Patent Publication Number: US-8966680-B2

Title: Top rail lock for playyard

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/579,956, filed Dec. 23, 2011, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a juvenile playyard, and particularly to a collapsible frame for a juvenile playyard. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a collapsible playyard frame including top rail segments that fold up when the playyard frame is collapsed. 
     SUMMARY 
     A playyard in accordance with the present disclosure includes a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame includes a multi-segment top rail and a rail support coupled to the top rail and adapted to support a playyard floor. 
     In illustrative embodiments, a playyard top rail includes a left rail segment and a right rail segment. Both the left rail segment and the right rail segment are coupled to a bracket for pivotable movement relative to the bracket. The rail segments move relative to the bracket from an inline-use position to a folded-storage position when a playyard including the playyard top rail is collapsed for storage or transportation. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the playyard top rails further includes a rail segment lock associated with the left and right rail segments. The rail segment lock moves from a locked position, blocking the left and right rail segments from moving to the folded-storage position, to an unlocked position, allowing the left and right rail segments to move to the folded-storage position. The rail segment lock is moved to the unlocked position by a user lifting the bracket, pressing a blocker-mover button included in the rail segment lock, and dropping the bracket while continuing to press the blocker-mover button. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the playyard top rail also includes visual means for indicating the position of the rail segment lock so that a caregiver can quickly determine if the rail segment lock is in the locked or unlocked position. The visual means includes a locked indicator coupled to the rail segment lock and an unlocked indicator coupled to the bracket. The locked indicator is illustratively green in color. It is exposed when the rail segment lock is in the locked position. The unlocked indicator is illustratively red in color and is exposed when the rail segment lock is in the unlocked position. 
     Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a playyard including a playyard floor mat, a fabric cover, and a collapsible frame for supporting the floor mat and the fabric cover in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the frame includes four top rails, each including a bracket, left and right rail segments, a rail segment lock, and a lock status indicator (shown in detail in  FIG. 9 ); 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the playyard of  FIG. 1 , showing four top rails included in the frame arranged in a rectangular pattern around floor support rails; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the playyard of  FIG. 2  showing a front-top rail including rail segments held in an inline-use position by a front-top rail segment lock; 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevation view of the playyard of  FIGS. 2 and 3  showing a left-side-top rail including rail segments held in an inline-use position by a left-side-top rail segment lock; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  of the playyard as it is being collapsed following unlocking of the left-side-top releasable segment lock along with unlocking of releasable segment locks in each of the other top rails to allow relative movement of left and right rail segments in each of the four top rails toward a folded-storage position; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the playyard of  FIG. 2  showing the playyard collapsed and showing that the rail segment locks are positioned to lie between each pair of adjacent L-shaped corner pieces; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the playyard collapsed showing the left and right rail segments of the front-top rail in the folded-storage position extending upwardly from the bracket; 
         FIG. 8  is an end elevation view of the playyard collapsed showing the left and right rail segments of the left-side-top rail in the folded-storage position extending upwardly from the bracket; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a top rail showing that the releasable segment lock includes a T-shaped rail-motion blocker, a blocker-mover button, and a blocker-biasing spring, and showing that the lock-status indicator includes a bezel with a central opening, an unlocked indicator, and a locked indicator; 
         FIGS. 10-13  are a series of views showing movement of the top rail from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position in response to a user lifting the bracket, pressing the blocker-mover button, and dropping the bracket while continuing to press the blocker-mover button; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the top rail with the rail segments in the inline-use position and the rail segment lock in the locked position showing that the locked indicator is coupled to the top of the blocker-mover button and is exposed suggesting to a user that the rail segment lock is locked; 
         FIG. 14A  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 14  taken along line  10 A showing that the rail-motion blocker is blocked from pivoting about a lock axis by arcuate protrusions included in the rail segments; 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view of the releasable segment lock of  FIG. 14  taken along line  10 B showing that the rail segments are blocked from pivoting upwardly relative to the bracket by the rail-motion blocker so that the playyard is blocked from collapsing; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the top rail of  FIG. 14  with the rail segments in a lifted position and the releasable segment lock in the locked position showing that the bracket has been lifted so that the rail segments are pivoted downwardly slightly relative to the bracket; 
         FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 15  taken along line  11 A showing that the rail segments are pivoted downwardly slightly relative to the bracket such that the rail-motion blocker is free to pivot about the lock axis to move to the unlocked position when a user passes the blocker-mover button; 
         FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 15  taken along line  11 B showing that the rail segments are blocked from pivoting upwardly relative to the bracket by the rail-motion blocker so that the playyard is blocked from being collapsed before a user presses the blocker-mover button included in the rail segment lock to unlock the rail segment lock; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the top rail of  FIG. 15  with the rail segments in the lifted position and the rail-motion blocker in the unlocked position showing that the bracket has been lifted so that the rail segments are pivoted downwardly slightly relative to the bracket and showing that the blocker-mover button of the rail segment lock has been pressed so that the unlocked indicator is exposed suggesting to a user that the rail segment lock is unlocked; 
         FIG. 16A  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 16  taken along line  12 A showing that the rail segments remain pivoted downwardly slightly relative to the bracket, while the rail-motion blocker is pivoted about the lock axis to the unlocked position; 
         FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 16  taken along line  12 B showing that the blocker-mover button has been pressed so that the rail-motion blocker is pivoted about the lock axis to the unlocked position in contact with the back of the bracket freeing the rail segments to pivot upwardly relative to the bracket collapsing the playyard; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the top rail of  FIG. 16  with the rail-motion blocker in the unlocked position when the top rail is collapsed showing that the bracket has been dropped so that the rail segments are pivoted upwardly relative to the bracket to the folded-storage position, and showing that the blocker-mover button is held in the pressed position so that the unlocked indicator remains exposed suggesting to a user that the rail segment lock is unlocked; 
         FIG. 17A  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 17  taken along line  13 A showing that the rail segments are pivoted upwardly relative to the bracket and that the rail-motion blocker is blocked from pivoting about the lock axis away from the back of the bracket; and 
         FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view of the top rail of  FIG. 17  taken along line  13 B showing that the rail segments are pivoted upwardly relative to the bracket so that the rail-motion blocker is held contact with the back of the bracket, maintaining the releasable segment lock in the unlocked position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Playyard  10  includes a collapsible frame  12 , fabric frame cover  14 , and removable floor mat  16 . Frame cover  14  is made of sturdy fabric and netting material and is foldable to enable frame  12  to be moved easily from an erected configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-4  to a collapsed configuration shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Floor mat  16  is removed from frame  12  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) prior to collapsing frame  12 . Once frame  12  is collapsed, the four-segment floor mat  16  can be folded, wrapped around collapsed frame  12 , and secured using straps (not shown) to provide a case for storing and/or carrying collapsed frame  12 . 
     Collapsible frame  12  includes a rail support  90  configured to support a playyard floor (illustratively floor mat  16 ) and foldable top rails  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30 . Rail support  90  includes four corner legs  18 , a corner piece  20  at the top end of each corner leg  18 , and a corner foot  22  at the bottom end of each corner leg  18 . Top rails  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  interconnect each pair of adjacent corner pieces  20 . 
     Each foldable top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  includes a central rail segment  94 , a left rail segment  15 L, a right rail segment  15 R, and a rail segment lock  25  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Central rail segment  94  includes a bracket  33 , a left fastener pin  102 , and a right fastener pin  103 . In each foldable top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30 , left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are coupled to bracket  33  of center rail  94  for rotation about a pivot axes  35 A,  37 A from an inline-use position (shown in  FIG. 14 ) to a folded-storage position (shown in  FIG. 17 ). Rail segment lock  25  of each foldable top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  is locked to hold corresponding left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R in the inline use position while frame  12  is in the erected configuration and is unlocked to allow the corresponding rail segments  15 L,  15 R to pivot upwardly relative to bracket  33  to the folded-storage position so that frame  12  may be collapsed for storage or transportation. 
     Each top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  is substantially similar and the following description of top rail  24  is applicable to each top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . Bracket  33  of top rail  24  is U-shaped and is formed from a bent monolithic steel sheet as shown in  FIG. 9 . Left rail segment  15 L is coupled to bracket  33  for pivotable movement about a left pivot axis  35 A by a pin  102 . Rail segment  15 R is coupled to bracket  33  for pivotable movement about a pivot axis  37 A by a pin  103  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Releasable segment lock  25  is housed in bracket  33  and is movable to block or allow pivoting of rail segments  58 ,  60  relative to bracket  33 . 
     Bracket  33  of the illustrative embodiment supports rail segment lock  25  and is formed to include a back wall  41 , a front wall  43 , and a top wall  45  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 . Back wall  41  is spaced from front wall  43  by top wall  45  and includes a jog  47  so that a lower portion  41 L of back wall  41  is spaced further from front wall  43  than an upper portion  41 U of back wall  41 . Front wall  43  is formed to include an opening  49  and a number of tabs  107  extending away from back wall  41  located around opening  49 . Tabs  107  are configured to block frame cover  14  from entering bracket  33 . Top wall  45  extends between back wall  41  and front wall  43  over a portion of the length of back wall  41  and front wall  43 . 
