Patent Application
20230212863
The invention is in the field of temporary structures, specifically apparatuses and methods that enable multi-panel temporary lightweight structures.
Many temporary structures on the market are limited to a single configuration of a fixed size and orientation. These structures offer very little in the way of customization. Such structures can quickly become boring to children and a burden to families once they are not played with, especially given the difficult installation and substantial investment.
Current structures for children are often rigid and made of rigid materials including wood, or metal. Frequently, such structure kits include an assortment of hardware and are often very difficult to assemble. Once assembled, depending on the size of the structure, they can be very difficult to move or dispose of once the child has outgrown the structure.
As current play structures usually consist of heavy rigid walls and fixed connections, they are not easily modified or updated for extended use. It would be desirable to have apparatuses and methods for play structures of simple construction, variable size, and multiple configurations.
Further, it would be desirable to have play structures that are adaptable to the changing needs of children. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide structures that can easily collapse, be transported, and/or stored.
In an embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure may be a temporary structure comprising a plurality of conduits, each conduit comprising a lumen and a standard length; a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality of connectors comprising at least one attachment member, wherein each of the at least one attachment members is configured to reversibly attach to at least one of the plurality of conduits, and wherein each of the lumens is sized to accept at least one attachment member; and a plurality of panels, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to reversibly attach to at least two of the plurality of conduits.
In a further embodiment, each of the plurality of connectors comprise an elevated portion disposed centrally to each of the plurality of connectors; an attachment member length traversing an inner attachment member end to an outer attachment member end; an attachment member diameter traversing a cross section of the outer attachment member end; and an elevated portion height traversing the attachment member to the elevated portion. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of conduits comprises a lumen diameter traversing an inside of the lumen; a lumen wall at least partially enveloping the lumen; and a lumen wall height. The lumen wall height may be equivalent to the elevated portion height.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of panels further comprises at least one featureless edge; at least one wrapping edge, each wrapping edge comprising a fastener; and a fastener receiver, wherein the fastener is configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver, and wherein each wrapping edge is configured to at least partially surround a conduit. The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener and the fastener receiver are disposed parallel to the wrapping edge. The fastener and/or the fastener receiver may be attached to the panel with stitching and/or an adhesive.
Each of the plurality of panels may further comprise a first pair of edges; and a second pair of edges; wherein the first pair of edges comprise two wrapping edges, and wherein the second pair of edges may comprise two featureless edges. Further, each of the plurality of panels may be configurable for a vertical orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a top edge and a bottom edge, and a horizontal orientation wherein the first pair of edges may include a left edge and a right edge.
In an embodiment, adjacent panels of the plurality of panels alternate between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. Each of the plurality of panels may comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge; four partial wrapping edges, where each of the four partial wrapping edges may comprise a wrapping portion and a featureless portion, wherein the wrapping portion may be configured to at least partially surround a conduit, wherein the wrapping portion may include a fastener and a fastener receiver, and wherein the fastener may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver.
The fastener and the fastener receiver may be hook and loop fasteners. Further, the fastener and the fastener receiver may be disposed parallel to the partial wrapping edge. In an embodiment, the plurality of connectors comprise a cross, a 3-way tee, a 4-way tee, a 5-way tee, a right 3-way elbow, an obtuse 3-way elbow, and a 4-way elbow.
The present invention adds a whole new dimension to temporary structures, specifically those configured as play structures.
Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures will be identified by like reference numbers. In some figures, components, such as additional electrical connections or fasteners have been omitted for clarity in the drawings. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “or” means “either or both” such that “A or B” includes A alone, B alone, and both A and B together.
