Portable infant playyard

Abstract

A portable infant playyard including cladded legs, a central hub on the lower frame, an integrated electronic device, upper frame hinge mechanisms, and bag hooks.

1 . A juvenile playyard comprising:
 a structural member; and   a cladding member at least partially covering the structural member.   
   
   
       2 . The juvenile playyard of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding member covers substantially all of the structural member visible from the exterior of the playyard. 
   
   
       3 . The juvenile playyard of  claim 1 , wherein the structural member comprises a tubular metal member and the cladding member comprises a molded plastic member. 
   
   
       4 . The juvenile playyard of  claim 3 , wherein the cladding member is removably attached to the structural member. 
   
   
       5 . The juvenile playyard of  claim 3  wherein the cladding member is attached to the structural member by at least one clip integrally molded into the cladding member. 
   
   
       6 . A central hub mechanism for the base of a playyard for children, comprising:
 a central hub;   a diagonal member pivotably connected to the central hub;   a retainer mounted within the central hub, the retainer being rotatable about a vertical axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position and the retainer comprising an extended portion; and   an engaging member slidably extending from within the diagonal member and adapted to releasably couple with the extended portion of the retainer when the retainer is in the engaged position;   wherein the releasable coupling of the engaging member with the extended portion of the retainer in the engaged position prevents pivoting of the diagonal member.   
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , further comprising a torsion spring, the torsion spring rotationally biasing the retainer in a direction causing the retainer to return to the engaged position. 
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 7 , further comprising a handle attached to the upper portion of the retainer. 
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , further comprising a compression spring contained within the diagonal member, the spring biasing the engaging member and causing the engaging member to extend from the diagonal member. 
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , further comprising a frame member, the frame member being rigidly connected to the central hub. 
   
   
       11 . An improved playyard for children comprising:
 a playyard; and   an integrally incorporated electronic device.   
   
   
       12 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device comprises a music box. 
   
   
       13 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device comprises an infant/child monitor. 
   
   
       14 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device comprises a night light. 
   
   
       15 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile. 
   
   
       16 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device comprises a toy. 
   
   
       17 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is integrally incorporated into a storage console, the storage console connecting to a frame of the playyard. 
   
   
       18 . The playyard of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is integrally incorporated into a corner connector, the corner connector attaching to an upper frame member and to a leg member. 
   
   
       19 . A hinge mechanism for a playyard for children, comprising:
 a main body;   a first frame member and a second frame member pivotably connected to the main body, the first and second frame members each having an end portion extending into the main body; and   a first pivot lock and a second pivot lock pivotably mounted within the main body, the first pivot lock having an engagement surface adapted to receive the end portion of the first frame member and the second pivot lock having an engagement surface adapted to receive the end portion of the second frame member;   wherein the first and the second pivot locks rotate about a common axis.   
   
   
       20 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 19 , further comprising a spring arranged to bias the pivot locks such that the engagement surfaces are pushed apart. 
   
   
       21 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 20 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
   
   
       22 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the main body comprises two side plates connected by a intermediate curved portion. 
   
   
       23 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 19 , further comprising a handle, the handle, when actuated by a user, acting upon the first and second pivot locks causing the pivot locks to rotate inward, thereby disengaging the first and second pivot locks from the end portions of their respective frame members. 
   
   
       24 . The hinge mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second pivot locks each include a first appendage and a second appendage, wherein the first appendage of each pivot lock includes the engagement surface and wherein the handle, when actuated, acts upon the second appendages of the first and second pivot locks causing their respective first appendages to rotate inward, thereby releasing their respective frame members. 
   
   
       25 . An improved playyard for children, comprising:
 a playyard; and   an integrally molded hook on the playyard for suspending a bag.   
   
   
       26 . The playyard of  claim 25 , wherein the integrally molded hook is located on a storage console portion of the playyard. 
   
   
       27 . The playyard of  claim 25 , wherein the integrally molded hook is located on a member defining an upper extent of the playyard. 
   
   
       28 . The playyard of  claim 25 , wherein the integrally molded hook is located on a member defining a corner of the playyard. 
   
   
       29 . The playyard of  claim 25 , wherein the integrally molded hook has an outer surface matching the contour of the surrounding portion of the playyard. 
   
   
       30 . The playyard of  claim 29 , wherein the integrally molded hook comprises an inverted U-shaped slot, the slot defining a tab. 
   
   
       31 . The playyard of  claim 26 , wherein the integrally molded hook comprises an inverted U-shaped slot, the slot defining a tab having an outer surface, the outer surface of the tab matching the contour of the surrounding portion of the playyard.