Child support apparatus with detachable storage device

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of children's products. The invention comprises a storage device for use with a child support device, the storage device including receptacle for removably receiving articles therein. The receptacle includes a connector for releasably coupling the receptacle to the first child support device. The receptacle is adapted for use in a first configuration, wherein the receptacle is coupled to the first child support device and allows a user to access the articles stored therein, and a second configuration, wherein the receptacle is uncoupled from the first child support device and is operable to allow a user to easily transport the receptacle away from the first child support device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage device for use with a first child support device, the storage device comprising:
 a receptacle for removably receiving articles therein, the receptacle including a connector for releasably coupling the receptacle to the first child support device;   wherein the receptacle is adapted for use in a first configuration, wherein the receptacle is coupled to the first child support device and allows a user to access the articles stored therein, and a second configuration, wherein the receptacle is uncoupled from the first child support device and is operable to allow a user to easily transport the receptacle away from the first child support device.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an exterior shell at least partially defining an interior volume and an opening in the shell permitting user access to the interior volume. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 2 , further including at least one divider to separate the interior volume into a plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 2 , further including a lid for selectively covering the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further including a handle adapted to be manually grasped by a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further including a shoulder strap to rest on the shoulder of a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device. 
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is selected from the group of a zipper, a snap, a clip, a hook, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, and a hook and eye fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is adapted to engage a second child support device. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a child support device having a support frame and a child receiving portion coupled to and supported by the frame; and   a storage device releasably coupled to the child support device and adapted for receiving an article therein, the storage device being transportable by a caregiver when uncoupled from the child support device.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the storage device includes a handle adapted to be manually grasped by a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the storage device includes a shoulder strap to rest on the shoulder of a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the child support device is a play yard. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the storage device includes a connector adapted to releasably engage the child support device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the connector is adapted to releasably engage the support frame of the child support device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the connector is adapted to releasably engage the child receiving portion of the child support device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the child support device includes a mating connector for releasable engagement with the connector of the storage device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the connector and mating connector are selected from the group of mating zipper fasteners, mating hook and loop fasteners, mating hook and eye fasteners, mating snap fasteners, ties, clips, and hooks. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 a play yard having a frame and a child receiving enclosure coupled to and supported by the frame; and   a storage device adapted to removably receive at least one article for a child, and configured to releasably couple to the play yard;   wherein the storage device is convertible between a play yard mode, wherein the storage device is coupled to the play yard, and a travel mode, wherein the storage device is decoupled from the play yard and wherein the storage device is transportable by a user.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the storage device comprises a shell at least partially surrounding an interior volume and an opening that allows access to the interior volume. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the storage device includes one or more dividers to separate the interior volume into multiple compartments. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the storage device further includes a lid for selectively covering the opening. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the storage device further including a handle adapted to be manually grasped by a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the storage device further including a shoulder strap to rest on the shoulder of a caregiver to facilitate transporting the storage device.