Patent Description:
There are various means of latching the X-typed frame of the conventional playard via the tubular members pivoted and arranged in a crossed pattern. The conventional latching operation of the X-typed frame is complicated and costly due to numerous components, or requires multiple steps for the consumer to fold and unfold the X-typed frame of the playard. Therefore, design of a foldable playard having a simple and easy-to-operate function and a safe and effective operation is an important issue in the related mechanical design industry.

<CIT> discloses a collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.

<CIT> discloses that a playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.

The present invention provides a foldable playard having a simple and easy-to-operate function and a safe and effective operation for solving above drawbacks.

The invention is defined by the independent claim. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

According to the claimed invention, a foldable playard includes a plurality of vertical tubes, a plurality of X-typed frames and a latching mechanism. Each vertical tube includes a bar member, a corner, and a slider. The corner is affixed to top of the bar member. The slider is movably disposed on the bar member. Each of the X-typed frames is rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes via the corner and the slider. The latching mechanism includes a latch body and a locking portion. The latch body includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the first end being disposed on the corner of one vertical tube. The locking portion is disposed on the second end. The locking portion is adapted to engage with and disengage from one X-typed frame, which is rotatably connected to the slider on the said vertical tube in response to motion of the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the latch body is a flexible latch affixed to the corner, engagement and disengagement of the locking portion and the said X-typed frame is actuated by deformation of the flexible latch.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is an arc structure, and a dimension of the arc structure is matched with a diameter of the X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is a hook structure adapted to hold a bottom surface of the said X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the latch body is a rotatable latch pivoted to the corner, engagement and disengagement of the locking portion and the said X-typed frame is actuated by rotation of the rotatable latch.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion is a crook structure adapted to catch the said X-typed frame.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism further includes a releasing portion disposed on the second end and adapted to be applied by an external force for actuating the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the latching mechanism further includes a lead-in portion connected to the locking portion and adapted to slidably contact against the X-typed frame for bending the latch body.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion includes a first locking structure, and the X-typed frame comprises a second locking structure detachably locking with the first locking structure.

According to the claimed invention, the first locking structure is a cavity and the second locking structure is an extrusion, or the first locking structure is the extrusion and the second locking structure is the cavity.

Structural relation between the vertical tube and the X-typed frame in the unfolded mode and the parallel mode are suitable for all embodiments of the foldable playard in the present invention. Arrangement of the latching mechanism of each embodiment can be different from the latching mechanism of other embodiments in accordance with the design demand. In the first embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to utilize the arc structure of the locking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. In the second embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame; however, the locking portion of the latching mechanism can be shaped as the hook structure, rather than the arc structure in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame, and the latch body of the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to engage with and disengage from the locking portion and the X-typed frame, which means the cavity of the locking portion can lock or unlock the extrusion of the X-typed frame.

In the fourth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism can be rotated and utilize the crook structure of the locking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame.

In conclusion, the latching mechanism of the present invention can provide a simple and easy-to-operate function for the foldable playard, and the latching mechanism can provide a safe and effective operation for folding and unfolding the foldable playard.

Please refer to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram of a foldable playard <NUM> in an unfolded mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> are diagrams of a part of the foldable playard <NUM> in different operation modes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The foldable playard <NUM> can be assembled with textile products to form an enclosed space, to provide a protected playground for a child. The foldable playard <NUM> can include a plurality of vertical tubes <NUM>, a plurality of X-typed frames <NUM> and a latching mechanism <NUM>. Each vertical tube <NUM> can include a bar member <NUM>, a corner <NUM> and a slider <NUM>. The corner <NUM> and a slider <NUM> can be parts of the vertical tube <NUM>, or can be represented as elements independent of the vertical tube <NUM>.

The corner <NUM> can be affixed to top of the bar member <NUM>. The slider <NUM> can be movably disposed on the bar member <NUM>. Each X-typed frame <NUM> can include an inner member <NUM> and an outer member <NUM> crossed to each other, and rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes <NUM> via the corner <NUM> and the slider <NUM>. The foldable playard <NUM> can be switched between the unfolded mode and a parallel mode (which means a folded mold). The foldable playard <NUM> in the parallel mode can be shown in following <FIG> As shown in <FIG>, if the slider <NUM> is upward moved close to the corner <NUM>, the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> are set as an X-typed form, and the foldable playard <NUM> can be fixed in the unfolded mode to provide the protected playground. If the slider <NUM> is downward moved relative to the bar member <NUM>, the inner member <NUM> is rotated in a clockwise direction and the outer member <NUM> is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and therefore the bar member <NUM>, the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> can be nearly parallel, so the foldable playard <NUM> can be fixed in the parallel mode.