     Left rail segment  15 L is coupled to bracket  33  to pivot relative to bracket  33  about left pivot axis  35 A as shown in  FIG. 14 . Right rail segment  15 R is coupled to bracket  33  to pivot relative to bracket  33  about right pivot axis  37 A. Left rail segment  15 L includes a left rail tube  58  and an end cap  35  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Right rail segment  15 R includes a right rail tube  60  and an end cap  37  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Each end cap  35 ,  37  is formed to include a cylindrical rail receiver  55  and a pair of curved protrusions  57 A,  57 B extending down from rail receiver  55  and forming a channel  59  therebetween. 
     Rail segment lock  25  of the illustrative embodiment includes a rail-motion blocker  61 , a blocker-mover button  79 , and a biasing blocker-biasing spring  67  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Rail-motion blocker  61  is a monolithic component formed from a plastics material and includes a T-shaped portion  17  and a hub  11 . T-shaped portion  17  includes a button-support stem  69 , a left rail-segment blocker arm  71  extending outwardly from button-support stem  69 , and a right rail-segment blocker arm  73  extending outwardly from button-support stem  69 . Hub  11  extends forwardly from button-support stem  69  of T-shaped portion  17 . Button-support stem  69  of rail-motion blocker  61  is coupled to bracket  33  for movement about a lock axis  61 A as shown in  FIG. 14 . Blocker-mover button  79  is coupled to hub  11  for movement with hub  11 . 
     Rail-motion blocker  61  is coupled to bracket  33  by a pair of pins  104 ,  105 . A pair of spacer sleeves  63 ,  65  wrap around pins  104 ,  105  and engage button-support stem  69  of rail-motion blocker  61  to bias rail-motion blocker  61  away from back wall  41  of bracket  33 . Blocker-mover button  79  is coupled to rail-motion blocker  61  by a screw  101 . Blocker-biasing spring  67  cooperates with spacer sleeves  63 ,  65  to bias rail-motion blocker  61  away from back wall  41  of bracket  33 . 
     Top rail  24  also includes a lock status indicator assembly  29  configured to inform a user visually of rail segment lock  25  position. Lock status indicator assembly  29  illustratively includes a bezel  75 , an unlocked indicator  81 , and a locked indicator  83  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Bezel  75  includes a central opening  77  that aligns with opening  49  in bracket  33 . Unlocked indicator  81  is coupled to bezel  75  and is exposed for viewing by a user when rail segment lock  25  is in the unlocked position. Locked indicator  83  is coupled to blocker-mover button  79  and is exposed for viewing by a user when releasable segment lock  25  is in the locked position. 
     Unlocked indicator  81  in the illustrative embodiment is formed from a plastics material in a red color. Locked indicator  83  in the illustrative embodiment is formed from a plastics material in a green color. In other embodiments, indicators  81 ,  83  may be embossed or marked with words indicating unlocked and locked. In other embodiments, indicators  81 ,  83  may be formed with different textures indicating unlocked and locked condition. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , top rail  24  is shown with rail segments  58 ,  60  in an inline position and with rail segment lock  25  in the locked position. When rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline position, rail-motion blocker  61  is blocked from pivoting about lock axis  61 A out of the way of the rail segments by arcuate protrusions  57 A,  57 B extending down from sleeves  55  of end caps  35 ,  37 . When rail segment lock  25  is in the locked position, locked indicator  83  coupled to the top of blocker-mover button  79  is exposed suggesting to a user that rail segment lock  25  is in the locked position. Also, segments  15 L,  15 R are blocked from pivoting upwardly relative to bracket  33  by lock  39  so that playyard  10  is blocked from being collapsed. To move rail segment lock  25  to the unlocked position, a user lifts bracket  33  and presses blocker-mover button  79  as suggested by phantom arrows  120 ,  122  in  FIG. 14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , rail segments  15 L,  15 R have been moved to a lifted position while rail segment lock  25  remains in the locked position. When bracket  33  is lifted, rail segments  15 L,  15 R are pivoted downwardly slightly relative to bracket  33 . When rail segments  15 L,  15 R are pivoted downwardly, rail-motion blocker  61  is free to pivot about lock axis  61 A so that rail segment lock  25  is in the unlocked position. However, while rail segment lock  25  remains in the locked position, rail segments  15 L,  15 R are blocked from pivoting upwardly relative to bracket  33  by rail-motion blocker  61  so that playyard  10  is blocked from being collapsed. To unlock rail segment lock  25 , a user must press blocker-mover button  79  after lifting bracket  33  as suggested by phantom arrow  122  in  FIG. 15 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a user has pressed blocker-mover button  79  and rail segment lock  25  is moved to the unlocked position. When blocker-mover button  79  is pressed, rail-motion blocker  61  is pivoted about lock axis  61 A as suggested by arrow  61 P. By pivoting rail-motion blocker  61  about lock axis  61 A toward back wall  41  of bracket  33 , rail segments  15 L,  15 R are allowed to pivot upwardly relative to bracket  33  so that playyard  10  can collapse. Also, locked indicator  83  is retracted into bracket  33  and hidden from a user. Unlocked indicator  81  is exposed by blocker-mover button  79  pivoting with rail-motion blocker  61  through bezel  75  suggesting to a user that rail segment lock  25  is unlocked. