Partially deformable toy support system

Abstract

A partially deformable toy support member comprising a bar having a resilient center section and a pair of deformable end sections. The resilient center section has an initial shape and is configured to return to the initial shape after deflection. The deformable end sections are able to retain shape once reconfigured. The bar includes at least one cushioning cover covering at least one of the center section and the end sections. The bar is configured to have toys supported therefrom and is configured to be connected to an infant supporting element.

1 . A partially deformable toy support member comprising:
 a bar having a resilient center section and a pair of deformable end sections;   the resilient center section having an initial shape and being configured to return to the initial shape after deflection;   the deformable end sections being able to retain shape once reconfigured;   the bar including at least one cushioning cover covering at least one of the center section and the end sections;   wherein the bar is configured to have toys supported therefrom and is configured to be connected to an infant supporting element.   
   
   
       2 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one cushioning cover comprises a center cushioning cover; and   the resilient center section comprises an inner resilient rod, with the inner resilient rod being positioned within the center cushioning cover.   
   
   
       3 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one cushioning cover further comprises cushioning cover end portions;   each deformable end section comprises an inner deformable rod, with the inner deformable rod being positioned within the cushioning cover end portions of each end section.   
   
   
       4 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one cushioning cover comprises cushioning cover end portions; and   each deformable end section comprises an inner deformable rod, with the inner deformable rod being positioned within the cushioning cover end portions of each end section.   
   
   
       5 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 1 , further including:
 connection apparatus connected to each end section of the bar for connecting the bar to the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       6 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the connection apparatus includes a flexible panel having a hook-and-loop type fastener attached thereto, the flexible panel being configured to be wrapped about a support pole of the infant supporting element and connected to itself via the hook-and-loop type fastener to connect the flexible panel, and thereby the bar, to the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       7 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resilient center section includes at least one toy attachment member for connecting a toy to the bar.   
   
   
       8 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the at least one toy attachment member comprises a strap having a hook-and-loop type fastener.   
   
   
       9 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bar includes a sleeve extending over the resilient center section and the deformable end sections.   
   
   
       10 . A partially deformable toy support member comprising:
 a bar having a resilient center section and a pair of deformable end sections;   the resilient center section having an initial shape and being configured to return to the initial shape after deflection, the resilient center section comprising an inner resilient rod and a center cushioning cover surrounding the inner resilient rod;   the deformable end sections being able to retain their shape once reconfigured, the deformable end sections each comprising an inner deformable rod and a cushioning cover end portion surrounding the inner deformable rod;   a connection member connected to each end section of the bar for connecting the bar to an infant supporting element; and   a cover extending over the resilient center section and the deformable end sections;   wherein the resilient center section includes at least one toy attachment member for connecting a toy to the bar.   
   
   
       11 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the connection apparatus includes a flexible panel having a hook-and-loop type fastener attached thereto, the flexible panel being configured to be wrapped about a support pole of the infant supporting element and connected to itself via the hook-and-loop type fastener to connect the flexible panel, and thereby the bar, to the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       12 . The partially deformable toy support member of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one toy attachment member comprises a strap having a hook-and-loop type fastener.   
   
   
       13 . An infant entertainment system comprising:
 a bar having a resilient center section and a pair of deformable end sections, the resilient center section having an initial shape and being configured to return to the initial shape after deflection, the deformable end sections being able to retain their shape once reconfigured, the bar including at least one cushioning cover covering at least one of the center section and the end sections;   a connection member connected to each end section of the bar; and   an infant supporting element;   the bar being removably connected to the infant supporting element by removably attaching the connection members to the infant supporting element;   wherein the bar is configured to have toys supported therefrom above the infant supporting element for entertaining an infant on the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       14 . The infant entertainment system of  claim 13 , further including:
 at least one toy supported from the bar and configured to be located above the infant supporting element for entertaining an infant on the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       15 . A deformable toy support rod for an infant comprising:
 a center bar portion having a first end and a second end and being configured in an initial shape, the center bar portion being configured to return to the initial shape after deflection, the center bar portion comprising a support segment having a resilient portion, with the resilient portion being encased within the support segment, the center bar portion includes at least one coupler, wherein at least one infant toy can be removably attached to the coupler; and   a first deformable end at the first end of the center bar portion, a second deformable end at the second end of the center bar portion, the first deformable end and the second deformable end each comprising a supporting member having a deformable portion, with the deformable portion being encased within the supporting member;   a covering encasing the support segment and the supporting member; and   a first connector portion and a second connector portion, wherein the first connector portion is connected to the first deformable end and the second connector portion is connected to the second deformable end;   wherein the bar is configured to be connected to an infant supporting element by removably connecting the first connector portion and the second connector portion to the infant supporting element.   
   
   
       16 . The deformable toy support rod of  claim 15 , wherein the center bar portion and deformable ends are substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
       17 . The deformable toy support rod of  claim 16 , wherein the support segment and the supporting members comprise foam.