Patent Publication Number: US-2016242566-A1

Title: Play yard with liner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,949 filed Feb. 20, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of infants&#39; and children&#39;s accessories, and more particularly to a play yard having a liner. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Play yards are often used by parents and caregivers to provide a partially contained space for an infant or child to rest and play. Typically, a play yard includes a structural frame supporting a floor panel and sidewalls surrounding the contained space. Additional accessories such as a bassinet, changing table, and/or storage compartments can optionally be mounted to or supported by a play yard. 
     It may be desirable to provide a play yard with a removable liner, which can be detached from the frame of the play yard, washed, and re-attached to the frame. Various play yard configurations have been provided for allowing removal of the liner from the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 9,149,128; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US 2013/0198952 A1; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. US 2014/0068857 A1 disclose example forms of play yards, and are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Needs exist for continuing improvements in this field of endeavor. It is to the provision of an improved play yard having a liner attached to the play yard frame meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed. 
     SUMMARY 
     In example embodiments, the present invention provides an improved play yard having a liner attached to the frame. In some example embodiments, the liner is removably attached to the frame, and the removable liner attaches securely to the play yard frame, and is easily removable for cleaning and easily re-attached for use. In other example embodiments, the liner is not removably attached to the frame and is not configured for removal from the play yard in normal usage. In example embodiments, detachable couplings or connectors are provided between the liner and the base of the frame, and between the liner and one or more upper portions of the frame. In example embodiments, attachment flaps of the liner releasably secure to upright corner posts of the frame. 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to a children&#39;s play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a structural support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner attached to the structural support frame, the liner having wall panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, the liner further having corner post attachment flaps releasably secured around the corner posts of the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a children&#39;s play yard including a structural support frame and a liner for attachment to the structural support frame. In an example embodiment, the structural support frame preferably includes a plurality of corner posts and cross-members extending between the corner posts to define a periphery of the frame. In an example embodiment, the liner preferably includes wall panels extending between corner posts of the frame on an interior side of the periphery of the frame, and at least one attachment flap for releasable attachment around a portion of a corner post of the frame on an exterior side of the periphery of the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage. 
     In still another aspect, the invention relates to a children&#39;s play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a collapsible frame having four corner posts and first and second side cross-members and first and second end cross-members extending between respective corner posts. In an example embodiment, the side and end cross-members are pivotally connected to the corner posts to allow the frame to fold between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner for attachment to the frame, the liner having wall panels configured to extend between the corner posts, corner post attachment flaps configured to detachably secure around corner posts of the frame, a top flap configured to extend over at least portions of the side and end cross-members of the frame, lower base attachment members for securing lower corners of the liner to feet of the frame, and flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap to the frame. The liner may optionally be removably attached to the frame, or alternatively may be more permanently attached to the frame and not configured for removability in normal usage. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a children&#39;s play yard. In an example embodiment, the play yard includes a structural support frame having a plurality of corner posts and a plurality of cross-members extending between the corner posts. In an example embodiment, the play yard also includes a liner substantially permanently attached to the structural support frame, and not configured for removal from the frame in normal usage. The liner includes wall panels extending between the corner posts of the frame, and corner post attachment flaps that secure around the corner posts of the frame, covering a portion of the corner posts but leaving one or more other portions of the corner posts exposed and visible from the exterior 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 example embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a play yard having a liner according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the structural support frame of a play yard according to an example embodiment of the present invention, with the liner not shown and the frame in an expanded configuration for use. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the structural support frame of  FIG. 2 , in a compact or folded configuration storage and transport. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show alternate embodiments of base couplings for attachment of the liner of a play yard to the base or foot portion of a play yard frame. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a liner for a play yard, in an expanded configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view of a portion of a liner for a play yard including a detachable fastener or connector for attachment of the liner to the play yard frame, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an corner post attachment flap portion of a play yard liner, respectively, detached from and attached to a frame member of a play yard, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a skirt attachment strap portion of a play yard liner, respectively, detached from and attached to a connector of a frame member of a play yard, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a play yard with a liner, with optional accessories attached to the play yard, according to another example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description 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,  FIG. 1  shows a play yard  10  generally comprising a structural support frame  20  and a liner  60  attached to the frame. In example embodiments, the liner  60  is a removable liner configured for ease of removal from the frame  20 , for example to clean and replace the liner in ordinary usage of the play yard. In alternate example embodiments, the liner  60  is a non-removable liner configured for substantially permanent attachment to the frame  20 , and not easily removable in ordinary usage of the play yard  10 . The support frame  20  is shown in  FIG. 2  without the liner  60 , in an expanded or unfolded configuration for use, and in  FIG. 3  in a collapsed or folded configuration for storage and transport. In example embodiments, the frame  20  is constructed of substantially rigid tubing or bars formed of aluminum, steel, plastic or other structural material(s), and the liner  60  is constructed of polyester, cotton, or other natural or synthetic fabric or other flexible material(s). The tubing or bars of the frame optionally comprise a round, oval, square, rectangular or other cross-sectional shape(s), and the liner attachments are compatible with frame members of different configurations. The liner  60  optionally includes one or more panels of mesh or other materials providing visibility and breathability through the liner. 
