QUICK ASSEMBLY CHILDREN'S PLAYHOUSE, PLAYSET, AND THE LIKE

Abstract

A quick assembly playhouse broadly includes pairs of wood paneled walls and living hinges. The wood paneled walls cooperatively form at least part of the playhouse when erected. Each of the pairs of walls presents adjacent hinge margins that extend alongside one another. Each of the living hinges is attached to adjacent hinge margins of a corresponding one of the pairs of walls so as to cooperatively form a living hinge joint that permits folding and unfolding of the corresponding one of the wall pairs.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to playset and playhouse equipment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a quick assembly playhouse with wood paneled walls connected by a living hinge joint.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Conventional children's playhouses are known to have construction features that mimic or are otherwise similar to the architectural features of residential housing. Because playhouses are often designed to be used outside and exposed to outdoor conditions, such playhouses are often constructed with sturdy exterior walls and roof elements to be resistant to harsh conditions. In one prior art playhouse P depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16, the playhouse P includes multiple exterior walls W made of wood material. The playhouse P also includes corner studs S that are used to connect adjacent pairs of walls W to one another. In particular, the corner studs S are secured in abutting engagement with the side edges of walls W using fasteners F.

However, prior art playhouses are deficient and have certain undesirable limitations. For instance, conventional playhouses, including the playhouse P illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, are expensive and time-consuming to construct. Conventional playhouses are also difficult to transport, particularly when the playhouse is erected. The walls of playhouse P can be sold in an unassembled condition where the walls are entirely separate and unassembled. Thus, in order to assemble the playhouse P, a purchaser must remove each of the separate, unassembled walls from any packaging and identify each individual wall separately from the other walls. The separate, unassembled walls can then be fastened to one another to assemble the playhouse. This product configuration is problematic because of the time and skill needed to identify the separate, unassembled walls (and other separate playhouse components) and to securely and correctly attach the components to one another.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a quick assembly playhouse that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art equipment set forth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns a quick assembly playhouse that broadly includes multiple pairs of wood paneled walls and living hinges. The wood paneled walls cooperatively form at least part of the playhouse when erected. Each of the pairs of walls presents adjacent hinge margins that extend alongside one another. The living hinges are each attached to adjacent hinge margins of a corresponding one of the pairs of walls so as to cooperatively form a living hinge joint that permits folding and unfolding of the corresponding one of the pairs of walls. Each of the pairs of walls is shiftable about the living hinge between a folded position, in which the walls of the pair are stacked on top of one another, and an unfolded position, in which the walls of the pair are operable to form the erected playhouse.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a quick assembly playhouse constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the playhouse including a pair of wall assemblies, a roof, and a canopy;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of one of the wall assemblies shown in FIG. 1, showing panels and a door of the wall assembly, with the panels being pivoted into a folded position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear perspective of the wall assembly shown in FIG. 2, showing a living hinge that interconnects the panels, with the living hinge being flexed to allow the panels to be folded;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective of the wall assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the wall assembly in an unfolded position where the panels are unfolded but remain connected to each other by the living hinge, with the wall assembly including wall connectors;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front perspective of the playhouse shown in FIG. 1, showing the pair of wall assemblies unfolded, with wall connectors of the wall assemblies positioned adjacent to one another to provide engageable pairs of wall connectors;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the playhouse shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, showing one of the engageable pairs of wall connectors disengaged from each other;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the playhouse similar to FIG. 6, but with the pair of wall connectors being engaged with each other;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of one of the wall connectors shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7, showing a connector base, a male tab, and a female tab of the wall connector;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the wall connector opposite to the perspective shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the wall connector shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the wall connector shown in FIGS. 8-10;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the living hinge shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, showing the living hinge in an unflexed condition, with the living hinge including a pair of elongated flanges and an intermediate region that interconnects the flanges;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the living hinge similar to FIG. 12, but with one of the flanges being pivoted relative to the other flange so that the living hinge is flexed;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the living hinge similar to FIG. 13, but with the one flange being further pivoted relative to the other flange so that the living hinge is flexed even further;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective of a prior art playhouse, with the playhouse including walls, corner studs to interconnect the walls, and fasteners; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective of the prior art playhouse shown in FIG. 15, showing one of the walls, two corner studs at each end of the one wall, and associated fasteners exploded from the remainder of the playhouse.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially to FIG. 1, a playhouse 20 is designed to be conveniently and compactly packaged in a shipping configuration. Once transported, as will be discussed in greater detail, the playhouse 20 is designed to be quickly unpacked and assembled. In the usual manner, the playhouse 20 is configured to be erected outside (or, possibly, within a home or building) for children to use. However, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to other structures that are intended to be quickly assembled and/or disassembled. The playhouse 20 broadly includes a wall assemblies 22,24, a roof 26, and a canopy 28.

