Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Custer
`
`[54] PLAYYARI) CABANA
`
`[75] Inventor: Marty Custer, DoylestoWn, Pa.
`
`[73] Assignee: Even?o Company, Inc., Vandalia, Ohio
`
`_
`[21] Appl' NO" 09/177’180
`[22] Filed:
`Oct. 22, 1998
`
`[51]
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`Int. Cl.7 .......................... .. E04H 15/04; A47C 29/00
`_
`_
`_
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`[52] US‘
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`’
`[58] Fleld 0:38;???
`’
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`[56]
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`’
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`’
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`’
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`’
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`'
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`’
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`_97 ’98 1 113 ’ lzlf D6/3'31’
`’
`'
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`D6 491
`D 366 978 2 1996 M _
`1
`D‘ 383’625 92997
`ano """"""""""""""""""" " D5491
`4 192’333
`3/1980 Sam
`135/124
`4:493:120
`1/1985 WattsNIIIIIIIIIII::IZIIIIIIIII... 5/991
`4,590,956
`5/1986 Griesenbeck _
`__ 135/116
`4,766,918
`8/1988 Odekirk _ _ _ _ _ _ _
`_ _ _ _ __ 135/96
`
`US006109280A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,109,280
`Aug. 29, 2000
`
`5,517,707
`5,666,986
`5,862,548
`5,913,322
`
`5/1996 LaMantia .................................... .. 5/97
`9/1997 FOX ....... ..
`.. 135/135
`1/1999 Gefhaft ----- ~-
`- 135/117 X
`6/1999 Gallant et al. .................... .. 135/124 X
`_
`Primary Examiner—Carl D. Friedman
`Assistant Examiner—Winnie Yip
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Thornpson Hine & Flory LLP
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`d _
`t d 1
`_
`d t d f
`t
`A b
`ca ana syserna ape or use inasan -aone rno eis
`disclosed. The system includes a separable ?oor for use as
`a cover for a playyard of the type having vertically extending
`reception apertures in the upper corners thereof. The system
`is comprised of a frame fabricated of tWo ?exible rods. Each
`?exible rod is holloW With free ends adapted to be received
`Within apertures of a playyard. The rods are positioned in
`side-by-side relationship to thereby form a generally cylin
`drical central extent. The rod placernent further forrns
`spaced serni-circular planar surfaces on opposite sides
`thereof at the ends of the central sections. A fabric cover
`covers the tubes With a screen door in a serni-circular
`Con?guration in one Planar face thereof With a fastefler for
`coupling and uncoupling the screened panel. A fabric ?oor
`is formed as an extension of one planar face remote from the
`
`4,790,340 12/1988 Mahoney . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 135/90
`
`screen door and is adapted to depend doWnWardly over one
`
`4,825,484
`478377875
`
`5/1989 Riegel - - - - - - - - - -
`6/1989 shfimle ct a1~
`gnesentllick
`
`- - - - -- 5/97
`5/99-1
`135/5
`
`side of the playyard When deployed thereon. The ?oor has a
`fastener to couple the ?oor to the loWer periphery of the
`frame when used in a stand-alone rnode independent of the
`
`,
`
`,
`
`omeZ- arcia
`
`........ ..
`
`4,945,584
`
`8/1990 LaMantia . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 5/97
`
`playyard‘
`
`5,002,083
`5,311,813
`
`.. 135/98
`3/1991 Kim ................... ..
`5/1994 Fairbanks et al. ...................... .. 99/645
`
`8 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-1
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`
`6,109,280
`
`l
`
`_
`
`FIG.1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-2
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`
`6,109,280
`
`FIG. 4
`
`44
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-3
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 3 of3
`
`6,109,280
`
`FIG. 6
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-4
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`1
`PLAYYARD CABANA
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a neW and improved
`cabana system adapted for use in a stand-alone mode or as
`a cover for a playyard and, more particularly, pertains to
`utilizing a cabana for the safety and comfort of a child either
`by itself or as a covering for a playyard.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The use of child care products of knoWn designs and
`con?gurations is knoWn in the prior art. More speci?cally,
`child care products of knoWn designs and con?gurations
`heretofore devised and utiliZed for the purpose of adding to
`the safety and comfort of infants through knoWn methods
`and apparatuses are knoWn to consist basically of familiar,
`expected, and obvious structural con?gurations, notWith
`standing the myriad of designs encompassed by the croWded
`prior art Which has been developed for the ful?llment of
`countless objectives and requirements.
