| WO/2012/135244 | CORNER LATCHING PLAY YARD |
| JP2011188962 | TRAFFIC CONTROL FENCE |
| WO/2009/095757 | IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A PORTABLE STRUCTURE |
Mensinga, Arnold (Grotestraat 18 AC Diepenheim, NL-7478, NL)
Mensinga, Arnold (Grotestraat 18 AC Diepenheim, NL-7478, NL)
| 1. | An enclosure which, when in an assembled state, comprises an enclosure means and flexible but resilient pole means, the enclosure means having a base portion and a wall portion, the enclosure being formed such that when it is in use at least part of the pole means can assume a bent, stressed, state wherein the pole means contacts the enclosure means and imparts tension to the enclosure means to cause the wall portion to assume a substantially upright orientation substantially around the base portion such that the base portion provides an area for confining an infant or child. |
| 2. | An enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the wall portion has two side walls and two end walls. |
| 3. | An enclosure according to claim 2 wherein the pole means comprises four separate poles, the four poles being formed such that each pole can be bent into an arc shape adjacent a different part of the wall portion to impart tension to the enclosure means. |
| 4. | An enclosure according to claim 3 wherein the arc shapes formed by the poles are each adjacent a respective one of the two side walls and two end walls. |
| 5. | An enclosure according to an of claims 3 or 4 wherein the enclosure means has sleeves for receiving and retaining at least some portion of each of the pole means. |
| 6. | An enclosure according to claim 3 wherein the enclosure means has a number of straplike extensions extending therefrom for receiving and capturing the ends of the four poles. |
| 7. | An enclosure according to claim 6 wherein each extension comprises a strip of flexible material. |
| 8. | An enclosure according to claim 7 wherein each extension further includes means to enable the enclosure to be fastened to the ground. |
| 9. | An enclosure according to claim 3 wherein at least some of the four poles are formed in sections. |
| 10. | An enclosure according to claim 9 wherein at least some of the four poles have an internal elastic thread arranged to maintain the sections in association with one another. |
| 11. | An enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the enclosure has side wall edge poles which can each contact the enclosure means and extend in a respective substantially straight line along an upper part of the enclosure means to impart a degree of rigidity to the side walls when the enclosure is in use. |
| 12. | An enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein the side wall edges are made from a mesh that allows some light to penetrate but offers protection from insects and ultraviolet light. |
| 13. | An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the enclosure has a top that is easily a detachable with snap fasteners or hooks/loops, which top is also made from a mesh that allows some light to penetrate but offers protection from insects and ultra violet light. |
| 14. | An enclosure substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
BACKGROUND ART In the context of camping or travelling generally it can be difficult to find suitable sleeping or safe playing facilities for a young child or infant accustomed to sleeping in a conventional cot or crib. Portable collapsible cots for such children are known, such as, for example, from US Patent Specifications 4538309,4899496,6035466, and 6041455. However a problem with many of these is that they are relatively heavy, really only suitable for indoor use, and occupy a reasonable amount of storage or luggage space.
It is accordingly an object of at least one form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided an enclosure which, when in an assembled state, comprises an enclosure means and flexible but resilient pole means, the enclosure means having a base portion and a wall portion, the enclosure being formed such that when it is in use at least part of the pole means can assume a bent, stressed, state wherein the pole means contacts the enclosure means and imparts tension to the enclosure means to cause the wall portion to assume a substantially upright orientation substantially around the base portion such that the base portion provides an area for confining an infant or child.
As can be appreciated, an advantage of the enclosure of the invention is that it can be used in a variety of circumstances, both indoors and outside, on rough ground or smooth floors, for short sleeps or plays or several night stays, at camping grounds, in airports or at the beach.
In interpreting this specification, including the associated claims, the term "comprising"or"comprises"or"comprise"should be taken to be non- exclusive-i. e. should be taken to mean"consisting of or including".
Additionally, the term"bed"should be interpreted to encompass a cot for an infant or child.
Preferably the wall portion has two side walls and two end walls.
Preferably the pole means comprises four separate poles, the four poles being formed such that each pole can be bent into an arc shape adjacent a different part of the wall portion to impart tension to the enclosure means.
Preferably the arc shapes formed by the poles are each adjacent a respective one of the two side walls and two end walls.
Preferably the enclosure means has sleeves for receiving and retaining at least some portion of each of the pole means.
Preferably the enclosure means has a number of strap-like extensions extending therefrom for receiving and capturing the ends of the four poles.
Preferably each extension comprises a strip of flexible material.
Preferably each extension further includes means to enable the enclosure to be fastened to the ground.
Preferably at least some of the four poles are formed in sections.
Preferably at least some of the four poles are formed in sections and have an internal elastic thread arranged to maintain those sections in association with one another.
Preferably the bed has side wall edge poles which can each contact the enclosure means and extend in a respective substantially straight line along an upper part of the enclosure means to impart a degree of rigidity to the side walls when the enclosure is in use.