The canopy 28 provides a lean-to cover attached to the wall assembly 24 and includes a canopy roof 30, upright posts 32, and railing sections 34,36. The canopy roof 30 is attached to and supported by the wall assembly 24 and the posts 32. The railing sections 34 are also attached to and supported by the wall assembly 24 and posts 32. Railing sections 36 are attached to and supported by posts 32 and posts 38.

The playhouse 20 also includes a railing and mailbox assembly 40 attached to the wall assembly 22.

The roof 26 preferably comprises a conventional gable roof structure that is cooperatively supported by the wall assemblies 22,24. The playhouse 20 further includes vented gable end walls 42 positioned above the wall assemblies 22,24 and spanning the gable ends of the roof 26.

Turning to FIGS. 1-7, the wall assemblies 22,24 are each configured to be quickly shifted between a folded position (e.g., for transporting the wall assembly) and an unfolded position (e.g., associated with assembling the playhouse 20). The wall assembly 22 preferably includes front and back walls 22a,b and a living hinge 44 that interconnects the front wall 22a and back wall 22b. Similarly, the wall assembly 24 includes front and back walls 24a,b and a living hinge 44 that interconnects the front wall 24a and back wall 24b.

The front walls 22a,24a and back walls 22b,24b each preferably include a frame 46, siding 48, and wall connectors 50. The frame 46 preferably includes a plurality of boards in the form of uprights 52, baseboards 54, and a header 56. The siding 48 preferably includes a plurality of lapped siding boards 58 that are oriented to extend laterally. In the usual manner, the siding boards 58 are preferably positioned in series with one another, with each pair of adjacent siding boards 58 overlapping one another.

The frame 46 and siding 48 are fastened to one another with nails or threaded fasteners and cooperatively provide a relatively rigid panel 60. That is, the frame 46 and siding 48 are preferably fastened to one another to form an integral panel structure. The illustrated panels 60 each preferably present laterally opposite side margins that provide a hinge margin 62 and a connection margin 64 (see FIG. 4). The panels 60 also present upper and lower margins 66,68. The panels 60 further present interior and exterior panel surfaces 70,72. The interior surface 70 of the hinge margins 62 are preferably configured to receive living hinges 44. The interior surface 70 of the connection margins 64 are preferably configured to receive wall connectors 50.

The frame 46 and siding 48 both preferably include a wood material. For instance, the wood material could include a solid continuous wood or a manufactured wood material including an integral hardened mixture of wood shavings and/or wood fragments bound together with adhesive. The adhesive can include one or more synthetic or natural adhesive resins.

As used herein, the term “wood paneled” refers to each of the walls 22a,22b and the walls 24a,24b as including wood panels. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where one or more of the panels 60 are also formed of additional materials. For instance, the panels 60 can include a synthetic resin material. Alternatively, each wall could be formed of a plurality of wooden panels supported on a frame (e.g., where the frame is formed of a metal material).

Each of the front walls 22a,24a also preferably presents a doorway 74 (see FIG. 5) and includes a lower threshold plate 76 (see FIG. 2) that spans the bottom of the doorway 74. The front wall 22a further includes windows 78 mounted in window openings 80 and a door 82 mounted in the doorway 74 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The front wall 24a also presents window openings 80. While the illustrated embodiment preferably presents the depicted arrangement of doorways 74, window openings 80, door 82, and windows 78, the principles of the present invention are applicable to provide alternative features (e.g., for playhouse ingress and egress).

Turning to FIGS. 2-4 and 12-14, each living hinge 44 provides a hinge structure suitable for pivotally interconnecting the walls 22a,22b and the walls 24a,24b so that the walls can pivot between a folded position (see FIG. 3) and an unfolded position (see FIG. 4). While not depicted, one of the living hinges 44 is also used to support the door 82 by pivotally interconnecting the wall 22a and the door 82. While the living hinge 44 is primarily discussed herein with respect to the interconnection of panels 60, it will be appreciated that the living hinge 44 could be employed to conveniently shiftably interconnect various structures associated with the playhouse 20 (e.g., for convenient packaging, unpacking, and/or assembly of the product). For instance, the illustrated roof 26 could include a pair of generally planar roof sections that are pivotally connected by one of the living hinges 44.