As shown in <FIG>, the latching mechanism <NUM> can include a latch body <NUM>, a locking portion <NUM>, a releasing portion <NUM> and a lead-in portion <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> can include a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite to each other. The first end <NUM> can be disposed on the corner <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM> via pivoting connection or rigid connection. In a possible situation, the first end <NUM> may be optionally disposed on an upper section of the vertical tube <NUM>, such as top of the bar member <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> can be disposed on the second end <NUM>, and used to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame <NUM> in a detachable manner when the latch body <NUM> is pressed or bent. For example, the latch body <NUM> can be bent in a first direction D1 to disengage the locking portion <NUM> from the X-typed frame <NUM>, such as a locking mode in <FIG> to an unlocking mode in <FIG>; the latch body <NUM> can be pressed in a second direction D2 to engage the locking portion with the X-typed frame <NUM>, such as the unlocking mode in <FIG> to the locking mode in <FIG>. The releasing portion <NUM> can be disposed on the second end <NUM> and adjacent to the locking portion <NUM>, and be pressed by an external force to bend the latch body <NUM> for disengaging the locking portion <NUM> from the X-typed frame <NUM>. The lead-in portion <NUM> can be connected to the locking portion <NUM>, and used to slidably contact against the X-typed frame <NUM> when the X-typed frame <NUM> is upward moved relative to the vertical tube <NUM> via the slider <NUM>, for guiding the latch body <NUM> bent and deformed, so as to lock the latching mechanism <NUM> with the X-typed frame <NUM>.

In the first embodiment shown in <FIG>, the latch body <NUM> can be a flexible latch affixed to the corner <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> can be deformed and bent to actuate engagement and disengagement of the locking portion <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM>. Besides, the locking portion <NUM> can be an arc structure, and a dimension (such as radian measure) of the arc structure can be similar to a diameter (such as the radian measure) of the X-typed frame <NUM>; therefore, the latching mechanism <NUM> can be engaged with the X-typed frame <NUM> in a tight fit manner and still can be easily disengaged from the X-typed frame <NUM> by pressing the releasing portion <NUM> and bending the latch body <NUM>. After the latching mechanism <NUM> is disengaged from the X-typed frame <NUM>, the slider <NUM> can be downward moved relative to the bar member <NUM>, so as to rotate the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> of the X-typed frame <NUM> into the nearly parallel mode, and the foldable playard <NUM> can be folded for easy storage. If the foldable playard <NUM> is prepared to unfold, the slider <NUM> can be upward moved relative to the bar member <NUM>, and the lead-in portion <NUM> can guide the locking portion <NUM> of the latching mechanism <NUM> to lock with the X-typed frame <NUM>, so that motion of the X-typed frame <NUM> relative to the vertical tube <NUM> is constrained, and the foldable playard <NUM> can be fixed in the unfolded mode.

It should be mentioned that the foldable playard <NUM> has no separate top rail that is parallel to the ground when the foldable playard <NUM> is in the unfolded mode. The X-typed frame <NUM> is disposed on an upper section of the vertical tubes <NUM>, and thus the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> can be optionally served as the top rail.