     The frame  20  comprises four generally upright corner posts  22 , first and second upper side cross-members  24 , and first and second upper end cross-members  26 , forming a generally rectangular three-dimensional housing bounding an internal contained volume or space S for structurally supporting the liner  60  to receive a child therein. In the depicted embodiment, the side cross-members  24  are longer than the end cross-members  26 , defining a containment having a length greater than its width. In alternate embodiments, the length and width may be generally equal, or the width can be greater than the length. 
     In example embodiments, the frame  20  is collapsible or foldable for more efficient storage and transport when not expanded and set up for use. For example, in the depicted embodiments, first and second ends of the side cross-members  24  and the end cross-members  26  are pivotally connected by hinged or pivotal end coupling joints  30  to upper ends of the corner posts  22 . The side cross-members  24  and the end cross-members  26  optionally also include hinged or pivotal medial coupling joints  32  about midway along their lengths. One or more of the coupling joints  30 ,  32  are optionally lockable to releasably retain the frame in the expanded and/or folded configurations, for example latching or locking when opened into the expanded configuration ( FIG. 2 ), and requiring manual actuation by an adult caregiver to release the frame for folding ( FIG. 3 ) and prevent inadvertent folding by a child contained in the play yard  10 . In example embodiments, the frame  20  is foldable between the expanded configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and the collapsed configuration ( FIG. 3 ) with the liner  60  installed or removed. 
     One or more of the corner posts  22  optionally includes an accessory mount  36 , for example at or adjacent an upper end of the corner posts, for supporting a sleeper, bassinet, changing table, container or other accessories. One or more of the corner posts  22  optionally also includes a liner attachment loop  38  for receiving a strap or other attachment portion of the liner  60 , for example at or adjacent the upper or medial portion of the post. The corner posts optionally further comprise base supports or feet  42  at lower ends thereof, optionally including wheels or casters for rolling support and repositioning of the play yard. In the example embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the frame  20  of the play yard  10  further comprises lower diagonal cross-members  46  pivotally or hingedly connected at one end to the feet  42  or lower ends of the corner posts  22 , and at the other end to a central base coupling hub  48 . Lateral side cross-members  50  optionally extend between adjacent lower diagonal cross-members  46 , and may include support feet  52  with pivotal or hinged couplings at or adjacent their midpoints, and pivotal and/or sliding couplings  54  at ends thereof. When assembled for use in the expanded configuration (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the lower diagonal cross-members  46  and the lateral side cross-members  50  provide support for the floor of the play yard  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the liner  60  of the play yard in greater detail and removed from the frame.  FIGS. 6-8  show further details of features of the liner  60  according to an example embodiment—of the invention. The liner  60  comprises a generally rectangular base or floor panel  62 , first and second generally rectangular side wall panels  64 , and first and second generally rectangular end wall panels  66 . A floor platform or mattress is optionally provided for placement on the floor panel  62  within the contained space S bounded by the side walls  64  and end walls  66 , and may for example comprise a plurality of foldable segments optionally with internal cushioning or support. In the depicted example embodiment, the liner  60  includes a top flap or attachment skirt portion  70  comprising an extension of at least a portion of one or more of the side wall panels  64  and/or the end wall panels  66  of the liner, extending in a direction generally opposite the floor panel  62 . In example embodiments, the top flap or skirt  70  is an extension of the side walls  64  and the end walls  66 , around substantially the entire periphery of the liner and along substantially the entire length of all four walls. 
