Play Yard Liner Retention for Easy Removal and Washing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing play yards often have non-removable or difficult-to-clean fabric enclosures that are not durable and can be easily damaged, making them challenging to secure and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A play yard design featuring a collapsible frame with movable retention members that allow for easy attachment and detachment of a removable, washable liner, which includes sleeves that slide over the retention members to define a bounded area, enabling secure and removable sidewalls and floor panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the fabric enclosure is made non-removable to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for cleaning and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric enclosure is divided into separate removable panels that can be detached from the frame. Each panel is secured by sliding over retention members and can be easily removed for cleaning while maintaining structural simplicity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If vertical posts are used to secure the fabric enclosure to the frame, then the ease of operation for assembly is improved, but the reliability and durability deteriorate due to damage and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidenclosure durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting rigid posts into the frame, the solution inverts the approach by having flexible fabric sleeves slide over rigid retention members. This protects the fabric from damage while maintaining easy assembly, as the fabric is not subjected to insertion forces that would cause tearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric enclosure uses flexible sleeves that slide over retention members rather than rigid connections. This flexible connection method prevents fabric damage during assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure attachment, improving both durability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If the fabric material is designed to collapse with the frame for portability, then the productivity for storage is improved, but the ease of operation for cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is segmented into removable panels that can be detached from the collapsible frame. When storage is needed, the frame collapses for compact storage, and the fabric panels can be separately removed for cleaning, allowing both efficient storage and easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9149128B2Play yard with removable liner

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 KIDS2 LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a play yard configured for providing an enclosed space for a child. According to various embodiments, the play yard comprises a rigid support frame and removable, flexible liner. The frame includes one or more moveable retention members configured to engage the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By permitting the liner to be secured to the frame via the retention members, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing.