LOCKING CLAMP SYSTEM FOR FOLDABLE DOLLHOUSE AND FOLDABLE DOLLHOUSE

Abstract

The invention provides a locking clamp system for a foldable dollhouse. The locking clamp system comprises a base clamp and side clamp that can be connected to each other and can in turn be connected with the wall, floor, and roof floor panels of the dollhouse. The locking clamp system includes a front locking clamp system that comprises a front base clamp and front side clamp that can be connected to each other and can in turn be connected with the wall, floor, and roof floor panels of the dollhouse. The locking clamp system includes a rear locking clamp system that comprises a rear base clamp and rear side clamp that can be connected to each other and can in turn be connected with the wall, floor, and roof floor panels of the dollhouse. In addition, the invention provides a foldable dollhouse, in which a locking clamp system has been used.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of toys, more specifically to the field of foldable dollhouses and their locking systems. The invention provides a locking clamp system for a foldable dollhouse, and a foldable dollhouse.

PRIOR ART

Various foldable and folding play and dollhouses are well-known in the art.

German Utility Model DE202006010621 discloses a foldable playhouse which is provided with a locking mechanism, which ensures enough stability and security and does not enable children to fold and unfold the playhouse on their own.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,609 discloses a dollhouse, the walls of which have magnetic sheets for installation purposes.

German Patent Application DE102011084959 discloses a foldable dollhouse which consists of modular walls which are provided with magnets for joining with each other.

German Utility Model DE202007008960 discloses a cardboard dollhouse system, the walls of which are joined with each other with magnetic rods.

The disadvantage of the available solutions is that folding up and unfolding of the dollhouse is time-consuming, too complicated for children or the construction is not stable enough.

Currently, there is no solution for a dollhouse which takes little room in a folded state and which is quickly and conveniently detachable and foldable, while being secure and stable enough for carrying dollhouse furniture and for playing in the dollhouse, so that children could manage to detach and fold it up themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a locking clamp system for a foldable dollhouse and a foldable dollhouse. The locking clamps are special interconnecting clamps for connecting the wall panels and floor panel of the floor module, for connecting the floor modules with each other, and for connecting the roof floor with the module. A floor module of the dollhouse consists of three wall panels and a floor panel that can be connected with each other by locking clamps. The locking clamps enable unfolding and folding up the wall panels and floor of the floor module of the dollhouse quickly and conveniently. In the unfolded state, the wall panels and floor panel form a strongly fixed three-dimensional space which can be connected other unfolded dollhouse floor modules of similar type, thus forming a multi-story dollhouse. The roof floor module of the dollhouse consists of two roof floor wall panels, a floor panel, and a roof panel which can be connected with each other by locking clamps. At the same time, in the folded state, the dollhouse and its modules are almost entirely two-dimensional book-like objects which do not take much space during storage.

Upon unfolding, the locking clamps lock the wall and floor panels of the floor module of the dollhouse to each other and upon folding up, the locking clamps unlock the wall and floor panels of the module of the dollhouse. Similarly, upon unfolding, the locking clamps lock the wall panels, the floor panel, and the roof panel of the roof floor of the dollhouse to each other, and upon folding up, the locking clamps unlock the wall panels, the floor panel, and the roof panel of the roof floor of the dollhouse.

The invention provided in this description enables locking and fixing quickly and securely the wall and floor panels of the floor module of the dollhouse to each other, and also various modules of the dollhouse, including the module of the roof floor. Locking clamps enabling storing the modules of the dollhouse in the detached state being stacked on each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1: front locking clamp in general view

