CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority of United States Patent Application Serial No. 62/060,809, filed on October 7, 2014, of United States Patent Application Serial No. 62/175,707, filed on June 15, 2015, of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,895,883, filed on June 26, 2015, and of United States Patent Application Serial No. 62/198,320, filed on July 29, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to playmats for babies and/or infants. BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0003] Playmats are commonly used as a movable and temporary play space for very young children, such as infants and/or babies. Existing playmats typically consist of a mat that is laid on the ground, with arched structures to support toys. A pair of such arches may be used, but the installation of these arches may be problematic as a free end of an elastic rod must be inserted in a receptacle of the mat to be formed in one of these arches. Moreover, there is no physical boundary to the playmat that may be used to keep toys on the playmat.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide a playmat assembly that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

[0005] Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a playmat assembly comprising: a sidewall projecting upwardly, the sidewall comprising: at least one panel of non-rigid material; and at least a pair of separate hoops connected to the at least one panel, the hoops being made of a semi-rigid resilient material, the hoops crossing each other over at least four times to bias the at least one panel into an upstanding tubular-like enclosure in a popped-up state; wherein the sidewall is deformable from the popped-up state to a collapsed state in which the hoops are twisted away from the upstanding tubular-like enclosure. [0006] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a mat is adapted to be laid on the ground, a peripheral edge of the mat being connected to a bottom edge portion of the upstanding tubular-like enclosure.

[0007] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a zipper closure mechanism is between the peripheral edge of the mat and the bottom edge portion of the upstanding tubular-like enclosure.

[0008] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a stitched connection secures the peripheral edge of the mat to the bottom edge portion of the upstanding tubular-like enclosure.

[0009] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a ratio between a sectional dimension and a height of the tubular-like enclosure is between 2,4:1 and 8:1 in the popped-up state.

[0010] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the hoops each define a sinusoidal-like path along the sidewalk

[0011] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a dedicated channel is formed in the at least one panel for each said hoop.

[0012] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the sidewall is twisted into a stowed configuration in which each said hoop crosses itself over once to form superposed sub-hoops.

[0013] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, at least one arch is connected to and extends from a first location to a second location of the sidewall, transversely across the tubular-like enclosure.

[0014] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a structural foam sleeve is provided along a substantial portion of the arch, and a sheath covering the structural foam sleeve and the arch from end to end.

[0015] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, sleeves of fabric at the first location and the second location respectively receive a first end and a second end of the arch, the first end and the second end of the arch being free of the structural foam sleeve.

[0016] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the first end and the second end of the arch has a crown-like connector. [0017] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, sleeves of fabric at the first location and the second location respectively receive a first end and a second end of the arch.

[0018] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the sidewall reaches and maintains the popped-up state by the sole biasing action of the hoops connected to the at least one panel.

[0019] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the non-rigid material of the at least one panel is at least one of a fabric, textile, cloth, mesh and soft plastic.

[0020] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the hoops are pultrusions poles.

[0021] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a pool panel is sized to cover a surface of the mat and an inner surface of the upstanding tubular- like enclosure, the pool panel extending beyond a top edge of the upstanding tubular-like enclosure.

[0022] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, a zipper closure mechanism is between the bottom edge portion of the upstanding tubular-like enclosure, and an underside of the pool panel inward of a periphery of the pool panel.

[0023] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, an elastic is at a periphery of the pool panel.

[0024] Still further in accordance with the present disclosure, the mat and the sidewall are integrally connected, and have a waterproof plastic coating, whereby the playmat assembly is used as a pool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a playmat assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, in a popped-up state;

[0026] Figs. 2A, 2B are schematic perspective views of a sidewall and hoops of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 2C is a side view of an exemplary panel making up the sidewall of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 ; [0028] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 , with a single arch;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 , in a collapsed state for being stowed;

[0030] Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of an arch end as used in the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 , relative to a sleeve;

[0031] Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of the arch end of Fig. 5A;

[0032] Fig. 5C is a section view of the arch end relative to a protective sheath;

[0033] Fig. 5D is a section view of the arch end of Fig. 5C with the protective sheath, as installed in the sleeve;

[0034] Figs. 6A to 6F are sequentially views of a method for twisting the playmat assembly in the collapsed state of Fig. 4;

[0035] Figs. 7 A and 7B are perspective views of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 with a mat thereof being removed;

[0036] Fig. 8A is an exploded view of the playmat assembly of Fig. 1 , as used with a pool panel;

[0037] Fig. 8B is an assembled view of the playmat assembly of Fig. 8A with the pool panel;

[0038] Fig. 9A is a schematic enlarged sectioned view of the playmat assembly with the pool panel of Fig. 8A; and

