Patent Publication Number: US-11654319-B1

Title: Transportable playpen toy combination

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C SECTION 119(E) &amp; 37 C.F.R. SECTION 1.78 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Transportable Playpen Toy Combination, Application No. 62/978,763 filed Feb. 19, 2020, in the name of Tasha Coar, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to children&#39;s apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a combined children&#39;s playpen and toy wherein the present invention provide an apparatus that is operable to provide a retention area for a small child as well as provide a structure to engage in play. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As is known in the art, small children typically require a significant amount of supervision and interaction. Young children cannot be left unattended for safety reasons and most young children have high activity levels. A common item that is known in the art for maintaining a safe environment for a small child is a playpen. Playpens are typically foldable so as to be easily transported and rapidly deployed. A conventional playpen is square in shape and includes a bottom having four walls defining the perimeter edge and operable to maintain a child within the interior volume thereof. The walls of a conventional playpen are typically a mesh type of material with the bottom being a softer material. These conventional playpens are static apparatus ensuing the setup thereof and provide a safe environment for a small children to play. 
     While conventional playpens provide a safe enclosed environment for small children, they do not provide any objects integrated therewith to facilitate interaction with a child. When placed in a playpen, most caretakers will place a toy within the playpen for the child to engage while disposed in the playpen. If a child does not have a toy placed within the playpen, there are no features of a conventional playpen configured to provide engagement for the child. Additionally, conventional playpens are typically utilized to provide a restricted area to retain small children when in settings that may or may not be child proofed. As young children typically require active engagement, these conventional playpens are deficient in providing any elements other than an area to place a child therein for safety or other reasons. 
     It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide an apparatus that provides various elements in a combined apparatus wherein the apparatus of the present invention functions as a playpen but also provides numerous elements for a child to engage and play therewith. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the present invention includes a body having a bottom and walls defining an interior volume. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein the body of the present invention can be configured as a playpen in a first mode. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the present invention can be configured as a trampoline in a second mode. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein the body of the present invention can be configured as a merry go-round in a third mode. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the bottom of the body of the present invention includes a padded cushion that is removable. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein a trampoline spring surface is underneath the padded cushion. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the padded cushion is releasably secured with a zipper or similar fastener. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein the interior volume further includes safety padding for use during the second mode wherein a child disposed therein is utilizing the trampoline surface. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the body member is supported by adjustable legs. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein the present invention further includes at least one rope for climbing thereon. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein in a preferred size the body is eight feet in diameter and up to six feet in height. 
     An alternative objective of the present invention is to provide a transportable apparatus for a child that functions as a retention area and is further configurable to be engaged as a toy wherein the net walls of the present invention include engagement elements such as but not limited to shapes and numbers. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for a young child wherein the apparatus functions to combine the functionality of a playpen while additionally provide elements to engage and entertain a child wherein the body is anchor with portable weights to ensure stability thereof during use. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the present invention with the first bottom surface removed; and 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  includes a body  10 . The body  10  includes a frame  15  wherein the frame  15  includes a top support member  16 , a bottom support member  17  and a plurality of leg members  18 . The aforementioned elements of the frame  15  are configured to define an interior volume  19  wherein the interior volume  19  has an opening  20  distal to the bottom member  17 . The frame  15  further includes a wall  14  wherein the wall  14  inhibits egression of a child disposed in the interior volume  19 . In a preferred embodiment, the wall  14  extends intermediate the top support member  16  and bottom support member  17  and is manufactured from a material such as but not limited to nylon mesh. While the wall  14  is manufactured from nylon mesh in a preferred embodiment, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the wall  14  could be manufactured from alternate materials. 
     The top support member  16  and bottom support member  17  are annular in shape and are manufactured from a suitable lightweight, rigid material such as but not limited to metal or plastic. The bottom support member  17  and top support member  16  are operably coupled with the plurality of legs  18 . While the top support member  16  and bottom support member  17  are annular in shape in the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the top support member  16  and bottom support member  17  could be formed in alternate shapes such as but not limited to square. While no particular size of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  is required, good results have been achieved having a frame  15  that is approximately eight feet in diameter. 
