Patent Publication Number: US-9901187-B2

Title: Mattress and bassinet support structures for a child containment device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This patent is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. Nos. 61/759,322 filed Jan. 31, 2013 and 61/840,994 filed Jun. 28, 2013, each of which are entitled “Mattress and Support Structure for a Child Containment Device. The entire content of these prior filed provisional applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to child containment devices, and more particularly to a mattress support and a support structure for same with features to attain various performance improvements of the mattress, a playard and/or a bassinet accessory for the playard. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Playards and bassinets are child containment devices that are known in the art. Bassinets are known to be provided for mounting on a playard with the bassinet sleeping surface elevated above the playard bottom panel. Such a bassinet can provide an elevated sleeping surface in a playard for infants. The higher elevation of the bassinet surface positions an infant closer to a parent or caregiver. This makes it easier for the person to reach and attend to an infant in the bassinet, pick the infant up from the bassinet, or place the infant in the bassinet. 
     Bassinet accessories designed for use on playards typically are meant for young infants that cannot yet roll over under their own power. Playards and bassinet accessories are often used as sleeping environments for young infants. A child sleeping in such a containment device may be left unsupervised for extended periods of time, which may exacerbate any preexisting problems with the equipment or structures. Problems may arise if the bassinet accessory and/or mattress support structure are not properly installed before placing an infant on the bassinet sleeping surface. The bassinet or mattress support structure may sometimes be assembled incorrectly or even without one or more of the support structures. This may render the sleeping surface non-flat or place the sleeping surface in an unlevel condition. Such an arrangement may increase the risk of breathing and/or other difficulties for the child. 
     Typical bassinet accessories have a fabric bassinet structure with a bottom panel and surrounding side walls. Many of these products utilize tubes that are slid through fabric tunnels at the tops of the side walls. The tubes connect to the playard top rails or corner posts to mount the bassinet accessory to the playard. A caregiver may mistakenly mount the bassinet accessory incorrectly by not attaching an end of a tube to the playard or by not even installing one of the tubes. Depending on the structure of the bassinet accessory, the structure may look normal to the caregiver when it is incorrectly installed. 
     A typical playard is folded up when not in use. The playard often folds up to a generally rectangular shape. The mattress is then wrapped around the folded up structure to create a rectangular box-like configuration that is easy to carry, transport, and stow away. On most playards, the bassinet accessory must be removed from the playard before the playard is folded up. The bassinet accessory and its support and mounting components must then be broken down, folded up, and stored or stowed, sometimes with the folded up playard and sometimes separately. The support structure components of the bassinet accessory are often separate from the bassinet soft goods. The components must then be managed separately from the bassinet soft goods as well. The components can become easily lost or misplaced, making it impossible to properly install the bassinet accessory. 
     SUMMARY 
     A child containment device has a playard and a bassinet accessory supported on the playard. A mattress is positioned within the bassinet accessory. The device can have a mattress support structure attached to the bassinet accessory or to the mattress and can have a bassinet support structure attached to the bassinet accessory. The mattress support structure can keep the mattress flat and level and can be irremovably attached to the mattress or bassinet accessory. At least part of the bassinet support structure can be irremovably attached to the bassinet accessory or can be configured to either orient the mattress to contact a playard floor panel or be oriented 30° or more from a level orientation if improperly installed. 
     In one example according to the teachings of the present disclosure, a child containment device has a playard, a bassinet accessory with a bottom panel and connected to the playard, and a mattress having a top side defining a sleeping surface and positioned over the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. A mattress support structure is coupled to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory and underlies the mattress. The child containment device can be folded up to a compact storage size and shape with the bassinet accessory still connected to the playard. When the child containment device is folded up, the mattress support structure folds up and fits entirely within dimensions of the compact storage size and shape of the folded up child containment device. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have two elongate stiffeners irremovably attached to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have two elongate stiffeners attached to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. Each stiffener can have two or more segments that can engage one another and be disengaged from one another. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have two elongate stiffeners attached to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. Each stiffener can have two or more segments and each of the two or more segments can be irremovably attached to the bottom panel. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners fastened to the bottom panel. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners. Each elongate stiffener can have a portion received in a fabric tunnel that is affixed to the bottom panel and the portion can be fastened to the fabric tunnel. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners. A portion of each stiffener can be received in a fabric tunnel on the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. Each fabric tunnel can have a distal open end and a free end of the portion of each of the at least two elongate stiffeners can slide through the distal open end when the child containment device is folded up. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners. A portion of each stiffener can be received in a fabric tunnel on the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. Each fabric tunnel can have a distal closed end. A free end of the portion of each of the at least two elongate stiffeners 1) can be spaced a first distance from the distal closed end of the corresponding fabric tunnel when the child containment device is in an in-use condition, and 2) can be spaced a second distance closer than the first distance to the distal closed end when the child containment device is folded up. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners. Each of the at least two elongate stiffeners can have two end segments that can be fastened to the bottom panel and can have a central segment that can be fastened to the bottom panel. The two end segments can engage opposite ends of the respective central segment in an in-use arrangement and can be disengaged from the opposite ends of the respective central segment when the child containment device is folded up. 
     In one example, the mattress support structure can have at least two elongate stiffeners. Each of the at least two elongate stiffeners can have two end segments that can be fastened to the bottom panel and can have a central segment that can be fastened to the bottom panel. Each of the end segments can have a portion received in a fabric tunnel connected to the bottom panel. 
     In one example according to the teachings of the disclosure, a child containment device has a playard, a bassinet accessory supported on the playard, a mattress positioned within the bassinet accessory, and a mattress support structure attached to the bassinet accessory. The mattress support structure includes at least one elongate stiffener connected to the playard. The at least one elongate stiffener is irremovably attached to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can be fastened to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can have a portion received in and fastened to a fabric tunnel connected to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can include two stiffeners arranged spaced apart from one another on an underside of the mattress. Each of the two stiffeners can have opposed free ends received in and fastened to a different fabric tunnel connected to a bottom panel of the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the mattress can have a length and a width that is less than the length. The at least one elongate stiffener can have two stiffener segments that can engage one another and extend lengthwise along the mattress in an in-use arrangement and that can be disengaged from one another whereby each stiffener segment can be rotated to a stowed position extending widthwise across the mattress. 