`The prior art discloses a large number of child care
`products of knoWn designs and con?gurations. By Way of
`example, US. Pat. No. 4,590,956 to Griesenbeck, issued
`May 27, 1986 and unassigned on its face, discloses a bed
`tent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,918 to Odekirk, issued Aug. 30,
`1988 and assigned on its face to Aspen Enterprises, Inc.,
`discloses a convertible, in?atable shelter apparatus. US. Pat.
`No. 4,790,340 to Mahoney, issued Dec. 13, 1988 and
`unassigned on its face, relates to a canopy for a child’s
`playpen. US. Pat. No. 4,825,484 to Riegel, issued May 2,
`1989 and unassigned on its face, discloses a crib With
`safety-top, U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,598 to Griesenbeck, issued
`Aug. 1, 1989 and unassigned on its face, relates to a bed tent.
`US Pat. No. 4,945,584 to LaMantia, issued Aug. 7, 1990
`and assigned on its face to Tots-In-Mind, Inc., discloses a
`crib cover. US. Pat. No. 5,002,083 to Kim, issued Mar. 26,
`1991 and assigned on its face to Baejin Corporation, dis
`closes a tent cover retaining device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,813
`to Fairbanks, et al., issued May 17, 1994 and unassigned on
`its face, relates to a cutting surface having a tent-like cover
`providing closeable access to the cutting board. U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,517,707 to LaMantia, issued May 21, 1996 and
`unassigned on its face, relates to a crib cover securing
`device. US. Pat. No. 5,666,986 to Fox, issued Sep. 16, 1997
`and assigned on its face to Fox Design International Limited,
`discloses a tent frame device. US. Pat. No. Des. 366,978 to
`Mariol, issued Feb. 13, 1996 and assigned on its face to
`Lisco, Inc., discloses a removable playyard canopy. Lastly,
`US. Pat. No. Des. 383,625 to Dillner, issued Sep. 16, 1997
`and assigned to Graco, discloses a canopy for a child play
`area.
`In this respect, the cabana system adapted for use in a
`stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard according to
`the present invention substantially departs from the conven
`tional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so
`provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
`of utiliZing a cabana for the safety and comfort of a child
`either by itself or as a covering for a playyard.
`Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a con
`tinuing need for a neW and improved cabana system adapted
`for use in a stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard
`Which can be used for utiliZing a cabana for the safety and
`comfort of a child either by itself or as a covering for a
`playyard. In this regard, the present invention substantially
`ful?lls this need.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In vieW of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the
`knoWn types of child care products of knoWn designs and
`
`65
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`6,109,280
`
`2
`con?gurations noW present in the prior art, the present
`invention provides a neW and improved cabana system
`adapted for use in a stand-alone mode or as a cover for a
`playyard. As such, the general purpose of the present
`invention, Which Will be described subsequently in greater
`detail, is to provide a neW and improved cabana system
`adapted for use in a stand-alone mode or as a cover for a
`playyard and methods Which have all the advantages of the
`prior art and none of the disadvantages.
`To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises
`a neW and improved cabana system. The system is adapted
`for use in a stand-alone mode. The system further includes
`a separable ?oor for use as a cover for a playyard of the type
`having vertically extending reception apertures in the upper
`corners thereof.
`A?rst major component 0 the system is a frame fabricated
`of tWo ?exible rods. Each ?exible rod is holloW With free
`ends adapted to be received Within apertures of the playyard.
`The rods are positioned in side-by-side relationship closer at
`their central points than n at their ends to thereby form a
`generally cylindrical central extent narroWer at the midpoint
`than at the ends and With spaced semi-circular planar
`surfaces on opposite sides thereof. Each of the rods is
`formed of a central section constituting about a third of the
`length With couplable end sections at the ends of the central
`sections.
