Convertible TeePee Gym and Play Mat

Abstract

A play apparatus, especially for an infant or toddler is provided that comprises a base member and a support assembly. The base member includes a floor portion and at least one wall portion. The support assembly is supported by the floor portion and comprises at least three elongated members. The support assembly defines an enclosable space, such as a pyramid. The play apparatus may be configured in an open condition or a closed condition. In the open condition, the floor portion and the wall portion of the base member are laid flat on the ground, such that an infant may be placed on the mat in a position to play or nap. The apparatus may be converted from the open condition to the closed condition by raising a distal end of the wall portion such that edge portions of the wall portion are brought into contact with two of the elongated members of the support assembly. When in the closed position, the infant or toddler may be afforded more privacy than when the play apparatus is in the open condition. In the closed position, the play apparatus may serve the purpose of a small tent.

1 . A play apparatus comprising:
 a base member, the base member comprising a cushioned mat, the cushioned mat comprising a floor portion and a wall portion; and   a support assembly supported by the floor portion, the support assembly comprising at least three elongated members, each elongated member including a base end and a top end, the base end of each elongated member engaged with a peripheral portion of the floor portion, the top ends of the elongated members operatively connected to one another;   the play apparatus having an open condition and a closed condition,   the wall portion of the base ember adapted to engage and secure with at least one of the elongated members when the play apparatus is in the closed condition, the wall portion of the base member being substantially co-planar with the floor portion when the play apparatus is in the open condition.   
     
     
         2 . The play apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the floor member and the wall member are connected by a hinge portion. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The play apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an open screen member spanning a space between at least two of the elongated members. 
     
     
         5 . The play apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a second wall portion. 
     
     
         6 . The play apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second wall portion defines at least two edge portions, each edge portion adapted to engage one of the elongated members when the play apparatus is in the closed condition, the second wall portion of the base member being substantially co-planar with the floor portion when the play apparatus is in the open condition. 
     
     
         7 . A play apparatus comprising:
 a base member and a support assembly;   the base member comprising a floor portion and at least one wall portion, each of the floor portion and the at least one wall portion adapted to be suitable as a play mat;   the support assembly comprising at least three elongated support members, each elongated member defining a base end and a top end, the base end of each of the elongated support member supported by the floor portion, the top ends of the elongated members operatively secured with one another;   the at least one wall portion movable between an open condition, wherein the at least one wall portion is substantially co-planar with the floor portion, and a closed condition, wherein the at least one wall portion engages at least one of the support members.   
     
     
         8 . The play apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the floor member and the wall member are connected by a hinge portion. 
     
     
         9 . The play apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the top ends of the elongated members are secured to one another by a tie. 
     
     
         10 . The play apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein a stimulus is suspended from a upper portion of the support assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The play apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising an open screen member spanning a space between at least two of the elongated members. 
     
     
         12 . The play apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the base member comprises a second wall portion. 
     
     
         13 . The play apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second wall portion is movable between the open condition, wherein the second wall portion is substantially co-planar with the floor portion, and the closed condition, wherein the second portion engages at least one of the support members. 
     
     
         14 . A play apparatus adapted to be convertible between an open condition and a closed condition, the play apparatus comprising:
 a base member and a support assembly;   the base member comprising a floor portion and at least one wall portion each of the floor portion and the at least one wall portion adapted to be suitable as a play mat;   the support assembly comprising three or more elongated members, each of the elongated members having a top end wherein the top ends of the elongated members are secured with one another, each of the elongated members further having a base end wherein the base ends of the elongated members are supported by the floor portion;   the support assembly further comprising an attachment portion, the attachment portion securable with a portion of the at least one wall portion;   when in the open condition, the at least one wall portion is positioned substantially co-planar with the floor portion;   when in the closed condition, the at least one wall portion engages at least one of the elongated members and is positioned substantially vertically to the floor portion.   
     
     
         15 . The play apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the floor member and the at least one wall member are connected by a hinge portion. 
     
     
         16 . The play apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a stimulus is suspended from a upper portion of the support assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The play apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising an open screen member spanning a space between at least two of the elongated members. 
     
     
         18 . The play apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the base member comprises a second wall portion. 
     
     
         19 . The play apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second wall portion is movable between the open condition, wherein the second wall portion is substantially co-planar with the floor portion, and the closed condition, wherein the second portion engages at least one of the support members. 
     
     
         20 . The play apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a stimulus is suspended from an upper portion of the support assembly.