     The size and shape of the floor and wall panels of the liner  60  are configured to generally conform to the size and shape of the frame  20  of the play yard  10 , whereby the liner fits closely within the corner posts  22  of the frame in its expanded configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the side wall panels  64  and end wall panels  66  of the liner  60  extending between and interior of the corner posts of the frame. The top flap or skirt  70  of the liner  60  is configured to fit closely with the upper periphery of the frame  20  in its expanded configuration, and to extend upwardly from inside the frame, over the side cross-members  24  and end cross-members  26 , and downwardly over the outside of a top portion of the frame. The top flap or skirt  70  of the liner  60  may be stretchable or have sufficient extra material to allow the material to drape over and around the upper periphery of the frame  20 . 
     In example embodiments, the liner  60  is removable from the frame and comprises one or more attachment features for removably but securely attaching the liner to the frame  20 . For example, an upper peripheral attachment is optionally provided by a zipper  80  or other attachment means extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the liner  60  at or adjacent the connection of the top flap  70  to the side walls  64  and end walls  66 . In example forms, one side of the zipper  80  is permanently attached to the top flap  70  of the liner  60  and the other side of the zipper is permanently attached to padding or cover material around the upper periphery of the frame  20 , so that zipping the zipper attaches the liner to the frame for use and unzipping the zipper detaches the liner from the frame for removal. In alternate embodiments, both sides of the zipper  80  are permanently attached to the liner  60  along two parallel tracks spaced a sufficient distance to allow the liner to be removably attached to itself over one or more of the side cross-members  24  and/or end cross-members  26  to removably secure the liner to the frame  20 . In further alternate embodiments, other peripheral attachment means such as for example one or more snaps, buttons, buckles, ties, hook-and-loop closure material or other attachments are provided in place of the depicted zipper  80  for removably attaching the liner  60  to the upper periphery of the frame  20 . In still other embodiments, the liner can be permanently or semi-permanently secured to the frame, for example sewn, glued, riveted, screwed, nailed, or otherwise attached in a manner not configured for easy removal in normal usage of the play yard. 
     In example embodiments, the liner  60  comprises one or more corner post attachment flaps  90  for securing the liner to the frame  20 . In example form, the corner post attachment flaps  90  comprise flexible panels of fabric or other material extending from the exterior of the liner  60  at or adjacent the intersection of the side walls  64  and the end walls  66  of the liner. An attached side of the corner post attachment flaps  90  is permanently attached to the liner, as by stitching, adhesive bond, or formed as an integral extension of one of the walls of the liner  60 , or alternatively can be removably attached to the liner by hook-and-loop attachment material, zipper, snaps, buttons, ties, buckles or other attachment means. The opposite or free side of the corner post attachment flaps  90  comprises a first releasable attachment element  92  that cooperatively engages with a corresponding second releasable attachment element  94  on an adjacent wall panel portion of the liner  60 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, the first releasable attachment element  92  comprises a strip of one component (hook or loop) of a hook-and-loop attachment material, and the second releasable attachment element  94  comprises a strip of the other component (loop or hook) of the hook-and-loop attachment material. In alternate embodiments, the first and second releasable attachment elements may comprise cooperatively engaging components of one or more snap couplings, buttons, buckles, zippers, ties or other releasable attachment means. In alternate embodiments, the corner post attachment flaps  90  permanently secure the liner  60  to the frame  20 , for example by stitching or other substantially permanent attachment along both sides of the flaps. The corner post attachment flaps  90  have a length sufficient to allow a user to wrap the flap around the exterior of the corner posts  22  of the frame ( FIG. 7A ) and secure the first releasable attachment element  92  to the second releasable attachment element  94  ( FIG. 7B ) to secure the liner  60  to the corners of the frame  20 . In example forms, the corner post attachment flaps  90  secure directly around the exterior of the corner posts  22  of the frame  20 , without requirement of a separate liner retention member on the frame, and without detachment of the corner posts from the upper side or end cross-members  24 ,  26  or other frame members. Optionally, one or more segments of the corner posts  22  remain externally visible above and/or below the corner post attachment flaps  90  to provide an aesthetically pleasing, more structurally sound and highly stable external appearance to the user. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7B , segments of the corner post  22  remain externally visible both above and below the corner post attachment flap  90 , with the corner post attachment flap secured about a medial segment of the corner post. 