The living hinge 44 is preferably integrally formed and includes a pair of elongated flanges 84 and an elongated intermediate region 86 (see FIGS. 12-14). As will be discussed, the intermediate region 86 joins the flanges 84 and flexes to permit the flanges 84 to pivot relative to one another about a line of weakness 88.

Each of the living hinges 44 is preferably preferably formed of a synthetic resin material. More preferably, the synthetic resin material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and combinations thereof. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where the living hinges 44 include other materials.

The flanges 84 each include an elongated strip of material that presents a substantially constant thickness dimension Tf (see FIG. 12). Preferably, the dimension Tf of the flanges 84 defines a maximum thickness dimension of the living hinge 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum thickness dimension ranges from about one millimeter (1 mm) to about three millimeters (3 mm).

Again, the intermediate region 86 joins the flanges 84 and provides the longitudinal line of weakness 88 about which the flanges 84 can pivot relative to one another. The intermediate region 86 presents opposed concave surfaces 90 (see FIG. 12) that are concave when the living hinges 44 is unfolded and that cooperatively define the line of weakness 88. The line of weakness 88 preferably defines a minimum thickness dimension Tm (see FIG. 12) of the living hinge 44 that ranges from about one tenth of a millimeter (0.1 mm) to about eight tenths of a millimeter (0.8 mm). Thus, because the intermediate region 86 provides the line of weakness 88, the living hinge 44 is able to flex between a folded position (see FIG. 14) and an unfolded position (see FIG. 12). Such flexing of the living hinge 44 permits the flanges 84 to pivot relative to one another about the line of weakness 88.

However, it is also within the scope of the present invention where the living hinge 44 alternatively provides the line of weakness 88 to permit relative pivoting of the flanges 84. For instance, the living hinge 44 could include a series of perforations spaced along the length of the intermediate region 86 to form the line of weakness 88. Also, the intermediate region 86 of the living hinge 44 could include a material that is different from the material used to form the flanges 84. For instance, the intermediate region 86 could include an elastomeric material. Also, the intermediate region 86 could include a flexible fabric construction that is bonded or otherwise attached to the flanges 84.

The wall assemblies 22,24 each have a pair of panels 60 joined by a single, continuous piece of living hinge 44. However, it will be appreciated that the pair of panels 60 could also be joined by several pieces of living hinge 44 positioned end-to-end to cooperatively join the panels 60.

Again, the hinge margins 62 of panels 60 are preferably configured to receive living hinges 44. Each flange 84 of the living hinge 44 is secured to the interior surface 70 of the hinge margin 62 of a corresponding wall using nails, brads, staples, or other suitable fasteners. Thus, each living hinge 44 pivotally connects a corresponding pair of panels 60 to provide a living hinge joint 91 (see FIG. 4) that allows the panels 60 to be shifted between the folded position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the unfolded position (see FIG. 4).

The illustrated panels 60 are preferably coupled in pairs by the living hinges 44. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where more than two panels 60 are connected in series with one another by living hinges 44, where each living hinge 44 interconnects an adjacent pair of the panels 60. Also, for some aspects of the present invention, one or more panels 60 may not be connected to another panel 60 with a living hinge 44.

Turning to FIGS. 4-11, the wall connectors 50 preferably provide a quick-connection structure to selectively and removably interconnect the panel 60 of one of the wall assemblies 22 to an adjacent panel 60 of the other wall assembly 24. As will be described, a pair of wall connectors 50 preferably complementally engage one another to provide the selective wall interconnection.

Each wall connector 50 preferably is integrally formed and includes an elongated connector base 92, a tapered male tab 94, and a female tab 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall connectors 50 are preferably formed of an alloy carbon steel, although other suitable materials, such as other metals (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) or synthetic materials, maybe used. As will be shown, the connector base 92 and tabs 94,96 are configured so that a pair of identical wall connectors 50 can be complementally engaged with one another to automatically secure adjacent panels 60 to one another.

The illustrated wall connectors 50 are preferably hermaphroditic connectors, such that the engaged pair of wall connectors 50 can be identically constructed. As used herein, a hermaphroditic connector means that the connector has male and female components whereby two of the same connectors can be connected to one another. In particular, the female component of one connector receives the male component of the other connector, and the female component of the other connector receives the male component of the one connector. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention where the engaged pair of wall connectors 50 are not identical.

The connector base 92 comprises an elongated plate and presents opposite ends 98. The tapered male tab 94 projects from one end 98 of the connector base 92, while the female tab 96 projects from adjacent an opposite end 98 of the connector base 92. Preferably, the female tab 96 projects at about a right angle to the plane of the connector base 92, with the female tab and the connector base cooperatively presenting a tapered slot 99. As will be shown, this arrangement permits the wall connectors 50 to removably connect adjacent panels 60 at a right angle. However, the female tab 96 could be alternatively positioned relative to the connector base 92. For instance, the female tab 96 could extend substantially parallel to the plane of the connector base 92 (e.g., to interconnect panels 60 that are arranged end-to-end and parallel to one another).

