storage configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass infant activity centers and methods of reconfiguring infant activity centers. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an infant activity center  10  includes an infant-activity-center tray  12 , a cushion bottom  14 , a ring  16 , and a plurality of substantially-rectilinear pylons  18 , collectively cooperating to define a perimeter around an infant-receiving opening within the center tray  12 . Each pylon  18  includes a lower portion  22  that is directly or indirectly rotatably attached to the ring  16  and an upper portion  24  that is directly or indirectly rotatably attached to the tray  12 . In this manner, the tray  12  and the ring  16  can be rotated with respect to one another and the pylons  18  folded to move the infant activity center  10  between a use position (see  FIGS. 1 and 14 ) and a storage position (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Typically, the ring  16  is supported by on the floor or level ground in the use position so that each pylon  18  is within thirty degrees of vertical. In this exemplary embodiment, the tray  12  is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the ring  16  to fold and unfold the pylons  18  allowing the tray  12  to move between a collapsed position (storage position) and an erected position (use position). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each pylon  18  is mounted to the tray  12  via an intervening upper connecting member  26 . A first end  28  of each intervening upper connecting member  26  is generally circular in cross-section and rotationally repositionable along a first rotational axis with respect to a cylindrical cavity  30  formed within the underside of the tray  12 , while an opposing end  32  of the intervening upper connecting member  26  is pivotally mounted to the upper portion  24  along a first vertical axis, generally perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The first end  28  of each intervening upper connecting member  26  includes a circumferential L-shaped flange  34  having three notches  36  that are adapted to allow vertical throughput of three corresponding prongs  38  horizontally extending from the cylindrical cavity  30  of the tray  12 . When the notches  36  are vertically aligned with the prongs  38 , the first end  28  can be vertically positioned within the cylindrical cavity  30  and secured within the cavity by rotating the connecting member  26  so that the L-shaped flange  34  rides on top of the notches  36  (see  FIG. 9(B) ). 
   Referencing  FIGS. 10-12 , a spring  40  is wedged between the top  28  of the intervening upper connecting member  26  and a removeable dome  42  mounted to the top of the tray  12 . The concave portion of the dome  42  includes a cup (not shown) that receives one end of the spring  44 , while the top  28  of the intervening upper connecting member  26  includes a vertical cross  46  that is received within an opposing end of the spring  40  so that the spring circumscribes the cross. In this manner, the bias of the spring  40  directs the tray  12 , by way of the removable dome connected thereto, away from the corresponding intervening upper connecting member  26 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lower portion  22  of each pylon  18  is attached a lower intervening member  48  that is mounted to a platform  50  of the ring  16 . Each lower intervening member  48  includes a first end  52  that is rotationally mounted to the top  54  of the platform  50  along a rotational axis, while an opposing end  56  of the lower intervening member  48  is pivotally mounted to the lower portion  22  along a second vertical axis, generally perpendicular to the second rotational axis. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a seat  58  is disposed in the infant-receiving opening and attached to the tray  12 . In exemplary form, the seat  58  is rotatable to allow the infant to turn along a center axis relative to the tray  12 . Moreover, the tray  12 , and accordingly the seat  58 , is vertically repositionable with respect to the pylons  18  when the pylons are in the use position by way of movement between the intervening upper connecting members  26  and the tray  12 . Each corresponding spring  40 , removable dome  42 , and top  28  of the intervening upper connecting member  26  cooperate to provide a shock absorber that absorbs the weight of an infant in the seat  58 . In a typical condition, the weight of the infant will not fully compress the spring  40 , thereby allowing bouncing by the infant as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 3 and 7 , each pylon  18  includes a latch  62  for locking the orientation of the pylon with respect to the ring  16  and tray  12 . In this manner, rotation of the tray  12  with respect to the ring  16  is inhibited when the longitudinal aspect of the pylon  18  is concurrently perpendicular to the tray  12  and ring  16 , synonymous with the use position. The latch  62  includes a biased detent  64  mounted to the lower portion  22  of each pylon  18  that is received within a recess  66  formed within the lower intervening member  48 . The line of travel of the detent  64  contacts the boundary of the recess  66  and retains the detent therein, alternatives of which are well known to those skilled in the art. With the detent  64  captured within the recess  66 , the corresponding pylon  18  is vertically oriented so that the length of the pylon is generally perpendicular to the tray  12  and ring  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