The invention of the present disclosure may be an apparatus for facilitating customizable structures for children and parents by using various panels, conduits, and connectors to build unique play spaces. In an embodiment, the structure may utilize several different connectors to design structures of different shapes and functions. Accordingly, panels, connectors, and conduits may be switched to update or expand the child's play. In a further embodiment, structures and/or components of adjacent structures may be connected together to create nearly infinite designs. The structure may be easily assembled and disassembled, such that the components of the structure may be conveniently stored.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the structure 100 includes a front face 110, a rear face 112 (not shown), a left side 114, a right side 116, a top side 118, and a base 120. The base 120 may be the bottom perimeter of the structure 100 formed by the bottom portions of the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, and the right side 116. The base 120 may be configured to interface with the ground surface (for example, a tile floor, carpet, or lawn). Accordingly, the plane of the base 120 may be parallel to the ground surface. In another embodiment, the base 120 is a planar member disposed orthogonal to the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, and the right side 116. Alternatively, the base 120 may be a fabric material (for example, similar to that of the panels 104), disposed along the opening formed by the bottom ends of the front face 110, rear face 112, left side 114, and right side 116.
The top side 118 may include a left incline portion 124 and a right incline portion 126. The left incline portion 124 and the right incline portion 126 may be angled beginning at the top portions of the left side 114 and the right side 116, respectively, and extending to an apex of the top side 118. However, in various embodiments the structure may not include a top side 118. For example, the structure 100 may have an open top. Moreover, the top side 118 may be substantially flat or may include any number of incline portions in any arrangement or disposed at any suitable angle.
A cavity 122 may be defined as the space formed by the front face 110, the rear face 112, the left side 114, the right side 116, the top side 118, and/or the base 120 or the ground surface. The cavity 122 may be sized to temporarily house one or more people, for example, one or more children.
In an embodiment, the front face 110 may include a front aperture 128 and the rear face 112 may include a rear aperture 130. However, the structure 100 may include any number or combination of apertures, disposed on any suitable portion of the structure 100. The structure 100 may include a passage 132 enabling fluid communication between the environment and the cavity 122. The passage 132 may be disposed on any portion of the structure 100, for example, the front face 110. The passage 132 may be configured and/or sized to function as a door, enabling a user to enter the cavity 122. In an embodiment, the passage 132 is bound by the ground surface and the front face 110, such that the passage 132 does not rest upon a bare conduit 102. Thus, the bottom portion of the passage 132 traverses the ground surface. In another embodiment, the bottom portion of the passage 132 traverses a bare conduit 102. For example, the passage 132 may be two vertically disposed units that do not include panels 104. In an alternate embodiment, the passage 132 includes one or more panels 104, wherein the panels 104 are swivably attached to the structure, enabling an individual to push through the panels 104 upon entering the cavity 122.
Referring to
Referring to
In an embodiment, the attachment member 216 is configured to enter the conduit 102 (for example, the attachment member 216 being a male adapter and the conduit 102 being a female adapter).
The elevated portion 218 may be a portion of the connector 134, for example, the center portion of the connector 134, wherein the connector 134 is thicker than the attachment member(s) 216. Thus, an elevated portion height 224 may extend from the outer surface of the attachment member 216 to the top surface of the elevated portion 218. For example, the elevated portion height 224 may be measured from the surface of the inner end of the attachment member 216 to the top surface of the elevated portion 218, where the elevated portion 218 meets the attachment member 216.
Each conduit 102 may include a lumen 302, wherein the lumen 302 has a lumen diameter 304. The lumen 302 may be the hollow portion of the conduit 102, for example, bound by the lumen wall 306. The lumen wall 306 may have a lumen wall height 308. In an embodiment, each conduit 102 may include a standard length, for example, 14 inches. Accordingly, each conduit 102 may be the same length. In various embodiments, the conduit 102 may be any suitable length.
The conduit 102 may be composed of a plastic material, for example, a high density plastic, polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic, or any other suitable plastic material. In another embodiment, the conduit 102 may be composed of aluminum, steel, or any other suitable metal material.
The lumen 302 may be sized and configured to accept the attachment member 216. For example, the lumen 302 may be sized to accept at least the attachment member length 220. The lumen diameter 304 may be the same size or slightly larger than the attachment member diameter 222. The lumen diameter 304 and the attachment member diameter 222 may be arranged such that interfacing the connector 134 and the conduit 102 creates a fitment sufficient to support the structure 100. In an embodiment, the wall height 308 and the elevated portion height 224 are the same, such that the surfaces of the conduit 102 and the elevated portion 218 are continuous and “seamless” when a conduit 102 and connector 134 are attached.