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a user has dropped bracket  33  after unlocking rail segment lock  25  so that rail segments  15 L,  15 R are pivoted upwardly relative to bracket  33  to assume the folded-storage position. When rail segment lock  25  is in the unlocked position and the rail segments are in the folded-storage position, rail segment lock  25  is held in the unlocked position as shown in  FIGS. 17B and 17C . Also, unlocked indicator  81  remains exposed suggesting to a user that rail segment lock  25  is unlocked. Rail-motion blocker  61  is held away from front wall  43  of bracket  33  near back wall  41  of bracket  33  by rail segments  15 L,  15 R that block rail-motion blocker  61  from pivoting back toward front wall  43  of bracket  33 . 
     Rail support  90  also includes a rail mount  32 , a foot  34  for elevating rail mount  32 , and a support rail  36 ,  38 ,  40 , or  42  interconnecting rail mount  32  and each of corner feet  22  as suggested in  FIGS. 1-8 . Frame  12  also includes two auxiliary support rails  44 ,  46  coupled to rail mount  32 . 
     Floor mat  16  includes four sections  47 ,  48 ,  49 , and  50  arranged in series as shown in  FIG. 1 . Section  47  is coupled to section  48  at fold line  51 , section  48  is coupled to section  49  at fold line  52 , and section  49  is coupled to section  50  at fold line  53 . Floor mat  16  can be unrolled to assume the flat configuration shown in  FIG. 1  and then dropped in place to provide a sturdy playyard floor supported in an elevated position above the ground  54  underlying playyard  10  by rail mount  32  and support rails  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . 
     Each of support rails  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42  has an outer end pivotably coupled to one of corner feet  22  and an inner end pivotably coupled to rail mount  32  so as to facilitate collapsing movement of frame  12  from its erected configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-4  to its collapsed configuration shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . Each of auxiliary support rails  44  and  46  has an inner end pivotably coupled to rail mount  32  and an outer end formed to define a rail support foot  56  as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Once assembled, support rails  46 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42  are arranged to lie in an X-shaped pattern, auxiliary support rail  44  is arranged to bisect the included angle defined by support rails  36  and  38 , and auxiliary support rail  46  is arranged to bisect the included angle defined by support rails  40  and  42 . 
     A releasable rail lock apparatus  78  is provided in rail mount  32  and configured to lock certain of support rails  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  to rail mount  32  when frame  12  is in its erected configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, rail lock apparatus  78  is configured to engage each of support rails  36 ,  40  and thereby block pivoting movement of support rails  36 ,  40  relative to rail mount  32  when frame  12  is in its erected configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  so as to prevent collapsing movement of frame  12  to its collapsed configuration. Rail lock apparatus  78  is configured to be releasable so that a user, after first removing floor mat  16  to expose rail mount  32 , can manually actuate rail lock apparatus  78  to disengage a locked connection established between rail mount  32  and support rails  36 ,  40 , thereby allowing pivoting movement of the now unlocked support rails  36 ,  40  relative to rail mount  32  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 5  during controlled collapse of frame  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , playyard  10  can be collapsed by removing floor mat  16 , manually actuating releasable rail lock apparatus  78  and then raising rail mount  32  away from ground  54  to collapse support rails  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  partially, and then actuating each of four releasable segment locks  24 ,  26 ,  28 , or  30  as described herein to collapse top rails  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  partially. Then frame  12  can be collapsed further to assume a fully collapsed configuration shown, for example, in  FIGS. 6-8 . Finally, if desired, floor mat  16  can be wrapped around collapsed frame  12  and secured using suitable means to provide a storage case or carrying case for collapsed frame  12 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a playyard  10  may include a collapsible frame  12  and a rail segment lock  25 . Collapsible frame  12  may include a rail support adapted  90  to support a playyard floor  16  and a top rail  24 . Rail support  90  is configured to fold to be moved between an erected configuration to support playyard floor  16  and a collapsed configuration without playyard floor  16 . Top rail  24  may be coupled to rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12  and may be arranged to lie above a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12  upon movement of rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12  to the erected configuration. 
