CHILD PLAY STRUCTURE

Abstract

A child play structure comprising: a main plate having a max length greater than 58 cm or 80 cm and a max height greater than 58 cm or 80 cm and being arranged at an angle of less than 20 degrees to the vertical, a first side plate having a max length greater than 50 cm and a max height greater than 40 cm and being arranged at an angle of less than 20 degrees to the vertical, wherein said first side plate is fastened to the main plate in such a way that: the first side plate forms a fixed angle to the main plate of between 60 and 90 degrees and at least 30% of the max length of the first side plate extends past each side of the main plate. In this way a play structure is provided which has a very high play value and a very high stability with a low use of materials.

Claims

1. A child play structure comprising: a main plate having two sides and a max length greater than 58 cm and/or a max height greater than 58 cm and being arranged at an angle of less than 20 degrees to a vertical orientation, and a first side plate having a max length greater than 50 cm and/or a max height greater than 40 cm and being arranged at an angle of less than 20 degrees to the vertical orientation, wherein said first side plate is fastened to the main plate such that: i. the first side plate forms a fixed angle to the main plate of between 60 and 90 degrees and ii. at least 30% of the max length of the first side plate extends past each of the sides of the main plate.

2-15. (canceled)

16. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein the main plate comprises a side edge and the first side plate is fastened to the main plate such that the shortest normal distance from the first side plate to the side edge of the main plate is less than 20% of the max length of the main plate.

17. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein the main plate comprises a side edge, and the child play structure further comprises a second side plate having a max length greater than 40 cm and/or a max height greater than 40 cm and being arranged at an angle of less than 20 degrees to the vertical orientation, wherein said second side plate is fastened to the main plate such that: the second side plate forms a fixed angle to the main plate of between 60 and 90 degrees, and the shortest normal distance from the second side plate to the side edge of the main plate opposite to the side edge of the main plate which is closest to the first side plate is less than 20% of the max length of the main plate.

18. The child play structure according to claim 17, wherein at least 20% of the max length of the second side plate extends past each of the sides of the main plate.

19. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein the first side plate is attached to a first side edge of the main plate and/or a second side plate is attached to a second side edge of the main plate.

20. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein the max length×max height of the main plate represents a plate area of A1 and the max length×max height of the first side plate represents a plate area of A2, and wherein A1 is greater than 80% of twice A2 and less than 120% of twice A2.

21. The child play structure according to claim 17, wherein the max length×max height of the main plate represents a plate area of A1 and the max length×max height of the second side plate represents a plate area of A3, and wherein A1 is greater than 80% of four times A3 and less than 120% of four times A3.

22. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein a main plate structure of the child play structure consists of the main plate and the first side plate or a main plate structure of the child play structure consists of the main plate, the first side plate and a second side plate.

23. The child play structure according to claim 1, wherein the plates of the child play structure are configured such that the child play structure does not comprise any enclosed space large enough for a child to get inside.

24. The child play structure according to claim 1, further comprising a corner strengthening element at a corner between the main plate and the first side plate.

25. The child play structure according to claim 24, wherein said corner strengthening element is a shelf.

26. A kit comprising a main plate and a first side plate, said kit being configured to be assembled into the child play structure according to claim 1.

27. A method of manufacturing a child play structure according to claim 1, said method comprising: providing a first plate having an area A, cutting a first main plate out of the area A of the first plate, providing a second plate having an area A, cutting a second main plate out of the area A of the second plate, providing a third plate having an area A, cutting two first side plates out of the area A of the third plate, packaging the first main plate and one first side plate together, and packaging the second main plate and the other first side plate together.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said method further comprises: providing a fourth plate having an area A, cutting two second side plates out of the area A of the fourth plate, packaging one second side plate together with the first main plate and one first side plate, and packaging the other second side plate together with the second main plate and the other first side plate.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said method further comprises providing a third plate having an area A and cutting four second side plates out of the area A of the third plate and then packaging one of the four second side plates with the first main plate and then packaging another one of the four second side plates with the second main plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a front top side perspective view of a first embodiment of a child play structure according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a rear top side perspective view of the child play structure of FIG. 1 showing more details.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a child play structure according to the invention.