[0039] Fig. 9B is a schematic enlarged sectioned view of the playmat assembly with the pool panel of Fig. 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, there is illustrated a playmat assembly 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The playmat assembly 10 has a mat 12 that is typically a panel of cloth, which may include textile, felt, mesh or screen, natural or synthetic fabric panels, among numerous other possibilities of soft (i.e., non-substantially rigid) membranes. During use, the mat 12 is laid on the ground, and hence provides the surface upon which the child will be rested. For this purpose, the mat 12 may have different colors, logos and/or images thereon, so as to define a playful environment for the child. Articles may be sewn to the top surface of the mat 12, all of which are for the entertainment of the child in the playmat assembly 1 0.

[0041] A sidewall 14 of cloth projects upwardly from the periphery of the mat 12. Like the mat 1 2, the sidewall 14 typically consists of a panel of cloth, which may include textile, felt, mesh or screen, natural or synthetic fabric panels, among numerous other possibilities of soft (i.e., non-substantially rigid) membranes. The sidewall 14 defines a physical boundary to the playmat assembly 1 0, which physical boundary may help in keeping objects within the play area of the playmat assembly 10. The sidewall 14 may be an elongated strip of cloth (or cloths) - an example of which is shown in Fig. 2C -, having its ends interconnected (e.g., glued, sewn) to form an annular surrounding, that is laid on one of its ends to form the upstanding sidewall 14 of Fig. 1 when released to the popped-up state of Fig. 1 . The annular surrounding may have any appropriate sectional shape, such as a circle, squircle, oval, etc. The sidewall 14 may be attached to the mat 1 2, by any appropriate method (e.g., sewn, glued, stitched, laminated, with a zipper closure mechanism or system, etc), and may even consist of a same piece of cloth. For example, as shown in Figs. 7 A and 7B, a zipper closure system 1 5 may be provided to releasably secure a periphery of the mat 12 to a bottom edge portion of the sidewall 14. This feature allows the removal of the mat 12, for instance for washing purposes. It is also considered to form an integral and permanent connection between the mat 1 2 and the sidewall 14. The attachment of the mat 1 2 and the sidewall 14 may facilitate the stowing of the playmat assembly 10 as a unitary piece.

[0042] Alternatively, the mat 12 and the sidewall 14 may be separate pieces, with the sidewall 14 simply positioned above the mat 12. Moreover, the playmat assembly 10 may be provided without the mat 1 2, i.e., only with the sidewall 14 and associated popping-up components, as described hereinafter.

[0043] As schematically shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C, two channels 16 are defined in the sidewall 14 and are sized so as to receive therein hoops 1 8. The channels 1 6 are arranged in a 2D helix-like arrangement (or sinusoidal, wavy, and/or arcuate pattern), with the pairs of channels 16 crossing over each other a few times in the popped-up, i.e., the channels 16 intersect. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 16 cross over each other four times, although it is possible to have channels 16 cross over each other six, eight, ten, etc., times. The number of crossovers between the channels 1 6 is a multiple of two starting at four. [0044] Hoops 18 are received in the channels 16 - a dedicated channel per hoop 18 - and hence adopt the 2D double helix-like arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one hoop 18 per channel 16, and thus two hoops 18 for two channels 16, but there could be more than two of each of the channels 16 and hoops 18. The hoops 18 are sized so as to hold the sidewall 14 taut in the popped- up state shown in Fig. 1 , when the sidewall 14 is erected by resting on an end of its tubular orientation. Stated differently, the concurring action of the hoops 18 tensioned by being constrained into the channels 16 of the sidewall 14 results in the assembly being biased to the popped-up state of Fig. 1 . This concurring action is sufficient for the playmat assembly 10 to self-erect on its own, by the sole biasing action of the hoops 18 in the panel of the sidewall 14, to maintain the upstanding popped-up state without additional structural members required. In the illustrated arrangement of Fig. 1 , with four crossovers, each of the hoops 18 contacts the ground in two instances, i.e., the hoops 18 abutting indirectly against the ground as it is the material of the channels 16 that is the interface with the ground. The hoops 18 could contact the ground more times, for example by a pattern of the channels 16 featuring more than four crossovers.

