THIS INVENTION concerns erectable structures, particularly though not exclusively a play structure for children and including one or more enclosures or pods which may be inter-connected by one or more access tunnels, the whole structure being formed predominantly from a non-self supporting material thus to be collapsible for storage.
Some such known structures are maintained in an erect condition by a framework of a flexible material such as spring steel which however may be twisted and folded into a number of compact rings for storage but which when released spring open to form the structure, the walls of which are made from a fabric or other flexible material. These structures are extremely popular since in the erect condition they provide ample space for occupancy, yet they can be readily collapsed for storage in a compact form.
An object of the present invention is to provide an erectable structure which, predominately, does not rely upon a sprung framework for support and which, instead, relies upon the establishment of air pressure within the structure.
According to the present invention there is provided an erectable structure comprising a plurality of enclosures inter-connected by at least one access tunnel; characterised in that the walls of the structure are predominantly of a non-self supporting material thus to be capable of assuming a folded or collapsed state for storage; in that an air pump is connectable to the structure to inflate same to an erect condition for occupancy; and in that at least one air flow resistant port is provided for access to and from the structure while the erect condition is maintained.
The or each access tunnel is preferably detachable from the enclosures for storage.
The or each access tunnel may be supported by a flexible annular frame.
An escape flap may be provided in the wall of the or each access tunnel enabling an occupant to escape readily from the tunnel in an emergency.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a to 7c are views similar to
Referring now to the drawings which illustrate an erectable structure providing a child's play area, the structure, in this example, comprises four pods or enclosures 10, 11, 12 and 13 of sufficient size to be occupied by a child or adult standing, kneeling, or sitting interconnected by a plurality of access tunnels 14.
As will be described, the pods and tunnels may be connected together in a number of different configurations as required to make up the overall play structure. Also, the means of attachment of the tunnels to the pods enables the structure to be readily erected and collapsed, and the parts of the structure are predominantly of a flexible and thus foldable and collapsible material such as a synthetic or natural fabric, so that they may be stored in a compact manner when required.
Each of the pods is provided with one or more ports 15 to which may be connected an access tunnel or an access member. In the example shown an access member 16 is connected to the pod 10 and access tunnels 14 are connected between the pods 10 and 11, 11 and 12 and 12 and 13 respectively.
Ports 15 which are not otherwise connected to a tunnel or an access member may be closed, for example, by a blanking plate 17. A further access member 16 is shown connected to pod 13.
In this example therefore access to the structure may be, achieved via pod 10 or pod 13 and further access is provided between the pods 10, 11, 12 and 13, via the tunnels 14.
Once the parts are connected as described and illustrated, the whole structure may be inflated by an air pump 18 connected by duct 19 to the interior of the pod 10. The pods 11, 12 and 13 may be provided with similar connecting points for an air pump. The pump 18 is of sufficient working capacity to establish and maintain an air pressure within the structure which is above ambient pressure so that the entire structure assumes a substantially erect condition until such time as the pump 18 is switched off.
One or more escape flaps 20 are provided, preferably one in each access tunnel 14, and these flaps are maintained in contact with the tunnel walls only by strips of hook and loop fastener e.g. VELCRO (registered trade mark) or the like thus to be readily detachable should it be necessary to provide an escape passage from a tunnel in an emergency.
Referring now to
At each end of each access tunnel 14 is a stiffening hoop 24 which serves to maintain the required circular shape of the access tunnel. Attached to the outer wall surface of the tunnel adjacent the hoop 24 is the other part 25 of the VELCRO fastener. Thus, by joining the two parts 23 and 25 of the fastener a substantially air flow-resistant seal is provided in the wall between the interior of the pod and that of the tunnel.
Referring now to
Thus, as can be seen in
Referring now to
Thus, passage through the door set into or out of the enclosures is achieved through the passage 28, by pushing the discs 31 aside. The discs subsequently return to the closed condition by virtue of the elastic strips 33. During passage through a door set, there is a certain loss of internal air pressure, which may cause some relaxation of the entire structure. While this relaxation may be visible nevertheless like structure remains substantially erect and returns to its fully inflated condition once the door set closes and internal pressure is re-established.
Blanking plates 17 may be formed as disc-like members similar to the door set illustrated in
Indeed, door sets similar to that illustrated at 16 may be provided at each port not otherwise occupied by an access tunnel so that entry and access to the structure may be effected at a number of positions.
The walls of the pods and the tunnels may be entirely or partially transparent or decorated with suitable indicia according to the intended theme of the structure.
The door set illustrated in
Each door set conveniently comprises four overlapping discs 31 but in some applications as few as three or even two larger discs would suffice provided they overlap sufficiently to serve as a closure for access passage 28.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0128988.3 | Dec 2001 | GB | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030101660 A1 | Jun 2003 | US |