Please refer to <FIG>, <FIG> are diagrams of a part of the foldable playard <NUM> in different operation modes according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the first embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. In this second embodiment, the latching mechanism <NUM> of the second embodiment can include the locking portion <NUM>' shaped as a hook structure, and the hook structure is used to hold a bottom surface of the X-typed frame <NUM>. A taper underneath the hook structure can be set as the releasing portion <NUM> of the latching mechanism <NUM> in the second embodiment, and a lateral surface of the taper adjacent to the X-typed frame <NUM> can be set as the lead-in portion <NUM> of the latching mechanism <NUM>. Operation of folding and unfolding the foldable playard <NUM> in the second embodiment is similar to the foldable playard <NUM> in the first embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer to <FIG>, <FIG> are diagrams of a part of the foldable playard <NUM> in different operation modes according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The latching mechanism <NUM> of the third embodiment does not clip the X-typed frame <NUM> (which means the first embodiment) nor buckle the X-typed frame <NUM> (which means the second embodiment). In this third embodiment, the latching mechanism <NUM> of the third embodiment can include the locking portion <NUM>" having a first locking structure <NUM>, and the X-typed frame <NUM> can include a second locking structure <NUM> accordingly. The first locking structure <NUM> can lock with the second locking structure <NUM> in a detachable manner for constraining a relative movement between the vertical tube <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM>. The first locking structure <NUM> and the second locking structure <NUM> respectively can be a cavity and an extrusion. The extrusion inserts into the cavity to constrain a relative movement between the latching mechanism <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM>. The latching mechanism <NUM> can be pressed and deformed by the external force, to separate the extrusion from the cavity, and then the X-typed frame <NUM> can be moved relative to the vertical tube <NUM> and the latching mechanism <NUM> freely. Structures of the first locking structure <NUM> and the second locking structure <NUM> can be designed according to the design demand; for example, the first locking structure <NUM> and the second locking structure <NUM> can be circular forms, hexagonal forms or oval forms. Operation of folding and unfolding the foldable playard <NUM> in the third embodiment is similar to the foldable playard <NUM> in the foresaid embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG> is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, elements having the same numerals have the similar structures and functions to the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. For example, the lead-in portion <NUM> has an inclined surface capable of slidably abutting against the X-typed frame <NUM> to deform the latch body <NUM>', and the second locking structure <NUM> can be the extrusion for inserting into the first locking structure <NUM> designed as the cavity. In this fourth embodiment, the latching mechanism <NUM> of the fourth embodiment can include the latch body <NUM>' designed as a rotatable latch, and the rotatable latch can be pivoted to the corner <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>; further, the latching mechanism <NUM> may include the locking portion 30A designed as a crook structure. The crook structure may have two parts connected to each other in a bending manner; two opposite lateral surfaces of the member of the X-typed frames <NUM> are clipped by the two parts, and a bottom surface of the member of the X-typed frames <NUM> is held by connection between the two parts. The latch body <NUM>' can be rotated relative to the corner <NUM> in a clockwise direction R1 or in a counterclockwise direction R2, and the locking portion 30A can catch or be separated from the X-typed frame <NUM> accordingly, so as to constrain or allow the relative movement between the vertical tube <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM>. In the fourth embodiment, the latch body <NUM>' is preferably rotated in the clockwise direction R1; however, if there is an adequate gap between the latch body <NUM>' and the vertical tube <NUM> (by changing a shape of the latch body <NUM>' or the corner <NUM> or the slider <NUM>), the latch body <NUM>' can be rotated in the counterclockwise direction R2 for engagement and disengagement. Besides, a fixing component (such as a rivet, a blot or a screw) can be optionally set to connect the latch body <NUM>' and the corner <NUM>, and an interval may exist between the latch body <NUM>' and the corner <NUM> accordingly. Operation of folding and unfolding the foldable playard <NUM> in the fourth embodiment is similar to the foldable playard <NUM> in the foresaid embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

As shown in <FIG>, it should be mentioned that the latching mechanism <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM> in the fourth embodiment may optionally utilize the extrusion and the cavity for engagement and disengagement, such as the third embodiment; however, an actual application for the engagement and the disengagement is not limited to the foresaid means.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram of the foldable playard <NUM>' according to a first example of the related art. <FIG> is an exploded diagram of a part of the foldable playard <NUM>' according to the first example of the related art. <FIG> are lateral views of the part of the foldable playard <NUM>' in different operation modes according to the first example of the related art. <FIG> is a diagram of the foldable playard <NUM>' in the parallel mode according to the first example of the related art. In the first example of the related art, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard <NUM>' can include the plurality of vertical tubes <NUM>, the plurality of X-typed frames <NUM> and the latching mechanism <NUM>'. The latching mechanism <NUM>' can be disposed on a crossed section of the X-typed frame <NUM>. A thickness of the latching mechanism <NUM>' preferably can be similar to an overlapped dimension of the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM>, so that an outward appearance of the foldable playard <NUM>' can be flattened in the unfolded mode and the parallel mode.