[0045] The hoops 18 may each consist of an elongated rod with a non-negligible resilience, also referred to as semi-rigidness, the elongated rod having its ends interconnected, for example by a sleeve, to form a closed shape (i.e., a hoop). In an embodiment, the hoops 18 are made using pultrusion of fiberglass, with a circular cross-section. A suitable diameter for the elongated rod of the hoop 18 may be between 0.125" and 0.3125", although it is contemplated to have rods outside this diameter range, for added or lessened rigidity. The semi-rigidness is sufficient to cause and maintain the popped-up state of upstanding tubular-like enclosure of the sidewall 14 Other materials for the rods include spring steel, i.e., a low-alloy, medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel with a high yield strength, among numerous other possibilities, and the diameter of the rod varies as a function of the material used. The length of the rod of the hoops 18 is based on the diameter(s) (in the case of rounded or arcuate shapes) or side length (in the case of rectangular like shapes) of the sidewall 14. A diameter (in the case of a circle) or side dimension (for a squircie as seen from a top plane view) of the sidewall 14 may be between 24" to 48", with a height of the sidewall 14 of 6" to 10", although it is contemplated to construct the sidewall 14 outside of these ranges. [0046] One manner to fabricate the sidewall 14 is to have a pair of elongated strips of cloth superposed over one another (or a single piece of cloth folded in two), with the channels 16 defined by stitching the pair of elongated strips into the appropriate pattern, for example as shown in Fig. 2C. The resulting elongated piece of cloth may then be joined end to end to give it the annular shape. The periphery of the mat 12 is cut out so as to have a desired peripheral shape, to then be fixed to an end of the annular body of the sidewall 14 (if the mat 12 is provided as part of the playmat assembly 10), as in Fig. 1 . Elongated rods may then be respectively inserted in the channels 16, with each elongated rod being closed into forming one the hoops 18, thereby tautening the sidewall 14, allowing same to reach the popped-up state of Fig. 1 . In an embodiment, the installation of the hoops 18 in the channels 16 is permanent or semi-permanent, as the hoops 18 need not be removed from the channels 16 to be stowed, as will be seen hereinafter.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 3 and 5A-5D, additional components such as arch 20 or arches 20 may be added to the assembly 10. The arch 20 may be used to support play items, and is thus an overhead toy bar, by extending transversely across the sidewall 14. The arch 20 may be secured to the sidewall 14 by way of an open- ended sleeve 22 that is secured to an inner periphery of the sidewall 14, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5D, with such sleeves 22 at different locations. The ends of the arch 20 may therefore be removably inserted in sleeves 22.

[0048] Referring to Figs. 5A-5D, according to an embodiment, the arch 20 has a pair of end members 24. Each end member 24 has a tubular portion 25 (Figs, 5A and 5B) in which another elongated rod 26A of non-negligible resilience is received (Figs. 5C and 5D), with a cover tube 26B thereon. The elongated rod 26A of the arch 20 may have a similar construction as the elongated rod of the hoop 18, in terms of selection of material and resilience. A base 27 of the end member 24 serves as an abutment of the arch 20 with the ground. The base 27 has a crownlike shape, with indentations 28 in which the fabric of the sleeve 22 will be received, such that the end member 24 is captive when interconnected to the sleeve 22, in the manner shown in Figs. 5A and 5D. It is observed that the sleeve 22 may have two distinct layers of material to catch the indentations 28 on diametrically opposed sides of the tubular portion 25. However, the opening between the layers of the sleeve 22 (or between the sleeve 22 and the sidewall14) is defined so as to allow the passage of the base 27 for removal or installation of the arch 20. [0049] Referring to Figs. 5C and 5D, a protective sheath 29A may enclose the various components of the arch 20 mentioned above. The protective sheath 29A is typically a fabric. A cushioning member 29B, e.g., a structural foam sleeve, may be mounted onto the elongated rod 26A, to provide a cushioning effect to the arch 20. The cushioning member 29B may be any foam or puffy filler, etc. In an embodiment, the cushioning member 29B ends before the end member 24, as shown in Fig. 5D, so as not to interfere with the sleeve 22 when received in the indentations 28 of the base 27.

[0050] Alternatively, ends of the arch 20 may be pivotally connected to the sidewall 14 (as in Fig. 5), using a tab of Velcro™ to hold the arch 20 in the upstanding position of Fig. 3.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6E, the assembly 1 0 may be collapsed into a collapsed state, for stowing. In an embodiment, a storage bag B is provided to keep the assembly 1 0 in the collapsed state. In order to fold the assembly 10 into the collapsed state, opposite sides of the sidewall 14 are grasped by the user's hands, thereby flattening the sidewall 14, as in Fig. 6B. The arch 20 may have to be pivoted down to be adjacent to the sidewall 14, as in Fig. 6A, or removed. The user then rotates her/his hands in opposite directions, in a torsion-like maneuver, or twisting maneuver, as schematically shown in Fig. 6C. In doing so, the hoops 18 form a figure-eight shape, defining two sub-hoops for each of the hoops 1 8. The arches 20 are manipulated simultaneously with the hoops 1 8 and may also deform.

