OUTDOOR CLASSROOM SYSTEM AND EARLY LEARNING PODS

Abstract

A portable outdoor classroom system for teachers and students is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of workstations adapted to accommodate the students and teacher in a seating or standing position each workstation including a seating portion and a work desk portion. A blackboard may be included along with one or more shade sail mounted on posts or logs to protect the outdoor classroom system against sun and inclement weather. Also disclose are pre-school early learning pods designed to support early learners with a wider range of developmental needs and abilities. The early learning pods include vertical cluster logs arranged in clusters and combined with whacky support logs, horizontal border logs and other items such as carved log tunnels and carve chair logs to form enclosed or open learning areas.

Claims

1. A portable outdoor classroom system comprising: a plurality of workstations to accommodate at least one student and at least one teacher in a seating or standing position each workstation comprising a cylindrical seating portion and a cylindrical desk portion; wherein the seating portion is removably connectable to the desk portion by a tongue and groove connection.

2. The portable outdoor classroom system of claim 1, further including at least one blackboard.

3. The portable outdoor classroom system according to claim 1, further including at least one shade sail mounted on support logs to protect the outdoor classroom system against sun and inclement weather.

4. The portable outdoor classroom system according to claim 1, further including at least one curriculum cabinet for storage.

5. The portable outdoor classroom system according to claim 1, wherein the seating portion and the desk portion are constructed from wood.

6. The portable outdoor classroom system of claim 5, wherein the wood is wooden logs.

7. The portable outdoor classroom system according to claim 1, wherein the portable outdoor classroom system is configured for conversion into at least one of a climbing structure or a tiered seating structure.

8. An early learning pod system that is self-stabilizing and mountable on a surface plane without breaking the surface plane and without requiring additional anchoring, the early learning pod system comprising: a plurality of vertical cluster logs each vertical cluster log having a predetermined height, a predetermined diameter, a flat top and a flat bottom, wherein the vertical cluster logs are arranged into a plurality of clusters, each cluster including at least two of the vertical cluster logs, wherein the at least two vertical cluster logs in each of the clusters are fastened together such that the flat bottom of each of the at least two vertical cluster logs is on a same horizontal plane, thereby self-stabilizing the cluster without breaking the surface plane or requiring additional anchoring; and at least one horizontal border log removably connectable to at least one of the vertical cluster logs by a tongue and groove connection.

9. The early learning pod system of claim 8, further comprising at least one vertical whacky support log having an angled top surface removably connectable to at least one of the vertical cluster logs by a tongue and groove connection.

10. The early learning pod system of claim 8, wherein the at least one horizontal border log is a plurality of horizontal border logs and wherein the clusters of vertical cluster logs and the horizontal border logs may be arranged to form at least one enclosed space when connected.

11. The early learning pod system of claim 10, further comprising a carved tunnel log forming an entrance to the enclosed space.

12. The early learning pod system according to claim 8 further comprising at least one horizontal half-log connectable to at least one of the vertical cluster logs by a tongue and groove connection.

13. The early learning pod system according to claim 8, further including an amorphous log.

14. The early learning pod system according to claim 8, further including at least one chair log.

15. The early learning pod system according to claim 8, further including at least one mirror.

16. The early learning pod system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined height of a first one of the at least two vertical cluster logs in each cluster is different than that predetermined height of a second one of the at least two vertical cluster logs.

17. The early learning pod system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined diameter of a first one of the at least two vertical cluster logs in each cluster is different than the predetermined diameter of a second one of the at least two vertical cluster logs.

18. A method of packing multiple workstations of a portable outdoor classroom system for shipping or storage comprising: connecting a first seat to a first desk of a first workstation by a tongue and groove connection, the first seat having a flat top and a flat bottom and the first desk having a flat top and a flat bottom; connecting a second seat to a second desk of a second workstation by a tongue and groove connection, the second seat having a fat top and a flat bottom; and arranging the first workstation and the second workstation so that the top of the first seat of the first workstation rests on the top of the second seat of the second workstation and the bottom of the second seat of the second workstation is on a same horizontal plane as the top of the first desk of the first workstation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further features of the outdoor classroom system and early learning pods disclosed herein will become apparent from the following written description and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a workstation of the outdoor classroom system disclosed herein;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the workstation of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4 is s side elevation view of the workstation shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one possible arrangement of the outdoor classroom system disclosed herein including a blackboard;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another possible arrangement of the outdoor classroom system disclosed herein, including blackboards, whacky support post, shade sails and a curriculum cabinet;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 7;

[0028] FIG. 9 show the workstations of the outdoor classroom system arranged on a pallet for shipping or storage;