     In one example, the mattress can have a plurality of mattress portions that can be connected to one another along widthwise extending mattress fold joints. The at least one elongate stiffener can have two stiffener segments that can engage one another in an in-use arrangement and extend lengthwise along the mattress. The two stiffener segments, when in a stowed position, can be parallel with the mattress fold lines allowing the mattress to be folded up. 
     In one example according to the teachings of the disclosure, a child containment device has a playard, a bassinet accessory having a bottom panel, a mattress defining a sleeping surface and sized to fit within the bassinet accessory on the bottom panel, and a bassinet support structure attached to the bassinet accessory. The bassinet support structure includes at least one stiffener connected to the bassinet accessory and to the playard. When the bassinet support structure is correctly assembled and connected correctly to the playard, the sleeping surface of the mattress is held at a level orientation. When the bassinet support structure is misassembled or incorrectly connected to the playard, the sleeping surface of the mattress is oriented at an angle of 30° or more relative to the level orientation. 
     In one example, the at least one stiffener can have at least two tube segments that can be tethered to one another. 
     In one example, the at least one stiffener can have at least two tube segments that can be tethered to one another in series by a webbing. 
     In one example, the bassinet support structure can have at least two stiffeners that can be loosely tethered to one another by a webbing material that can be fastened to each of the two stiffeners. 
     In one example, the bassinet support structure can have at least two stiffeners that can be loosely tethered to one another by a webbing material that can be fastened to each of the two stiffeners. The at least two stiffeners can be received through one or more fabric tunnels on the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, one or more fabric tunnels can be located at a top of a side wall of the bassinet accessory. The at least one stiffener can be received in the one or more fabric tunnels. 
     In one example according to the teachings of the disclosure, a child containment device has a playard, a bassinet accessory supported on the playard, a mattress defining a sleeping surface and positioned within the bassinet accessory, and a bassinet support structure attached to the bassinet accessory. The bassinet support structure includes at least one elongate stiffener connected to the playard. The at least one elongate stiffener is irremovably attached to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can be fastened to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can have a portion received in and fastened to a fabric tunnel connected to the bassinet accessory. 
     In one example, the at least one elongate stiffener can include a plurality of stiffeners. Each of the plurality of stiffeners can be received at least partly through and can be fastened to a fabric tunnel connected to a side wall of the bassinet accessory. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of one example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with a bassinet support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and in an in-use condition. 
         FIG. 2  shows a plan view of one example of the bassinet support structure for the bassinet accessory of  FIG. 1  and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows an inside perspective view of one corner of the playard and bassinet accessory combination and the bassinet support structure of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective and partial cut-away view of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 1 , but with one corner of the bassinet support structure detached from the playard. 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of another example of a bassinet support structure for the playard and bassinet accessory of  FIG. 1  and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows an inside perspective view of one end of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with a bassinet support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and in an in-use condition. 
         FIG. 7  shows an inside perspective view of one end of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with another example of a bassinet support structure similar to  FIG. 6  and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows an inside perspective view of one end of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with another example of a bassinet support structure similar to  FIGS. 6 and 7  and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective underside view of one example of a mattress for a playard and bassinet accessory combination and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the mattress having mattress supports permanently attached to the mattress and the mattress supports depicted in an engaged arrangement and an in-use position. 
         FIG. 10  shows the mattress of  FIG. 9  but with the mattress supports in a disengaged arrangement but still in the in-use position. 
         FIG. 11  shows the mattress of  FIG. 10  but with the mattress supports moved to a stowed position. 
         FIG. 12  shows the mattress of  FIG. 11  but with the mattress folded up to a storage or a stowed configuration. 
         FIG. 13  shows a top view of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with a mattress support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the mattress support structure permanently attached to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory and shown in an engaged arrangement. 
         FIG. 14  shows the playard and bassinet accessory of  FIG. 13  but with the mattress support structure in a disengaged arrangement. 
         FIG. 15  shows a top view of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination with a mattress support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the mattress support structure permanently attached to the bottom panel of the bassinet accessory and shown in an engaged arrangement. 
         FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination where the bassinet accessory can fold up with the playard, the combination including a mattress support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and having mattress supports permanently attached to the bassinet bottom panel and shown in an engaged arrangement and an in-use position. 
         FIG. 17  shows the mattress support structure of  FIG. 16  in a disengaged arrangement but in the in-use position. 
         FIG. 18  shows a side view of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 17 , but with the combination in a partly folded up arrangement. 
         FIG. 19  shows a close up view of one part of the mattress support structure of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  shows a top view of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination where the bassinet accessory can fold up with the playard, the combination including a mattress support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and having mattress supports permanently attached to the bassinet bottom panel and shown in an engaged arrangement and an in-use position. 
         FIG. 21  shows the mattress support structure of  FIG. 20  in a disengaged arrangement but in the in-use position. 
         FIG. 22  shows a side view of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 21 , but with the combination in a partly folded up arrangement. 
         FIG. 23  shows a close up view of one part of the mattress support structure of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  shows a top view of another example of a playard and bassinet accessory combination where the bassinet accessory can fold up with the playard, the combination including a mattress support structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure and having mattress supports permanently attached to the bassinet bottom panel and shown in an engaged arrangement and an in-use position. 
         FIG. 25  shows the mattress support structure of  FIG. 24  in a disengaged arrangement but in the in-use position. 
         FIG. 26  shows a close up side view of a portion of the playard and bassinet accessory combination of  FIG. 25  and in a partly folded up arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosed child containment devices solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other problems and disadvantages with prior known child containment devices. The disclosed child containment devices in some examples address the bassinet support or mounting structure. The disclosed child containment devices in other examples address the mattress support structure regarding mattress flatness. The disclosed child containment devices in some examples address both issues. The aforementioned problems and disadvantages may be solved or addressed by making the bassinet accessory or the mattress or both unusable when one key structural element is left out of its assembly or is not attached to the playard, bassinet accessory, or mattress, or is missing entirely. This aspect of the disclosure is termed “missing key structural element” or MKSE herein. The aforementioned problems and disadvantages may also be solved or improved upon by making the key structural elements a permanently attached part of the structure. 