As shown in <FIG>, the latching mechanism <NUM>' can include a first housing <NUM>, a second housing <NUM>, a locking gear <NUM> and a resilient component <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> can have a first engaging portion <NUM> and a first locking portion <NUM>. The first engaging portion <NUM> can be a sunken structure formed on an edge of the first housing <NUM> and used to engage with the outer member <NUM>. The first locking portion <NUM> (which is shown in <FIG>) can be a cavity structure formed inside a main body of the first housing <NUM> and used to lock with the locking gear <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> can be rotatably assembled with the first housing <NUM>, and have a second engaging portion <NUM> used to engage with the inner member <NUM>. The second engaging portion <NUM> can be the sunken structure formed on an edge of the second housing <NUM>, which may be similar to the first engaging portion <NUM>.

The locking gear <NUM> can be movably disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The locking gear <NUM> can have a second locking portion <NUM>, and the second locking portion <NUM> can be designed as a protruding structure fitted with the cavity structure of the first locking portion <NUM>. The inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> can be disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the locking gear <NUM>. The inner member <NUM> can be rotated relative to the outer member <NUM> when the second locking portion <NUM> is separated from the first locking portion <NUM> to allow rotation between the first housing <NUM> and the locking gear <NUM>, and the inner member <NUM> cannot be rotated relative to the outer member <NUM> when the second locking portion <NUM> inserts into the first locking portion <NUM>. The resilient component <NUM> can be disposed between the second housing <NUM> and the locking gear <NUM>. The resilient component <NUM> can be a compression spring. A resilient recovering force of the resilient component <NUM> can push the locking gear <NUM> toward the first housing <NUM>, for keeping engagement of the first locking portion <NUM> and the second locking portion <NUM>.

The latching mechanism <NUM>' may have a releasing portion <NUM> movably disposed on the first housing <NUM>, and a protrusion <NUM> of the releasing portion <NUM> can be detachably inserted into a hole <NUM> on the first housing <NUM>. If the releasing portion <NUM> is moved into a concave portion of the first housing <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> can inset into the hole <NUM> to push the second locking portion <NUM> away from the first locking portion <NUM>, and then the locking gear <NUM> can be rotated relative to the first housing <NUM>, so that the inner member <NUM> can be rotated relative to the outer member <NUM>. If an external force applied to the releasing portion <NUM> is removed, the resilient recovering force of the resilient component <NUM> can push the locking gear <NUM> to lock the second locking portion <NUM> with the first locking portion <NUM>, and then the protrusion <NUM> can be removed from the hole <NUM>, so that the releasing portion <NUM> can be departed from the concave portion of the first housing <NUM>.

When the first locking portion <NUM> and the second locking portion <NUM> are unlocked, the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> can be pivoted via assembly of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> can be slid downward for preparing to fold or unfold the foldable playard <NUM>. If the slider <NUM> is slid upward to pivot the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM>, the second housing <NUM> and the locking gear <NUM> can be rotated relative to the first housing <NUM>; if the second locking portion <NUM> aligns with the first locking portion <NUM>, the resilient component <NUM> can push the second locking portion <NUM> of the locking gear <NUM> to lock with the first locking portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>, so as to constrain the relative rotation between the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM>, and the foldable playard <NUM> can be fixed in the unfolded mode.

Please refer to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram of the foldable playard <NUM>" according to a second example of the related art. <FIG> are diagrams of a part of the foldable playard <NUM>" in different operation modes according to the second example of the related art. In the second example of the related art, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard <NUM>" can include the plurality of vertical tubes <NUM>, the plurality of X-typed frames <NUM> and the latching mechanism <NUM>". The latching mechanism <NUM>" can be disposed on connection between the X-typed frame <NUM> and the slider <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the latching mechanism <NUM>" can include a latch body <NUM>, an actuator <NUM> and a resilient component <NUM>. The resilient component <NUM> can be a compression spring. The latch body <NUM> can be movably disposed on the X-typed frame <NUM>, such as inside the member of the X-typed frame <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can be coupled to the latch body <NUM> and slidably disposed on the X-typed frame <NUM>. When the actuator <NUM> is pushed relative to the member of the X-typed frame <NUM> by the external force or a resilient recovering force of the resilient component <NUM>, the latch body <NUM> can be moved simultaneously. The resilient component <NUM> can be disposed between the X-typed frame <NUM> and the latch body <NUM>. The resilient recovering force of the resilient component <NUM> can push the latch body <NUM> to engage with a cavity <NUM> formed on the bar member <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can be moved backward relative to the bar member <NUM> by the external force to disengage the latch body <NUM> from the cavity <NUM> of the bar member <NUM>, and the resilient component <NUM> can be compressed to store the resilient recovering force; meanwhile, the X-typed frame <NUM> can be rotated relative to the vertical tube <NUM> for folding the foldable playard <NUM>".