FIG. 2A: front locking clamp in front view

FIG. 2B: front locking clamp in side view

FIG. 2C: front locking clamp in rear view

FIG. 3: front side clamp in general view

FIG. 4: front side clamp in front view

FIG. 5a: section A-A of FIG. 4

FIG. 5b: front side clamp in top view

FIG. 5c: section B-B of FIG. 5b

FIG. 6: front base clamp in general view

FIG. 7: front base clamp in top view

FIG. 8a: section C-C of FIG. 7

FIG. 8b: front base clamp in front view

FIG. 8c: section D-D of FIG. 8b

FIG. 9: rear locking clamp in general view

FIG. 10A: rear locking clamp in front view

FIG. 10B: rear locking clamp in side view

FIG. 10C: rear locking clamp in rear view

FIG. 11: rear side clamp in general view

FIG. 12: rear side clamp in front view

FIG. 13a: section E-E of FIG. 12

FIG. 13b: rear side clamp in top view

FIG. 13c: section F-F of FIG. 13b

FIG. 14: rear base clamp in general view

FIG. 15: rear base clamp in top view

FIG. 16a: section G-G of FIG. 15

FIG. 16b: rear base clamp in front view

FIG. 16c: section H-H of FIG. 16b

FIG. 17: general view of the floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 18: cross-section of the floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 19A: side view of the floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 19B: front view of the floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 19C: top view of the floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 20: general view of the roof floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 21: cross-section of the roof floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 22A: side view of the roof floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 22B: front view of the roof floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 22C: top view of the roof floor module of the dollhouse

FIG. 23: general view of floor modules and the roof floor module of the dollhouse connected to each other

FIG. 24A: side view of the floor modules and the roof floor module of the dollhouse connected to each other

FIG. 24B: front view of the floor modules and the roof floor module of the dollhouse connected to each other

FIG. 24C: top view of the floor modules and the roof floor module of the dollhouse connected to each other

EXAMPLE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is based on a locking clamp system that consists of front locking clamp system 1 and rear locking clamp system 2 for a foldable dollhouse as depicted in Figures FIG. 1, 2A-2C, 9, 10A-10C. Front locking clamp system 1 comprises front side clamp 3 according to Figures FIG. 3, 4, 5B and the front base clamp 4 according to Figures FIG. 6, 7, 8B. The front side clamp and front base clamp are connectable to each other, and the front side clamp and front base clamp are in turn connectable to wall panel 5 (see Figure FIG. 17), floor panel 6 of the module of the dollhouse (see Figures FIG. 17, 20), and wall panels 7 of the roof floor (see FIG. 20). The rear locking clamp system comprises rear side clamp 8 according to Figures FIG. 11, 12, 13B and the rear base clamp 9 according to Figures FIG. 14, 15, 16B. The rear side clamp and rear base clamp are connectable to each other, and the rear side clamp and rear base clamp are in turn connectable to wall panel 4 (see FIG. 17), floor panel 5 of the module of the dollhouse (see Figures FIG. 17, 20) and wall panels 7 of the roof floor (see FIG. 20).

Front side clamp 3 consists of vertical U-shaped section 10, the bottom side of which has a T-shaped tongue 11. This T-shaped tongue 11 has in at least one end barrier 12 to impede the sliding of the front side clamp 3. Wall panel 5 of the dollhouse and wall panel 7 of the roof floor are attached to the vertical U-shaped section 10 and the T-shaped tongue 11 is attached to groove 12 of the front base clamp 4.

Rear side clamp 8 consists of a vertical U-shaped section 13, the bottom side of which has a T-shaped tongue 14. The T-shaped tongue 14 of the rear side clamp 8 is shorter than tongue 11 of the front side clamp. Wall panel 5 of the dollhouse and wall panel 7 of the roof floor are attached to the vertical U-shaped section 13 and the T-shaped tongue 14 is attached to groove 15 of the rear base clamp 9. Unlike the tongue of the front side clamp, tongue 14 of the rear side clamp 8 has no barrier.

The front base clamp 4 consists of a horizontal U-shaped section 16, the side of which has perpendicularly two mutually located grooves 12 and 17. Floor panel 6 of the dollhouse is attached to this horizontal U-shaped section 16. Of those mutually located grooves, to the upper groove 12 is attached the T-shaped tongue 11 of the front side clamp 3, and to the lower groove 16 is attached the upper edge of the wall panel 5 of the module of the dollhouse.