[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 9;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the components shown in FIG. 9;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the workstations of the outdoor classroom system arranged to create a combing play structure or tiered seating structure;

[0032] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 12;

[0033] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the arrangement of workstations shown in FIG. 12;

[0034] FIG. 15 is one embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein;

[0035] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15;

[0036] FIG. 17 is another embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein;

[0037] FIG. 18 is another embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein;

[0038] FIG. 19 is another embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein;

[0039] FIG. 20 is another embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein;

[0040] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the embodiment of an early learning pod shown in FIG. 20;

[0041] FIG. 22 is another embodiment of an early learning pod as disclosed herein; and

[0042] FIGS. 23 and 24 show the tongue and grove connection between a vertical log clusters and a horizontal border log.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The outdoor classroom system and pre-school early learning pods disclosed herein addresses the above-mentioned challenges in one or more of the following ways:

[0044] Durability - natural materials are selected to suit specific outdoor environments and withstand the elements to mitigate natural decay. Components are designed to withstand heavy, outdoor, open-ended and unsupervised use that could cause other systems to fail.

[0045] Sustainability - natural materials are sustainably sourced. Components and systems are designed for carbon efficient production shipping, assembly and maintenance. Avoidance of artificial materials such as plastic, steel and rubber and non-biodegradable waste streams. Natural surfaces reduce or eliminate heat island effects.

[0046] Accessibility - student and teacher seat-desks are designed to accommodate a wide range of ages and abilities for use as either seated or standing workstations. Systems ship with equipment to set components into alternate patterns to accommodate any teaching style and flexible individual or group learning.

[0047] Cost - to reduce production costs each student and teacher seat-table is dovetailed and secured with just one fastener. To reduce transportation costs student and teacher seat-desks are designed to stack for palletized shipping, allowing multiple prefabricated classrooms to be shipped on a single flatbed trailer. To reduce assembly and installation costs the system is designed as a low-impact, safety-compliant surface mount system that allows each classroom system to be set up or removed in about an hour. A standard soccer pitch can be converted into an outdoor school with 12 to 18 classrooms in one day. The pre-school early learning pods are designed using interlocking components so that any specific configuration is self-contained, self-stabilizing, safety compliant, and surface mountable without breaking the ground plane or requiring additional anchoring on virtually any surface including unlevel ground as well as concrete pads and rooftops, thus allowing for efficient assembly and installation. To reduce removal costs low-impact surface mount system allows each outdoor classroom system to be removed within an hour; an entire field of outdoor classrooms can be removed within a few hours. Instead of paying to dispose of used classrooms, outdoor classroom system and early learning pods disclosed herein can be reconfigured into standard compliant play structures or social gathering structures.

[0048] Ergonomics - student and teacher seat-desks are designed for specific height differentials between the seat and table-top to accommodate sitting or standing work for a wide range of ages and abilities. The outdoor classroom system disclosed herein may include natural buffers and shelter to enhance the learning environment. The systems are designed with natural materials in dimensions appropriate for various ages and abilities for open-ended use, compared to indoor classroom systems. The applicant’s outdoor classrooms improve cognitive development (focus and attention), social and emotional development (self-regulation), language development (receptive and expressive), motor development (motor planning) and sensory development (tactile, visual, olfactory). Through configurations designed to achieve full sensory engagement for certain developmental outcomes, applicant’s early learning pods systems improve gross motor, fine motor, vestibular, balance, smell, touch, sight, sound and proprioception.

[0049] Safety - student and teacher seat-desks are designed to specific height, diameter, and weight ratios to eliminate the risk of incidental tipping. Blackboards are designed for ground clearance in open fields and stability to reduce the risk of incidental or wind related tipping. Classrooms and converted social or play structures may be easily designed to comply with mandated Government safety standards such as ASTM, ANSI, CSA, ADA. Natural surfaces improve thermal performance and reduce risks of burns and heat stroke. The pre-school early learning pods are designed using interlocking components so that any specific configuration is self-contained, self-stabilizing, safety compliant, and surface mountable without breaking the ground plane or requiring additional anchoring on virtually any surface including unlevel ground as well as concrete pads and rooftops to comply with mandated safety standards.

[0050] Health - natural surfaces self-disinfect overnight compared with 4 to 5 days for plastic, steel and rubber. Flexibility in spacing allows for a range of distancing protocols. Each student seat-table provides a backpack hitch to keep materials self-contained. Natural materials can provide healthy microbial interactions that are proven to boost immune systems.