     Top rail  24  may include a left rail segment  15 L coupled to a left corner leg  18  included in rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12 , a right rail segment  15 R coupled to a right corner leg  18  included in rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12 , and a center rail segment  94  arranged to interconnect left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R and to support left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R for movement relative to one another between an inline-use position wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are arranged to extend along a generally horizontal reference R extending between left and right corner legs  18  and a folded-storage position wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are arranged to extend in a generally vertical orientation in substantially perpendicular relation to the generally horizontal reference line R. 
     Center rail segment  94  includes a button-support bracket  33 , a left fastener  102 , coupled to bracket  33  and to left rail segment  15 L to support left rail segment  15 L for movement relative to bracket  33  during movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R between the inline-use and folded-storage positions, and a right fastener  103  coupled to bracket  33  and to right rail segment  15 R to support right rail segment  15 R for movement relative to bracket  33  during movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R between the inline-use and folded-storage positions. 
     Rail segment lock  25  includes a rail-motion blocker  61  mounted on bracket  33  for pivotable movement about a generally horizontal pivot axis  61 A that is arranged to lie in substantially spaced-apart parallel relation to the generally horizontal reference line R when rail support  90  of collapsible frame  12  is in the erected configuration and left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline-use position between a rail-locking position engaging left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R to block movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R toward the folded-storage position and a rail-unlocking position disengaging left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R to free left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R to move toward the folded-storage position. 
     In some embodiments, rail segment lock  25  may further include a blocker-biasing spring  67  coupled to bracket  33  and to rail-motion blocker  61 . The blocker-biasing spring  67  may be configured to provide means for yieldably urging rail-motion blocker  61  to move relative to bracket  33  normally to assume the rail-locking position. 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  may include a stem  69 , a left rail-segment blocker arm  71 , and a right rail-segment blocker arm  73 . Stem  69  may be mounted for pivotable movement about generally horizontal pivot axis  61 A relative to bracket  33 . Left rail-segment blocker arm  71  may be coupled to stem  69  and may be arranged to engage left rail segment  15 L upon movement of rail-motion blocker  61  to assume the rail-locking position. Right-rail-segment blocker arm  73  may be coupled to stem  69  and may be arranged to engage right rail segment  15 R upon movement of rail-motion blocker  61  to assume the rail-locking position. In some embodiments, stem  69  may include a lower portion coupled to blocker-biasing spring  67  and an upper portion coupled to each of left and right rail-blocker arms  71 ,  73 . 
     In some embodiments, bracket  33  may be formed to include an interior region (or bracket cavity)  13 . Stem  69  may be arranged to lie in interior region  13  of bracket  33  during pivoting movement of rail-motion blocker  61  about the generally horizontal pivot axis  61 A. 
     In some embodiments, left rail-blocker arm  71  may be arranged to extend in a first direction. Right rail-blocker arm may be arranged to extend in an opposite second direction. Stem  69  may cooperate with the left and right rail-blocker arms to form a T-shaped component. 
     In some embodiments, stem  69  may include a middle portion arranged to interconnect lower and upper portions. Rail-motion blocker  61  may also include a button-support hub  11  and a blocker mover button  79 . Button support but  11  may be coupled to the middle portion of stem  69  and arranged to extend away from blocker-biasing spring  67 . Blocker-mover button  79  may be coupled to the button-support hub  11  and may be arranged to extend through an aperture  49  formed in bracket  33 . 
     In some embodiments, left rail segment  15 L is configured to disengage the left rail-segment blocker arm  71  and the right rail segment  15 R is configured to disengage the right rail-segment blocker arm  73  in response to upward movement of bracket  33  away from playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  while left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R lie in the inline-use position and to subsequent pivoting movement of rail-motion blocker  61  about the generally horizontal pivot axis  61 A against a biasing force generated by the blocker-biasing spring. 