[0043] FIGS. 4 and 5 show different perspective detail views of the fastening means used to attach the plates together.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a front top side perspective view of a third embodiment of a child play structure according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment 1 of a child play structure. The structure comprises a main plate 2, a first side plate 3 and a second side plate 4. Each plate of the current embodiment is formed/cut from a plate or sheet material which is suitable for outdoor use. In one example, the plate material is a recycled plastic material. In another embodiment, the plate material is plywood covered with a layer of paint. In another embodiment, the plate material is a sandwich construction with a thick inner layer of recycled plastic and two thinner outer layers of a colourful plastic material with a good surface finish. Other suitable choices of material will be available to the person skilled in the art.

[0046] Each plate is cut or otherwise formed into a particular shape. The shape can be chosen to represent different themes or situations. In one example, the plates are cut into a shape which represents the outline of a building. In another example, the plates are cut into an interesting geometric shape. In general, the three plates which make up the structure of the current embodiment can be chosen to represent a certain theme. In one example, the theme could be a workshop. In another example, the theme could be a house. The person skilled in the art of Early Childhood Education will be able to provide many examples of suitable outlines and themes. It could be said that the outline of the main plate, the first side plate and/or the second side plate can be provided with an outline which is play inspiring.

[0047] Each plate has a maximum (max) length (L1, L2) and a maximum (max) height (H1, H2). In the current embodiment the max length is the largest dimension along the horizontal axis of the plate when the structure is erected. The max height in the current embodiment is the largest dimension along the vertical axis of the plate when the structure is erected.

[0048] The product of the max length and the max height give a figure which can be termed the “maximum rectangular plate area”. When cutting a main or side plate, it is necessary to provide a raw plate having an area which is equal to or larger than the “maximum rectangular plate area” of the desired main or side plate. In the embodiment shown, the main plate 2 has a max length of 1196 mm and a max height of 1196 mm. The first side plate has a max length of 1196 mm and a max height of 586 mm. The second side plate has a max length of 586 mm and a max height of 586 cm.

[0049] The current embodiment's dimensions are chosen to optimize a standardly available plate size. In this case raw rectangular plates with an outer dimension of 1200 mm×1200 mm are supplied. The width of the cutting tool in this case is 2 mm, so the main plates maximum dimensions are chosen to be 1196 mm×1196 mm. Likewise, in order to optimize the material usage of the plates, the dimensions of the first side plate have been chosen so that two first side plates can be cut out of a single standard raw plate size. Similarly, the dimensions of the second side plate are chosen such that four side plates can be cut out of a single standard plate. In this way, in order to build four child play structures according to the invention, only 7 standard sized raw plates are needed. If the dimensions of the side plates were slightly larger, then it would not be possible to use 7 plates, rather up to 12 plates would be necessary. While these dimensions have been chosen based on optimal material usage, other dimensions are also possible. For example, the second side plate could be similar in size to the first side plate. In this way, only two second side plates could be cut from a standard plate. This would require 9 plates instead of 7. Likewise, by reducing the dimensions of the main plate to less than 58 cm in height and/or less than 58 cm in width, the number of structures which can be built from a small number of plates can be even further optimized.

[0050] As can be seen from the figures, the first side plate 3 is fastened to the side edge of the main plate 2. In the prior art, when joining two plates in a child play structure, the plates are usually joined edge to edge. In this way an L shape is formed. However, in the current embodiment, the side edge of the main plate is joined to the first side plate close to the middle of the first side plate. In this way, the first side plate and the main side plate form a T shaped structure instead of the typical L shaped structure known from the prior art. The T shaped structure has the benefit that two inside corners are formed with only two plates. Since children like to play in inside corners, maximizing the number of inside corners in an activity structure while reducing material usage is advantageous.

[0051] It could also be said that the first side plate is joined to the main plate in such a way that the first side plate extends outwardly from both sides of the main plate. In the current embodiment, the main plate is attached to the first side plate around the middle of the first side plate and therefore the maximum horizontal normal dimension from the main plate to one side edge of the first side plate is approximately equal to the maximum horizontal normal dimension from the main plate to the other side edge of the first side plate. In this case, one could say that the first side plate extends past the main plate by about 50% of the max length of the first side plate.

[0052] However, it is not necessary that the first side plate is centred on the main plate. Other dimensions could also be imagined. Two non-limiting examples are a 70%/30% spread and a 60%/40% spread. However, in order to achieve the advantage of the two inside corners, a certain extension is necessary. In the claims it is therefore defined that the first side plate has to extend from the main plate at least 30% of the max length of the first side plate.