     In example embodiments, the liner  60  comprises one or more lower corner base attachment members for securing lower corners of the liner to the base of the frame  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the base support or foot  42  of the frame  20  has an opening formed therein, through which a lower corner attachment strap  110  extending from a lower corner of the liner  60  can be removably or permanently secured, for example by snaps, buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, clips, buttons, ties or other releasable attachment means, or by rivets, adhesive, screws or other more permanent attachment means. In alternate embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 4B , a lower corner attachment strap  110 ′ extending from the liner  60  includes a first component  112  of a buckle or snap coupling, and a second component  114  of the buckle or snap coupling is attached to the base support or foot  42  of the frame  20 , whereby the first and second components can be engaged to removably attach the lower corners of the liner to the base of the frame, and disengaged for removal of the liner from the frame. 
     In example embodiments, the liner  60  comprises one or more flap corner attachments for securing corners of the top flap or skirt  70  of the liner to the frame  20 . For example, with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a flap corner attachment strap  120  extends from one or more corners of the flap or skirt  70  of the liner  60 , and is configured to loop through a liner attachment loop  38  on the frame  20  and detachably secure to retain the liner in place. In example forms, the liner attachment loop  38  comprises an eyelet or loop extending from a corner post  22  or accessory mounting bracket  38  secured to a corner post of the frame  20 , and the flap corner attachment strap  120  has a length and width configured to extend freely through the liner attachment loop and releasably secure by attachment to the flap  70  or other portion of the play yard. In the depicted embodiment, the flap corner attachment strap  120  has a tab of a first component (hook or loop) of a hook-and-loop attachment material on its free end, and the flap  70  of the liner  60  has a piece of a second component (loop or hook) of the hook-and-loop attachment material attached on its exterior corner surface. In alternate embodiments, one or more snaps, buttons, buckles, clips, ties or other releasable attachment means are provided in place of the hook-and-loop attachment material. In still other embodiments, the flap corner attachment straps  120  attach permanently or semi-permanently to the frame or other portions of the play yard. 
       FIG. 9  shows a play yard  10 ′ according to another example embodiment of the invention. The play yard  10 ′ comprises a frame  20 ′ and a liner  60 ′. The liner  60 ′ can be a non-removable liner, permanently or substantially permanently secured to the frame  20 ′, for example by stitching, adhesive, rivets, screws or other fasteners, or other attachments not configured for easy removal in ordinary usage of the play yard. Alternatively, the liner can be removable, for example by provision of one or more releasable attachment features substantially as described above. 
     The play yard optionally further comprises one or more accessories, for example as shown in  FIG. 9 . Example accessories may include one or more of a sleeping unit or bassinet  140 , a toy bar, entertainer or light  142 , a changing table or station  144 , a containment unit or storage container  146  or other infant or child accessories. Optionally one or more accessory mounts  36 ′ are affixed to corner posts of the frame  20 ′, and are configured to receive and engage support brackets or other coupling portions of the accessories. Additionally or alternatively, one or more accessory mounting or connection portions are optionally provided on the upper side and/or end cross-members  24 ,  26  or other frame members, and corresponding access openings  150  can be provided through the liner, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for attachment of accessories to the frame. 
     In use, a play yard  10  according to an example form of the invention allows a user to removably, permanently or semi-permanently attach the liner  60  to the frame  20  by attachment of corner post attachment flaps of the liner around corner posts of the frame. In further example methods of use, the play yard  10  allows a user to remove the liner  60  from the frame  20 , for example for cleaning or replacement, and to re-attach the liner (or a replacement liner) back onto the frame. The method of removable attachment of the liner  60  to the frame  20 , in example forms, can include attachment using any one or more of the above-described attachment means. For example, the liner  60  can be removably attached to the frame by engagement of one or more upper peripheral attachments, one or more corner post attachment flaps, one or more lower corner base attachment members, and/or one or more flap corner attachments, as described in greater particularity above. Example embodiments and methods of use may include any one of these particular forms of attachment. Alternative embodiments and methods of use may include any combination(s) of two or more of these forms of attachment, as well as combination(s) of any of these forms of attachment with other forms of removable attachment of a liner to a frame of a play yard or other child containment apparatus. In example embodiments and methods of use, the liner is removably attached to the frame without the need for disassembly or detachment of frame members to remove and replace the liner, and without the need for separate liner retention members detachably secured to frame components. 
     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.