Breathable And Light Weight Play Yards And Mattresses

Abstract

Various configurations of play yards and play yard mattresses are presented herein. Each of the play yards and play yard mattresses is light weight and breathable, yet has sufficient structural integrity to support an enclosed child or infant. In some embodiments, the play yards and mattresses may be collapsible. In other embodiments, play yards feature a mattress placed above a base assembly, such that an interior space is formed between the mattress and base assembly, said interior space being substantially void of any articles or other materials. In another embodiment, play yards feature a base assembly having a centrally located hub assembly comprising a release button and sliding pins.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A play yard for holding an infant or child, comprising:
 an upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of upper rails;   a base assembly;   a side structure connecting said upper rail assembly and said base assembly; and   a mattress positioned above and separated from the base assembly, the mattress comprising a substantially planar surface comprising a breathable material, wherein an interior space is formed between the mattress and at least part of the base assembly, said mattress comprising the top of said interior space, said interior space configured to be substantially void;   wherein said upper rail assembly, said side structure, said mattress, and said base assembly define a substantially rectangular enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The play yard of  claim 1 , wherein said base assembly further comprises at least one base arm connected to said side structure, said at least one base arm extending internally from said side structure and positioned below and at least partially separated from said mattress to form said interior space. 
     
     
         3 . The play yard of  claim 1 , wherein said base assembly further comprises a plurality of base arms and a hub assembly, said hub assembly positioned within said play yard, said plurality of base arms connected to said side structure and said hub assembly, said hub assembly and said plurality of base arms positioned below said mattress to form said interior space. 
     
     
         4 . The play yard of  claim 1 , wherein said upper rail assembly is configured to collapse said play yard to a collapsed state, and further comprises a plurality of lower rails positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails, wherein as the play yard is collapsed the plurality of lower rails remain substantially parallel to the plurality of upper rails. 
     
     
         5 . The play yard of  claim 4 , wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;
 wherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.   
     
     
         6 . The play yard of  claim 1 , wherein the base assembly further comprises a hub assembly, the hub assembly comprising:
 a release button;   at least one sliding pin in communication with at least one of said plurality of base arms and said release button;   wherein manipulating said release button creates a space within said hub assembly for said at least one sliding pin to enter, allowing said plurality of base arms to pivot with respect to said hub assembly and said side structure.   
     
     
         7 . The play yard of  claim 1 , wherein the breathable material comprises mesh. 
     
     
         8 . The play yard of  claim 1 , further comprising a base fabric positioned above the base assembly and configured to receive the mattress. 
     
     
         9 . The play yard of  claim 8 , wherein the base fabric comprises a pocket sized to accommodate a structural component of the mattress. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible mattress for a play yard, comprising:
 a mattress frame, said mattress frame comprising a plurality of mattress arms pivotally connected to one another to form a rectangular shape;   a fabric bedding connected to said mattress frame to define a substantially planar surface for placing an infant or child; and   a tensioner in communication with said mattress frame, said tensioner positioned below and substantially not in contact with said fabric bedding, said tensioner configured to provide a sufficient force against the interior of said mattress frame to prevent said mattress frame from collapsing and to support an infant or child placed thereon.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible mattress for a play yard of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of modular legs in communication with the mattress frame to allow for usage of the mattress as a cot. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible mattress for a play yard of  claim 10 , further comprising a first lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein said tensioner is in communication with said first lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible mattress for a play yard of  claim 12 , wherein said tensioner comprises a tube having an end connected to said first lateral connector. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible mattress for a play yard of  claim 13 , further comprising a second lateral connector spaced opposite from said first lateral connector, said second lateral connector linearly connecting at least two of said plurality of mattress arms, wherein an opposite end of said tube is connected to said second lateral connector, wherein said tube is configured to extend between said first lateral connector and said second lateral connector to provide outward force against the interior of said mattress frame. 
     
     
         15 . A collapsible play yard for receiving an infant or child, comprising:
 an upper rail assembly, said upper rail assembly comprising a plurality of horizontal upper rails;   a side structure connected to said upper rail assembly, said side structure comprising a plurality of vertical posts; and   a mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure, said mattress and said side structure configured such that said mattress provides outward force against the interior of said side structure to prevent said play yard from collapsing.   
     
     
         16 . The collapsible play yard of  claim 15 , further comprising a base assembly in communication with said side structure, said base assembly further comprising a hub assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible play yard of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of vertical posts are positioned at corners of said play yard, wherein said mattress and said plurality of vertical posts are configured such that the corners of said mattress provides sufficient outward force against said plurality of vertical posts to prevent said play yard from collapsing. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible play yard of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one mattress connector, said at least one mattress connector connected to at least one post of said plurality of vertical posts and configured to receive a corner of said mattress. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible play yard of  claim 15 , wherein said upper rail assembly further comprises at least one lateral connector and at least two corner connectors, wherein said plurality of horizontal upper rails further comprises a left upper rail and a right upper rail each pivotally coupled to said at least one lateral connector, said left upper rail and said right upper rail each pivotally coupled to a corner connector of said at least two corner connectors;
 wherein said upper rail assembly is configured such that as the at least one lateral connector is urged downwards, the at least one lateral connector and the at least two corner connectors remain substantially parallel to a plane, and said left upper rail and said right upper rail move symmetrically.   
     
     
         20 . The collapsible play yard of  claim 15 , wherein said side structure comprises a relaxed position in which each of said plurality of vertical posts are angled inwards towards a center of said play yard;
 wherein said mattress positioned on the interior of said side structure urges said plurality of vertical posts away from said relaxed position, causing the plurality of vertical posts to become substantially perpendicular to said upper rail assembly.