     At least one of these solutions will soon be required to be met as part of a government standard for playard and bassinet accessory combinations. The problems are covered by addressing the bassinet accessory structural supporting elements in two different standards: Playards and Bassinets/Cradles. The MKSE term is said to include all rods, tubes, bars, and hooks that support the bassinet accessory or that were used in assembling the bassinet accessory. The MKSE term is to include structures that attach the bassinet to the playard, but also is to encompass the mattress support rods and other structures that support the bassinet accessory mattress in order to keep the sleep surface flat and stable. Any issues dealing with misassembled parts of the mattress support rods are to be addressed in the bassinet standard. Thus, both ASTM subcommittees (Playard and Bassinet) agreed that: (1) The playard standard, ASTM F406-13, will address safety issues related to bassinet accessory attachment components (i.e., structures that attach the bassinet accessory to the playard); and (2) the bassinet standard, ASTM F2194-13, will address mattress support rods (and all other structures that keep the bassinet accessory mattress flat and stable) through the segmented mattress flatness test contained in the bassinet standard. 
     Many known existing playard and bassinet accessory combinations will likely not meet the new “Safety Standard for Play Yards.” The Safety Standard incorporates by reference ASTM F406-13, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards.” For a product to be in compliance the ASTM MKSE requirement: 1) when a support element is removed, bassinets or sleeping surfaces must fall to a playard floor or tilt at an angle of greater than 30° from the horizontal; or 2) any structural elements or support structures must be permanently attached to part of the child containment device, such as the mattress or the bassinet accessory, in order to obviously render the device incapable of supporting an infant when one or more pieces of the support structure are missing or not yet assembled. 
     Besides the compliance requirement, other considerations are important to a caregiver when storing or stowing a playard and a bassinet accessory and when assembling and using a playard and a bassinet accessory as a sleeping environment for a baby. Such considerations can be cost, packaging for sale, packaging for consumer storage, ease of use, and safety. Another such consideration can be that the entire combination of the playard and bassinet accessory be foldable as a unit. This can be so without having to remove the bassinet accessory before folding up the playard and while still meeting the MKSE standards and requirements. 
     A user must be able to easily and readily determine and identify when a mattress support structure component is missing or not yet assembled. A product is in compliance with ASTM MKSE requirement when a bassinet or sleeping surface either collapses or tilts at greater than 30° even if just one structural element is removed or not yet connected, or when the structural elements of a product are permanently attached to a bassinet bottom. The disclosed child containment devices address one or more of these compliance requirements. 
     A number of different child containment device examples are disclosed and described herein. Where appropriate, like reference numbers are used to identify like or substantially similar parts among the different embodiments. Different reference numbers are used to identify similar parts among the different examples where the parts have a difference that is substantial or significant in the context of the present disclosure. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  show one example of a child containment device  30  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the child containment device  30  has a playard  32  with a frame assembly that has four corner posts  34 , four top rails  36 , and four corner brackets  38 . The playard  32  also has a floor surface or panel (not shown) and a bottom frame structure (not shown) beneath and/or surrounding the bottom panel. The playard  32  also has a lock and release system (not shown) that can retain the playard in the in-use configuration or condition of  FIG. 1  or permit the playard to be folded up to a compact storage configuration or condition. The playard  32  also has four upstanding side walls  40  formed of fabric or mesh that are supported by the respective top rails  36  and between the corner posts  34 . An open interior is defined above the floor panel and within the side walls. 
     The corner posts  34  and top rails  36  are joined to one another at the corner brackets  38  and the corner posts and the bottom frame structure are joined to one another so that the frame assembly forms a rectangular shaped box-like structure with an open top in an in-use configuration. The structure and function of the playard  32  is known in the art. The configuration and construction of the playard  32  can vary considerably from the examples shown herein while still functioning as intended in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Details of the playard  32  are thus not otherwise described herein except where needed to describe a specific aspect of the disclosed child containment devices. 
     The child containment device  30  also has a bassinet accessory  50  connected to or supported by the playard  32 . The bassinet accessory  50  has a rectangular fabric bed that is sized and shaped to fit within the open interior of the playard and in this example to closely match the shape of the playard. The fabric bed has a bottom panel  52  that is supported in an elevated position above the floor panel of the playard  32  in the in-use configuration of  FIG. 1 . The fabric bed also has four side panels  54  that are connected to the respective perimeter edges  56  of the bottom panel  52 . Each of the side panels  54  has an elongate fabric tunnel  58  provided at and along its upper edge. The fabric bed can be formed as a sewn together fabric structure using methods, techniques, arrangements, and materials that are known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bassinet accessory  50  has a bassinet support structure  60  with a support  61  having a plurality of elongate stiffeners  62  and a plurality of receivers or connectors  64  provided on the playard  32 . The receivers  64  are generally configured for connecting the stiffeners  62  to the playard. In this example, the corner brackets  38  each define two receivers  64  for connecting the support  61  to the playard. Specifically, each receiver  64  in this example is a saddle or U-shaped receptacle formed on one of the corner brackets  38 . Each receiver  64  is upwardly open and can have a shape to require the stiffeners  62  to be snapped or popped into the receivers to assist in retaining the engaged or assembled connection. 
     In this example, each stiffener  62  of the support  61  is a tube structure with three tube segments including a pair of spaced apart side segments  66  and an end segment  68  extending between the side segments, as shown in  FIG. 2 . A free end  70  of each side segment  66  on one of the tube structures is configured to engage and connect to a free end  72  on a corresponding side segment  68  of the other tube structure. In this example, the free ends  70  are swaged or tapered down in diameter to fit within the larger diameter free ends  72 . A locking device, such as a VALCO ball arrangement (not shown) can be used to releasably secure the tube segment free ends  70 ,  72  together when the bassinet accessory  50  is assembled. Other arrangements and mechanisms can be used to releasably secure the side segments  66  together. 
     In this example, the three tube segments  66 ,  68  of each stiffener  62  are tethered together with the end segment positioned between the two side segments as shown in  FIG. 2 . A webbing or strap  74  is fastened to the opposite ends  76  of the side segments  66  and to the ends  78  of the end segment  68 . In one example, the webbing  74  can be secured to each segment using a rivet or other suitable fastener. By tethering the tube segments  66 ,  68  together in series, the support  61  is modified from having six separate tube segments to having only two separate tube structures or components. When assembling the bassinet support structure  60 , the user will be much less likely to forget to install one of the tethered tube segments than they would be to forget to install one of six separate tube segments. 