`The second major component of the system 10 is a fabric
`cover covering the tubes and attached at their central extents.
`The fabric cover has triangular vents on the cylindrical
`central section adjacent to the top. A screen door in a
`semi-circular con?guration in one planar face thereof is
`provided. The screen door has a sliding fastener for coupling
`and uncoupling the screened panel.
`The third major component of the system 10 is a fabric
`?oor formed as an extension of one planar face remote from
`the screen door. The fabric ?oor is adapted to depend
`doWnWardly over one side of the playyard When deployed
`thereon. The ?oor has a sliding fastener to couple the ?oor
`to the loWer periphery of the frame When used in a stand
`alone mode independent of the playyard. Further, the ?oor
`has pockets for receiving the free ends of the tubes.
`Lastly provided as a major component of the system 10 is
`a ?oor panel formed of four coupled rectangular sections
`positionable either on the ?oor of the playyard When the
`cabana is used thereWith or positionable on the ?oor of the
`cabana When standing independent of the playyard.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in order that the detailed
`description thereof that folloWs may be better understood
`and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
`better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features
`of the invention that Will be described hereinafter and Which
`Will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
`In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
`of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
`invention is not limited in its application to the details of
`construction and to the arrangements of the components set
`forth in the folloWing description or illustrated in the draW
`ings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
`being practiced and carried out in various Ways. Also, it is
`to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
`employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and
`should not be regarded as limiting.
`As such, those skilled in the art Will appreciate that the
`conception, upon Which this disclosure is based, may readily
`be utiliZed as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-5
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`3
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
`of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a neW and improved cabana system adapted for use in a
`stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard Which has all
`the advantages of the prior art child care products of knoWn
`designs and con?gurations and none of the disadvantages.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`neW and improved cabana system adapted for use in a
`stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard Which may be
`easily and ef?ciently manufactured and marketed.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`neW and improved cabana system adapted for use in a
`stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard Which is of a
`durable and reliable construction.
`An even further object of the present invention is to
`provide a neW and improved cabana system adapted for use
`in a stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard Which is
`susceptible of a loW cost of manufacture With regard to both
`materials and labor, and Which accordingly is then suscep
`tible of loW prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
`making such a cabana system adapted for use in a stand
`alone mode or as a cover for a playyard economically
`available to the buying public.
`Even still another object of the present invention is to
`utiliZe a cabana for the safety and comfort of a child either
`by itself or as a covering for a playyard.
`Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
`a cabana system adapted for use in a stand-alone mode. The
`system includes a separable ?oor for use as a cover for a
`playyard of the type having vertically extending reception
`apertures in the upper corners thereof. The system is com
`prised of a frame fabricated of tWo ?exible rods. Each
`?exible rod is holloW With free ends adapted to be received
`Within apertures of a playyard. The rods are positioned in
`side-by-side relationship to thereby form a generally cylin
`drical central extent. The rod placement further forms
`spaced semi-circular planar surfaces on opposite sides
`thereof at the ends of the central sections. A fabric cover
`covers the tubes With a screen door in a semi-circular
`con?guration in one planar face thereof With a fastener for
`coupling and uncoupling the screened panel. A fabric ?oor
`is formed as an extension of one planar face remote from the
`screen door and is adapted to depend doWnWardly over one
`side of the playyard When deployed thereon. The ?oor has a
`fastener to couple the ?oor to the loWer periphery of the
`frame When used in a stand-alone mode independent of the
`playyard.
`These together With other objects of the invention, along
`With the various features of novelty Which characteriZe the
`invention, are pointed out With particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
`understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
`the speci?c objects attained by its uses, reference should be
`had to the accompanying draWings and descriptive matter in
`Which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the
`invention.
`
`1O
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`15
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`25
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`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The invention Will be better understood and objects other
`than those set forth above Will become apparent When
`consideration is given to the folloWing detailed description
`thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed
`draWings Wherein:
`
`65
`
`6,109,280
`
`4
`FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the neW and
`improved cabana system constructed in accordance With the
`principles of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational vieW of the system shoWn in
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a front elevational vieW of the cabana shoWn in
`FIGS. 1 and 2 but standing independent of the playyard.
`FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational vieW taken along line 4—4
`of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is a top elevational vieW of the cabana Whether in
`either mode.
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional vieW taken along line 6—6 of
`FIG. 5.
`The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
`throughout the various Figures.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference noW to the draWings, and in particular to
`FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the
`neW and improved cabana system adapted for use in a
`stand-alone mode or as a cover for a playyard embodying the
`principles and concepts of the present invention and gener
`ally designated by the reference numeral 10 Will be
`described.
`The present invention, the neW and improved cabana
`system adapted for use in a stand-alone mode or as a cover
`for a playyard is a system 10 comprised of a plurality of
`components. Such components, in their broadest context,
`include a frame, a fabric cover, a fabric ?oor, and a ?oor
`panel. Each of the individual components is speci?cally
`con?gured and correlated one With respect to the other so as
`to attain the desired objectives.
`The present invention, a neW and improved cabana sys
`tem 10, is adapted for use in a stand-alone mode. The cabana
`system includes a separable ?oor for use as a cover for a
`playyard 12 of the type having vertically extending recep
`tion apertures 14 in the upper corners thereof.
`As a major component of the system 10, a frame 18 is
`fabricated of tWo ?exible rods 20. Each ?exible rod is
`holloW. Each rod further employs free ends 22. The free ends
`are adapted to be received Within apertures 14 of the
`playyard. In such con?guration, the rods are positioned in
`side-by-side relationship closer at their central points than at
`their ends. This relationship thereby forms a generally
`cylindrical central extent 24 narroWer at the midpoint than at
`the ends and With spaced semi-circular planar surfaces 26 on
`opposite sides thereof. Each of the rods is formed of a central
`section 28 constituting about a third of the length With
`couplable end sections 30 at the ends of the central sections.
`Next provided as a component of the system 10 is a fabric
`cover 34. The fabric cover covers the tubes and is attached
`at their central extents. Further, the fabric cover has trian
`gular vents 36 on the cylindrical central section adjacent to
`the top. A screen door 38 is formed in a semi-circular
`con?guration in one planar face thereof. The screen door is
`provided With a sliding fastener 40 for coupling and uncou
`pling the screened panel.
`A fabric ?oor 44 is provided as the next component of the
`system 10. The ?oor is formed as an extension of one planar
`face remote from the screen door. The ?oor is adapted to
`depend doWnWardly over one side of the playyard When
`deployed thereon. Further, the ?oor has a sliding fastener 46
`Which couples the ?oor to the loWer periphery of the frame
`When used in a stand-alone mode independent of the play
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-6
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`

`

`6,109,280
`
`5
`yard. Lastly, the ?oor has pockets 48 for receiving the free
`ends of the tubes.
`The last major component of the system 10 is a ?oor panel
`50. The ?oor panel is formed of four coupled rectangular
`sections. The four rectangular sections are positionable
`either on the ?oor of the playyard When the cabana is used
`thereWith or positionable on the ?oor of the cabana When
`standing independent of the playyard.
`As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
`invention, the same should be apparent from the above
`description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to
`the manner of usage and operation Will be provided.