[0052] The two sub-hoops may then be brought one over the other following them movements shown in Fig. 6D, to form a circle-like flat stack with the assembly 1 0, as shown at 30 in Fig. 4 and 6E, with each of the hoops 18 crossing itself over at least once, to form superposed sub-hoops. At this point, the flat stack 30 may be stowed into its bag (or held by straps), for example as shown in Fig. 6F. It is pointed that the collapsing maneuver may be performed with toys in the playmat assembly 10 (e.g., soft figures, dolls, doggies, etc). Therefore, the playmay assembly 1 0 may be a complete and integral play solution that does not require additional toys for use. It is pointed out that the sidewall 14 may be used to support toys. In order to return the playmat assembly 10 to the popped-up state, the flat stack 30 is simply released from constraints (e.g., removed from the bag) and will automatically and without manual assistance return to the popped-up state of Fig. 1 . It is then possible to adjust the position of the arch 20 if an arch is part of the playmat assembly, although the arches 20 may spring back into the position of Fig. 3 as well.

[0053] The cross-over arrangement of the hoops 1 8 is well suited to maintain the sidewall 14 in its popped-up state. It is however considered to use different arrangements of hoops 18. For instance, the side wall 14 may have a pair of rings interconnected by helicoidally members that form springs, among other possibilities.

[0054] It should be pointed out that the playmat assembly 10 is not intended to form a protective barrier preventing the child from exiting same. Moreover, the sidewall 14 of the playmat assembly 10 is not intended to support the weight of a child leaning against it.

[0055] In essence, the playmat assembly 10 provides an upwardly erected tubular enclosure that is at least open-ended at the top. By upwardly erected tubular enclosure, it is meant that the sidewall 14 lies on one of its ends when laid on the ground, with the central axis of the tubular body being generally normal to a surface of the ground, although the central axis may be angled to some extent relative to the ground. Accordingly, in order for the upwardly erected tubular portion (i.e., sidewall 14) to preserve its shape, a ratio must be respected between the sectional dimension and height, as an elongated tube standing upwardly may have a tendency to collapse if no sufficient structure was provided. However, by having a tube that is more annular than elongated, the sidewall 14 may be self-supported with the pair of hoops 18. The ratio of ranges between the sectional dimension and the height spans from 2.4:1 to 8:1 . It is possible that the playmat assembly 1 0 falls outside this range of dimensions and yet be a suitable product as well. The

[0056] The playmat assembly 10 is not to be used as a bed or bassinet. Indeed, the playmat assembly 1 0 is not to be used as a sleeping area for the infant. Moreover, the sidewall 14 with the hoops 18 is not a structure frame. In an embodiment, an assembly similar to the playmat assembly 1 0 may be used as a pool. In such a case, the cloth used for the mat 1 2 and the sidewall 14 is waterproof material, such as a plastic-coated panel or fabric. The seams between the mat 12 and the sidewall 14 would be waterproof seams. In the event that the assembly is used as a pool, all necessary precautions must be taken to ensure that the product is used safely, in that the infant or baby is not to be left alone at any time in the pool. Moreover, the material of the assembly in this contemplated use should be tear- resistant, considering the weight of water received therein. [0057] Referring to Figs. 8A and 9A, an alternative pool embodiment is illustrated, and features a pool panel 40 used with the embodiment of the sidewall 14 having the zipper closure system 15, with mat 12 (not shown) zipped off. The pool panel 40 may be a one piece waterproof panel, with part of a zipper closure system 41 , or subsystem 41 , complementary to the part of the zipper closure system 15 that is on the sidewall 14, for zipping engagement therebetween. Alternative co-engagement mechanisms could be used, such as Velcro™, etc. The zipper closure subsystem 41 is connected to an underside of the pool panel 40, and is for instance glued or welded to the pool panel 40. The zipper closure subsystem 41 is located inward of a periphery of the pool panel 40, such that a portion 42 of the pool panel 40 may extend beyond the zipper interconnection 15/41 in a hook-like manner, as shown in Figs. 8B and 9B, to cover an inner surface of the sidewall 14, extend above the top edge of the sidewall 14, and hence form a water receiving cavity. The portion 42 therefore forms a pool sidewall when used in the manner shown in Figs. 8B and 9B. A semi-rigid rim, an elastic member or the like may be provided at the peripheral edge of the pool panel 40, as shown at 43. The component 43 may contract the peripheral edge of the pool panel 40 when positioned above the sidewall 14 as in Fig. 9B, to hold the pool panel 40 captive onto the sidewall 14.