     In some embodiments, bracket  33  may be formed to include an interior region  13 . Rail-motion blocker  61  may include a stem  69  and a button support hub  11 . Stem  69  may be coupled to blocker-biasing spring  67  and may be arranged to pivot about the generally horizontal pivot axis  61 A. Button-support hub  11  may be coupled to stem  69  and may be arranged to extend away from blocker-biasing spring  67 . Rail-motion blocker  61  may further include a blocker-mover button  79  coupled to the button-support hub  11  and arranged to extend through an aperture  49  formed in bracket  33  to open into the interior region  13 . 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a playyard  10  may include a rail support  90 , a top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and a rail segment lock  25  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Rail support  90  may be adapted to support a playyard floor  16  as suggested in  FIG. 1 . Top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be coupled to rail support  90  to lie above a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 . 
     Top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may include a left rail segment  15 L, a right rail segment  15 R, and a central rail segment  94 . Central rail segment  94  may be arranged to interconnect left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R. 
     Central rail segment  94  and may be configured to support left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R for movement relative to one another between an inline-use position, wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R extend from central rail segment  94  along a reference rail line R spaced above a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  (shown in  FIG. 10 ), and a folded-storage position, wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R extend upwardly from central rail segment  94  away from a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). Central rail segment  94  may include a bracket  33 , a left fastener  102  configured to couple left rail segment  15 L to bracket  33 , and a right fastener  103  configured to couple right rail segment  15 R to bracket  33 . 
     Rail segment lock  25  may include a blocker-mover button  79  and release means for unlocking left rail segment  15 L and right rail segment  15 R for movement from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. The release means may unlock rail segment lock  25  in response to a user lifting bracket  33  upwardly away from a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 , pressing blocker-mover button  79 , and dropping bracket  33  toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  while pressing blocker-mover button  79  so that left rail segment  15 L and right rail segment  15 R are blocked from moving from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position in response to only pressing of blocker-mover button  79 . 
     In some embodiments, the release means may include a rail-motion blocker  61  coupled to bracket  33  for movement about a lock axis  61 A from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position, rail-motion blocker  61  blocks left rail segment  15 L and right rail segment  15 R from movement from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. In the unlocked position, rail-motion blocker  61  allows movement of left rail segment  15 L and right rail segment  15 R from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. Lock axis  61  may be arranged between reference rail line R and a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  when left and right rail segments  15   l ,  15 R are in the inline-use position. 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  is T-shaped and includes a button-support stem  69  coupled to bracket  33  along lock axis  61 A, a left rail-segment blocker arm  71  spaced apart from lock axis  61 A and arranged to extend from button-support stem  69  in a first direction, and a right rail-segment blocker arm  73  spaced apart from lock axis  61 A and arranged to extend from button-support stem  69  in a second direction opposite the first direction. Left rail-segment blocker arm  71  may be arranged to block left rail segment  15 L from moving from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position. Right rail-segment blocker arm  73  may be arranged to block right rail segment  15 R from moving from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position. 
     In some embodiments, left rail segment  15 L includes a left rail tube  58  and a pair of protrusions  57 A,  57 B coupled to left rail tube  58  and arranged to form a left rail channel  59  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Right rail segment  15 R includes a right rail tube  60  and a pair of protrusions  57 A,  57 B coupled to right rail tube  60  and arranged to form a right rail channel  59 . Left rail channel  59  may be arranged to receive left rail-segment blocker arm  71  of rail-motion blocker  61  when left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline-use position. Right rail channel  59  may be arranged to receive right rail-segment blocker arm  73  of rail-motion blocker  61  when left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline-use position. 
     In some embodiments, the release means may include a rail-motion blocker  61  coupled to bracket  33  for movement from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position, rail-motion blocker  61  may be arranged to block movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. In the unlocked position, rail-motion blocker  61  may be arranged to allow movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. Rail-motion blocker  61  may move from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to a user pressing blocker-mover button  79  inwardly toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 . 
     In some embodiments left rail segment  15 L may include a left rail tube  58  and a left protrusion  57 B coupled to left rail tube  58 . Right rail segment  15 R may include a right rail tube  60  and a right protrusion  57 B coupled to right rail tube  60 . Left and right protrusions  57 B may be arranged to block rail-motion blocker  61  from movement from the locked position to the unlocked position while left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline-use position. 
     In some embodiments, bracket  33  may be U-shaped. Bracket  33  may include a top wall  45 , a front wall  43  arranged to extend downwardly from top wall  45  toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 , and a back wall arranged to extend downwardly from top wall  45  toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  so that bracket  33  defines a bracket cavity  13 . 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  may include a button-support stem  69  coupled to bracket  33  and a hub  11  coupled to button-support stem  69 . Button-support stem  69  may be received in bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and in the unlocked position. Hub  11  may extend out of bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and may be received in bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, front wall  43  of bracket  33  is formed to include an opening  49 . Hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  may extend through opening  49  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position. 