The wall connectors 50 are removably attached to panels 60 along the interior surfaces 70 of connection margins 64 using threaded fasteners 100 that extend through corresponding holes 102 in the connector base 92. In the illustrated embodiment, wall connectors 50 associated with the walls 22a,22b are arranged so that the male tab 94 is positioned above the female tab 96 (see FIGS. 5-7). Also, wall connectors 50 associated with the walls 24a,24b are arranged so that the male tab 94 is positioned below the female tab 96.

However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the wall connectors 50 are alternatively positioned and/or oriented on the panels 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall connectors 50 are preferably secured along the connection margins 64 of the panels 60. However, the wall connectors 50 could be located at a position spaced laterally between the laterally endmost margins of the panels 60. For instance, the playhouse 20 could include an interior wall (not shown) secured to one of the panels 60 by wall connectors 50 mounted near the lateral midpoint of the one panel 60.

Turning to FIGS. 5-7, the wall assemblies 22,24 are removably attached to one another by positioning connection margins 64 of the wall assembly 22 adjacent to respective connection margins 64 of the wall assembly 24. The wall assembly 24 (or at least the connection margins 64 of the wall assembly 24) is lifted relative to the wall assembly 22 so that wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 24 are spaced vertically above the respective wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Also, prior to lowering the wall assembly 24, the male tab 94 of the each wall connector 50 is laterally aligned with the respective tapered slot 99 of the opposite wall connector 50 (see FIG. 6). With each male tab 94 aligned with the respective tapered slot 99, the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 24 can slide vertically downwardly into interlocking engagement with the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 22 (see FIG. 7). In this manner, the wall assembly 24 can be lowered relative to the wall assembly 22 so that the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 24 slide into interlocking engagement with the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 22 and thereby provide quick-connection joints 104 between the wall assemblies 22,24 (see FIGS. 5-7). In other words, the wall connectors 50 are operable to automatically secure the adjacent panels 60 to one another when corresponding pairs of wall connectors 50 are shifted into engagement with each other.

Thus, the illustrated wall connectors 50 of the wall assemblies 22,24 are selectively shiftable into and out of engagement with one another along a vertical engagement axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the adjacent connection margins 64. Furthermore, the wall connectors 50 are configured so that the vertical engagement axis is generally parallel to the pivot axis associated with the living hinge joint 91 (i.e., the axis about which the pair of panels 60 are folded and unfolded).

However, the wall connectors 50 could be constructed and/or positioned to permit alternative panel engagement and disengagement. For instance, the wall connectors 50 could be configured and positioned to permit panel engagement and disengagement along a lateral axis (e.g., an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection margins 64).

When a pair of wall connectors 50 are interlocked, the tapered slot 99 of one wall connector 50 receives the tapered male tab 94 of the other wall connector 50, while the tapered slot 99 of the other wall connector 50 receives the tapered male tab 94 of the one wall connector 50 (see FIG. 7). At the same time, holes 102 presented by the male and female tabs 94,96 are aligned so that threaded fasteners 100 can extend through the male and female tabs 94,96 to secure the wall connectors 50 to one another.

Again, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the interconnection of wall assemblies 22,24 provided by the wall connectors 50 is alternatively configured. For instance, the wall connectors 50 could be configured and positioned to permit engagement and disengagement of the quick-connection joint 104 along a lateral axis (e.g., an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection margins 64). Also, while each pair of engaged wall connectors 50 preferably uses identical wall connectors 50, the engaged wall connectors 50 could be differently shaped to provide the quick-connection joint 104.

It will also be appreciated that, for some aspects of the present invention, the quick-connection joint 104 between a pair of panels 60 could be provided by one or more wall connectors 50 mounted on only one of the pair of panels 60. For instance, one of the panels 60 could have slots (not shown) cut into the wood material along the interior surface 70 of the connection margin 64 to receive female tabs 96 of the illustrated wall connectors 50.

In operation, components of the illustrated playhouse 20, particularly the wall assemblies 22,24, can be conveniently placed in various types of containers or packaging (not shown) when the playhouse 20 is unassembled (e.g., for subsequent transportation and/or sale of the playhouse 20). The wall assemblies 22,24 are preferably shifted into the folded position (see FIG. 2) prior to transportation and/or packaging of the wall assemblies 22,24. The relatively flat and compact configuration of the folded wall assemblies 22,24 permits multiple wall assemblies 22,24 to be compactly stacked alongside one another.

