Segmented toy bar for childrens accessories

Abstract

A segmented toy bar assembly includes multiple toy bar segments connected by couplings that allow for reconfiguration between an expanded configuration defining an expanded length and a compact configuration having a compact length that is substantially less than the expanded length. The toy bar segments may take the form of flexible members having a cross-sectional width at least two times the cross-sectional thickness, to allow the expanded toy bar to flex into an arch for placement over a play mat or other children's accessory. Toys may be suspended from the erected toy bar for play and entertainment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A segmented toy bar assembly for a children's accessory, comprising:
 at least one end toy bar segment having a first end and a second end, and   at least one center toy bar segment having a first end and a second end,   wherein the second end of the at least one end toy bar segment is hingeably connected to the first end of the at least one center toy bar segment, and   wherein at least one of the second end of the at least one end toy bar segment or the first end of the at least one center toy bar segment comprises a male coupling and the other comprises a female coupling, and   wherein the male coupling comprises one or more locking protrusions and the female coupling comprises one or more locking catches for selectively retaining the one or more locking protrusions.   
     
     
         2 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the female coupling comprises retaining flanges defining a channel for receiving at least a portion of the male coupling. 
     
     
         3 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more locking catches are provided on the retaining flanges for selectively retaining the locking protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support foot removably coupled to the at least one end toy bar segment. 
     
     
         5 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one adapter for connecting the at least one support foot to the at least one end toy bar segment. 
     
     
         6 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one adapter comprises a locking pin for engaging a portion of the at least one support foot and a buckle portion for engaging the first end of the at least one end toy bar segment. 
     
     
         7 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the at least one end toy bar segment comprises a deflectable locking tab and buckle portion of the at least one adapter comprises a catch for retaining the locking tab. 
     
     
         8 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one support foot comprises a snap lock pin receiver for receiving and retaining the locking pin of the at least one adapter. 
     
     
         9 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one support foot further comprises a retention clip for securing the at least support foot to the children's accessory. 
     
     
         10 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve over the at least one end toy bar segment and at least one center toy bar segment. 
     
     
         11 . A segmented toy bar assembly, comprising:
 a first toy bar segment;   a second toy bar segment; and   at least one coupling connecting the first toy bar segment to the second toy bar segment, the at least one coupling configured to allow reconfiguration of the segmented toy bar assembly between an expanded configuration wherein the first and second toy bar segments are extended in axial alignment to define an expanded length, and a compact configuration having a compact length substantially less than the expanded length,   wherein the at least one coupling comprises a female coupling portion and a male coupling portion, the female coupling portion comprising a pair of flanges defining a channel for receiving the male coupling portion and at least one catch for selectively retaining a locking pin in the expanded configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one coupling comprises a hinged connection allowing relative pivotal motion between the first and second toy bar segments. 
     
     
         13 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one coupling comprises a hinge axis that is laterally offset from longitudinal axes of the first and second toy bar segments. 
     
     
         14 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second toy bar segments comprise flexible members with a cross-sectional profile having a width and a thickness, and wherein the width is at least two times the thickness. 
     
     
         15 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a padding sleeve and a cover extending over the first and second toy bar segments and the at least one coupling. 
     
     
         16 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling is configured to allow a 180° folding range between the first and second toy bar segments with sufficient spacing between the bar segments to accommodate the padding sleeve and covering. 
     
     
         17 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising support feet at distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a play mat. 
     
     
         19 . The segmented toy bar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a third toy bar segment, and wherein the at least one coupling comprises a first coupling between the first and second toy bars and a second coupling between the second and third toy bars. 
     
     
         20 . A children's accessory for a play mat, comprising:
 a toy bar assembly comprising a plurality of toy bar segments;   at least one coupling rotationally connecting the toy bar segments, the at least one coupling comprising a female coupling portion having a pair of flanges defining a channel and a male coupling portion rotatably secured within the channel;   first and second attachment means affixed at opposing ends of the toy bar assembly for coupling the play yard accessory to the play yard mat; and   a padding sleeve and a cover extending over at least one of the plurality of toy bar segments and the at least one coupling,   wherein each of the toy bar segments comprises a flexible member; and   wherein the at least one coupling allows reconfiguration of the segmented toy bar assembly between an expanded configuration defining an expanded length and a collapsed configuration having a compact length substantially less than the expanded length.