Method, system, and devices for opening a folding play yard

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods, systems, and devices to facilitate opening a closed, folding play yard. The present invention also is directed to a folding play yard hub locking mechanism and a folding play yard lower corner locking mechanism. The present invention also is directed to play yards incorporating these systems, methods, or devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device to facilitate opening a closed, folding play yard comprising:
 an opening mechanism configured to attach to a corner post of the folding play yard, wherein a user can pull on the opening mechanism to move the corner post.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a handle, a strap, a loop, and a combination of a strap and a loop. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , also comprising:
 an opening mechanism attachment device that is configured to securely connect the opening mechanism to the corner post.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , also comprising a strap tab connected to a loose end of the opening mechanism that is a strap. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is configured to be located within a recess in the corner post. 
     
     
         6 . A method of opening a closed, folding play yard having a plurality of corner posts and a central hub, comprising:
 first moving two opposing corner posts away from one another and away from the central hub; and   then pushing down on the central hub to move all of the corner posts to their open, or nearly open, positions.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the two opposing corner posts each have an opening mechanism attached to it to facilitate a user pulling the corner posts apart. 
     
     
         8 . A system for opening a folding play yard having a plurality of corner posts and a central hub, comprising:
 an attachment device configured for secure attachment to one of the corner posts; and   an opening mechanism configured for secure attachment to the attachment device.   
     
     
         9 . An easy-to-open folding play yard, comprising:
 a structural frame comprising:
 a plurality of corner posts; 
 a central hub; and 
 a plurality of struts, each strut connecting one corner post to the central hub; and 
   at least two opening mechanisms, each opening mechanism secured to one of two opposing corner posts.   
     
     
         10 . The play yard of  claim 9 , wherein each opening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a handle, a strap, a loop, and a combination of a strap and a loop. 
     
     
         11 . The play yard of  claim 9 , also comprising:
 at least one opening mechanism attachment device that is configured to securely connect one opening mechanism to one corner post.   
     
     
         12 . A foldable structure comprising:
 a structural frame comprising
 a central hub; 
 at plurality of corner posts; 
 at plurality of struts, each strut connecting a corresponding corner posts to the hub; and 
   at least one lower corner locking system provided near the connection of one of the corner posts and a corresponding strut, and
 wherein the lower corner locking system prevents the strut from moving from a closed position to an open position. 
   
     
     
         13 . The foldable structure of  claim 12 , wherein the lower corner locking system comprises a locking structure that engages the strut to prevent the strut from moving. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable structure of  claim 13 , wherein the lower corner locking system also comprises a locking strap having two ends, which connects to the locking structure at one end and at its other end can be pulled upon by a user to release the locking structure. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable structure of  claim 14 , also comprising:
 a lower corner locking spring connected to the locking structure;   a lower corner release lever; and   a locking pivot, wherein when the user pulls on the lower corner locking strap, the strap pulls on the release lever, which pulls up on the locking structure to release the strut.   
     
     
         16 . The foldable structure of  claim 14 , wherein the corner post has a top and a bottom and wherein the lower corner locking strap has an upper end that extends out near the corner post top and a lower end that connects to the release lever, such that a user pulls on the lower corner locking strap upper end to release the strut and to move the corner post. 
     
     
         17 . A foldable structure comprising:
 a structural frame comprising
 a central hub; 
 a plurality of corner posts; 
 a plurality of struts, each strut having two ends, wherein one strut end is pivotally connected to the hub via hub cam slot and a hub cam roller that moves within the hub cam slot, and wherein the second strut end is pivotally connected to a corresponding corner post; and 
   at least one hub locking system that prevents the hub cam roller from moving in the hub cam slot when engaged.   
     
     
         18 . The foldable structure of  claim 17 , wherein the hub locking system also comprises:
 a locking mechanism; and   a hub lock release lever configured to engage with the locking mechanism and prevent the hub cam roller from moving within the hub cam slot.   
     
     
         19 . The foldable structure of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a hub pull;   a hub release structure connected to the hub pull;   a release link connected to the hub release structure,   a hub release lever connected to the release link; and   a hub lock spring;   whereby, when the hub pull is pulled upward, the hub pull pulls up on the hub release structure which, in turn, pulls up on the release link and rotates the connected hub release lever to push the locking mechanism against and depress the hub lock spring, and, thereby enable the cam roller to move.