   In operation, a user desiring to change the infant activity center  10  from the use position (seen in  FIGS. 1-2 ) to the storage position (seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) must reposition the biased detent  64  of the latch  62  with respect to the recess  66  to manipulate the line of travel of the detent, thereby allowing the pylon  18  to be folded and approximate a horizontal position generally parallel to the tray  12  and ring  16 . Thereafter, the user can then rotate the tray  12  slightly with respect to the ring  16  about the center axis and push the tray  12  toward the ring  16  until the storage position is reached or no further folding is possible. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 2 ,  8 , and  13 , each pylon  18  includes fixed height adjustability, outside of that provided by the interaction between the intervening upper connecting member  26  and the tray  12 . Each lower portion  22  includes a hollow cavity  68  that receives the solid portion of the upper portion  24 , thereby allowing the upper portion  24  to move within the cavity  68  and change the overall length of the pylon  18 . The lower portion  22  includes a biased catch  70  that is received within one of a set of three vertically spaced openings  72  within the upper portion  24 . In this exemplary embodiment, the vertically spaced openings  72  include three separately spaced openings to provide incremental fixed height adjustability of the pylon  18 . In operation, the user would withdraw the catch  70  from one of the three openings  72 , thereby moving the catch  68  out of the line of travel of the openings  72  and allowing the upper portion  24  to move within the hollow cavity  68  of the lower portion  22 . The user would then approximate the desired length of the pylon  18  and reposition the catch  70  into one of the openings  72  that most closely approximates the desired pylon length. The biased nature of the catch  70  will operate to retain the catch with the desired opening  72  until the user overcomes the bias to reposition the catch and adjust the overall length of the pylon  18 . It is envisioned that this adjustment in the overall length of the pylon accommodates infants of various sizes, as well as adjusts to the same infant as the infant grows. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  are simple diagrams representing how the general orientation of the primary components  12 ,  16 ,  18 ,  26 ,  48  of the exemplary infant activity center  10  change relative to one another as the components are repositioned between the storage position and the use position (see also  FIG. 3 ). The components each have been marked with an “X”, where the “Xs” are vertically and rotationally aligned when the activity center  10  is in the use position (see  FIG. 14 ), but are not vertically or rotationally aligned when the activity center  10  is in the storage position (see  FIG. 15 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a series of hooks  76  are circumferentially distributed about the perimeter of the tray and engage with corresponding elastic hoops  78  mounted to the cushion bottom  14  to allow the tray  12  and the ring  16  to remain in the storage position when the infant activity center  10  is standing on its side (see  FIG. 6 ). To return the infant activity center  10  to its use position, with the ring  16  placed on the floor or level ground and any optional hook and notch arrangement unhooked, the user lifts and counter-rotates the tray  12  with respect to the ring  16  until the detent  64  of each latch  60  automatically and lockingly engages its corresponding recess  66  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   In the same or a different variation of the infant activity center  10 , various play objects  80  such as toys and mirrors are attached to the tray  12 . In the same or a different variation, the tray  12  includes other objects such as a cup holder  82 , a crayon receptacle, etc. 
   Each pylon  18  is injection molded using a plastic material such as, without limitation, polyethylene or polypropylene. Similarly, the tray  12  and the platform component  50  of the ring  16  can also be injection molded using a polymer material. Moreover, each intervening upper connecting member  26  and each intervening lower connecting member  48  can also be fabricated using an injection molding process by molding polymer components. In sum, each of the aforementioned exemplary components may be fabricated using a plastic injection molding process, however, components such as the spring  40  are preferable fabricated from metals. It is to be understood, however, that other materials suitable for the functionality of the instant components could be substituted in lieu of the polymer components such, without limitation, woods, composites, ceramics, or metals. 
   It is also within the scope of the invention to have the lower portion  22  of one or more pylons  18  being rotatably attached to the ring  16  using a ball and socket joint (not shown) and/or the upper portion  24  of one or more pylons  18  being rotatably attached to the tray  12  using a ball and socket joint (not shown). An exemplary variation of the foregoing includes providing a lower portion  22  and an upper portion  24  of the pylon  18  that are repositionable in at least two axes of rotation, though not necessarily by way of a ball and socket joint. 
   While the aforementioned exemplary embodiment  10  has been described as having three pylons  18 , it is also within the scope of the invention to have more than, or less than, three pylons  18 . Likewise, while the three pylons  18  of the exemplary embodiment have been shown as being equidistant from one another, it is also within the scope of the invention that one or more of these pylons (or other pylons where more three pylons are utilized) may be more closely spaced to one another or farther spaced from one another than other reference pylons. 
   It is also within the scope of the present invention to mount wheels to the ring  16 , thereby allowing the infant activity center  10  to be made portable by the movements of the infant. 
   As used herein, the term “infant” includes a baby, an infant, and a child. The terminology “infant activity center” includes, without limitation, infant walkers, infant exercisers, infant bouncers, infant toy centers, infant eating centers, etc. 
   It should be noted that as used herein, the term “attached” includes directly attached and includes indirectly attached, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is further noted that the terms “lower” and “upper” are used merely for differentiation and describe relative positioning in the use position, but not necessarily in the storage position. 
   Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.