[0053] Similarly, in the current embodiment, the second side plate 4 is also attached to a side edge of the main plate such that the second side plate extends from both sides of the main plate. In the current embodiment, the second side plate is also attached in the middle of the second side plate as with the first side plate. But this is not necessary for the second plate. In fact, in one embodiment (not shown), the second side plate could be attached at its edge to the side edge of the main plate. In this way, the second side plate and the main plate form an L shape.

[0054] As can be seen from the figures, in the current embodiment, the overall structure has an H shape. In this way two separate rectangular areas are defined. One side edge of each of the rectangular areas is fully open which allows free and unencumbered viewing of the inside of the enclosures. This allows efficient supervision which is in contrast to a fully enclosed rectangular enclosure where it is difficult to see inside the enclosure. This makes the H shaped structure much more suitable to supervised play of small children when compared to the fully enclosed rectangular structures known in the art.

[0055] Furthermore, two semi enclosed areas are provided with the current H shaped structure with only three plates in contrast to a fully enclosed structure which provides only a single room, but with four plates. The play value of the current H shaped structure is therefore much greater for small children while simultaneously requiring less material and thereby lowering the cost.

[0056] In the current embodiment, the main plate, the first side plate and the second side plate are all arranged vertically. However, it could also be imagined that the plates were arranged at an angle to the vertical (not shown). For example, the first side plate could be arranged at a 10 degree angle to the vertical so that the first side plate sloped inwardly towards the main plate. Likewise, the main plate or the second side plate could also be arranged slightly angled. For the cases where the plates are angled, the “maximum height” of the plate should be understood as the maximum Y dimension of the plate in the plane of the plate.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows the same structure as FIG. 1, but with two additional details. A small circular shelf 5 has been mounted on the first side plate 3. This shelf is just one example of many different extra functional activity elements which could be mounted on the activity structure. Many different examples could be imagined. Some non-limiting examples are clocks, curtains, cupboards, funnels, tubes, etc . . . .

[0058] The second detail shown in FIG. 2 is a rectangular shelf 6 which is added in one of the inside corners of the structure. In the current embodiment, the shelf is added between the second side plate 4 and the main plate 2. This second shelf 6 is advantageously attached to both the second side plate 4 and the main plate 2. Due to this, the shelf 6 adds strength to the structure. In other words, the shelf acts as a corner strengthening element.

[0059] Furthermore, in both FIGS. 1 and 2, mounting feet 7 are shown. The mounting feet can be formed in many different ways. In the current embodiment, the mounting feet are fastened to the bottom edge of the plates via a bolt which goes through the foot 7 and the plate 3. Furthermore, each mounting foot is provided with vertical holes 8 through the foot whereby the foot can be fastened to a surface on which the structure is standing. For example, an earth spike could be inserted through the hole 8 and pounded into the earth underneath the structure. In this way, the structure can be anchored in place as is required in certain safety standards, for example European safety standard EN 1176. In the current embodiment, two vertically arranged holes are provided in each foot, one on each side of the plate. In another embodiment, a foot could be provided with only one vertically arranged hole arranged on one side of the plate. Different forms of anchors are known to the person skilled in the art and won't be discussed further here.

[0060] It should also be noted that in the current embodiment, each of the two side plates has two mounting feet. One could also say that in the current embodiment, the two side plates are each supported on the support surface on which the play structure is erected by at least two points. This provides a stable base for the play structure. One could also imagine a structure without any mounting feet, but where the entire bottom edge of the side plates was arranged to stand on the support surface. This is a good solution for the case where the play structure is erected on deformable support surfaces such as sand or grass.

[0061] It should also be noted that in order for the activity structure to have a significant value to children, the overall dimensions have to be large enough so that it is possible to give the impression to the children of playing inside the structure. Due to this, a minimum dimension of 58 cm×58 cm for small children and 80 cm×80 cm for larger children for the main plate have been defined. Dimensions which are much smaller than this would provide a play environment which did not have the same advantages as the current activity structure. In particular, it has been found that the max height of the main plate can advantageously be greater than the typical height of the children playing in the structure. This provides a form of barrier between the two sides of the structure which encourages play through the structure rather than over the structure.