As shown in <FIG>, the X-typed frame <NUM> can be pivoted to the slider <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM> via a shaft <NUM>, and the latch body <NUM> can have a track <NUM> assembled with the shaft <NUM> in a slidable and rotatable manner. Assembly of the shaft <NUM> and the track <NUM> can allow rotation of the X-typed frame <NUM> and the latching mechanism <NUM>" relative to the slider <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>. Therefore, the latch body <NUM> can protrude from the X-typed frame <NUM> and insert into the cavity <NUM> of the bar member <NUM> for constraining rotation between the vertical tube <NUM> and the X-typed frame <NUM>, and the foldable playard <NUM>" can be fixed in the unfolded mode. If the latch body <NUM> is separated from the cavity <NUM> and disposed inside the member of the X-typed frame <NUM>, the X-typed frame <NUM> can be rotated relative to the vertical tube <NUM> for folding the foldable playard <NUM>".

Please refer to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram of the foldable playard <NUM>" according to a third example of the related art. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of a part of the foldable playard <NUM>" in different operation modes according to the third example of the related art. In the third example of the related art, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard <NUM>" can include the latching mechanism <NUM>" disposed on the connection between the X-typed frame <NUM> and the slider <NUM>. The latching mechanism <NUM>" can include a latch body <NUM>, a locking portion <NUM> and a releasing portion <NUM>.

The latch body <NUM> can be affixed to the X-typed frame <NUM> and rotatably assembled with the slider <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> can be stretched from the latch body <NUM>, and the releasing portion <NUM> can be disposed on a front end of the locking portion <NUM>. Besides, a notch <NUM> can be formed on a bottom surface <NUM> of the slider <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the latch body <NUM> can be rotated in the clockwise direction to engage the locking portion <NUM> with the notch <NUM> of the slider <NUM>, so that the X-typed frame <NUM> cannot be rotated relative to the vertical tube <NUM> for fixing the foldable playard <NUM>" in the unfolded mode. As shown in <FIG>, the releasing portion <NUM> can be pressed by the external force to bend the latch body <NUM>, so the locking portion <NUM> is flexible and can be deformed to disengage from the notch <NUM> of the slider <NUM>, and the X-typed frame <NUM> can be rotated relative to the vertical tube <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction for folding the foldable playard <NUM>".

Please refer to <FIG> is a diagram of the foldable playard 10A according to a fourth example of the related art. <FIG> is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard 10A according to the fourth example of the fourth example of the related art, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard 10A can include the latching mechanism 16A disposed on the slider <NUM> and used to engage with the corner <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>.

The latching mechanism 16A can include a latch body <NUM>, a locking portion <NUM> and a releasing portion <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> can have a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite to each other. The first end <NUM> can be affixed to the slider <NUM> of the vertical tube <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> can be a free end of the latch body <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> can be disposed on the second end <NUM> and used to assemble with a locked portion <NUM> disposed on the corner <NUM>. The releasing portion <NUM> can be disposed on the second end <NUM> and connected to the locking portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the locking portion <NUM> can be designed as a notch and the locked portion <NUM> can be designed as a protrusion engaged with the foresaid notch; however, the locking portion <NUM> may be shaped as the protrusion and the locked portion <NUM> may be shaped as the notch, which depends on design demand.

As shown in <FIG>, when the locking portion <NUM> is locked with the locked portion <NUM>, the slider <NUM> cannot be slid downward, and the inner member <NUM> and the outer member <NUM> cannot be rotated relative to each other, so the foldable playard 10A can be fixed in the unfolded mode. If the releasing portion <NUM> is pressed by the external force to bend and deform the latch body <NUM>, the locking portion <NUM> can be separated from the locked portion <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> can be slid downward, and the inner member <NUM> can be rotated relative to the outer member <NUM> into the nearly parallel mode, so as to fold the foldable playard 10A.

