IP Library Granted Patent US 9,027,180
Granted Patent B2
US 9,027,180 · App. 13/947,864 · Granted May 12, 2015

Play yards and methods of operating the same

Inventor: Damon Oliver Casati Troutman (Lake Forest, IL)
Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
A47D13/061A47D13/063A47D13/066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,027,180
App. No.
13/947,864
Granted
May 12, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Play yards and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a collapsible upper frame, a collapsible lower frame, and posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame. The posts include respective tracks. The example also includes a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts. The enclosure has a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume. The enclosure also has a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the tracks to secure the enclosure to the posts.

Claims (29)

1. A play yard comprising:

a collapsible upper frame;

a collapsible lower frame;

posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame, the posts including respective channels; and

a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts, the enclosure having a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume, the enclosure having a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the channels to secure the enclosure to the posts.

2. A play yard as defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the posts includes a substantially exposed, outward facing surface.

3. A play yard as defined in claim 1 , wherein the enclosure includes first sleeves dimensioned to receive the upper frame and second sleeves dimensioned to receive the lower frame.

4. A play yard as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of each of the posts is curved.

5. A play yard as defined in claim 4 , wherein the channels follow curvatures of the posts.

6. A play yard as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first one of the sides and a second one of the sides extend from one of the channels in one of the posts, the first one of the sides extending in a first direction and the second one of the sides extending in a second direction different than the first direction.

7. A play yard comprising:

a frame movable between an erected position and a collapsed position, the frame including an upper frame and a lower frame;

a post positioned between the upper frame and the lower frame, the post having an inner portion including a channel; and

a flexible enclosure having a first side, a second side and a bottom side, a corner bead threaded into the channel to couple the enclosure to the post.

8. A play yard as defined in claim 7 , wherein the enclosure extends along the post between the upper frame and the lower frame.

9. A play yard as defined in claim 7 , the post comprising a wall that defines an interior cavity and the channel separate from the interior cavity.

10. A play yard as defined in claim 7 , wherein the first side and the second side extend from the channel, the first side extending in a first direction and the second side extending in a second direction different than the first direction.

11. A play yard comprising:

a collapsible upper frame;

a collapsible lower frame;

posts to support the upper frame above the lower frame, the posts defining respective channels; and

a foldable, frameless enclosure operatively coupled to the upper frame, the lower frame and the posts, the enclosure having a plurality of sides and a bottom to define an enclosure volume, the enclosure having a plurality of corner beads dimensioned for receipt in a respective one of the channels to secure the enclosure to the posts.

12. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , wherein the channels are integrally formed within respective ones of the posts.

13. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , wherein a first one of the sides and a second one of the sides extend from one of the channels, the first one of the sides extending in a first direction and the second one of the sides extending in a second direction different than the first direction.

14. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of each of the posts is curved.

15. A play yard as defined in claim 14 , wherein the channels follow respective curvatures of the posts.

16. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , wherein each of the posts includes a substantially exposed, outward facing surface.

17. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , each of the posts comprising a wall that defines an interior cavity and one of the channels separate from the interior cavity.

18. A play yard as defined in claim 11 , wherein the enclosure includes first sleeves dimensioned to receive the upper frame and second sleeves dimensioned to receive the lower frame.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2014
From: TROUTMAN, DAMON OLIVER CASATI
To: KOLCRAFT ENTERPRISES
Reel/Frame 031903/0933 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12494932 · Jun 30, 2009
Continuation 11063811 · Feb 23, 2005
Related Publication 20130298326A1 · Nov 14, 2013