The rear base clamp 9 consists of a horizontal U-shaped section 18, the side of which has perpendicularly two mutually located U-shaped grooves 15 and 19. Floor panel 6 of the dollhouse is attached to this horizontal U-shaped section 18. Of those mutually located U-shaped grooves, to the upper groove 15 is attached the T-shaped tongue 14 of the rear side clamp 8, and to the lower groove 19 is attached the upper edge of the wall panel 5 of the module of the dollhouse.

Side clamps 3, 8 and base clamps 4, 9 can accordingly be fixated to wall panels 5, base panel 6, and wall panel 7 of the roof floor by fastening means that can be, for example, adhesive, rivets, whereas if rivets are used, hole 20 is located in the horizontal section 16, 18 and vertical U-shaped section 10, 13.

The horizontal U-shaped section 16, 18 of base clamp 4, 9 that has holes 12 for riveting enables installing and riveting base clamp 4, 9 to floor panel 6 of the dollhouse; floor panel 6 is placed between the horizontal U-shaped section 16, 18 of base clamp 4, 9 and is attached to base clamp 4, 9 by the rivet connected through its holes 20 and through the floor panel 6.

The t-shaped groove 12, 15 of base clamp 4, 9 is intended for locking the side clamp 3, 8 with the T-shaped tongue 11, 14. In order to facilitate the insertion of tongue 11, 14 to groove 12, 15, tongue 11, 14 has the front end with phasing 21.

The lower part of base clamp 4, 9, which has the U-shaped section 16, 18, is intended to be based both on floor panel 6 or floor and on the edge of wall panel 5 of the module of the dollhouse, so that the modules of the dollhouse could be installed stably on each other, being based directly on the bottom module of the dollhouse, which minimises fluctuation and helps to keep wall panels 5 of the bottom module of the dollhouse and wall panels 7 of the roof floor straight, so that the centre of gravity of the upper module of the dollhouse would not break or bend wall panels 5 of the bottom module of the dollhouse. The set of one floor, including the set of the roof floor, includes four base clamps 4, 9, i.e. 2 front and 2 rear base clamps in the side edges of the floor panel 6; so that the module of the dollhouse that is installed on the top holds tight and the modules of the dollhouse are stable between themselves, while being easily detachable.

The purpose of side clamp 3, 8 is to lock wall panels 5 of the module of the dollhouse, so that they would not move from right to left and up and down.

There are 4 side clamps in the set, i.e. two front side clamps and two rear side clamps, which are attached to base clamps 4, 9 to lock the unfolded module of the dollhouse. Side clamp 3, 8 can be locked in base clamp 4, 9 by pressing on it (from top to bottom or by pulling by its groove 12, 15). In order to deactivate, side clamp 3, 8 is pulled out of groove 12, 15 (from bottom to top or by sliding out of groove 12, 15). The locking section of the front side clamp 3, which is pressed or pulled in base clamp 4, has in one end barrier 12 or a thicker part which impedes the front side clamp 3 from sliding out of groove 12.

Front and rear clamp system 1 provided by the invention can be quickly assembled and disassembled; clamps 3 and 4, and 8 and 9, respectively, can be fixed to each other and these can be strongly attached to cardboard used as material for the floor modules and the roof floor module.

The modules of the foldable dollhouse depicted in Figures FIG. 17-23 comprise a floor module that consists of four details: two sidewall panels 5, floor panel 6 and rear wall panel 5. The roof floor module as depicted in Figures FIG. 20-24A, B, C consists also of four details: two roof floor wall panels 7, roof panel 25, floor panel 6. For folding up and unfolding the module, there is an articulation 22 between the sidewall panels and rear wall panel (for the roof floor, between the roof floor wall panels and roof panel, respectively). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, for the articulation, the edge of the side wall panels is on the rear wall panel (for the roof floor, the edge of the roof floor wall panels on the roof panel, respectively) with overlay 23, which enables attaching the side wall panels by adhesive or rivets to the rear wall panel of the module of the dollhouse (for the roof floor, the wall panels of the roof floor are attached to the roof panel, respectively). The overlay of the sidewall panels 5 (for roof floor, the overlay of the roof panel, respectively) gives the load-bearing strength to the floor module or roof floor module. Overlays 23 of the side wall panels (for the roof floor, the overlays of roof floor wall panels, respectively) are riveted or glued to the rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, to the roof panel, respectively), doubling therefore the corner thickness of the module of the dollhouse and giving significant strength and stability to the construction of the module of the dollhouse as a whole; the resulting articulation enables folding up and unfolding the side wall panels (for the roof floor, the roof floor wall panels, respectively).

