Compact Playpen

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a playpen device that is convertible between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. The playpen device includes a plurality of semi-rigid supports and a shell material. The shell material can be independent from the plurality of semi-rigid supports when the playpen device is in the collapsed configuration. When the playpen device is in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports provide a frame for a playpen to which the shell material is coupled. Additionally, when in the deployed configuration, the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending from the bottom surface to the top surface.

1 . A playpen device that is convertible between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, the playpen device comprising:
 a plurality of semi-rigid supports; and   a shell material, the shell material independent from the plurality of semi-rigid supports when in the collapsed configuration;   wherein, when the playpen device is in the deployed configuration:
 the plurality of semi-rigid supports provide a frame for a playpen to which the shell material is coupled, and 
 the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending from the bottom surface to the top surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the deployed configuration, at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twice along the side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The playpen device of  claim 2 , wherein the sidewall includes an openable portion positioned between an intersection of the at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The playpen device of  claim 2 , wherein the sidewall includes two or more openable portions positioned between respective intersections of the at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the side wall includes one or more openable portions that are configured to be openable only from the exterior of the volume. 
     
     
         6 . The playpen device of  claim 5 , wherein the openable portions are configured with a zipper to open and close the openable portions and a tab to move the zipper is only located on the exterior of the side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The playpen device of  claim 5 , wherein the openable portions are configured to engage with a lock, on one of the side wall and the bottom surface, such that the openable portion can be locked or unlocked from the exterior of the volume. 
     
     
         8 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is concave along its length. 
     
     
         9 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the deployed configuration,
 the top surface has a first width and a first length;   the bottom surface has a second width and a second length; and   at least one of:
 the first width is narrower than the second width, and 
 the first length is shorter than the second length. 
   
     
     
         10 . The playpen device of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom surface has an area that is at least double an area of a scalar projection of the top surface onto the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface to the top surface. 
     
     
         12 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports couple to the shell material by inserting the semi-rigid supports through respective sleeves of the shell material. 
     
     
         13 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid supports are collapsible at a plurality of joints 
     
     
         14 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable mattress pad that is sized and shaped to fit on top of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         15 . The playpen device of  claim 14 , wherein the removable mattress pad includes an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         16 . The playpen device of  claim 14 , wherein the removable mattress pad includes a foam material inside of a water resistant exterior material 
     
     
         17 . The playpen device of  claim 14 , wherein the removable mattress pad includes a first coupling member configured to engage with a second coupling member of an interior of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         18 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , further comprising a shade fabric such that, when in the deployed configuration, the shade fabric is suspended above the top surface. 
     
     
         19 . The playpen device of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid supports substantially consist of aluminum. 
     
     
         20 . A method of converting a playpen device from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration, the method comprising:
 assembling a plurality a;   inserting the plurality of semi-rigid supports through respective sleeves of a shell material;   wherein, in response to the insertion:
 the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending between the bottom surface and the top surface; 
 at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twice along the side wall; and 
 the plurality of semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface to the top surface.