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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an inflatable containment structure, such as a
play pen.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the past, there have been numerous types of inflatable objects, such as
balloons, simulated furniture, and flotation devices. This invention is of
an infant containment structure such as a play pen or bed. It is composed
of inflatable portions which are interconnected and which include a
mattress portion, an upper ring portion above the mattress portion, and a
plurality of spaced vertical column portions, which may be reinforced, and
wherein the column portions are spanned by open work, such as netting
material, to provide a contained ventilated zone or area for a child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a play pen having an inflatable structure
and accordingly being readily positioned between its operative, inflated
position and its stored position to facilitate traveling thereof when the
structure is deflated. Throughout the subject structure is referred to as
a play pen. However, it is to be emphasized that the structure of the
present invention could in fact serve as a crib or sleeping facility for a
child since the structure lends itself to being transported from one
location to another and may easily be disposed into its operative position
merely by an inflation.
Accordingly, the play pen structure comprises a mattress portion serving as
the base of the structure and a peripherally surrounding containment means
or wall primarily composed of a plurality of vertically oriented spaced
apart support columns. A surrounding ring is secured to the upper portions
of the support columns in spaced but connected relation to the mattress
and extending there above.
The containment means including the support columns is further structured
to allow ventilation to pass therethrough and preferably allow any child
contained therein and supported on the mattress portion of the structure
to visually observe his surroundings through the containment means. This
is accomplished by the providing of a plurality of open netting or mesh
material grid means secured between the spaced apart support columns on
opposite peripheral sides thereof and also secured both to correspondingly
positioned portions of the mattress and the ring portion. Each of the grid
means, due to the aforementioned open mesh or netting-like material, has
apertures defined therein of sufficient size to provide the intended
ventilation and cooling effect to the infant or occupant within the
containment wall while preferably at the same time being sufficient to
allow visual observation of the surroundings. However, such apertures are
not sufficient in size to allow an infant to become tangled or caught in
this netting or open mesh material and is therefore safe for children of
all practical ages who would use such equipment.
As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the various portions or
components of the subject play pen structure may have hollow interior
portions, for the most part, each of which may communicate with one
another so that only a single valve need be installed on the structure. In
such an embodiment, filling of fluid through the single valve will
effectively inflate all the intended components of the play pen structure
since all of the hollow interior passages are disposed in fluid
communication with one another. Alternatively, the various components
including the mattress, support columns, upper surrounding ring, etc. may
be separated, at least to the extent that separate valves are provided to
inflate each of the various components. In either embodiment, inflation
can readily occur through any number of commercially available inflation
devices; or the device may be inflated orally just by applying air
manually to the valve. While air may be the fluid utilized, other fluids
may be used to inflate the structure.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved structure
comprising an inflatable play pen which may be maintained in a clean
condition, and, when not inflated for use, may be collapsed and readily
stored or taken with a person when traveling.
It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved inflatable
play pen made of fluid impervious materials which is composed of various
portions which are interconnected so that through a valve means, fluid may
be introduced into the portions to inflate it into a pen defining
relation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the following detailed description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the play pen structure of the present invention
with certain internal structures represented in phantom lines.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of
the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown and generally designated by the numeral
12 a collapsible and inflatable play pen. It is composed of portions made
of fluid-impervious material, defining the inflatable body. As shown, it
includes interconnected portions, with a valve means 14 for introducing
fluid into it to inflate it. The structure comprises a mattress portion, a
ring portion 22 disposed above the mattress portion, and a plurality of
spaced apart support column portions, each indicated as 26 which we
secured to the mattress and the ring and are disposed to support the ring
above the mattress.
More particularly, the mattress portion 16 is seen to have a top 18, bottom
17 and side surfaces 19. It is adapted to rest on a support surface, such
as a lawn, when outside, or a floor, when inside. In the illustrated
embodiment, the top surface has a central lower zone 18 which is bounded
by a peripheral zone 20. Of course, the central zone is not required to be
lower. The top surface of the peripheral zone 20 is above the central zone
of the mattress which is preferably, but not necessarily, of at least
about six square feet in area. The ring portion 22 has a top surface and
is sized to be vertically disposed above the peripheral zone 20 of the
mattress portion 16 and includes a somewhat lesser transverse dimension
than the size of the mattress.