Please refer to <FIG> is a diagram of a part of the foldable playard <NUM> according to a fifth example of the related art. In fifth example of the related art, elements having the same numerals have the same structures and functions as the foresaid embodiments, and a detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. The foldable playard <NUM> can include the plurality of vertical tubes <NUM>, the plurality of X-typed frames <NUM> and a latching mechanism 16B. The latching mechanism 16B can include a latch body 28B, the locking portion <NUM>, the releasing portion <NUM> and the lead-in portion <NUM>. The latch body 28B can include a first end 281B and a second end 282B opposite to each other. The first end 281B can be disposed on the inner member <NUM> of one X-typed frame <NUM>. The locking portion <NUM> can be disposed on the second end 282B, and used to engage with the outer member <NUM> of the X-typed frame <NUM> in a detachable manner. As the external force is applied to the releasing portion <NUM>, the latch body <NUM> can be bent to disengage the locking portion <NUM> from the outer member <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> can be downward slid to fold the foldable playard <NUM>. As the slider <NUM> is slid upward relative to the bar member <NUM>, the lead-in portion <NUM> can push and bend the latch body 28B, so as to align the locking portion <NUM> with the outer member <NUM>; then, the locking portion <NUM> can be pressed to lock with the outer member <NUM>, for fixing the foldable playard <NUM> in the unfolded mode.

Structural relation between the vertical tube and the X-typed frame in the unfolded mode and the parallel mode shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are suitable for all embodiments of the foldable playard in the present invention. Arrangement of the latching mechanism of each embodiment can be different from the latching mechanism of other embodiments in accordance with the design demand. In the first embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to utilize the arc structure of the locking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. In the second embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame; however, the locking portion of the latching mechanism can be shaped as the hook structure, rather than the arc structure in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube for engaging with and disengaging from the X-typed frame, and the latch body of the latching mechanism can be bent and deformed to engage with and disengage from the locking portion and the X-typed frame, which means the cavity of the locking portion can lock or unlock the extrusion of the X-typed frame.

In the fourth embodiment, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the corner of the vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism can be rotated and utilize the crook structure of the locking portion to engage with and disengage from the X-typed frame. In the first example of the related art, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the X-typed frame, to lock and unlock rotation between the inner member and the outer member of the X-typed frame, so as to unfold and fold the foldable playard. In the second example of the related art, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the X-typed frame for engaging with and disengaging from the vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism is slidably disposed inside the X-typed frame.

In the third example of the related art, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the X-typed frame for engaging with and disengaging from the vertical tube, and the latch body of the latching mechanism is rotatably disposed on the X-typed frame. In the fourth example of the related art, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on the slider for engaging with and disengaging from the corner of the vertical tube, so as to constrain or release constraint between the slider and the corner. In the fifth example of the related art, the foldable playard disposes the latching mechanism on one member of the X-typed frame, and the latching mechanism can be engaged with another member of the X-typed frame to constrain rotation of the X-typed frame and the movement of the slider relative to the bar member. In conclusion, the latching mechanism of the present invention can provide a simple and easy-to-operate function for the foldable playard, and the latching mechanism can provide a safe and effective operation for folding and unfolding the foldable playard.

Claim 1:
A foldable playard (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of vertical tubes (<NUM>), each vertical tube comprising:
a bar member (<NUM>);
a corner (<NUM>) affixed to top of the bar member (<NUM>); and
a slider (<NUM>) movably disposed on the bar member (<NUM>);
a plurality of X-typed frames (<NUM>), each of the X-typed frames (<NUM>) being rotatably connected between two adjacent vertical tubes (<NUM>) via the corner (<NUM>) and the slider (<NUM>); and
a latching mechanism (<NUM>), comprising:
a latch body (<NUM>), comprising a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) opposite to each other, the first end (<NUM>) being disposed on the corner (<NUM>) of one vertical tube (<NUM>); and
a locking portion (<NUM>) disposed on the second end (<NUM>), the locking portion (<NUM>) being adapted to engage with and disengage from one X-typed frame (<NUM>), which is rotatably connected to the slider (<NUM>) on the said vertical tube (<NUM>) in response to motion of the latch body (<NUM>).