Children's play gyms

Abstract

A play gym generally comprising a support bar assembly, a pad or mat, and at least one ancillary toy component. The support bar assembly is formed from a plurality of toy bars. The toy bars can be formed from a natural material such a wood or biopolymers. The toy bars can be pivotally attached at a hub that can include a locking mechanism. The ancillary toy components are configured to releasably attach to the toy bars of the support bar assembly. In example embodiments, the play mat is configured to be releasably coupled to the support bar assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A children's play gym comprising:
 a support bar assembly comprising at least one toy bar;   at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to the at least one toy bar;   wherein the support bar assembly is self supporting with an elevated portion of the support bar assembly supported above a support surface; and   wherein the at least one toy bar comprises a natural material.   
     
     
         2 . The children's play gym of  claim 1 , further comprising a play mat for resting on the support surface at least partially beneath the elevated portion of the support bar assembly, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon. 
     
     
         3 . The children's play gym of  claim 2 , wherein the play mat is releasably attached to the support bar assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The children's play gym of  claim 1 , wherein the natural material comprising the at least one toy bar is wood. 
     
     
         5 . The children's play gym of  claim 4 , wherein the wood is selected from at least one of beach wood, ash wood, plywood, bamboo, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The children's play gym of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one toy bar is formed from a biopolymer. 
     
     
         7 . The children's play gym of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one toy bar comprises a rice-based plastic or a corn-based plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The children's play gym of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one toy component comprises a strip and a tab, wherein the tab is configured to fit though a hole in the at least one toy bar. 
     
     
         9 . A children's play gym comprising:
 a support bar assembly comprising a plurality of toy bars having a first end resting on a support surface and a second end supported above the support surface; wherein in a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and wherein in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned; and   at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to at least one toy bar.   
     
     
         10 . The children's play gym of  claim 9 , further comprising a play mat for resting on a support surface, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The children's play gym of  claim 10 , wherein the first ends of the toy bars are releasably attached to the outer periphery of the play mat. 
     
     
         12 . The children's play gym of  claim 11 , wherein the play mat includes a plurality of attachment devices positioned on the outer periphery of the play mat. 
     
     
         13 . The children's play gym of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of attachment devices are configured to engage a slot on the first end of each toy bar. 
     
     
         14 . The children's play gym of  claim 9 , wherein the second end of a first toy bar is pivotally attached to second end of a second toy bar. 
     
     
         15 . The children's play gym of  claim 14 , wherein a hub pivotally attaches the second ends of the plurality of toy bars. 
     
     
         16 . The children's play gym of  claim 15 , wherein the hub includes a locking mechanism configured to releasably hold the toy bars in a storage position and at least one use position. 
     
     
         17 . The children's play gym of  claim 9 , wherein at least one toy bar is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The children's play gym of  claim 9 , wherein the toy bars comprise continuously curved arcuate panels of wood. 
     
     
         19 . A children's play gym comprising:
 a play mat for resting on a support surface, and defining a play area for receiving a child thereon   a support bar assembly comprising a plurality of toy bars each toy bar having a width, wherein in a use position the support bar assembly is self supporting and wherein in a storage position the widths of the toy bars are aligned; and   at least one toy component configured to releasably attach to at least one of the plurality of toy bars toy bar.   
     
     
         20 . The children's play gym of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one toy component comprises an attachment strip comprising a flexible strip of material, wherein a proximal end of the strip is attached to the toy component and a distal end of the strip includes a tab. 
     
     
         21 . The children's play gym of  claim 20 , wherein the strip further comprises a slot for receiving the tab to create an attachment loop. 
     
     
         22 . The children's play gym of  claim 20 , wherein the tab is configured to fit through a hole in at least one toy bar such that the tab rests on a top surface of the toy bar to support the toy component above the support surface. 
     
     
         23 . The children's play gym of  claim 22 , wherein the tab can rest on the top surface of the at least one toy bar when the support bar assembly is in the storage position.