     In some embodiments, playyard  10  may include a lock status indicator  29 . Lock status indicator  29  may include a locked indicator  83  and an unlocked indicator  81 . Locked indicator  83  may be coupled to hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  for movement with rail-motion blocker  61  so that locked indicator  83  is visible outside bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and is hidden inside bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the unlocked position. Unlocked indicator  81  may be coupled to bracket  33  and may be arranged so that hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  covers unlocked indicator  81  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and is exposed when rail-motion blocker  61  is moved to the unlocked position. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a playyard  10  may include a rail support  90 , a top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and a rail segment lock  25  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Rail support  90  may be adapted to support a playyard floor  16  as suggested in  FIG. 1 . Top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may be coupled to rail support  90  to lie above a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 . Top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  may include a left rail segment  15 L, a right rail segment  15 R, and a central rail segment  94 . Central rail segment  94  may be arranged to interconnect left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R. 
     Central rail segment  94  and may be configured to support left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R for movement relative to one another between an inline-use position, wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R extend from central rail segment  94  along a reference rail line R spaced above a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  (shown in  FIG. 10 ), and a folded-storage position, wherein left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R extend upwardly from central rail segment  94  away from a playyard floor  16  supported on the rail support  90  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). Central rail segment  94  may include a bracket  33 , a left fastener  102  configured to couple left rail segment  15 L to bracket  33 , and a right fastener  103  configured to couple right rail segment  15 R to bracket  33 . 
     Rail segment lock  25  may include a rail-motion blocker  61  and a blocker-biasing spring  67 . Rail-motion blocker  61  may be coupled to bracket  33  for movement about a lock axis  61 A from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position, rail-motion blocker  61  blocks movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. In the unlocked position, rail-motion blocker  61  allows movement of left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R from the inline-use position to the folded-storage position. Blocker-biasing spring  67  may be arranged between bracket  33  and rail-motion blocker  61  to bias rail-motion blocker  61  toward the locked position. 
     In some embodiments, lock axis  61 A may be arranged between reference rail line R and a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 . Lock axis  61 A may extend parallel to reference rail line R. 
     In some embodiments, left rail segment  15 L may be coupled to bracket  33  for movement about a left rail axis  35 A. Right rail segment  15 R may be coupled to bracket  33  for movement about a right rail axis  37 A. Left and right rail axes  35 A,  37 A may be perpendicular to lock axis  61 A. 
     In some embodiments, each of left rail segment and right rail segment  15 L,  15 R may include a rail tube  58 ,  60  and a pair of protrusions  57 A,  57 B coupled to rail tube  58 ,  60 . Each pair of protrusions  57 A,  57 B may be arranged to form left and right channels  59  that receive rail-motion blocker  61  when left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are in the inline-use position. 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  may be T-shaped. Rail motion blocker  61  may include a button-support stem  69  coupled to bracket  33  for movement about lock axis  61 A, a left rail-segment blocker arm  71  extending from button-support stem  69  in a first direction, and a right rail-segment blocker arm  73  extending from button-support stem  69  in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Left rail-segment blocker arm  71  may be arranged to be received in left channel  59  formed by left rail segment  15 L when left rail segment  15 L is in the inline-use position. Right rail-segment blocker arm  73  may be arranged to be received in right channel  59  formed by right rail segment  15 R when right rail segment  15 R is in the inline-use position. 
     In some embodiments, bracket  33  may be U-shaped. Bracket  33  may include a top wall  45 , a front wall  43  arranged to extend downwardly from top wall  45  toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90 , and a back wall arranged to extend downwardly from top wall  45  toward a playyard floor  16  supported on rail support  90  so that bracket  33  defines a bracket cavity  13 . 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  is coupled to bracket  33  by a joint unit  95  including pins  104 ,  105  and spacer sleeves  63 ,  65 . Pin  104 ,  105  extend through rail-motion blocker  61 , back wall  41  of bracket  33 , and front wall  43  of bracket  33 . Spacer sleeves  63 ,  65  may wrap around a portion of each pin  104 ,  105  between rail-motion blocker  61  and back wall  41  of bracket  33  to space rail-motion blocker  61  from back wall  61  of bracket  33 . Pins  104 ,  105  may extend perpendicular to lock axis  61 A. 
     In some embodiments, rail-motion blocker  61  includes a button-support stem  69  coupled to bracket  33  and a hub  11  coupled to button-support stem  69 . Button-support stem  69  may be received in bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and in the unlocked position. Hub  11  may extend out of bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and may be received in bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, front wall  43  of bracket  33  is formed to include an opening  49  with a continuous perimeter. Hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  extends through opening  49  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position. 