[0051] Configurability - applicant’s outdoor classrooms may be transformed into play structures that are compliant with various Government safety standards such as ASTM, ANSI, CSA, ADA. Applicant’s outdoor classrooms may also be reconfigured for social gatherings, student study groups, and bleachers for sports fields.

[0052] The outdoor classroom systems shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 and disclosed herein are designed to be portable and configurable to accommodate a plurality of teaching styles and class sizes, as well as individual and group learning for students of all ages and abilities.

[0053] The pre-school early learning pods system shown in FIGS. 15 to 24 and disclosed herein are designed to support early learners - infants to pre-school aged children - with a wider range of developmental needs and abilities than more mature school-aged children and are designed to be configurable in a plurality of arrangements to optimize for intense, immersive sensory engagement to achieve certain core developmental outcomes for early childhood education. The various configurations shown and disclosed are designed to enable sensory rich play-based educational experiences for early learners.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a workstation 10 including a desk 20 connected to a seat 30. Both the desk 20 and seat 30 are segments of a cylinder. The cylindrical design allows for the use of raw, large caliper logs from a variety of tree species that can be selected to suit the local environment that require minimal debarking to maintain the natural state and defenses of the wood. The desk 20 has a flat round top surface 21, a flat round bottom surface 22 and side walls 23 connecting the top 21 and bottom 22. The seat 30 has a flat round top surface 31, a flat round bottom surface 32 and sidewalls 33 connecting the top 31 and bottom 32. The top edge 24 of the desk 20 and the top edge 34 of the seat 30 may be beveled around the entire top circumference, respectively. The seat 30 and the desk 20 are sized and configured to provide a comfortable seating position for a student or a teacher, including a sufficient workspace on desk 20 for teachers and students of varying ages and abilities.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows the desk 20 and the seat 30 of the workstation 10 in a disconnected configuration to illustrate how the two components connect and interlock. The desk 20 includes a flat segment 25 cut vertically the entire length of the side wall 23 from the top 21 to the bottom 23. A groove 26 is cut into the center of the flat segment 25, the groove 26 also extending from the top 21 to the bottom 22 of the desk 20.

[0056] The seat 30 also includes a flat segment 35 cut vertically the entire length of the side wall 33 from the top 31 to the bottom 33. A tongue 36 is formed in the center of the flat segment 35, the tongue 36 also extending from the top 31 to the bottom 32 of the seat 30.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, the desk 20 removably connects to the seat 30 by engaging the tongue 36 with the groove 26 such that the two flat segments 25 and 35 come into contact. The tongue 36 and the groove 26 may be dovetailed so that they may only be fit together by sliding the seat 30 vertically from the top of the desk 30 downward or from the bottom of the desk 20 upward. Once fit together in this manner the seat 30 is locked onto the desk 20 and can only be separated by sliding one or the other fully up or down to disengage the tongue 36 from the grove 26. Workstations 10 may be arranged in various configurations for individual or group learning.

[0058] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described tongue and groove system may be configured in the alternative with the groove formed into the seat 30 and the tongue formed into the desk 20.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the workstation 10 and FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view. The desk 20 may be fitted with a bag holder 40 on one side to provide a place for the student or teacher to hang their belongings to keep them off the ground.

[0060] To accommodate both students and teachers of different sizes, desk 20 may range in size from between 24 and 36 inches in height and have a diameter of between 18 and 30 inches. Seat 30 may range in size from between 12 and 18 inches in height and have a diameter of between 10 and 17 inches.

[0061] FIGS. 5 and 6 show one embodiment of an outdoor classroom 100 that includes multiple workstations 10, at least one of which may be sized and configured large enough to accommodate an adult teacher (shown located in the center of the classroom 100 at reference 10a). Included as well may be a blackboard 110 or some other device on which the teacher is able to write or provide visual content to the students. Blackboard 110 has a stabilizing base and a rugged frame with sufficient ground clearance to work in open fields, and a writing surface made from natural materials and coatings to withstand inclement weather conditions.

[0062] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of an outdoor classroom 100 that may include one or more curriculum cabinets 120 for storage of teaching supplies and other items. Curriculum cabinets 120 may be constructed with a stabilizing base and a rugged frame and with front door panels as a blackboard writing surface. The Cabinets 120 are made from natural materials and coatings to withstand inclement weather conditions. Shade sails 130 may be installed on whacky support logs 140 to protect the outdoor classroom 100 against sun and inclement weather. Shade sails 130 are shown supported on wires 150 connected between whacky support logs 140. Shade sails 130 are constructed of natural materials and coatings to provide shade and shelter from inclement weather. Whacky support logs 140 are constructed of raw large caliper logs with minimal debarking to maintain the natural state and defenses of the wood. In addition, fence panels and planters (not shown) may be used to separate and provide privacy between adjacent outdoor classroom systems. Fence panels and planters are constructed of chemical free, durable wood species.