     In this example, the bassinet support structure  60  is assembled by first installing the tube segments  66 ,  68  in the fabric tunnels  58  on the side panels  54  of the fabric bed. The side segments  66  of each tube structure are slide into the fabric tunnels  58  and then the respective free ends  70 ,  72  are joined and engaged. The bassinet support structure, once installed, leaves the opposite ends  76  of the side segments  66  and the ends  78  of the end segments  68  exposed beyond the fabric tunnels. The exposed ends  76 ,  78  are then inserted into the receivers  64  on the corner brackets, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     The bassinet support structure  60  is configured so that it will be clear to the user if they do not correctly attach one corner of the support  61  to the playard  32 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the playard bottom panel  52  will tilt or drop down to an angle of 30° or greater relative to a level orientation. The level orientation can be a reference orientation where the bottom panel  52  is above and parallel with the floor or the playard floor panel. The webbing  74  can be elastic or can be lengthy enough that, even if the user only misassembles one of the tube segments  66  or  68  at a corner bracket  38 , the bottom panel  52  will still drop sufficiently, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The support  61  can be varied from the example shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, a continuous tether can be run through or be attached to portions of the side segments and can run through the entire end segment  68  to tether the segments together. The tube segments can be rods, bars, stiff straps, flat straps, or other types of substantially stiff structures. The stiffeners should be capable of supporting the bassinet accessory  50  and retaining its shape during use.  FIG. 5  shows another example where a support  61   a  has two tube structures but only four tube segments include two side segments  66   a  and two end segments  68   a . One side segment  66   a  and one end segment  68   a  are joined in series at one corner of the support  61   a  by a webbing  74  or strap. 
       FIGS. 6-8  show another example of a child containment device  80  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the child containment device  80  has a playard  32  that can be identical to or different from the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the child containment device  80  also has a bassinet accessory  82  with a fabric bed having a bottom panel  52 , side panels  54 , and fabric tunnels  58  along the top edges of the side panels. A bassinet support structure  84  in this example has a support with a plurality of separate tube segments including side segments  86  and end segments  88 . The tube segments are inserted in the fabric tunnels  58  leaving exposed ends  76  of the side segments  86  and exposed ends  78  of the end segments  88  beyond the fabric tunnels. The exposed ends  76 ,  78  are connected to the receivers  64  on the corner brackets  38  to assemble the bassinet accessory  82  to the playard  32 . 
     In this example, the support is irremovably or permanently attached to the bassinet accessory  82 . In one example as shown in  FIG. 6 , a rivet  90  or other suitable fastener can be used to attach the fabric tunnel  58  at each end to the respective tube segment  86  or  88 . Thus, at least two rivets  90  are used in this example to irremovably attach the tube segments  86 ,  88  to the fabric tunnel  58 . Each rivet  90  or other fastener can be supported by a protective washer  92  between a head of the rivet and the fabric material to prevent or inhibit tearing of the fabric. In this example, the tube segments  86 ,  88  are not easily removed from the bassinet accessory. The term irremovably attached is intended to mean that the ordinary user of the product will recognize that the tube segments are to remain attached to the fabric bed. Of course the tube segments could be removed by cutting fabric material or destroying or removing the rivets or other suitable fasteners. However, irremovably attached means that the attachment is intended to be permanent for the life of the product without having to use more than ordinary means to forcibly destroy or physically break and part the structure. 
       FIG. 7  shows one alternative example where each tube segment  86 ,  88  is irremovably attached to the fabric tunnels  58  by only one rivet  90  located at the center of each fabric tunnel and tube segment.  FIG. 8  shows another alternative example where each tube segment  86 ,  88  is irremovably attached to the fabric tunnels  58  by only a single rivet  90  located at one end of each tube segment and tunnel. Other arrangements are permissible within the scope of the disclosure. The tube segments  86 ,  88  can also be replaced by other suitable stiffeners, if desired. Also, other mechanisms and devices can be used to create the irremovable or permanent attachment of the stiffeners to the bassinet fabric bed. 
       FIGS. 9-12  show one example of a mattress  100  for a bassinet accessory and/or for a playard. In this example, the mattress  100  has a mattress support structure  102  that is irremovably attached to the mattress. In this example, the mattress  100  can have a mostly conventional construction with four mattress portions or segments  104  connected to one another along fold lines or joints  106  as is known in the art. The mattress  100  has a top side  108  (see  FIG. 12 ) defining a sleeping surface for a child or infant and has an underside  110  that contacts a playard floor panel or a bassinet bottom panel during use. The mattress  100  also has a perimeter with two side edges  112  and two end edges  114 , which define a generally rectangular mattress shape or footprint. The mattress  100  thus has a length in a lengthwise direction along the side edges  112  and a width in a widthwise direction along the end edges  114 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the mattress support structure  102  has two spaced apart stiffeners  116  arranged lengthwise along the underside  110  of the mattress  100 . In this example, each stiffener  116  is a tube with two tube segments  118 . A distal end  120  of each tube segment  118  is irremovably attached to the mattress at or near the respective end edge  114 . A fabric tab  122  is sewn or otherwise attached to the mattress end edge  114  for each of the tube segments  118 . The distal end  120  of each tube segment is fastened to the corresponding tab  122  using a fastener  124  joined to the tube end. The type of fastener used can vary as long as the attachment or connection is irremovable or permanent within the context of this disclosure. 
     A shown in  FIG. 10 , one of the tube segments  118  of each stiffener  116  has a proximal end  126  that is swaged or tapered to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal ends  128  of the other tube segments  118  of the stiffeners. When the mattress support structure  102  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 9 , the smaller swaged ends  126  are received in the larger ends  128  to engage and connect the tube segments  118  of the stiffeners  116 . The stiffeners  116  extend lengthwise along the mattress in this in-use arrangement or assembled condition. When the mattress support structure  102  is disassembled, the tube segments are separated at the proximal ends  126 ,  128  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The proximal ends  126 ,  128  can include a suitable locking mechanism, such as a VALCO ball arrangement, to releasably secure the tube segments  118  together. 
     When the mattress support structure  102  is in the in-use arrangement or assembled condition of  FIG. 9 , the mattress is retained in a flat state. When the mattress support structure  102  is disassembled as in  FIG. 10 , the stiffeners are no longer capable of retaining the mattress in a flat state. The tube segments  118  can however be moved to a stowed position as shown in  FIG. 11 . The fabric tabs  122  in this example should be long enough and flexible enough to permit free rotation of the tube segments from the lengthwise orientation of  FIGS. 9 and 10  to the widthwise stowed orientation of  FIG. 11 . The tabs  122  need not be fabric but should have sufficient flexibility to allow such movement. In the stowed position, the tube segments  118  are oriented in a widthwise direction parallel with the end edges  114  in this example. In other examples, the tube segments may be parallel with the fold joints  106  but spaced inboard from the end edges  114 . 
     The mattress  100  can then be folded up to a rectangular configuration about the fold joints  106 , as is known in the art and as depicted in  FIG. 12 . A typical playard  32  is folded up to a compact storage configuration, which is then wrapped by the mattress  100 . The tube segments  118  in this example have a length when disengaged and stowed that fits entirely within the parameters or package size of the folded mattress  100 . Thus, the stiffeners  116  will not protrude from the folded up playard structure and will take up only minimal space within the folded up product package. VELCRO or other types of straps can be used to hold the tube segments  118  of the stiffeners  116  in the stowed position, if desired. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show another example of a child containment device  130  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the child containment device  130  has a playard  32 , which can be substantially the same as the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1  or different from the playard. The child containment device  130  also has a bassinet accessory  132 , which is substantially similar to the bassinet accessory  50  of the earlier example in  FIGS. 1-4 . The bassinet accessory  132  has a fabric bed with a bottom panel  52 , side panels  54 , and fabric tunnels  58 . The bassinet accessory  132  also has a bassinet support structure  60  that is the same as the earlier described example of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In this example, the bassinet accessory  132  includes a mattress support structure  134  irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed as shown in  FIG. 13 . The mattress support structure  134  has two spaced apart stiffeners  136  arranged lengthwise along the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. In this example, each stiffener  136  is a tube with two tube segments  138 . A distal end  140  of each tube segment  138  is irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  at or near an end edge  142  of the bottom panel. Four fabric tunnels  144  are sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel  144  is aligned with another in a lengthwise direction. The distal end  140  of each tube segment  138  is received in one of the fabric tunnels  144  and is irremovably fastened to the corresponding tunnel using a rivet  146  or other suitable fastener to irremovably attach the tube end  140  to the tunnel  144 . A washer  148  can be used to support the head of the rivet  146  and to prevent or inhibit the rivet from tearing the fabric material of the tunnel  144 . The type of fastener used can vary as long as the attachment or connection is irremovable or permanent within the context of this disclosure. 
     A shown in  FIG. 14 , one of the tube segments  138  of each stiffener  136  has a proximal end  150  that is swaged or tapered to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal ends  152  of the other tube segments of the stiffeners. When the mattress support structure  134  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 13 , the smaller swaged ends  150  are received in the larger ends  152  to engage and connect the tube segments  138  of the stiffeners  136 . When the mattress support structure  134  is disassembled, the tube segments  138  are separated at the proximal ends  150 ,  152  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The proximal ends  150 ,  152  can include a suitable locking mechanism, such as a VALCO ball arrangement, to releasably secure the tube segments  138  together. 
     When the mattress support structure  134  is in the assembled condition of  FIG. 13 , the mattress (not shown) is retained in a flat state. When the mattress support structure  134  is disassembled as in  FIG. 14 , the stiffeners  136  are no longer capable of retaining the mattress in a flat state. The tube segments  138  can however be moved to a stowed position parallel with one another to allow the bassinet accessory  132  to be broken down to a smaller size when detached from the playard  32 . The fabric tunnels  144  in this example will however prevent the tube segments  138  from being twisted or rotated relative to the fabric of the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. The tunnels  144  need not be fabric, but making them from the same material reduces cost and complexity and makes manufacturing of the bassinet accessory  132  easier. 
       FIG. 15  shows another example of a child containment device  160  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the child containment device  160  is similar to the device  130  of  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The child containment device  160  also has a playard  32 , which can be substantially the same as the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1  or different from the playard. The child containment device  160  also has a bassinet accessory  162 , which is substantially similar to the bassinet accessory  50  of the earlier example in  FIGS. 1-4 . The bassinet accessory  162  has a fabric bed with a bottom panel  52 , side panels  54 , and fabric tunnels  58 . The bassinet accessory  162  also has a bassinet support structure  60  that is the same as the earlier described example of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In this example, the bassinet accessory  132  includes a mattress support structure  164  irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed as shown in  FIG. 15 . The mattress support structure  164  has two spaced apart stiffeners  166  arranged lengthwise along the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. In this example, each stiffener  166  is a single continuous tube. A distal end  168  of each stiffener  166  is irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  at or near an end edge  170  of the bottom panel. Four fabric tunnels  172  are sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel  172  is aligned with another in a lengthwise direction. The distal end  168  of each stiffener  166  is captured in one of the fabric tunnels  172  during manufacture and attachment of the tunnels to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel  172  has a closed end  174  adjacent the distal end  168  of the stiffener  166 . Since the stiffeners  166  are one-piece structures in this example, they do not break down. Since the stiffeners cannot exit the closed ends  174  of the fabric tunnels  172 , the stiffeners are captured within and between the respective lengthwise aligned fabric tunnels. This renders the stiffeners  166  as being irremovably attached to the bassinet accessory  132 . 
     The mattress support structure  164  remains in the assembled condition of  FIG. 15  at all times. Thus, when the bassinet accessory  162 , the mattress (not shown) is retained in a flat state. When the bassinet accessory  162  is removed from the playard  32 , the stiffeners  166  can be collapsed closely parallel to one another, but the length of the folded up bassinet accessory will be limited by the length of the stiffeners  166 . 
     The fabric tunnels  172  in this example will again prevent the stiffeners  166  from being twisted or rotated relative to the fabric of the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. The tunnels  172  need not be fabric, but making them from the same material reduces cost and complexity and makes manufacturing of the bassinet accessory  162  easier. 
     In the examples of  FIGS. 13-15 , the bassinet accessory is intended to be removed from the playard in order for the playard to be folded up. The bassinet accessories would then also have to be folded up and stowed separately. The following examples disclose child containment devices where the playard and bassinet accessory can be folded up together as a unit without having to remove or separate the two components. 
       FIGS. 16-19  show another example of a child containment device  180  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The child containment device  180  has a playard  32  that can be identical to or different from the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the child containment device  180  also has a bassinet accessory  182  with a fabric bed having a bottom panel  52  and side panels  54 . A bassinet support structure  184  in this example has a plurality of inverted U-shaped clips  186  sewn to or otherwise attached to the top edges of the side panels  54 . Plastic clips of this type are known in the art. The clips  186  are configured to clip onto and hang from the top rails  36  of the playard  32 , suspending the bassinet accessory over the open interior of the playard. In this example, the bassinet support structure  184  is irremovably or permanently attached to the bassinet accessory  182  by the fact that the clips  186  are sewn or otherwise irremovably attached to the fabric bed material. There are no fabric tunnels in this example on the bassinet accessory for the bassinet support structure. 
