Patent Application
20150051007
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(1) Field of the Invention
This invention is directed toward children's play structures, in particular, folding or collapsible play enclosures such as tents and similar lightweight structures, where children play inside, or next to, an area defined by a portable boundary.
(2) Description of Related Art
Children have long used play areas that are defined by tents. For example, many parents and children use blankets and sheets to create ‘on the spot’ temporary shelters where children then play with a portable roof over their heads. Though simply and easily done, it is a fun and imaginative venture for young children to create the space and play inside it.
Many children also will play inside boxes for similar reasons when boxes are available. In particular, large boxes, such as discarded appliance boxes, are amusing to climb into. A child's imagination can transform the box into many things—such as boats, space ships, cars, airplanes, etc. and then have very imaginative play. However, boxes of this size are not often available for children to play in, and have a number of issues that will concern parents. They often contain large metal staples which are likely to cause scratches or injury. They are subject to degradation when used out of doors, and they are limited in geometry. It is frustrating and difficult to connect them together for larger play areas.
Playing with boxes and under/inside tents appears instinctual or innate for children.
Others have worked in the field of children's play areas. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,174 describes a teaching tent designed to amuse and educate children. However, the tent was not designed for convenient assembly nor was there consideration given to adding additional adjoining play areas in a rapid and convenient manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,935 describes a general sandbox which can be used for other purposes. Though such structures define a play area, it is not enclosed like a tent and does not inspire the same type of play/imagination.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,020 describes a children's play tent which has advantages of portability. However, its large vertical size makes it largely unsuitable for playing indoors. Also, the wooden structure is objectionable for children's play as any failure in assembly is likely to cause injury if a tent were to collapse.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,663 describes a multi component shelter, however, it lacks portability and ease of assembly. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,337 also describes a shelter with an entry; however, it also lacks portability and ease of assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,698 describes a collapsible teepee shelter. Though it is described as portable, in use for children's play, its portability is restricted due to the complicated and heavy internal support structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,119 describes an improved entrance for an air inflated enclosure. The double entrance includes a double door arrangement with a stiffened archway to support an entry tunnel. The entry slit arrangement is over complicated from a manufacturing standpoint, and the double entry design does not lend itself to a modular, connectable design for the overall structure. If the entrance gates are placed near each other, it is frustrating to move from play area to play area.
EP 1,559,854 describes a portable fabric structure with an inflatable base. Though there is a measure of convenience with respect to being inflatable, the fact that both a rigid structure and an inflatable base are both used adds undue complication to the play area assembly. Also, no methods to combine multiple structures together are conceived.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,703 discloses the use of multiple inflated structures but does not provide for important practical aspects. The use of a hook and loop system does not lend itself to connection reliability between tunnels and structures. Also, the entry system into the structure is awkward and does not provide a modular type of system where it is easy to pass from one structure to the next. Imaginative play is restricted due to the high isolation barrier. There does not appear to be a design for internal lighting or being able to see outside of the enclosed structure.
What is lacking in the art is a children's play area that provides rapid assembly/creation, modular units that allows for expansion into larger play areas, easy mobility, combined with lightweight portability.
The embodied invention is an enclosed fabric structure that provides a three dimensional play area for a child to play in when it is inflated by a fan. Entry to the play area is by a tunnel connected to the enclosed fabric structure, which in turn, is connected to a horseshoe lift gate. Other tunnels can be connected to the fabric structure to allow additional fabric structures to be interconnected. This provides larger play volumes to be created. The tunnels are interconnected by gates with connecting features to seal them together. Windows can be incorporated into the fabric structures to provide play options and internal lighting.
Entry into the fabric structure 102 is provided by gates, which in turn are either open 105 or closed 104. The open gate is shown in its temporary position where the fabric is lifted up at one end and the child (or adult, i.e. person) then moves into the fabric structure 102 to play. The gate is then closed, as illustrated in the closed gate 104 to allow the fan air to keep the fabric structure inflated. The fan is designed to provide enough air flow capacity to keep up with minor leaking around the loose seal between the closed gate 104 and the ground. The use of a centrifugal fan is one embodiment of the invention.
In an embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Though these gate connecting features are shown, they are exemplary and not meant to be limiting. Other connecting features could also be used.
A clear plastic window 305 that is zippered 306 into the side of the cube provides internal light and a sense of visibility to the play area inside the cube. It also provides improved ways of playing, allowing for various imagined games which require separation and privacy, but not lack of visibility. Another possible window that could be zippered into the side would be an opaque lighting panel that allows light to pass through but provides little actual visibility. A large mesh screen with large openings and high porosity, such as a bug screen, is not envisioned as it would be difficult to provide sufficient fan capacity to keep the cube inflated due to the high air leakage rate.
An embodied design for the entry tunnel and connecting tunnel provides features for using a zipper 307 to connect them into the larger fabric structure. The zipper type can be chosen to have a low air leakage rate. When a tunnel is not desired/used, a ‘blank’ fabric, which covers the opening, can be used instead. This provides flexibility to the structure assembly by covering holes and altering the assembly. Hook and loop type of connections are less favorable for long term sealing as they tend to clog with dirt and lint, and have a higher air leakage rate.
When the entry gate is lifted, the air in the fabric structure will leak out at a high rate. There is no additional air flow stop at the connection to the fabric structure. When the gate is down, the air is sealed by the tightness of the gate to the ground. Thus, it is helpful that the overall structure be placed on a relatively smooth surface such as a carpet, grass, or a tile floor.
It is helpful to point out that not only larger play volumes can be created by connecting tunnels, but there is also greater utilization of available geometry within a confined space. When longer tunnels are added, the play structure could easily span multiple bedrooms and hallways.
It is also useful to use a transparent material for the entire structure for increased safety. If the material is not completely transparent, a different effect/feel to the enclosed structure can be completed.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.