`With respect to the above description then, it is to be
`realiZed that the optimum dimensional relationships for the
`parts of the invention, to include variations in siZe, materials,
`shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
`and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
`skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
`illustrated in the draWings and described in the speci?cation
`are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
`Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
`of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modi?cations and changes Will readily occur to those skilled
`in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
`construction and operation shoWn and described, and
`accordingly, all suitable modi?cations and equivalents may
`be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. Acabana system adapted for use in a stand-alone mode
`and With a separable ?oor for use as a cover for a playyard
`of the type having vertically extending reception apertures in
`the upper corners thereof comprising, in combination:
`a frame fabricated of tWo ?exible rods, each ?exible rod
`being holloW With free ends adapted to be received
`Within apertures of the playyard, the rods being posi
`tioned in side-by-side relationship closer at their central
`points than at their ends to thereby form a generally
`cylindrical central extent narroWer at the midpoint than
`at the ends and With spaced semi-circular planar sur
`faces on opposite sides thereof, each of the rods being
`formed of a central section constituting about a third of
`the length With couplable end sections at the ends of the
`central sections;
`a fabric cover covering the rods and attached at their
`central extents, the fabric cover having triangular vents
`on the cylindrical central section adjacent to the top
`With a screen door in a semi-circular con?guration in
`one planar face thereof With a sliding fastener for
`coupling and uncoupling the screen door;
`a fabric ?oor formed as an extension of one planar face of
`the fabric cover remote from the screen door and
`adapted to depend doWnWardly over one side of the
`playyard When deployed thereon, the ?oor having a
`sliding fastener to couple the ?oor to the loWer periph
`ery of the fabric cover When used in a stand-alone mode
`independent of the playyard, the ?oor having pockets
`for receiving the free ends of the rods; and
`a ?oor panel formed of four coupled rectangular sections
`positionable either on the ?oor of the playyard When
`the frame and fabric cover are positioned thereon or
`positionable on the ?oor of the fabric over When the
`frame and fabric cover stand independent of the play
`yard.
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
`
`6
`2. The combination cabana as set forth in claim 1 Wherein
`each of the rods is formed of a central section constituting
`about a third of the length With couplable end sections at the
`ends of the central sections.
`3. The combination cabana as set forth in claim 2 Wherein
`each rod is attached at its central section to the fabric cover.
`4. The combination cabana as set forth in claim 1 Wherein
`the ?oor has pockets for receiving the free ends of the rods.
`5. The combination cabana as set forth in claim 1 and
`further including a ?oor panel formed of four coupled
`rectangular sections positionable either on the ?oor of the
`playyard When the frame and fabric cover are positioned
`thereon or positionable on the ?oor of the fabric cover When
`the frame and fabric cover stand independent of the play
`yard.
`6. A combination cabana for a playyard and stand-alone
`play structure, comprising:
`a frame and fabric cover assembly including tWo ?exible
`rods, each ?exible rod including free ends adapted to be
`received Within apertures of a playyard, the rods being
`spaced apart and positioned in side-by-side
`relationship, the fabric cover supported by the ?exible
`rods so as to provide a generally cylindrically con
`toured central extent, With spaced semi-circular planar
`surfaces on opposite sides thereof, the fabric cover
`including a door panel segment in one planar face
`thereof With a fastener for coupling and uncoupling the
`door panel segment, the fabric cover including a ?oor
`panel segment formed as an extension of one planar
`face thereof remote from the door panel segment, the
`?oor panel segment having a fastener to releasably
`couple the ?oor panel segment in a generally horiZontal
`position to act as an integral ?oor for the frame and
`fabric cover assembly When used as a stand-alone play
`structure and for permitting the ?oor panel segment to
`depend doWnWardly over one side of a playyard When
`deployed thereon.
`7. A combination cabana for a playyard and stand-alone
`play structure, comprising:
`a frame and fabric cover assembly including tWo spaced
`apart ?exible support rods, the fabric cover being
`supported by the ?exible rods so as to provide spaced
`planar surfaces on opposite sides thereof, the fabric
`cover including a door panel segment in one planar
`surface thereof With a fastener for coupling and uncou
`pling the door panel segment, the fabric cover includ
`ing a ?oor panel segment permanently attached thereto
`at one side thereof, the ?oor panel segment having a
`fastener to releasably couple the ?oor panel segment in
`a generally horiZontal position to act as an integral ?oor
`for the frame and fabric cover assembly When used as
`a stand-alone play structure and for permitting the ?oor
`panel segment to depend doWnWardly over one side of
`a playyard When deployed thereon.
`8. The combination cabana of claim 7 Wherein the one
`side at Which the ?oor panel segment is permanently
`attached is remote from the door panel segment, and Wherein
`the fastener of the ?oor panel segment comprises a sliding
`fastener for releasably coupling substantially the entire
`periphery of the ?oor panel segment.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`KOLCRAFT EXHIBIT 2003-7
`Artsana USA, Inc. v. Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
`IPR2014-01053
`
`