Preferably the side wall edges are made from a mesh that allows some light to penetrate but offers protection from insects and ultra-violet light.
Preferably the enclosure has a top that is easily a detachable with snap fasteners or hooks/loops, which top is also made from a mesh that allows some light to penetrate but offers protection from insects and ultra-violet light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective of an enclosure for an infant or child ; Figure 2 is an end view of the enclosure of figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an opposite end view of the enclosure of figure 1; and, Figure 4 shows poles forming part of the enclosure of figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to figure 1, an enclosure 1 is shown. For the purposes of this description the enclosure will be characterised as a cot, however, it
will be readily appreciated that in the form described it can just as easily, and indeed would often be used as, a child's playpen.
The cot 1 comprises a fabric enclosure 2 having two side walls 3, two end walls 4, and a base 5. As shown, the enclosure 2 is in an open top box- like shape when the cot is in an assembled, in-use, situation.
The cot 1 also has two side poles 6 and two end poles 7. The end poles 7 are each in a bent stressed state, or arc, to impart tension to the enclosure 2. The side poles 6 are also in a stressed arc shape, and also impart tension to the enclosure 2. The tension imparted by the side and end poles 6 and 7 serves to maintain the enclosure 2 in the open top box-like shape.
With reference to figures 2 and 3, each lower corner of the enclosure 2 has an extension 8 in the form of a web strip with apertures therein. The edges of each aperture are strengthened by metallic rings 9.
Each end wall 4 has a sleeve 10 which retains a respective one of the end poles 7. As shown, the end parts 11 of the end poles 7 pass through respective outer apertures of the extensions 8 to contact a ground surface.
Referring to figures 1,2 and 3, the side poles 6 also extend between the extensions 8, but pass through inner apertures of the extensions to contact the ground surface. Additionally, the side poles 6 are held against the side walls 3 by way of loops 12 (i. e. small sleeves) forming a part of the side walls. More particularly, the side poles 6 pass through the loops 12 such that medial upper parts of the side poles 6 are retained within the loops 12.
Referring to figures 2 and 3, there are connectors 13 in the form of lengths of webbing extending between the end wall sleeves 10 and the extensions
8. The connectors 13 serve to enhance the tension in the enclosure 2 and the end poles 7 when the cot is in use. Two of the connectors, i. e. one at each end of the cot, have fasteners 14 which can be opened (i. e. so that the associated connectors are in two separate parts) and subsequently closed. This is of assistance when assembling the cot as the fasteners 14 can be opened while threading the end poles 7 through the sleeves 10 to relieve tension in the enclosure 2, and then closed when the end poles 7 are in place to impart the relieved tension. Relieving the tension during assembly enables one to more easily erect the cot 1.
To enhance the structural integrity of the cot 1 there are two side wall edge poles 15, each of which runs in straight line along the upper edge parts of a respective one of the side walls 3 between the two end walls 4. More particularly, the side wall edge poles 15 pass through and are retained by a series of loops (not shown).
Referring to figure 4, each side pole 6 is formed from sections held together by a length of internal elastic thread 16. The arrangement is such that each of the sections can be pulled apart from one another so that the side poles 6 can assume a compact (e. g. folded) form. The elastic thread 16 keeps the sections associated when separated, and pulls the sections together when it is desired to place the sections in end to end relationship to cause the side poles 6 to assume a single length. Optionally each of the sections is permanently in the form of a slight arc so that the side poles 6 are correspondingly in the form of a permanent slight arc. The arc shaped side poles 6 are capable of being further, and resiliently, bent so that they assume a bent stressed state. Alternatively, the poles 6 can be straight in the"rest"or unstressed position. The end poles 7 are configured in a similar fashion to the poles 6, each being in sections which can be straight or slightly arced.
Preferably the side poles 6, the end poles 7, and the side wall edge poles 15, are predominantly formed from a suitable resilient light weight material, such as fibreglass or carbon fibre, and have metal ends 17, each shaped to engage with a said metal ring 9 of a said extension 8.
Preferably the enclosure is sewn from a flexible synthetic or natural fabric or fabrics, which may or may not include mesh fabric.
The cot 1 can further include an inflatable mattress (not shown) which is laid over the base 5 between the two end walls and the two side walls.
Preferably the cot 1 can be disassembled and stored in a carry bag for storage or transport, such as in a backpack or the like for camping.
Disassembling the cot 1 involves withdrawing the side, end, and edge wall poles 6,7, and 15 from the sleeves and loops of the enclosure 2. The side, edge, and end wall poles 6,7, and 15, may then be separated into sections if desired. Thereafter the enclosure 2 is simply folded up, the pole sections laid out, and the whole disassembled package inserted into a carry bag.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has be described, along with some preferred features by way of example, it should be appreciated that improvements and modifications can occur without departing from the scope of the above-described invention as claimed.