[0063] FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate how the workstations 10 may be advantageously packed together and palletized for shipping or storage. For example, seat 30b and desk 20b of workstation 10b are connected using the tongue and groove system described above and arranged to fit together in a compact arrangement with seat 30c and desk 20c of workstation 10c that are similarly connected. Workstation 10c is inverted and arranged so that the top 31c of seat 30c rests on the top 31b of seat 30b. Workstation 10b is arranged so that the bottom 32b of seat 30b is on the same plane as the top 21c of desk 20c. When workstation 10c is inverted and placed next to workstation 10b on a shipping pallet 200 or in a fixed storage location, the top 31c of seat 30c is able to rest on the top surface 31b of the seat 30b of the adjacent workstation 10b. By arranging multiple workstations 10 together in this manner the workstations take up less space, are more stable, and may be stacked both vertically and horizontally.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, when not in use, the outdoor classrooms and early learning pods may be converted into safety compliant play and social gathering structures or tiered steading structures. FIG. 12 shows one such configuration where the workstations 10 are connected together and arranged into a climbing structure 300. FIG. 13 is a partially exploded view of the climbing structure 300 showing some of workstations 10 connected by cables 310 to provide greater stability. FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the climbing structure 300.

[0065] FIGS. 15 to 24 show several embodiments of the pre-school early learning pods as disclosed herein, which are designed to support early learners - infants to pre-school aged children - with a wider range of developmental needs and abilities than more mature school-aged children.

[0066] Early learning focuses on developing pre-writing skills through play based sensory engagement. As such pre-school early learning pods are not organized as a classroom system for students, but rather as an organized set of components that can be configured in different ways to optimize for intense, immersive sensory engagement and achieve certain core developmental outcomes for early childhood education. As such configurations are designed to enable sensory rich play based educational experiences for early learners.

[0067] All components are constructed of natural materials suitable for the local outdoor environment and designed for heavy, open-ended, unsupervised use for prolonged periods.

[0068] The pre-school early learning pods are designed using interlocking components so that any specific configuration is self-contained, self-stabilizing, safety compliant, and surface mountable without breaking the ground plane or requiring additional anchoring on virtually any surface including unlevel ground as well as concrete pads and rooftops. Vertical cluster logs and horizontal border logs are used to secure and support select feature components such as carved log tunnels, whacky logs, blackboards and carved wooden arm chairs or backed benches using interlocking dovetails to connect adjacent components, thus alleviating any need to break the ground plane or to anchor individual components.

[0069] FIG. 15 shows one configuration of an early learning pod 400 including a carved log tunnel 402, vertical cluster logs 410, horizontal border logs 415 and whacky support logs 140. The carved log tunnel 402 is constructed from the cross section of the trunk of a large mature tree that has been felled due to poor tree health or human safety concerns, and where the center cavity of the trunk has decayed and can be carved out, and where the ends have been milled flat and the sides have been minimally debarked to maintain the natural state and environmental defenses of the wood, as well as the sensory engagement of interacting with a real tree surface.

[0070] Vertical cluster logs 410 may be of various heights and diameters and configured to stand vertically together in clusters as shown in the figures. The vertical cluster logs 410 may be combined together in clusters with the whacky support logs 140. The horizontal border logs 415 may be arranged horizontally between clusters of vertical cluster logs 410 and whacky support logs 140 to form an enclosed area 420. Vertical cluster logs 410 are constructed of large caliper logs that may be fastened together using wood screws, where the bottom is uniform and milled flat and the tops are of varying height milled flat and beveled. The sides of the vertical cluster logs 410 have been minimally debarked to maintain the natural state and environmental defenses of the wood, as well as the sensory engagement of interacting with a real tree surface.

[0071] The side surfaces of the vertical cluster logs 410 that come into contact with adjacent early learning pod system components such as other vertical cluster logs 410, whacky support logs 140 or horizontal border logs 415 are notched for tongue and groove connection in a manner similar to that described and shown above for the seats 30 and desks 20 of the workstations 10.

[0072] An example of the tongue and grove connection between the vertical cluster logs 410 and the horizontal border logs 415 is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. A grove 411 is cut vertically into a side of one of the vertical cluster logs 410 and configured to engage with a tongue 416 formed on one end of the horizontal border log 415. The tongue 411 and the grove 416 may be formed in a dovetail shape to ensure a secure fit and prevent accidental disconnection. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described tongue and groove system may in the alternative be configured with the groove formed into the horizontal border log 415 and the tongue formed into the desk 20.

