Reconfigurable Infant Play Yard With Snap-Lock Sleeper Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infant support structures, such as play yards and sleepers, require multiple devices that occupy significant space and are difficult to reconfigure, posing a financial burden and safety hazard due to complex assembly and potential misassembly.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable infant play yard with a frame that includes rotatable legs and a sleeper insert with a resilient strap for secure attachment, allowing easy conversion between a play yard and sleeper configurations, and simplifying storage and travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple infant support structures are purchased to serve different purposes, then functional versatility is improved, but space consumption and financial burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The play yard frame is designed to support multiple infant support structures including play yards, sleepers, bouncers, and changing tables through removable attachments, allowing one base structure to serve multiple functions that previously required separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple infant support structures are combined into a single integrated system where different functional components can be attached to and removed from the common frame, reducing the total number of separate structures needed in the home
2Adaptability or versatility
If infant support structures are designed with multiple components for reconfiguration, then adaptability is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infant support structure is divided into a permanent frame component and removable functional attachments, allowing the structure to be reconfigured by simply detaching and reattaching pre-assembled modules rather than assembling multiple small parts
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient strap attachment mechanism is designed to automatically secure the functional component to the frame through elastic tension and snap-fit connections, reducing the need for manual fastening operations and minimizing assembly errors
3Strength
If infant support structures use complex attachment mechanisms, then secure fastening is improved, but assembly ease and safety are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient strap automatically tightens and secures the functional component to the frame through elastic tension, and the snap-fit connections automatically engage to lock the attachment in place, providing secure fastening without requiring complex manual fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical fastening systems with multiple bolts, screws, or clips are replaced with a resilient strap system that uses elastic tension and snap-fit connections, simplifying the attachment mechanism while maintaining security
4Stability of the object's composition
If infant support structures are designed for stability, then structural integrity is improved, but portability and travel ease are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into a stable permanent frame and removable functional components, allowing the heavy frame to remain stationary while lightweight attachments can be easily moved and transported for travel
Solution Approach 2:
The functional components are designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the frame, transitioning between a stable configured state for use and a compact disassembled state for travel, allowing the structure to adapt to different operational requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution combines multiple infant support functions into one structure, reducing space requirements, simplifying assembly, and enhancing safety by providing a foolproof attachment mechanism for the sleeper insert, making it easier to transition between configurations and travel with.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeper insert includes a strap with resilient properties that secure the strap around the outer perimeter of the frame when the sleeper is attached to the frame. The resilient properties of the strap aid in the attachment of the sleeper insert to the frame
Implementation Method 2
The frame includes at least two legs that are rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate about the frame
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an infant play yard with multiple reconfigurations. The infant play yard includes a frame structure that is reconfigurable between a deployed configuration and a storage configuration. Rotatably coupled to the frame structure is a set of legs that are reconfigurable between a deployed configuration and a storage configuration. The infant play yard includes an infant play yard cover that is coupled to the frame structure, the play yard cover having an exterior and an interior. Moreover, the infant play yard further includes a sleeper insert that is removably coupleable to the frame structure. The sleeper insert, when used in conjunction with the frame structure, is disposed between the sidewalls of the play yard cover. The sleeper insert is configured with locking covers that are removably coupleable to the legs of the play yard frame. The locking covers are connected by a resilient tether so that the locking covers easily snap into the proper locking location on the legs of the play yard frame.