[0062] In a beneficial embodiment, openings or holes (not shown) are provided in the main plate which allow children to interact through the main plate. For example, one could provide a door or a window in the main plate through which actions could be taken. A shop environment could be imagined where one side of the structure was the inside of a shop and the other side was the outside of the shop. A window between the two sides would allow interaction between the two sides of the structure. This greatly increases the play value of the structure to children.

[0063] The embodiment of an activity structure 20 shown in FIG. 3 is very similar to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As with the previous embodiment, this activity structure also comprises a main plate 21, a first side plate 22 and a second side plate 23. As before, the side plates are joined to the main plate along the side edge of the main plate such that the side plates extend from each side of the main plate. As before an overall H shape is provided. In effect, the only real difference between the first embodiment 1 and the second embodiment 20, is the overall outline of the plates. The overall function and dimensions are very similar between the two embodiments, however, the playing activity inspired by the structure can be different between the two embodiments due to the different theme.

[0064] FIG. 3 also shows one example of a functional activity element 24. The functional activity element 24 is mounted in a through-going opening 25 formed in the main panel 21. However, in another embodiment, the activity element could also be mounted in or on a side panel 22, 23.

[0065] The activity element 24 comprises a set of rollers 26, each roller 26 being arranged to rotate about an axis which is parallel to the plane of the main plate. When an item is positioned on the set of rollers 26 it can be pushed or pulled through the through-going opening 25. Since the rollers 26 are arranged to rotate, the frictional force applied to the item during this movement is insignificant, and therefore the item can be passed through the through-going opening 25 very easily. The activity element is provided with two side plates 27 each being provided with a vertical slot 28 having a width which is equal to the thickness of the main plate. In this way, the activity element can be inserted into the through going opening 25 and then lowered down until the slots 28 engage the main plate 21. The functional activity element shown is just one example of an activity element which can be connected to the activity structure.

[0066] FIGS. 4 and 5 show two different detail views of a shelf 30 which is attached between a second side plate 31 and a main plate 32. As with the previously discussed shelf 8, the current shelf 30 increases the stiffness of the structure at one of the inside corners. In this way, the shelf 30 can be described as a corner stiffening element. FIG. 4 shows the shelf attached to the structure while FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a mechanism 33,35 used to attach the shelf to the structure. As can be seen the mechanisms used to attach the shelf to the structure in this embodiment are similar to the ones known in the fields of furniture. A bolt 33 is passed through a hole 34 in the plate 31. A nut 35 in the form of an elongated cylinder with an internal thread being formed in a hole which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cylinder is then placed in a hole 36 formed in the shelf. The bolt engages with the internal thread and the bolt can then be tightened. In the embodiment shown, the elongated cylinder shape of the nut is formed with a non-circular cross section taken through a plane which is perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated cylinder. This ensures that the nut does not rotate in the hole in the shelf which makes alignment between the nut and the bolt easier.

[0067] The side plates can also be attached to the main plate in this same manner. However, other forms of attaching the plates to each other could also be imagined. For example, angle brackets could be used at the corners to connect the side plates to the main plate.

[0068] In another embodiment (not shown), the main plate could be provided with a slot in the lower side of the plate close to the side edge of the main plate. The side plate could be provided with a corresponding slot, but in its upper side. The main plate could thereby be joined to the side plate simply by engaging the slots with each other. The plates could thereafter be further joined together with fastening elements, for example bolts, angle brackets, etc . . . . In this case, the side plate would not be connected directly to the side edge of the main plate, but would be located a distance inwardly from the side edge of the main plate. This can have both advantages and disadvantages. In the embodiments shown in the figures, tools are needed to disassemble the structure. Therefore, there is not risk that children in the playground could accidentally cause the structure to collapse.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment 40 of an activity structure according to the current invention. In most ways, the third embodiment is very similar to the first and second embodiments and won't be described in great detail here. The third embodiment comprises a main plate 41 and a first side plate 42. In contrast to the other embodiments, the third embodiment does not comprise a second side plate. In this way, the overall shape formed by the third embodiment is a T shape instead of an H shape. This reduces the number of inside corners, but also reduces the number of plates necessary.

[0070] In general, it can be said that the overall structure of FIG. 6 consists of two plates and two inside corners.

[0071] It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many specific details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description.