     The bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed also has an access hole  188 . A user can reach in through the access hole to access a pull on the floor panel of the playard  32 . When folding up the playard  32  in this example, the bassinet accessory  182  can remain in place attached to the playard. The user can pull up on the floor panel to fold up the entire unit as is known in the art. 
     In this example, the bassinet accessory  182  includes a mattress support structure  190  irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed as shown in  FIG. 16 . The mattress support structure  190  has two spaced apart stiffeners  192  arranged lengthwise along the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. In this example, each stiffener  192  is a tube with two tube segments  194 . A distal end  196  of each tube segment  194  is irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  at or near an end edge  198  of the bottom panel. Four fabric tunnels  200  are sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel  200  is aligned with another in a lengthwise direction. The distal end  196  of each tube segment  194  is received in one of the fabric tunnels  200 . 
     In this example, each tube segment  194  is irremovably fastened to the corresponding tunnel  200  using a rivet  202  or other suitable fastener. The rivet  202  is located spaced from the distal end  196  of each tube segment  194  and instead is closer to the proximal or inward end of each fabric tunnel  200  as shown in  FIG. 16 . A washer  204  can be used to support the head of the rivet  202  and to prevent or inhibit the rivet from tearing the fabric material of the tunnel  200 . The type of fastener used can vary as long as the attachment or connection is irremovable or permanent within the context of this disclosure. In this example, each fabric tunnel  200  has a distal end  205  near the respective end edge  198  of the bottom panel  52 . The distal end  205  of each fabric tunnel  200  is not closed, but open in this example for reasons discussed below. 
     A shown in  FIG. 17 , one of the tube segments  194  of each stiffener  192  has a proximal end  206  that is swaged or tapered to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal ends  208  of the other tube segments of the stiffeners. When the mattress support structure  190  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 16 , the smaller swaged ends  206  are received in the larger ends  208  to engage and connect the tube segments  194  of the stiffeners  192 . When the mattress support structure  190  is disassembled, the tube segments  194  are separated at the proximal ends  206 ,  208  as shown in  FIG. 17 . The proximal ends  206 ,  208  can include a suitable locking mechanism, such as a VALCO ball arrangement, to releasably secure the tube segments  194  together. 
     When the mattress support structure  190  is in the assembled condition of  FIG. 16 , the mattress (not shown) is retained in a flat state. When the mattress support structure  190  is disassembled as in  FIG. 17 , the stiffeners  192  are no longer capable of retaining the mattress in a flat state. The tube segments  194  can also move independently to allow for folding up of the playard. As noted above, the user can release a playard locking mechanism and reach through the access hole  188  to pull up on the floor panel and fold up the playard  32 . In doing so, the floor panel is raised at the center. This in turn will raise the center of the fabric bed bottom panel  52 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . When the bottom panel moves in this manner, the fabric tunnels  200  and tube segments  194  will reorient with the proximal ends  206 ,  208  extending upward and the fabric tunnel open ends  205  facing downward. 
     During folding, the fabric tunnels  200  may bunch up in an upward direction. Because the rivets  202  fix the tube segments  194  to the tunnels  200 , this may cause the tube segments to rise upward. However, the rivets  202  are positioned at the proximal ends of the tunnels, which allow the tunnel fabric to bunch up without immediately pushing the tube segments  194  upward. Also, in order to aid in preventing the proximal ends  206 ,  208  of the tube segments  194  from protruding upward beyond the parameters of the folded up playard  32 , the open ends  205  of the fabric tunnels  200  permit the distal ends  196  to extend below the fabric tunnels through the open ends, as shown in  FIG. 19 . This permits the fabric tunnels to bunch up even further and rise without pushing the tube segments  194  up. 
       FIGS. 20-23  show another example of a child containment device  220  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The child containment device  220  is similar to the device  180  in the previous example. The child containment device  220  again has a playard  32  that can be identical to or different from the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the child containment device  220  also has a bassinet accessory  222  with a fabric bed having a bottom panel  52  and side panels  54 . There again are no fabric tunnels in this example on the bassinet accessory for the bassinet support structure. The bassinet support structure  184  in this example uses the same plurality of clips  186  sewn to or otherwise attached to the top edges of the side panels  54 . The bassinet support structure  184  is again irremovably or permanently attached to the bassinet accessory  222  by the fact that the clips  186  are sewn or otherwise irremovably attached to the fabric bed material. 
     The bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed also has an access hole  188  for the same purpose as described for the previous example. A user can reach in through the access hole to access a pull on the floor panel of the playard  32  to fold up the playard  32  while the bassinet accessory  222  remains in place attached to the playard. 
     In this example, the bassinet accessory  222  includes a mattress support structure  224  irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed as shown in  FIG. 20 . The mattress support structure  224  has two spaced apart stiffeners  226  arranged lengthwise along the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. In this example, each stiffener  226  is a tube with two tube segments  228 . A distal end  230  of each tube segment  228  is irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  at or near an end edge  232  of the bottom panel. Four fabric tunnels  234  are sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel  234  is aligned with another in a lengthwise direction. The distal end  230  of each tube segment  228  is received in one of the fabric tunnels  234 . 
     In this example, each tube segment  228  is irremovably fastened to the corresponding tunnel  234  using a rivet  236  or other suitable fastener. The rivet  236  is located spaced from the distal end  230  of each tube segment  228  and instead is closer to the proximal or inward end of each fabric tunnel  234  as shown in  FIG. 20 . A washer  238  can be used to support the head of the rivet  236  and to prevent or inhibit the rivet from tearing the fabric material of the tunnel  234 . The type of fastener used can vary as long as the attachment or connection is irremovable or permanent within the context of this disclosure. In this example, each fabric tunnel  234  has a distal or closed end  240  near the respective end edge  232  of the bottom panel  52 . The closed end  240  of each fabric tunnel  234  is closed or sewn up. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the distal ends  230  of the tube segments  228  are instead shorter in length than the fabric tunnels  234 , terminating well short of the closed ends  240 . 
     A shown in  FIG. 21 , one of the tube segments  228  of each stiffener  226  has a proximal end  242  that is swaged or tapered to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the proximal ends  244  of the other tube segments of the stiffeners. When the mattress support structure  224  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 20 , the smaller swaged ends  242  are received in the larger ends  244  to engage and connect the tube segments  228  of the stiffeners  226 . When the mattress support structure  224  is disassembled, the tube segments  228  are separated at the proximal ends  242 ,  244  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The proximal ends  242 ,  244  can include a suitable locking mechanism, such as a VALCO ball arrangement, to releasably secure the tube segments  228  together. 