When the user intends to erect the playhouse 20, the wall assemblies 22,24 can be selectively removed from a container (or other packaging) and unfolded (see FIG. 5). With the wall assemblies 22,24 unpacked and placed in the unfolded position, the wall assemblies 22,24 can be removably attached to one another. Again, the wall assemblies 22,24 are connected to each other by positioning connection margins 64 of the wall assembly 22 adjacent to respective connection margins 64 of the wall assembly 24. The wall assembly 24 is then moved vertically relative to the wall assembly 22 so that wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 24 are spaced above the respective wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). At the same time, to mate each pair of wall connectors 50, the male tab 94 of the each wall connector 50 is laterally aligned with the respective tapered slot 99 of the opposite wall connector 50 (see FIG. 6). With each male tab 94 aligned with the respective tapered slot 99, wall assembly 24 can then be lowered relative to wall assembly 22 so that the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 24 slide into interlocking engagement with the wall connectors 50 of wall assembly 22 (see FIG. 7). Fasteners 100 are then extended through holes in the tabs 94,96 to secure the mated pair of wall connectors 50 to one another and thereby fasten the adjacent panels 60 together.

Although the above description presents features of preferred embodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Such other preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with features drawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further, such other preferred embodiments may include features from multiple embodiments described above, particularly where such features are compatible for use together despite having been presented independently as part of separate embodiments in the above description.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A quick assembly playhouse comprising: multiple pairs of wood paneled walls that cooperatively form at least part of the playhouse when erected,each of said pairs of walls presenting adjacent hinge margins that extend alongside one another; andliving hinges each attached to adjacent hinge margins of a corresponding one of the pairs of walls so as to cooperatively form a living hinge joint that permits folding and unfolding of the corresponding one of the pairs of walls,each of said pairs of walls being shiftable about the living hinge between a folded position, in which the walls of the pair are stacked on top of one another, and an unfolded position, in which the walls of the pair are operable to form the erected playhouse.

2. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 1, adjacent ones of said walls including a complemental set of quick-connection connectors, with each of the connectors of the set being associated with a respective one of the adjacent walls,said connector set being configured to automatically secure the adjacent walls when the adjacent walls are shifted relative to one another during playhouse erection.

3. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 2, said connector set automatically securing the adjacent walls when the adjacent walls are shifted vertically relative to one another.

4. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 2, one of said adjacent walls being associated with a first one of the pairs of walls, and the other of said adjacent walls being associated with a second one of the pairs of walls, such that the adjacent walls are formed from two of the wall pairs.

5. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 4, wherein the playhouse is four-sided to present two of said pairs of wall.

6. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 4, each of said adjacent walls presenting a connection margin opposite the hinge margin,said connectors being located along the connection margins of the adjacent walls.

7. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 6, one of said connectors of the connector set presenting a slot, and the other of the connectors of the connector set presenting a tab slidably received in the slot when the adjacent walls are shifted relative to one another.

8. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 7, said connectors each including a fastener for securing the connector to the respective one of the adjacent walls.

9. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 7, said slot being oriented generally vertically, such that the connector set secures the adjacent walls to one another when the adjacent walls are shifted vertically relative to one another.

10. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 9, said living hinge joint being oriented generally vertically.

11. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 7, said adjacent walls including a pair of said connector sets.

12. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 4, each connector of the connector set presenting a slot and a tab, with the tab of each of the connectors of the connector set being slidably received in the slot of the other connector of the connector set.

13. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 12, said tab of one of the connectors of the connecter set projecting a direction generally opposite to the tab of the other of the connectors of the connection set, such that the connector set interlocks the adjacent walls to one another.

14. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 13, said tabs projecting generally vertically,said living hinge joint projecting generally vertically.

15. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 1, each of said living hinges including a longitudinal line of weakness that defines a minimum thickness dimension ranging from about one tenth of a millimeter to about eight tenths of a millimeter.

16. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 15, each of said living hinges defining a maximum thickness dimension that ranges from about one millimeter to about three millimeters.

17. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 15, each of said living hinges including a longitudinally extending region that presents opposed concave surfaces, with the concave surfaces cooperatively defining the line of weakness.

18. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 1, each of said living hinges including a synthetic resin material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and combinations thereof.

19. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 1, one of said adjacent hinge margins presenting a recess that receives the other one of said adjacent hinge margins when the walls are unfolded.

20. The quick assembly playhouse as claimed in claim 1, said walls cooperatively forming upright exterior walls of the playhouse.