     In some embodiments, playyard  10  may include a lock status indicator  29 . Lock status indicator  29  may include a locked indicator  83  and an unlocked indicator  81 . Locked indicator  83  may be coupled to hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  for movement with rail-motion blocker  61  so that locked indicator  83  is visible outside bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and is hidden inside bracket cavity  13  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the unlocked position. Unlocked indicator  81  may be coupled to bracket  33  and may be arranged so that hub  11  of rail-motion blocker  61  covers unlocked indicator  81  when rail-motion blocker  61  is in the locked position and is exposed when rail-motion blocker  61  is moved to the unlocked position. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a locking device  25  for a top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  of a playyard  10  is disclosed. Top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  comprising a left rail segment  15 L and a right segment  15 R. Locking device  25  may be characterized in that, locking device  25  comprises a lock  61 , a bracket  33 , and left and right end caps  35 ,  37 . Lock  61  movable between a locked position in which left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are blocked from being collapsed and an unlocked position in which left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are collapsible. Bracket  33  is adapted for supporting lock  61 . Left end cap and right end cap  35 ,  37  coupled to left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R, respectively, and being pivotable relative to bracket  33  together with left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R, respectively. Left end cap  35  comprises a first blocking element  57 A extending downwardly therefrom and right end cap  37  comprises a second blocking element  57 A extending downwardly therefrom. Each of first and second blocking elements  57 A being movable between an in-line position in which lock  61  is blocked from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position and a lifted position in which lock  61  is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, locking device  25  characterized in that, lock  61  comprises a left arm  71  and a right arm  73 , which are blocked from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when first and second blocking elements  57 A are in the in-line position and pivotable relative to bracket  33  from the locked position to the unlocked position when first and second blocking elements  57 A are in the lifted position. In some embodiments, locking device  25  characterized in that, lock  61  is coupled to bracket  33  for pivotable movement relative to bracket  33 . 
     In some embodiments, locking device  25  may be characterized in that, locking device  25  further comprises a button coupled to lock  61 . Lock  61  is configured to move from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to first and second blocking elements  57 A being moved to the lifted position and button  79  being pressed. 
     In some embodiments, locking device  25  characterized in that, bracket  33  comprises a back wall  41 , a front wall  43  and a top wall  45  extending therebetween. Back wall  41  has an upper portion  41 U and a lower portion  41 L spaced from front wall  43  further than upper portion  41 U to form a space between front wall  43  and lower portion  41 L of back wall  41  sized to receive lock  61  when lock  61  moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     According to another embodiment, a playyard  10  has a top rail  24 ,  26 ,  28 , or  30  that includes a left rail segment  15 L, a right segment  15 R, and a locking device  25  pivotably connected between left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R. Playyard  10  may be characterized in that, locking device  25  includes a lock  61 , a bracket  33 , and left and right end caps  35 ,  37 . Lock  61  movable between a locked position in which left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are blocked from being collapsed and an unlocked position in which left and right rail segments  15 L,  15 R are collapsible. Bracket  33  is configured for supporting lock  61 . Left end cap  35  and the right end cap  37  may be coupled to left and right rail segments  15   l ,  15 R, respectively, and being pivotable relative to bracket  33  together with the left and right rail segments  15   l ,  15 R, respectively. Left end cap  35  may include a first blocking element  57 A extending downwardly therefrom and right end cap  37  may include a second blocking element  57 A extending downwardly therefrom. Each of first and second blocking elements  57 A may be movable between an in-line position in which lock  61  is blocked from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position and a lifted position in which lock  61  is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, lock  61  comprises a left arm  71  and a right arm  73 . Left and right arms  71 ,  73  are blocked from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when first and second blocking elements  57 A are in the in-line position and are pivotable relative to bracket  33  from the locked position to the unlocked position when first and second blocking elements  57 A are in the lifted position. 
     In some embodiments, lock  61  is coupled to bracket  33 . Lock  61  may be pivotable relative to bracket  33 . 
     In some embodiments, playyard  10  includes a button  79  coupled to lock  61 . Lock  61  may be moved from the locked position to the unlock position in response to first and second blocking elements  57 A being moved to the lifted position and button  79  being pressed. 
     In some embodiments, bracket  33  comprises a back wall  41 , a front wall  43  and a top wall  45  extended therebetween. Back wall  41  has an upper portion  41 U and a lower portion  41 L spaced further from front wall  43  than upper portion  41 U to form a space between front wall  43  and lower portion  41 L of back wall  41  sized to receive lock  61  when lock  61  moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.