     When the mattress support structure  224  is in the assembled condition of  FIG. 20 , the mattress (not shown) is retained in a flat state. When the mattress support structure  224  is disassembled as in  FIG. 21 , the stiffeners  226  are no longer capable of retaining the mattress in a flat state. The tube segments  228  can also move independently to allow for folding up of the playard. As noted above, the user can release a playard locking mechanism and reach through the access hole  188  to pull up on the floor panel and fold up the playard  32 . In doing so, the floor panel is raised at the center. This in turn will raise the center of the fabric bed bottom panel  52 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . When the bottom panel moves in this manner, the fabric tunnels  234  and tube segments  228  will reorient with the proximal ends  242 ,  244  extending upward and the fabric tunnel closed end  240  facing downward. 
     During folding, the fabric tunnels  234  may bunch up in an upward direction. Because the rivets  236  fix the tube segments  228  to the tunnels  234 , this may cause the tube segments to rise upward. However, the rivets  236  are positioned at the proximal ends of the tunnels  234 , which allow the tunnel fabric to bunch up without immediately pushing the tube segments  228  upward. Also, in order to aid in preventing the proximal ends  242 ,  244  of the tube segments  228  from protruding upward beyond the parameters of the folded up playard  32 , the gap between the closed ends  240  of the fabric tunnels  236  and the shorter distal ends  230  permits the fabric tunnels to bunch up even further (see arrow B) before contacting the ends of the tube segments  228  as shown in  FIG. 23 . This permits the fabric tunnels to bunch up even further and rise without pushing the tube segments  228  up. 
       FIGS. 24-26  show another example of a child containment device  250  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The child containment device  250  is similar to the devices  180  and  220  of the previous examples. The child containment device  250  also has a playard  32  that can be identical to or different from the earlier described playard of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the child containment device  250  also has a bassinet accessory  252  with a fabric bed having a bottom panel  52  and side panels  54 . There again are no fabric tunnels in this example on the bassinet accessory for the bassinet support structure. The same bassinet support structure  184  is used in this example and has the plurality of inverted U-shaped clips  186  sewn to or otherwise attached to the top edges of the side panels  54 . In this example, the bassinet support structure  184  is again irremovably or permanently attached to the bassinet accessory  252  by the fact that the clips  186  are sewn or otherwise irremovably attached to the fabric bed material. 
     The bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed also has an access hole  188  for the same purpose as previously described. A user can reach in through the access hole to access a pull on the floor panel of the playard  32  when folding up the playard  32 . The bassinet accessory  252  can again remain in place attached to the playard when the playard is folded up. 
     In this example, the bassinet accessory  252  includes a mattress support structure  254  irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed as shown in  FIG. 24 . The mattress support structure  254  has two spaced apart stiffeners  256  arranged lengthwise along the bottom panel  52  of the fabric bed. In this example, each stiffener  256  is a tube with three tube segments including two end segments  258  and a shorter central segment  260 . A distal end  262  of each end segment  258  is irremovably attached to the bottom panel  52  at or near an end edge  264  of the bottom panel. Two sets of three fabric tunnels are sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom panel  52 . Each fabric tunnel set is aligned with the other two tunnels of the set in a lengthwise direction as shown in  FIG. 24 . Each set of fabric tunnels includes a central tunnel  266  and two remote tunnels  268 . 
     The distal end  262  of each tube end segment  258  is received in one of the remote fabric tunnels  268 . The central tube segment  260  is received through and protrudes from both ends of the central tunnel  266 . In this example, each tube segment  258 ,  260  is irremovably fastened to the corresponding tunnel  266 ,  268  using a rivet  270  or other suitable fastener. The rivet  270  is located at the center of the central tunnel  268  and central tube segment  260  in this example. The rivet  270  is spaced from the distal end  262  of each end segment  258  and instead is closer to the proximal or inward end of each remote fabric tunnel  268  as shown in  FIG. 24 . A washer  272  can be used to support the head of each rivet  270  and to prevent or inhibit the rivet from tearing the fabric material of the tunnels  266 ,  268 . The type of fastener used can vary as long as the attachment or connection is irremovable or permanent within the context of this disclosure. In this example, each remote fabric tunnel  268  has a distal closed end  274  near the respective end edge  264  of the bottom panel  52 . The closed end  274  of each remote fabric tunnel  268  can be closed in this example for reasons discussed below. 
     A shown in  FIG. 25 , the tube end segment  258  of each stiffener  256  has a proximal end  276  that is swaged or tapered to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the corresponding end  278  of the central tube segment  260  of the stiffeners. When the mattress support structure  254  is assembled as shown in  FIG. 24 , the smaller swaged ends  276  are received in the larger ends  278  to engage and connect the tube segments  258 ,  260  of the stiffeners  256 . When the mattress support structure  254  is disassembled, the tube end segments  258  are each separated from the respective central segments  260  at the corresponding proximal ends  276 ,  278  as shown in  FIG. 25 . The proximal ends  276 ,  278  can include suitable locking mechanisms, such as a VALCO ball arrangement, to releasably secure the tube segments  258 ,  260  together. 
     When the mattress support structure  254  is in the assembled condition of  FIG. 24 , the mattress (not shown) is retained in a flat state. When the mattress support structure  254  is disassembled as in  FIG. 25 , the stiffeners  256  are no longer capable of retaining the mattress in a flat state. The tube segments  258 ,  260  can also move independently to allow for folding up of the playard. As noted above, the user can release a playard locking mechanism and reach through the access hole  188  to pull up on the floor panel and fold up the playard  32 . In doing so, the floor panel is raised at the center. This in turn will raise the center of the fabric bed bottom panel  52 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . When the bottom panel moves in this manner, the central tunnels  266  and central tube segments  260  will stay level or generally horizontal. However, the end tube segments  258  and the remote tunnels  268  will reorient with the proximal ends  276  extending upward and the fabric tunnel closed ends  274  facing downward. 