     The leg members  18  are circumferentially disposed on the frame  15  and are comprised of a first portion  26  and second portion  27 . The second portion  27  is slidably coupled with the first portion  26  so as to facilitate the ability to adjust the overall height of the frame  15  and further provide assistance in reducing the size of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  so as to be suitable for transportation. The second portion  27  is movably coupled to the first portion  26  utilizing conventional techniques such as but not limited to spring pins and it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first portion  26  and second portion could be movably coupled utilizing various suitable techniques. The first portion  26  and second portion  27  are operable to change the height of the wall  14  during alternate modes of use. During the second mode of use wherein the first bottom  30  is removed, it is desirable to have the height of the wall greater. While in a preferred embodiment the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  has four leg members  18 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  could have more or less than four leg members  18 . The leg members  18  are secured to the top support member  16  and bottom support member  17  utilizing suitable techniques that can either be permanent or releasable. 
     The portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  includes a first bottom  30  that is present proximate the bottom support member  17 . The first bottom  30  includes a first segment  31  and a second segment  32  that are foldably coupled at seam  33 . The first bottom  30  is a firm surface having a cushion that is capable of supporting at least one child superposed thereon and is utilized in the first mode of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  wherein at least one child can be disposed within the interior volume  19  and contained by the wall  14 . The first bottom  30  is releasably disposed within the interior volume  19  so as to be removed to provide access to the second bottom  40 . The second bottom  40  is underneath the first bottom  30  and is exposed for use ensuing removal of the first bottom  30 . The second bottom  40  is manufactured from a woven polypropylene material and is spring mounted (not particularly illustrated herein) to the bottom support member  17 . The second bottom  40  provides a second mode of functional use for the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  wherein a child disposed on the second bottom  40  can jump on the second bottom  40  wherein the second bottom  40  provides a rebounding force so as to behave like a trampoline. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first bottom  30  and second bottom  40  are releasably secured utilizing a fastener such as but not limited to a zipper. 
     Secured to the wall  14  are a plurality of indicia and shape members  50 . The indicia and shape members  50  are secured to the wall utilizing suitable techniques and it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  could have a various quantities of indicia and shape members  50 . The frame  15  further includes stabilization weights  60  that are operably coupled to the leg members  18  utilizing suitable fasteners. The stabilization weights  60  are secured to second portion  27  of leg members  18  and are releasably secured utilizing suitable fasteners and/or techniques. The stabilization weights  60  are deployed during use of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  when the child is using the second bottom  40  and can further be deployed during utilization of the first bottom  30 . 
     The portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  further includes engagement member  70 . Engagement member  70  is movably coupled to the top support member  16  so as to traverse therearound. The engagement member  70  includes vertical support member  71  and horizontal support member  72 . The vertical support member  71  and horizontal support member  72  are operably coupled utilizing suitable durable techniques. The vertical support member  71  and horizontal support member  72  are manufactured from a suitable lightweight, rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum. Secured to the horizontal support member  72  distal to the vertical support member  71  is rope member  73 . Rope member  73  is manufactured from a cotton or nylon rope braid and is configured to extend downward into the interior volume  19  past the opening  20  so as to be reachable by a child disposed within the interior volume  19 . In use, a child can engage the rope member  73  and traverse in a circular pattern while maintaining engagement therewith as the engagement member  70  is movably coupled to the top support member  16  and will circumferentially traverse around the frame  15 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the engagement member  70  can be removed from the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  in order during movement of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3    herein the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  includes a rotational base  85  that is operable to provide a third mode of utilization thereof. The rotational base  85  is operably coupled to the frame  15  utilizing suitable support members (not particularly illustrated herein) and is configured to facilitate the rotational movement of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100 . During this mode of use the stabilization weights  60  are removed from the leg members  18  and retracted upward so as to disengage the support surface on which the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100  is superposed. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the rotational base  85  could be manual or include a motorized apparatus disposed therein that facilitates the rotational movement of the portable playpen and toy apparatus  100 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the claims.