Floor panel 6 and rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, the roof panel 25, respectively) are in one piece and a two-part hinge 5a of the floor panel is located in between them. In the front edge of the floor panel 6, which is located facing the attached edge of the rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, the roof panel 25, respectively), there is an angular foreband 24. The reinforcement of angular foreband 24 helps to prevent the fluctuation of the floor panel 6 of the module of the dollhouse and provides it with significant strength and rigidity. In addition, the angular foreband 24 protects wall panels 5 of the module of the dollhouse (for the roof floor, wall panels 7 of the roof floor, respectively) in its folded state. The angular foreband 24 gives to the assembled module the consistent impression in each case of assembly—the module turns into a small box, reminding of a book.

Hinge 5a of the floor panel between floor panel 6 and rear wall panel (for the roof floor, the roof panel 25, respectively) gives to the module of the dollhouse enough flexibility to move forth, back and also down, which is necessary for connecting locking clamps 3 and 8, so that base clamps 4, 9 could be locked with side clamps 3, 8 of side wall panels 5 (for the roof floor, of the wall panels 7 of the roof floor, respectively), and therefore to fix the module in its unfolded state. In addition, the narrow space created by the two-part hinge section 5a of the floor panel enables hiding upon folding up the module the side wall panels 5 (for the roof floor, wall panels 7 of the roof floor, respectively) with side clamps 3, 8 between the rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, roof panel 25, respectively) and floor panel 6. This way, the folded module of the dollhouse is thin enough to be placed, for example, in a shelf (like a book).

On both edges of the two side wall panels 5 of the module of the foldable dollhouse (for the roof floor, wall panels 7 of the roof floor, respectively), there are two side clamps 3, 8, and on both opposite edges of floor panel 6, there are two base clamps 4, 9. Side clamps 3, 8 and base clamps 4, 9 can be locked with each other, forming in its unfolded state a dimensional module of the dollhouse, as depicted in FIG. 23.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wall panels 5 (for the roof floor, wall panels 7 and roof panel 25 of the roof floor, respectively) and floor panel 6 of the foldable dollhouse are made of cardboard.

The module of the dollhouse described in this invention can be conveniently and quickly (approx. 10-30 seconds) folded up and unfolded, whereas the folded module of the dollhouse has enough space for fitting locking clamps 3, 8 and 4, 9, and has similarly to books or file cases a so-called ‘backplate’ for the information regarding the contents of the module of the dollhouse.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the module of the dollhouse comprises eight locking clamps: four base clamps 4, 9 that are attached to the edge of the floor panel 6, and four side clamps 3, 8 that are attached to wall panels 5 of the module of the dollhouse (for the roof floor, to wall panels 7 of the roof floor, respectively).

Deactivation of Locking Clamps

Both clamps, i.e. base clamp 4, 9 and side clamp 3, 8 are deactivated by a smooth stroke out of the groove (from bottom to top) or by sliding out of the groove (from back to forth):

1. Side wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, wall panel 7 of the roof floor, respectively) is opened and placed to the rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, to roof panel 25, respectively)—first movement.

2. Second wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, wall panel 7 of the roof floor, respectively) is opened and placed to the rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, to roof panel 25, respectively)—second movement.

3. Floor panel 6 is turned against rear wall panel 5 (for the roof floor, against roof panel 25, respectively) and the module of the dollhouse is folded—third movement.