     During folding, the remote fabric tunnels  268  cannot bunch up. This is in part because the distal ends  262  of the end segments  258  are closely adjacent the closed ends  274  of the remote tunnels  268  and in part because the rivets  270  fix the tube end segments to the tunnels. Thus, as soon as the remote tunnels rise up with the bottom panel  52 , the tube segments  258  will also rise upward. However, the tube end segments  258  are shorter in this example than in the previous two examples. This is because the stiffeners  256  also include the central segment  260 , which is detached from both end segments. Thus, even though the end tube segments  258  might rise upward, the proximal ends  276  will end up lower because of the shorter length of the segments. This again aids in preventing the proximal ends  276  of the tube end segments  258  from protruding upward beyond the parameters of the folded up playard  32 . The shorter central tube segments  260  are narrower than a width of the folded up playard package size and are also horizontally oriented as shown in  FIG. 26 . Thus, the central segments will also not interfere with folding up the playard and will lie within the parameters of the folded up playard. 
     The disclosed child containment structures address the MKSE requirements in different ways. The examples shown and described herein can vary. The disclosed webbing and tunnel to stiffener attachment points can be connected by screws or other suitable means. The webbing of the first example can instead be a cord or other flexible material such as an elastic cord or strap or a wire. The fabric beds are disclosed herein with openings or gaps at the corners brackets. The opening or gap allows a user or caregiver to have visual confirmation that the bassinet support structures are properly in place and assembled. The fabric tunnels on some embodiments may extend further than shown to cover portions of the bassinet support structure. For example, see the phantom fabric tunnel continuations depicted in  FIG. 3 . Other numbers and arrangements of stiffeners, stiffener segments, tubes, or tube segments can be used in many of the disclosed examples. Also, suitable alternatives to the disclosed tubes can be used, as noted above, and can be made from steel, aluminum, other metals, plastic materials, or the like. 
     Other suitable connection devices and methods can be used in many of the examples to irremovably attach the disclosed stiffeners to the child containment device components. For example, stitching, press-on fittings, grommets, fasteners, flexible fingers, or arrowhead style connectors can be used. Webbing, cords, plastic stitched connectors, and the like can be used and these materials can be attached, connected, or fastened to the stiffeners in different ways. The connection points between the support structures and the child containment device components can also be varied from the examples disclosed and described herein. 
     The stiffeners of the mattress support structures can be configured to be attached near a mid-point and then pivot about the mid-point between the in-use position and the stowed position where possible. The stiffener segments can be connected to one another by webbing, elastic straps, cord, or the like in many of the disclosed examples. Such a construction may aid a user in determining the proper arrangement and assembly when setting up the child containment device. The rivets (or other fastener connections) disclosed herein can both irremovably attach components and define a swivel point for repositioning the components. Only one stiffener may be utilized on many of the examples, though most are described herein using two or more stiffeners. 
     The fabric tunnels can include mesh material to allow a user to visually confirm proper connection of stiffener segments. Instead of detachable connections among stiffener segments, hinge connections can be used where possible. These hinge connections can vary but in one example can include a webbing or strap connection among adjacent stiffener segments. The hinge connections can include auto locking flat tabs to improve stiffness and strength and prevent folding or collapse in a particular desired direction, such as downward. Locking can require manual unlocking to fold up the structures. A clasp, lock, or snap button that can seat in place to lock the structural element or support tube can be used. 
     Use of the button hole concept of  FIGS. 16-19  retains the child containment devices&#39; capability to fold up as one unit without affecting the overall folded up or packaged size of the assembly when folded. The button holes and tube segment fasteners can be located or positioned along the length of the tube segments to allow the tube segments to slide through the bassinet end walls during fold to prevent the tube sections from protruding up and out of the folded product. The length of the fabric tunnels can be selected so as to help manage and direct the mattress support tubes during folding. Part cost would be relatively reasonable and have little to no effect on the cost of existing playard assembly designs. In addition, no new tooling would be required and only minimal part cost (button hole plastic rings and tube to fabric tunnel fasteners) would be required. 
     The orientation of the button holes can be varied, depending on which panel, i.e., bottom or end wall, that they are formed on, and can be either parallel or perpendicular to the tube sections. This could affect mattress flatness or performance during folding and/or unfolding. The location of the fixed point between the fabric tunnels and tube sections can be modified to achieve a desired or appropriate amount of slide through the fabric tunnels. The tube segment length can also be adjusted to achieve an optimum amount of tube segment that protrudes from the button holes. This may be important to avoid damage to the bassinet fabric mesh walls during use. The free or distal ends of the tube segments can have a rounded end or end cap to help prevent any such damage during contact between the bassinet wall mesh material and the tube section ends. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 20-23 , the tube to tunnel fasteners can be located and the tube segment length can be designed to allow the tube segments to slide inside the tunnels and prevent the tubes from protruding up and out of the folded product. The fabric tunnel length can also be altered to manage and direct the mattress support tubes during folding. Fabric tunnel sleeves or extensions that extend beyond the end walls of the bassinet can also be used allowing the tube to protrude beyond the end walls during folding. Such extensions can be provided while still having a sewn closed end and allowing the tube sections to still be housed within a portion of a fabric tunnel. 
     The package size of the folded up assembly may not be altered or affected at all using the shorter tube sections of this example. Part cost would be relatively reasonable, requiring only the fasteners to secure or fix the fabric tunnels to the tube segments. No new tooling would be required to fabricate the components in this example. The mattress support structure would be shorter at the distal ends of the tube segments in the set up or in-use arrangement. The length of the tube segments, length of the fabric tunnels, and tunnel to tube fastener location can be selected to achieve a desired fold up function and folded up package size. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 24-26 , packaging of the unit can be manageable so as to not affect carton size. Part cost should be relatively reasonable, although an additional short tube, extra fastener, and minimal additional tunnel material may be required. No additional or new tooling would be required to fabricate the bassinet accessory of this example, other than a process to cut and form the short center tube section. In one alternate execution, one can remove the short fabric tunnel at the center. Instead, the short tube at the center can be attached pivotally to one or both of the end tube using webbing and pop-rivets. This could improve tube management during folding. The short center tube length can be altered, the fabric tunnel length can be altered, the end tube length can be altered, and the tube to tunnel fastener locations can be altered to improve assembly and fold. 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will realize upon reading this disclosure that parts or all of the various examples may be interchanged with features of one or more of the other embodiments. Also, though some are described as being on a mattress bottom and some are described as being on a bassinet bottom panel, many if not all of the embodiments, or features and parts thereof, may be used or modified for use on the other of a mattress bottom or bassinet accessory bottom panel. 
     Although certain playards, child containment devices, bassinet accessories, bassinet support structures, and mattress support structures have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.