Referring to
In an alternate embodiment, the structure 100 may include shortened conduits. Each of the shortened conduits may be roughly half the standard length, while accounting for the width of the connector 134, which may be disposed between two shortened conduits. For example, if the standard length of the conduit 102 is 14 inches, each shortened conduit may be 6 inches, accounting for the elevated portion 218 being 2 inches. Thus, two shortened conduits and one attachment member 216 may account for the same spatial dimensions as one conduit 102.
Referring to
The fastener 506 may be configured to reversibly attach to the fastener receiver 508. For example, the fastener 506 may be the “hook” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener and the fastener receiver 508 may be the “loop” portion of a hook-and-loop fastener. However, the fastener 506 and/or the fastener receiver 508 may be any suitable mechanisms for reversibly affixing the panel 104 to the structure 100. As non-limiting examples, the fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be a zipper, one or more buttons, or a non-permanent adhesive. Alternatively, the fastener 506 and/or the fastener receiver 508 may be permanently affixed, such that the panel 104 is not removable from the structure 100.
In an embodiment, an opposing pair of sides may include wrapping edges 504 and the other opposing pair of sides may include featureless edges 502. Accordingly, the panel 104 may include two wrapping edges 504 and two featureless edges 502. However, the panel 104 may include any number of sides, and thus any number of wrapping edges 504 and/or featureless edges 502. In a further embodiment, the panel 104, for example, the extended panel 106, may include two or more wrapping edges per side.
The panel 104 may be in a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation. In a vertical orientation the wrapping edges 504 may be on the top edge 512 and the bottom edge 514 of the panel 104. In a horizontal orientation the wrapping edges 504 may be on the left edge 516 and the right edge of the 518 of the panel 104. Thus, adjacent units 108 may include alternating horizontally oriented and vertically oriented panels 104. In such an embodiment, each panel 104 may attach to the structure 100, such that the wrapping edges 504 do not interfere with the wrapping edges 504 of adjacent panels 104.
In an alternate embodiment, the fastener 506 of a first panel may be configured to attach with the fastener receiver 508 of a second panel 104. In another alternate embodiment, each panel 104 may include four wrapping edges 504, such that at least two of the four wrapping edges 504 attach to the structure 100 and the other two of the four wrapping edges 504 attach to adjacent panels 104. In such an embodiment, the wrapping edges 504 that attach to adjacent panels 104 may close the gap between the two adjacent panels 104 (for example, decrease the draft or airflow).
Referring to
In an embodiment, each of the top edge 512, the bottom edge 514, the left edge 516, and the right edge 518, include a partial wrapping edge 510, wherein each edge includes an equal length of wrapping. Referring to
In another embodiment, each panel 104 may include one or more spines disposed parallel to one or more edges of the panel 104. The spines may be disposed along the one or more edges. Each spine may include one or more clips, wherein the clips are configured to mount the panel 104 to the structure 100. As a non-limiting example, the clips may be configured to grasp the cylindrical surface of a conduit 102. Thus, in one embodiment, each panel 104 may include two clips one each spine, wherein the panel 104 includes one spine on each edge. However, in various embodiments, the panel may include any quantity, arrangement, or position of clips. In an embodiment, one or more edges of the panel include a hemmed loop, where the loop contains the spine. In a further embodiment, each loop may include one or more holes sized to accept a clip. Accordingly, the spine may reside within the loop, yet the clips may extend through the hole to grasp to a conduit 102.
In an embodiment, the structure may include large panels configured to traverse one or more sides 110/112/114/116/118. For example, a large panel may be sized to cover an area of six units by three units (for example the front side 110 and left side 114 of
The fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be disposed on the same side of the panel 104. In another embodiment, the fastener 506 and the fastener receiver 508 may be disposed on different sides of the panel 104 (for example, the fastener 506 on the front surface and the fastener receiver 508 on the rear surface). The fastener 506 and fastener receiver 506 may be thin, long rectangular members stitched into the panel 104. The fastener 506 may be located at the outer most edge of the panel 104 and the fastener receiver 508 may be located a distance from the fastener 506, such that the fastener 506 contacts the fastener receiver 508 when the edge is wrapped around a conduit 102.
Referring to
Referring to
While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.