[0073] Whacky support logs 140 are constructed of raw large caliper logs with minimal debarking to maintain the natural state and defenses of the wood, as well as the sensory engagement of interacting with a real tree surface.

[0074] The log tunnel 402 may be used as an entrance to the enclosed area 420 or for any other purpose, including a source of play and entertainment for the students. FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the configuration shown in FIG. 15.

[0075] FIG. 17 shows another arrangement of early learning pod 400, including vertical cluster logs 410, horizontal border logs 415, and whacky support logs 140 without creating the enclosed area 420.

[0076] FIG. 18 shows another arrangement of early learning pod 400, including vertical cluster logs 410, horizontal border logs 415 and whacky support logs 140 to form the enclosed area 420, but without the carved log tunnel log 400 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0077] FIG. 19 shows yet another arrangement of early learning pod 400, including vertical cluster logs 410 and horizontal border logs 415 to form the enclosed area 420, also without the carved log tunnel log 402 or the whacky support logs 140.

[0078] FIG. 20 shows yet another arrangement of early learning pod 400, including vertical cluster longs 410 and horizontal border logs 415 and border half-logs 415a, in combination with carved log tunnel 402 and an amorphous log 430 to form two enclosed areas 420a and 420b. FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the configuration shown in FIG. 20. Horizontal border half logs 415a are similar to horizontal border logs 415 but have been split lengthwise in half.

[0079] FIG. 22 shows yet another configuration of early learning pod 400, including vertical cluster logs 410, horizontal border logs 415, chair logs 440, and a mirror 450, all arranged to form enclosed area 420. Carved chair logs 440 may be constructed in various sizes from red oak, red maple, Norway maple, silver maple or walnut, carved from a single log to form an accessible and ergonomic seating location for children of different ages and abilities, depending on the intended use for a given installation.

[0080] One skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and arrangements of the various components of the applicant’s outdoor classroom system and early learning pods as disclosed herein are possible.

[0081] Components such as the desk 20, the seat 30, the whacky support logs 140, the vertical cluster logs 410 and horizontal border logs 415 and 415a, the carved log tunnel 4020, the amorphous log 430 and the chair log 440 may be constructed from sustainably sourced wood that can be obtained from a variety of tree species specifically suited to the local environments. Red oak and Douglas fir are common types of wood species that can be used for workstations 10 in the outdoor classroom system, as well as for vertical cluster logs 410 and horizontal boarder logs 415 in early learning pods systems 400. Cedar or Robina (black locust) are common types of wood species that can be used to construct the base and frame of blackboard 110 and curriculum cabinets 120, whacky support logs 140 as well as the fence panels and planters.

[0082] All components of the outdoor classroom system and early learning pods are built to withstand the local environment and inclement weather and to survive heavy, open-ended, unsupervised use for prolonged periods. The cylindrical design of workstations 10 in the outdoor classroom systems and vertical cluster logs 410 and horizontal boarder logs 415 and 415a in the early learning pods systems allows for components to be constructed of raw large caliper logs with minimal debarking to maintain the natural state and defenses of the wood. Blackboards 110 are designed for ground clearance in wild fields and constructed with a stabilizing base, rugged frame, and writing surface made from natural materials and coatings to withstand inclement weather conditions. Curriculum cabinets 120 are made to withstand extreme environmental conditions with a stabilizing base, rugged frame and doors with embedded blackboard writing surfaces for durability and functionality. Whacky support logs 140 are constructed of raw large caliper logs with minimal debarking to maintain the natural state and defenses of the wood. Shade sails 130 are made of natural materials and coatings to withstand and provide shade and shelter from inclement weather conditions over a long period. Fence panels and planters are constructed from chemical free, durable wood species.

[0083] The outdoor classroom system and pre-school early learning pods system disclosed herein provide a low-impact surface mount outdoor classroom system that allows each classroom to be set up or removed in an hour. Rather paying for dispose, when not being used the outdoor classroom and early learning pods disclosed herein may be reconfigured into safety compliant play or social gathering structures. The use of -natural materials and surfaces minimize or even negate heat island effects.

[0084] The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative of the present outdoor classroom system and pre-school early learning pods system and are not intended to limit the scope of the outdoor classroom system and pre-school early learning pods system. Various modifications and changes consistent with the description as a whole and which are readily apparent to the person of skill in the art are intended to be included. The appended claims should not be limited by the specific embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.