Claims

1. Locking clamp system for foldable dollhouse, characterized in that it contains base clamp (4, 9) and side clamp (3, 8) that are connectable to each other and that can in turn be connected to wall panels (5), floor panel (6), and wall panels (7) of the roof floor of the dollhouse, wherein side clamp (3, 8) consists of a vertical U-shaped section (10, 13), in which is attached wall panel (5, 7) of the dollhouse, and in the bottom side of the vertical U-shaped section (10, 13), there is a T-shaped tongue (11, 14) that is attached to the groove (12, 15) of base clamp (4, 9);base clamp (4, 9) consists of a vertical U-shaped section (16, 18), in which is attached floor panel (6) of the dollhouse, and the side of the horizontal U-shaped section (16, 18) has perpendicularly two mutually located U-shaped grooves (12, 17) and (15, 19);into one of those U-shaped grooves (12, 15) is attached the T-shaped tongue (11, 14) and into other U-shaped groove (15, 19) is attached wall panel (5) of the dollhouse and wall panel (7) of the roof floor.

2. Locking clamp system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes front locking clamp system (1) that comprises front base clamp (4) and front side clamp (3) that are connectable to each other and that can in turn be connected to wall panels (5), floor panel (6), and wall panels (7) of the roof floor of the dollhouse; and in that it includes rear locking clamp system (2) that comprises rear base clamp (9) and rear side clamp (8), that are connectable to each other and that can in turn be connected to wall panels (5), floor panel (6), and wall panels (7) of the roof floor of the dollhouse.

3. Locking clamp system according to claim 1, characterized in that the T-shaped tongue (11) of the front side clamp (3) has in at least one end barrier (12) to impede the sliding of side clamps (3, 8) out of base clamps (4, 9); in the other end, tongue (11) has a phasing (21).

4. Locking clamp system according to claim 1, characterized in that the T-shaped tongue (14) of the rear side clamp (8) is shorter than the T-shaped tongue (11) of the front side clamp (3) and groove (15) of the rear base clamp is shorter than groove (12) of the front base clamp.

5. Locking clamp system according to claim 1, characterized in that the T-shaped tongue (14) of the rear side clamp (8) has one end with phasing (21).

6. Locking clamp system according to claim 1, characterized in that the side clamps and base clamps can accordingly be fixed to wall panels and floor panel by fastening means.

7. Locking clamp system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the horizontal and vertical U-shaped section has a hole for fastening means.

8. Locking clamp system according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means are rivets.

9. Foldable dollhouse characterized in that it comprises a locking clamp system according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.

10. Foldable dollhouse according to claim 9, characterized in that the floor module of the dollhouse consists of three wall panels and a floor panel, wherein the floor panel and the middle wall panel are a single detail, one wall panel is attached to one side of the middle wall panel and the other wall panel is attached to the other side of the middle wall panel, the roof floor module of the dollhouse consists of two wall panels of the roof floor, a roof panel and a floor panel, wherein the floor panel and the roof panel are a single detail, one wall panel of the roof floor is attached to the one side of the roof panel and the other wall panel of the roof floor is attached to the other side of the roof panel.

11. Foldable dollhouse according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the joints of the panels of the dollhouse are flexible articulations (22).

12. Foldable dollhouse according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that in the joints of the panels of the dollhouse, the edge of the side wall panels is on the rear wall panel, and for the roof floor, the edge of the wall panels of the roof floor are on the roof panel with overlay (23).

13. Foldable dollhouse according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the floor panel and the rear wall panel, for the roof floor, the floor panel and the roof panel are in one piece and in between them, there is a two-part hinge (5a).

14. Foldable dollhouse according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that in the front edge of the floor panel, which is located facing the attached edge of the sidewall panel, there is an angular foreband (24).

15. Foldable dollhouse according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that on both edges of the two side wall panels of the floor module, there are two side clamps, and on both opposite edges of the floor panel, there are two base clamps, on both edges of the wall panel of the roof floor, there are two side clamps, and on both opposite edges of the floor panel, there are two base clamps, wherein the side clamps and base clamps can be locked with each other.

16. Foldable dollhouse according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the wall panels, wall panels of the roof floor, roof panel and floor panels are made of cardboard and/or plastic and/or metal and/or wood and/or their combination.