A plurality of peripherally disposed and spaced apart vertical support
columns, such as 26 interconnects the mattress and the ring. In a
preferred embodiment, the support columns 26 should be generally
cylindrical and be about the same cross-section as the top ring portion to
provide sufficient support. Also, if desired, the support columns may be
tapered somewhat or be of other suitable configuration. Spaces are
provided between the ring portion, the support columns and the mattress
portion. Each of the spaces is covered with a pliable open mesh or
net-like material grid means which completely spans the respective spaces.
In a preferred construction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flap means 40 and
42 extend in confronting relation from the ring and mattress portions
respectively into engagement with the grid means. More specifically, the
flap means are provided with rings or openings 44 thereon as shown in FIG.
2. The open netting or mesh material from which the grid means are formed
may include a strong nylon or like material which may be laced through the
openings or loops in the flaps 40 and 42 to accomplish connection
therebetween.
Similar connection of opposite sides of the grid means may be secured to
the individual support column 26. This means of connection is
representative only and in fact the grid may be integrally molded to the
support columns and/or the mattress portion and ring portion 16 and 22
respectively or a continuation of the support columns.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the components
including the mattress portion 16, the ring portion 22 and the plurality
of support columns 26 may have there hollow interior portion disposed in
direct communication with one another. Accordingly, the interior of the
support columns 26 may serve as air passages such that only a single air
valve 14, used for inflation, need be provided. Air passing in through
valve 14 into the interior of the mattress 16 flows through the "passage
means" of the support columns filling the support columns and then passing
continuously up into the ring 22 for inflation thereof.
Alternately, separate valve means may be utilized for each of the
components wherein such an embodiment, the hollow interior of the various
components as set forth above are not necessarily structured in fluid
communication with one another. Accordingly, a plurality of such valves 14
must be constructed and utilized with each of the various mattress
components, support columns 26 and ring portion 22.
Preferably, the overall height of the body is between 12 and 36 inches, or
if desired, can be less or greater and accordingly the structure may even
be used for older children. However, when older more active children use
the structure, a stabilizer means 35 may be provided about the mattress.
In one embodiment, the stabilizer means includes a hollow member 36 in
engagement with opposite sides 19 of the mattress portion 16. Each hollow
member may include inlet means and a closure means as indicated as 38 and
39 through which water may be introduced. The stabilizer means 35 may be
removable and made of expandable tubular material and fastened to the play
pen for ease of filling and emptying of the same. In other words, the
stabilizer means can be filled separately and attached. The weight of the
water on opposite sides of the mattress portion 16 will reduce the
possibility of tipping the structure.
The inflatable play pen body may be of any suitable fluid impervious
material, such as fluid impervious vinyl, or other molded plastic mesh or
nylon netting.
While the preferred embodiment is generally round, other configurations are
also possible and practical. Such other configurations may include the
structure being elliptical, square or rectangular. If round, the preferred
outside diameter is between 3 ft. and 6 ft. and if rectangular, the
shorter length is at least 2 ft. and the longer length is about 6 ft.; and
of a height between 12 and 36 inches. However, all measurements can be
substantially longer or smaller. The open work spanning through portions
and defining the sides, a portion of the side containment wall of the play
pen may be netting or a nylon mesh molded into the support column
portions. In either event, the openings of the grid means are sufficient
to provide ventilation and visual observation, while reducing the
possibility of the child becoming tangled in the open grid material.
Another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 includes the
columns as at 26' and as shown in partial sectional view has an outer wall
30' and an inner wall 32' and which are filled with fluid 34'. The
embodiment may carry an exterior or interior pocket defining structure
including a wall 38' and 40' with a pocket space 42' therebetween in
which a rigidifying member 45, such as a panel, may be inserted to provide
additional reinforcement for the columns.
The body may be inflated either orally, or using a hand pump, a foot pump
or any applicable structure. Additionally, there may be an automatic
inflation device provided, such as a pressure fluid canister with means to
connect it to the air intake valve. The play pen structure may be in
various and assorted colors and patterns, or clear material, if desired.
Finally, stabilizers may be provided to insure a desired upright
orientation and will be of similar materials, such as vinyl or rubber.
It is thus seen, that there has been provided an inflatable play pen which
can be collapsed for storage or packed for travel and can be constructed
in different sizes and shapes for either infants or toddlers and which is
easy to clean and maintain in a clean condition which is safe, soft, and
contains a child while sleeping or playing.
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